Cat Dancers on the Internet
"Our teacher used to take us to New York,” remembers Ron Holiday. “The big treat was Radio City Music Hall.” Here in 1954, he and fellow dancing student Joy were enthralled, and they could imagine no greater thrill than one day performing on that grand and storied stage. That is, until Ron, who was slightly older, graduated from school and went off to seek work as a dancer and Joy had a moment of crisis.
As Ron recalls this moment for Cat Dancers, Joy told him she was facing a choice: “I want to become a nun and I want to be a dancer,” she said. Oh, Ron says with an insinuated harrumph: he was furious. “All the work we’ve done and you’re gonna become a nun?” His fate was saved by the Mother Superior Joy consulted, who told her, “Go to New York and dance for God.” Over old-timey footage of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan, and photos of the couple’s early professional performances, Ron exults, “I was so grateful to that nun!”
Ron’s story is like that, full of exclamation points. Introduced in Harris Fishman’s documentary as he’s tending to his dogs and donning his dark curly wig, Ron is a vibrant, self-aware performer. He and Joy eventually married (their wedding photos show the spectacular gown he designed for her), and his memories of their life together are shaped by their shared love of dancing—movement, physicality, risk—as well as their devotion to the temples they made of their bodies. Scrapbooks and magazines reveal this devotion, as Ron smiles over their sublime, nearly Apollonian figures. While he and Joy both danced ballet, and he spent some time as a naked dancer for the Folies Bergère in Paris (a photo shows yet another view of his stunning physique, surrounded by dancing girls and feathers), their genre of choice became adagio, in which, he explains, “the male [is] partnering the female, glorifying her to make her look as beautiful as he can possibly make her look.” Indeed, Joy is gorgeous.
When they made it to Radio City Music Hall, they became famous, earning “kudos and accolades.” Here they met William Holden, who especially liked working with big cats. He so appreciated their help in the show, he gave them a black leopard cub: “We didn’t know what we were getting into,” remembers Ron. Now it came to him, how to extend and even expand their careers. “I dreamt about it first,” he says, “that Joy was a cat, in a beautiful cat costume, and I was the trainer.” This fantasy gives way to reality, as they train their black cat Aladdin to perform on stage, alongside Joy—in a cat costume.
As Ron recalls, their family expanded over the years to include still more animals—tigers, lions, and a jaguar—as well as a third human member. In 1988, the Holidays hired Chuck Lizza as a co-trainer and performer. “He was damn cute and he was a gorgeous male,” says Ron, “He was all man.” And, he adds, Chuck agreed to come on as a performer only if Ron did not insist that he wear tights, a condition to which Ron agreed: “He had nice tight pants that fit his ass real good and then loose, and he looked great.”
As a unit, Ron, Joy, and Chuck understood the complexities of working with big cats, of never taking for granted their fundamental status as wild animals. As Chuck tells a TV interviewer, “There are definite problems and definite dangers to it,” but the three spend long hours thinking about these problems and training themselves as well as their cats. Their show—before the great success of Siegfried and Roy, was the most popular big cat act in the United States (Ron recalls a brief flirtation with Siegfried, whom he describes as “not my type, he was too femme").
So far, so enchanted. Their personal relationship evolves along with their professional relationship—eventually, their intimacy and trust spill over into the bedroom. Though they were aware of rumors circulating among friends and associates, they kept their domestic arrangements a secret
“No one knew really what cat dancers were,” says Ron. Describing their family as “three of the most unique people,” Ron remembers their mutual agreements and lack of expectations or obligations in phrases that sound idyllic, accompanied by a happily plinky piano soundtrack: “No one held anyone and I think in true love, that’s the only way it can work,” he says. “We didn’t have these restrictions that usually start discord in a marriage.” He wears three wedding rings intertwined on a chain around his neck, Ron says, an emblem of their complicated, true love. You know that trouble is coming, if only because Ron is the only narrator for Cat Dancers. Still, the turn their story takes is both tragic and horrifying.
Using amateur footage of the stage performances, as well as Ron’s interview segments and terrific archival photos, taken from his private collection as well as a public record, the film also contrasts this romantic past intercut with Ron’s present life as an animal trainer instructor in Florida. “My degree is in life,” he tells his students. “I am going to be 70 years old in February. I’ve been training animals for 50 years and I’ve made a lot of mistakes.” The film, however, is not focused on mistakes. While it raises questions about the boundaries between humans and animals, about the dangers of living too closely with creatures that are at base wild, instinctual, and remorseless, Cat Dancers is also a very detailed, very moving portrait of a family—unapologetic and faithful. “Animals are animals,” says Ron. “And no one can understand that you can love an animal to the point that you are responsible to that animal.” Still, as he explains it, that responsibility is unmistakable.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Cat Dancers
In early December, HBO aired a documentary titled "Cat Dancers." It is the story of three extrorinardy people who worked with large circus animals. The documentary is shot in a multiple of styles, from grainy footage to present day, giving the feel that the performers have been around for decades, which they have.
Ron and Joy Holiday are the main characters in this amazing documentary, and later they're joined by Chuck Lissa. The three of them work with the big cats until tragedy strikes two of them, Joy and Chuck. In addition to being performers, the three were also bed-mates.
Told from Ron's perspective, this is an incredible story, and we thankfully have footage of the past performances. This is one documentary not to be missed and hopefully we can get some links to when and where this will air again. Whatever you have to do, don't miss this one.
Ron and Joy Holiday are the main characters in this amazing documentary, and later they're joined by Chuck Lissa. The three of them work with the big cats until tragedy strikes two of them, Joy and Chuck. In addition to being performers, the three were also bed-mates.
Told from Ron's perspective, this is an incredible story, and we thankfully have footage of the past performances. This is one documentary not to be missed and hopefully we can get some links to when and where this will air again. Whatever you have to do, don't miss this one.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Sorry we've been away . . .
With all that's been going on in the world, can you blame us? That, plus, several of us have taken up new jobs, been on vacation, and tried to alter the state of the world as best we can with what we've been given.
This is just to let you all know that we're still hanging around!
With all that's been going on in the world, can you blame us? That, plus, several of us have taken up new jobs, been on vacation, and tried to alter the state of the world as best we can with what we've been given.
This is just to let you all know that we're still hanging around!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Watch this!!!!
We all agree that this is our favorite watch in the world. Not cheap, but then, you get what you pay for, right? So far, three of us have this baby. Rather than rant about it, just read the facts.
by Boa Man
NOW IN TITANIUM, NEW CITIZEN ECO-DRIVE TITANIUM SKYHAWK AT
The new, fully loaded 3rd generation Skyhawk redefines atomic timekeeping with radio controlled accuracy and Eco-Drive technology. Radio signals are received both automatically and on-demand by the fully loaded Skyhawk A-T.
Atomic Timekeeping with Radio Accuracy
Eco-Drive Technology (Solar Powered so you never have to change a battery)
World Time for 43 Cities
2 Alarms
24 Hour 1/100 Second Chronograph
Perpetual Calendar to the year 2100
Analog/Digital Displays
99 Minute Countdown Timer with Alarm
Water Resistant to 200 Meters (660 Feet)
3-Day Low Charge Warning (Will notify you 3 Days before the watch completely stops)
180 Day Power Reserve when Fully Charged (Approximately 2.5 Years with Power Save
Function - 150 Hours to fully charge in average lighting)
Power Save Function
Power Reserve Indicator
Titanium Case and Bracelet
Fold-Over Clasp with Double Hidden Push Button Release
45mm Case Width without Crown (Approximately 1 3/4")
by Boa Man
NOW IN TITANIUM, NEW CITIZEN ECO-DRIVE TITANIUM SKYHAWK AT
The new, fully loaded 3rd generation Skyhawk redefines atomic timekeeping with radio controlled accuracy and Eco-Drive technology. Radio signals are received both automatically and on-demand by the fully loaded Skyhawk A-T.
Atomic Timekeeping with Radio Accuracy
Eco-Drive Technology (Solar Powered so you never have to change a battery)
World Time for 43 Cities
2 Alarms
24 Hour 1/100 Second Chronograph
Perpetual Calendar to the year 2100
Analog/Digital Displays
99 Minute Countdown Timer with Alarm
Water Resistant to 200 Meters (660 Feet)
3-Day Low Charge Warning (Will notify you 3 Days before the watch completely stops)
180 Day Power Reserve when Fully Charged (Approximately 2.5 Years with Power Save
Function - 150 Hours to fully charge in average lighting)
Power Save Function
Power Reserve Indicator
Titanium Case and Bracelet
Fold-Over Clasp with Double Hidden Push Button Release
45mm Case Width without Crown (Approximately 1 3/4")
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Edith Head--World's Greatest Costume Designer and a Great Lady
The Edith Head page
Born: Edith Claire Posener, in Sand Bernardino, CA.
Jewish, though claimed to be Catholic.
First worked for Paramount Pictures
Died October 24, 1981 in Los Angeles, CA
Head received more Academy Awards than any other woman in history. She was nominated for 35 of them. You’ve probably not noticed her name in the credits, but one thing is for sure—you’ve seen her designs. There’s probably more than one movie of hers that you love, and if you were ever wowed by the clothes, well, that’s Edith Head’s work.
Head consulted her stars more than any other designer; especially the women. Ginger Rogers, Shirley Maclaine, Anne Baxter, and Bette Davis were only a handful of her clients and actresses. She was lampooned for her aversion to unions and worked for not only Paramount, but Universal as well.
She also designed the uniform for the United State Coast Guard in the 1970s. Her last film was “Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid.”
Some of her best-known movies (and this might surprise you) are as follows:
Sex and the Married Woman (1977)
Airport (1977)
The Man Who Would be King (1975
Ash Wednesday (1973)
The Sting (1973)
Pete ‘n’ Tillie (1972)
Topaz (1969)
This Property is Condemned (1966)
The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)
36 Hours (1965)
Love with the Proper Stranger (1963)
The Judy Garland Show (1963)
Come Blow Your Horn (1963)
Pocketful of Miracles (1961)
Summer and Smoke (1961)
Sabrina (1954)
Knock on Wood (1954)
The Naked Jungle (1954)
Roman Holiday (1953)
Come Back, Little Sheba (1952)
A Place in the Sun (1951)
Sunset Blvd (1950)
Beyond the Forest (1949)
Red, Hot, and Blue (1949)
And about a hundred other film, too numerous to mention.
We love her and there’s never been anyone like her. A great designer who has yet to be surpassed in motion picture history.
Quotes:
I've designed films I've never seen.
If it is a Paramount film, I probably designed it.
What a costume designer does is a cross between magic and camouflage. We create the illusion of changing the actors into what they are not. We ask the public to believe that every time they see a performer on the screen he's become a different person.
I have yet to see one competely unspoiled star, except for Lassie.
You can lead a horse to water and you can even make it drink, but you can't make actresses wear what they don't want to wear.
[1977 comment on Jacqueline Bisset] One of the greatest bodies I've ever worked with. But besides that she is rather the opposite, because she is so damned intelligent. It's a strange combination, almost a double personality.
[on Grace Kelly] I've dressed thousands of actors, actresses and animals, but whenever I am asked which star is my personal favorite, I answer, "Grace Kelly." She is a charming lady, a most gifted actress and, to me, a valued friend.
[on Kim Novak] I don't usually get into battles, but dressing Kim Novak for her role in Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo" put to the test all my training in psychology.
We salute you, Edith Head!
Born: Edith Claire Posener, in Sand Bernardino, CA.
Jewish, though claimed to be Catholic.
First worked for Paramount Pictures
Died October 24, 1981 in Los Angeles, CA
Head received more Academy Awards than any other woman in history. She was nominated for 35 of them. You’ve probably not noticed her name in the credits, but one thing is for sure—you’ve seen her designs. There’s probably more than one movie of hers that you love, and if you were ever wowed by the clothes, well, that’s Edith Head’s work.
Head consulted her stars more than any other designer; especially the women. Ginger Rogers, Shirley Maclaine, Anne Baxter, and Bette Davis were only a handful of her clients and actresses. She was lampooned for her aversion to unions and worked for not only Paramount, but Universal as well.
She also designed the uniform for the United State Coast Guard in the 1970s. Her last film was “Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid.”
Some of her best-known movies (and this might surprise you) are as follows:
Sex and the Married Woman (1977)
Airport (1977)
The Man Who Would be King (1975
Ash Wednesday (1973)
The Sting (1973)
Pete ‘n’ Tillie (1972)
Topaz (1969)
This Property is Condemned (1966)
The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)
36 Hours (1965)
Love with the Proper Stranger (1963)
The Judy Garland Show (1963)
Come Blow Your Horn (1963)
Pocketful of Miracles (1961)
Summer and Smoke (1961)
Sabrina (1954)
Knock on Wood (1954)
The Naked Jungle (1954)
Roman Holiday (1953)
Come Back, Little Sheba (1952)
A Place in the Sun (1951)
Sunset Blvd (1950)
Beyond the Forest (1949)
Red, Hot, and Blue (1949)
And about a hundred other film, too numerous to mention.
We love her and there’s never been anyone like her. A great designer who has yet to be surpassed in motion picture history.
Quotes:
I've designed films I've never seen.
If it is a Paramount film, I probably designed it.
What a costume designer does is a cross between magic and camouflage. We create the illusion of changing the actors into what they are not. We ask the public to believe that every time they see a performer on the screen he's become a different person.
I have yet to see one competely unspoiled star, except for Lassie.
You can lead a horse to water and you can even make it drink, but you can't make actresses wear what they don't want to wear.
[1977 comment on Jacqueline Bisset] One of the greatest bodies I've ever worked with. But besides that she is rather the opposite, because she is so damned intelligent. It's a strange combination, almost a double personality.
[on Grace Kelly] I've dressed thousands of actors, actresses and animals, but whenever I am asked which star is my personal favorite, I answer, "Grace Kelly." She is a charming lady, a most gifted actress and, to me, a valued friend.
[on Kim Novak] I don't usually get into battles, but dressing Kim Novak for her role in Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo" put to the test all my training in psychology.
We salute you, Edith Head!
Qunicy Jones
- Quincy Jones was born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago, Ilinois. He most often associated with New York or Los Angeles, but Chicago is where he got his start. His mother was Sarah Frances, who was a schizophrenic, and Qunicy “Delight” Jones, Sr.—a semi-professional baseball player. A bit of trivia: Q. Jones’, Jr.’s mother is a descendant of Mary Belle Lanier, who is the daughter of James Balance Lanier, who is second cousin four times removed from George Washington. Whew! But wait—it gets getter. James Balance Lanier is the first cousin of John McCain’s maternal grandfather, making him ALSO related to G. Washington.
Jones attended many schools, including the Schillinger House in Boston. He toured with Lional Hampton; a reason to abandon his studies. He also freelanced with the likes of Count Basie, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughn, and Duke Ellington. Not to bad, eh?
Jones toured with Dizzy Gillespie around the mid-fifties and got a contract with Paramount records—this really started things off. Then Jones moved to Paris and studied music there for a time.
- Some notable things about Mr. Jones:
- He discovered Lesley Gore
- Wrote the musical score to “In Cold Blood”
- Worked as an arranger for Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, and Dinah Washington.
- Scored the movie “The Color Purple” as well as produced it.
- Has published an autobiography
- Worked with Michael Jackson, most notably producing “Thriller.”
- Has never learned to drive.
- Suffered a cerebral aneurysm that almost killed him in 1974.
- One of the founders of the “Black Arts Festival” in Chicago.
- Was married to Jeri Caldwell, Ulla Anderson, and Peggy Lipton.
- Attended Berklee College of Music.
- Received the Legion d/Honneur.
- Had a cameo in “Austin Powers in Goldmember.”
- Played the trumpet.
- Was partners with Bob Russell.
- Was the first Afro-American to be nominated for an Academy Award in Best Original Song.
- First Afro-American to win the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Susan Sarandon--Actress for the ages
Susan Sarandon
Birth name: Susan Abigail Tomalin, New York, NY, 10/4/1946
Has won an Oscar and had 37 wins and 23 nominations
We’ve loved Susan Sarandon from day one. While she was on the scene for a while, she came to most people’s attention via the Rocky Horror Picture Show where she played “Janet.”
Trivia below courtesy of imdb:
Her partner is Tim Robbins (1988-present).
Ranked #35 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list. [October 1997]
Attended Catholic University of America Drama School, 1964-1968. Met and married Chris Sarandon there (by priest who was head of Dept.).
Former "Ford" Model.
Has a daughter from relationship with Franco Amurri (Eva Amurri, born 1985).
Has two children by Tim Robbins, Jack Henry Robbins (b. May 1989) and Miles Robbins (b. May 1992).
chosen by People (USA) magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful in the world. [1996]
Landed her first Hollywood role when her then-husband, Chris Sarandon, took her along on one of his auditions.
As co-presenters of the Academy Awards in 1993, Susan and her partner, Tim Robbins, seized a chance to bring public attention to the plight of a few hundred Haitians with Aids who had been interned in Guantanamo Bay.
Is a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.
Supported Ralph Nader during his 2000 Presidential Election campaign.
Was arrested for disorderly conduct during a protest in New York over the unarmed shooting of African immigrant Amadou Diallo by four policemen (30 March 1999).
Is of Italian and Welsh heritage.
Graduated from Edison High School in Edison, New Jersey where she was a cheerleader.
She keeps her Oscar in the bathroom.
Sang in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975); recorded a duet with Eddie Vedder which played over the end credits of "Cradle Will Rock".
Was involved in the effort to have Laura Schlessinger's television show taken off the air in 2000, because of her disagreement with Schlessinger's conservative views. The effort was successful in leading many sponsors to drop their support of the show, which was ultimately cancelled less than a year after its premiere.
Measurements: 37C-26-36 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)
For the past ten years she has been involved with Heifer International, an organization that donates farm animals to needy families who need the animals for work.
Is one of two actresses who won an Oscar for playing a nun. The first was Jennifer Jones in "The Song Of Bernadette" (1943).
Is listed along with Geena Davis on the 24th place in AFI's Hero Top 50.
Caught pneumonia after they shot the pool scene in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975).
One of eight women, also among them Sophia Loren and author Isabel Allende, carrying the Olympic flag at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games' opening ceremony in Turin (10 February 2006).
Her grandmother had her mother when she was 13 years old. Her mother grew up in the care of nuns in an institute, abandoned at two.
Father was Philip Leslie Tomalin (of English, Irish, and Welsh ancestry). Mother was Lenora Marie Criscione (who was born in Ragusa, Sicily).
Parents separated in 1982, after forty of marriage.
Eldest of nine children.
In 1916, her grandfather Giuseppe Criscione emigrated to the USA from Ragusa in Sicily, where he was born in 1901. Now she is honorary citizen of Ragusa and the city gave her the "Ragusani nel Mondo" award.
Received the "World Lifetime Achievement Award" at the 2006 Women's World Award in New York.
Very good friends with fellow actress Julia Roberts.
Was listed as a potential nominee on the 2008 Razzie Award nominating ballot. She was suggested in the Worst Supporting Actress category for her performance in the film Mr. Woodcock (2007). She failed to receive a nomination however.
Has a dog named Penny, a Pomeranian Maltese. The dog appears in the movie, Bernard and Doris (2007), playing a pet of Doris, the character she portrayed.
Our favorite films of hers:
Rocky Horror Picture Show, 1975
Bernard and Doris, 2007
June Moon, 1974
The Front Page, 1974
The Other Side of Midnight, 1977
Pretty Baby, 1978
Tempest, 1982
A Dry White Season, 1989
Thelma & Louise, 1991
Lorenzo’s Oil, 1992
Bull durham, 1988
The Witches of Eastwick, 1987
The Hunger, 1983
Ice Bound, 2003
Irresistible, 2006
The Exonerated, 2005
Moonlight Mile, 2002
Enchanted, 2007
Mr. Woodcock, 2007
In the Valley of Elah, 2007
Emotional Arithmetic, 2007
Birth name: Susan Abigail Tomalin, New York, NY, 10/4/1946
Has won an Oscar and had 37 wins and 23 nominations
We’ve loved Susan Sarandon from day one. While she was on the scene for a while, she came to most people’s attention via the Rocky Horror Picture Show where she played “Janet.”
Trivia below courtesy of imdb:
Her partner is Tim Robbins (1988-present).
Ranked #35 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list. [October 1997]
Attended Catholic University of America Drama School, 1964-1968. Met and married Chris Sarandon there (by priest who was head of Dept.).
Former "Ford" Model.
Has a daughter from relationship with Franco Amurri (Eva Amurri, born 1985).
Has two children by Tim Robbins, Jack Henry Robbins (b. May 1989) and Miles Robbins (b. May 1992).
chosen by People (USA) magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful in the world. [1996]
Landed her first Hollywood role when her then-husband, Chris Sarandon, took her along on one of his auditions.
As co-presenters of the Academy Awards in 1993, Susan and her partner, Tim Robbins, seized a chance to bring public attention to the plight of a few hundred Haitians with Aids who had been interned in Guantanamo Bay.
Is a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.
Supported Ralph Nader during his 2000 Presidential Election campaign.
Was arrested for disorderly conduct during a protest in New York over the unarmed shooting of African immigrant Amadou Diallo by four policemen (30 March 1999).
Is of Italian and Welsh heritage.
Graduated from Edison High School in Edison, New Jersey where she was a cheerleader.
She keeps her Oscar in the bathroom.
Sang in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975); recorded a duet with Eddie Vedder which played over the end credits of "Cradle Will Rock".
Was involved in the effort to have Laura Schlessinger's television show taken off the air in 2000, because of her disagreement with Schlessinger's conservative views. The effort was successful in leading many sponsors to drop their support of the show, which was ultimately cancelled less than a year after its premiere.
Measurements: 37C-26-36 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)
For the past ten years she has been involved with Heifer International, an organization that donates farm animals to needy families who need the animals for work.
Is one of two actresses who won an Oscar for playing a nun. The first was Jennifer Jones in "The Song Of Bernadette" (1943).
Is listed along with Geena Davis on the 24th place in AFI's Hero Top 50.
Caught pneumonia after they shot the pool scene in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975).
One of eight women, also among them Sophia Loren and author Isabel Allende, carrying the Olympic flag at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games' opening ceremony in Turin (10 February 2006).
Her grandmother had her mother when she was 13 years old. Her mother grew up in the care of nuns in an institute, abandoned at two.
Father was Philip Leslie Tomalin (of English, Irish, and Welsh ancestry). Mother was Lenora Marie Criscione (who was born in Ragusa, Sicily).
Parents separated in 1982, after forty of marriage.
Eldest of nine children.
In 1916, her grandfather Giuseppe Criscione emigrated to the USA from Ragusa in Sicily, where he was born in 1901. Now she is honorary citizen of Ragusa and the city gave her the "Ragusani nel Mondo" award.
Received the "World Lifetime Achievement Award" at the 2006 Women's World Award in New York.
Very good friends with fellow actress Julia Roberts.
Was listed as a potential nominee on the 2008 Razzie Award nominating ballot. She was suggested in the Worst Supporting Actress category for her performance in the film Mr. Woodcock (2007). She failed to receive a nomination however.
Has a dog named Penny, a Pomeranian Maltese. The dog appears in the movie, Bernard and Doris (2007), playing a pet of Doris, the character she portrayed.
Our favorite films of hers:
Rocky Horror Picture Show, 1975
Bernard and Doris, 2007
June Moon, 1974
The Front Page, 1974
The Other Side of Midnight, 1977
Pretty Baby, 1978
Tempest, 1982
A Dry White Season, 1989
Thelma & Louise, 1991
Lorenzo’s Oil, 1992
Bull durham, 1988
The Witches of Eastwick, 1987
The Hunger, 1983
Ice Bound, 2003
Irresistible, 2006
The Exonerated, 2005
Moonlight Mile, 2002
Enchanted, 2007
Mr. Woodcock, 2007
In the Valley of Elah, 2007
Emotional Arithmetic, 2007
Amy Winehouse Page
The Amy Winehouse Tribute
Amy Winehouse
Born: 9/14/1983, Southgate, London, England
Genres: Soul, R&B, doo-wop, jazz
Labels: Island and Republis
Website: amywinehouse.co.uk
Amy Winehouse is one of our favorite musicians. Like all creative artists, she’s been plagued by problems both self-made and from outside. But she seems to keep on going.
At a very early age Amy began singing. She received her first guitar around age thirteen after coveting her brother’s instrument. Early on she worked for World Entertainment News Network and sang with several jazz bands. Being from a music-loving family of Jewish extraction Amy evidently got some support from her siblings and parents and actually started a rap group at age ten, even before her guitar.
She was linked early on to Tyler James, her boyfriend and signed first with Island Records. She also won a publishing deal with EMI. Settling in with this under her belt Winehouse added Sharon Jones’s band the Dap-Kings to her group and started touring. The rest is pretty much history as Winehouse’s debut album, Frank, was released in 2003 to critical acclaim. Most of the album is jazz influenced and every song was co-written by Winehouse herself. She has been compared to Sarah Vaughn and Macy Gray just to name a few.
Winehouse has been nominated for a BRIT Award and her albums have achieved platinum status. International success came in the form of “Rehab” which went on to top the charts. “Rehab” was a number seven single in the UK. “Frank” went on to be released in the U.S. in 2007 and debuted at 61 on the Billboard 200 Chart.
Winehouse has won a 2008 Grammy Award for “Record of the Year” and “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.” Many will remember the fiasco with her visa not being updated and Winehouse not being allowed into the U.S. When her visa finally came through, it was too late for her to travel here.
Below are some of her awards:
Ivor Novello Awards: Best Contemporary Song, 2004
South Bank Show Award: Best Pop, 2007
BRIT Awards: British Album 2007
Elle Style Award: Best British Music Act, 2007
Ivor Novello Awards: Best Contemporary Song, 2007
Greatest Britons: Musical Achievement, 2007
Q Awards: Best Album, 2007
MOBO Awards: Best UK Female, 2007
MTV Europe Music Awards: Album of the Year, 2007
Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best new Artist, 2008
NME Awards: Worst Dressed Performer, 2008
Ivor Novello Awards: Best Song Musically and Lyrically, 2008
Amy Winehouse
Born: 9/14/1983, Southgate, London, England
Genres: Soul, R&B, doo-wop, jazz
Labels: Island and Republis
Website: amywinehouse.co.uk
Amy Winehouse is one of our favorite musicians. Like all creative artists, she’s been plagued by problems both self-made and from outside. But she seems to keep on going.
At a very early age Amy began singing. She received her first guitar around age thirteen after coveting her brother’s instrument. Early on she worked for World Entertainment News Network and sang with several jazz bands. Being from a music-loving family of Jewish extraction Amy evidently got some support from her siblings and parents and actually started a rap group at age ten, even before her guitar.
She was linked early on to Tyler James, her boyfriend and signed first with Island Records. She also won a publishing deal with EMI. Settling in with this under her belt Winehouse added Sharon Jones’s band the Dap-Kings to her group and started touring. The rest is pretty much history as Winehouse’s debut album, Frank, was released in 2003 to critical acclaim. Most of the album is jazz influenced and every song was co-written by Winehouse herself. She has been compared to Sarah Vaughn and Macy Gray just to name a few.
Winehouse has been nominated for a BRIT Award and her albums have achieved platinum status. International success came in the form of “Rehab” which went on to top the charts. “Rehab” was a number seven single in the UK. “Frank” went on to be released in the U.S. in 2007 and debuted at 61 on the Billboard 200 Chart.
Winehouse has won a 2008 Grammy Award for “Record of the Year” and “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.” Many will remember the fiasco with her visa not being updated and Winehouse not being allowed into the U.S. When her visa finally came through, it was too late for her to travel here.
Below are some of her awards:
Ivor Novello Awards: Best Contemporary Song, 2004
South Bank Show Award: Best Pop, 2007
BRIT Awards: British Album 2007
Elle Style Award: Best British Music Act, 2007
Ivor Novello Awards: Best Contemporary Song, 2007
Greatest Britons: Musical Achievement, 2007
Q Awards: Best Album, 2007
MOBO Awards: Best UK Female, 2007
MTV Europe Music Awards: Album of the Year, 2007
Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best new Artist, 2008
NME Awards: Worst Dressed Performer, 2008
Ivor Novello Awards: Best Song Musically and Lyrically, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
A Keith Prentice Tribute
Keith Prentice--actor who never got the attention he deserved.
By BoaMan
Most of you will know Keith Prentice from one of two places. Either “Dark Shadows” in which he appeared as a couple of people, as did the rest of the cast, or as Larry in “The Boys in the Band” movie.
Prentice was born in 1940 in Ohio. He studied in New York at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts where he was recognized and given a role in “The Sound of Music.” (I know, can you believe?) This was when Mary Martin was in the cast. He then went on to understudy in Noel Coward’s “Sail Away,” playing opposite Elaine Stritch, another favorite person of the stage who is no longer with us.
Prentice’s other stage credits included: The Kings and I, Paint Your Wagon, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Wish you Were Here, Fiorello, Wildcat, and Irma La Douce. His most memorable role was obviously that of Larry in both the stage and movie version of “The Boys in the Band.” A lot of people might also remember him in the controversial movie “Cruising” which came out in 1980 and caused an uproar for good reasons.
For those “Dark Shadows” nuts, he was in the following episodes:
Episode #1.1245 (1971) TV episode .... Morgan CollinsEpisode #1.1244 (1971) TV episode .... Morgan CollinsEpisode #1.1243 (1971) TV episode .... Morgan CollinsEpisode #1.1242 (1971) TV episode .... Morgan CollinsEpisode #1.1241 (1971) TV episode .... Morgan Collins
Prentice founded the Theatre Under the Stars in his hometown of Kettering, Ohio in 1983 and directed production there for a decade before succumbing to AIDS-related complications in 1992.
I couldn’t find any photos of the guy (man, was he handsome), so if anyone has any or knows where I can get them, let me know.
By BoaMan
Most of you will know Keith Prentice from one of two places. Either “Dark Shadows” in which he appeared as a couple of people, as did the rest of the cast, or as Larry in “The Boys in the Band” movie.
Prentice was born in 1940 in Ohio. He studied in New York at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts where he was recognized and given a role in “The Sound of Music.” (I know, can you believe?) This was when Mary Martin was in the cast. He then went on to understudy in Noel Coward’s “Sail Away,” playing opposite Elaine Stritch, another favorite person of the stage who is no longer with us.
Prentice’s other stage credits included: The Kings and I, Paint Your Wagon, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Wish you Were Here, Fiorello, Wildcat, and Irma La Douce. His most memorable role was obviously that of Larry in both the stage and movie version of “The Boys in the Band.” A lot of people might also remember him in the controversial movie “Cruising” which came out in 1980 and caused an uproar for good reasons.
For those “Dark Shadows” nuts, he was in the following episodes:
Episode #1.1245 (1971) TV episode .... Morgan CollinsEpisode #1.1244 (1971) TV episode .... Morgan CollinsEpisode #1.1243 (1971) TV episode .... Morgan CollinsEpisode #1.1242 (1971) TV episode .... Morgan CollinsEpisode #1.1241 (1971) TV episode .... Morgan Collins
Prentice founded the Theatre Under the Stars in his hometown of Kettering, Ohio in 1983 and directed production there for a decade before succumbing to AIDS-related complications in 1992.
I couldn’t find any photos of the guy (man, was he handsome), so if anyone has any or knows where I can get them, let me know.
Restaurant Reviews by Gil Weston
Gil Weston does Houston . . .
Hey guys. Restaurant reviews by Gil Weston
Ate at two restaurants in Houston recently on my last visit there and thought I’d let you in on them since I know that BoaMan and Sam head out that way about once a year.
The first was Ruggles Grille 5115 at, you guessed it, 5115 Westheimer Rd. Not a top-top restaurant and nothing overly fancy as it’s in the Galleria, but good solid food, service, and the atmosphere was pleasant. The food is American with a twist and they serve lunch and dinner—no breakfast. Think they’ve been open about ten years now and I may have eaten there once before. Evidently that time did not make an impression on me, but this one did.
What I was most impressed with was the wait staff. They really knew their stuff, especially in the drinks department. This is something I’ve noticed in Texas—something that compares with SF—that people are into the mixed drink categories. You’ll get the occasional Scotch on the rocks, but I found a lot of people ordering White Russians, Manhattans, and other well-known beverages. The cost was not outrageous as it can be in some establishments where they try and make up for the food prices by getting you on the mixed drinks.
For the price of the food, which seemed incredibly inexpensive, this place was a steal. I’d give it high marks in just about every category, so if you’re heading down Texas way, be sure to stop by this place. It’s also great for people watching and you can get your shopping done in the Galleria if you so desire.
Second place on my list, though not second best, was Capital Grille, again on Westheimer. Hey, I spent a lot of time in the district. What can I tell you. Those of you who know me, know why.
Capital Grille is also in the Galleria and this place was even better than Ruggles. It’s basically a steakhouse and nothing too fancy. Just very good food, service, and a nice relaxed atmosphere. Their website is www.Capitalgrille.com if you want more info, and you should. Sorry, dinner only but they accept all major credit cards. This is the perfect place to take business associates or those you’re trying to impress . . . without looking like you’re trying to do just that. I think they’re about ten years old also.
They even have takeout and if you’re staying nearby, this is a great place to dine instead of choosing room service. I had the pan fried calamari with hot cherry peppers for a starter and it was fantastic! The calamari was sautéed in garlic and mixed with peppers and scallions. Incredible. For the main course I had the Filet Oscar—10 oz of Filet Mignon with a Bearnaise sauce and crabmeat. Possibly the best steak I’ve ever eaten in my life—second only to the now-defunct and no longer five star Sazarac Room in the Fairmont Hotel in New Orleans. For dessert you can’t go wrong with the Chocolate Hazlenut Cake.
Drinks can be pricy but it’s all worth it. They even have some bizarre combos on the menu such as “Lobster mac ‘n Cheese” and “Truffle Fries.” A one-of-a-kind restaurant, though I hear they’re opening up some others in Seattle and another city. This would be THE place to eat in Houston in my opinion.
Hey guys. Restaurant reviews by Gil Weston
Ate at two restaurants in Houston recently on my last visit there and thought I’d let you in on them since I know that BoaMan and Sam head out that way about once a year.
The first was Ruggles Grille 5115 at, you guessed it, 5115 Westheimer Rd. Not a top-top restaurant and nothing overly fancy as it’s in the Galleria, but good solid food, service, and the atmosphere was pleasant. The food is American with a twist and they serve lunch and dinner—no breakfast. Think they’ve been open about ten years now and I may have eaten there once before. Evidently that time did not make an impression on me, but this one did.
What I was most impressed with was the wait staff. They really knew their stuff, especially in the drinks department. This is something I’ve noticed in Texas—something that compares with SF—that people are into the mixed drink categories. You’ll get the occasional Scotch on the rocks, but I found a lot of people ordering White Russians, Manhattans, and other well-known beverages. The cost was not outrageous as it can be in some establishments where they try and make up for the food prices by getting you on the mixed drinks.
For the price of the food, which seemed incredibly inexpensive, this place was a steal. I’d give it high marks in just about every category, so if you’re heading down Texas way, be sure to stop by this place. It’s also great for people watching and you can get your shopping done in the Galleria if you so desire.
Second place on my list, though not second best, was Capital Grille, again on Westheimer. Hey, I spent a lot of time in the district. What can I tell you. Those of you who know me, know why.
Capital Grille is also in the Galleria and this place was even better than Ruggles. It’s basically a steakhouse and nothing too fancy. Just very good food, service, and a nice relaxed atmosphere. Their website is www.Capitalgrille.com if you want more info, and you should. Sorry, dinner only but they accept all major credit cards. This is the perfect place to take business associates or those you’re trying to impress . . . without looking like you’re trying to do just that. I think they’re about ten years old also.
They even have takeout and if you’re staying nearby, this is a great place to dine instead of choosing room service. I had the pan fried calamari with hot cherry peppers for a starter and it was fantastic! The calamari was sautéed in garlic and mixed with peppers and scallions. Incredible. For the main course I had the Filet Oscar—10 oz of Filet Mignon with a Bearnaise sauce and crabmeat. Possibly the best steak I’ve ever eaten in my life—second only to the now-defunct and no longer five star Sazarac Room in the Fairmont Hotel in New Orleans. For dessert you can’t go wrong with the Chocolate Hazlenut Cake.
Drinks can be pricy but it’s all worth it. They even have some bizarre combos on the menu such as “Lobster mac ‘n Cheese” and “Truffle Fries.” A one-of-a-kind restaurant, though I hear they’re opening up some others in Seattle and another city. This would be THE place to eat in Houston in my opinion.
The Jackson Tippett McCrae Page
By Sam Friedman
Our group just finished reading Jackson McCrae’s latest book and we felt the guy deserved a lengthy commentary.
First, my review of
Barring Some Unforeseen Accident:
Barring Some Unforeseen Accident, the latest novel by McCrae, is as good if not better than his last book, Katzenjammer. I love each of this author’s works and the favorite of ours was The Bark of the Dogwood, but Barring hit a special nerve for me and some others.
I now know of three other book clubs in the area who have taken it on. The writing is much tighter than his previous books, and again he (McCrae) uses an unusual form for the book, though one which smacks of Dogwood: a book within a book. This time it’s a cookbook that several Junior League ladies are slopping together and he’s been asked to oversee the endeavor since he’s a famous Southern author. The women have presumably read his Bark of the Dogwood: A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens, though in reality none of them has.
McCrae puts himself in the novel and the story is told from first person. On his way down South he’s met at a pig farm-turned-air-strip by a sheriff right out of “In the Heat of the Night.” Big cigar, questionable hygiene habits, attitude—you get the picture. While I would love to fill you in on more, I’d give away key parts of the plot and some really funny moments and puns.
At any rate, McCrae meets up with the town’s outcast—a woman with exquisite taste in everything but men as she’s betrothed to the Sheriff. She wants to get into this two-bit Junior League and needs McCrae’s help. He’s met most of the women in the League and can’t stand them. They’re quite an assortment of ladies and one can only hope they’re not based on actual people. If they are, a lot of the world is in trouble.
There are so many examples of misdirection in this novel that you can’t possibly guess where the story is going. In our opinion this is a good thing given the current state of sorry books that pass for literature. I was reminded of Vonnegut at times as McCrae uses absurdism where needed, though he’s more frugal with it than Vonnegut.
The humor is like Woody Allen, only Southern, and the plot is tight. No holes in this story. As with all of the author’s books everything ties together in the end. If for some reason you find yourself asking “Where the heck is this going?” while reading this book, just wait. You’ll get more information than you ever dreamed as it comes crashing down to its final happy-sad conclusion.
Barring Some Unforeseen Accident is a fantastic book, full of humor and razor-sharp insight into how we work as humans. It’s scary how dead-on McCrae’s take is on society, social climbing, racism, discrimination, and the world in general. Themes that the author incorporates include hypocrisy in religion, conflict within the self, and a glaring spotlight on personal foibles.
One can only hope McCrae has more books up his sleeve. Next to Ken Follet, David Sedaris, Truman Capote, Thomas Pynchon, and John Updike, he’s probably our favorite. If you took Woody Allen, William Faulkner, Agatha Christie, Kurt Vonnegut, and Mark Twain, and rolled them all together in a modern-day author, this is the guy you’d have. And you’d have one great funny book—which this is.
Here’s the synopsis, which I’ve copied from the back of the book, along with other information I got off the Internet:
Asked to travel back to the South in order to help out a small-town Junior League with the compilation of their cookbook, author Jackson Tippett McCrae finds that he's bitten off more than he can chew in this tale of odd recipes, social climbing, Southern customs, blackmail, murder, and mayhem. This tasty morsel, from the author of The Bark of the Dogwood--A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens, will keep you flipping the pages in order to find out what each of the ladies of the Junior League are really up to when it comes to the cookbook they're planning. And the way the town's sheriff and his outcast lady-friend figure into the equation only serves to enhance this feast, as they become more than the side dishes they appear to be, spicing up the plot with more than the expected amount of gusto. With the usual twists and turns found in McCrae's books, Barring Some Unforeseen Accident is sure to please even those with the most discriminating taste.
From the Publisher:
The Recipe for a great book?
1 New York writer, originally from the South
5 Junior League women who want to put together a cookbook
1 Cigar-smoking sheriff with a secret
1 Ostracized newcomer with revenge in mind
Mix with a town of three hundred or so, add one annual chili cook-off, and stir well. The result is a deliciously funny, scrumptiously thought-provoking, and disturbingly tasty journey into small-town Southern America. While there won't be any recipes in this collection that you'll actually want to try (we hope), the antics of one small town should keep you turning the pages in this latest novel by Jackson Tippett McCrae.
When author Jackson Tippett McCrae receives a note requesting his help with a Junior League cookbook, he is hesitant to accept the assignment--that is, until he finds out money is involved. What starts out as an innocent back-to-the-South journey quickly turns into fodder for the new novel his publisher is expecting, complete with the usual quirky and sometimes touching characters that McCrae so often creates. In the same vein as his The Bark of the Dogwood: A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens, Jackson McCrae's fourth book is full of murder, blackmail, small-town antics, and insight into the workings (or not) of the human heart and mind. Barring Some Unforeseen Accident is one concoction of spicy fare that you'll definitely want to devour, any time of the year.
About the AuthorJackson Tippett McCrae has worked for various magazines and publishing companies in New York. His other books include The Bark of the Dogwood--A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens, the short story collection The Children's Corner, and his novel Katzenjammer--Soon to be a Major Motion Picture.
Sadly, we no little to nothing about Mr. McCrae as he seems to shy away from the limelight and has stopped giving interviews. Attempts to contact him were futile and we can only hope he’s doing well. If he reads this and would like to contact us, we’d love to have him come visit our way out West.
A list of the author's books:
The Bark of the Dogwood
The Children’s Corner
Katzenjammer: Soon to be a Major Motion Picture
Barring Some Unforeseen Accident
If anyone knows how to contact the author, please let us know! Emails to his publisher have not yielded anything.
Our group just finished reading Jackson McCrae’s latest book and we felt the guy deserved a lengthy commentary.
First, my review of
Barring Some Unforeseen Accident:
Barring Some Unforeseen Accident, the latest novel by McCrae, is as good if not better than his last book, Katzenjammer. I love each of this author’s works and the favorite of ours was The Bark of the Dogwood, but Barring hit a special nerve for me and some others.
I now know of three other book clubs in the area who have taken it on. The writing is much tighter than his previous books, and again he (McCrae) uses an unusual form for the book, though one which smacks of Dogwood: a book within a book. This time it’s a cookbook that several Junior League ladies are slopping together and he’s been asked to oversee the endeavor since he’s a famous Southern author. The women have presumably read his Bark of the Dogwood: A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens, though in reality none of them has.
McCrae puts himself in the novel and the story is told from first person. On his way down South he’s met at a pig farm-turned-air-strip by a sheriff right out of “In the Heat of the Night.” Big cigar, questionable hygiene habits, attitude—you get the picture. While I would love to fill you in on more, I’d give away key parts of the plot and some really funny moments and puns.
At any rate, McCrae meets up with the town’s outcast—a woman with exquisite taste in everything but men as she’s betrothed to the Sheriff. She wants to get into this two-bit Junior League and needs McCrae’s help. He’s met most of the women in the League and can’t stand them. They’re quite an assortment of ladies and one can only hope they’re not based on actual people. If they are, a lot of the world is in trouble.
There are so many examples of misdirection in this novel that you can’t possibly guess where the story is going. In our opinion this is a good thing given the current state of sorry books that pass for literature. I was reminded of Vonnegut at times as McCrae uses absurdism where needed, though he’s more frugal with it than Vonnegut.
The humor is like Woody Allen, only Southern, and the plot is tight. No holes in this story. As with all of the author’s books everything ties together in the end. If for some reason you find yourself asking “Where the heck is this going?” while reading this book, just wait. You’ll get more information than you ever dreamed as it comes crashing down to its final happy-sad conclusion.
Barring Some Unforeseen Accident is a fantastic book, full of humor and razor-sharp insight into how we work as humans. It’s scary how dead-on McCrae’s take is on society, social climbing, racism, discrimination, and the world in general. Themes that the author incorporates include hypocrisy in religion, conflict within the self, and a glaring spotlight on personal foibles.
One can only hope McCrae has more books up his sleeve. Next to Ken Follet, David Sedaris, Truman Capote, Thomas Pynchon, and John Updike, he’s probably our favorite. If you took Woody Allen, William Faulkner, Agatha Christie, Kurt Vonnegut, and Mark Twain, and rolled them all together in a modern-day author, this is the guy you’d have. And you’d have one great funny book—which this is.
Here’s the synopsis, which I’ve copied from the back of the book, along with other information I got off the Internet:
Asked to travel back to the South in order to help out a small-town Junior League with the compilation of their cookbook, author Jackson Tippett McCrae finds that he's bitten off more than he can chew in this tale of odd recipes, social climbing, Southern customs, blackmail, murder, and mayhem. This tasty morsel, from the author of The Bark of the Dogwood--A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens, will keep you flipping the pages in order to find out what each of the ladies of the Junior League are really up to when it comes to the cookbook they're planning. And the way the town's sheriff and his outcast lady-friend figure into the equation only serves to enhance this feast, as they become more than the side dishes they appear to be, spicing up the plot with more than the expected amount of gusto. With the usual twists and turns found in McCrae's books, Barring Some Unforeseen Accident is sure to please even those with the most discriminating taste.
From the Publisher:
The Recipe for a great book?
1 New York writer, originally from the South
5 Junior League women who want to put together a cookbook
1 Cigar-smoking sheriff with a secret
1 Ostracized newcomer with revenge in mind
Mix with a town of three hundred or so, add one annual chili cook-off, and stir well. The result is a deliciously funny, scrumptiously thought-provoking, and disturbingly tasty journey into small-town Southern America. While there won't be any recipes in this collection that you'll actually want to try (we hope), the antics of one small town should keep you turning the pages in this latest novel by Jackson Tippett McCrae.
When author Jackson Tippett McCrae receives a note requesting his help with a Junior League cookbook, he is hesitant to accept the assignment--that is, until he finds out money is involved. What starts out as an innocent back-to-the-South journey quickly turns into fodder for the new novel his publisher is expecting, complete with the usual quirky and sometimes touching characters that McCrae so often creates. In the same vein as his The Bark of the Dogwood: A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens, Jackson McCrae's fourth book is full of murder, blackmail, small-town antics, and insight into the workings (or not) of the human heart and mind. Barring Some Unforeseen Accident is one concoction of spicy fare that you'll definitely want to devour, any time of the year.
About the AuthorJackson Tippett McCrae has worked for various magazines and publishing companies in New York. His other books include The Bark of the Dogwood--A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens, the short story collection The Children's Corner, and his novel Katzenjammer--Soon to be a Major Motion Picture.
Sadly, we no little to nothing about Mr. McCrae as he seems to shy away from the limelight and has stopped giving interviews. Attempts to contact him were futile and we can only hope he’s doing well. If he reads this and would like to contact us, we’d love to have him come visit our way out West.
A list of the author's books:
The Bark of the Dogwood
The Children’s Corner
Katzenjammer: Soon to be a Major Motion Picture
Barring Some Unforeseen Accident
If anyone knows how to contact the author, please let us know! Emails to his publisher have not yielded anything.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
A sample of our interests . . .
General:
Stephen Sondheim
Leonard Bernstein
Raul Esparza
Robert Cunningham
Broadway theatre
Elaine Stritch
Barbra Streisand
John Schlesinger
old movies
old movie stars
The Venice Film Festival
world traveling
Details and Esquire magazines
George Clooney
Jackson Tippett McCrae
Ellen DeGeneres
Jackson Pollock
Isamu Noguchi
Mark Rothko
Chuck Palahniuk
David Sedaris
Karl Zerbe
Paul Cadmus
Millard Sheets
Lee Krasner
James Brooks
Willem de Kooning
Arshile Gorky
Mart Crwoley
William Friedkin
Kenneth Nelson
Cliff Gorman
Keith Prentice
Dominick Dunne
Steve Almond
Joan Didion
E.M. Forster
Emma Thompson
Stephen Fry
Will & Grace
Frasier
Scrubs
Shakespeare
Kenneth Branagh
anything erotic
Mike Nichols
Emily Watson
great books
Keats
MacLeish
Brideshead Revisited
Dante
and we could go on and on . . .
Books we like or are getting to:
To Kill A Mockingbird
Auggie March
Berlin Stories
Choke
Fight Club
Me Talk Pretty One Day
Naked
Survivor
Me
A Passage to India
Catcher in the Rye
The Bell Jar
Slaughterhouse-Five
Catch-22
Everything That Rises Must Converge
The Naked and the Dead
The Bark of the Dogwood
On the Road
Gravity's Rainbow
The Crying of Lot 49
Barring Some Unforeseen Accident
Mason & Dixon
Against the Day
Tale of Two Cities
Echo Park
The Castle
The Apes of God
Ulysses
The Human Stain
The Anatomy Lesson
Rabbit is Rich
Welcome to the Monkeyhouse
Middlesex
The Hours
March
Empire Falls
The Known World
A Thousand Acres
Breathing Lessons
Ironweed
A Home at the End of the World
The Way West
The Brief Wondrous Lif of Oscar Wao
The Road
Gilead
House Made of Dawn
The Color Purple
Lonsome Dove
A Confederacy of Dunces
The Fixer
Movies we love:
The Boys in the Band
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Midnight Cowboy
Angels in America
Fanny
The Longest Day
To Kill a Mockingbird
Lillies of the Field
A Thousand Clowns
The Graduate
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
Funny Girl
Nashville
Network
Julia
The Turning Point
Coming Home
An Unmarried Woman
All That Jazz
Breaking Away
The Elephant Man
Pulp Fiction
Babe
Il Postino
Scen of a Woman
Howard's End
The Crying Game
As Good as it Gets
The Insider
Gosford Park
A Beautiful Mind
Gladiator
Ben-Hur
Gangs of New York
Chicago
Million Dollar Baby
Seabiscuit
There Will Be Blood
Michael Clayton
Juno
Atonement
Capote
Brokeback Mountain
Munich
Wings
No Such Thing
Widow's Peak
No Country For Old Men
Stephen Sondheim
Leonard Bernstein
Raul Esparza
Robert Cunningham
Broadway theatre
Elaine Stritch
Barbra Streisand
John Schlesinger
old movies
old movie stars
The Venice Film Festival
world traveling
Details and Esquire magazines
George Clooney
Jackson Tippett McCrae
Ellen DeGeneres
Jackson Pollock
Isamu Noguchi
Mark Rothko
Chuck Palahniuk
David Sedaris
Karl Zerbe
Paul Cadmus
Millard Sheets
Lee Krasner
James Brooks
Willem de Kooning
Arshile Gorky
Mart Crwoley
William Friedkin
Kenneth Nelson
Cliff Gorman
Keith Prentice
Dominick Dunne
Steve Almond
Joan Didion
E.M. Forster
Emma Thompson
Stephen Fry
Will & Grace
Frasier
Scrubs
Shakespeare
Kenneth Branagh
anything erotic
Mike Nichols
Emily Watson
great books
Keats
MacLeish
Brideshead Revisited
Dante
and we could go on and on . . .
Books we like or are getting to:
To Kill A Mockingbird
Auggie March
Berlin Stories
Choke
Fight Club
Me Talk Pretty One Day
Naked
Survivor
Me
A Passage to India
Catcher in the Rye
The Bell Jar
Slaughterhouse-Five
Catch-22
Everything That Rises Must Converge
The Naked and the Dead
The Bark of the Dogwood
On the Road
Gravity's Rainbow
The Crying of Lot 49
Barring Some Unforeseen Accident
Mason & Dixon
Against the Day
Tale of Two Cities
Echo Park
The Castle
The Apes of God
Ulysses
The Human Stain
The Anatomy Lesson
Rabbit is Rich
Welcome to the Monkeyhouse
Middlesex
The Hours
March
Empire Falls
The Known World
A Thousand Acres
Breathing Lessons
Ironweed
A Home at the End of the World
The Way West
The Brief Wondrous Lif of Oscar Wao
The Road
Gilead
House Made of Dawn
The Color Purple
Lonsome Dove
A Confederacy of Dunces
The Fixer
Movies we love:
The Boys in the Band
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Midnight Cowboy
Angels in America
Fanny
The Longest Day
To Kill a Mockingbird
Lillies of the Field
A Thousand Clowns
The Graduate
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
Funny Girl
Nashville
Network
Julia
The Turning Point
Coming Home
An Unmarried Woman
All That Jazz
Breaking Away
The Elephant Man
Pulp Fiction
Babe
Il Postino
Scen of a Woman
Howard's End
The Crying Game
As Good as it Gets
The Insider
Gosford Park
A Beautiful Mind
Gladiator
Ben-Hur
Gangs of New York
Chicago
Million Dollar Baby
Seabiscuit
There Will Be Blood
Michael Clayton
Juno
Atonement
Capote
Brokeback Mountain
Munich
Wings
No Such Thing
Widow's Peak
No Country For Old Men
Ken Follet Reinventing Himself Once Again
Ken Follett is one of our favorite writers. Here's the scoop . . .
by Bob S.
I was reading Follett back when he wasn’t the powerhouse he is now with his Pillars of the Earth. That’s not to say that he wasn’t well-known or respected, but everything gets blown up nowadays and his latest book has caused quite a sensation and rightly so.
Let’s go back to the beginning. My first Follett book was The Key to Rebecca, a wonderful “anyone can read this novel” type book. The first sentence: “The last camel collapsed at noon.” Rebecca is a suspense thriller and probably his best novel. It truly is a page-turner in every sense.
Set during WWII, the book opens with Rommel winning his battles. The Nazis are about to invade Cairo and the Brits are getting prepared to be wiped out. Most of the novel circles around the Nazis and while you’d think that theme would get old, this is maybe the best treatment book-wise I’ve come across. What is so spellbinding about this book is that it incorporates Daphne Du Maurier’s novel Rebecca and is also filled with sex, lies, spies, and history. The book is like Da Vinci Code should have been.
Fast-forward to his latest works: Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. Both are equally fantastic, Pillars being complete different from his Key to Rebecca and other spy novels. The book is set in 12th –century England and centers around three men and the building of a cathedral. These three men are central to the story and how they interact is fascinating to watch over the decades. Follett hasn’t lost his ability to create tension, and while this may not be a spy novel, it’s every bit as “edge of your seat” good. Here’s what Library Journal had to say about it:
A radical departure from Follett's novels of international suspense and intrigue, this chronicles the vicissitudes of a prior, his master builder, and their community as they struggle to build a cathedral and protect themselves during the tumultuous 12th century, when the empress Maud and Stephen are fighting for the crown of England after the death of Henry I. The plot is less tightly controlled than those in Follett's contemporary works, and despite the wealth of historical detail, especially concerning architecture and construction, much of the language as well as the psychology of the characters and their relationships remains firmly rooted in the 20th century. This will appeal more to lovers of exciting adventure stories than true devotees of historical fiction.
Other reviews:
"A novel of majesty and power...Will hold you, fascinate you, surround you." --Chicago Sun-Times "
A towering tale...There's murder, arson, treachery, torture, love, and lust...A good time can be had by all." --New York Daily News
"Touches all human emotions...truly a novel to get lost in." --Cosmopolitan
World Without End is equally as good, though again, totally different.
Book description:
World Without End takes place in the same town of Kingsbridge, two centuries after the townspeople finished building the exquisite Gothic cathedral that was at the heart of The Pillars of the Earth. The cathedral and the priory are again at the center of a web of love and hate, greed and pride, ambition and revenge, but this sequel stands on its own.
This time the men and women of an extraordinary cast of characters find themselves at a crossroad of new ideas--about medicine, commerce, architecture, and justice. In a world where proponents of the old ways fiercely battle those with progressive minds, the intrigue and tension quickly reach a boiling point against the devastating backdrop of the greatest natural disaster ever to strike the human race--the Black Death.
by Bob S.
I was reading Follett back when he wasn’t the powerhouse he is now with his Pillars of the Earth. That’s not to say that he wasn’t well-known or respected, but everything gets blown up nowadays and his latest book has caused quite a sensation and rightly so.
Let’s go back to the beginning. My first Follett book was The Key to Rebecca, a wonderful “anyone can read this novel” type book. The first sentence: “The last camel collapsed at noon.” Rebecca is a suspense thriller and probably his best novel. It truly is a page-turner in every sense.
Set during WWII, the book opens with Rommel winning his battles. The Nazis are about to invade Cairo and the Brits are getting prepared to be wiped out. Most of the novel circles around the Nazis and while you’d think that theme would get old, this is maybe the best treatment book-wise I’ve come across. What is so spellbinding about this book is that it incorporates Daphne Du Maurier’s novel Rebecca and is also filled with sex, lies, spies, and history. The book is like Da Vinci Code should have been.
Fast-forward to his latest works: Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. Both are equally fantastic, Pillars being complete different from his Key to Rebecca and other spy novels. The book is set in 12th –century England and centers around three men and the building of a cathedral. These three men are central to the story and how they interact is fascinating to watch over the decades. Follett hasn’t lost his ability to create tension, and while this may not be a spy novel, it’s every bit as “edge of your seat” good. Here’s what Library Journal had to say about it:
A radical departure from Follett's novels of international suspense and intrigue, this chronicles the vicissitudes of a prior, his master builder, and their community as they struggle to build a cathedral and protect themselves during the tumultuous 12th century, when the empress Maud and Stephen are fighting for the crown of England after the death of Henry I. The plot is less tightly controlled than those in Follett's contemporary works, and despite the wealth of historical detail, especially concerning architecture and construction, much of the language as well as the psychology of the characters and their relationships remains firmly rooted in the 20th century. This will appeal more to lovers of exciting adventure stories than true devotees of historical fiction.
Other reviews:
"A novel of majesty and power...Will hold you, fascinate you, surround you." --Chicago Sun-Times "
A towering tale...There's murder, arson, treachery, torture, love, and lust...A good time can be had by all." --New York Daily News
"Touches all human emotions...truly a novel to get lost in." --Cosmopolitan
World Without End is equally as good, though again, totally different.
Book description:
World Without End takes place in the same town of Kingsbridge, two centuries after the townspeople finished building the exquisite Gothic cathedral that was at the heart of The Pillars of the Earth. The cathedral and the priory are again at the center of a web of love and hate, greed and pride, ambition and revenge, but this sequel stands on its own.
This time the men and women of an extraordinary cast of characters find themselves at a crossroad of new ideas--about medicine, commerce, architecture, and justice. In a world where proponents of the old ways fiercely battle those with progressive minds, the intrigue and tension quickly reach a boiling point against the devastating backdrop of the greatest natural disaster ever to strike the human race--the Black Death.
Three years in the writing, and nearly eighteen years since its predecessor, World Without End breathes new life into the epic historical novel and once again shows that Ken Follett is a masterful author writing at the top of his craft.
Here are a list of Follett’s works:
World Without End
Whiteout
Hornet Flight
Jackdaws
Code to Zero
The Hammer of Eden
The Third Twin
A Place Called Freedom
A Dangerous Fortune
Night Over Water
The Pillars of the Earth
Lie Down With Lions
On Wings of Eagles
The Man from St. Petersburg
Triple
The Eye of the Needle
Paper Money
The Modigliani Scandal
Bio:
Ken Follett was born in Cardiff, Wales, on the 5th of June, 1949. His father was a tax inspector, and "now that he has retired, he does my tax returns for me". Like many young couples bringing up a family in post-war Britain, Martin Follett and his wife Veenie were not able to provide their children with many luxuries. From a very early age, Ken was creating imaginary worlds for himself.
"My mother told me stories all the time. I don't know whether I inherited it from her or just acquired it under her influence, but by the time I was seven years old I was an imaginative child."
Ken was also reading from a very young age. His parents were devout born-again Christians and would not allow their children to watch television or go to the cinema, and Ken found his escape in books. "With no TV or radio, and no Saturday morning pictures which all the other kids used to go to, reading was my entertainment. I didn't have many books of my own and I've always been grateful for the public library. Without free books I would not have become a voracious reader, and if you are not a reader you are not a writer."
Ken's family moved from Cardiff to London when he was ten years old, and since then he has spent most of his life in London, he speaks with a North London, rather than a Cardiff accent; "I think of myself as a Welsh Londoner".
At school, Ken was bored and badly behaved until the age of 13, but he admits that, "when I got interested in girls, school suddenly became much more fun." Around the same time he began to study seriously, and by revising harder than any of his classmates, he started to come top of the class, and continued to do well into university.
Ken Follett is married to Barbara Follett, the Member of Parliament for Stevenage in Hertfordshire. They live in a rambling rectory in Stevenage, 30 miles north of London, with two Labrador retrievers called Custard and Bess. They also have an eighteenth-century town house in London and a holiday home in Antigua. Ken Follett is a lover of Shakespeare, and is often to be seen at performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company in London. An enthusiastic amateur musician, he plays bass guitar in a band called Damn Right I Got the Blues.
He was Chair of the National Year of Reading 1998-99, a British government initiative to raise literacy levels. He is president of the The Dyslexia Institute, Chair of the advisory committee of Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) UK, a council member of the National Literacy Trust, a member of The Welsh Academy, a board director of the National Academy of Writing, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He is active in numerous Stevenage charities and is Chair of Governors of Roebuck Primary School.
He became a reporter, first with his home-town newspaper the South Wales Echo and later with the London Evening News. While working on the Evening News he wrote his first novel, which was published but did not become a bestseller. He then went to work for a small London publishing house, Everest Books, eventually becoming Deputy Managing Director. He continued to write novels in his spare time. Eye of the Needle was his eleventh book, and his first success. Around 100 million copies of his books have been sold worldwide.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Raul Esparza Page
Raul Esparza--actor, singer, and probably anything else he want's to be . . .
Raul Esparza is not only one of my favorite actors, he's evidently a lot of other people's also. I first noticed this great guy in the revival of "Company" where he played Bobby. Esparza was nominated for a Tony as best actor in a musical, received a Drama Desk Award for Outstandin Actor in a Musical, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. All deserved.
Variety said of Mr. Esparza in "Company": Raul Esparza strikes just the right balance of easy charm and circumspect distance, alone even in a crowd of friends. He's a deeply ambiguous mass of swirling contradictions -- confused but self-knowing, seductive but standoffish, vulnerable but heavily armored, open to love but ambivalent.
Bloomberg News said: What makes Raul Esparza the best Bobby I've seen is his ability to turn befuddlement into something quite touching. He is not just amused, bemused or put off by what he sees, he is more: sympathetically stymied, helplessly hamstrung. (Review of "Company")
And The New York Times quoted: Mr. Esparza inflects Bobby's wry considerations of his married friends' emotional dilemmas with slashes of dark humor slung straight at the audience, suggesting at times the mischief-making of Jon Stewart at his most deadpan. But his splendid singing throbs with an ardor that expresses the intense confusion under Bobby's veneer of semi-contented solitude.
Esparza has also appeared in "The Normal Heart," "Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang," and "The Homecoming."
A handfull will remember the musical "Taboo," in which Mr. Esparza appeared in drag. The musical flopped, but Mr. E did not.
Mr. Esparza was born in 1970, in Wilmington, Delaware and attended New York University Tish School of the Arts, receiving his diploma from there (BFA) in 1992. He is of Cuban-American descent and was raised in Miami. Esparza first became known to the general public in 2000 with his role in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," which won him the Theatre World Award. The next year he appeared in "Tick, Tick . . BOOM!" Additional roles have included Che in the national touring company of "Evita" and the salesman Alfredo Aldarisio in "Pushing Daisies."
If you did not catch his performance as Bobby in "Company," this is now on DVD and simply fantastic. The staging is excellent and Mr. Esparza has one set of pipes on him. He's able to balance incredible gentleness with outright unabashed bravado.
Visit his website at: www.raulesparza.com A great actor who we hope to see more from
This article by: Ham
Raul Esparza is not only one of my favorite actors, he's evidently a lot of other people's also. I first noticed this great guy in the revival of "Company" where he played Bobby. Esparza was nominated for a Tony as best actor in a musical, received a Drama Desk Award for Outstandin Actor in a Musical, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. All deserved.
Variety said of Mr. Esparza in "Company": Raul Esparza strikes just the right balance of easy charm and circumspect distance, alone even in a crowd of friends. He's a deeply ambiguous mass of swirling contradictions -- confused but self-knowing, seductive but standoffish, vulnerable but heavily armored, open to love but ambivalent.
Bloomberg News said: What makes Raul Esparza the best Bobby I've seen is his ability to turn befuddlement into something quite touching. He is not just amused, bemused or put off by what he sees, he is more: sympathetically stymied, helplessly hamstrung. (Review of "Company")
And The New York Times quoted: Mr. Esparza inflects Bobby's wry considerations of his married friends' emotional dilemmas with slashes of dark humor slung straight at the audience, suggesting at times the mischief-making of Jon Stewart at his most deadpan. But his splendid singing throbs with an ardor that expresses the intense confusion under Bobby's veneer of semi-contented solitude.
Esparza has also appeared in "The Normal Heart," "Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang," and "The Homecoming."
A handfull will remember the musical "Taboo," in which Mr. Esparza appeared in drag. The musical flopped, but Mr. E did not.
Mr. Esparza was born in 1970, in Wilmington, Delaware and attended New York University Tish School of the Arts, receiving his diploma from there (BFA) in 1992. He is of Cuban-American descent and was raised in Miami. Esparza first became known to the general public in 2000 with his role in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," which won him the Theatre World Award. The next year he appeared in "Tick, Tick . . BOOM!" Additional roles have included Che in the national touring company of "Evita" and the salesman Alfredo Aldarisio in "Pushing Daisies."
If you did not catch his performance as Bobby in "Company," this is now on DVD and simply fantastic. The staging is excellent and Mr. Esparza has one set of pipes on him. He's able to balance incredible gentleness with outright unabashed bravado.
Visit his website at: www.raulesparza.com A great actor who we hope to see more from
This article by: Ham
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Two For The SeaSaw (1962)
Another of my favorite things, this movie, "Two for the SeaSaw"
Directed by Robert Wise (“Audrey Rose,” “The Andromeda Strain,” “The Sound of Music,” “West Side Story,” “Citizen Kane—as editor”), this is not what I would have guessed that the man would have gravitated toward. “Two” is an almost film noir starring Shirley MacLaine and Robert Mitchum—a paring that I still have trouble with. MacLaine I can see. But I would have picked half a dozen others for the role of Jerry Ryan, the soon-to-be-divorced lawyer from Nebraska, slumming around Greenwich Village. Somehow MacLaine and Mitchum make chemistry and the rest his not only movie history, but a damn fine movie.
The play and movie could not be more appropriately named. This movie is going to drive you nuts when you see it if you’re looking for a stock formula or obvious plot. The reason is that this couple go back and forth so many times on every issue in the book that they’re truly sea-sawing for the entire play. And the ending is a not-so-wrapped-up one. I can see where this may have worked better as a stage play and probably had more popularity with New Yorkers when it came out, rather than the somewhat downer of a movie it can be viewed as. That’s how others might see it, but not me. I love the oddness of it and the stark black-and-white film. I love the New York apartments and the seediness that is shown—how New York used to be.
While there are things that irritate me about this movie, it still remains one of favorites. The irritating things are the split screen, showing both apartments of Ryan and Mosca (Shirley McClaine.) There’s an inordinate amount of phone conversations going on in this movie. But the reason I gravitate toward this William Gibson play (he also wrote “The Miracle Worker”) is because it is so far from the norm, so far from what you’d expect, and so human. It really is “reality” without the boredom. I supposed you could say that fear of commitment is the main theme and perhaps that is one more reason I liked it. It’s probably the only movie I know of that handles this idea this well, and in this framework that takes us through the film. It’s basically an enormous character study of two people.
Robert Wise is a fantastic director and this is totally unlike anything else he did. He died in 2005 of heart failure, but before that won 4 Oscars and another 28 wins and 18 nominations from the committee. He got a lot of attention from Orson Welles when he became editor of “Citizen Kane” and quickly moved up the ladder. Few know that he was a fan of commercial Indian cinema (yeah, it shocked me too), and that when he died in ’05 he was the last surviving member of the cast and crew that worked on “Kane.” Another great movie he directed was “The Sand Pebbles (1966).” A great man who directed this great movie.
by Sam Friedman
Directed by Robert Wise (“Audrey Rose,” “The Andromeda Strain,” “The Sound of Music,” “West Side Story,” “Citizen Kane—as editor”), this is not what I would have guessed that the man would have gravitated toward. “Two” is an almost film noir starring Shirley MacLaine and Robert Mitchum—a paring that I still have trouble with. MacLaine I can see. But I would have picked half a dozen others for the role of Jerry Ryan, the soon-to-be-divorced lawyer from Nebraska, slumming around Greenwich Village. Somehow MacLaine and Mitchum make chemistry and the rest his not only movie history, but a damn fine movie.
The play and movie could not be more appropriately named. This movie is going to drive you nuts when you see it if you’re looking for a stock formula or obvious plot. The reason is that this couple go back and forth so many times on every issue in the book that they’re truly sea-sawing for the entire play. And the ending is a not-so-wrapped-up one. I can see where this may have worked better as a stage play and probably had more popularity with New Yorkers when it came out, rather than the somewhat downer of a movie it can be viewed as. That’s how others might see it, but not me. I love the oddness of it and the stark black-and-white film. I love the New York apartments and the seediness that is shown—how New York used to be.
While there are things that irritate me about this movie, it still remains one of favorites. The irritating things are the split screen, showing both apartments of Ryan and Mosca (Shirley McClaine.) There’s an inordinate amount of phone conversations going on in this movie. But the reason I gravitate toward this William Gibson play (he also wrote “The Miracle Worker”) is because it is so far from the norm, so far from what you’d expect, and so human. It really is “reality” without the boredom. I supposed you could say that fear of commitment is the main theme and perhaps that is one more reason I liked it. It’s probably the only movie I know of that handles this idea this well, and in this framework that takes us through the film. It’s basically an enormous character study of two people.
Robert Wise is a fantastic director and this is totally unlike anything else he did. He died in 2005 of heart failure, but before that won 4 Oscars and another 28 wins and 18 nominations from the committee. He got a lot of attention from Orson Welles when he became editor of “Citizen Kane” and quickly moved up the ladder. Few know that he was a fan of commercial Indian cinema (yeah, it shocked me too), and that when he died in ’05 he was the last surviving member of the cast and crew that worked on “Kane.” Another great movie he directed was “The Sand Pebbles (1966).” A great man who directed this great movie.
by Sam Friedman
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Somebody give Mr. Balaban some money
Bernard and Doris (2007)
Directed by: Bob Balaban
Writing credits: Hugh Costello
I must be on some kind of Bob Balaban kick lately. Either that or he’s making one heck of a comeback. But comeback isn’t really the right word since he never really went anywhere. A lot of people are not going to be familiar with him since he’s one of those in the background types and is now directing and has some minor roles. He’s not known to many as a big star, but what he does is quality work. He also takes chances and I hope someone in Hollywood recognizes his contributions and gives him a lot of money to do anything he wants—the guy is one major talent who, in my opinion, has never been recognized.
“Bernard & Doris” is the story of heiress Doris Duke and her gay butler, Bernard Lafferty. Laffery is played excellently by Ralph Finnes and Duke by Susan Sarandon. Major fan page to come for her later.
Duke lived from 1912 to 1993 and was the tobacco heiress to a vast fortune. While she put her money to great charity uses, she also drank a lot and caroused with any and everyone. This movie only scrapes the surface of her, and I’ve looked for books on her life and found only a pittance of what there should be. That Balaban has brought her to our attention again is great. Duke is mercurial as can be, and we’re given glimpses of her great generosity followed almost immediately by her bi-polar-like negativity and cruelty. One moment she’s giving Lafferty an expensive kimono, the next she’s chewing him out because her orchids have not been attended properly. If you want to see a co-dependent relationship at work, watch this movie.
Both Duke and Lafferty have their own substance abuse problems and Bernard, who has been on the wagon for a while, falls off when he sees her wine cellar. What I liked most about this film was the even treatment and realness of the characters. No one is any “one” thing. Both Duke and Lafferty are shown to be highly competent, independent, generous people, who can also be naïve, bitter, resentful, hateful, and cruel. What is most fascinating is watching the transitions and how well Balaban handles the pacing of the film.
I read somewhere that this film had an obscenely low budget and that Balaban was scraping by to get what he wanted. This is the reason for my comment earlier about someone giving him money. The guy’s a genius and has an eye for detail yet to be unmatched. What you won’t realize until I point this out, is that almost all the action takes place on Duke’s one estate, and that virtually the entire film is carried by Sarandon and Fiennes. There are momentary flashes of lovers, butlers, etc., but really this could have easily been a Broadway play and worked.
Cast:
Susan Sarandon—Doris Duke
Ralph Fiennes—Bernard Lafferty
. . . and others.
Directed by: Bob Balaban
Writing credits: Hugh Costello
I must be on some kind of Bob Balaban kick lately. Either that or he’s making one heck of a comeback. But comeback isn’t really the right word since he never really went anywhere. A lot of people are not going to be familiar with him since he’s one of those in the background types and is now directing and has some minor roles. He’s not known to many as a big star, but what he does is quality work. He also takes chances and I hope someone in Hollywood recognizes his contributions and gives him a lot of money to do anything he wants—the guy is one major talent who, in my opinion, has never been recognized.
“Bernard & Doris” is the story of heiress Doris Duke and her gay butler, Bernard Lafferty. Laffery is played excellently by Ralph Finnes and Duke by Susan Sarandon. Major fan page to come for her later.
Duke lived from 1912 to 1993 and was the tobacco heiress to a vast fortune. While she put her money to great charity uses, she also drank a lot and caroused with any and everyone. This movie only scrapes the surface of her, and I’ve looked for books on her life and found only a pittance of what there should be. That Balaban has brought her to our attention again is great. Duke is mercurial as can be, and we’re given glimpses of her great generosity followed almost immediately by her bi-polar-like negativity and cruelty. One moment she’s giving Lafferty an expensive kimono, the next she’s chewing him out because her orchids have not been attended properly. If you want to see a co-dependent relationship at work, watch this movie.
Both Duke and Lafferty have their own substance abuse problems and Bernard, who has been on the wagon for a while, falls off when he sees her wine cellar. What I liked most about this film was the even treatment and realness of the characters. No one is any “one” thing. Both Duke and Lafferty are shown to be highly competent, independent, generous people, who can also be naïve, bitter, resentful, hateful, and cruel. What is most fascinating is watching the transitions and how well Balaban handles the pacing of the film.
I read somewhere that this film had an obscenely low budget and that Balaban was scraping by to get what he wanted. This is the reason for my comment earlier about someone giving him money. The guy’s a genius and has an eye for detail yet to be unmatched. What you won’t realize until I point this out, is that almost all the action takes place on Duke’s one estate, and that virtually the entire film is carried by Sarandon and Fiennes. There are momentary flashes of lovers, butlers, etc., but really this could have easily been a Broadway play and worked.
Cast:
Susan Sarandon—Doris Duke
Ralph Fiennes—Bernard Lafferty
. . . and others.
Somebody give Mr. Balaban some money
Bernard and Doris (2007)
Directed by: Bob Balaban
Writing credits: Hugh Costello
I must be on some kind of Bob Balaban kick lately. Either that or he’s making one heck of a comeback. But comeback isn’t really the right word since he never really went anywhere. A lot of people are not going to be familiar with him since he’s one of those in the background types and is now directing and has some minor roles. He’s not known to many as a big star, but what he does is quality work. He also takes chances and I hope someone in Hollywood recognizes his contributions and gives him a lot of money to do anything he wants—the guy is one major talent who, in my opinion, has never been recognized.
“Bernard & Doris” is the story of heiress Doris Duke and her gay butler, Bernard Lafferty. Laffery is played excellently by Ralph Finnes and Duke by Susan Sarandon. Major fan page to come for her later.
Duke lived from 1912 to 1993 and was the tobacco heiress to a vast fortune. While she put her money to great charity uses, she also drank a lot and caroused with any and everyone. This movie only scrapes the surface of her, and I’ve looked for books on her life and found only a pittance of what there should be. That Balaban has brought her to our attention again is great. Duke is mercurial as can be, and we’re given glimpses of her great generosity followed almost immediately by her bi-polar-like negativity and cruelty. One moment she’s giving Lafferty an expensive kimono, the next she’s chewing him out because her orchids have not been attended properly. If you want to see a co-dependent relationship at work, watch this movie.
Both Duke and Lafferty have their own substance abuse problems and Bernard, who has been on the wagon for a while, falls off when he sees her wine cellar. What I liked most about this film was the even treatment and realness of the characters. No one is any “one” thing. Both Duke and Lafferty are shown to be highly competent, independent, generous people, who can also be naïve, bitter, resentful, hateful, and cruel. What is most fascinating is watching the transitions and how well Balaban handles the pacing of the film.
I read somewhere that this film had an obscenely low budget and that Balaban was scraping by to get what he wanted. This is the reason for my comment earlier about someone giving him money. The guy’s a genius and has an eye for detail yet to be unmatched. What you won’t realize until I point this out, is that almost all the action takes place on Duke’s one estate, and that virtually the entire film is carried by Sarandon and Fiennes. There are momentary flashes of lovers, butlers, etc., but really this could have easily been a Broadway play and worked.
Cast:
Susan Sarandon—Doris Duke
Ralph Fiennes—Bernard Lafferty
. . . and others.
Directed by: Bob Balaban
Writing credits: Hugh Costello
I must be on some kind of Bob Balaban kick lately. Either that or he’s making one heck of a comeback. But comeback isn’t really the right word since he never really went anywhere. A lot of people are not going to be familiar with him since he’s one of those in the background types and is now directing and has some minor roles. He’s not known to many as a big star, but what he does is quality work. He also takes chances and I hope someone in Hollywood recognizes his contributions and gives him a lot of money to do anything he wants—the guy is one major talent who, in my opinion, has never been recognized.
“Bernard & Doris” is the story of heiress Doris Duke and her gay butler, Bernard Lafferty. Laffery is played excellently by Ralph Finnes and Duke by Susan Sarandon. Major fan page to come for her later.
Duke lived from 1912 to 1993 and was the tobacco heiress to a vast fortune. While she put her money to great charity uses, she also drank a lot and caroused with any and everyone. This movie only scrapes the surface of her, and I’ve looked for books on her life and found only a pittance of what there should be. That Balaban has brought her to our attention again is great. Duke is mercurial as can be, and we’re given glimpses of her great generosity followed almost immediately by her bi-polar-like negativity and cruelty. One moment she’s giving Lafferty an expensive kimono, the next she’s chewing him out because her orchids have not been attended properly. If you want to see a co-dependent relationship at work, watch this movie.
Both Duke and Lafferty have their own substance abuse problems and Bernard, who has been on the wagon for a while, falls off when he sees her wine cellar. What I liked most about this film was the even treatment and realness of the characters. No one is any “one” thing. Both Duke and Lafferty are shown to be highly competent, independent, generous people, who can also be naïve, bitter, resentful, hateful, and cruel. What is most fascinating is watching the transitions and how well Balaban handles the pacing of the film.
I read somewhere that this film had an obscenely low budget and that Balaban was scraping by to get what he wanted. This is the reason for my comment earlier about someone giving him money. The guy’s a genius and has an eye for detail yet to be unmatched. What you won’t realize until I point this out, is that almost all the action takes place on Duke’s one estate, and that virtually the entire film is carried by Sarandon and Fiennes. There are momentary flashes of lovers, butlers, etc., but really this could have easily been a Broadway play and worked.
Cast:
Susan Sarandon—Doris Duke
Ralph Fiennes—Bernard Lafferty
. . . and others.
Sam here again
Sam Friedman's movies
Gosford Park (2001)
Directed by: Robert Altman
Writing credits: Robert Altman and Bob Balaban
Movies are my thing as you guys know. This one is like a cross between a Merchant/Ivory production and one of those old “whodunit” films from the thirties. It’s set in the thirties and the whole feel of the movie is one of lush, pre-WWII England—the England for the very rich who weren’t affected by the Great Depression.
We’re introduced to all the characters in the most marvelous ways, and told pretty much everything we think we need to know about them in direct and indirect ways. For example, the characters of Constance Trentham (Maggie Smith) and Mary Maceachran (Kelly MacDonald), who plays Lady Trentham’s lady’s maid, are introduced pretty much at the first. During a pouring rainstorm in not-so-warm England, Mary is expected to stand in the rain, having gotten out the car to help Lady Trentham get the top off of a thermos. Trentham has no regard for anyone but herself, and with one sentence the script tells us all we need to know. While Mary stands in the rain, already soaking wet, Lady Trentham chastises her for leaving the car door open lest she catch her death of cold (hers, not Mary’s). As usual Maggie Smith is great, though she’s a meannie in this film and full of bitterness and cynicism.
What is most amazing about this movie is that it wasn’t better received. The cast is mind-boggling: Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Tom Hollander, Jeremy Northam, Bob Balaban, James Wilby, Stephen Fry, and Clive Owen to name only a few. Emily Watson has a minor role (if anyone really does in this movie) as a maid! Most will better remember her for the movie “Hilary & Jackie.”
The plot of the movie is a plot-within-a-plot. Bob Balaban, playing Morris Weissman (a tasteless, gaudy American), is doing some research on England for his next picture and has procured an invitation to an English manor house for shooting. While he doesn’t shoot, he’s along to observe. During all this, a murder is committed. It just so happens that the type of film he’s working on is a murder mystery, set in an English country home, just like the one he’s in. As usual, we given a great number of characters to choose from in this genre—to be able to try and figure out who did the actual murder.
This movie is full of so many twists and innuendoes that you’ll have to watch it three or four times to get them all. Most will only want to watch it once, but even so, it’s a fine film. Directed by Robert Altman and based on an idea by Robert Altman and Bob Balaban, the movie probably looks and sounds too inaccessible for the American public whose tastes run more toward the bang-bang, shoot-um-up type of movies. I love this film and I want everyone to know about it.
Gosford Park (2001)
Directed by: Robert Altman
Writing credits: Robert Altman and Bob Balaban
Movies are my thing as you guys know. This one is like a cross between a Merchant/Ivory production and one of those old “whodunit” films from the thirties. It’s set in the thirties and the whole feel of the movie is one of lush, pre-WWII England—the England for the very rich who weren’t affected by the Great Depression.
We’re introduced to all the characters in the most marvelous ways, and told pretty much everything we think we need to know about them in direct and indirect ways. For example, the characters of Constance Trentham (Maggie Smith) and Mary Maceachran (Kelly MacDonald), who plays Lady Trentham’s lady’s maid, are introduced pretty much at the first. During a pouring rainstorm in not-so-warm England, Mary is expected to stand in the rain, having gotten out the car to help Lady Trentham get the top off of a thermos. Trentham has no regard for anyone but herself, and with one sentence the script tells us all we need to know. While Mary stands in the rain, already soaking wet, Lady Trentham chastises her for leaving the car door open lest she catch her death of cold (hers, not Mary’s). As usual Maggie Smith is great, though she’s a meannie in this film and full of bitterness and cynicism.
What is most amazing about this movie is that it wasn’t better received. The cast is mind-boggling: Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Tom Hollander, Jeremy Northam, Bob Balaban, James Wilby, Stephen Fry, and Clive Owen to name only a few. Emily Watson has a minor role (if anyone really does in this movie) as a maid! Most will better remember her for the movie “Hilary & Jackie.”
The plot of the movie is a plot-within-a-plot. Bob Balaban, playing Morris Weissman (a tasteless, gaudy American), is doing some research on England for his next picture and has procured an invitation to an English manor house for shooting. While he doesn’t shoot, he’s along to observe. During all this, a murder is committed. It just so happens that the type of film he’s working on is a murder mystery, set in an English country home, just like the one he’s in. As usual, we given a great number of characters to choose from in this genre—to be able to try and figure out who did the actual murder.
This movie is full of so many twists and innuendoes that you’ll have to watch it three or four times to get them all. Most will only want to watch it once, but even so, it’s a fine film. Directed by Robert Altman and based on an idea by Robert Altman and Bob Balaban, the movie probably looks and sounds too inaccessible for the American public whose tastes run more toward the bang-bang, shoot-um-up type of movies. I love this film and I want everyone to know about it.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
One of my Favorite Restaurants
Restaurant Review:
Fleur de Lys
777 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA
Possibly one of the best restaurants in the world, Fleur de Lys is also one of the most expensive. You might think the reason is for the cost of the lush décor, but after eating there you’ll know differently. This is probably the most romantic restaurant in the world and the atmosphere is stunning. Large oil paintings and heavy drapes contribute to an almost Turn-of-the Century aspect, but the food is totally original and new.
The chef at the time of this writing is Hubert Keller. His background is in classical French foods but he delivers them with a twist. My favorite dish from this restaurant is the Japanese Eggplant which is then stuffed with Sardinian couscous. Second in line would be Grimand Duck breast with cardamom, and a mustard glaze.
The menu at Fleur de Lys changes daily. The service is so good as to be obscene—you’ll be treated like royalty, and at these prices, you should. This is probably the only restaurant in San Francisco that can come close to Emerils’, and that ones in New Orleans.
By Gil Weston
Fleur de Lys
777 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA
Possibly one of the best restaurants in the world, Fleur de Lys is also one of the most expensive. You might think the reason is for the cost of the lush décor, but after eating there you’ll know differently. This is probably the most romantic restaurant in the world and the atmosphere is stunning. Large oil paintings and heavy drapes contribute to an almost Turn-of-the Century aspect, but the food is totally original and new.
The chef at the time of this writing is Hubert Keller. His background is in classical French foods but he delivers them with a twist. My favorite dish from this restaurant is the Japanese Eggplant which is then stuffed with Sardinian couscous. Second in line would be Grimand Duck breast with cardamom, and a mustard glaze.
The menu at Fleur de Lys changes daily. The service is so good as to be obscene—you’ll be treated like royalty, and at these prices, you should. This is probably the only restaurant in San Francisco that can come close to Emerils’, and that ones in New Orleans.
By Gil Weston
My Favorite Musician of All Time
A Tribute to Freddie Mercury by BoaMan
Most people don’t know that Freddie Mercury’s real name was Farrokh Bulsara. He was Parsi (Indian) and kept this and his HIV status a secret for many years. Some have criticized him for this, but when you consider the stigma attached to AIDS at that time and his career choices, it seems logical. I don’t think any less of him for keeping his status and nationality a secret because his life is his own.
Mercury is chiefly remembered as a British musician mainly because he moved to that country at age seventeen when his country fled the Zanzibar Revolution. What strikes me the most about his music is that it is so original and free in form. He probably got these influences from his varied background of Indian and European music, though finding traces of Eastern influence in his works are rare.
Here are some facts about Freddie Mercury:
Born: 9/5/1946
Died: 11/24/91
Lead singer of the rock band “Queen.”
Died of Bronchopneumonia and AIDS
Attended St. Peter’s School for boys in Bombay.
Was excellent at cricket, table tennis, and hockey!
Worked briefly at Heathrow airport (perhaps there’s hope for the rest of us!)
Played in bands named “Ibex,” “Sour Milk Sea,” and “Smile” before becoming part of “Queen”
Once made an album with opera singer Montserrat Caballe!
Mercury’s ashes are scattered on the shores of Lake Geneva, Switzerland.
List of his greatest music:
Bohemian Rhapsody
Killer Queen
Love of My Life
Somebody to Love
Don’t Stop Me Now
Death on Two Legs
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
We Are The Champions
Influences on his music:
The Who
The Jackson 5
The Beatles
John Lennon
Pink Floyd
Led Zepplin
Elvis Presley
Liza Minnelli
Himi Hendrix
Mercury’s music was at times complex, at time simple. He was capable of great vocal range in some songs while also creating intimate and subdued effects in others. Without a doubt, “Queen” was and remains one of the most original bands on the face of the earth. As a live performer, Mercury had no equal. He was high energy and flamboyant. He gave an estimated 700 concerts in his lifetime. “The Spectator” magazine described him as “a performer out to tease, shock, and ultimately charm his audience with various extravagant versions of himself.” That pretty much sums it up.
Most people don’t know that Freddie Mercury’s real name was Farrokh Bulsara. He was Parsi (Indian) and kept this and his HIV status a secret for many years. Some have criticized him for this, but when you consider the stigma attached to AIDS at that time and his career choices, it seems logical. I don’t think any less of him for keeping his status and nationality a secret because his life is his own.
Mercury is chiefly remembered as a British musician mainly because he moved to that country at age seventeen when his country fled the Zanzibar Revolution. What strikes me the most about his music is that it is so original and free in form. He probably got these influences from his varied background of Indian and European music, though finding traces of Eastern influence in his works are rare.
Here are some facts about Freddie Mercury:
Born: 9/5/1946
Died: 11/24/91
Lead singer of the rock band “Queen.”
Died of Bronchopneumonia and AIDS
Attended St. Peter’s School for boys in Bombay.
Was excellent at cricket, table tennis, and hockey!
Worked briefly at Heathrow airport (perhaps there’s hope for the rest of us!)
Played in bands named “Ibex,” “Sour Milk Sea,” and “Smile” before becoming part of “Queen”
Once made an album with opera singer Montserrat Caballe!
Mercury’s ashes are scattered on the shores of Lake Geneva, Switzerland.
List of his greatest music:
Bohemian Rhapsody
Killer Queen
Love of My Life
Somebody to Love
Don’t Stop Me Now
Death on Two Legs
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
We Are The Champions
Influences on his music:
The Who
The Jackson 5
The Beatles
John Lennon
Pink Floyd
Led Zepplin
Elvis Presley
Liza Minnelli
Himi Hendrix
Mercury’s music was at times complex, at time simple. He was capable of great vocal range in some songs while also creating intimate and subdued effects in others. Without a doubt, “Queen” was and remains one of the most original bands on the face of the earth. As a live performer, Mercury had no equal. He was high energy and flamboyant. He gave an estimated 700 concerts in his lifetime. “The Spectator” magazine described him as “a performer out to tease, shock, and ultimately charm his audience with various extravagant versions of himself.” That pretty much sums it up.
Bob S. here
Sad News
by Bob S.
In total agreement with Friedman on the movie, “Boys in the Band,” but feel a pressing urge to get this off my chest.
So sad to hear about Senator Edward Kennedy for so many reasons. Not only was he always willing to fight, but he really cared about what he was fighting for. While he’s not gone, the prognosis is not good. We can only hope that Senator Kennedy will be able to hold on for a while longer. Does anyone else find it ironic that only two weeks ago he called for a war on cancer? He had planned to introduce a bill for more cancer research. The good news is that the Democratic party is not is bad shape. Our biggest problem is that we’ve got two really good candidates and can’t seem to pick one. We should all be glad that he’s been with us this far and hopefully will be around longer.
by Bob S.
In total agreement with Friedman on the movie, “Boys in the Band,” but feel a pressing urge to get this off my chest.
So sad to hear about Senator Edward Kennedy for so many reasons. Not only was he always willing to fight, but he really cared about what he was fighting for. While he’s not gone, the prognosis is not good. We can only hope that Senator Kennedy will be able to hold on for a while longer. Does anyone else find it ironic that only two weeks ago he called for a war on cancer? He had planned to introduce a bill for more cancer research. The good news is that the Democratic party is not is bad shape. Our biggest problem is that we’ve got two really good candidates and can’t seem to pick one. We should all be glad that he’s been with us this far and hopefully will be around longer.
Thoughts by Sam Friedman
A Few of My Favorite Things
Movie: The Boys in the Band
Play and screenplay by Mart Crowley
Directed by William Friedkin
Starring: Kenneth Nelson, Peter White, Leonard Frey, Frederick Combs, Laurence Luckinbill, Keith Prentice, Robert La Tourneaux, and Reuben Greene.
Our Group recently viewed this movie again after many years of absence. It’s truly amazing how well this film holds up after all these years. Here’s my take on the film which is ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS . . .
The original play by Mart Crowley, came out in 1968, a year before Stonewall, and the movie came out in 1970, the year after that landmark which changed gay rights forever. While I never saw the original play, I’ve heard it said that the movie is extremely faithful to the original script. And most of the original actors in the play made the transition over to film. Sadly, many are dead now. However, Cliff Gorman, who plays the most screaming queen ever to inhabit a movie, is still alive and believe it or not, straight. His performance is a gem.
Criticisms abound for this movie, most of which deal with the fact that it perpetuates gay stereotypes. Well, it does and it doesn’t. If you’re honest with yourself, you will see a bit of stereotyping in just about anything. Sure, some of the characters are promiscuous, some are bitchy, some are closeted, etc., but who really wants to see a movie about well-adjusted people of any ilk, be they gay, straight, whatever. And most people are missing the point of Crowley’s work. He was trying to paint a wide swath of the many different types of gay men there are. This is something that no one else seems to have gotten right even after thirty years. So in a sense, the movie was not only ahead of its time in 1968, it’s still ahead of its time.
Had Crowley wanted to stereotype, he would have picked only Emory, the screaming queen, which was, and unfortunately still is, a large and accepted stereotype. Instead, Crowley gives us a wide range, saying, “Look, here are people from every walk of life: married, closeted, screaming, promiscuous, faithful, honest, nasty, and everything in between.” (my words, not his literally). Crowley then has them play off of each other with a brilliance that has yet to be matched, even today. Now we have “Will & Grace,” and we love them. And we’re happy that Will is portrayed as the grounded-in-reality, hard-working, straight-acting one. Great. But whom do we enjoy watching? Jack. And Karen. The two over the top characters who the sitcom isn’t supposed to really be about. It’s as if Fred and Ethel had usurped Ricky and Lucy.
My point is this: no one wants to read, see, or explore normality, whatever that really is. Crowley’s play is what it is supposed to be: a drama; and the essence of drama is conflict. Crowley not has the characters conflict with each other, but he has each of them endure their own inner turmoil, and has the guts to show it to us.
Kenneth Nelson, who plays Michael, the bitter, bitchy homosexual who is hosting the birthday party, is a mass of confusion. He’s southern, living in New York, obsessed with doing things “just so” yet a horrible host, jealous, loving, self-loathing, cynical, and even funny at times. And he’s just one character. His layers play off of the other characters, each of whom has their own cross to bear, so to speak.
Hank, played by Laurence Luckinbill, is the married man who has left his wife and two children for Larry. Hank can “pass” for straight and doesn’t feel the need to tell the entire world what his sexual preference is. He’s coupled with Larry, the promiscuous one, who wants a relationship but still wants to dabble on the side with anyone who comes along. Larry experiences guilt over this, yet can’t help himself or his sexual appetite. Hank basically wants a family, a home, stability, just with a man, not a woman. The complexity of this relationship alone is enough for a play. Now add the others and you’ve got a diso-ball-faceted group that brings up emotions too raw for most of us.
These are just some examples of the brilliance in Crowley’s characters. Seriously, this is probably one of the best plays written for the theater, not just a “gay” play. And while the play does date itself with music and styles of clothes, they aren’t that different—this could be the early sixties, the seventies, or even the eighties in some cities with the exception of the flare of a few of the pants and some hair styles. I can’t stress this enough: if you see one movie for its character development and relationship flaws, make it this one. And cut through the idea of negative gay stereotyping and see what Crowley is trying to say about the duality and complexity of human relationships—even more so with gay men.
Movie: The Boys in the Band
Play and screenplay by Mart Crowley
Directed by William Friedkin
Starring: Kenneth Nelson, Peter White, Leonard Frey, Frederick Combs, Laurence Luckinbill, Keith Prentice, Robert La Tourneaux, and Reuben Greene.
Our Group recently viewed this movie again after many years of absence. It’s truly amazing how well this film holds up after all these years. Here’s my take on the film which is ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS . . .
The original play by Mart Crowley, came out in 1968, a year before Stonewall, and the movie came out in 1970, the year after that landmark which changed gay rights forever. While I never saw the original play, I’ve heard it said that the movie is extremely faithful to the original script. And most of the original actors in the play made the transition over to film. Sadly, many are dead now. However, Cliff Gorman, who plays the most screaming queen ever to inhabit a movie, is still alive and believe it or not, straight. His performance is a gem.
Criticisms abound for this movie, most of which deal with the fact that it perpetuates gay stereotypes. Well, it does and it doesn’t. If you’re honest with yourself, you will see a bit of stereotyping in just about anything. Sure, some of the characters are promiscuous, some are bitchy, some are closeted, etc., but who really wants to see a movie about well-adjusted people of any ilk, be they gay, straight, whatever. And most people are missing the point of Crowley’s work. He was trying to paint a wide swath of the many different types of gay men there are. This is something that no one else seems to have gotten right even after thirty years. So in a sense, the movie was not only ahead of its time in 1968, it’s still ahead of its time.
Had Crowley wanted to stereotype, he would have picked only Emory, the screaming queen, which was, and unfortunately still is, a large and accepted stereotype. Instead, Crowley gives us a wide range, saying, “Look, here are people from every walk of life: married, closeted, screaming, promiscuous, faithful, honest, nasty, and everything in between.” (my words, not his literally). Crowley then has them play off of each other with a brilliance that has yet to be matched, even today. Now we have “Will & Grace,” and we love them. And we’re happy that Will is portrayed as the grounded-in-reality, hard-working, straight-acting one. Great. But whom do we enjoy watching? Jack. And Karen. The two over the top characters who the sitcom isn’t supposed to really be about. It’s as if Fred and Ethel had usurped Ricky and Lucy.
My point is this: no one wants to read, see, or explore normality, whatever that really is. Crowley’s play is what it is supposed to be: a drama; and the essence of drama is conflict. Crowley not has the characters conflict with each other, but he has each of them endure their own inner turmoil, and has the guts to show it to us.
Kenneth Nelson, who plays Michael, the bitter, bitchy homosexual who is hosting the birthday party, is a mass of confusion. He’s southern, living in New York, obsessed with doing things “just so” yet a horrible host, jealous, loving, self-loathing, cynical, and even funny at times. And he’s just one character. His layers play off of the other characters, each of whom has their own cross to bear, so to speak.
Hank, played by Laurence Luckinbill, is the married man who has left his wife and two children for Larry. Hank can “pass” for straight and doesn’t feel the need to tell the entire world what his sexual preference is. He’s coupled with Larry, the promiscuous one, who wants a relationship but still wants to dabble on the side with anyone who comes along. Larry experiences guilt over this, yet can’t help himself or his sexual appetite. Hank basically wants a family, a home, stability, just with a man, not a woman. The complexity of this relationship alone is enough for a play. Now add the others and you’ve got a diso-ball-faceted group that brings up emotions too raw for most of us.
These are just some examples of the brilliance in Crowley’s characters. Seriously, this is probably one of the best plays written for the theater, not just a “gay” play. And while the play does date itself with music and styles of clothes, they aren’t that different—this could be the early sixties, the seventies, or even the eighties in some cities with the exception of the flare of a few of the pants and some hair styles. I can’t stress this enough: if you see one movie for its character development and relationship flaws, make it this one. And cut through the idea of negative gay stereotyping and see what Crowley is trying to say about the duality and complexity of human relationships—even more so with gay men.
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