Well, dear readers, has anyone noticed that we are now firmly entrenched in the dog days of summer? Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, we are firmly entrenched in the dog days of summer. Just what are the dog days of summer? And if we have the dog days of summer, do we have the cat days of winter, and perhaps the goldfish days of spring and the zebra days of fall? In any case, here we are, firmly entrenched in the dog days of summer. Today, for example, is poodle day. Yesterday was cocker spaniel day. Yes, the dog days of summer are very exciting indeed and also very too too.
Yesterday, on cocker spaniel day, I did an interview with our very own td, regarding the release of our brand spanking new DVD of The First Nudie Musical. It will appear very soon on a DVD site which we will link to when td tells us said interview is up and running. So, stay tuned. It is a searing interview – a shocking expose. I name names, I tell where all the bodies are buried, I reveal never-before-revealed revelations. It is raw and truthful and it may cause you to actually look away whist reading it.
Your wonderful amazon.com reviews have started to appear on amazon.com. Now, we must be very careful when selecting the “stars” for the reviews. In other words, two of the three reviews receive five-stars, the most that can be given. Then one dear reader review, which is a great review, only receives three stars when it is clearly meant to receive five stars. That is because dear reader William F. Orr, who wrote a beautiful review for which I’m very grateful, inadvertently (rather than vertantly) pressed three stars instead of five stars. So, do be careful in your star-pressing. The same thing happened last week when dear reader Robert Armin accidentally pressed four stars rather than five when reviewing Nudie Musical. Now, Robert and William should go back there, because there may just be a way to rectify the star thing. I’m not sure, but it’s worth checking out. Do keep those reviews coming, because it really helps for new books that no one has ever heard of.
Last night I started to watch the movies contained in my Giallo box set. For those who don’t know, Giallo films were a series of weird Italian thrillers from the mid sixties and seventies. The one I was watching last night, Short Night of Glass Dolls (yes, Virginia, they all have wacko titles like that) stars Miss Ingrid Thulin, and those of you who have already read my book will know how cool that is. Anyway, I’ll be watching these Giallo movies for several days. They are not for everyone, but if you’ve seen and enjoyed Bird With the Crystal Plummage, you’ll enjoy the movies in this set. By the way (BTW in internet lingo), I like to eat jello when I watch a Giallo.
Has anyone noticed that it’s the dog days of summer? Perhaps we should ponder that fact while we all click on the Unseemly Button below.
Don’t forget that tomorrow is Ask BK Day, so get your excellent questions ready.
We’ve had several winners of our Unseemly Trivia Contest this week. The question was:
In the late thirties a popular play was produced first in Washington and then on Broadway. In the cast was someone who, thirty years later, would go on to do a very popular musical in which he played a very popular historical figure (also playing that role in the film version of said musical). Also in the play was someone who became famous for saying the line, “You’re next!” in a very popular fifties film. Also in the cast was someone who would do a very popular film about Santa Claus. Also in the cast was someone who would go on to play a very famous Dr., although not a Dr. you’d ever want to go to – in other words, he would play a very famous villainous Dr. Is that enough damn clues to choke a damn horse? Name the fershluganah play they all appeared in. Final clue: The play was directed by a well-respected playwright.
Our High Winners were Michael Shayne, JMK, Steve Gurey, Jed, Paul Fairie and Steve Westcott. Although several High Winners got several of the bonus questions, no one got them all. And the answer:
The fershluganah play: Abe Lincoln in Illinois
The actor who, thirty years later, would play a popular historical figure: Howard da Silva as Ben Franklin in 1776
The actor famous for saying the line, “You’re next!” in a popular fifties film: Kevin McCarthy, Invasion of the Body Snatchers
The actor who would do a very popular film about Santa Claus: John Payne
The actor who would go on to play a very famous but nasty Dr. (I used the abbreviation for a reason): Joseph Wiseman – Dr. No.
The well-respected playwright who directed the show: Elmer Rice
We’ve put all the names into our electronic hat, and chosen completely at random was Mr. Steve Westcott, who is this week’s Highest Winner. If Mr. Westcott will e-mail his address, he will be receiving a sparkling prize. Congratulations to one and all and all and one.
I shipped out all the Nudie DVDs yesterday so those who waited for the signatures should be receiving them shortly. The post office was a madhouse – I’ve never seen anything like it. As you probably know, all postal rates went up again last Friday. I’m hoping we don’t have to raise the shipping rates here at haineshisway.com, but I don’t know yet. We definitely won’t be raising them this week, so if you want to order something do so before we do have to raise them. Does the raise in postal rates mean the postal service will improve? Do I wear thong underwear?
I just this minute received a lovely note from Mr. Harvey Schmidt, who is thrilled with the way his painting looks on the cover of Benjamin Kritzer. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that just too too?
Remember, post your Nudie and Kritzer reviews to both amazon and barnesandnoble.com. The more the merrier say I.
Well, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must get in my automobile and drive to and fro and fro and to and left and right and north and south. Today’s topic of discussion: If you could take credit for writing one non-theater song, what would it be? I’ll start – I would say I’d be happy to take credit for the stunningly beautiful When I Fall in Love. So simple, so heartfelt, and with a gorgeous perfect melody. Your turn.