Well, dear readers, it was bad enough when the gardeners used to arrive at eight-thirty. It was worse when they arrived at eight. And now it is grotesque when they arrive at seven-thirty. Perhaps someone should go to their house at seven-thirty in the morning and make with the noise. Of course, that would do no good whatsoever since they’d be here making with the noise. I think there should be a law – no mowing before eight-thirty. And why can’t somebody invent a quiet lawn mower? These lawn mowers sound like souped-up hot rods. Have you ever had a souped-up hot rod? What kind of soup was used? I had a cream of mushroom hot rod once, it was very exciting. Much better than a tomato bisque hot rod, or a navy bean hot rod, or even a split pea hot rod. What the hell am I talking about? This is what early lawn mowing does to me.
I’m pleased to announce that Mr. Mark Bakalor has put up the order page for Kritzerland, and we are now taking preorders for signed copies of the book, which I should have in hand, ready to ship in about three weeks time (could be less). To place your handy-dandy order is very simple indeed – on the haineshisway.com home page, click on the icon which reads “Handy-dandy links to new sections”. Once there, click on Kritzerland, then click on the stack of books, then click on “Buy this book”. From there it’s a mere paypal click away. If you are not a paypal member, there’s a link to sign up – it costs you nothing and in fact they give you five dollars for signing up. The order page is also available by going to . The book most likely won’t be available anywhere else until the beginning of June, and because the price here includes priority shipping, it won’t be cheaper anywhere else (it will actually cost about five or six dollars more with shipping at other online stores). If you wish a personalized inscription, please note that on your paypal order. And soon Mr. Mark Bakalor will have Kritzerland products available, too, such as t-shirts, caps, and boxer shorts. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that just too too?
Last night I watched a motion picture entitled The Italian Job, a caper film from the late sixties. Apparently this one has enough of a cult following to warrant the special edition treatment – it’s got three lengthy documentaries, a commentary track and more. I found it very lightweight but fun – I gather there is a remake about to come out, and I’m sure that will be anything but lightweight and fun. The cast makes the film – Michael Caine and Noel Coward and the always excellent Raf Vallone. Beautiful transfer, too – it’s only available in Region 2 at the moment, but it should be coming out here around the time the new film is released.
The whole batch of Universal Jimmy Stewart westerns is something of a disappointment. Shenandoah, Night Passage and The Rare Breed all look decent enough (but not spectacular) but I’m afraid the Anthony Mann classics, Bend of the River, The Far Country and Winchester 73, are all rather lackluster transfers. In fact, Bend of the River is a disaster, so dark that in the numerous night scenes you don’t even know what’s going on – you literally can’t see anything.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because, after all, we don’t want to write the entirety of these here notes in the first section because that would be unseemly.
We had an absolutely delightful Unseemly Live Chat last night – despite the errant and truant. Two count them two people told me they slept through it – sleeping through live chat is punishable by bitch-slapping from here to eternity.
I mentioned in yesterday’s posts that The Look of Love is most likely going to end up the worst reviewed show of this season. When the original version of this show tried out in San Diego, it was a disaster. Then, when the new creative team was announced, I knew this incarnation would be a disaster, too. Several Hainsies/Kimlets have said that a little Bacharach and David goes a long way. But, I really believe with the right combination of songs, singers and concept, that a Bacharach and David revue could work like gangbusters. But not with a creative team like this – they just don’t seem to know what Bacharach and David are all about (I’m basing this on the reviews I’ve read – both good and bad), starting with the apparently awful set and costumes. Oh, well, it’s a Roundabout show so they’re guaranteed a nice run no matter what.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must go hither and thither and perhaps yon, I must write, I must search eBay for souped-up hot rods, especially clam chowder, I must, in short, get crackin’. Today’s topic of discussion: What is the longest period you’ve ever stayed awake without any sleep, and what was the reason for it. Conversely, what is the longest period you’ve ever slept without waking, and what was the reason for it. Post away, my pretties, and I’ll be back in a bit to read your excellent bits of information – and, of course, feel free to talk about anything else you like.