Well, dear readers, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that it is Tuesday. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, I am going out on a limb and saying that it is Tuesday. Have you ever gone out on a limb? Was the limb jealous? And which limb did you go out on? When I go out on a limb it is usually my foot. I don’t really have a clew as to what the hell I’m going on about, but what else is new? Speaking of limbs, I’m going to go out on one and say that I had a very nice day yesterday. I began working on a new little project of my own concocting. I picked up a package, I made a few phone calls, and I had a lovely dinner with Mr. Walter Willison. He told me many interesting stories on many interesting subjects, and we had a splendidly splendid time supping at Marie Callander’s, where I finally satisfied my salad with ranch dressing and croutons craving. Craving Croutons – that’s the title of my next novel. Speaking of novels, I’ve had the first reaction to my latest. Up until this weekend, the only person who’d read it was my muse Margaret. As with my other books, I then gave manuscripts to three or four people. One of those people hasn’t had time to get to it, one of them hasn’t gotten the manuscript yet, one of them is two-thirds through, and my pal, Mr. Nick Redman, finished it in one marathon read on Sunday. I’m happy to report that he was very pleased with it – in fact, I could not have asked for a better reaction. He “got” the book completely, and, interestingly, his initial word to describe it was the same exact word that Margaret had used after reading the first batch of pages. That word was/is “compelling”. I love that word, don’t you? Nick thought it was a real page-turner, he liked the characters, and for him the book just flew by. I will only say that this was a very interesting book to write and I had no idea how anyone would react to it. I’m still interested to hear the others’ reactions to it, but I am very pleased with what I’ve heard so far. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that just too too?
Last night, I watched a motion picture on DVD entitled Yanks. I first saw Yanks back when it was originally released in 1979/1980. The film did not do well, and I don’t think the critics were especially kind to it. I, however, really liked it, and I like it now even more. In fact, it may be my favorite film of its director, John Schlesinger. It’s on the long side (two hours and twenty minutes), and there is one episode in the middle of the film that just goes on way too long and is a perfect example of what Schlesinger’s weakness is – it’s an ugly scene, over-the-top, and quite off-putting. But, the rest of the film is so lovely and wonderfully directed, that I forgive it the misstep. The performances are mostly great, especially Vanessa Redgrave, Lisa Eichhorn, Rachel Roberts, and Tony Melody. Even Richard Gere, an actor I particularly can’t stand, is decent here. The only actor I don’t really respond to in Yanks is an actor I never respond to – William Devane. He just always looks so smarmy and smirky, and here, where he’s playing a really good egg, I just can’t get past it. One of the film’s strongest elements is the brilliantly brilliant score by Richard Rodney Bennett. It’s so beautiful that I dissolve into mush whenever I hear its gorgeous and touching themes. Yanks isn’t perfect, but it’s aged very well, and is definitely worth a look, especially as it can be had for eight bucks. The transfer is lovely and in its proper screen ratio of 1:85 and enhanced for widescreen TVs.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I’m going to go out on a limb and say there’ll be more to read in the next section.
I have the odd feeling that something is going on today, but I haven’t a clew as to what that something might be. I suppose someone will call me if something is indeed supposed to be going on. Otherwise, I have plenty to do even if nothing is going on.
I am expecting quite a few packages this week, which should contain quite a few interesting items that I’ll tell you about as they arrive. I love getting packages. I always forget that they’re things I’ve paid for, so it’s always like I’m receiving gifts when they arrive.
Tomorrow I definitely know something is going on – I’ll be rehearsing with Mr. Kevin Spirtas and his musical director, John Boswell. And Friday I’ll be attending the opening of a production of Bus Stop at Los Angeles City College as the guest of its director, Mr. Al Rossi. I will, of course, have full reports on each event.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must work a bit on my new little project, I must drive about in my motor car, I must wait to find out if something is going on, and I must eat reasonable foodstuffs. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s wrong casting day here at haineshisway.com. So, let us come up with the most wrong cast we can think of for the haineshisway.com revival of A Chorus Line. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we? In fact, let me go out on a limb and say we shall have loads of lovely postings.