Well, dear readers, here we are on a Sunday, and the beginning of a brand spanking new week. This week will be quite a busy one, but what else is new? Some of the things that I must do this week are have a play reading, have several long meetings about several projects, finish the EQing of Together Again, and begin the prepping of the Harvey Schmidt album, as well as several dinners. I must also finish the short story I’m working on, record the Stages song, and attend to matters that need attending to. I must also begin to plan the musical numbers for the LACC benefit, and I must also hire a musical director for it this week. Other than that, I shall flit about like a gazelle in short shorts. Speaking of short shorts, yesterday our read-through went well, but I’m still trying to figure out how to give the thing some energy. We’ve decided to have the actors do a little perfunctory moving around, because when they’re sitting and reading the whole thing, the energy just sucks itself into their chairs. Other than the read-through, I must say I was able to relax, do some grocery shopping, and actually sit on my couch like so much fish. I also had a lovely conversation with Mr. David Shire, who is thrilled that we’re reissuing David Shire At The Movies. And, if everything works out, we’ll be recording at least one new track for the CD, if not two. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that just too too?
Last night, I managed to watch two count them two motion pictures on DVD. They were both Fox Noirs, unreleased in this country as of yet. The two DVDs are from France, but are legit releases, licensed from Fox. The first motion picture on DVD was entitled Kiss of Death. It’s quite a fine motion picture, and I must say that every time I see Mr. Victor Mature in a film, I appreciate him as an actor even more than I did before. He’s really excellent in this film, as is Mr. Richard Widmark, in one of his most famous roles – the psychotic killer, Tommy Udo. Colleen Gray is lovely, and there is solid support from Brian Donleavy as the assistant DA. And that scene where Mr. Widmark “does away” with an elderly lady, still packs quite a wallop. Have you ever packed quite a wallop? How heavy was it? I once packed quite a wallop and I almost gave myself a hernia trying to lift the suitcase. May I just ask one question? What the HELL am I talking about? Packing a wallop – I ask you. The second motion picture on DVD was entitled Cry of the City, a film that was new to me. I enjoyed it very much. It also stars Mr. Victor Mature, once again, excellent. Richard Conte co-stars, and he, too, is excellent. Shelley Winters has one scene as a lady who befriends the on-the-lam Conte – it was one of her first credited appearances. But the performance of the film belongs to Hope Emerson, who’s just wonderful as a less-than-savory massage parlor owner. I would say her performance packed a wallop. The direction by the great Robert Siodmak is moody, and his usual top-notch job. The only downside to the film is that the main title is the usual tiresome Street Scene by Alfred Newman (it’s also used consistently in Kiss of Death). I wonder if anyone has chronicled just how many Fox pictures Street Scene was used in, whether as a main title theme, or as source music.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below whilst we ponder packing a wallop and all that that entails.
Shortly I will be heading over to the Madeline Clark Rehearsal Studios to have our final play reading rehearsal for two hours. We’ll put in as much perfunctory blocking as we can in the time allotted, and then we’ll just hope for the best come tomorrow evening.
After that, Tammy and I will be working on her scenes, and then I have a dinner meeting with my pals Adryan Russ and Doug Haverty. Then I shall come home and endeavor to watch a DVD or two.
Mr. Donald Feltham is out of town, so the Kritzerland radio show will be up for another week, in case you haven’t heard it.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, pack a wallop, I must rehearse, I must write, I must work with Tammy, I must sup, and I must do a few various and sundried other things. Today’s topic of discussion: Soup. I feel soup is neglected, so today is soup day. All things soup. Favorites, recipes, exotic soups, the whole kit and caboodle, not necessarily in that order. My favorites: First and foremost, great New England Clam Chowder. I also love a really good French Onion Soup with lots of cheese (I had a really good one last week when I dined with Richard Valley), and I love freshly made Cream of Mushroom Soup. There used to be a place on Sunset that made the best Cream of Mushroom soup. It was called Butterfield’s, and I miss that jernt a lot. It was so pleasant to sit there on a Sunday afternoon. Your turn. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, and do make sure your posts pack a wallop, too.