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September 23, 2006:

THE TRIP

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, tomorrow I fly to New York, New York, the city that never sleeps, and I’m very much looking forward to it. It’s been way too long since I’ve been there (June of last year), and it will be fun getting together with various and sundried pals, and also doing The Last Starfighter reading. I intend to eat several meals at Joe Allen, but may also endeavor to do some other dining adventures. I still haven’t decided whether to see a show or not – I think there’s just too much to do, frankly. Speaking of too much to do, yesterday, when there wasn’t supposed to be too much to do there was too much to do. How did that happen? I had my breakfast meeting, but that was supposed to be it. I then had to prepare some packages for shipping, jog, and then the phone calls started coming in and they never stopped – it was most annoying. And then I had to leave for the Wechters for dinner and a movie. So, I never had one moment to just sit on my couch like so much fish.

Last night, though, I did have a lovely meal at the Wechters, and then David showed a homegrown DVD of the Martin and Lewis film, You’re Never Too Young. It’s one of the few Martin and Lewis films (especially the VistaVision Technicolor ones) that I’d never seen. I’m fond of their Paramount films but do find them erratic and some of them are just downright difficult to sit through. However, I found You’re Never Too Young completely delightful. The film has some of their funniest bits and Jerry is absolutely wonderful in it, and Dean is just the perfect foil for him – plus he sings some nice Arthur Schwartz/Sammy Cahn songs. One of those songs may end up on a future Guy Haines album. The film is, of course, an uncredited remake of Billy Wilder’s The Major and The Minor (the only credit besides Sidney Sheldon’s screenplay, goes to the original play and story authors – but much of this comes right from the Wilder film). In the Wilder film, it’s Ginger Rogers who must masquerade as a little girl. In You’re Never Too Young, it’s Lewis who must masquerade as a little boy. In a nice touch, the female lead in You’re Never Too Young is Diana Lynn, who played a co-starring role in The Major and The Minor. Our friend Mitzi McCall made her screen debut in the film and is cute as a button. Paramount is about to release a box set of the Martin and Lewis films, a couple of which have already been out – and this set doesn’t include any of the films I want. I guess those will all be in the next set – this film, Hollywood or Bust, Pardners, Artists and Models, etc.

Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because she of the Evil Eye will be here shortly and I shall have to hie myself out of here, at which time I will do all the things that need doing – picking up dry cleaning, getting some casharooni from the bank, and shipping the packages that need shipping. Once that is done, then the only thing I need to do is pack, which I’ll do in the early evening. Then I leave bright and early the next morning.

Since we haven’t had one in a few weeks, let’s have an Unseemly Trivia Contest question, shall we? And those who are still awaiting their sparkling prizes will get them – I’ve just been swamped, as you know. So – this hit comedy play was turned into a film. Only one of the play’s cast members made it into the film’s cast. The play’s author never wrote another play, but was involved with several TV series, and did go on to create a well-loved and unique TV show that was the antithesis of the play. The play’s cast member that went on to do the film version of the play had also played a memorable role in a Broadway musical – a role also later repeated on the screen. The play featured two major motion picture stars in its leading roles. The film featured two different motion picture stars in the leading roles. Finally, the film had a jaunty title song by a composer and two lyricists, all of whom had written or would write hit songs. So:

Name the play and its author.

Name the well known and unique TV series the author created.

Name the cast member who did both play and film version, name the memorable role they’d played in a hit Broadway musical that they also repeated for the screen.

Name the two motion picture stars who starred in the play and name the two motion picture stars who starred in the film.

Name the composer and the two lyricists of the jaunty title song, and tell us an interesting and nice factoid regarding the lyricists.

Remember: DO NOT POST YOUR ANSWERS TO THE SITE! Send them to me via e-mail at bruce@haineshisway.com. You have until midnight on Monday to submit your answers. Good luck to one and all and also all and one.

Today, as I mentioned, I’m going to do all my stuff while she of the Evil Eye is cleaning. Then I shall have the rest of the day to lounge about like a gazelle in an opium den – I will not take any calls unless they are quick ones, and I shall watch a DVD or three whilst sitting on my couch like so much fish.

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, jog, do errands, perhaps write a page or two, and then relax and pack for my early morning flight to New York, New York. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite Martin and Lewis films, you’re favorite Lewis films sans Martin, and your favorite Martin films sans Lewis? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we?

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