Well, dear readers, once again it is time for me to write these here notes. But first, a word from our sponsor. Ladies – are you feeling tired and worn out? Try Geritol – and if that doesn’t work, try Five Day Deodorant Pads. And now, back to the notes. There is an annoying flying thing flitting about the kitchen and it’s been flitting for three hours and no matter how hard I try it flits too fast for me to end its miserable little annoying life. I’m trying to ignore it, but it is hell bent for leather trying its damndest to irk me. And it’s doing a damnably fine job, too. Perhaps I’ll get up right now and continue trying to exterminate it. But first, a word from our sponsor. Charmin is squeezably soft – Ladies, PLEASE don’t squeeze the Charmin. Men, are you suffering from the heartbreak of psoriasis? And now, back to the notes. Isn’t this just like today? Wherever you go, whatever you do, there are commercials everywhere and I, for one, have had it. You have to endure them in movie theaters, on DVDs, and even in menus. I, for one would like to abolish this horrid practice, wouldn’t you? But first, a word from our sponsor. You can’t fool mother nature. Are those hemorrhoids causing you pain? Try Preparation H and your hemorrhoids will shrink in a matter of moments. And now, back to the notes. Speaking of hemorrhoids, yesterday was a day. I got up and went right to work in the garage – I consolidated boxes of CDs, which are going back to storage in a couple of days, so if there are any last minute orders, I’d get them in. After about an hour, I realized it was futile to attempt to go through boxes – it would require an entire day of reconfiguring everything, and I’m just not ready or prepared to do that. After that, I attended to some errands and whatnot, and then I had an early dinner meeting, which was a lot of fun. We met at Hugo’s and I had the macaroni and cheese, which always makes me happy. After that, I came home and sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a motion picture on DVD entitled Becket. Becket has long been rumored to be coming on DVD (for at least four years), and now it’s finally arrived via MPI Home Video. I saw Becket many times upon its initial release and thought it quite splendidly splendid back then. I’m happy to report that it’s still a splendidly splendid motion picture entertainment. It’s actually hard to remember a time when movies weren’t called “smart” (when they’re not), but were called literate. Edward Anhalt’s adaptation of Jean Anouilh’s wonderful play (as translated by Lucienne Hill) is expert and actually improves upon the play in certain ways, just because of the nature of film. There are so many great lines, most courtesy of Anouilh, and the dialogue crackles with wit and wonderful language. Of course, when you have such expert players as Peter O’Toole, Richard Burton, Donald Wolfit, John Gielgud, Pamela Brown, Martita Hunt and others, that’s just gravy. O’Toole and Burton are wonderful together – both were nominated for Oscars and lost to Rex Harrison (for My Fair Lady). Another nominee was Anthony Quinn for Zorba, the Greek, which is ironic since Mr. Quinn played Mr. O’Toole’s role on Broadway (with Olivier as Becket). In fact, the film was nominated for a whole slew of Oscars but won only one – best adapted screenplay. The other Oscar it deserved to win was best score, but because there was no category for “song score,” Mary Poppins won. Laurence Rosenthal’s score is really fantastic – he was such an amazing presence in the early to mid-60s, what with Raisin In The Sun, The Miracle Worker, Requiem For A Heavyweight and Becket. Peter Glenville’s direction is excellent but, as usual with Mr. Glenville, the film is about twenty minutes too long. I’m also happy to report that it’s been worth the wait – the transfer is mostly excellent, with good color and sharpness for the most part. The stereo sound lacks bottom but is otherwise fine.
What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below – but first, a word from our sponsor. “I can’t believe I ate the WHOLE thing.” “That’s a some spicy meatball.” And now, back to the notes.
I’m sure there is a lot going on today, but I really can’t remember what it might be. I have nothing on my calendar, which is worrisome. I do know I’ll be shipping out quite a few Jerry Fielding CDs. I do know I have some errands to do. And I’m pretty certain I have a lunch or dinner scheduled, and I hope whomever it’s with reminds me. Tomorrow I know I have a work session, and I also have to buckle down, Winsocki and start learning the music for this reading I’ll be doing at the end of the month.
Now wait just a darned minute – let’s all put on our pointy party hats and our colored tights and pantaloons, let’s all break out the cheese slices and the ham chunks, let’s all dance the Hora and the Box Step, because today is the birthday of dear reader Danise. So, let’s give a big haineshisway.com birthday cheer to dear reader Danise. On the count of three: One, two, three – A BIG HAINESHISWAY.COM BIRTHDAY CHEER TO DEAR READER DANISE!!!
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, jog, ship, do errands, perhaps a bit of whatnot, and then I must dine with someone or not. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite historical plays and movies? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we? But first, a word from our sponsor.