Well, dear readers, I must write these here notes in a hurry because I have to get up very early in the morning and hie myself to the Hollywood Collector’s Show in the Bur of Bank, where I shall sit all the livelong day, sandwiched between Mr. Bert I. Gordon and Miss Mackenzie Phillips. Speaking of Mackenzie Phillips, I had quite a nice Valentine’s Day. I woke up early, did some work at the piano, and then some work on the computer. Then Mr. Kevin Spirtas came by to pick up some CDs. I then ended up doing quite a few errands and whatnot, and then doing a little Spring cleaning in the CD closet. I had an early Valentine’s Day dinner at Stanley’s, a restaurant I’m quite fond of. I then went over to the Marriott in Burbank and set up my table for the Hollywood Collector’s Show. Whilst there, I spied Miss Carol Channing and I spoke to her briefly (I posted about the amusing conversation in last night’s posts). I saw several dealer friends and checked out the rather impressive guest list for the show. I’m most excited to maybe say hey to Mr. George Kennedy (I played his son in a 1980 CBS pilot), and Mr. Frank Stallone (who I directed in Prime Suspect). Also in attendance will be Mr. Ernest Borgnine, Mr. Peter Falk, Mr. Ed Asner, Miss Pamela Sue Martin, Miss Molly Bee, Miss Stella Stevens, Miss Carol Lynley, the rest of the Lou Grant cast, Gary Owens, Ray Harryhausen, and many, many others. After that, I came home and sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a motion picture on DVD entitled The Love Parade, and early talkie musical directed by Mr. Ernst Lubitsch. It was a completely delectable and delightful soufflé, albeit an overlong one (at 109 minutes it’s a good ten minutes too long). Maurice Chevalier is charming and fun, and Jeanette MacDonald was so cute and funny and sexy. The whole film is, in fact, quite randy. And I was very taken with the beautiful Miss Lillian Roth, who had a real flair for low comedy and who was a terrific singer. There was one number sung by Chevalier in the middle of the film that was just a wonderfully written song and a real charmer. I may have to investigate it for Mr. Guy Haines. Mr. Lubitsch really does have the Lubitsch touch and it’s in evidence in every frame of this frothy concoction. The transfer is quite nice for a film of this vintage. This is part of a Criterion Eclipse release of early Lubitsch musicals and I’m really looking forward to the other films in the set.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I must get my beauty sleep so that I at least resemble my photographs.
It feels like a Saturday to me. That’s because normally these shows take place on Saturday and Sunday. I’ll have to keep reminding myself that it’s a Friday. I think if Mr. B.I.G. feels like it, maybe we’ll try to have a meal, either tonight or tomorrow after the show. We shall see.
I may bring Ye Olde Laptop on one of the days, although there won’t be any place to plug it in, hence I’d only get about three hours of battery time. We shall see.
I will try and get some photographs to share with all you dear, dear people out there in the dark. And, of course, I’ll try to have the Lubitsch touch.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, attend the Hollywood Collectors Show and hopefully sell a few photographs, CDs, DVDs, and books, after which I’ll probably have dinner (not with Miss Channing), after which I shall come home and sit on my couch like so much fish. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Friday – what is currently in your CD player and you DVD/video player? I’ll start – CD, the remastered Sweeney Todd cast album, which sounds a lot better than the original CD, and Phillipe Rombi’s brilliant score to Fracois Ozon’s Angel. DVD, the Lubitsch films. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, and think of me sitting at my table at the Hollywood Collectors Show – and, of course, if you’re in the neighborhood, come say hello.