Well, dear readers, I was thinking about writing today’s notes in Rumanian, but that would require knowledge of the Rumanian language, of which I have not one or even two whits. Therefore, I shall not write today’s notes in Rumanian, even though I think they would be much better in Rumanian. Si scurt si cuprinzator is that I don’t know any damn Rumanian. Wait a minute – did I just write “the long and the short of it” in Rumanian. Si scurt si cuprinzator is that I did. And they say we’re all fluff and no content. Well, actually no one has ever said that. They HAVE said we’re no fluff and no content, though, and I’m jiggy with that. But just think – you can amaze your friends and family by saying “the long and the short of it” in Rumanian. Of course, they may look at you as if you were a pig farmer, but still, it will be an amazing feat of something or other. I now no longer have any conception as to what the HELL I’m going on about – something about writing these here notes in Rumanian, which, frankly, would be a painian. Speaking of Rumanian, yesterday was a very Rumanian sort of day. I got up early, did some things around the home environment, then did the long jog, which was somewhat less easy than it’s been the last few days. Part of that was because it was overcast and sort of chilly, and I find it easier to run when the sun is out and it’s warm (but not TOO warm). After that, I had a nice telephonic call with the producer of the Bacharach benefit, then I did some errands and whatnot. I also had a long telephonic conversation with Michael Kerker of ASCAP, and that was pleasant. I decided to eat sandwiches again, which I did. And that was about it, save for a trip to Gelson’s to get a tiny bit of Chinese chicken salad to snack on. So, between the sandwiches and the tiny bit of Chinese Chicken salad I should be okay, given the long jog and all. But these days I always feel really bloated no matter how little or how much I eat – either way I feel like I’m going to gain weight, even though logically I know that is quite foolish, and, of course, I don’t gain. In any case, si scurt si cuprinzator is that I sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a motion picture on DVD entitled Cimarron, the 1960 remake starring Mr. Glenn Ford, Miss Maria Schell, Mr. Arthur O’Connell, Miss Mercedes McCambridge, and a whole slew of other good actors. The film was directed by one of my favorites, Anthony Mann. I’ve read that he was replaced towards the end of shooting by Charles Waters. Since Mr. Mann was well known for shooting on location, one could possibly assume that several outdoor scenes, which were quite obviously filmed on a sound stage, could conceivably be the work of Walters. The first forty minutes of the film were very enjoyable, and the Oklahoma land rush sequence was terrific, with incredible stunt work. However, the film is 147 minutes long, which is at least thirty minutes too many. The film becomes very episodic, Ford disappears for whole stretches of the film, and one is left with Schell at the center, and her character does nothing but whine, cry, and be annoying. Miss Schell is a good actress, but she has no chance here – you just want to tell her to shut up, and actually I did. Along the way, there are occasional moments of good humor and a few good scenes, but on the whole, it’s easy to see why the film tanked at the box-office and with critics. I do like all the actors, however, and they’re all really good – Charles McGraw is so mean and awful I cheered when he got his comeuppance. Mr. O’Connell was one of our very best character actors. And Miss McCambridge’s performance is so weird and outré (what else is new), that she’s endlessly amusing to watch. Henry “Harry” Morgan and David Opatashu both give wonderful performances. Franz Waxman’s score is basically one theme used over and over and over and over. The transfer is adequate – the color is actually better in the trailer, but it’s not terrible in the actual film transfer.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because si scurt si cuprinzator is that I am tired and need my beauty sleep.
Today, I shall, of course, do the long jog, then I’ll deliver books to Mystery and Imagination, then I’ll do errands and whatnot, and then I’ve got a little work to get done. After that, I may mosey over to the Studio City Café for the barbecue chicken sandwich and a little teeny-tiny salad. Or, I may venture over to La La’s for a chicken breast and a teeny-tiny salad. Or, I may go have Eggs Benedict somewhere. The possibilities are endless.
Tomorrow, I don’t think I’ll be doing much. Next week will be rather busy, so having a nice relaxing day is probably a good thing.
The upcoming week is already filling up with various and sundried meetings and meals and work sessions – that’s the way we like it.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do a long jog, deliver books, do errands and whatnot, and then sup on something fun. Today’s topic of discussion: Growing up, what was your favorite dish of your mother’s, the one dish you always hoped she’d make, that she made better than anyone else in the whole world. For me, it was my mother’s brisket – unrivaled anywhere. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, and that, as we say, is si scurt si cuprinzator.