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September 13, 2011:

BOUNDLESS LETHARGY

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, it is oh so late and these here notes should be posted already and I’ve been up since six in the morning and I’m so tired that I just now became aware that this has turned into one of those ornery run-on sentences that run-on without stopping for a comma or a colon or even a semi-colon let alone an exclamation point or em dash or hyphen no it just barrels on like an out of control train and the only way to stop it is. There, thank goodness, a period. There really is nothing like a period, is there? And yes, I’m talking punctuation here, just in case you were confused. What the HELL am I talking about? Did you know, for example, that since this fancy-shmancy discussion board came into existence that we have had over nine MILLION views? So say our stats. Say, don’t I have notes to write? I’m just leap-frogging from thing to thing with boundless lethargy. Boundless Lethargy – that’s the title of my next novel and it certainly describes how I’m feeling on this midnight.

Yesterday, I was up at six, announced our new title, printed out some orders and went back to bed and slept for two more hours. Then I got up, printed out more orders and then did the four-mile jog. Then I went and had a sandwich and onion rings and hallelujah not a kid in the jernt. Then I did some errands and whatnot – banking, picking up no mail and no packages, after which I came home and printed out more orders. We haven’t sold out of the new title yet, but it’s doing much better than the last few releases. Then I had a nice conference call that turned out not to be a conference call – the result of which is that I’ll be helping to write and then directing a show for Cindy Williams. We’ll start our initial discussions when she and I are in Chicago doing the Ray Courts show. Meanwhile, it’s going to be very close about getting the Nudie Musical Blu and Ray in time, but I’ll know more about that today. The print is there and they’re ready to replicate now but it’s been suggested to me that I get a check disc, just to make sure everything is right. So, I’ve asked how long that will take and if they’ll be able to have discs to me by the 27th. If they can then I can overnight them to the hotel in Chicago, along with my books and photos and stuff. Any later than that and I’ll worry about them not arriving because of some foul-up. If I send on the 27th that gives us a three-day window to deal with anything untoward.

After that, I gave some more consideration about whether to up our next release to 1200 copies rather than our usual 1000 – I’m still on the fence about it but must decide this morning so print can go in. We’re actually trying to have discs in hand for when the title is announced – it will be a close call. Then I finally sat on my couch like so much fish.

Last night, I watched a motion picture on DVD entitled The Flim-Flam Man, starring Mr. George C. Scott and directed by Irvin Kershner (my second Kershner film in a row after watching the horrid The Eyes Of Laura Mars). I first saw The Flim-Flam Man at a sneak preview in Westwood. It was just the kind of movie I liked back then – so I was surprised at how apathetic I was towards the film after it was over. I did love the music, the cast, but there was, for me, something slightly off about the entire thing – tone was inconsistent, and it ended weirdly. I haven’t seen it since then, so I was anxious to revisit it on the new Twilight Time DVD release. Looking at it today it, of course, is very different, especially with the kinds of films one sees now. Suddenly The Flim-Flam Man’s faults aren’t quite as noticeable because it’s a nicely wrapped package of very professional filmmaking, and shot by a master cameraman (Charles Lang), with a pretty good script by William Rose. Watching it again after all these years, one just marvels at the players – Mr. Scott is fantastic, the debut of Michael Sarrazin is charming and winning, Sue Lyon is cute as a button, and all those great character actors doing their thing – Harry Morgan, Albert Salmi, Slim Pickens, Strother Martin, and others – they just don’t make ’em like that anymore. And every one of them speaks up so you can hear them – and each one has a completely distinctive voice, unlike the somnambulistic mumbling of today’s “actors.” Jerry Goldsmith’s score is also a marvel and really gives the film some heft that it wouldn’t otherwise half. All that said, it still doesn’t quite work and I think some of that can be laid at the feet of its director. But if you like con movies you’ll probably enjoy this a lot. The transfer that Fox provided Twilight Time is fine – anamorphic, good color for the most part, and very good sound.

Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I must get some beauty sleep so I won’t have this feeling of boundless lethargy.

Today, I have to figure out because what was supposed to be happening today will either happen tomorrow or Thursday, i.e. recording Melody’s two fixes and some off-camera dialogue for the web series. I do know the editor is brining me a DVD of the latest cuts so I have them as reference for the dialogue. And I do know I have a lot of errands and whatnot to do as well as several packages to pick up. I’m sure I’ll eat something and I’m equally sure I’ll do the four-mile jog.

Tomorrow is still in flux until I know about when we’re recording. Otherwise, in the evening I’ll be taping a radio show with our very own Mr. Donald Feltham. I’m also supposed to meet with Mr. Grant Geissman this week and I’m supposed to finally see a screening of this movie I did a cameo in years ago called The Ghastly Love Of Johnny X.

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, do the four-mile jog, I must have a visit from my editor, I must do errands and whatnot, I must pick up packages, I must hopefully print out more orders, and I must eat. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your all time favorite George C. Scott movies? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, after which I shall arise with no more boundless lethargy.

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