Well, dear readers, it is late and I must write these here notes in a flurry of a hurry for it is late but not to worry for I will scurry and write these here notes in a frenzy. The news has been doing one of their oversized warnings for three days about the huge rainstorm that was supposed to engulf us yesterday. While it did rain it was not exactly a huge rainstorm and certainly nothing that needed a warning. And of course rather than just admit they didn’t get it right, they immediately erase any trace of what they said and just move the day – so now today is supposed to be the huge rainstorm, biggest one we’ve had, same as the one that was supposed to be yesterday but that never materialized to the extent of their warnings. We truly do live in Orwellian times, do we not?
Yesterday was a day in which things happened. The dangling carrot, I fear, was not real and while it really would have been helpful, I think it’s becoming obvious that the person who proposed it is either a complete fake or someone not reputable. I will never understand stuff like that. I got about six hours of sleep, got up, had some telephonic calls, set one more performer for Kritzerland (one to go), did some work at the piano and on the computer, then went and picked up one tiny package and came home.
Then I got ready and girded my loins for terrible traffic on Coldwater Canyon due to the biggest rainstorm ever. I left early just to make sure I got there in plenty of time. It was certainly raining, but not crazy rain. And surprise of surprises, there was absolutely not traffic whatsoever the entire way to the Hills of Beverly. I couldn’t believe it. I got to City Hall thirty minutes early. Then I joined my cohorts for a meeting with the Vice-Mayor of Beverly Hills, his staff, and a few other people. I can’t say too much at this point other than I’ll be directing a big concert to celebrate Richard Sherman’s 90th birthday, said concert to take place at the beautiful Annenberg Theater. So, that’s exciting. I first proposed the idea of doing something like this a year-and-a-half ago – at that time it was a wholly different thing, but after working on it for all that time, it didn’t work out and the fact that it didn’t isn’t something I can go into, but I think you would find it strange. Then this other thing came up that had no real direction and so Richard’s son and I began talking about it, worked out what it would be morphing into, and that’s what this meeting was about. While it isn’t going to be exactly what I wanted, it will at least be close and I’ll be able to put something together that I know Richard will love and that’s what this is all about. So, we begin serious meetings and planning right after the April Kritzerland show. The event is in July.
After that, it was around four-thirty so I got right to the canyon to go home. The first half of that ride was fine, then we hit the traffic, which thankfully was at least moving. Once I got to Mulholland and turned left to jog over to keep going down the hill, I saw why there’d been a slow-up – right after the jog to go down the hill there’d been an accident – the other side of the road and not blocking my side at all but you know how that goes. Once we were past that we moved along okay.
Then I went over to Jerry’s Deli and had my first food of the day – a side Caesar salad and a good patty melt. After that, I came right home, answered e-mails and finally sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a wonderful motion picture on Blu and Ray, entitled Auntie Mame. I haven’t seen it in quite some time and boy is it enjoyable and entertaining and laugh out loud funny. Rosalind Russell is simply perfection as Mame Dennis, but the entire cast is great, especially Coral Browne as Vera and Peggy Cass as Agnes Gooch. While I would never say that director Morton Da Costa (who’d done the Broadway show) was a great film director, he was perfect for this film and his subsequent film of The Music Man. They’re both very theatrical but very true to their roots and I love both films. And that wonderful Bronislau Kaper score is tops. The new transfer off an eight-perf Technirama IP is gorgeous looking and also sounds great. The color is perfect, the contrast and detail are fantastic and what a treat the whole thing was. Highly recommended by the likes of me.
After that, I listened to some music, took a hot shower, did some work on the booklets for three upcoming releases, all show related, plus one soundtrack. And we finally have another Rhino title coming – a straight reissue but one that’s been OOP for a decade or so and is fetching rather high prices now. I’m sure we’ll be able to move the 1000 we have to do, at least that’s the hope.
Today, I’ll be mostly working on those liner notes and credits, but also assigning songs for all but the last person, hopefully I’ll pick up packages (one in particular), I’ll eat, and then at some point I’ll relax.
Tomorrow is more of the same and so is the weekend, with a work session at some point on Sunday. Then we go right into the Kritzerland rehearsal week.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, work on upcoming releases, assign songs and get folks music, hopefully find our cast member, hopefully pick up packages, eat, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite Rosalind Russell films? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, excited to have this little summer project and wondering whether today’s rainfall will be the HUGE thing they thought would be yesterday.