Well, dear readers, I am sitting here like so much fish contemplating my navel (no mean feat). I suppose that is better and more useful than contemplating my naval. Sometimes one simply must sit, zoned out, with nothing in one’s head but the expression contemplating my navel. So it is written, so it shall be done. Of course, due to said navel contemplating, the notes are late, the notes should have been posted three minutes ago, the notes should be done, finished, there to read.
Yesterday was a day in which the alarm did not go off, hence I slept until almost noon – nine and a half hours of needed sleep that I needed. Once up, I printed out orders, answered e-mails, had telephonic calls, and then I went and had a chicken salad sandwich and a side Caesar salad, after which I picked up a package. Then I came home – there was so much traffic on the streets – made no sense really. I also put some gas in the motor car.
Once home, I printed out a few more orders, then did some work on the computer, set our first Kritzerland cast member for June and have asks out to two more people, and did some work at the piano. Then I sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched the first thirty minutes of a new French Blu and Ray of Irma La Douce because someone had RAVED about how brilliant the quality was, and everyone surmised that somehow this must be the new 4K transfer that Kino is issuing. I was skeptical, oh, yes, I was skeptical, and I was right to be. I don’t think this is the new 4K transfer because there is just about no discernable grain, and there are anomalies that shouldn’t be there, especially at the beginning. I believe this is probably the older hi-def transfer MGM/UA did for their cable movie channel. The color is great, and it’s not terrible and is scads better than the old DVD, but I’m very curious to see the new Blu from the 4K transfer, which is coming in July.
Then I watched the first half of the new French Blu-ray of Mirage, also raved about by that self-same person. This is better, but not perfect by any means. I first saw Mirage, which I’m written about several times, at a sneak preview in 1965 at the Chinese Theatre. I absolutely loved it and so did the audience. I saw it several more times during its run. The screenplay is excellent as is the direction, and Gregory Peck, Diane Baker, and Walter Matthau are just wonderful in their roles. And the supporting cast is terrific, as is Quincy Jones’ score. Of course as with most amnesia films, when the mystery is revealed it’s always a bit disappointing. What I never knew was that the film was based on a novel – but last time I watched it I made note of the author (in the film it says based on a story) and found the book. It’s called Fallen Angel and is by Walter Ericson – of course, I got a first edition after some hunting. Not a rare book by any means, but one that never seems to be around. Walter Ericson is a pseudonym for novelist Howard Fast. I’ll finish it up today or tomorrow.
After that, I finished one short number, and then worked for several hours on another number and pretty much got it finished. That one is one of three in a sequence, so now I’ll try to do the other two, which I’m going to keep short. After that, I’ll attend to the other sequence I have to do and then the finale. That will be everything at this point, then we’ll assemble it all, Doug will finesse his stuff once the songs are in, and then I’ll see if we’re missing anything in terms of songs.
Today, I will write, try to finish casting and start choosing songs, I’ll hopefully pick up packages, print out more orders, and then I’ll mosey on over to sup and then see a new musical.
Tomorrow will be more writing and the weekend will be the same, plus we’ll keep shipping out discs as they come in.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, write, finish casting, choose songs, sup, and see a show. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite films of Gregory Peck, Diane Baker, and Walter Matthau? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, where I shall continue to contemplate my both my navel and my naval.