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July 26, 2021:

SNOGS

Bruce Kimmel Photograph bk's notes

Well, dear readers, I am sitting here like so much fish, having just finished writing the commentary, so that is a big load off, let me tell you. Otherwise, I’m listening to some more Jerry Goldsmith soundtracks, currently The Boys from Brazil, which is a wonderful Goldsmith score (with its waltz homage to Mr. Richard Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier). And prior to finishing the commentary, I watched two more Bill Elliott mysteries, Calling Homicide, which wasn’t so great but only ran sixty minutes – it did have a fun supporting cast, including Myron Healey, Jeanne Cooper, Lyle Talbot, Almira Sessions, Herb Vigran, and James Best. Then it was the fourth of the five films, Chain of Evidence. That one was more enjoyable. It’s main supporting actor was Jimmy Lydon, who had a very long acting career and is still with us at ninety-eight years of age. His girlfriend in the film was played by the very cute Claudia Barrett who today is most known for starring in the infamous 3-D film, Robot Monster. She also appeared with Jimmy Lydon in The Last Time I Saw Archie. Well-known character actors Ross Elliott and Dabbs Greer. This one ran sixty-one minutes. I must say, Bill Elliott is a strange actor. I need to see one of his westerns to see him in his element, I imagine. Perhaps I’ll try one of his Red Ryder films. So, one more in this series to go.

Yesterday was not such a bad day. I got nine hours of needed sleep, I answered e-mails, and then it was time to have the second Kritzerland rehearsal. We had our full cast, so that was good. First up was Sharon McNight and we ran her three songs. She’s lost about thirty pounds and looks terrific. Then came Daniel Bellusci, followed by Robert Yacko, followed by Adrienne Stiefel. Then it was Jason Graae, so that’s always a load of fun and indeed it was. He’s opening the show and Adrienne and I are part of that – it’s very funny. Then he’s doing Once Upon a Time, the beautiful Strouse and Adams song he recorded on his Strouse CD. Do you know that every time I have typed the word song tonight, and I just that word in every single commentary, I have typed snog? Every single time. I mean, I like the look of snog but having to correct it each time was a real snog. Last up was Mary VanArsdel, who’s doing a very special song in the show for a very special person.

After that, I went right to Gelson’s for food. I got a large chicken Caesar, came home and ate it all up. As I’ve mentioned, each time I get the large it has less lettuce in it. I may as well get the smaller version because they’re basically the same right now. It was very good, though. I also had a matzoh with butter. Since I needed another three hundred calories, I had a little homemade hot fudge sundae again – very good. Then I sat on my couch like so much fish and watched the two Bill Elliott detective mysteries. Very few location shots, which was very disappointing.

After that, I buckled down, Winsocki, and wrote the rest of the commentary. Then I began my listening. Now playing: Capricorn One by Jerry Goldsmith, a wonderful score. I saw the film at a sneak preview at the Village Theater in Westwood and the reaction to it was amazing – laughs, cheers, everything you could ask for. Everyone who was there that night thought it was going to be a huge hit. And yet, when it came out five months later – because the previews were so successful, they moved the release to summer – critics weren’t all that about the film and while it did okay, it was not the breakaway hit everyone was expecting. It did twelve million at the box-office on a budget of five million. Which just goes to show – you never know.

Today, I’ll be up when I’m up and then I’m not doing anything but relaxing and resting my voice. That’s why I’m happy I got the commentary done. I’ll hopefully pick up some packages, I’ll eat something calorie-friendly but fun, but mostly that’s it. I’m sure I’ll watch, listen, and relax and that’s the kind of day I need.

Tomorrow, I’ll do whatever needs doing until it’s time for our stumble-through at three o’clock. Once that’s done, I’m sure some of us will go grab a bite to eat – or maybe we won’t. Wednesday, I relax and rest my voice until it’s time to mosey on over to Vitello’s for our sound check. Then they open the room for dinner at six-thirty and we do our show at eight. After, some of us will go downstairs for a proper dinner with proper food in a proper booth. Thursday, I’ll recuperate, then begin figuring out the Group Rep cabaret thing, and of course I’m praying the damn Tonight’s the Night CDs are finally ready so they can get the other stuff that’s late done and to us. Don’t know what’s happening on the weekend.

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, be up when I’m up, relax, rest my voice, hopefully pick up packages, eat, and then watch, listen, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: What do you think of this idea: What if theater rules were that only vaccinated people with proof of vaccination, get in? Wouldn’t that send a nice message to some people? Or do you think unvaccinated should get in if they’ve been tested with a negative result? These are new waters so I’m curious what everyone thinks and what would make them comfortable. Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, where I’m quite certain I will be singing some snogs.

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