Well, dear readers, I am sitting here like so much fish, listening to Armando Trovaioli’s score for an Eyetalian crime film called Blazing Magnum. I had this LP when it came out – I tended to snap up most foreign soundtracks back then, and I really liked the theme from this plus it has lots of Shaft wah-wah guitar. It holds up rather well as a 70s soundtrack. Interestingly, I’ve never seen the film – from 1976, as per usual with these films, it had several titles, including Strange Shadows in an Empty Room. The Blazing Magnum title was used in the UK. I gather it’s some kind of Dirty Harry type movie, but it has an interesting cast, including Stuart Whitman, Tisa Farrow, Martin Landau, John Saxon, Gayle Hunnicut, and others and it was shot in Canada. Some Eyetalian film – but the director was Eyetalian – Alberto De Martino – and so were the writers. And so is Mr. Trovaioli, who wrote some really marvelous scores over the years, including this one and a few other favorites like Two Women, Hercules in the Haunted World, We All Loved Each Other So Much, and most of the Ettore Scola movies. Ooh, Blazing Magnum is on Amazon Prime for free. I must watch after posting these here notes. Earlier, I watched one motion picture even thought it was not my intention to watch – Victor/Victoria. I just started watching on the Firestick, just to see the opening fifteen minutes, but once begun you simply can’t turn the damn thing off. It’s a great movie – stylish, laugh out loud hilarious, touching, and with amazing performances from everyone – Julie Andrews at her best, Robert Preston, James Garner, Alex Karras (who, in the theater, got one of the biggest laughs I’ve ever heard during his big moment), and most especially Lesley Ann Warren, whose performance is one of the great comedic turns. The Mancini underscore is fantastic, and his music for the songs is also wonderful. Less wonderful are Leslie Bricusse’s lyrics but they’re certainly serviceable. I saw the film on its opening day (March 19, 1982) at the Village Theater and I fell in love with it – 10 had been a return to form for Blake Edwards and Victor/Victoria topped it. I saw it there several times. It’s as fresh today as it was back in 1982. There are just a few little things that I didn’t think worked back then and they still don’t work, but they are VERY minor. Anyway, it was great fun to see it again – it’s been at least six or seven years.
Yesterday was fine. I got eight hours of sleep, arising at one in the afternoon. I answered e-mails, then got ready and moseyed on over to the Coral Café to meet Marshall Harvey for food and a hand off of the thumb drive with the opera Champion. I had a patty melt and fries and both were good. Afterwards, I went right to Ralph’s and got four twelve-packs of Diet Coke – two regular and two caffeine free – fifteen bucks, which is $3.75 each rather than the usual $8.99 each. I may go back today and get another four – it’s just too good a deal not to. Then I came home, had some text volleys, then watched the movie.
Today, I’ll be up when I’m up, I’ll finish up the commentary, I’ll set the day for the work session for the Kritzerland show, I’ll eat, but mostly I’ll watch, listen, and relax.
This week will be some Sami stuff, meetings and meals, setting the rehearsal schedule for the workshop we’re doing of a new play, set the rehearsal schedule for the Kritzerland show, and then do whatever else needs doing. Oh, and the hardcover of Preview Harvey is finally available on Amazon. That was an ordeal. Marshall Harvey also told me he re-synced the opera – I thought it was about ten frames off – nope – twenty-four frames off. So, I’ll get the thumb drive back and that will be fun to see properly.
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, finish the commentary, set up the work session, eat, and then watch, listen, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite films of Miss Julie Andrews, Mr. James Garner, and Mr. Blake Edwards? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, wishing everyone a nice Memorial Day day off.