Well, dear readers, we are now officially counting down to the New Year, today and tomorrow being the last of 2024. Before today, we weren’t officially counting down, but now it’s completely official, per the Official Notice of Officially Counting Down. And so, let us dispense with the easily dispensable day known as yesterday. I got eight hours of sleep, got up, did a little bit of nothing, and for food decided on a Mr. Pickles pastrami thing. It’s rather like Subway but much better in the pastrami department. It arrived about thirty minutes after ordering and it was very tasty. After that, I played on the computer for a while, watched some irritating videos on YouTube and then watched what I guess the wags call a podcast. I will freely admit that I have no clew what the HELL is with podcasts other than that there are a zillion of ‘em. I suppose it’s a radio show gussied up under a new name and without an actual radio station. Apparently, anyone can do a podcast – from names to nobodies. I found a podcast on YouTube – I guess people post them everywhere. This one is hosted by Julian Schlossberg, a very nice gent with whom I’ve had several nice interactions over the years, he being a producer and all. This one was an interview with Woody Allen from three months ago. It was a very good hour and because Woody has known Schlossberg for many years, he was completely at ease. It was fun to hear both of them wax on about their childhoods and movie palaces (you’d think they’d both heard my song Once Upon a Time from L.A. Now and Then, a song about movie palaces, because they used exact phrases from it – but that’s because we all remember what those palaces were like. I only wish I’d been to the Roxy in New York or even Radio City Music Hall in its heyday (I still haven’t been). They do go into his films a bit, but it’s really just an enjoyable chat between two people who know each other (Schlossberg produced the musical of Bullets Over Broadway and a few Allen one-acts off-Broadway). I knew Julian because he was working at Paramount when The First Nudie Musical came out and knew all that drama and was happy when we got it back and gave it to a New York distributor. He also produced If Love Were All off-Broadway, with Twiggy and Harry Groener, which I recorded. Anyway, it’s really a nice interview and I recommend it.
Then, since I was in Woody mode, I finally watched his latest film, Coup de Chance, which he made in France IN French with an all-French cast. I’d read excellent reviews and bad reviews and I’ve been meaning to watch it. Of course, they label it a “thriller”, which it most certainly is not. Yes, there are crimes, rather like Match Point, which I didn’t really care for. But I have to say, I was quite taken with Coup de Chance. Maybe it’s because when he’s in non-comic mode his dialogue can be so arch, but in French it all sounds good. Of course, there are a few amusing things in it, but mostly it’s about matters romantic with some murders. At one point, the mother of the lead gal is asked what book she’s reading (she’s a mystery fan) and she replies “Simenon.” And that’s what this movie reminded me of – one of those Simenon mysteries I watched recently. In fact, the husband of the lead gal has an obsession with toy trains – and so does a husband in one of those Simenon things I watched. Photography is by Vittorio Storaro, so it looks good, and the cast of French players are excellent, none more so than the leading lady, Lou de Laage, who is really terrific and really beautiful. She’s already been nominated for two Cesar awards (the French Oscar), and I want to see some of her other films now. It’s on Prime very cheap and while I haven’t recommended a Woody Allen movie in ages upon ages, I can recommend this one.
After the movie, I had a little kugel and an egg and cheese in a tortilla thing for a snack. And here we are. Oh, and I heard that Linda Lavin passed away. I guest-starred on an Alice episode in the mid-1970s. And here’s my funny Linda Lavin story. When we were in New York doing the Kritzerland shows, I ran into some folks at a table as we were leaving Joe Allen. I said hi, we chatted, and I was introduced to the others at the table, one of whom was Linda Lavin. I kneeled down and said, “I know you won’t remember, but in my acting days I did an episode of your show.” She looked me square in the eye and said, “Was I nice that week?” I laughed, then said, “You were a delight and wonderful to work with. But I hated the director and finally told her I wouldn’t do anything she was asking because it was so wrong.” She looked at me and named the director. I said, “Yep.” I really did like working with her and everyone else on that show – especially Vic Tayback, who’d I’d worked with previously, and Beth Howland, who I went to dinner and the movies with after we wrapped the episode and with whom I’d work when I had her and her husband sing on Prime Time Musicals.
Today, I’ll be up by ten-thirty, the helper is coming by briefly, and then I’ll do my shopping for the little New Year’s Day thing. Otherwise, I’ll see if two important envelopes have arrived and if so I’ll get them, and then I’ll just watch, listen, and relax.
Tomorrow, I get my new permanent crown glued in and then I’ll come right home and enjoy the day. Then we have our Annual New Year’s Rockin’ Eve Bash, and you really must come and be here for our balls dropping. Safe and sound and fun, always, as we ring in the New Year on both coasts. I’ll do my contemplation thing, have my sip of champagne at midnight, and then the following morning I begin writing a new book in earnest.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, be up by ten-thirty, have a brief visit by the helper, do my shopping, probably at Ralph’s, check with the mail place, and then watch, listen, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite films of Woody Allen and which of his later films do you like best? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, as we begin our official counting down to the New Year.