Well, dear readers, the fourth of July is done and it is now the fifth of July. And they say we never have any up to date information here at haineshisway.com. As I write these here notes I am sitting here like so much fish, listening to a four-CD set entitled Lalo Schifrin: My Life in Music. I’ve had this box set since it came out – it was given to me. And yet, I never listened to it. Well, we’re rectifying that right now, let me tell you, and it’s a delightfully delightful album and package. The music is incredible – lots of soundtrack and TV stuff, as well as his jazz goes to the symphony stuff. I’ve always loved Lalo and his music, and as you know I’ve been listening to a lot of this 1960s albums, but the really memorable stuff in this set is the film and TV music – just fantastic stuff. Best of all, the set can be had very reasonably on the Amazon.
Yesterday was, of course, the fourth of July and let me tell you what I did – NOTHING. Not a thing. No thing. Not a single iota of work, which is what I needed. Of course I did things – I got up, that was a thing. I managed to get eight hours of sleep. Once up, I listened to music for a while, and then at some point I decided to take a chance and see if In ‘n’ Out was doable. As it turned out, while there was a fairly long line or motor cars, inside was fine and there were only two people in line at the counter. So, I was able to get two cheeseburgers and fries for my meal o’ the day. Once the food arrived I hurried home, where I ate every single bite of it all up – man, those burgers are just good, as are the fries. After that I was quite full and happy, not necessarily in that order. Then I sat on my couch like so much full fish.
Yesterday, I first watched the second motion picture in the new Blu and Ray Dietrich and von Sternberg in Hollywood set, Dishonored. I’ve always enjoyed the movie, even though it’s generally considered to be the weak sister of the other movies. Happily, the transfer was fantastic and one wishes that Morocco had that kind of transfer – the films are only a year apart. Anyway, I enjoyed it, even though I dozed off a couple of times.
After that, I listened to more music, then I decided I needed the treat of a sweet so off I went to K’s Donuts – they’re open 365 days a year and sadly everyone in Sherman Oaks knows it, so they had almost nothing left. I got two smaller things, came home and ate them both all up whilst starting another von Sternberg/Dietrich film, this one one of my favorites, Shanghai Express. I wrote about it exactly ten years ago – in fact, those notes were entitled “It took more than one man to change my name to Shanghai Lily,” one of the many great Jules Furthman lines. The cast is great, the sets and lighting and photography are beyond belief in a good way, and Dietrich is stunning. I also really like Anna May Wong. These films are all so unique and wonderful and I cannot recommend them highly enough – and the Shanghai Express transfer was also great.
Then it was back to music – I’ve already gone through all forty CDs I brought in the house a day ago. Fun. I could hear fireworks being shot off loudly, but couldn’t see any, which was fine by me.
Today, I have work to do in the morning, then Jenna and Sami are coming, as we’re going to add a dance break to the number they’re doing for the Sherman event – in fact, it’s our opening number, so Richard Allen will be here and we’ll get that done and then Richard will take all this music I have in the garage, much of which we’ll be using, arrangement-wise. After all that, I’ll eat something reasonable, and I must continue eating under 1200 calories a day until after the Sherman event or I shall look like a damn blimp. Then I’ll watch another Dietrich movie, Blonde Venus, my favorite.
The rest of the week, which isn’t much, is meetings and meals and casting and choosing and going and doing and doing and going.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, work in the morning, have a rehearsal, eat, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite films starring Miss Marlene Dietrich? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, happy we all made it safe and sound to the fifth of July. And do remember that it took more than one man to change my name to Shanghai Lily.