haines his way

08/13/2002:
"CURIOUSITY KILLED THE CAT"

Well, dear readers, another day of zippy notes because I am still dealing with silly computer issues, which I will go into more detail about tomorrow. Hopefully what we’ve done today fixes everything and now my computer and I can live in a happy Technicolor tomorrow.
Last night, I started watching a motion picture entitled Wolfen on a brand spanking new DVD. I have never seen the motion picture entitled Wolfen, but I’d heard it was interesting and pretty good, and it fits right in with the rest of my bug and animal movies that I’ve been watching lately. And so far, aside from the fact that it’s a bit gruesome, it’s very well done and I must say that I do love Albert Finney as an actor. I’ll have a full report after I finish watching. I do find it interesting that the director of this film had previously only made the film Woodstock, and that after this film he pretty much disappeared off the face of this earth (I believe Wolfen did okay at the box-office, and I do remember it getting decent reviews, so it’s not like it was a disaster or anything). Does anyone know what happened to Michael Wadleigh?
I hope all of you are getting your excellent questions ready, because tomorrow is Ask BK Day, the day in which you get to ask me any questions you like. I’m not certain how many more Ask BK Days we’ll have, so do ask any questions you haven’t asked but have been meaning to. Unless you all really feel that Ask BK Day is one of your favorites, in which case I’ll keep it going until one of you commits Hari-Kari or, at the very least, commits Harry Carey. And we are going to have an Ask Guy Haines Day very very soon.
Because of the notes the other day, I went out and bought The Ultimate Manilow CD. I’ve been listening to it in the car, and I must say I do still like a lot of these songs very much. It’s very interesting to listen to the progression, and hear how “overproduced” some of the later stuff is, and then how he gets back to a slightly simpler and cleaner sound. It’s also interesting to note how ragged his voice is occasionally and how that actually works for him. It’s a good collection, twenty songs in all, but it’s only the biggest hits. Funnily, I had no Barry CDs in my closet (yes, Virginia, all my CDs are kept in a large closet in my book room – and I must tell you it is fairly bursting at the seams and it is quite unseemly-looking in there right now).
Well, I have an idea. What do you say we all click on the Unseemly Button below to see what’s going on in the next section? There might be something very very very (that is three verys) important going on in the next section and I, for one, am incredibly curious as to what it might be. And don’t forget, curiousity killed the cat. The poor cat is now dead as a doornail and all because curiousity killed it. I knew that curiousity didn’t really care for cats all that much, and curiousity really didn’t care for Cats all that much, but I had no idea curiousity was a cold-blooded murderer of cats. What the hell am I talking about? And one other thing – are there any alive doornails?

Nope, nothing terribly important going on here. In fact, when I got here all I saw was a blank page, which I am now filling up with words, words, and more words. We had faces then, we didn’t need words. Let us all mourn the fershluganah cat. Le Chat est morte, as dear reader Francois would say.
I am happy to inform you that I have finally stumped the trivia players. No fully correct answers this week, although many people got partially correct answers. Here was the question:
This hit musical was adapted from a hit movie. This hit musical had a movie star in its lead. This hit musical also featured two performers who would subsequently appear in major television series. This hit musical had in its ensemble someone who would go on to win a Tony Award. The road tour of this hit musical featured someone who would have their name popularized on a television series. Finally, someone on the creative team of this hit musical would go on to become one of the first people to start the resurgence of cabaret entertainment.
Name the musical
Name the two performers who would go on to appear in major television series, and the names of those series.
Name the ensemble member who would win a Tony.
Name the road tour performer who would have their name popularized on a television series.
Name the member of the creative team.
And the answers are:
The musical: Applause
The two performers: Bonnie Franklin (One Day at a Time) and Robert Mandan (Soap)
Ensemble member who would win a Tony: Sammy Williams for A Chorus Line (and Nicholas Dante, too)
Road performer who would have their name popularized on a tv series: This was the real stumper that no one got. Miss Franklin's role on the road was played by Leland Palmer. David Lynch, in one of his frequent quirky moments, named a male character in Twin Peaks after her.
Member of the creative team: Ron Field's associate choreographer, Tom Rolla, who would open the Gardenia Club in Los Angeles, one of the first to help in the resurgence of cabaret entertainers.

Today I shall be lunching with my friend Penny Peyser, at the Cheesecake Factory, where I shall eat too much damn food. Penny is a fine actress, and she’s also been doing some casting lately and, in fact, cast my recording of Beyond Therapy, which is about to come out at long last. Penny starred in the second production of my musical comedy entitled Together Again (and appears on its cast album) and she also starred in The In-Laws, that very funny motion picture with Alan Arkin and Peter Falk. She plays opposite Mr. Michael Lembeck in that film. Mr. Michael Lembeck is now a well-known director in television. But there is something that you might not know about Mr. Michael Lembeck and that is that he was “best man” at my wedding, way back in 1968. If one is no longer married do you call it an ex-wedding? Penny was also in All the President’s Men, Rich Man, Poor Man, Book II, and the series Crazy Like a Fox. What am I, her agent all of a sudden. Anyway, it will be very nice to see her again. She’s just gotten married for the third time and hopefully the third time will be the charm for Miss Penny Peyser.
I got a flyer from the Nuart Theater here in Los Angeles, which is for the most part a revival house. They are doing a whole week of films from 1962, which they are calling the best year in movie history. Now that, of course, is hyperbole, but I must say as I looked at what they’re showing, it was an absolutely amazing year and they haven’t even scratched the surface of it. Surely, there hasn’t been a year in the last twenty years that can even approach the handful of films they are showing from 1962. Here’s the list, which doesn’t even include Lawrence of Arabia: Sweet Bird of Youth, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, The Manchurian Candidate, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Miracle Worker, Birdman of Alcatraz, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Longest Day, Sundays and Cybele, Through a Glass Darkly, Lolita and Days of Wine and Roses. That is a fairly extraordinary list, isn’t it? And what’s lovely about it is that most of the films are smaller-type films and every film on that list save one, is in black-and-white. There were other great films that year, and even the lesser films of that year were pretty terrific. Can some of you name some of the other great and near-great pictures of 1962?
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must get in my automobile and make my rounds and also my squares and triangles. Have I mentioned that curiousity killed the cat? Le chat est morte. Today’s topic of discussion: Name your favorite movie year, and which films would be included. Post away, my pretties.

Replies: 49 Unseemly Comments

If you've already read the notes and the trivia answers weren't there, they are there now, so just scroll back up and you will find them. I guess that makes me a culpa today.
Posted by bk @ 08/13/2002 10:03 AM PST

I'll get in quick today with my personal pick for 1962: Ride The High Country--Sam Peckinpah's gentle, loving tone-poem for a fading West.
Posted by Nick Redman @ 08/13/2002 10:16 AM PST

Oh, and I forgot Lonely Are The Brave.
Posted by Nick Redman @ 08/13/2002 10:18 AM PST

I'll get in quick today with my personal pick for 1962: Ride The High Country--Sam Peckinpah's gentle, loving tone-poem for a fading West.
Posted by Nick Redman @ 08/13/2002 10:18 AM PST

Oh, and I forgot Lonely Are The Brave.
Posted by Nick Redman @ 08/13/2002 10:19 AM PST

Sorry, those films were so good, they named them twice!
Posted by Nick Redman @ 08/13/2002 10:21 AM PST

And they deserve to be named twice - Ride the High Country belongs on any list of all-time greats, and it features two of the best performances you will ever see on the screen - Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott.
Posted by bk @ 08/13/2002 10:30 AM PST

1962??? The best year in movie history (and I am not alone in saying this) was 1939. To mention a few: GONE WITH THE WIND; THE WIZARD OF OZ; STAGECOACH; BABES IN ARMS; THE WOMEN and so many more. I think if you would ask most film buffs and critics, 1939 would be at the top of the list.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 08/13/2002 10:31 AM PST

1962 resonates strongly with me for many reasons, not the least of which was that it marked my solo outings to the movies and my discovery of film soundtrack recordings!!!
Some years ago, on a discussion list about movie music, the following list of 1962 films (films released in that year internationally -- some may have appeared in the U.S. a year later)was submitted with their composers -- and it was startling to see the quality and diversity, especially when compared to the films of any given year in the 70s, 80s, 90s or 00s!:
Advise and Consent (Jerry Fielding); All Fall Down (Alex North);
Barabbas (Mario Nascimbene); Billy Budd (Anthony Hopkins);
Birdman of Alcatraz (Elmer Bernstein); Boccaccio 70 (Nino Rota);
Night of the Eagle (William Alwyn); The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (Gerald
Fried); Cape Fear (Bernard Herrmann); Cash On Demand (Wilfred
Josephs); The Children's Hour (Alex North); The Counterfiet Traitor
(Alfred Newman); Damn The Defiant (Clifton Parker); Diamond Head
(Johnny Williams -who?!); Experiment In Terror (Henry Mancini); Five
Finger Exercise (Jerome Moross); The Four Horsemen of the
Apocalypse (Andre Pevin); Freud (Jerry Goldsmith); Geronimo (Hugo
Friedhofer); A Girl Named Tamiko (Elmer Bernstein); Guns of
Darkness (Benjamin Frankel); Hatari (Henry Mancini); Hell Is For
Heroes (leonard Rosenman); Ernest Hemengway's Adventures of A
Young Man (Franz Waxman); In Search of the Casterways (William
Alwyn); Jack The Giant Killer (Paul Sawtell/Bert Shefter); Jessica
(Mario Nascimbene); The Lion (Malcolm Arnold); The Inspector
(Malcolm Arnold); The Mnchurian Candiddate (David Amram); My
Geisha (Franz Waxman); Palugue of the Zombies (Don Banks); Only
Two Can Play (Richard Rodney Bennett); Phaedra (Mikis
Theodorakis); The Phantom of the Opera (Edwin Astley); Premature
Burial (Ronal Stein); Pressure Point (Ernest Gold); Requiem for a
Heavyweight (Laurence Rosenthal); Ride the High Country (George
Bassman); Rome Adventure (Max Steiner); Sergeants Three (Billy
May); The Spiral Road (Jerry Goldsmith); Sundays and Cybelle
(Maurice Jarre); The Swordsman of Siena (Mario Nascimbene); A
Taste of Honey (John Addison); The 300 Spartans (Manos
Hadjadakis): Too Late Blues (David Raksin); Two For The Seesaw
(Andre Previn); Two Weeks In Another Town (David Raksin's
revisiting of The Bad and the Beautiful); Victim (Philip Green); Whistle
Down the Wind (Malcolm Arnold); Whatever Happened to Baby
Jane? (Frank DeVol); etc ... etc ...
And then, of course, don't forget that 1962 was the year of "The Music Man," "Gypsy" and "Billy Rose's 'Jumbo'"!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/13/2002 10:40 AM PST

I adore Experiment in Terror, Pressure Point (very obscure but very good), The Music Man, Gypsy, Jumbo and Hatari. It's a pretty amazing list and I still don't think we've gotten all the interesting films in. 1939 is always touted as "the" best year, but I'm not certain that's true, at least from my perspective.
Posted by bk @ 08/13/2002 11:14 AM PST

Penny Peyser's "husband" from "Crazy Like a Fox" (and ex-Pippin), John Rubinstein, is my nephews' soccer coach is beautiful downtown Encino.
There was a fantastic funk-pop group from the early 80s called Curiousity Killed the Cat, kind of Level 42-lite. Their first CD has some great stuff on it, including their biggest hit, "Misfit."
Posted by JMK @ 08/13/2002 11:19 AM PST

IN beautiful downtown Encino. Thank you.
Posted by JMK @ 08/13/2002 11:20 AM PST

Pippin is your nephew's soccer coach!?!? He must feel like the keenest kid on earth! I know I would
Posted by Jason @ 08/13/2002 11:43 AM PST

Sorry...forgot the period in that last sentence.
Here it is: .
Posted by Jason @ 08/13/2002 11:45 AM PST

Two nephews. Plural possessive, and yes my English major is showing.
Posted by JMK @ 08/13/2002 12:10 PM PST

Dagburned English majors -- no sense of propriety.
Tell the major to "put it away" cause this is a co-ed forum!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/13/2002 12:39 PM PST

P.S. Oh, yes! Congratulations on landing an English major!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/13/2002 12:40 PM PST

Here is a list of films I don't think have been mentioned yet. I have seen all these over the years. Some are memorable. Some Not, Some I think are classics and others are camp and others don't hold up. Films * are my choice of the best from the list.
Films with # I would watch again
Adventures of a Young ManThe Brain That Wouldn't Die
Burn, Witch Burn
Carry On Cruising#
Dr. No*
Dr. Syn, Alias the Scarecrow
Freud (Monty Clift)
Jack the Giant Killer#
Lolita*
Lonliness of a Long Distance
Runner*
Long Day's Journey Into Night*
mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation#
My Giesha#
Road to Hong Kong#
Rome Adventure
Two Weeks In Another Town
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 08/13/2002 01:10 PM PST

SOOOO sorry..."Nephews'" Plural Obessive...I mean, um...possessive.
Posted by Jason @ 08/13/2002 01:11 PM PST

How do these people come up with these "Best Years" stuff anyways? I mean, while there may be a large number of memorable films in any year, there are still all those films that people can't remember, or wouldn't want to. IMDB has a full 2734 titles in their list of films that came out in 1962, for instance. Who can remember them all? (Silly question, that's why we have the data base, to look up this stuff.)
But c'mon, while 1962 was the year of "How The West Was Won," it was also the year of "Wild Gals of the Naked West," which I'm sure would not be the first choice for a double bill with the former film. 1962 gave us "To Kill a Mockingbird," and then slapped us up with "The Slime People."
This could take quite a bit of research. Going though, year by year, tracking down the titles that even through extreme generosity would be considered memorable, and then dividing each year's total by the total number of films released that year, might actually give us some actual quantifiable number by which we can compare the years. Maybe.
But then again, there's that artificial thing of "year," isn't there. Why should we be constrained by a year starting on January 1st and ending on December 31st? It might turn out that the best year statistically actually ran from, say, April 26th to April 25th at some point. (Which of course means we'd have to break out the pointy hats in the middle of spring, which sounds good to me!)
And who is going to pay for all this research, I ask you! Can we rely on a government grant? Even a Lincoln would help!
For myself, the films I treasure the most were the ones I saw during my college years. My parents were appalled, of course, but that was part of the fun when I told them I'd seen "Carnal Knowledge." Perhaps I shouldn't have insisted on discussing the film over dinner. But I also fondly remember seeing "Cabaret" for the first time, and there were loads of other films. Does the part of our lives when we see the films have that great a bearing on how we remember them?
Just a few thoughts.
Posted by S. Woody White @ 08/13/2002 02:41 PM PST

Wild Gals of the Naked West is a masterpiece and yet another great 1962 film.
I think it's fun to look back sometimes to see just how many great films there were in a specific year. These days they only make two or three hundred films in a year, and we're lucky if we can pick a top ten. In 1962, we could have a top forty easily, with many more interesting and notable films not even on the list. But then, there were over two thousand films that year (that is a world-wide total, of course). I'd forgotten about Long Day's Journey, which I love, and Dr. No, which isn't so bad either.
Posted by bk @ 08/13/2002 03:29 PM PST

Was just perusing our statistics. This month started off with the biggest bang we've ever had and stayed that way for a solid week. Amazing traffic every day, including the weekends. The last three days, however, were amongst our lowest, especially yesterday. Now, we can't have that loyal Hainsies/Kimlets. We must have action - we must have excitement, we must have more visits, more posts, more traffic, or we simply will not be the most popular site on all the internet. Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell the man in the park and the elk in the zoo, let us end this downward trend right here and now and also now and here. I always say, if you have nothing to post about a specific topic of the day, post about something else. We must rise to the occasion, dear readers, we must overcome, because we, we are family. Praise the Lord and pass the amunition, baby, because we need to be the shot heard 'round the world.
I shall get off my box of soap now, and leave it to you.
Posted by bk @ 08/13/2002 03:35 PM PST

Yes, Leave It to Me.
Posted by The Beav @ 08/13/2002 03:40 PM PST

Or, Leave It to Jane.
Posted by Jay @ 08/13/2002 03:45 PM PST

I wasn't there in 1962. My mother was born in 1962. Isn't that nice? I think her life would have made a fine movie of 1962, but alas, it shall never be, since she was born in 1962 and they didn't know about her life then. Just like they didn't know about so many other things. But what I don't know because I wasn't there.
Has anyone else read 84, Charing Cross Road? I just fell in love with that book. Oh, the wonderfullness of it all.
Posted by Dolores Haze, Delinquent Wazoo @ 08/13/2002 05:13 PM PST

BK: Are you sure Leland Palmer was in the touring company? My information has her as a Broadway cast replacement. She replaced Bonnie Franklin and when she did her character name was changed to Leland.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 08/13/2002 05:25 PM PST

Well, I saw her in the tour, here in Los Angeles. I know she did it in San Francisco as well - don't know if she did the entire tour or not.
Posted by bk @ 08/13/2002 05:36 PM PST

P.S. Votre Chat est Morte
suggeste par le roman et piece de theatre de James Kirkwood
Un film par Steve Guttenberg
Avec Steve Guttenberg
et realise par Steve Guttenberg
avec la participation de AJ Benza dans la role du "Le Coiffure"
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 08/13/2002 05:43 PM PST

Are you freaking kidding me?
Steve Guttenberg produced, directed and starred in a movie production of "P.S. Your Cat is Dead"?
How did I miss this (and since I didn't know about it, maybe I should -??- have missed it)?
I don't remember a character named "the hairstyle", though. Was he the burglar?
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/13/2002 06:25 PM PST

So, Mr. BK and Mr. Ron P., I realize this may not get answered, at least by Mr. BK, because it's going up rather late (9:25pm NYC) but you both mention the movie version of Gypsy. Should I be re-evaluating that one? I remember seeing it and thinking it's pretty bad (this was many years ago). Almost as bad as the film version of Forum (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the). You both think it's great (at least that's the impression I get). What did you like about it? If I find a copy (or if it's running on Turner) should I get it and give it another viewing? Inquiring minds want to know?
Posted by Ben @ 08/13/2002 06:27 PM PST

Ron:
Mispell I meant to say the hairstylist.
has anyone seen this movie?
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 08/13/2002 06:47 PM PST

Link to info on PS Your Cat Is Dead
http://us.imdb.com/Title?0245341
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 08/13/2002 06:49 PM PST

Damn!
Misspelled mispell!
I'm tired a looooong day.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 08/13/2002 06:51 PM PST

I don't think the film of Gypsy is great - but I find it oddly endearing, and the young dancers are wonderful, as is Natalie Wood and Ann Jillian. Karl Malden is also a very good Herbie. It retains most of the songs (maybe all of them - Together, Wherever We Go was cut, but filmed, and is included on the DVD as an extra) and while Roz isn't optimal in the role (especially as a singer - mostly dubbed by Lisa Kirk in very low keys) I do like her. Plus I don't know that you will ever see a better Gotta Have a Gimmick - Faith Dane will never be bettered as Mazeppa (every one of her line readings makes me howl everytime I watch it). It's worth a re-watch, especially in the lovely WB DVD transfer. I certainly like it better than the appalling Bette Midler version.
Posted by bk @ 08/13/2002 07:30 PM PST

The Beauty Part of all this, of course, is that we are so different.
I think "Gypsy" is an amazing film. It's amazing that it got made. It has an amazing Natalie Wood performance. Rosalind Russell is an amazing Momma Rose.
The performance of the score, attributed to Frank Perkins, is one of the most magnificent MOVIE scoring jobs ever, IMO. The soundtrack is superb, absolutely superb. I think BK ought to ask his friend Stephen if he has any stories about "Gypsy" the movie, because I've been told that many hands were involved in the music, including Roger Edens and Robert (Bobby) Tucker and possibly Mr. Sondheim, himself (although that's something only one person told me and he hasn't turned out to be reliable in retrospect).
It's garish and gaudy...obviously shot on sound stages...it has lots of seediness and glitz and there are certainly flaws in various performers, none of whom could do the show on Broadway (only Maldin and Jillian among the leads, that is).
But it's a major movie wallow and it's the ONLY incarnation of "Gypsy" I've ever seen (except the -- yawn -- Midler TV one).
It's all different strokes, I guess. But I will go on record as saying I thought the movie to "A Chorus Line" one of the worst I've ever seen. And I can also tell you there are critics out there who consider Richard Lester's "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" the greatest stage-to-movie musical ever made. I think it's much too frenetic, but I like it a lot.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/13/2002 08:24 PM PST

If memory serves, neither Laurents or Sondheim were involved with the movie in any way - and I believe both don't care for it, but that's to be expected if you know anything about either gentleman. I hate hate hate (that is three hates) A Chorus Line, the film, and I used to be very fond of Funny Thing, but find that now it doesn't hold the same charms for me as it once did. Even though there are some songs missing, the film of How to Succeed is very good as well.
Now, where in tarnation is everyone. We're not on vacation you know. I feel some bitch-slapping will be in order. I do hope all of the errant and truant return tomorrow for Ask BK Day.
Posted by bk @ 08/13/2002 09:12 PM PST

OK, OK, I'll post.
I would need to do adequate research before I could give you my favorite year for films. 1962 would be a consideration. I saw a lot of movies with my family that year. And it was an important year as far as my awareness of movies. They started playing a very big part of my life around that time, so many of the films have a special meaning because of my associations with them and the dreams they started in me.
Posted by Kerry @ 08/13/2002 10:15 PM PST

Bravo is airing the most amazing film right now -- "Resurrection" starring Ellen Burstyn, Sam Shepard and Eva Le Gallienne. WONDERFUL film, extremely moving and with a very good Maurice Jarre score (not something I'd say about the majority of films he scored).
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/13/2002 11:48 PM PST

Where is everyone? WELL....
I'm in rehearsals (as assistant director) with a play that will be opening in about three weeks (three weeks on Thursday, actually). And, perhaps more to the point, I'm in the process of setting up my new computer, and the modem on it is misbehaving - the device manager can't detect it, which means the driver software won't install and the modem won't dial out (the package also came with the wrong monitor cable, though I can use this monitor until I get that replaced). Tomorrow I get to take the thing apart again and reinstall the modem - which shouldn't be that big a deal, except that I don't have a huge amount of technical competence with these things (I'm assuming the problem is my fault, though I *did* follow the instructions).
It's a pain in the bum, since I'd hoped to be able to get the new machine running side-by-side with this one tonight, so that I can spend the next couple of days transferring my files (and, of course, having two machines running isn't possible with only one functioning monitor). I'd scream, but it's 4.30am and I'm too tired.
Regarding 1962 - I don't have much of an opinion, since I didn't arrive in the world until 10 years after that. I did, however, quite enjoy the 'Gypsy' movie the one time I saw it.
Posted by Stephen Farrow @ 08/14/2002 01:32 AM PST

To Mr. Stephen Farrow:
Modems are really passe. If you have access to broadband/T1/cable modem service where you live that's the way you should go. It is a lot faster that any regular phone line and once you use one you'll never go back to a regular modem. I have been using a two cable modem for the past two years or so and it's wonderful. I recommend it.
Posted by MDS @ 08/14/2002 03:11 AM PST

Hi Dolores. Yes I liked Charing Cross Road and the movie was worthwhile as well. There are still a few shops of that vintage left in London but Charing Cross Road has lost most of its charm.
Thanks for all the posters reminding me how great the 1962 movies were. We got to see most of them in 1963 so that is probably my favourite year - that way I get to include Bye Bye Birdie too.
I like "Gypsy" much more these days but find How to Succeed and forum do not stand up as well.
I saw so many movies in the early 60's. My brother-in-law was the projectionist at the local drive-in cinema so free passes were in order. (I still really preferred the indoor cinema).
I wonder how many people check back on the late posts. Maybe that it a question for BK. I usually need to check back to see what I have missed.
I bought "Guffman" today. I won't hold the reviewers on this site responsible if I don't "get it". Hope to watch in the next few days.
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 08/14/2002 03:12 AM PST

Well, of course, the most important event of 1962 was my graduation from high school. Since only 3.2% beer was legal for under-21's in Colorado, our fondly remembered class song went something like this:
Three two for sixty two!
And after that some better brew!
For sixty two, yuck yuck!
As a disclaimer, let me add that I had absolutely nothing to do with writing the lyrics. Heck, I never even had a sip of beer until my sophomore year in college--at a barn dance with Richard Feynman and Playboy's Miss October--but that story will have to wait, as they say, for another time.
In any case, back to 1962. It is curious to ponder that we had no idea at the time that we were living in the golden year of the golden age, movie-wise. And I'm sure plenty of us said, "I want to go to the movies, but there's nothing good playing."
But P.S. Your Cat Is Dead--wow! I absolutely love the stage version. That Guttenberg, of all people, would film it is also amazing--and it was a 2001 release. Why hasn't it been on Showtime Too's gay night? imdb.com tells me there is no video release yet.
And in defense of the much-maligned Guttenberg, I would like to add that The Bedroom Window is one of my favorite faux Hitchcocks, and Steve turns in a fine performance as Jimmy Stewart/Cary Grant.
The pedant (but not English major) in me must point out, as François would be too polite to were he working tonight, that you may have, "le chat est mort" (masculine) or "la chatte est morte" (feminine), but never "le chat est morte", even in the case of a transexual feline. It's grammar, not sex. Which is why it is La Belle et la Bête.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 08/14/2002 04:56 AM PST

Tom from Oz: YAY! You bought "Guffman!" I really hope you enjoy it. Believe me, I think you'll get it. It's just too funny...
What is this "P.S. Your Cat Is Dead" that you guys speak of? I've never heard of it!
And where has Ben been?
(1939 was a great year for movies).
Posted by Jason @ 08/14/2002 06:03 AM PST

William:
Thanks for making me realize just how big a geek/nerd I am: I saw your post, read the part about the barn dance with Richard Feynman and the Playboy model, and want to hear more about Feynman. If it's too long, feel free to email me.
Please give details: I'm something of a Feynman-phile, and would love to hear more stories about the man.
Posted by Elan @ 08/14/2002 06:16 AM PST

Jason: Here I am. I'm exceedingly busy at work (so busy in fact that I'm working six days a week for the next two months-Saturday 6am in NYC is so quiet it's almost unreal). I'm not as "posty" as I have been.
P.S. Your Cat is Dead has been around for a long time. I remember reading the book in college. It's probably in the library and Lincoln Center Library should probably have the script. If not, you can troop on over the Drama Book on 40th btwn 7th and 8th and find it. Now, Mr. Guttenburg has turned it into a film. With A.J. Benza??? That's the unbelievable part. Well, back to printouts and grants and foundations. I will be back. Thanks for missing me :-)
Posted by Ben @ 08/14/2002 06:23 AM PST

Ben: Good to know that you're still around. I'm sorry that you have to work so much. :-(
Steve Guttenburg...did anyone else think he was cute when he was in his "Police Academy" days?
Oh...Happy Birthday to my mom today! (Do we get cake?)
Posted by Jason @ 08/14/2002 06:27 AM PST

Jason - Cake is fine, but only if served after cheese and ham chunks.
Regards of the day to your Mom!
Posted by Phil @ 08/14/2002 07:56 AM PST

There will be NO cake!
Someone left the cake out in the rain.
I don't think that I can take it.
'Cause it took so long to bake it.
And I'll never have that recipe again.
Oh no........
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 08/14/2002 09:05 AM PST

P.S. was released on Jan 17th 2003 and is now making its way into more theaters. It started in a limited release. Steve did a Great job with the movie. try to catch it if you can! you can get more info from these sites... www.steveguttenberg.net
www.psyourcatisdead.com
Posted by on a wire @ 02/05/2003 06:36 PM PST

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