haines his way

10/03/2002:
"A CONVENTIONAL DITHER"

Well, dear readers, I am in a dither. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, I am in a dither and a rather conventional one at that – oh, a Rodgers and Hammerstein reference. I am still sick, although the quart of chicken soup with two count them two matzoh balls did help a bit. When I began this new job we all had a meeting, and they had a plan. There was so much time for viewing, so much time for writing a script around the footage, so much time for editing, and so forth and so fifth. And it was all very reasonable. And it has all gone right out the window, and every day is a new rush and a new problem. They also had a plan for the tone and style of the pieces – when I heard what it was, I remarked to my friend, well, they will not like it when they see it. Today, they saw it and they did not like it, and now we’re going back to cut the pieces the way we would have originally if we’d been left to our own devices. Funny that.
Every night when I get home I think, “Well, it’s been a long day” – oh, a Frank Loesser reference. Oh, well, it will only get harder. Tonight, if I’m not totally whacked, I will attempt to have dinner with our very own Lisa Richard. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that just too too? She’s going to tape a radio show with Donald which will air this coming Sunday, I believe (or is it next Sunday – or the Sunday after – as you can see, I am in a conventional dither).
You really asked some excellent questions yesterday and I can’t wait to dive into them like Esther Williams. Being realistic, most likely the answers will be in Sunday’s notes, although I do promise to try to do them for Saturday’s.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below before I am in an unconventional dither. We certainly don’t want to go there, now do we?

Whatever it is I’ve got has started to move into my nose. I don’t like when things move into my nose. For example, there’s a sofa, an end table and a four poster bed in there right now. I want whatever it is I’ve got to move out of my nose right this very minute. What the hell am I talking about?
I watched a bit of the new DVD of Auntie Mame, which looks very nice indeed. It’s quite a loud film. The color is lovely, but the contrast is a bit light – everything would look better if the contrast were darker. Also, checked out the transfers of The Curse of Frankenstein and Horror of Dracula – not perfect, but better than they’ve ever looked on home vid before. Haven’t checked out The Thin Man or The Incredible Mr. Limpet yet.

If any of our New York dear readers know of any talented children of around ten years of age (preferably Jewish) who would like to audition for me on Monday, let me know via e-mail asap.
Have I mentioned that I am in both a conventional and unconventional dither? Have I mentioned that I’m sick?

Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must sniffle and blow my nose, I must suck on Ricolas and Coldeeze, I must drink plenty of Diet Coke, I must work, work, work (that is three works), I must get ready for my New York trip. Today’s topic of discussion: Let us name our favorite James Stewart films. Mr. Stewart has always been one of my favorite screen actors. I’ll start – Rear Window, Vertigo, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Naked Spur (or all his Anthony Mann westerns), The Spirit of St. Louis (very underrated, film and performance) and so many others which I will leave to you, dear readers. Topic number two: I think we’ve done this before, but I think it never hurts to have a second go at a sweet topic – therefore, what is your all-time favorite candy, whether they still make it or not. I’ll start – I’ve always been partial to Snickers and Three Musketeers and Milky Ways, plus See’s Dark Chocolate Nuts and Chews, plus Big Hunks, plus Abba Zabba’s, plus Chocolate covered cherries, and on and on. Your turn.

Replies: 49 Unseemly Comments

white chocolate
definitely white chocolate
frozen Snickers bars
red licorice
Sees caramel pops
Almond Roca
yummmmmmmmmmmmm!
Posted by Susan Gordon @ 10/03/2002 07:35 AM PST

It's a Wonderful Life (the only Stewart film I think I know)
And any decent chocolate. I'm not picky. Heck, some days I'd eat chocolate-covered styrofoam balls if I that was all I could find!
Dear Reader Sandra and I sometimes make chocolates for gifts. It's a lot of fun, very time consuming, and you get to eat the mistakes!
Posted by Laura @ 10/03/2002 07:59 AM PST

Oh, my! I was so busy salivating over the thought of white chocolate, I forgot to vote for my favorite James Stewart film: It's a Wonderful Life. It is, isn't it?
Posted by Susan Gordon @ 10/03/2002 08:27 AM PST

Favorite candy bars:
Zero
Fifth Avenue
Favorite candy (boutique):
Godiva truffles
Favorite candy (homemade)
Fudge (traditional Hershey's recipe), with cup of peanut butter mixed in during final stir.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.........
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 10/03/2002 08:40 AM PST

Favorite Jimmy Stewart movie: The Shop Around the Corner (Oh, a Bock & Harnick reference!)
Favorite candy: Frango mints.
Favorite candy bar: Zagnut.
Posted by Pam @ 10/03/2002 09:30 AM PST

James Stewart films: It's a Wonderful Life, Philadelphia Story, Harvey.
Candy: Baby Ruth, original turtles and any good rich dark chocolate, wherever I may find it (suggestions welcome). :-)
Posted by Philip Crosby @ 10/03/2002 09:46 AM PST

Any film Stewart did with Hitchcock is amazing. As for Spirit of St. Louis, that's a film for which my father and I share a love. For all his faults, Lindberg was an amazing fellow, perhaps the greatest American tragic hero, and SoSL is a wonderful portrait of the man in his youth.
Mounds Bars. Dark chocolate and coconut. Yummy.
Posted by S. Woody White @ 10/03/2002 09:52 AM PST

Favorite Jimmy Stewart film: "Rope"
Favorite Candy: Don't ask. I am the controller at a candy factory and am so sick of candy that I don't even want to think about it.
Meanwhile, shall we take bets if Les Miz will really close March 15 or not. It seems like the same ploy other shows have used to extend their run: announce a closing date, sell lots of tickets and then extend "by popular demand".
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/03/2002 09:54 AM PST

Favorite Candy: Swedish Fish and/or Blue Dolphins
Favorite Candy Bar: Almond Joy
I, too, like almost anything chocolate. Luckily, for me and and Phil, we have a store in Richmond called "For the Love of Chocolate". And they have an adjoining "store" called "The Candy Patch" which has a bunch of the "old-fashioned" stuff (Necco Wafers - in the regular, sour and chocolate varities; wax lips; Charleston Chews; etc.)
As for Jimmy Stewart movies, "It's a Wonderful Life".
Get better soon, bk!
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 10/03/2002 09:54 AM PST

Does anyone rememember SKY BAR?All sorts of variety in one candy Bar.
Hershey's Chocolate Bar with ALMONDS
Milky Way-(Dark)and James Stewart-CALL NORTHSIDE 777 and THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH and VERTIGO.
Posted by Arnold M.Brockman @ 10/03/2002 09:55 AM PST

In addition to those already mentioned for Jimmy Stewart, I'm particulary fond of Rope.
My new favorite candy is chocolate-covered animal crackers purchased from a small company in Indiana-fresh off the assembly line. They come in milk and dark varieties.
Posted by jb @ 10/03/2002 10:06 AM PST

Hopefully this will make up for my lack of posting lately...
Errant, I’ve been errant
and my heart aches so that I can hardly speak
And I seem to find the happiness today
When I’m posting here again on haineshisway
Oh, truant, I've been truant
and the shame that hung around me through the week
Seem to vanish like a gambler's lucky streak
When I’m posting here again on haineshisway
Oh, I love to read each posting
being at work or at home
But it doesn't thrill me half as much as
posting to ere I roam
Oh, I love to read the paper
and learn about the day
But it doesn't thrill me half as much as
Reading on haineshisway
My faves:
KitKat
Milky Way
SkyBars
Sno Caps
As for Jimmy S - I'd say Rear Window, Harvey, American Tail (voice), Bell Book and Candle, The Glenn Miller Story, Shop Around the Corner, Magic Town (guilty pleasure) and of course IAWL (it's a wonderful life in internet lingo)
Posted by The Errant and Truant Craig @ 10/03/2002 10:07 AM PST

My favorite Jimmy Stewart movie is "It's a Wonderful Life."
Some of my favorite candy bars are Little Debby's Nutty Bar, Coffee Crisp (originally from Canada and I've finally found a source here in Olympia!) and the Zero Bar. The main reason I like the Zero bar is because I actually won a CD player from it!
Posted by George @ 10/03/2002 10:50 AM PST

When I was a kid, I LOVED candy dots. Not the fruit flavored chewy things that come in a little box, but rather the plastic-y looking little candy dots that come in all different colors and are stuck to long strips of white paper. I'm pretty sure they are still available.
Now that I am, ahem, somewhat distanced from my youth, my favorite candy is orange rind coated in deep dark chocolate. My two favorite sources for this ethereal confection, alas, are 3000 miles away in New York: Lilac Chocolates on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village and Mondel Chocolates on upper Broadway near Columbia University. Although it's been many years since I've been in there, I remember that the lady who ran the front of the shop at Mondel was--and you'll have to pardon the expression--one of the sweetest people I'd ever dealt with in a retail environment.
Posted by jay @ 10/03/2002 11:25 AM PST

Errant and truant also. All that negative stuff. The word "lawyer" will say it all. This week has been unpleasant, and I have just caught up on everyone's posts for the last few days, which has made me feel bright and sunny again.
Favorite Candy: Destry Rides Again
Favorite Jimmy Stewart Movie: Anything with marzipan in it. Ah loves mah marzipan, ah does.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 10/03/2002 11:45 AM PST

William - how excellent of you to wix up your mords!
Posted by Craig @ 10/03/2002 11:55 AM PST

James Stewart is one of my all-time favorite screen actors. Always interesting to watch, even in a not-so-great movie. These are my favs...
VERTIGO - A perfect film
REAR WINDOW - A perfect film
MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON - Another perfect film with a top-of-the-line supporting cast.
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE - This film (along with Mr. Smith...) I strongly identify with: Idealist encounters reality; the shock, disillusionment and gargantuan effort to bring about the ideal.
NO HIGHWAY IN THE SKY - IMHO I think this is an undersung film that is texturally rich with an unusual blend of actors that really works. I love Marlene's underplaying and Glynis' heart on her sleeve.
ANATOMY OF A MURDER - As I recall, this was rather a shocking movie when it first came out. I believe after this film, Stewart had a TV series where he played a lawyer.
THE FAR COUNTRY and THE NAKED SPUR - Two Anthony Mann/Stewart films I recall seeing and remember liking--although this is definitely a different Stewart.
Note about Northside 777: Early version of the FAX machine.
Posted by Donna @ 10/03/2002 12:08 PM PST

A travel note: When we pass through Philly, der Brucer and I try to make a point of stopping by the Reading Terminal Market for a) the Cook Book Nook, always a good place to find interesting reading (for us foodies), and b) a shop that specializes in cookies and other treats, because they make the very best dark-chocolate covered pretzels! That decadent bittersweet combined with salty crunch, very yum! I dare anyone to try and make me share! Then we see about finding food.
Posted by S. Woody White @ 10/03/2002 12:15 PM PST

Who is Jimmy Stewart?
Posted by Justin Wonderly @ 10/03/2002 12:29 PM PST

Harvey
Fool's Parade
Cheyenne Social Club
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 10/03/2002 12:58 PM PST

and no chocolate on a diet, but when I wasn't from Canada...Coffee Crisp & Areo top my list. Snack BA came in second
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 10/03/2002 12:59 PM PST

Favorite Jimmy quote (and scene):
"Well.. Ya see here.. what we got here is an interesting situation.. a fella doesn't happen into a situation like this everyday yanno"
which goes into.. Go ahead, call the police.. they'll probably just side with me..
and then the sweet exchange: George Bailey: What do you want, Mary? Do you want the moon? If you want it, I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down for you. Hey! That's a pretty good idea! I'll give you the moon, Mary.
Mary: I'll take it! Then what?

George Bailey: Well, then you can swallow it, and it'll all dissolve see, and the moonbeams would shoot out of your fingers and your toes and the ends of your hair... am I talking too much?
Posted by Craig @ 10/03/2002 01:03 PM PST

And as a mathematician, I must remark that:
It's a Wonderful Life was directed by my fellow Caltech alumnus Frank Capra. But I always hated the fact that Mr. Potter wasn't punished for his sins.
No Highway in the Sky is probably the only movie that has a clear explanation of Goldbach's conjecture in it. "Every even number is the sum of two primes." Simple to state, never been proved.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 10/03/2002 01:36 PM PST

Who is Justin Wonderly?
Posted by Jimmy Stewart @ 10/03/2002 01:57 PM PST

My favourite Jimmy Stewart movies:
The Philadelphia Story
Rope
Harvey
The Glenn Miller Story
The Man Who Knew Too Much
Yes, we have been on the candy trail before. Candy is a very "American" word to us here in Oz. Lollies and Chocolate Bars are our terms. Chocolate-coated macadamia nuts should be given a mentuion (he says with pride in our own native nut). I am still inclined to buy "snickers" and "mars" bars when the need arises. My real favourite is probably an Australian only confection "Violet Crumble". Honeycomb covered in chocolate. (The violet was the wrapper!)They are similar to "Crunchies")
Neville Shute's "No Highway" suddenly became "N H In The Sky" when it got to Hollywood. Maybe book title changes for movies could be a topic in future.
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 10/03/2002 02:26 PM PST

VERTIGO, REAR WINDOW and ROPE show Jimmy in a brand new light, his Scottie gives me chills (and I, too, believe VERTIGO to be a perfect film), WINDOW also presents us with a highly detailed, flawed character, while with ROPE, it's obvious that Stewart did his acting homework.
I'm also partial to his Linus Rawlings in HOW THE WEST WAS WON; which I'll group here with Gene Kelly's underrated THE CHEYENNE SOCIAL CLUB.
IT'S A WONERFUL LIFE is in a class all by itself.
I remember quite well, Jimmy's poetry-infused appearances on Johnny Carson's tonight show, with glee.
...and then there's that BROAWAY MELODY movie that he sings Cole Porter's "Easy to Love" in.
Give me >>chocolat<< any time: noire, blanc, brun. Godiva's Chocolate Covered Strawberries - ooh-la-la!
Home-made chocolate covered peanut butter balls (we did a couple of batches last week covered in bittersweet chocolate as well as butterscotch)
Store-wise, give me a bag of Hershey's TREASURES -- coconut.
And in honor of Kerry, how about a couple of cakes: Dark Forest or German Chocolate.
Posted by td @ 10/03/2002 03:32 PM PST

http://www.nestletreasures.com/sweeps.asp
ooops, me bad! and living so close to Hershey, just makes me think that all of the best national chocolate comes from Pennsylvania!
Posted by td @ 10/03/2002 03:44 PM PST

BK (or anyone else who might know) - What's the latest on Show Music??? I just renewed my subscription last month. Would hate to see it crumple up and dissappear.....
Hope to meet the gang on Sunday (thanks Susan for the info)
BK - safe flight to the Apple!
Posted by Phil @ 10/03/2002 05:03 PM PST

In the beginning, there was the word
And the word was chocolate
And it was GOOD
Posted by A Parishioner @ 10/03/2002 05:44 PM PST

The latest on Show Music is worse than I thought. The next issue won't be the last... the current issue (with the review of FIRST NUDIE MUSICAL) was the last. According to them they haven't taken any new subscriptions or renewals since August (although their web site is still offering them) and they will allegedly be sending refunds back to subscribers for unsent issues. How many magazines have you heard say that before?
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/03/2002 06:09 PM PST

This afternoon, both my Joe and I came down with sore throats, low fevers, swollen glands in the throat--and who is to blame? BK, please wash your hands before you touch keyboard. You have passed your virus on to us.
I mean it couldn't have been one of those lawyers the other day, could it? Everyone knows that lawyers are toxic to viri, bacteria, and other living things.
Anyway, this evening A&E is showing three Murder She Wrotes, so we are having a great Jessica Fletcher night. We've already seen Andreas Katsoris, Howard Keel, and Len Cariou.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 10/03/2002 07:36 PM PST

"Philadelphia Story," "Vertigo," "Dear Brigitte" and "Mr. Hobbs Takes A Vacation" are among my favorites of Jimmy Stewart's movies.
See's Bordeaux, Butterscotch Squares and Scotchmallows
Godiva's Vanilla Caramels, White Chocolate Strawberry Truffles, their version of Turtles (among many others
Forever Yours Candy Bars
Lifesavers (Five Flavor)
Milky Ways
In certain moods- Bit o' Honey
Plain ol' Hershey Bars
Nestle's Crunch
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Sugar Babies
And sooooooo many more
Bruce, take your Vitamin C and E!
Posted by Kerry @ 10/03/2002 08:06 PM PST

Home, exhausted, but your wonderful candy posts kept me going all day long. I got very hungry for sweets.
Posted by bk @ 10/03/2002 08:17 PM PST

AAARRGH! I'd forgotten about See's Candies! When we move east, we're never going to see them ever again! WAAAAAAAAHHH!
Posted by S. Woody White @ 10/03/2002 08:46 PM PST

All time favorite candy......
It has to be chocolate Flicks.
Okay, I'm showing my age again!
With Flicks, you had your candy
and a musical instrument!
Posted by Angela D. @ 10/03/2002 08:55 PM PST

Boy, I haven't thought of Flicks in ages. I used to buy them all the time and funnel them down my gaping maw.
Posted by bk @ 10/03/2002 09:25 PM PST

S. Woody: As for See's Candies here on the East Coast, they are available here. I usually come across a box or two in my travels. They usually set up "temporary shop" in the malls in the area from time to time. And they do a great mail order business too.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 10/03/2002 11:13 PM PST

Did everyone see the Talkin' Broadway review of "Anything Goes" that our own Jason Graae appeared in last week?
Posted by Laura @ 10/03/2002 11:17 PM PST

See's Candies, Part 2: I know they won't be as "fresh" as they are at the source when you move east, but, hey, I'm sure you find some new "local" favorites out here. And you can always go to http://www.sees.com to get your fix.
*I've worked in Evansville, IN, a few summers - more properly, New Harmony - and Evansville has a great hometown candy company too. -The name of which escapes me right now.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 10/03/2002 11:18 PM PST

Alright, hate to show my
youthful naivete, but what in
tarnation are (were) Flicks?
Tom from Oz, I have actually
had that down under delight
called Violet Crumble. Very
good stuff, that.
For me, hard to beat a
Butterfinger.
Posted by Jed @ 10/04/2002 12:28 AM PST

Someone is reading after 12! Thanks Jed.
I have no idea what a "Flick" is or was either. I don't hink they crossed the Pacific.
Only tried a Hershey bar once. Enough. I prefer Australian Cadbury's chocolate (If I can't get Belgian or Swiss. Lindt is still my real favourite - smooth and not too sweet.
Posted by Tom Guest (from OZ) @ 10/04/2002 01:07 AM PST

I'm not sure what "hink" means either! Read that as "Think".
Have you tried a "Polly Waffle" Jed?
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 10/04/2002 01:09 AM PST

My Joe is the choclaholic in the family, with his nightly Milk Chocolate Cadbury Bar (and on special occasions), frozen Dove Bars--not the ones with vanilla inside. When I see the Cadburys on 99¢ sales I'll buy up to fifty to stock up.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 10/04/2002 02:35 AM PST

I'll add my chocolate thoughts: I'm a simple girl, so I'm happy with simple things. I like Hershey's, Cadbury's, and M&Ms best. After I win the lottery, though, I'm going to try some of that Godiva!!
Sandra likes Reece's peanut butter cups best. Megan is diabetic, so, sadly, chocolate is only in her memory now. Sometimes we can find her a sugar-free chocolate -- but it's not the same.
Posted by Laura @ 10/04/2002 06:29 AM PST

Oh -- and Jelly Bellies. I love 'em. Most flavors, anyway.
The girls found a box of Harry Potter jelly beans with disgusting flavors like dirt, boogers, earwax and vomit. Kids!
Posted by Laura @ 10/04/2002 06:31 AM PST

Just a for your information (FYI, in Internet lingo) - I can't access the page from which to post and naturally the errant and truant Mr. Mark Bakalor and company are nowhere to be found. I shall post the notes from work whenever able.
Posted by bk @ 10/04/2002 07:14 AM PST

Bummer, dude.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 10/04/2002 07:17 AM PST

Chocolate "Flicks" were popular 50 years ago. I could by them in San Francisco, Ca. they were contained in a tube, with small small chocolate pieces (flicks), who made them and are they still available somewhere?
a. arellano
Posted by a. arellano @ 12/21/2002 05:37 PM PST

Jeux sans frontieres
Posted by . @ 04/05/2003 04:36 AM PST

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