haines his way

10/21/2002:
"THE INTERESTING NOTES"

Well, dear readers, short notes on this lovely Monday. If you want long notes on this lovely Monday, I suggest you catch up on the weekend notes should you have missed them – each day is quite long with lots of interesting tidbits. On Saturday, for example, I answered all your excellent questions. Yesterday, we had an anniversary of sorts and you might find that interesting as well. And, of course, we had many interesting posts from the dear readers who were with us on the weekend.
On Saturday, I bought quite a few interesting CDs at Tower Records. RCA Spain has been putting out some of the most arcane albums, and being an arcane fanatic, they are CDs of albums that I had as a wee sprig of a twig of a tad of a lad of a youth. I got three count them three of these RCA Spain imports and would have gotten more except they were out of several that I wanted, which I will now order from Collector’s Choice. I got J.J. Johnson’s Broadway Express, a wonderful collection of instrumental showtunes, as played by the marvelous trombonist, J.J. Johnson. The album was arranged and conducted by Mundell Lowe and the band on the album is terrific, as is Mr. Johnson. But it’s the sound on these RCA Spain releases which will blow you away. I’ve said it before, with all the technology we have today, all I ever tried to do was make albums that sounded as good as these stereo albums from the Golden Age. Whatever they were doing back then, it worked. This particular album was recorded in 1965, so it features tunes from such shows as Roar of the Greasepaint, Riverwind, On a Clear Day, Golden Boy, Stop the World, Skyscraper, etc. Then I got an album called Poe for Moderns as played by Buddy Morrow and his orchestra. It’s all weird and wacky music “inspired” by the works of Poe. Recorded in 1960, it sounds like it was recorded yesterday. RCA Spain has also released several albums in the “Stereo Action” series – “the sound your eyes can follow”. These albums are a hoot – they pan the sound this way and that way and it’s too too. I got It’s Magic by Marty Gold and his Orchestra – they were out of the ones I really wanted – two Dick Schory albums. I also picked up an import of two great Nelson Riddle TV theme albums from the 60s, both albums on one CD, and again, the sound is just incredible. Also picked up a new recording of an American opera based on Eugene O’Neill’s Desire Under the Elms. I’m halfway through, and am enjoying it thoroughly. It’s on the Naxos label, which is a budget classical label, and Tower is having a sale right now, so the two CD set cost me all of $11.99. If you’re a fan of American music and American opera, I recommend this. It also has many theater connections. The music is by Ed Thomas, who wrote the notorious flop musical, Mata Hari. The libretto is by Joe Masteroff, who wrote the books for She Loves Me and Cabaret. And the album is nicely produced by Tom Shepard.
There are a couple of others I got, but I haven’t heard them yet, so I’ll talk about them after I do. What am I, Ken Mandelbaum and Max Preeo all of a sudden?
Already these notes aren’t so short. Isn’t that interesting? Has anyone noticed how many times I’ve used the word “interesting” in today’s notes? I find it interesting how many times I’ve used the word “interesting”.
I have an interesting idea – why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below and see what interesting things there are in the next section.

Why, yes, there are many interesting things in this section. For example, did you know that AOL now has 8.0? It has spiffy new graphics and many interesting new features, but it’s still the same AOL. I really must get DSL, as I think that will solve many many many (that is three manys which might just be two too many manys) of the problems one has with AOL.
I tried watching the new DVD of Mr. Robert Aldrich’s The Big Knife, a story of Hollywood, starring Jack Palance and Ida Lupino, from the play by Clifford Odets. I simply cannot get with this film – I’ve now seen it three times and I’m just not a fan of Mr. Odets’ overwriting. He lays it on with a trowel, in very arty speeches, without any of the grace of an Arthur Miller or Tennessee Williams or even William Inge. I did, however, watch the last two weeks’ episodes of The Sopranos, so after I see last night’s I’ll be all caught up. These two episodes were both pretty good, not up there with the best, but definitely first class with many fine moments.
I mentioned that ET was coming out on Tuesday – just as importantly, there is a box set of Carry On movies from the 50s and 60s, which is a must-have if you like that crazy English-style burlesque. Not sure which films are included, but I do hope that Carry on Cleo is there, because it’s quite delightfully weird and wacky.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must start another long week of long days but I will survive them if you post your lovely posts and keep the joint hopping. We must have a hopping joint because that is the only way we will be the most popular site on all the Internet, and the envy of one and all and also all and one. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your guilty pleasures – theater-wise, movie-wise, and CD-wise. That is, the things you love that most people would sneer at you for. An example: I love the score to the film musical Lost Horizon, by Bacharach and David. When I tell people that, they look at me as if I were a bottle of Shav. Post away, my pretties, and post often.

Replies: 42 Unseemly Comments

Let me be the first post of the day so that I can tell you dear readers that we had the best weekend, traffic-wise, that we've ever had. Thank you all for pulling your weight (no mean feat).
William F. Orr: I do believe it was my idea to do the switch in There But for You Go I - normally, when we'd all sit together and run the songs, my contribution on Laurie's albums was mainly the layout of the song and the "feel".
But you'll know all about that, because Buddy Bregman, in his interview, goes quite into detail about arranging and orchestrating.
Posted by bk @ 10/21/2002 07:14 AM PST

Hey, is this site working today???
Posted by bk @ 10/21/2002 09:08 AM PST

I've read Bruce's comments about "Lost Horizon" before...and that led me to procure the OST on CD.
The only thing I can bear to listen to is the opening and main title (by Shawn Phillips).
Sorry, BK, but I just can't do the rest any more....that way madness lies....
I do enjoy the Fifth Dimension's "Living Together, Growing Together". And some other group did "The World is a Circle" and I remember liking that. So maybe if someday someone revisited the score and recorded it with "singers" (and let's face it, the vocals in this film represent the nadir of the "talk-sing" school), the show might just work!
Maybe if Baz Luhrmann were to remake it.....hmmmmm??????
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 10/21/2002 09:08 AM PST

First of all, for a very interesting webpage, click on the site below:
http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/PersonDetail/personid-14058/
My guilty pleasures? Any show by Al Carmines (most still on LP); MINNIE'S BOYS; BILLY, WINDY CITY and BAR MITZVA BOY, the latter by Jule Styne and Don Black. You'll note that three of these are English shows that never quite made it on our side of the pond, but they sound more "Broadway" than many shows of the last twenty-five or so years.
Tonight is the "Highlights of Washington" Sondheim (BK's close friend) Concert at Lincoln Center. I'll post a full report tomorrow morning when tomorrow's notes are up because (1) it will be too late tonight when I get home and (2) Tom from Oz is probably the only one who will be around to read them at that time.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/21/2002 09:29 AM PST

I've got 'Lost Horizon' and I love it! 'The Things I Would Not Miss' (or whatever it's called - I'm at work so can't check) is musically fascinating and some of the slower numbers are really lovely.
OK, I agree that 'Question Me An Answer' is totally crass and some of the other songs are hilarious in the context of the film, but Burt Bacharach is one of the greatest melody writers around.
And talking of BB, I also love his collaboration with Elvis Costello 'Painted From Memory'. Mr Costello doesn't have the greatest voice in the world, but the songs (IMHO) are gorgeous.
Movie-wise, I know it's really naff, but I still get a kick out of 'The Sound of Music'.
Posted by Allan @ 10/21/2002 10:05 AM PST

Guilty pleasures:
Films: MAME, the movie. It is so over-the-top BAAAD. But I cannot unglue my eyes from it when it begins.
TV: QVC, whenever Miss Adrienne Arpel is hawking her make-up. She is mesmerizing.
Music: Anything by Paul Jabara, particularly the Keeping Time album (not yet on CD). Just makes me smile.
Jeez, reading those over, I am a sicker human than I thought I was. :-)
Posted by Philip Crosby @ 10/21/2002 10:34 AM PST

Good morning/afternoon. Sorry for not posting earlier, but I've been waiting for the cable guy and watching the news (via antenna at first, and now via crystal clear digital cable - thank you, cable guy!).
Guilty pleasure: Eating Raoul - the musical version. A wonderfully over the top performance by Adrian Zmed as the title character, and some wonderfully "bad" lyrics and music by Jed Feuer and Boyd Graham. *I also did their Producers-like The Big Bang! last spring, and had a great time with that one too. -And it was out before The Producers - at least the musical version. My favorite section is the ancient Egypt sequence with Queen Nefertiti - She was a diva! There's a great exchange in the middle of the song when Nefertiti stops singing after noticing that her servant is starting to pull focus.
"Aren't you supposed to be my back-up?.... Then you better back up, bitch!" (snap)
Always a nice (cheap) laugh.
Oohh, can I say "b-tch" here?
*And the scene is made even funnier by the impromptu Nefertiti costume - an animal skin rug/wrap, and an upside-down lampshade head dress.
As for AOL 8.0, I, thankfully, had the use of a cable modem to download it. It is geared towards people with broadband connections, but I've even noticed an improved "speed" with my dial-up connection, and some of the new handy-dandy features are very neato - for lack of a better word.
Well, I'm going to venture out, and hope the traffic isn't too bad... I won't go into details, but if you're curious just turn to CNN, MSNBC, etc... Let's just hope all the commotion this morning in town will lead to an end to all of this madness.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 10/21/2002 10:55 AM PST

Jose,
Yes, apparently it is okay to use the word "bitch" on this site, as long as you don't use it in reference to Barbra Streisand.
Speaking of which, did anybody else see Senator McCain on Saturday Night Live last weekend? In one sketch, he was advertising his upcoming CD, in which he sings the songs of Barbra Streisand. To paraphrase him, 'she's been trying to do my job for years. Now it's my turn to do hers.' Now, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!
Posted by Dave @ 10/21/2002 11:07 AM PST

Well the reviews are in (except for the New York Post which for some reason didn't bother revewing it... instead they had a review of the Pace University production of the David Merrick '60s flop ARTURO UI) for AMOUR and they basically say what I did last week: weak libretto, good music, good production. Actually I could have written Ken Mendalbaum's review on Broadway.Com since we agree on every point including some I didn't bother to mention (Norm Lewis wasted, phony special effects). I still say if it were done in the original French with English supertitles it would be a much better show. The dubbed version of
"Umbrellas" proves this.
Also check out Peter Filichia's column on Theatremania.Com for a full description of why the revisal of FLOWER DRUM SONG went so wrong (along with other shows that made him sick). Actually most of his Monday/Wednesday/Friday columns are worth checking out.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/21/2002 11:13 AM PST

Will the Carry On set include Carry On Luggage and Carry On Crows?
Posted by William F. Orr @ 10/21/2002 11:22 AM PST

Jose: We use "bitch" here often -- especially, but not lately, the term "bitch slap."
As far as using it in general reference to a person, I think it's pretty much bad taste to reference any specific person by name as a bitch.
Of course, if someone has "personal" experience with an individual and saying that person is or was a bitch to work with in any or all respects strikes me as being perfectly valid.
I don't think it's fair when it only comes to hearsay, however.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 10/21/2002 12:30 PM PST

The Carry On films being released:
Includes: "Carry On Sergeant" (1958), "Carry On Nurse" (1958), "Carry On Teacher" (1959), "Carry On Constable" (1960), "Carry On Regardless" (1961), "Carry On Cruising" (1962), "Carry On Jack" (1963), "Carry On Cabby" (1963), "Carry On Cleo" (1964), "Carry On Spying" (1964), "Carry On Cowboy" (1965), "Carry on Screaming" (1966), and "That's Carry On" (1977)
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 10/21/2002 01:38 PM PST

Interesting about Lost Horizon. I posted a question yesterday about the film not knowing that BK would talk about it today. Therefore I am reposting it:
Did anyone ever see the musical version of Lost Horizon when it first opened in the theaters? I know that 23 minutes were cut out including three songs that can be heard on the CD and were reisntated for the LD release.
But what I am curious about was the fertility dance with Olivia Hussy and muscle bound dancers doing a ring a round the rosie type dance that was part of the Living Together, Growing Together produciton number. Was it really that funny that audiences laughed it off the screen. The dance is refered to by Sally Kellerman just before Kellerman and Hussy "sing" "Things I Will Not Miss". (Hussy was dubbed and Miss Kellerman's singing voice has always been open to debate)
BTW (by the way) that and two reprises of Living Together, Growing Together were also removed but are now considered lost.
Another side story I went to see the musical version of I Remember Mama because I thought Liv Ullman sang rather nicely in the film. When she opened her mouth it was then I realized she had to have been dubbed in the film.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 10/21/2002 01:42 PM PST

RE: The Sondheim Concert. For those of you going, please send out some extra love and adoration, and clap and hoot and holler a little louder for me to all my friends and cast and crew mates from this past summer. I'd be there myself, but by the time I got my request into the office, all the house seats had already been over "sold", and all that was available for public sale were the $500 seats - which I almost considered buying. -And this was only on the second day the tickets were available. So, I made my plans for this weekend and today, and NYC was not among them. *And as luck would have it, the coordinator called me Saturday afternoon asking me if I would like one of the tickets that got released that morning, but since plans are plans... The waiting list was LONG, so I'm sure someone else got "mine". *I remember being in the office when they had to decided between an extra ticket for Mayor Bloomberg or one of the Kennedys. Now that's a HOT ticket!
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 10/21/2002 02:01 PM PST

That DC maddness must be just
that...madness Jose. I hope all
CUA folks and Olney folks are
well and running like mad from
their cars to the theatre's!
My embarrassing indulgience..can
I admit this here? I like Anne of
Green Gables....yup...that's a
madness of sorts too. Oh yes, and
I love Carousel and my Disney
collection....and Pennies From
Heaven...Isn't Bernadette cute in
that? Should I keep all of this
info to myself? lol.....
Anyway, its a beautiful day here
in NYC...crisp and cool...but
very clear. Hope everyone is
well
Posted by Jen @ 10/21/2002 02:27 PM PST

I don't have a problem with "Windy City" and "Barmitzva" Boy & "Minnie's Boys" I enjoy all three. I do like Rome's "Gone With The Wind" and wish the score had been complete and released on CD. I gave away my record of "Lost Horizon".
I will now admit that I frequently play John Denver songs and I have a collection of Anthony Newley records of which I am very fond. I even liked "Quilp".
Are "Carry On" movies only now being accepted in the USA or were they reasonably successful in the 50's/60's? They were very popular in Australia.
Posted by Tom Guest (from OZ) @ 10/21/2002 02:31 PM PST

"Pennies From Heaven" was fine but I thought not a patch on the TV series. Are there any other fans of Dennis Potter out there? His next few TV series eg "The Singing Detective" and "Lipstick On Your Collar" were wonderful.
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 10/21/2002 02:35 PM PST

Has anyone seen Barbara Cook's "Mostly Sondheim" show?
It's coming to San Francisco next month. I have the double-CD.
I'd think Cook would be worth seeing no matter what, but I've seen bits of this show on PBS and wonder what the whole show is like.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 10/21/2002 02:48 PM PST

Barbara Cook's "Mostly Sondheim" show is Completely Wonderful. -I couldn't resist that turn of phrase, although I'm guessing someone used it already in describing this show.
For the "tour", it's just Ms. Cook, Wally Harper on piano, and a bassist - in D.C. it was Jon Burr. It's an amazing 90 minutes, and she goes all the way through with no intermission. -I know some current performers half her age - and even a quarter of her age! - who claim they can't sing more than 30 minutes at once, AND they have to have water between every song - the couple of times I saw Ms. Cook, she never took a drink of water. Actually, the only time I saw a water pitcher on stage was when she did the masterclass.
I think the only thing I miss about the "tour" is that there is no Malcolm Gets, no duet section. But she certainly carries the show all by herself. You will definitely have a wonderful evening. And her "Vanilla Ice Cream" seems to get better each time. There was one time where she actually sang the high B again after commenting that she could do that better.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 10/21/2002 03:11 PM PST

Does anyone realize that in four days Ms. Barbara Cook turns 75 years of age? I think that is remarkable. Good for her for still doing her thang. (Sorry...got a little ghetto fabulous there for a second).
And since I can say it: BITCH.
Posted by Jason @ 10/21/2002 03:40 PM PST

"Bitch, bitch, bitch" -- (A "Victor, Victoria" reference)
All together now.....ah-one and ah-two and ah-three -- B_ _ _ _!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 10/21/2002 03:53 PM PST

Francois and Allan: How beautiful the days. ("Most Happy Fella" reference). I love international males/mails. Thank you both. Emails to be sent.
Guilty pleasure. Hank B Marvin & Thhe Shadows play Andrew Lloyd Weber & Tim Rice hits.
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 10/21/2002 04:33 PM PST

Guilty Pleasures:
Movies: Disney animated features; Astaire and Rogers movies; The Thin Man movies; Dolph Lundgren movies.
TV Shows: Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Angel; Trading Spaces; Animal Rescue (ASPCA) on Animal Channel; the Jeff Corwin Experience; Martha Stewart show on the Cooking Channel.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 10/21/2002 04:42 PM PST

Very good guilty pleasures. I'm starving - I had to go to a meeting on my lunch hour (which turned into two hours and then some), so I haven't eaten one whit of food. Well, one more hour and I'll be out of here and then I shall eat until the cows come home - in fact, I shall eat the cows, which means they won't be coming home at all.
Posted by bk @ 10/21/2002 05:32 PM PST

Guilty Pleasures:
Giallo Flix, especially those by a certain Dario Dargento.
Dolph Lundgren - such a Nordic beauty, and I've rarely seen a bad performance from him, even though he's been in some real stinkers.
THE CLIFF RICHARD COLLECTION on dvd - thanks, BK, I'm hooked on Ciff.
CARRIE THE MUSICAL, well, at least act one on videotape; the rest on audio tape with both London and Broadway casts, hey, don't waste the moon....
AT LONG LAST LOVE and VALLEY OF THE DOLLS both have their numerous charms, the least of which is being GREAT movies. teeheehee.
I guess that the James Bond series' red-headed step-child, CASINO ROYALE would have to be a guilty pleasure, since I like it so much, and have only ever encountered one other person who is as passionate about it as I am.
TV-wise, I have to list Showtime's QUEER AS FOLK, a series that is sometime so hideously bad that it's good. Plus it can't hold a candle to the original British version.
Posted by td @ 10/21/2002 06:27 PM PST

Let's get some action going - we can't let the weekend postings best the weekday postings, now can we? Stand up and be heard. Be heard and stand up. Speak loudly and carry a small stick. Get out of the frying pan and into the posts.
Posted by bk @ 10/21/2002 06:28 PM PST

Guilty pleasure: Iron Chef, that wonderfully over-dramatized cooking show from Japan! Luckily I have found another devotee of the show, so even though I no longer have cable, I still get to watch the show with her.
Also, the kiddie gangster flick Bugsy Malone. Grew up on it and will always have a soft spot for it. Just waiting for the DVD release (...or has that already happened?).
Posted by Jed @ 10/21/2002 06:46 PM PST

Guilty Pleasures:
Movies: The Big Bus, The Vikings, Prince Valiant
Musicals: Henry Sweet Henry, Ben Franklin In Paris, Hallelujah Baby!
Plays: Poor Richard (Jean Kerr)
Others: White Castle Burgers, Mr. Pibb, Lurking on this site
Posted by Richard @ 10/21/2002 07:01 PM PST

Just want to say that our own Kerry Butler was mentioned in the review of Hairspray that appeared in Cabaret Scenes.
Penny and Seaweed played by Kerry Butler and Corey Reynolds eventually step into their own spotlights. In the energetic final number with the ensemble, they prove that, You Can't Stop the Beat neither in rock or race.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 10/21/2002 07:48 PM PST

I don't know if I have any guilty pleasures. I'm proud of what I like. However, I think "Valley of the Dolls" would most probably fit in this category. It is such an awful movie, and yet it must be watched. Kind of like passing a traffic accident.
"A Summer Place" would also fit. It goes beyond bad, but I love the score and the scenery.. Oops-- dinner calls.
Posted by Kerry @ 10/21/2002 07:51 PM PST

One more: "Can't Stop the Music"
Posted by Kerry @ 10/21/2002 07:51 PM PST

Jed...I actually saw the stage version of BUGSY MALONE in London when I was seven years old. The lovely miss Catherine Zeta Jones Douglas played Tallulah. She was 14. It was a real hoot...eggs and cream pies flying all over the stage. That was the first stage musical I'd ever seen. Oh...and I love the Iron Chef as well...though I never get to see it anymore. I haven't seen Trading Spaces in about 6 months either. :-\
Posted by Jason @ 10/21/2002 08:08 PM PST

Ah yes, Jason, of course Trading Spaces should have been included on my list as well! Another of the few reasons I miss cable.
Posted by Jed @ 10/21/2002 08:56 PM PST

Guilty pleasure (but for a good cause):
Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies.
Frozen.
With milk.
Omigod.
Posted by Pam @ 10/21/2002 09:06 PM PST

Another Guilty Pleasure:
Pet Psychic (sometimes I think she's the biggest phony...but more often than not she is amazing. But her voice DOES set my teeth on edge).
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 10/21/2002 09:10 PM PST

So what's to be guilty about with "The Vikings". If you like "The Long Ships" Richard it would be guilt time.
I still like all the Tony Curtis movies like "Black Shield Of Falworth" and "The Purple Mask".
I woudl still watch "A Summer Place" Kerry but I am not too sure I could cope with "Parrish"
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 10/21/2002 09:47 PM PST

Does anyone admit to still reading comic strips in the daily papers? I only buy papers twice a week (so sad to be poor and all alone in the world (Millie - sort of)but I like to get my weekly dose of "For Better Or Worse"
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 10/21/2002 09:49 PM PST

I go through phases where I read the daily comics. My ex was and is a very devoted daily reader of the comics.
I never really had any favorites, but I never got into the more "serious" strips - Prince Valiant, Apartment 3-G (Is that the name?), etc. And I miss The Far Side. *My physics teacher in high school had a custom Far Side panel done for him by Gary Larson as a Thank You gift, and he had it hanging in the classroom.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 10/21/2002 10:12 PM PST

I still like to have my daily dose of Gary Larson. This year is supposed to be the last of the annual calendars. I hope there will be a good hardbound collection available before long.
It is true. You don't ever sleep Jose. Take care out there.
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 10/22/2002 03:45 AM PST

As we wind down to our deadline at work I find myself with a little bit of time.
Richard: Mr. Pibb! Oh, my G*d. I haven't thought of that soda in years. It's a Dr. Pepper-type soda if I remember correctly.
Ron: Ms. Cook is well worth seeing. She is, as I said in July when I saw her at Lincoln Center, sublime. She can move you from laughter to tears. I saw her in 1980 at the Carnegie Hall concert and while she was wonderful then, she is superb now. I second what Jose said. Go to her. You won't regret it.
Guilty Pleasures:

Valley of the Dolls
The Bad Seed (the movie)
Sugar (musical w/Tony Roberts and Robert Morse)
George Maharis albums (did you know he made 6, count them, 6 albums in the 60s?)
Now that I'm watching what I eat, a guilty pleasure is a wonderful piece of Belgian candy called Chockotof. I only get it when a friend who travels internationally gets to Europe and he buys me a bagful, then I have to make them last. Ummm, ummm, good!
Posted by Ben @ 10/22/2002 04:23 AM PST

Also forgot to mention, the only "comic strip" I read daily is Doonesbury (the best, in my humble opinion IMHO), though I don't read it in a newspaper but on-line. When we go out to Long Island to my partner's parents house I do read the comics. They get NY Daily News and Newsday. I read the Times in the city and there are no comics in the New York Times, except for Sunday in the Week in Review section when they run political cartoons.
Posted by Ben @ 10/22/2002 04:43 AM PST

Tom--- "Carry On Nurse" was a big hit in the states when it was first released but the others never caught on.
You don't need a newspaper anymore to read most comic strips. They are available free on line at various sites.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 10/22/2002 06:03 AM PST

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