Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 12/20/2002 09:22 AM PST

My goodness, do check out yesterday's posts - there were a flurry of late-night early-morning postings (nearly doubling what had been) and they are delightfully daffy.

Posted by bk @ 12/20/2002 09:30 AM PST

Yes! So...

In my CD player - the Brent Barrett CD - WOW! I listened to it the other night as I was trying to get to sleep despite my coughing fits. The CD provided me with more than enough comfort. The arrangement of "They Call the Wind Maria" simply blew me away. After suffering through that song at one too many auditions, it was a total revelation hearing Brent's rendition. I hope to get a closer listen to the whole album sometime soon - in fact, this afternoon, hopefully. I also bought a bunch of other CDs from Amazon - which were delivered suprisingly fast - and I hope to get to those soon too.

DVD Player - TFNM has been loaded, and it's just waiting for me to hit PLAY.

*The good news this morning for me, is that it finally looks like my "cold" is gone - and only after four weeks! Ugh! I guess yesterday was the day to run it's course, and I guess it did. Yippee! In the meantime, I'll still be taking a few packets of Emergen-C today.

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 12/20/2002 09:31 AM PST

Mr BK you must slam your staff down on the floor when you say "So let it be written...so let it be done!"

So many wonderful notes this morning along with the actual origin of the word mondegreen. Hehehe.

In the CD player Josh Groban.

In the DVD player: "Gentlemen Prefer French & Saunders". It contains a lively skit wherein a producer gets three opera divas together to record a pop tune AND a home shopping network spoof. Goldique, rubyique, and antiqueique jewelry!

All of my packages for everyone ELSE have arrived!

Posted by Jrand55 @ 12/20/2002 09:32 AM PST

Oh, and I also meant to comment on all the late night/early morning posts. I just got so used to being one of the final posters for the day...

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 12/20/2002 09:33 AM PST

Now that my project is finished and I have the possibility of leisure time again, I have put Lord of the Rings in my DVD player, where it's ready and waiting to be enjoyed. But, given my desperate need for make-up sleep after working such late hours on my project all this week, I probably won't get to LotR until I've clocked a good night's rest first.

As for my CD player, in keeping with the spirit of the holidays, I have my favorite Jim Brickman CD: The Gift.

Posted by Susan Gordon @ 12/20/2002 09:43 AM PST

In my CD player at work: Fermat's Last Tango, a musical only a mathematician could love.

CD player at home: Brent Barrett's Alan J. Lerner Album, of course. I think this is getting to be one of my favorite BK-poduced albums. Bruce, you have outdone yourself!

Of course, Brent is also to be congratulated. I only know him from his two albums, but he is already one of my most favorite musical-theatre stars. He really should have the opportunity to create a rôle in a new musical--oops, he's already done that!--how about in a successful new musical?

My question for Bruce, even though it is not Ask BK day, and he probably answered this previously--how did you meet Brent? Where did you first see him perform? Were you completely blown away by his talent?

Posted by William F. Orr @ 12/20/2002 09:49 AM PST

First to continue a thread on the end of the Thursday posts... Rula Lenska had one other major credit besides the Alberto VO5 commercials. She was one of the three stars of the two British miniseries ROCK FOLLIES. One of the others was Julie Covington who also played Evita on the original concept album. I keep hoping to see ROCK FOLLIES released on DVD. They used to be shown regularly on PBS, expecially during begathon periods.

In the CD - Still "The Cinnamon Bear". Only 4 chapters to go. As of yesterday, Judy, Jimmy, The Crazy Quilt Dragon and Paddy O'Cinnamon had reached the North Pole where the met both Santa and Jack Frost.

In the DVD - "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol", the first animated musical made for television with a Jule Styne/Bob Merrill score.

In the VHS - My all time favorite Christmas movie: "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians". This campfest is a must for musical theatre fans for its cast alone. Pia Zadora appears (in green makeup) as a Martian Girl (years before she won her Best Newcomer Golden Globe), and her mother --- also in green makeup --- is played by Leila Martin who was in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA for most of its run. The cast also includes John Call (OLIVER), Bill McCutcheon (the Lincoln Center revisal of ANYTHING GOES), and Al Nesor ("Evil Eye Fleagle" in LI'L ABNER). The sets and costumes surpass those from Ed Wood's "Plan Nine From Outer Space". And the film's theme contains the following lyrics:

Oh By Gosh and Jumpin' Jiminy,
He will come right down your chiminey!

A film to watch for (or watch out for).

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 12/20/2002 09:54 AM PST

In the CD player -- still loaded with Christmas CDs, although this week we featured BK's own Broadway Christmas and Hollywood Christmas.

In the DVD player: I finally finished Can't Stop the Music (which is right up there with Valley of the Dolls as a camp classic) and am getting myself ready for Star Wars Attack of the Clones. (I have recently discovered NetFlix and am LOVING it!)

Posted by Philip Crosby @ 12/20/2002 09:56 AM PST

Slamming your staff down on the floor?? Sounds like you've have the trade unions on your back if you did that...

In the CD player - in common with others - still the Brent Barrett Alan Jay Lerner album - really wonderful. In fact, my tip for best album of 2002.

In the car, the Matt Bogart album, plus I'm having a bit of a nostalgia-fest at the moment replaying CDs of Petula Clark, Mary Hopkin (all together now "Those were the days ...") and early Barbara Cook.

In the DVD player, 'Days of Heaven' cinematically beautiful.

Posted by Allan @ 12/20/2002 10:00 AM PST

... tut, tut, bad grammar - that should have been 'you'd have the trade unions on your back'.

Posted by Allan @ 12/20/2002 10:02 AM PST

Re Rula Lenska - she was on a BBC Holidays programme recently visiting Poland, from whence she hails.

Just thought you'd like to know ...

OK, maybe not.

Posted by Allan @ 12/20/2002 10:05 AM PST

Susan,

What a coincidence! In keeping with the spirit of the holiday I also have Jim Brickman's The Gift in my CD player.

Posted by Kismet @ 12/20/2002 10:07 AM PST

Funnily, I was not blown away by Brent the first time I heard him (I don't remember when I SAW him perform for the first time), which was on Grand Hotel. But, I was told that album had been hastily recorded. I can't remember where we finally met, but he kept sending me tapes, which I enjoyed. Then, when he was here doing Chicago, we met. I think he wanted to do an album that could include some of his own songs (yes, Virginia, he writes, too) - but by then I think I'd suggested Kander and Ebb as a natural possibility and we just decided to do it. That album sold just fine, and one night when we were supping in NY, I suggested the Alan Jay Lerner concept (he'd done the Encores! On a Clear Day) and he loved the idea and we were off and running.

Posted by bk @ 12/20/2002 10:14 AM PST

Hi, folks. Sorry I was errant and truant yesterday. I went into work to get my paycheck and ended up working the show--and the I picked up the shift for tonight, too! Thank God!!

In my CD player: An Old Fashioned Mix CD that I made from songs I downloaded online. It includes music by Linda Ronstadt, Aaron Neville, Tom Jones, REO Speedwagon, New Kids on the Block (NKOTB), Tiffany (the mall queen), and several other people from the late 80's and early 90's. OK, OK...so it's old-fashioned for me.

Also in the CD player is a Christmas mix CD that I did that features Christmas tunes by Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Brenda Lee, The King's Singers, Chanticleer, and many, many more.

And now I'm off to do the mountain of laundry that I've accumulated. Ciao!

Posted by Jason @ 12/20/2002 10:34 AM PST

The Brent Barrett CD would be in my player BUT Amazon/USPS is taking its sweet time getting it to me. It has been In Transit since December 15!
Jim Brickman... 8-D
He plays a show now and then here in Indy. Very nice!

Posted by Jrand55 @ 12/20/2002 10:43 AM PST

Philip---
What is NexFlix? Also, are you by any chance Bing and Dixie Crosby's son Phillip?

Jason---
Do you mean The King Sisters? The recorded many Christmas songs both with and without the rest of their family.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 12/20/2002 10:57 AM PST

Well, I am also a big fan of Rock Follies. The imdb tells me Rula Lenska does a lot of television in England. A Google search indicates that she records books on tape.

Did anyone catch the pilot for the American version of Rock Follies?

Well, for those of you who don't know the original British series (created, I believe, by an American who couldn't get it done here), the three women who get together to form a rock band are totally different from each other. One is a bored housewife (Charlotte Cornwell, John Le Carre's sister), one a short-haired hippie living in a commune (Julie Covington), and then the glamorous actress, whose credits are actually in soft-core porn--Rula Lenska herself. And their hair styles tell you instantly that they have nothing in common. Which is where the whole dynamics of the series came from.

So of course, a pilot was made for an American version. Instead of starting in a touring company in the boonies, it began in Vegas. And the three women? Looked like Charlie's Angels, all identical with blow-dried dos. Someone just didn't have a clue about the original.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 12/20/2002 11:14 AM PST

Betty Furness? (see the Unseemly Archive)
Isn't that something you do when you play bridge?

Posted by Jrand55 @ 12/20/2002 11:15 AM PST

William E. Lurie --

Netflix is an online DVD rental system that I am crazy about. Very reasonably-priced, no late fees and you can keep DVDs as long as you want. Enough of a commercial, but I think it's great.

And no, while Bing and Dixie did have a son Philip, it is not me. Though back in the days I thought I might be an actor, I discovered I would have to change my name for Actors Equity because the other Philip was still registered.

Posted by Philip Crosby @ 12/20/2002 11:17 AM PST

As a fellow fan of Rock Follies, I'm all suddenly overcome with a wave of nostalgia. I haven't seen the show since it initially aired in England circa '76, but my memory of it is certainly good. The three women were terrific, (Rula Lenska is most famous for being the long-time wife of British TV star Dennis Waterman, they've since divorced), and it was quite innovative television at the time. it was recently released on DVD, region 2 PAL, for those of us lucky enough to have codefree players.

Posted by Nick R @ 12/20/2002 11:25 AM PST

Susan ( ) Gordon don't you have a story to insert here?

8-D

Posted by Jrand55 @ 12/20/2002 11:26 AM PST

Lynn

Posted by Story Inserted @ 12/20/2002 11:36 AM PST

In our house CD player is nothing at the moment. That's because I put it in the car CD player -- The Encore CD of Scarlet Pimpernel with Rex Smith mooooing like a cow. "And the mooooon wil smolder...."

Posted by Sandra @ 12/20/2002 12:06 PM PST

Going off the thread here, I know, but still I thought I'd share...

Last night I was lucky to see an advance screening of the new film version of NICHOLAS NICKLEBY, and I highly recommend it! The film is quite faithful to the Dickens novel and is beautifully shot.

Charlie Hunnam (from the British QUEER AS FOLK) does a nice job as Nicholas, and Jamie Bell (from BILLY ELLIOT) does an even better job as the crippled Smike. The real joy in the picture, though, comes from the supporting performances. Jim Broadbent is amazing as Wackford Squeers. Mr. Broadbent has been so different in every role I've seen him in, and last night it even took me a little while to realize that it was he who was playing the horrific schoolmaster. Juliet Stevenson plays the nasty Mrs. Squeers to the hilt. Christopher Plummer is evil incarnate as Ralph Nickleby, and Tom Courtenay turns in a terrific performance as his dipsomaniac secretary Nogs.

I suspect the dear readers of HHW will take particular pleasure from the interlude in the movie when Nicholas and Smike join an intinerant theatrical troupe. As Vincent Crummles, Nathan Lane is Nathan Lane, yet his comic timing is impeccable and he is hilarious. Mrs. Crummles is played by Barry Humphries (aka Dame Edna), and he (she?) has some of the best throwaway lines in the picture. Alan Cumming has a wee part as a member of the Crummles' company, and he steals every moment he is on the screen.

Since this is a family site, many dear readers will likely take great comfort from the fact that this picture is perfect for family viewing during this holiday season. (Full disclosure: there are scenes of corporal punishment that take place at the Squeers' schoolhouse.) This is particularly meaningful, since one of the key messages of NICHOLAS NICKLEBY is about the importance of family, regardless of whether that family conforms to "normal" social structures or not.

Posted by Jay @ 12/20/2002 12:11 PM PST

ROCK FOLLIES?? I think I have that on tape--wasn't Tim Curry in that? I have a vast Tim Curry
library.

In or near my DVD player, ready to go: KEYS TO TULSA (Eric Stoltz, James Spader, Cameron Diaz) and BAD INFLUENCE (James Spader, Rob Lowe)--just got them on sale yesterday for under $10 each. Yessiree: James Spader...
did anyone see SECRETARY? Quirky City...

Only 7 more days til CHICAGO opens--8 Golden Globe noms, yay.

Posted by KT @ 12/20/2002 12:14 PM PST

I don't think Tim Curry appears in Rock Follies, If he is in it, it is probably a small role. I don't have a complete cast list and I haven't seen it in over a decade, so I could be wrong.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 12/20/2002 12:27 PM PST

PS: I meant to say something about a film I saw last week, if you are interested in indies: THE MAN FROM ELYSIAN FIELDS. Excellent and disturbing, stars Andy Garcia, as a failed writer with a major block, James Coburn in an eerily-prophetic last performance, and Mick Jagger, who gave a wonderful performance as the owner of an LA escort service. Odd film, I'm still thinking about it.

Posted by KT @ 12/20/2002 12:29 PM PST

Dear William: I just looked at my stack of VHS tapes, and Tim Curry was in a (I believe made-for-BBC) British film called ROCK FOLLIES OF '77. I THINK he played the director. Same one?
Curious minds want to know...

Posted by KT @ 12/20/2002 12:34 PM PST

Yes, it is the same one with Rule Lenska..and it was a BBC series.

Posted by KT @ 12/20/2002 12:38 PM PST

Be careful when you make an open invitation like that, BK. We may just show up!

Posted by Laura @ 12/20/2002 12:39 PM PST

Jay---
How do they fit all eight hours in a two hour movie? Even though it seemed like only two hours, the play ran from 2:00 until 11:30 (with two short intermissions and one longer dinner break). It remains to this day over fifteen years later the best non-musical I have ever seen (even though there is some music). It never once dragged in the theatre, although when I saw the play on video it did tend to drag at times and what was so enthralling in person was a bit tedious on television. Does the movie encompass only part of the book/play or does it tell the whole story in a very condensed form?

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 12/20/2002 12:40 PM PST

KT---
There were two ROCK FOLLIES mini-series each containing six one hour episodes. I think the second one was in 1977. If what you have is six hours long, then that is the 2nd mini-series and Tim Curry apparently was in it. If what you have is a regular movie-length film, then either it is a different ROCK FOLLIES or else it's possible that they cut the six hours into one film.

To my knowledge only the two mini-series were ever shown in the UnitedStates.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 12/20/2002 12:47 PM PST

Well, actually, my sources (imdb, of course) tell me that Tim was in one episode, viz., playing "Stevie Streeter" in episode: "The Band Who Wouldn't Die" 4 May 1977.

On the other hand, Nell Carter (aka Little Nell with the squeaky voice) had a continuing rôle as "Sandra"--in RF 1977 that is.

Posted by William F. Orr @ 12/20/2002 12:50 PM PST

Near the players: DVD - "Sweet Dreams".CD -"Encore" - Sarah Brightman - "A Broadway Christmas" and "The Best of Joan Baez"
Thanks Jay for the review - it does sound wonderful. I too was so pleased to see those Globe nominations for "Chicago" - I hope it is is successful. (Did they really put a Janet J song in?).
Must check out "Rock Follies". It's good to be in a multi-zone country! I have loved Julie Covington's voice since I heard her on the "Evita" album and "War Of The Worlds".
Allan: I like Mary Hopkin BUT I am not sure that I ever want to hear "Those Were The Days Again"- Killed by too much air play. I have said "Goodbye" to it. I love Hopkin's version of "Que Sera Sera".

Posted by Tom from OZ @ 12/20/2002 12:57 PM PST

Just caught up on yesterday's very late postings. I transfered the Dorothy Provine "Roaring Twenties" albums to Cd two Christmases ago and gave copies to some of my friends (not all were friends of hers). They (the friends) were delighted. I don't think WB (Sony?) has released them on Cd yet but I have not checked since I first "burnt" them. I wonder if all Dorothy's friends have recordings by "Toto" as well. No doubt we all have "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". America's "Tin Man" song is also a favourite of mine.
Any news about the musicalisation of "Wicked" out there??

Posted by Tom from OZ @ 12/20/2002 01:08 PM PST

They didn't use the Janet Jackson song but there is a new Kander & Ebb song for Roxie and Velma sung over the closing credits where Ms. Jackson's number was supposed to go.

The musical of WICKED plays San Francisco this summer and opens in Autumn in New York (a Vernon Duke reference). Tentative casting: Kris Chenowith as Galinda, Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Norbert Leo Butz in one of the major male roles.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 12/20/2002 01:18 PM PST

Dear Reader William E. Lurie--

My experience with the eight hour staged production is much like yours: in the theatre, it flew by. On video, it dragged. I wish my memory was such that I could tell you exactly what has benn omitted in the transition from stage to this movie. I want to say that the film spends less time with the elements that provided color in the stage play. So there's less depiction of the horrors at the school, less time with the Crummles, and the Cheerables are present enough to drive the plot but without much development of who they are. Don't get me wrong. Although the film moves very swiftly, there's enough background in it to make it properly Dickensian and provide context to the story. Interestingly, at the Q & A following the screening last night, the director made mention of his concern heading into the project that the film would hold up in comparison to that stage production. The consensus of the audience, myself included, is that it did. Spend eight bucks and check it out next week.

Posted by Jay @ 12/20/2002 01:37 PM PST

William: I mean the King Singers. They're an all-male singing group, much like Chanticleer, but they tend to do eight- and nine-part harmony to more pop material than Chanticleer does. I have a fab recording of them doing an all-vocal "cover" of the Overture to IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA, though. It's amazing fun.

With all the talk of films today, I thought I'd plug a very wonderful, VERY moving film that I saw a couple of weeks ago that I'm sure all of you have seen already. If you haven't, you must go see it. It's "Far From Heaven" starring Dennis Quaid and Julianne Moore in what is probably the best role I've ever seen her do. The movie was just stunning--I even cried!!--and if you haven't seen it yet, well, shame on you! It's the kind of movie that makes you grateful you're living YOUR life and not the life of the characters on the screen. (And might I add that Dennis Quaid STILL has some of the best abs in Hollywood. What was Meg Ryan thinking?)

Posted by Jason @ 12/20/2002 01:39 PM PST

I am sitting here eating my favorite snack- chips with frosting. If anyone wants the recipe, just email me.

Speaking of misheard lyrics, Mom and I were in the car listening to the Encore Scarlet Pimpernel. Mom asked, "Where Marguerite's French accent?" and I asked, "What do you mean her friend Jackson?"

Posted by Sandra @ 12/20/2002 02:10 PM PST

Pam Spitzner,

Last year we celebrated your birthday here at HHW on December 18th, but this year we celebrated it on December 8th. How did you manage to change your date of birth?

Posted by The Birthday Baffle @ 12/20/2002 02:18 PM PST

Pardon me for being so loquacious today, but I have the day off, and it's too cold and rainy to go shopping.

William: Yes, I have 1-hour episodes of ROCK FOLLIES OF '77, but just the ones with TC in them, which someone cut for me.

Thanks for the recommendation for FAR FROM HEAVEN...I am going to see FRIDA tonight and FFH is playing in the same theatre--think I'll do a double. Both Dennis Quaid and Julianne Moore
received Golden Globe noms.

What?? A Janet Jackson song was slated for CHICAGO?!? Were they nuts??? Blech, ewwwwwwww. Did that leave Kander & Ebb less than thrilled?? Don't fix it if it ain't broke, for God's sake!!!

Posted by KT @ 12/20/2002 02:38 PM PST

Didn't Betty Furness do refrigerator commercials way back when? I think it was for Amana.

Posted by KT @ 12/20/2002 02:44 PM PST

Dear Reader KT--

If you're going to craft a double feature for yourself tonight, see FRIDA first, then FAR FROM HEAVEN. After you see FFH, you will want some quiet time for reflection.

Posted by Jay @ 12/20/2002 02:52 PM PST

Dear Reader KT - Betty indeed advertised the latest in refrigerators for - Westinghouse.

Posted by Jrand55 @ 12/20/2002 03:07 PM PST

Thank you William for the update. Thank goodness (and everyone else) for the no Jackson show. I am hoping that someone will give me "Confessions Of an Ugly Stepsister" for Christmas but suspect I will need to shop for it myself. I loved "Wicked".
I must check back with Francois about his friend Jackson.
"Chicago" open here at the end of January. By then I should have caught up with Towers and Potter I hope.

Posted by Tom Guest (from OZ) @ 12/20/2002 03:20 PM PST

I DON'T have a friend Jackson,
but I'm.......wicked !!!

Posted by François @ 12/20/2002 03:36 PM PST

Classic misheard lyrics from my past:
Upon hearing Dionne Warwick's version of "I'll Never Fall In Love Again", my wife was certain that the line "After you do, he'll never phone ya" was actually "After you do, the men of Livonia" Livonia is a suburb of Detroit, where we live.

My sister has never allowed me to live down my mistaken notion of the line from Janis Joplin's "Me and Bobby Mcgee"---
"Freedom's just another word for nothin'left to lose"
Instead of "Freedom", I thought she said "Breathin".
The reason she won't let me live it down is because when she was 13, and upon repeated hearings of the title song from "Mame", she asked me "Does minjulepa mean "ass"? ("You give my old mint julep a kick, Mame"), and I've never let her live that one down.

Posted by mark rothman @ 12/20/2002 03:53 PM PST

Only five days until
Christmas?!? Crap. Usually
don't have this much of my
shopping left for the last
minute. Oh well... at least I
know what I'm doing tomorrow
now.

DVD: empty because I've been
enjoying the wasteland that is
cable TV this week... haven't
had it for 6 months, but do now
VCR: Fargo because I
did need a break from the
wasteland!
CD: 110 in the Shade
and an Ella Fitzgerald
collection

Posted by Jed @ 12/20/2002 04:09 PM PST

In my CD player at work: The "Original Cast Recording of the Unforgettable (though completely imaginary) Stage Spectacular PHILADELPHIA CHICKENS: a too-illogical zoological musical revue" by Sandra Boynton (yes, that Sandra Boynton). It's a hoot! The songs are sung by the likes of The Bacon Brothers, Kevin Kline, Scott Bakula, Natasha Richarson, Laura Linney, Eric Stoltz, Meryl Streep and Patti LuPone!! It's a book and CD set with drawings by Sandra Boynton. She wrote all the lyrics and co-wrote the music with Michael Ford.

In my DVD player: ICE AGE, and waiting in the wings is STAR WARS: ATTACK OF THE CLONES. I got them each for $9.99 (previously viewed rental copies) and they're in immaculate condition.

Also, I just got notice that the DVD to TRIUMPH OF LOVE with Mira Sorvino has been shipped. That will be watched as soon as it arrives.

Posted by George @ 12/20/2002 05:28 PM PST

Spelling correction: Natasha Richardson (with a "d").

Posted by George @ 12/20/2002 05:30 PM PST

We saw a SAG screening of Chicago last week and LOVED it. The new song for over the credits was not there, but we heard from a friend that it will be ready for the Christmas release.

I thought Rob Marshall did a great job of translating the story to the screen and using the songs to comment on and advance the story. I can't wait to see it again.

Jrand55-I'll be heading to Indy on Monday for the second part of family time. Right now it's cold and snowing here in northeast Indiana.

Posted by jb @ 12/20/2002 05:34 PM PST

Hey, I have a question for Francois and his friend Jackson. How do you pronounce the name Jeanne Lange in French? Inquiring minds want to know.

Posted by Sandra @ 12/20/2002 05:59 PM PST

In the CD player - RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET-the musical (Has anyone seen a production of this? Enjoyable?)

In the DVD player- SPIDERMAN (First time seeing the film. I was relieved when Cliff Robertson died. I was getting tired of looking at his hair. I hope thats not too cruel.)

Happy Holidays to All!

-Dallas

Posted by Dallas @ 12/20/2002 06:23 PM PST

Boy, Sandra, hard to answer
your question in writing, easier
vocally, of course !

Let's see ! Jeanne sounds a
little bit like "gen(re)" -- first
syllable that is ! -- NO D sound
in French for letter J !
---geann'.....

... and Lange would be "open"
-- NOT nasal-- like the way
"dance" sounds in English,
compared to the way it's
pronounced in American
English...

Hope this helps !!
I'm not too good at that I'm
afraid.....

Posted by François @ 12/20/2002 06:43 PM PST

Forbidden Planet. Ugh!. Not particularly funny or particularly anything. OK for School Kids to do. (After all, that is why it was written). I thought it a waste of my time (and money).
I would rather listen to a compliation of the songs by the top 40 artists of the sixties. IMHO it is "junk".
But then I don't think "Joseph" should be done by adults either. Leave it to the kids for whom it was written.

Posted by Tom from OZ @ 12/20/2002 06:56 PM PST

Thanks, Francois. It's much prettier the way you say it than the way Americans say it.

Posted by Sandra @ 12/20/2002 07:34 PM PST

My, that was a pointless exercise, wasn't it?

Posted by Sandra @ 12/20/2002 07:35 PM PST

Friday night and I'm listening to Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas and Nancy LaMott-Just in Time for Christmas and Carpenters Christmas Portrait. I'm such a seasonal music boy. The only non-holiday music I've heard in the past few days was when I was getting my hair cut and the barber had CBS-FM, the oldies station and even then a few Rock and Roll Christmas tunes were slipped in :-)

Anthony is winding down his performances in Babes in Toyland (it closes this Sunday afternoon) and then it's complete relaxation for the both of us with a flurry of unwrapping on December 25th. I'd tell you what I got him, but he might sneak a peak at this here Web site and I wouldn't want him to have to fake surprise at his presents ;-)

Posted by Ben @ 12/20/2002 07:59 PM PST

Thanks for your thanks,
Sandra !

Prettier, I don't know; softer,
yes !

Now you can say Jessica's
name à la Française, King
Kong or no King Kong.........

Posted by François @ 12/20/2002 08:04 PM PST

On dec. 25th, Ben & Anthony
will play their own version of
Babes In Toyland !

Posted by François @ 12/20/2002 08:07 PM PST

BK -- did any, count them any, of your many packages arrive today?

Posted by Laura @ 12/20/2002 09:55 PM PST

My goodness gumdrops, look at all these here posts. It is so Christmasy around here. No, I did not receive one of my fershluganah packages, damn them, damn them all to hell.

Posted by bk @ 12/20/2002 10:48 PM PST

As timing would have it, I saw FAR FROM HEAVEN first...just terrific, Julianne Moore so strong, the ultimate in sadness and grace.

But FRIDA absolutely knocked my sox off--it was so exquisite, that it hurt. A must-see on the big screen--everything about it was the cat's ass: the performances, the story, Julie Taymor's vision, the art direction, the sound track, costumes, makeup. The whole audience seemed stunned, when it was over; noone moved. I could hardly breathe all the way home, and I will go see it again. I never realized how talented Salma Hayek is, as well as a wonderful cast: Alfred Molina, Geoffrey Rush, Ashley Judd, and I can't remember who played the father. The story was fascinating, and I'm going to Barnes & Noble tomorrow and see if I can find a biography of Kahlo.

Posted by KT @ 12/20/2002 11:06 PM PST

Salma Hayek is amazing when she is in her element - and when a producer and/or agent isn't just giving her a project that will expose her to a larger - American - audience. Some of her original work in Mexico Spanish in amazing.

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 12/21/2002 12:04 AM PST

BK, I can definitely relate to your plight -- I've been expecting something in the mail, but it hasn't arrived yet either. What is it with some people?

In my DVD player is a story about a boy and his dog -- Spielberg's Artificial Intelligence: AI. I find it engrossing and thought-provoking. I also find the movie engrossing and thought-provoking. Which begs the question -- is it wise to provoke thought?

In my CD player is a story of a boy and his paint spraygun -- The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway -- the Genesis tale.

The lamb seems right out of place,
Yet the Broadway street scene finds a focus in its face.
Somehow it's lying there,
Brings a stillness to the air.
Though man-made light, at night is very bright,
There's no whitewash victim,
As the neons dim, to the coat of white.
Rael Imperial Aerosol Kid,
Wipes his gun - he's forgotten what he did,
And the lamb lies down on Broadway.

Also to be found in my CD player is Animals by Pink Floyd. It is a similar tale to the Genesis tale just mentioned, but this tale is not so much about a lamb as it is a tale about sheep. Yet the lamb and the sheep tales are quite similar.

Harmlessly passing your time in the grassland away
Only dimly aware of a certain unease in the air
You better watch out
There may be dogs about
I've looked over Jordan and I have seen
Things are not what they seem.

Posted by The Lamb @ 12/21/2002 01:32 AM PST

still waiting for my BB Cd, Amazon! Grrrrrrrrrrr.....
Oh well.... JB expect the same weather when you get to Indy....rain and snow starting Sunday!

Bought THE BETSY, BILLY JACK, NATIONAL VELVET, and THREE WISHES DVD's at WalMart for $5 each!

TCM evening with R/H on January 1! They are showing OKLAHOMA!, SOUTH PACIFIC, and FLOWER DRUM SONG. Hope FLOWER DRUM SONG is in widescreen...my VHS is pan and scan. 8-(

Posted by Jrand55 @ 12/21/2002 04:37 AM PST

Not exactly a Mondegreen:

There is a German film called Die Kinder ("The Children"). My Joe saw it listed in TV Guide:

"Hey, Bill, did you know Bruce Willis made a third movie in the series? Die Hard, Die Harder, and now Die Kinder."

Posted by William F. Orr @ 12/21/2002 08:34 AM PST