Replies: 62 Unseemly Comments
May I share with everyone the power of cyberspace which touched me unexpectedly this morning? I was featured several years ago in Jazziz magazine and on their monthly CD. Well, this morning waiting in my email was a fan letter from someone who has been trying to find me ever since that issue and CD came out!! I know this sort of thing happens to BK on a virtually daily basis, but this was such a nice surprise this morning I'm still kind of smiling about it all. This person had been doing websearches for years and just found my webpage today.
And, JR--did you have your ignore button on me last night? :) I told you it was Billy Vaughn you were thinking of. He was the A&R director of Dot as well as one of their big recording stars.
Posted by JMK @ 02/03/2003 09:46 AM PST
Many, many of BK's choices for best films of the '70s are mine, as well. Damn him! Or should I say Hecky-Durn him? Anyhoo, I will list them regardless, in order to add my voice to those in support of them, and while I'm at it, I'll come up with some others.
Films already listed:
French Connection
The Conversation
Taxi Driver
The Godfather
Star Wars
American Graffiti
The Bad News Bears
Manhattan
Jaws
Close Encounters
Additional films:
The Last Picture Show
Paper Moon
The Goodbye Girl
Foul Play
Sleeper
A Clockwork Orange
Norma Rae
Young Frankenstein
And I can't help it...I LOVE The Poseidon Adventure and Towering Inferno! Anytime I'm flipping channels and either of these are showing, I am riveted. It's a sin and a shame, but there it is.
Posted by Lulu @ 02/03/2003 09:49 AM PST
JMK, I know someone who writes for Jazziz -- or at least used to. Yet another weird coincidence. *cue Twilight Zone music*
Posted by Lulu @ 02/03/2003 09:50 AM PST
The best film of the 70s are "The First Nudie Musical" and the two "That's Entertainment" films.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 02/03/2003 09:57 AM PST
Doh!
Nudie Musical -- the obvious answer, and it took WEL to come up with it. Darn it all, anyway.
Posted by Lulu @ 02/03/2003 10:09 AM PST
A very interesting list of films from BK today. When I scanned the list and saw "The Godfather", "The Godfather II", and "The Bad News Bears", I couldn't help but sing the old Sesame Street song....
"One of these things just doesn't belong..."
Seriously, it's a cute movie and all, but still...
Have to agree with "All the President's Men", though. Great movie. And although we have had to endure the endless sequels and countless knock-offs, the original "Star Wars" was a great movie at the time. It still holds up pretty well.
It would appear that BK almost resolutely opted not to include Best Picture Oscar winners from the list. How else to explain the absence of:
"The Sting"
"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"
"Rocky"
"Annie Hall"
"The Deer Hunter"
"Kramer vs Kramer"
Great movies all, and most featuring performances by some of our greates actors: Streep, Newman, DeNiro, Hoffman, Nicholson, etc.
Also, some other great films that were nominated for Best Picture Oscar, that haven't been mentioned yet:
"Network"
"The Exorcist"
"All That Jazz"
"Apocolypse Now"
"Breaking Away"
Posted by Dave @ 02/03/2003 10:17 AM PST
I would have to include The Godfather movies, Manhattan and the That's Entertainment epics as favorites from the 70s.
Also, Cabaret and Breaking Away.
As I mentioned this morning in earlier notes, I had a most wonderful birthday weekend. My partner, Anthony, planned a great surprise party and caught me completely off guard. Many friends were in on it and one of my best friends played the decoy to take me to the movies. We were planning some celebration for next weekend because certain friends were going to be "out of town" I thought nothing of it because they are busy professionals and traveling all the time. Little did I know that it was a ruse to throw me off track. My friend and I went to see The Hours (depressing but I thought quite wonderful) and then we were going to a favorite spot of ours (Anthony was supposed to be on Long Island doing a clown show). We walked in and there was everybody, including one of my sisters who flew in from Minnesota. She is surviving breast cancer and I haven't seen her since June of 2002 when she started her chemo and radiation. She has come through it and is doing fine. It was magical to see her there. The entire experience was most touching and fun and exciting. We partied and ate and looked at pictures of me from 50 years ago (almost, though there were some baby pictures from 1954 when I was one). People who couldn't come e-mailed or sent memories and messages which were read aloud. My movie friend wrote a song parody for me. In my early years of auditioning and in class I worked on Freedom, from Shenandoah, as one of my audition songs. Some people at the party knew it all too well so David wrote a parody called Fifty. It was hysterical. I got some wonderful gifts including an autographed copy of Louis Botto's newly revised book, At This Theatre. It (the party) was so wonderful that I cried. Then, yesterday, the actual Birth day, we went out to Brunch and I showed my sister the Village and Chelsea. I got all my Hainsie/Kimlet good wishes and felt very loved by all. My sister left for Minnesota this morning (at 5:30am) ending the best birthday celebration I ever could have had.
I do plan to continue the celebration for a while (after all, you don't turn 50 every day). I'm planning a special trip for Anthony and me in the spring. I'm trying to decide where to go. It's slowly being narrowed down to Montreal or Key West (totaly opposite from each other). We have never been to either place and I've heard wonderful things about both locations. Anybody been to either place? Any thoughts about it? Talk to me (a Dick van Dyke reference)
Posted by Ben @ 02/03/2003 10:22 AM PST
Well, I feel Bad News Bears is an exemplary film in every way.
The only films from your list I would include had I not forgotten them are All That Jazz and The Sting. I like the others but don't love them. I'd probably include The Exorcist if I could ever get all the way through it - I really like what I've seen but it seriously weirds me out.
Posted by bk @ 02/03/2003 10:24 AM PST
I have to add, too, that I respectfully disagree that the 1970's were the last great decade for movies/films. Though the distribution process may have changed, good and great films have continued to be made throughout the past 20 years.
This is the same faulty argument that gets made about musical theatre. We assume that because the Broadway landscape (read: economics) has changed, then great musicals are no longer being written. But when one looks at the bigger picture, one finds that nothing could be further from the truth.
It is the same old nostalgia playing tricks on us.
Posted by Dave @ 02/03/2003 10:32 AM PST
I keep forgetting that the topic is "favourite" films, not the "best" films. Either way, it's subjective, I guess. I enjoy BNB, too, but it seems odd to include it in the same company as the Godfather films.
And to be honest, I'm not a big fan of "Annie Hall", either.
Posted by Dave @ 02/03/2003 10:38 AM PST
As someone who also has Bad News Bears on her fave films list, I feel compelled to stand up for it. I think it's much more than "a cute film." Granted, tons of kiddie sports movies (not nearly as well done as BNB) have pumped this well dry. However, the original is still the best. It's funny, touching, has some brilliant touches (c'mon, scoring it with Carmen? Can you see that being done in a major studio film now? No way), and features fine performances. I also love the confrontation between Brandon Cruz and Vic Morrow. Oh, and the ending -- something else that would be done TOTALLY different today. Love that film.
I do agree with you though, Dave, that good films are still being made. They are less likely to be major studio releases -- they don't open wide, and you have to make a real effort to find them. You have to be willing to take a chance on the content, because they will receive little if any advance advertisements or reviews. But for the moviegoer willing to seek out and take chances on films (as opposed to going along with the herd), there are still good films to be seen.
Posted by Lulu @ 02/03/2003 10:41 AM PST
JMK, I would never IGNORE you...hmmmm... there were a few moments when I was away from the screen during the chat, taping OZ, checking the LP stacks (for the name which is probably when I missed it), etc.... and the chat moves QUICKLY! So thanks, indeed, Billy Vaughn. I can hardly wait until I get my new turntable so that all my vinyl friends can once again spin!
Movies from the 1970's....oh my. Yes it is getting more difficult for me as the decades go on, moviewise AND otherwise.
But I can only add some kudos to already-listed titles. 'Star Wars', 'Bad News Bears' (Walter Matthau & Tatum O'Neal mined new gold that has since been turned over and over), the eerily prescient 'Network', TFNM
8-D, 'Jaws', and 'The Goodbye Girl' with a charming performance by Richard Dreyfuss.
I may discover more later. Ah yes, 'The Thrill of It All' with spokesperson DeLuxe Miss Spot Checker. "They may be bathing with her, but they sure as hell aren't using Happy Soap!"
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/03/2003 10:43 AM PST
Oh oh....last week...or so when we were talking about Elmer Bernstein - I mentioned a couple of his scores I really enjoy.
In addition to 'To Kill a Mockingbird' 'Walk on the Wild Side' 'The Carpetbaggers' and The Ten Commandments (and Robot Monster & Cat Women of the Moon) - I think I forgot 'True Grit' and an English film with Stanley Baker called 'Where's Jack?'
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/03/2003 10:50 AM PST
Yes, favorite, not best, although sometimes they do go hand in hand.
I have never said they still don't make good films - and I am not a nostalgia nut - but I'm sorry to say that in MY opinion the 70s were the last GREAT decade for film. Each year of that decade was filled with a plethora of intersting movies and no year in the last ten can compare with any year from the 70s, at least in my opinion. There simply isn't the diversity or chance-taking or whatever. Again, I understand that there have been fine films, but the last two decades do not compare, in my opinion. That is not to say that the 80s didn't produce two of my all-time favorites, Once Upon a Time in America and My Life as a Dog, and I'm sure there are one or two goodies in the 90s, too.
Posted by bk @ 02/03/2003 10:54 AM PST
Lulu, I agree that good films are more likely to be "independents", but don't discount the major releases, either. "Lord of the Rings" (despite my opinion) may be this generations' "Star Wars". "American Beauty" is as good as anything released in the '70's. Even if we confine our comparison of the decades to a reading of the nominees for Best Picture, one can find as many good and great movies in the last decade as one can in the 1970's. When you begin to expand the list to include independent and foreign films, it is arguable that there are actually more great movies being made today than there were 25 or 30 years ago.
Though I agree that these films can be harder to find these days, that is more a symptom of the distribution process than the creative effort.
As to whether a film made today would end the movie the same way as the "Bad News Bears"...well, if they did, woulnd't you accuse them of just copying off the original? Seems like they're damned if they do, and damned if they don't. Besides, it seems to me there was a film a few years ago called "Mystery, Alaska" that is somewhat similar, with a familiar ending. Maybe I'm wrong.
Posted by Dave @ 02/03/2003 11:00 AM PST
Dave, didn't see Mystery, Alaska. My point about the ending of BNB was that today any "kid's film" (which BNB really isn't, but it would certainly be regarded as such) would absolutely include the traditional Happy Ending (tm). BNB's ending *is* a happy one, but in an untraditional way. Just like the choice of scoring the movie with Carmen would never fly today. I'm not scolding today's films for not using Carmen, I'm scolding them for failure to "think outside the box."
Anyhoo, I agree with you that American Beauty was a terrific film -- a nearly transcendant experience, viewing it for the first time. And yes, it was a major release -- but I didn't say there are NO major releases that are any good, I merely said that truly fine films are not as likely to be major studio films as they were in the past.
Posted by Lulu @ 02/03/2003 11:06 AM PST
Bash it if you like, but I love New York, New York. Saw it in the original (sans "Happy Endings" sequence) in a real live theatre. The lady next to me had no idea she was singing along with "A New Kind of Love" until I turned to her and said, "Why Miss Minnelli, I didn't know you were here!"
Things I love about it:
The opening scene in which Liza's entire dialogue consists of the word "No" said with various inflections.
The scene outside the motel, which critics found cheap and gaudy, since it was obviously done on a sound stage, not on location. Duh? That was the point. It was supposed to look like it was a sound stage.
The silent dance between the girl and the sailor under the lamp post.
Mary Kay Place (who lived next door to me in Tulsa when she was three) doing a bad version of "Blue Moon".
"And the World Goes Round" in the recording studio, while Liza's child is sleeping.
"There Goes the Ball Game", with Liza doing Peggy Lee. In joke.
"New York, New York" turning into a jazz sax piece for de Niro and a splashy belt song for Liza.
"New York, New York" done by Liza. Sinatra had the hit, but I found it sad how much of his voice he had lost at that point. He seemed to be straining. Not Liza.
The entire soundtrack album. Pure heaven.
Will Scorcese ever make another musical?
Posted by William F. Orr @ 02/03/2003 11:16 AM PST
And since I just mentioned that I grew up in Tulsa, let me add, for Sam Mendez's benefit, Tulsa was definitely not gay when I lived there. I know, I know, Sam Mendez doesn't care a fig what I think.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 02/03/2003 11:21 AM PST
Well well well - there was one thing that happened last night in the chat room which I personally consider big news that was not addressed in Mr. K's notes today. Those who were in the chat last night got a special sneak advance look at the cover of Bruce's book - Kritzerland!!
Posted by Craig @ 02/03/2003 11:31 AM PST
I agree with you, Lulu - to an extent. I think it is fair to say that contemporary movies aimed at a young audience certainly tend to be made in a fairly formulaic manner - though there are exceptions ("Toy Story" being the best example).
On the other hand, there are major studio releases that are daring. Watching "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was magical. "Memento" toyed with linear narrative lines to great effect. "Shakespeare in Love" mixed history, fiction, and the 'play within a play' device marvelously.
Posted by Dave @ 02/03/2003 11:35 AM PST
Right you are, Craig. It was a treat! And just makes us even more impatient for the book!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/03/2003 11:35 AM PST
WFO, you lived next-door to Mary Kay Place??? I ADORE her! Who else could sing "Vitamin L" the way she did? Too cool.
Posted by Lulu @ 02/03/2003 11:48 AM PST
I'm glad that we're listing our "favorite" movies, not those that we feel are the "best." Some of my choices are definitely not on anyone's "best" lists:
Some of my favorite movies of the 1970s:
The Bad News Bears
The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training
Being There
Cabaret
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
The Goodbye Girl
Grease
Harold and Maude
House Calls
Nasty Habits
Paper Moon
Scrooge
Star Wars
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
What's Up, Doc?
Posted by George @ 02/03/2003 02:33 PM PST
And how could I forget one of my guiltiest pleasures: "Thank God It's Friday."
Posted by George @ 02/03/2003 03:04 PM PST
And The Ruling Class. Can't forget The Ruling Class.
Also, if you missed seeing the cover of Kritzerland, just go to the Handy-Dandy Links to New Sections section (from the home page) - click on the Kritzerland icon - when you get to the page, click on the book for a full-sized image.
Posted by bk @ 02/03/2003 03:38 PM PST
PAINT YOUR WAGON
THE FIRST NUDIE MUSICAL
JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS
LOST IN THE STARS
A DELICATE BALANCE
BUTLEY
THE LAST PICTURE SHOW
THE FRENCH CONNECTION
FRENZY
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
ALL THAT JAZZ
CRUISING (I'm not kidding)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
and some of the others which have been mentioned before, but NOT CABARET
Posted by td @ 02/03/2003 03:51 PM PST
and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" !!!
Posted by George @ 02/03/2003 03:54 PM PST
To Ben or anyone else who wants info about Montreal. Email me with any questions you might have.
jennifer
Posted by Jennifer @ 02/03/2003 04:17 PM PST
Chinatown
Mean Streets
Cabaret
The Ruling Class (I LOVE this movie!)
Young Frankenstein
Dog Day Afternoon (That's certainly a daring plot!)
Blazing Saddles
I'm sure there's more.
The chat last night certainly was sparkling, though the identity of Jack in the Box is a great confusion to me. I hope that all will work out well.
Posted by Hapgood @ 02/03/2003 04:18 PM PST
Oh, yes, guilty pleasures "New York, New York" and "Rocky Horror."
Posted by Hapgood @ 02/03/2003 04:19 PM PST
70's? All Pacino's fims: Scarecrow, Cruising (which was actually 1980), Godfathers I & II, ...And Justice For All, Dog Day Afternoon, Bobby Deerfield, and The Panic In Needle Park.
Also:
The Conversation
The Sting
All That Jazz
The Rose
La Cage aux Folles (French)
Moonraker
Apocalypse Now
Annie Hall
Boys From Brazil
Deer Hunter
Kramer Vs. Kramer
Lenny
Save The Tiger
Garden Of The Finzi-Continis
A Touch Of Class
HESTER STREET !!
M*A*S*H
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
Saturday Night Fever
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Heaven Can Wait
Looking For Mr. Goodbar
Shampoo
Network
Midnight Express
Alien
Patton
First Nudie Musical !
The Goodbye Girl
Nashville
Posted by KT @ 02/03/2003 07:33 PM PST
Nuts! I forgot Cabaret and Grease!
Posted by KT @ 02/03/2003 07:34 PM PST
Last time, I promise....How could I forget Serpico; and yes, William Orr, I too loved New York, New York (I once did that "no" scene for an acting showcase), and also Liza's performance in The Sterile Cuckoo (1970).
Posted by KT @ 02/03/2003 07:38 PM PST
Bruce,
You know anything about this movie Zombie A Go Go?
Okay, so Zombie A Go-Go! is gonna be a zombie movie, but it's also gonna be a comedy movie, but it's also supposed to be a good movie. If you ask me, I don't think we can pull off all three, but two outta three ain't bad.
Zombie A Go-Go! is about three kids, Barry, Tracy, and Sean. The three of them discover that a vampire, Count Romero, has moved next door to them, and that him and his assistant, Gaffney, plan to take over the world using zombies to help them find out who the Chosen One is. Once they find out, they will use his powers to rule the world! It's up to the three to stop them. Oh yeah, the Count has a hot niece, too!
Story: Santo Galatioto and Sean Cable
Screenplay: Sean Cable
Cast:
Sean Cable
Possible Cast (These are just people who we wrote parts for):
Courtnee Draper ("The Jersey")
Adam West ("Batman")
Robert Vaughn ("The Man From U.N.C.L.E.", BASEketball)
Dana Daurey ("Unhappily Ever After", "Providence")
Irene Molloy ("Grosse Pointe")
Gerrit Graham (Used Cars, "Now And Again")
William Katt (Carrie, House, "The Greatest American Hero")
Bruce Kimmel (The First Nudie Musical, The Creature Wasn't Nice)
Robin Riker (Alligator, "Get A Life")
Julia Duffy (Battle Beyond The Stars, Wacko, "Newhart")
Special Guest Stars:
Socko The Talking Sock
Hillbilly Will, aka Pigman!
Joey Trivoli
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 02/03/2003 08:10 PM PST
The Tenant
Mama Rosa
Death In Venice
The Night Porter
The Last Picture Show
Julia
Death on The Nile
Lenny
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
The Devil's Playground
Travels With My Aunt
Love And Pain And The Whole Damn Thing
The Sting
The Passenger
Willy Wonka The Chocolate Factory
Young Frankenstein
It is interesting with the lists to see how my tastes have been changing.
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 02/03/2003 08:21 PM PST
Dear BK: I'm certain you've made the right decision about not taking Molly into your life full-time. She so clearly needs someone who is going to be there, and you're to be commended for realizing that you can't do that for her this year.
Der Brucer and I found, during our early years together, that we couldn't both work and "be there" enough for a single dog. The solution was to get a second dog, to keep each other company. Even so, we made a point of devoting a good amount of time to Pete and Kelsey when we got back from work, something some of our neighbors are careless about doing. And this was without our doing much travelling. Animals, particularly dogs, need their human companions so very much.
Your solution, to be there for Molly whenever you can, to help take care of her, sounds like the best solution for now. I have a friend in the DC area who has a similar relationship with a daschund named Buttons, who is so much happier to have Robert in her life as well as her regular life-mates. My best wishes to Molly, and may the days you spend together be memorable for you as well!
Posted by S. Woody White @ 02/03/2003 08:22 PM PST
Favorite films (not necessarily the best):
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
A New Leaf (a classic)
Play It Again Sam
Harold and Maude
Superman
Something for Everyone
Godfather
Cabaret
New York, New York was not a favorite, but it's awfully well done. The fight scenes between DeNiro and Liza are too well done (which is why the movie is not a favorite).
The Goodbye Girl
A Wedding (an Altman classic)
Blazing Saddles
Young Frankenstein
The Muppet Movie (the first and best)
Posted by Kerry @ 02/03/2003 08:40 PM PST
I must say, I must say at this time, that I am so far behind with movies, I couldn't tell you what year a movie was made in. Heck, I haven't even seen "Chicago" yet. I do enjoy lurking and seeing what the best movies are though, because I'm sure our Dear Readers are the best when it comes to recommending movies. Cheers!
Posted by Matthew @ 02/03/2003 08:46 PM PST
Re dogs:
When you are ready to adopt a dog into your household, there will always be a supply at your local shelter or pound. There is never a shortage.
Re movies:
I'm not a movie person, but I liked Superman, Star Wars, and Muppet movies.
Posted by Laura @ 02/03/2003 08:47 PM PST
I must bitch-slap myself! (Unless anyone cares to volunteer)
I left out my absolute favorite 1970's film, and since no one else has named it, I must:
NASHVILLE.
Posted by td @ 02/03/2003 08:53 PM PST
Phew! I'm finally home from work. BK--I'm sorry to hear that you won't be keeping Molly, but I think your reason for giving her up is very logical and most thoughtful.
Ben: I'm so sorry! I forgot to wish you happy birthday yesterday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I had a kinda weird, down day. I don't know what was wrong with me, but I had a panic attack at MTI. No one else knew it, but I was a-panicking while I filed. The kids at the Met knew right away that something wasn't right with me, and I talked it out and I feel a little bit better now. Anyway, enough of that.
Here's a fun thing that a friend emailed to me today. I think some of you will appreciate it:
Polite Applause, A Guide to Theater-Going Etiquette
By Paul Rudnick
1. You should arrive at the theater far too early. This will allow you ample opportunity to complain about finding parking, the punishing cost of the tickets, how uncomfortable the theater seats are, how there's no place to stash your coat and your shins, and how fiendishly tedious the last 12 plays and musicals you've seen have been, particularly those events that the critics proclaimed, "searingly brilliant." But at least you're not late.
2. While waiting for the show to begin, its fun to read the various bios in
Playbill, but please do not keep repeating in a vigorous, braying tone,
"Never heard of 'em!"
3. Unwrap all hard candies well before curtain, so that the distracting
rustle of this activity will not occur during the performance. For some
reason, the crackle of cellophane will rivet an audience more than Sir Ian McKellen in Richard III, or Kathleen Turner in the raw. The only thing more disruptive than unsheathing a lozenge is coughing, because one cough in the orchestra section inspires another in the mezzanine, and so on, until the theater becomes a ward. A hint: if you feel a tickle coming on and fear that it might soon blossom into a catastrophic hack, just imagine what Elaine Stritch would do to you if she found you.
4. There are only three reasons for ever carrying a cell phone into the
theater. One: You're awaiting an organ donation. And make that a major organ, not merely a lung or a leg. Two: Your wife is about to give birth to your first child (subsequent children are old news). Three: You're a world leader who could be called upon in a nuclear emergency (and even then, your phone must be set on vibrate). As for everyone else, you are just not important enough for anyone to call you at the theater, even during the 11th year of The Phantom of the Opera. It is permissible, however, for performers onstage in Phantom to receive calls.
5. If your companion is hard of hearing, do not explain the onstage action by shouting a running commentary, such as, "Now King Lear is hugging her! Go figure!" When your favorite star makes an entrance, restrain the urge to howl, "Frank Langella--- I love you!" Mr. Langella has undoubtedly heard this phrase countless times before, especially alone at his dressing room mirror.
6. If you are female, do not rush from your seat 15 minutes before
intermission. Your predicament, however, is understandable; someday a savvy producer will reap a fortune by cutting the show entirely and advertising, "Thirty spotless, spacious ladies rooms on ground level in Midtown! $500 a
seat!"
7. If the person in the seat next to you begins to snore audibly, nudge him awake. Then whisper, "You missed the nudity."
8. When a latecomer finally appears and, as is always the case, forces an entire row of decent, punctual people to stand up so that she can stumble to her seat, murmur to that criminal: "Everyone hates you. Not just the people in this theater. Everyone."
9. Never arrive at the theater dead drunk, unless you're an English actor
starring in the play.
10. You are entitled to the use of only one armrest. The other one belongs to the large, smelly, chatty stranger sitting next to you, the individual with the soggy umbrella, the bursting shopping bags, the dripping burrito, and the swine flu.
11. If you are offended by the show's crude language or overt sexual content, protest by seeing it several more times.
12. Do not leap out of your seat and race up the aisle skipping the curtain call in a calculated attempt to get first dibs on your car or taxi. What if, at the Pearly Gates, you discover that God is an actor?
13. If you bring small children with you to a show, after duct-taping and
shackling the adorable toddlers, remind them that, "If you fidget, Simba will die."
14. A standing ovation is not automatically mandated by a show's massive budget, or by the entire cast lining up and grinning maniacally while they raise their arms. Rise and cheer only if you are truly moved to do so, or if you love ABBA that much.
15. Is it appropriate to attend a show during previews, and then to go online via your Palm Pilot to dish the first act at intermission? Yes...but only if the show's creators are allowed equal time to discuss your hairpiece.
Posted by Jason @ 02/03/2003 09:21 PM PST
Wow. That was long.
I failed to mention my favorite films of the 70's. Most of them have already been mentioned, but I have to add "Freaky Friday."
Oh! And a question for BK, even though it's not Ask BK day: I hope to be auditioning for Mary Sunshine in CHICAGO (it seems that every summerstock company in the country is doing that show and it's the only role I could do, since I'm not a Fosse dancer) and I have no clue what song to do. If you were casting the show, what would you like to hear from your potential Mary Sunshines?
Posted by Jason @ 02/03/2003 09:24 PM PST
Thanks Kerry I forget "A Wedding".
Should also include "Turning Point"
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 02/03/2003 09:31 PM PST
Thanks Kerry I forget "A Wedding".
Should also include "Turning Point"
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 02/03/2003 09:32 PM PST
Good day/evening/early morning!
My favorite films of the 70s are the ones I remember my whole family going to. We would either see them at the local drive in, or at the movie theatre on the army base (my dad was in the Coast Guard). So, here goes my rather eclectic list:
Star Wars
Grease
Jaws
High Anxiety
Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
What's Up, Doc?
The Goodbye Girl
The Rose
All That Jazz
The Bad News Bears
Plus a bunch of others I can't recall right now... *It's kind of amazing the number of very-adult - Rated R - movies my parents took me and my three brothers to.
However, I do have to add the following from my lists of 50's movies:
The Geisha Boy - I remember watching this on TV in the 70's. Made me laugh, made me cry even though I was just around 10 years old.
And then the following from the 60's:
The Nutty Professor
Herbie, the Love Bug
It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 02/03/2003 09:49 PM PST
I forgot "What's Up, Doc" and "A Turning Point"
And one of my favorites of nay decade: "A Little Romance"
Jason, we love you. Just remember that when you're starting to panic. This thought will either make you feel better or make you feel like throwing up. Either way, it should get youpast that moment of panic.
Posted by Kerry @ 02/03/2003 10:02 PM PST
any decade. not nay decade
Posted by Kerry @ 02/03/2003 10:02 PM PST
Kerry: Haha...I know that I am loved. I used to have panic attacks all the time, and actually had to go on Paxil for a bit to control them. It's been a while since I had one, but the thought of you Hainesie/Kimlets out there will get me through the next time I have one! Or I'll throw up. Either way, I'll forget about my panic attack!
Posted by Jason @ 02/03/2003 10:41 PM PST
Hey, we all forgot The Last of Sheila. May as well let Mr. Sondheim have his moment. And Murder on the Orient Express, too.
I will have a lot to say tomorrow on the topic of the film I just finished watching - Mr. Roman Polanski's The Pianist. All I can say is, Mr. Polanski is the real deal - a real filmmaker's filmmaker and if there is any justice in the filmmaking world he will be nominated and win the Oscar - or he would if he had Miramax distributing his film - they'd simply purchase it like they do all their nominations.
Posted by bk @ 02/03/2003 10:58 PM PST
Dear td: NASHVILLE is on my list, too...
Oooh, THE NIGHT PORTER, I forgot about that one; Dirk Bogarde, wasn't it??
Posted by KT @ 02/03/2003 11:26 PM PST
DAVE: Re-send your snail mail address to me. Hateful AOL cleared all my received mail from my mailbox and it is GONE! Or if you have a fax no., I could fax it to you...that might be easier.
Posted by Jason @ 02/03/2003 11:40 PM PST
Indeed it was the wonderful Dirk and Ms Rampling. "Death In Venice" is even better.
Posted by Tom from OZ @ 02/03/2003 11:41 PM PST
WHERE'S POPPA...1970....funny, funny, funny--who can forget the cornflakes and Coke! I think it just came out on DVD, too.
Posted by KT @ 02/03/2003 11:54 PM PST
Oh...
'Nashville' (as well) with a set of really kewl songs including "Tapedeck in His Tractor" and "Rolling Stone."
And What's Up Doc? (Use your charm. Couldn't I just kill her?)
Posted by Jrand52 @ 02/04/2003 04:23 AM PST
Did anyone mention "Harold and Maude"? I don't have time to do a search but it's one I forgot to mention. I watched it again a few months ago and it holds up very well.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 02/04/2003 05:54 AM PST
The are NO NEW FEDERATION STEPS allowed in the Pan Pacific competition.
Posted by Australian Dance Federation @ 02/04/2003 06:04 AM PST
How about "Days of Heaven"?
Posted by Once bitten, twice shy @ 02/04/2003 06:40 AM PST
Well, according to Playbill On-Line the news is in about Mr. Vilanch and Hairspray!
Here's the link
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/77680.html
Posted by Ben @ 02/04/2003 08:26 AM PST
Maybe more rightly - the news is OUT!
Posted by Tyrone @ 02/04/2003 08:32 AM PST
Jeux sans frontieres
Posted by . @ 02/07/2003 03:54 AM PST
Games without frontiers
Posted by Peter Gabriel @ 03/24/2003 10:47 PM PST
Jeux sans frontieres
Posted by . @ 04/05/2003 04:37 AM PST
