haines his way

03/02/2003:
"THE SUN FELL ON MY FACE"

Well, dear readers, I tried, oh, yes I tried. I wanted to sleep in on this fine Sunday morning but do you know what happened? Well, I’ll tell you what happened because why should I keep such things from you? What happened was that the sun managed to creep through the blinds in my bedroom and naturally said sun creeping through the blinds in my bedroom fell right across my face and woke me up. I’ve got the blinds closed as tightly as they will close and yet the sun still managed to creep through and fall on my face which, I suppose, is better than an uncouth interloper creeping through the blinds and falling on my face. There is an upside to everything. To every thing there is a season, turn, turn, turn – oh, a Byrds reference.
I am, as you can see, up and about now and the sun can creep all it likes but it will not be falling on my face because my face is no longer in harm’s way, a film by Otto Preminger. Speaking of a film by, last night I watched a film by Roman Polanski, entitled Cul de Sac. It is very much from his early period, it is totally surreal and weird and it is not one of my favorite Polanski films. I believe it was made just after Repulsion (which I think is great) and just prior to Rosemary’s Baby (which I think is a masterpiece). It does have its pleasures though, chief amongst them the gorgeous Francoise Dorleac.
Tonight, of course, is our Unseemly Live Chat and what a sparkling and lively affair it shall be. We shall discuss whatever we wish to and we will be amusing and pithy and witty and we shall drink champagne and serve hors d’ouerves and be dressed in evening attire. We shall have all bathed and anointed ourselves with balms and gileads, we shall smell of perfume and cologne and the air will be pungent with smell of us and the sound of our music. My goodness, that was rather florid, wasn’t it? I wonder if people in Florida are more florid than anywhere else. I wonder while I wander and I wander while I wonder and I ponder while I pander and I pander while I ponder. Sometimes I ponder while I wonder and I wander while I pander, but then there are those times while I pander while I wonder and I wander while I ponder. What the hell am I talking about? Who am I, Panama and Frank all of a sudden? In any case, our chat begins at six o’clock sharp Pacific Mean Time.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below before I wander and wonder and ponder and pander, not necessarily in that order.

Have I mentioned that the sun creeped in through the blinds and fell on my face? Congratulations are in order to our very own Rob Marshall, who took home the Director’s Guild of America prize. One can now pretty safely predict that Mr. Marshall and the Miramax machine will sweep the Academy Awards, although there have been exceptions where the DGA winner is not the Oscar winner. There are some factions who predict that Mr. Scorsese will win the Oscar – he was up for the DGA award, but they also gave him a lifetime achievement award so I think they did not wish to give him two awards in one night. I do not think Mr. Scorsese will win the Oscar, however.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must putter around the house whilst I mutter. I do like to mutter while I putter, especially when I wonder while I wander and ponder while I pander. Some have accused me of eating butter while I putter and mutter but that is utter nonsense. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s free-for-all day, the day in which all topics are up for grabs. For example, we can talk about puttering and muttering, or wandering and wondering or pandering and pondering. We can discuss why the sky is blue yet the grass is green. We can discuss so many things, but you have to post and start the topics, dear readers. I’ll be back to take part in whatever discussions are taking place. Post away, my pretties.

Replies: 44 Unseemly Comments

Your opening remark soooo reminded me of THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT:
"The sun spit morning on Julian's face."
Then later:
"You'll never be a writer. And ya wanna know why? Because God damn it; the sun DOES NOT SPIT!"
Now, would you rather have the sun spitting or falling onto your face?
Posted by td @ 03/02/2003 09:02 AM PST

While you are awake you might as well start stoobulating.
Posted by Doris Wilgis @ 03/02/2003 10:20 AM PST

"Putter around the house" is a Sondheim reference.
Posted by George @ 03/02/2003 10:22 AM PST

So, does anybody have any hard-boiled eggs?
Posted by Mr. Weydehaus @ 03/02/2003 11:18 AM PST

I liked CYCLE SLUTS!
Posted by Marilyn Chambers @ 03/02/2003 11:18 AM PST

Well, I have been away for some time, because I have been living the Glamorous Life, Hi Ho, the Glamorous Life. I have been to parties, and then awakened early to do various theatrical activities. This morning I performed the diary of Anne Frank for children at a Sunday school, which was strange in the extreme. The space was very samll, so we all kept tripping over each other, and the furniture.
I don't believe that I'll be able to make it to the chat tonight. You will all be in my thoughts and wishes, though. Perhaps I shall be telepathically involved. Wouldn't that be loverly?
Posted by Hapgood @ 03/02/2003 11:47 AM PST

Wow! We had a combo snow, slush-hailstone torrent yesterday, in LV, quite the deluge for about 1/2 hour...go figure.
Posted by KT @ 03/02/2003 11:52 AM PST

Hey where are the Trading Spaces watchers????? Anyone care to comment on last night's living rooms? Laurie did a yellowish room with orange big border on the top. It was okay. But i didn't like the border. Too bright for me. And Gen did red walls with black, white and red curtains. It was nice. But I'm not a big fan of red walls.
It's my sis' birthday next week and i got her a Trading Spaces girls' T. I think she'll like it. Woohoo. I got myself one too. But I don't want anyone to see mine till I give her hers.
Jennifer
Posted by Jennifer @ 03/02/2003 12:52 PM PST

Dear Reader François sent me a link to A Mousketeers site yesterday following up on a "Spin and Marty" reference. Were any of you really mousketeers? Those ears always looked so silly - even worse than Davy Crockett caps from the early fifties. Is it true I wonder that "you can't do the Bop in the sack?" (Yes the "Sack" was a dress style - not a bed!). I am having a "Lost In The Fifties" morning.Learning to play the banjo was also popular here in OZ in the 50's. "Upmarket" people played Mandolins instead (Not necessarily in the moonlight with Perry Como). Whilst I am waffling: My partner often refers to one our least liked movies "Steel Magnolias" as "Strolling Mandolins". A national weekend magazine here (yesterday's edition) has a lovely comment about such films - "Terms Of Endearment" may be bearable, but "Steel Magnolias" is just plain torture. -
At least I am posting. I guess it is a Lazy Sunday out there. It is a wonderful grey (or is that gray?) day here with the possibility of more RAIN.
I had to type François just to get in some more ç practice!
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 03/02/2003 01:03 PM PST

Now, I know my eyes are deceiving me. I know I can't possibly only be seeing nine count them nine posts. That is nigh unto impossible. So, my eyes must be deceiving me (damn them, damn them all to hell). I know the next time I check back there will be many more than nine count them nine posts.
Posted by bk @ 03/02/2003 01:50 PM PST

Last night I saw the film "Chicago." I have never been terribly fond of musicals on the screen. IMHO musicals are best served on stage. It's the idea of sitting in a crowded theatre, live orchestra, dancers, singers that makes it fun and exciting. However, I have digressed.
I thought "Chicago" was an excellent film. I was very surprised that I enjoyed it so much. Renee Zelwegger is an actress I never really enjoyed. But in "Chicago" she aquitted herself quite nicely. Catherine Zeta-Jones was excellent. It seems to me that Velma has a larger part in the show on stage. It would have been nice to see more of Catherine Zeta Jones.
Why did they cut "Class" from the show? That is a great number.
Overall, it was a great movie and I hope it does pick up some Oscars.
Posted by Dennis Clancy @ 03/02/2003 02:15 PM PST

Hello! I'm baaaaaaaaack!
I have been spending the last two weeks revising the website because I made a big booboo. (I'm new at this) But I missed you all and will try to catch up all all the blogs so I can see what I missed.
Bought the Metropolis DVD and going to watch as soon as I am done here. Looking forward to Sweet Charity and Thoroughly Modern Millie coming out on DVD. I always wanted to see the "Happy Ending" of Sweet Charity. Also worth mentioning that one of the uncredited flower children at the end of the film is Kristofer Tabori (whose mother was the late Viveca Linfords and whose father was the film director Don Siegel who guided so many Clint Eastwood films) Also in the film and visable in the dance numbers are Ben Vereen and Lee Roy Reams and Kathryn Doby and Lousie Quick who were also Kit Kat girls in the film of Cabaret.
And Gwen Verdon Charity of the stage also helped with choreography.
Interesting comment a friend and I saw the coming attraction for Sweet Charity (somewhere) recently and thought the roof top dance portion of There's Got To Be Something Better Than This was America from West Side Story.
I also think that not enough has been said of Dorothy Fields' lyrics. I think she knew how to adapt with the times. If she wrote any of her lyrics in the 30's or 40's they would have been considered dirty. Charity's lyrics are among the best there are.
Also does anyone know why Neil Simon did not adapt his book for the screen and Peter Stone did?
Posted by Michael @ 03/02/2003 02:56 PM PST

Also coming out are on CD
Anyone Can Whistle with some extras including a "find" a demo of The Lame, the Halt and the Blind and the original version of With So Little To Be Sure Of.
Nine will be on 2 CDS, It will follow the cassette version of 82 minutes plus 5 additional minutes. There will also be demos by Maury Yeston.
A Chorus Line on Super Audio CD multi channel stereo. What the hell does that mean?
L'il Abber Andre Previn/Shelly Mann/Leroy Vinnegar jazz renditions of songs from Li'l Abner. First CD issue of this 1957 best-seller album.
Posted by Michael @ 03/02/2003 03:15 PM PST

hello!
The new radio show has now been posted...I am back from a week in NYC and will now take a much needed nap.
Posted by Donald Feltham @ 03/02/2003 03:15 PM PST

While I was NOT a mouseketeer, I was sure that Disneyland was paradise on earth. Of course when we went there in 1959 it was so hot the black tar from the parking lot stuck to our tennis shoes.
Spin and Marty... 8-D
Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/02/2003 03:32 PM PST

While I was not a mousekateer, I was very CLOSE to being a mousekateer. Relatively. I had two auditions for the New Mickey Mouse club many years ago.
Posted by Mr. Mark Bakalor @ 03/02/2003 03:39 PM PST

Will someone please post the link to the Mousekateers. I assume it is the original 1955 group. Did you know that Mousekateer Cubby is the drummer for the Broadway production of THE PRODUCERS? That Mousekateer Karen was in an accident and is now confined to a wheelchair? That Mousekateer Darlene (the most talented one IMHO) was arrested for shoplifting?
The Mousekateers from the mid 70s revival were a not particularly noteworthy group.
As for the most recent group in the mid 90s, they refused to wear Mouse Ears, made them call it MMC instead of Mickey Mouse Club and have had some very un-Disney careers after the series ended, but of course by then it was already the Eisner company trying to capitalize on Walt's name.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 03/02/2003 04:18 PM PST

Bill, while Mouseketeer Darlene was arrested for shoplifting, I think she is in danger of serving serious jail time for another crime. She and her husband were convicted of wirefraud in a stock and bond swindle involving thousands of dollars.
Yes, she was very talented. I have one of the Mickey Mouse Club videos and she sings and dances to a song called 'When I Grow Up Someday' and it's very good. But my favorite was Annette.
Cubby was the drummer when FIDDLER ON THE ROOF came through Indy a few years ago. I watched for him as the orchestra came out. Still very recognizable and a great percussionist.
http://www.fiftiesweb.com/annette.htm
Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/02/2003 05:03 PM PST

Michael, Neil Simon did not adapt his script for the film, according to ALL HIS JAZZ, because in his eyes, the show being performed on Broadway was written by Bob Fosse.
The original "Happy Ending" has been in circulation for quite some time, and was included on the hideously produced laserdisc, as well as on one of the vhs incarnations.
Anyone who hasn't read the Gottfried biography of Fosse that I mentioned above, should check it out. It really pulls no punches and holds nothing back. The chapters on CHICAGO are of special fascination, since the criticisisms of the original Broadway production almost mirror the current film's naysayers.
Posted by td @ 03/02/2003 05:04 PM PST

Since no one has mentioned it, do you know who two of the 90s mouseketeers were? Christina Aquilera and Brittny Spears, that's who. And I'll be they didn't wear thong underwear then either.
Posted by bk @ 03/02/2003 05:19 PM PST

Well well well (that is three wells) I just listened to Donald Feltham's fabulous radio show and you must must must (that's three musts) give it a listen...
I just got back from seeing some relatives. I sat out at the pool today and inadvertantly got a little overcooked. Ah well.. what can you do.
See you all in chat!
Posted by Craig @ 03/02/2003 05:21 PM PST

I was trying to forget those two.
I think Justin Timberlake was a MMC'r as well.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/02/2003 05:21 PM PST

Justin Timberlake was also a mouseketeer...
And let's all pray he didn't wear a thong either!
Posted by Craig @ 03/02/2003 05:38 PM PST

Chat begins in twelve count them twelve minutes. What fun we shall all have - it will be wild and wooly and also wooly and wild and we shall do the Boogaloo and the Horse all the livelong night and anyone who doesn't show up will be bitch-slapped from here to eternity.
Posted by bk @ 03/02/2003 05:40 PM PST

I just got home from work. I'll be back (somewhere) later.
Posted by Kerry @ 03/02/2003 05:42 PM PST

Chat is now open. Come a runnin'.
Posted by bk @ 03/02/2003 05:51 PM PST

My all-time favorite Mousketeer appeared on the 1970s incarnation of the show (the one Mark auditioned for, I think). In addition to the mouse ears, that cast wore jumpsuit-uniforms which featured bell-bottom pant-legs, which look even sillier than the ears in retrospect. I seem to remember that the show's opening featured the Mouseketeers flying around the world on a flying sailing-ship, similar to the Peter Pan ride at the theme parks.
Her name was Lisa Whelchel, and I believe she's the only member of that cast who achieved fame beyond the Mouseketeers, playing that snooty cutie "Blair Warner" on "The Facts of Life."
She has since left acting for family and religion, homeschooling her three kids, helping her husband, a pastor at The Church on the Way in Van Nuys, and recording gospel music.
Posted by Sigerson Holmes @ 03/02/2003 05:54 PM PST

We are having a very sparkling chat, but, as always, I am completely lost. All I really have to say is that I had two doughnuts and a Cherry Coke today.
Posted by Sandra @ 03/02/2003 06:27 PM PST

The chat room is jumping...go go go!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/02/2003 06:49 PM PST

Mr. Mark Bakalor -- you might have been the next Christina Aguilera or Brittney Spears! Both of them were New Mouseketeers!
Dear Tom From Oz: "Steel Magnolias" is one of my great movie-watching joys! The collector's edition even has Georges Delerue's magnificent score isolated! Olympia Dukakis and Shirley MacLaine are wonderful, as is Dolly Parton. I cannot believe you are unable to embrace it.
eBay scare: A reputable dealer was offering a very desirable item which I lost by a couple of dollars over a rather high bid. Said dealer wrote me and told me he had one more -- one he was going to keep, but could replace if I would like to buy it at my highest bid price. I agreed. He asked me to pay by the end of today so he could package it with the auctioned item and ship both at the same time. I paid via PayPal and notified him of same. A few hours later, I get this e-mail from him telling me I needed to "Buy It Now" at eBay...that he didn't know how to cancel the auction. The item is NOT listed and he HAS accepted my payment, but has not written back. This all reeks to high hinkiness, but as I said, he is reputable with excellent feedback. So my fingers are crossed.
Biggested DVD disappointment in a long time: "Sweet Home Alabama"! What a letdown after all that hype and boxoffice the film did.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 03/02/2003 06:57 PM PST

Such a chat there has never been!
Posted by Kerry @ 03/02/2003 08:18 PM PST

I went to see the Mousie people when they toured "down under" in the late 50's. Darlene won the hearts and almost made up for the no show of Annette. I know we had Cubby and Karen here and of course Roy and Jimmy. Doreen may also have been on the show. For years after I told my friends I really went to see the support act - "The Diamonds"
Ron: Remember I'm the guy who loathes "Beaches" as well.
I don't really mind sentimentality etc. I am a sap for "Goodbye Mr Chipps". "Death In Venice" is one of the few movies that gets the tears to flow and I had no trouble coping with "Julia",The Trip To Bountiful","Turning Point" and "Madam Susazka" etc. I thoroughly enjoyed "The First Wives' Club" too. Thus I am not really anti "chick flick" movies. To add to my sins I didn't like Helen Hunt's oscar winning performance. Her TV character again IMHO. Strangely, I enjoyed her performance in "What Women Want".
It is write anything day after all!
I am not a "Moulin Rouge" fan,and thought that Kidman's performance in MR and in "The Others" was not special in any way. What do I know? I know I don't know how to post links!
www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Acadaemy/9259/spin.html
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 03/02/2003 09:01 PM PST

It worked! Spin & Marty are out there somewhere.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 03/02/2003 09:02 PM PST

Dear Tom From Oz: I forgive you. But I think Hunt is more like her TV character in "What Men Want" than in "As Good As It Gets" -- overrated film that, though. Greg Kinnear should have Oscared, but Jack and Helen? (Imagine a Dame Edna grimace)!
There's been a virtual decade of "what the HELL were they thinking?" Oscars handed out, willy-nilly, for performances that are really and truly unremarkable in many ways. Exceptions exist, of course...some NOTABLE ones....but the performances that got away are legion -- Ian McKellan in "Gods and Monsters" -- no performer has come close to touching that masterful performance in ages.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 03/02/2003 10:35 PM PST

Good evening.
Mouseketeers: When I did The Human Comdedy last year, the actor playing Mr. Grogan was none other than Lonnie Burr. He has his own web-site too with some updated info and links to the other mouseketeers in his "class" - http://www.mouseketeerlonnieburr.com.
*And if I recall correctly, his son, John, is one of the bass players that plays for Barbara Cook's "Mostly Sondheim" concerts. -And he's a great bass player on his own, a couple of great trio albums.
It was a bad-good-bad weather day here in Richmond. Started off very overcast and gray, then got sunny and warm (well, 60 degrees), then got gray and cold again.
The closing matinee of Mamma Mia! was fun, and we had another great audience. It was great be able to spend a whole week with them this time round. And, hopefully, I'll be able to spend some more time with them in the future.
After some individual coachings for Hair, I then proceeded to treat myself to a short trip to Target, followed by a trip to Baskin-Robbins, Krispy Kreme and The Eatery for some Chinese Food. Quite the culinary experience tonight! ;-)
Then I scrambled home and proceeded to re-arrange and re-wire all the TV and audio stuff just in time for my evening of TV.
Six Feet Under was amazing. Some new characters were introduced - can't wait to see what Catherine O'Hara will be up to later on - and Kathy Bates comes on next week. And it was a great way to introduce the third season, as well as catch up on last season. And the episode had a very nice, happy ending - after a very well-down opening section. -And, just how many more times can I start a sentence with "and"?
Unfortunately, due to my own mix up, I only caught the last half of Bullshit, but what I saw was fun. -And I did see BK's name flashed very quickly during the closing credits.
Right after that, I checked in with the Chat, and it was still going on - albeit with only three people - but it was still fun and lively - and very informative. -Can you hear them bells?!?!
Well, I'm off to bed - and, thankfully, since I'm in an interior room, I don't have that pesky sun-peeking problem in the morning. Hopefully, I'll be able to sleep in until at least 10:30.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 03/02/2003 11:26 PM PST

One more final note, unfortunately, a sad one. Frankie Hewitt, the head of Ford's Theatre - and the Founder of the Ford's Theatre Society - died from cancer this past Friday. Her presence in the Washington and national theatrical community will surely be missed. She personally selected each production that was brought in to the theatre - and, thus, was responsible for some wonderful opportunities and work that I have been fortunate to be a part of.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 03/02/2003 11:33 PM PST

Thanks Ron. Truth be known I was with someone very special when I saw "What Women Want" and I probably would have loved anything thant day!
Gods And Monsters: Brilliant. I thought one of the finest performances by anyone ever was Mr Mc K. I think the camera always seems to pick some inner warmth from Brendon F. too.
Jose: Can't wait for the new series of Six Feet. Thanks for not giving way too much. The Fisher Family are all superb IMHO. Hard to think of a better drawn mother/daughter relationship on TV.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 03/03/2003 01:04 AM PST

When I was at Caltech in the 60's, Cubby O'Brian's band played for one of our dances in the cafeteria.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 03/03/2003 06:00 AM PST

Tom---
The Spin & Marty link didn't work either from home or at work. Are you sure it was the right link? Is it possible it only works in Australia and not in the States?
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 03/03/2003 06:09 AM PST

William...try spelling out the link I think Academy is misspelled.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/03/2003 07:14 AM PST

Yup it works if you spell Academy correctly
8-D
Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/03/2003 07:20 AM PST

Yup, Jrand, it does work! Now I can look at my first remembered crushes as a child. Spin and Marty, oh, it takes me back.
Posted by Ben @ 03/03/2003 07:30 AM PST

Ron - good luck with EBAY. The item you wanted wasn't a record player-cd-cassette-radio was it?
Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/03/2003 07:31 AM PST

The boys still look good in the recent picture on the site.
I remember Spin/Mike with Tommy Kirk in the Hardy Boys serial as well.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/03/2003 07:47 AM PST

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