Posted by William E. Lurie @ 03/09/2003 09:13 AM PST

I don't understand all this complaining about the price of gas, when a gallon of milk has gone as high as $2.99, and since I don't own a car/drive (living in NYC, I don't need a car, but of course now they're raising the subway and bus fares to $2.00!) the price of milk affects me a heck of a lot more than the price of gas!

Posted by Ray @ 03/09/2003 09:23 AM PST

Ray: I guess some of us are complaining about the price of gas because not everybody is you. :) A number of us do drive cars to get around, so to pay $2 or more per gallon affects us quite a bit more than paying $2.99 per gallon of milk. After all, most of us don't consume 10, 15, or 20 gallons of milk per week.

Posted by Lulu @ 03/09/2003 09:27 AM PST

Good point, Lulu. However, let's talk in general terms. The price of EVERYTHING is going up constantly, it's called inflation. This includes the price of ALL food products. Since not everyone drives, but last time I checked everyone eats, why are the drivers getting the loudest voice in the media?
Actually, I can probably answer my own question. Since the gas and oil lobby is one of the strongest in Washington, and since we all know (as much as we would like to believe otherwise) that most of the major media outlets are controlled by Washington, what else could we expect, right?

Posted by Ray @ 03/09/2003 09:38 AM PST

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC is one of those rare musicals where the book is every bit as good as the score. Anyone who thinks that Sondheim’s music is not melodic should listen to this score. And Hugh Wheeler’s book is witty. My only two complaints about the show itself --- and I have felt this way since I saw the original Broadway production 30 years ago --- are that the order of “Send in the Clowns” and “The Miller’s Son” should be switched so that a secondary character does not have the big eleven-o’clock number; and that Frid’s “Silly People”, cut on the road, should be restored since it is a beautiful song that is a perfect description of the main characters and also so that Frid gets a solo like his opposite number Petra.

If this were done on Broadway today, it would probably be cut for time, but fortunately New York City Opera does the entire three hours although they fly by like one. This production is a return to their repertoire from 1990 with the same production but a different cast. Having seen the video of the 1990 production I can safely say that with two exceptions the current cast is far superior. Unfortunately those two exceptions are Juliet Stevenson as Desiree and especially Jeremy Irons as Frederick. Ms. Stevenson --- who in a black dress with her red hair looks a lot like Charles Busch --- is fine in the acting scenes, but lacks something in the vocal department. She is not bad, but she cannot compare to Sally Ann (Truly Scrumptious) Howes in the earlier NYCO version. As for Jeremy Irons, let’s be kind and say it was the fault of the casting director. Mr. Irons is way too English for Frederick, particularly in a production where the only other British performer --- Ms. Stevenson --- came off as “theatrical”, not English. Also, Mr. Irons is not a singer and at one point even screwed up some of the carefully crafted lyrics. It was a case of a talented performer in the wrong role. As for the others, Michelle Pawk, Marc Kudish and Claire Bloom were the best I have ever seen in their roles and the rest of the cast was equally as good. And you could understand every lyric (the dialogue was miked, but not the singing – except Ms. Stevenson). The set is very nice, though I did miss Boris Arronson’s Plexiglass panels and the costumes were beautiful. What’s more Opera audiences are far better behaved than Broadway audiences. Everyone was on time and nobody started out during the finale and curtain calls… and not one cell phone rang during the show.

I do have one major complaint: Why was Hugh Wheeler’s bio missing in the Playbill? Mr. Wheeler’s script was every bit as important to the success of this show, but though Sondheim got a bio, Wheeler did not. Doesn’t the Writers’ Guild have any control over this?

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 03/09/2003 10:33 AM PST

I think the difference between inflation with gas and inflation with food is, if you don't want to pay $3 for a gallon of milk, you don't have to! If you don't want to pay $2 for a gallon of gas, then you do what? Don't drive to work? You don't drive at all? Not even to the grocery store to buy your $3 gallon of milk? I was as ticked as anyone else about the subway fare hike, but let's be honest...even with Metrocards going up to about $23/week, we're getting off WAY cheaper than someone who has a car and pays at least $23 a pop to fill it up. And I don't know about you guys, but when I had a car, I had to fill up at least twice a week--at LEAST! And then I had to pay the car payment, and then the insurance payment, and then the parking, and then...well, you get the idea.

It's good to hear that the audiences at NYCO were relatively well-behaved, but I wouldn't necessarily say that opera audiences in general are better behaved than Broadway audiences. Some of the buttholes that frequent the Metropolitan Opera could make even the WORST Broadway audience member look like a saint.

Posted by Jason @ 03/09/2003 11:07 AM PST

Ooops..didn't preview my post and look where it got me. I intended to say, if you don't want to pay the $3 for your gallon of milk, you don't have to buy the milk! The way I had it before made it sound like you could negociate the price of milk, which you certainly may not do.

Posted by Jason @ 03/09/2003 11:08 AM PST

hello everybody and welcome
to the world!

With a war around the corner,
you all can't be all that naive to
not know WHY the price of gas
-- and everything else -- is
going up?????????

"That's good economics!" --
Oh, a AJL reference!

Posted by François @ 03/09/2003 11:37 AM PST

I like my wife
To share my life.
What's wrong with that?

Posted by Anthony J. Drexel Biddle @ 03/09/2003 12:33 PM PST

We had the dogs shot today.

On the second Sunday of every month, our favorite pet clinic has a special from 8 to 12 a.m., where every pet can get his or her shots updated at half price. Our trio was due for their boosters, so off we went. They were all very well behaved, except for the once while we were waiting in line when Marty, the Labraball, stuck his nose between a woman's legs from behind. She was good natured about it, however. Mikey got his shots first, then insisted on watching as Kelsey got his. All in all, it was a morning well spent. After all, if we don't take care of our non-human family members, who will?

Posted by S. Woody White @ 03/09/2003 12:37 PM PST

I you were living in Oz you would be paying nearly $7 US per gallon. Americans have always had and still have cheap petrol by world standards. That's is I guess why Americans can buy such gas guzzling cars. It is all a matter of what you get used to I guess.
"Gas" has an inelastic demand curve. Demand stays virtually the same and is not really a function of price. That is why is is taxed so heavily in many countries. Increasing the price of petrol has a flow(which seems appropriate) on effect and will be passed on to the price of other goods and services which are dependent upon delivery costs.
I revisited Ken Hill's version of "Phantom" yesterday. It is such fun. I saw a production of it years ago and really enjoyed it. I have also seen the Yeston version which has a much better storyline and far better character deliniation. The ALW is such a spectacle but I did not really get involved with the characters. I like all three versions. Today's message: Listen to the Ken Hill version if you would like to hear some great melodies (they are opera arias with new lyrics) and some funny lines.
The lesson and preaching has now concluded.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 03/09/2003 01:05 PM PST

BK AND OTHERS - I posted this in earlier notes.

There is a website you can go to that will tell you where you can go in your neighborhood for the best price on gasoline. Here's a link http://losangelesgasprices.com.

Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 03/09/2003 01:07 PM PST

I'm not really into S&M, necrophilia or beastiality (in other words, I hate to beat a dead horse) but Jason, milk, IMHO, is more of a necessity(sp?) than gas. If a starving child doesn't get proper nutrition because his/her parents can't afford food, that's a tragedy. If a driver can't afford to fill up their gas guzzling SUV, well too bad!

Posted by Ray @ 03/09/2003 01:08 PM PST

I thought it might be interesting for you to know
which oil companies are
the best to buy gas from and which major companies
import Middle Eastern oil:

Shell......................205,742,000 barrels
Chevron/Texaco.............144,332,000 barrels
Exxon /Mobil...............130,082,000 barrels
Marathon/Speedway..........117,740,000 barrels
Amoco......................62,231,000 barrels

If you do the math at $30/barrel, these imports amount
to over $18 BILLION!

Here are some large companies that do not import
Middle Eastern oil:

Citgo...............0 barrels
Sunoco............. 0 barrels
Conoco............. 0 barrels
Sinclair............0 barrels
BP/Phillips.........0 barrels
Hess................0 barrels

Posted by Ray @ 03/09/2003 01:14 PM PST

Though the issue is somewhat past, I must weigh in on the musicians strike. After all, everyone is entitled to my opinion.
One issue that is somewhat obscured is that "walkers" are a theoretical issue at this point. I believe that in the past DECADE, only ONE walker has been used on Broadway. This is because several contracts ago, the union agreed that the number of musicians could be negociated down, if the producers so desired it. And this negotiation has happened with some frequency. So the idea that walkers are still a major problem is not really well founded.
Also, there is the idea that the musicians are, horror of horrors, forcing the poor composers and orchestrators to use MORE musicians than they want to, taking away their creative control. The composers and orchestrators have said, rather reasonably, that they almost always want more players. As Maury Yeston said in an Op-Ed: "You can never have too many strings and [french] horns. Never."
That said, I think that the union is putting it into rather apocalyptic terms. "The end of live music on Broadway"? Please. And I am disappointed, if not surprised, that they could not come to an agreement, and had to strike. I feel very sorry for the tourists. (Though the plays must be thrilled!)
And, regarding Ray's comment about how much work it is to perform in a pit: "Artists work Franz. I believe they work very hard!"

Posted by Hapgood @ 03/09/2003 01:14 PM PST

Tom from Oz: Not ALL Americans purchase gas-guzzlers. I actually know relatively few people with SUVs...most people of my acquaintance (including yours truly) own small Hondas or Toyotas. Plus, my husband and I work in the same area, so we go to and from work together, which helps out a lot. And yes, I think many, if not most, of us realize that our gas prices are cheaper than pretty much anywhere else in the world, even when the prices are hiked up.

Still, it does things to your budget when something that cost one price a few months ago suddenly costs much much more -- especially when it's something essential that you can't really do away with entirely. And it's not just driving that's affected.

Right now the people in the American northeast and midwest are experiencing their worst winter in a decade, and with many homes using oil or gas to heat them, a lot of people are finding their heating costs have gone up as much as 125%! I have relatives up north who are going around their house wrapped in blankets because they say they can't afford to heat their home at a comfortable level. Yes, a bit of it is probably martyrdom (you'd probably have to be from the American midwest to understand :) ), but part of it is a very real economic crunch that a lot of the lower-middle and even middle classes are experiencing right now.

Anyhoo, enough of that. What's everybody's favorite Marx Brothers movie? I think mine might be (controversial choice, I know) A Day at the Races.

Posted by Lulu @ 03/09/2003 01:14 PM PST

RE: GAS PRICES
I recently heard about a community back east that was fed up with the high gas prices in their neighborhood so they banned together and came up with a scheme. They would pay cash for their gas but would also use their credit cards to charge ONLY 35 CENTS A MONTH in gasoline. This drove the gas companies' accounting departments crazy. I don't know if it resulted in lower prices but it was one way to mount a protest.

Posted by Donna again @ 03/09/2003 01:19 PM PST

Hapgood -
Re your comment on musicians - it has been duly noted, but as I said yesterday, I was on a bit of a rant, and one does not usually think through what they say when they rant. Just look at the current Bush administration!

Posted by Ray @ 03/09/2003 01:19 PM PST

What it all boils down to is the fact that the big oil companies (along with most other multi-billion dollar industries) have got the American government (and I'm sure most other nations) by the balls! If not, don't you think we'd be spending more on developing alternative sources of energy? And lest we forget, the Earth's supply of fossil fuel is finite. One of these days it's going to run out, and unless we start planning for that inevitability NOW, we will all be left in the dark!

Posted by Ray @ 03/09/2003 01:25 PM PST

William, no one could be a greater fan of Marc Kudisch than I, but I find it VERY hard to believe Laurence Guittard could ever be bettered in the role of Carl-Magnus. (I die a little death myself every time I watch the film when his number "In Praise of Women" is missing.) Certainly Tony winner Michael Maguire was no match for Guittard in the last NYCO version of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. So, you're saying that Kudisch was better than Maguire. That could easily be possible. I really love having a real singer (like Sally Ann Howes) for Desiree even though the role doesn't call for a great vocalist. I always enjoy the show so much more when Desiree's numbers are sung beautifully.

And I believe "A Weekend in the Country" is possibly the greatest Act I closing number in musical theater history. I agree that "Silly People" has a rightful place in the score. I am SO glad I got to see the original Broadway show only three weeks after it won its Tonys. The entire original cast was stunning.

Posted by Matt H. @ 03/09/2003 01:28 PM PST

Thank you for presenting your various and sundried opinions in a civil and calm manner. That is what separates us from the riff-raff. As for me, I hate milk so the price of milk doesn not bother me one iota. On the other hand, I must drive about in my automobile to do various and sundried errands and meetings and whatnot - and so, I have no choice but to put gas in my car, which is not a guzzler nor an SUV (Such Ugly Vehicles). To fill my tank cost me thirty-six dollars the other day - that is simply reprehensible no matter which way you slice it. Someone is getting very wealthy and taking advantage of every human being who drives in this fine nation of ours. And they should not be allowed to get away with it. Damn them, damn them all to hell. There is no reason for this increase, prices were already high. So, what, the oil companies will make seventeen billion dollars instead of eighteen - my heart weeps.

As to whether pit musicians are overpaid at 1350 a week for perhaps two and a half hours of work - well, it depends on which way you look at it. First off, Broadway pit band musicians are a very small group of people who seem to play every show - they also earn much more than that if they double, and they also have most of their days totally free to accept studio gigs and whatnot. So, they are paid very well indeed, and this hard-nosed stance by the notorious NY AFofM is rather nauseating from where I sit. Their constant grandstanding, half-truths and propaganda is not necessary. It's all a moot point, really. They have been making concessions for the last few years - the producers simply don't want to have to ask and go through the BS. I know many theatrical producers and not one of them wants to have less musicians than the shows they produce warrant. Not one. So, yes the musician's are well-paid and make a very good living. Of course, James Gandolfini has said he will not return to The Sopranos unless his contract is renegotiated for more money. He currently earns $400,000 an episode. I mean, honestly. Kelsey Grammar currently earns over one million dollars an episode. I remember the outcry when Cindy Williams and Penny Marshall received the then record and outstanding salary of 100,000 an episode in their last season. And they pay. It is a crazy, crazy world.

Posted by bk @ 03/09/2003 01:36 PM PST

I'm sure that one of the people getting rich off the increase in gas prices is our own dear Mr. Bush (that's right, a slap in the face by NOT referring to him as President!) You can't tell me he doesn't have any "special interests" as far as big oil is concerned! Why do you think he wants war with Iraq? It's already been clearly stated that one of the first missions is going to be "securing" (taking over) the oil fields! Why should we put our troops at risk for Bush's oil war?

Posted by Ray @ 03/09/2003 01:48 PM PST

Sorry, but I've got to enter the debate about the price of petrol, as we call it (what do you call what we call 'gas', by the way?) - you guys don't know you're born. Our petrol currently costs about 80p a litre (which I suppose makes it something like $5-$6 a gallon - sorry if that's not right, maths was never my strong point). As you may remember, about 18 months ago the British public (or at least a section of it) barricaded oil terminals in protest at the price, as it just kept on going up. It was almost impossible to get petrol for about a week or so and, whenever anyone heard there was petrol at a certain garage, the word got around and there were huge queues of vehicles and it was rationed to about £10 worth per car.

I'm not sure that really achieved much, apart from inconveniencing everyone. But it put the matter firmly on the agenda, and the prices came down ever so slightly.

The other point which a couple of people have alluded to, is that we must stop using fossil fuels so much if we are to stop global warming. There was a thing called the Kyoto treaty, in which all major countries agreed to cut carbon emissions, but, since Bush came to power, the US has failed to agree to cut carbon emissions. As the largest user of fossil fuels (by a long stretch), unless the US does something soon, the world is not going to be in such great shape pretty soon.

Yes, of course the oil companies have got your government by the goolies. As Francois said above, doesn't a certain little conflict which is about to happen on the other side of the world have something to do with this?

OK, I'll get back in my box now.

Posted by Allan @ 03/09/2003 01:59 PM PST

As to my reference about SUVs (btw, isn't that a Law & Order spin off series?), sorry. It's just that they have become easy targets to take pot shots at in the media lately. Perhaps a bitch slapping is in order for sinking to the media's level.

Posted by Ray @ 03/09/2003 02:03 PM PST

Wasn't it funny when Dubya promised progress on hydro-electric automobile technology in his State of the Union address? Did anyone notice that? What prankster in his administration slipped that comic gem onto the teleprompters, I wonder.

If we were serious about putting terrorists out of business we'd be working like mad on converting our economy off of fossil fuels. If we were serious about eliminating the biggest immediate threat to American lives, we'd be carpet-bombing the tobacco industry, not Iraqi civilians.

Then again, perhaps the answer lies in milk-powered automobiles. Would you get better mileage on skim milk, or 2%? Have we enough cows in this country to do the job, or would we employ Saudi Arabian cows?

Posted by Sigerson Holmes @ 03/09/2003 02:08 PM PST

You are absolutely right, Allan. But the matter of pollutants isn't the only area which the U.S. government seems to think it is exempt from. Did you know that every year a report is put together by the U.S. government, in conjunction with groups like Amnesty International, detailing many countries performance on the issues of civil and human rights? And guess which country ISN'T included in the studies? That's right, the U.S.! Is the government afraid of something?
Also, as the worlds largest superpower, who do you think has the most weapons of mass destruction? Right again, the U.S.! Where are our efforts to destroy our own lethal weapons? If, say Russia very politely asked us to disarm ourselves, do you think we would? It's absurd to think anyone else would! That's one of the major problems with the U.S. government, especially the current administration, it's so disgustingly chauvinistic!

Posted by Ray @ 03/09/2003 02:16 PM PST

Hmmm...Hydro electric powered cars? Do they run on ordinary tap water or perrier? Considering the prices of some of those fancy bottled waters, I don't know if it would be much of a savings.

Posted by Ray @ 03/09/2003 02:33 PM PST

Gosh, I sure am posting a lot today, aren't I? Perhaps I should be the official "post"er boy for Haines His Way! Yuk Yuk !

Posted by Ray @ 03/09/2003 02:36 PM PST

OK, I'm gonna try again: Anybody have a favorite Marx Bros. film they'd care to expound on?

Mine's A Day at the Races, I think. Yeah, I love Duck Soup and A Night at the Opera and all that, but there's just something about Races.

What do I love about it? Well, there's Dr. Hackenbush (Groucho) on the phone, pretending to be a different person entirely down in Florida in order to prevent his credentials-investigating new employer from learning that he's actually a horse doctor ("What's that? You'll have to talk a little loudah...we've got a hurrah-cane a-blowin' down hyah!"). There's the "Getta you tootsie-frootsie ice a-cream!" scene at the racetrack (Groucho: "I'm getting a fine tootsie-frootsieing right here"). There's the wallpaper scene. And oh, so much more.

Posted by Lulu @ 03/09/2003 02:57 PM PST

Oh, Lulu, how to choose.

I think I always laugh hardest at DUCK SOUP when Groucho makes the call near the end:

We're in trouble here. There are four men and two women. Send help. If you can't send help, send two more women.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/09/2003 03:54 PM PST

Oh...and as reported in the TV GUIDE, there were several quips ad libbed during YOU BET YOUR LIFE that never aired including:

A woman declared that she had seven children.

Groucho: Seven children, that's quite a lot.

Woman: Well, I love my husband.

Groucho: I love my cigar, too, but I take it out of my mouth now and then.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/09/2003 03:57 PM PST

Dear Ray: I saw that list of gas companies who import Arab oil and those that don't, last week. Unfortunately, that didn't stop the nons from jacking up their prices as well--what's their excuse??? Impending war on Venezuela as soon as we off Iraq? Puh-leeze!

I hate and loathe milk, except for half-and-half in my coffee.
I love ice cream, though, especially banana, pistachio, and HD Rum Raisin.

Posted by KT @ 03/09/2003 04:01 PM PST

Gelato is even better than ice cream.

Posted by KT @ 03/09/2003 04:03 PM PST

Dear KT - I think the purpose of that list being posted ans e-mailed (I had gotten it from several e-friends) was to make people think twice about where they buy their gas. Perhaps, just possibly, if enough people stop buying gas from the companies that import mostly from the mid - east, that might send a message to our own government that we don't need to rely so heavily on that region of the world, and therefore maybe the U.S. government will finally realize that there is little need to continue being the world's police force, because if those Arab and Middle Eastern countries and various factions want to continue hating each other and threatening to go to war with each other, than let them. If we didn't depend so much on their oil fields, they could go ahead and blow themselves off the face of the Earth. I know that sounds harsh, but I don't think we have any right sticking our noses into anybody elses business, especially where it's not appreciated.

Posted by Ray @ 03/09/2003 04:24 PM PST

Even though it's not their best, I'm very partial to Monkey Business, which I find absolutely hilarious on just about every level.

Posted by bk @ 03/09/2003 04:32 PM PST

OMG Monkey Business! LOL...

THE CARPETBAGGERS to be released in widescreen DVD on April 22!!! At last! Can HARLOW be far behind? Let's get some Carroll Baker commentaries on these things!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/09/2003 04:37 PM PST

Yes, Monkey Business is great...I love all the stuff between Thelma Todd and "Brown Eyes."

Jrand: The Carpetbaggers! Good Lord.

CB (in black lace teddy): I'm in mourning. How do you like my widow's weeds?

And who could ever forget Elizabeth Ashley comparing herself to an airplane? I seem to recall something about a "hand-rubbed chassis."

Posted by Lulu @ 03/09/2003 05:19 PM PST

Am I the only Hainesie interested in the Screen Actors' Guild Awards presentation tonight? Am I the only Kimlet who voted, albeit by proxy?
Well, congrats to three of my favorite actors recieved awards already: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Edie Falco and James Gandolfini. . .
Great clipfest of actors singing. . .show repeats at 10pm on T.N.T.

Posted by td @ 03/09/2003 05:20 PM PST

HORSE FEATHERS is my favorite:

Thelma Todd: "Oh, Professor, you're full of wimsy."

Groucho: "Can you notice it from there? I'm always that way after I eat radishes."

I also MUCH prefer Thelma Todd over Margaret Dumont. I was sad to learn that she died at such an early age. I was even sadder when I heard she was to be portrayed by Loni Anderson in a made for TV movie (WHITE HOT, 1991).

Posted by Sigerson Holmes @ 03/09/2003 05:31 PM PST

Sorry, that should have been "whimsy."

Posted by Sigerson Holmes @ 03/09/2003 05:32 PM PST

SH: That's one of our favorite lines, too. Never fails to get a laugh, no matter how many times we watch it.

Another favorite moment: In Animal Crackers, when Chico and Harpo are at the speakeasy. Some guys are at a table, playing poker. One guy orders another to "cut the cards!" Harpo, looming in the background, instantly pulls a huge hatchet out of his voluminous coat and chops the deck of cards in two. Just as though he were Daffy Duck!

Posted by Lulu @ 03/09/2003 05:53 PM PST

Oops...that wasn't Animal Crackers. What was I thinking? It was, of course, the aforementioned Horsefeathers. :)

Posted by Lulu @ 03/09/2003 05:55 PM PST

The same interests that inflated "energy" costs in California a couple of years ago are directly behind the increased gasoline costs.

Dear Tom in Oz: Taxes are what drive up prices on gasoline in other countries. The U.S. has always been unwilling to use this means of acquiring operating money for the federal coffers, taking one-third (minimum) of our pay checks, an additional percentage for social security (which they dally with any old way they want, constantly leaving social security on the verge of bankruptcy), and ensuring, above all, that folks who manage to acquire comfort in life have little to leave their heirs. All property is taxed, too, and all the states have an additional sales tax. And if you're in the market for fine things, there is an (also) additional Luxury tax.

We've been paying over $2/gal. for gas in the Bay Area for a couple of years -- investigations have revealed the gas companies charge us this much because, they say, we can afford it. L.A., on the other hand, had some of the lowest prices in California.

Having lived/worked in Italy for 9 1/2 years, I got used to the gasoline prices there (taxes were more than 300% of the cost of the gasoline).

Yes, here in America, we don't have as much an idea as the rest of the world what it is to face the shock of overpriced gasoline. Overprice IS what it is, however. While Oz is the major exception, the U.S. does not have the mass rail transit and urban subway alternatives that most of Europe and Asia enjoy. Keeping America viable means keeping it mobile means keeping prices down as much as possible on ensuring that mobility.

I'm sure the Australian economy has needs equal to those of the U.S. for mobility, but there must be a trade-off somewhere along the way -- things that aren't taxed there that are here.

JRand55 -- "Contempt." I have to confess some of it fascinated me, just as the interminable scenes inside the apartment bored me -- I nodded off several times. I just WASN'T interested in their relationship. I was also put off by the decor...and noted with amazement that the same furniture is now being sold by Ikea!!!!! I knew all along what turned her against him -- it was obvious when he insisted she take that first ride with the producer that she felt he was handing her over to another man. The photography was gorgeous, as was Delerue's score. I wish more of the film had been shot in Capri. What we saw, however, was choice...and a way of living there that few tourists ever see!!!!!!!!!

I also watched "Rosemary's Baby" and wish they'd gotten Farrow for the commentary. Brilliant film, that!

It has been an entirely lazy weekend, otherwise.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 03/09/2003 06:43 PM PST

After so enjoying my new CD of Brigadoon, starring Rebecca Luker, Judy Kaye, and Brent Barrett, I picked up the movie when I took Dear Reader Sandra to the video store to get a couple movies for her cinema class.
I was disappointed. Too many songs were deleted from the movie. I noticed that both of Meg's and all the second half songs were missing. Truthfully, I kept falling asleep, so I don't know how many others were missing.
The dancing was great -- but I simply didn't believe the actors. If you listen to the CD version I refer to, you know that the actors use so much passion in their voices that you believe them without even seeing them. And what is more fun than Judy Kaye performing the song about all her lovers!
So, there's my obligatory Sunday free-for-all post.
The End.

Posted by Laura @ 03/09/2003 07:06 PM PST

Laura,

You're right, you should
NEVER believe (the) actors!
they are fakes, liars,
mystificators... they always
pretend to be what and who
they're not... they're phonies...

Sorry, I got carried away.....
..and...i'm sorry you didn't get
carried and swept away by
BRIGADOON, the movie...
Such a beautiful and romantic
film...

Let's say you were not in the
mood....

You mean Judy Kaye sings
about... all her lovers?????
Wait till David Green hears all
about that!!!! Me, oh my!

And I for one thought she was
such a lady!!

Can you believe; Judy Kaye!!
Wonder if BK knew that about
her?

See, told you; actors are such
phonies!!

Posted by François @ 03/09/2003 07:52 PM PST

I love the music from Brigadoon. I don't care much it did have one moment that I thought was wonderfully done. I'll have to see what the song was, but the moment was after Gene Kelly and Van Johnson went back to New York and real life, and Gene Kelly is sititng in the bar/restaurant with everyone jabbering and everything stops, and all he can see and relate to is Cyd Charisse and the heather and such. Perhaps that scene is no great shakes, but I related to it very much, and it captured my feelings in such a situation. So, everytime I go back to New York after having visited a town that only comes to life for one day every 100 years (or so), that's exactly how I feel. OK, so I must have been in love or pining or something when I saw it, but it struck a chord. Thank you all for your attention. Hope I didn't take up too much of your time (a
K & E reference).

Posted by Kerry @ 03/09/2003 08:16 PM PST

If I were to get away this summer (and if I couldn't meet some of you in New York, LA, or nether regions), should I go to Carmel, Hawaii or Cape Cod?

Posted by Kerry @ 03/09/2003 08:18 PM PST

The MGM/Minnelli BRIGADOON is not a patch on the magnificent stage version, but on its own it's pretty entertaining, and the dancing is just wonderful, especially "Heather on the Hill" with Kelly and Charisse.

To be fair, they did film "There But For You Go I" and "Come to Me, Bend to Me," but they were both deleted. I have them on my BRIGADOON laserdisc from the Gene Kelly Collection set. (The single laser didn't include these, and I'm not sure the DVD did either, but I didn't buy the DVD because it wasn't anamorphically encoded.)

I suspect neither of Meg Brockie's numbers could have made it past the censors of the day. Again, not MGM's fault.

Posted by Matt H. @ 03/09/2003 08:26 PM PST

Are you thinking of becoming carmelite nun Kerry. I hope the alternative is not dropping into Hawaii by parachute. Your habits are a worry.(I shall tactfully avoid mentioning any connection with cod pieces at your other possible destination).
Thanks Ray for expressing sentiments I tend to avoid (as a non American on this site).Australia's leader(little John)has allusions of grandeur.Australia is so significant in world $ terms - it accounts for 1% of world trade! He jumps which ever way your leader suggests. I am ashamed that my country will not sign the Kyoto agreement, treats refugees so badly, will not acknowledge how badly it has treated the indiginous population and wants to declare was on a country that is no worse than many others. I did post the other day about a country that had what appeared to be an undemocraticly elected psychotic leader in charge. I didn't mean a middle eastern country!
To important things: I like the romance of Brigadoon. The film has some dreadful sets at times but still has charm and some great dancing. All that said, the McGlinn CD is hard to see ever being bettered.
Marx Brothers. I know of Karl but can't remember the others.
Actually I love the scene on board ship where everyone is in the cabin. Can't remember which film is which.
I think I should emigrate to New Zealand. Good enough for Frodo. Helen Clarke is my sort of leader.
Back to Ray. All those months of repressed posts! Great to have a new voice here. Will we get to hear from William Orr's Joe?

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 03/09/2003 09:55 PM PST

"Ray; a drop of golden sun..."

Gee, hope all this doesn't go
to his head...... ;- )

Posted by François @ 03/09/2003 10:09 PM PST

I can't solve the worlds petrol problems, and I can't pretend like I know much about cars...

However, I have noticed I get into this conversation everytime I visit my family in the US. Their cars consume much more gas per mile then ours in the UK. People refuse to carpool, and walking anywhere is completely out of the question! Now this is just my family I'm talking about, though it may apply to others as well. None of us want more expensive gas prices...but there are things we can do to keep the cost down.

Didn't Ernst and Meltz write a song about gas prices?

Posted by Wee Stevie @ 03/10/2003 12:51 AM PST

CB: Besides I'm going away. I just sold my house.

GP: Really? To who?

CB: To you, for $100,000.

LOL....I love Carroll....especially when she makes the midnight visit to her ex-stepson's hotel room.

CB: Rina Marlowe reporting for duty, as ordered sir. The Jonas Cord Collection Agency. We never sleep - alone!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/10/2003 02:29 AM PST

Well, folks, it's 5:40 in the AM and I'm awake. Yes, dear readers, it's true, and for good reason. I thought about not posting about this because I know how certain people feel about non-union tours and the level of talent found in said tours, but I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm off to audition for the non-Eq. tours of OKLAHOMA!, OLIVER! and GREASE! today, as well as the Prather Family of Theatres in Pennsylvania, Florida and Arizona. I would appreciate the positive vibes of any Hainesie/Kimlets out there who would like to send them my way. I'm leaving in 2 minutes or so to go stand in line until 9, when the official sign-in sheet goes up, and then I'll stand at least another 2 hours to wait to be seen. And did I mention that AOL reports that its 20 degrees outside right now? Send me and the other 500 people who will be there your good vibes, even though it is for one of "those" shows. (Note the sarcasm.)

Have a nice day!

Posted by Jason @ 03/10/2003 02:37 AM PST

~~~~~ sending good vibes to Jason!!

Ok. I woke up in the middle of the night, as usual, and I tried watching the Brigadoon movie again. I was asleep before they got to the fair! I think I should buy this movie!

Posted by Laura @ 03/10/2003 05:46 AM PST

Jason---
Good luck. There's nothing wrong with non-Equity tours of older shows to smaller cities. This is a great way to introduce theatre to areas that would probably not get any. I only get upset when the First National Major City tour is non-Equity.

Re: BRIGADOON - the songs in the bar when Tommy (the Gene Kelly/David Brooks/Brent Barrett character) returns to New York are all reprises of songs heard earlier in the show. No new material is introduced in that scene.

And the New York Times finally had a short obit this morning for Susan Johnson. It only took them two weeks. But still nothing for Claibe Richardson.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 03/10/2003 06:14 AM PST

Thanks for sharing your opinion on Contempt, Ron.

Isn't that strange...I was fascinated by the dialog in the apartment. LOL...that's what makes a horse race.

And didn't they film CLEOPATRA at Cinecitta? Very interesting to see that facility! And yes it was obvious why Camille (Bardot) felt the way she did about her husband. Still, I can't stop thinking about this film. And Capri was just beautiful to look at.

OKAY ENOUGH...back to Carroll Baker. Remember in The Miracle that she wanted to become a nun, and then she met Roger Moore and that was the end of that! Moore claims he wore Rosalind Russell's riding coat from "Auntie Mame" in The Miracle, and who knows?

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/10/2003 06:32 AM PST

Mrs. Burnside...a funny thing happened to me....

It was in the finals...the VERY finals mind you...of the ping pong tournament at the club....

Posted by Gloria Upson @ 03/10/2003 06:33 AM PST

Tom, that shipboard scene you mentioned is in A NIGHT AT THE OPERA.

I forgot to post that my favorite Marx Bros. film is HORSE FEATHERS. However, I love all of the Paramount and MGM ones, even the ones usually despised like AT THE CIRCUS, GO WEST, and THE BIG STORE. All of them have cherished moments that I'd never want to lose.

I really don't like their RKO film ROOM SERVICE, though. They seem jammed into a movie where they really don't belong, and I just don't find it very funny.

Posted by Matt H. @ 03/10/2003 07:48 AM PST

The thing I will never understand is people who complain about spending $2 for a gallon of gasoline, but will spend $2.50 for a bottle of water! Go figure!

WEL says "I only get upset when the First National Major City tour is non-Equity." Shouldn't you - as an audience member - be more concerned whether the show is cast with *talented* people, regardless of their union affiliation? And I'm sure you wouldn't suggest that union membership is some measure of talent or ability.

Ahh, the Marx brothers. When my wife and I were dating, we used to watch their movies all the time. She, being a harpist, had a fascination with Harpo. (I have a great photo from one Hallowe'en where she dressed as Harpo and I was Groucho) The movie I remember enjoying the most was "Animal Crackers", though we watched a great double feature of "A Day at the Races" and "A Night at the Opera", which was highly enjoyable.

The McGlinn recording of BRIGADOON is divoon! Rebecca Luker and Judy Kaye on the same CD! Who could ask for anything more? And where did John Mark Ainsley come from, and what else has he done? He's fantastic on this CD!

Posted by Dave @ 03/10/2003 09:33 AM PST

I'm a tall disabled person and have to buy the gas guzzling vehicles! I thank my lucky stars that I don't have far to travel for work each day.I never take long trips.At work we use electric tow-motors and Forklifts. Its too bad our society can't adopt something simular.

Posted by Richard C Jutras @ 08/20/2003 07:32 PM PST

I'm a tall disabled person and have to buy the gas guzzling vehicles! I thank my lucky stars that I don't have far to travel for work each day.I never take long trips.At work we use electric tow-motors and Forklifts. Its too bad our society can't adopt something simular.

Posted by Richard C Jutras @ 08/20/2003 07:33 PM PST

I'm a tall disabled person and have to buy the gas guzzling vehicles! I thank my lucky stars that I don't have far to travel for work each day.I never take long trips.At work we use electric tow-motors and Forklifts. Its too bad our society can't adopt something simular.

Posted by Richard C Jutras @ 08/20/2003 07:33 PM PST