Posted by William E. Lurie @ 03/26/2003 09:18 AM PST

-It's practically summer here in Richmond too: 73 degrees, and a touch of humidity in the air. And the thunderstorms coming later this afternoon and evening.

My Question for today:

Have you ever sorely regretted buying a piece of clothing for yourself that you swore would look great on you when you bought it, but after wearing it realized it just wasn't you? (color, pattern, style, someone else had it too...)

What is the oldest piece of clothing that you still have and still wear?

Is there a particular style of clothing that you hope will come back into "mode"?

Well... I guess might as well complete the category...

Boxers of briefs?

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 03/26/2003 09:29 AM PST

Such lovely weather here as well...even for us sick ones. 8-P

I have worn spectacles since age 12 - although I also own contact lenses that I wear onstage at times. My biggest problem came with my examination before last when the 'glasses place' got the axis of the lenses wrong. That is the point at which your eyes look through the lenses. I thought my eyes had suddenly gone completely BAD - but a new doctor corrected the axis and last time I didn't even need a new prescription. So, watch your axis.

Bill spoke of movies and Jose spoke of underwear....that just about covers it. However, I will ask BK - do you have a favorite Jeannette MacDonald film? It does not have to be one with Mr Nelson Eddy...in fact my favorite JM does NOT feature him. Or do you find them all the same?

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/26/2003 09:43 AM PST

Dear reader Laura - you might try unplugging your printer for a few minutes and then trying again. That should reset it.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/26/2003 09:44 AM PST

I keep forgetting to post this. Apparently when American Movie Classics stopped showing uncut, commercial-free classic films and began showing newer films, edited and full of commercials their ratings actually went up instead of down. What a sad comment on today's television viewer.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 03/26/2003 10:03 AM PST

BK: Regarding glasses - Do you have insurance that covers the cost of eyeglasses? If not, are you a member of AARP or AAA? If so, you can get a discount if you purchase your glasses at selected outlets, like Penney's, Sears and Lenscrafters (you can get your eyes checked at Lenscrafters too). If you do the calculations, you'll find that the discounts offered are better than the discount coupons Lenscrafters has in the Sunday paper.

QUESTION: What other biographies (or auto...) have you read that you would recommend as good reads?

Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 03/26/2003 10:25 AM PST

Who remembers a truly extraordinary comedy from 20th-Fox directed by Ernst Lubitsch called "A Royal Scandal"?

Tallulah Bankhead and William Eythe!

Wonderful film!

Wonderful score! (by Alfred Newman).

Ask BK: What do you know of a movement to get Disney's "Song of the South" issued on DVD? I know it was "banned" forever at one point, but fans got up in arms and Disney seemed to be willing to reconsider. We all know that the U.S. ban did not affect LD production in Japan or VHS production in the U.K. Last I heard, it was a wait and see. That was a few years ago. Oddly, this is one of those titles that doesn't seem to be available on Asian all-region DVDs (most of which are pressed from LaserDiscs). Do you hold any special feelings for this film and do you have any "insider" info on its future?

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 03/26/2003 10:33 AM PST

Well, Dear Readers, you just
won't believe it. I hardly believe
it myself, but it is true. I have
just written a paper in twenty
minutes flat that I was
supposed to do over Spring
Break. I was working on it over
the break in a
totally-forgot-about-it kind of
way. I was going to do it last
night when I remembered it,
but M*A*S*H was on, and I do
have my priorities.

Posted by Sandra @ 03/26/2003 10:40 AM PST

Oh yeah...

Dear BK,

Why do I have to choose the
only computer in the whole
Writing Center that keeps
crashing? (To go along with
my mom's theme)

Posted by Sandra @ 03/26/2003 10:42 AM PST

WEL: The "ratings are up" spin that AMC is running around telling everyone is not all that it appears.

Apparently, they lost a lot of their viewers when they switched formats (from commercial-free '20s-'60s films to newer, commercial-riddled films like "Bachelor Party"). They gained some viewers, too, but not a lot; I think it worked out to .10 of a ratings point uptick in their total viewership. However, AMC's "old" viewership was just that...OLD (by demographic standards, anyway; I think the bulk of viewers were 49 and older) and the new viewership is somewhat younger (35-49, I think).

However, I've noticed that you can no longer send feedback to AMC on their website, which is something they were encouraging people to do when they made their final big change several months ago. In fact, there is virtually no contact information on the website at all. Methinks the feedback they were getting was overwhelmingly negative. I have a feeling the viewers they lost (like me...on the young end of the demographic spectrum) were very loyal AMC viewers who now HATE the new channel. And the viewers they gained are casual viewers who were flipping channels when they suddenly saw, "Hey, 'Revenge of the Nerds'! Man, that movie ROCKS, and I'm too lazy to go to Blockbuster, so I guess I'll watch it now instead! What channel is this again? Oh, well...who cares?"

Anyway, this is my take on it.

Posted by Lulu @ 03/26/2003 10:53 AM PST

You are probably right, Lulu, but it is still depressing. For a small cable station even .01 ratings increase is a lot, and I would imagine that they would prefer more total viewers watching the station occasionally instead of the same viewers watching all the time regardless of the demographics.

All I know is that we've seen the end of a once great station, not only for their movies but for the few series they showed including one of the finest series ever shown on any cable network :"Remember WENN".

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 03/26/2003 11:00 AM PST

I just watched BEGINNING OF THE END on DVD and listened to the commentary by Mr BK and dear reader Susan Gordon and her mother Flora Lang!

First surprise, I didn't know Mrs. Lang had remarried...congratulatons! BK's questions and the responses of Flora and Susan are terrific. BK asks the questions we as fans of this movie would ask.

What a great deal. Don't hesitate to get this! The transfer is terrific, the actors are fun, and it's a great entertaining film on its own...but watching with the Commentary is like having those three folks in your living room with you - and you want to join in the conversation. BRAVO!!!!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/26/2003 11:22 AM PST

jrand: Thanks for the info! *sigh* looks like I'll have to get a FOURTH copy of Beginning of the End...(don't ask) ;)

Posted by Lulu @ 03/26/2003 11:35 AM PST

WEL: Believe me, I grieve with you. What was really terrible about AMC's decline was that it was so painfully slo-o-o-ow and gradual. First they got rid of Bob Dorian and Nick Clooney, then they introduced commercials, then they started showing crummy '80s movies...I would've much preferred the shock of the station changing all at once to the sad decline that took something like a year to finally kill what was, at one time, the television equivalent of my "homepage."

Posted by Lulu @ 03/26/2003 11:37 AM PST

I have a question regarding the LA Reprise SHE LOVES ME (not necessarily for BK but for anyone who knows). I know that Patrick Cassidy dropped out before the show opened, but I was under the impression that he was playing his father's role of Kodaly, eventually played by Damon Kirsche. However I read on another site that he was replaced by Scott Waara as Georg. Does anyone know which part young Mr. Cassidy was scheduled to play (and why he dropped out)?

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 03/26/2003 11:56 AM PST

BK: Do you like train travel. What is the longest journey you have travelled by train? What are your favourite songs about train? (Mine is "The City Of New Orleans").

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 03/26/2003 12:09 PM PST

I have just been informed by an infallible source that Flora Gordon became Flora Lang by reverting to her maiden name...not a re-marriage.

Accuracy is everything!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/26/2003 12:26 PM PST

Jrand,

Where'd you come up with the idea that Susan's mother had remarried?

Posted by . @ 03/26/2003 12:27 PM PST

Dear BK: I agree that you should get your eyes checked properly. I'm not sure I like Donna's idea of going to a place like LensCrafters, however. My own der Brucer and I have found that it is much more satisfying to form a relationship with a good eye doctor (we see the same fellow). Having a doctor who knows your vision history and can track the changes gives that added cushion of security that I really like. Plus, unlike dentists, it's possible to have a real conversation with the Doc, without that suction tube or fingers getting in the way of one's tongue.

Here's a question: Have you given any thought to collecting all of your insights to the sundry DVDs you have reviewed to a special section of this site? A special section would make browsing through your collected thoughts much easier, and would also be a fun read.

Posted by S. Woody White @ 03/26/2003 12:30 PM PST

Dear BK: I'm trying to remember something. When we met at your booksigning at Bookfellows in Glendale, Ca., Guy Haines was lurking back in the stacks, perusing a few volumes. What I can't remember is whether he wears glasses. Does he? Because he might be able to recommend a good eye doctor. (Referrals to good doctors are always a good thing.)

Posted by S. Woody White @ 03/26/2003 12:35 PM PST

on the commentary on THE BEGINNING OF THE END she is introduced as Flora Lang instead of Flora Gordon which her film credits always read. My bad.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/26/2003 12:42 PM PST

Dear Reader WEL:

My recollection of the Reprise! promos for SHE LOVES ME is that Patrick Cassidy was slated to play Kodaly. A local review made mention, too, that Mr. Kirsche was a "last minute replacement." I do not know why Mr. Cassidy dropped out of the show, though.

Posted by Jay @ 03/26/2003 12:51 PM PST

Thanks Jay. I thought that he was supposed to play his dad's role. I don't know where these internet "critics" get their info.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 03/26/2003 01:07 PM PST

jrand,

oic

Posted by . @ 03/26/2003 01:28 PM PST

I have not looked at AMC since they switched over the commercials. Just can't tolerate that it's become like a regular cable channel in that way. And their movies are not to my liking, generally speaking. However, I do owe them a debt of gratitude for once upon a time broadcasting the complete letterboxed STAR! with Julie Andrews, one of my all-time favorite 60s musicals which has suffered an undue reputation as a total artistic bomb. I snapped it up on laserdisc when it was finally made available, and have basked in its glory ever since, but AMC had it first and the tape I made of it then did me fine until the laserdisc was issued. They were also once the only place you could see Deanna Durbin's musicals which are now never shown anywhere (but my den) to my knowledge.

For BK: we know you watch a great many movies, but do you have a favorite television program that is "must see" for you? Thanks.

Posted by Matt H. @ 03/26/2003 02:22 PM PST

I am with MATT H and others who have abandoned AMC since the changeover. A form email said something about changing economics and how viewers PREFERRED the format, so I gave up.

Deanna Durbin also appears on my screen now and then...my favorite of her films being HER FIRST LOVE with some great music and Robert Stack.

Lulu - you have THREE copies of BEGINNING OF THE END? Well, you can justify it by noting that THIS edition contains a pristine transfer in addition to the commentary. Who knew after all these years that Miss Peggie Castle had flower appliques on her first costume?

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/26/2003 02:34 PM PST

For BK - a lovely still of Miss Peggie Castle, film star extraordinaire!

From The White Orchid.

Posted by PEGGIE IN THE TUB @ 03/26/2003 02:37 PM PST

Only 4 days until Robert Armin's birthday. Get your pointed pantaloons ready!

Posted by The count @ 03/26/2003 04:01 PM PST

BK-

Do you remember a great movie directed by Elia Kazan-PANIC IN THE STREETS...Richard Widmark,I think Paul Douglas and Zero Mostel. This is one that should be on DVD,don't you think?

Posted by Arnold M. Brockman @ 03/26/2003 04:06 PM PST

Dear BK,
Please disregard my previous question.

Posted by Laura @ 03/26/2003 05:36 PM PST

Is there a different process a music producer when he produces an album of classic music vs jazz vs vocals vs broadway or is producing a cd the same no matter what genre one records?

Would you consider trying to resurrect Atticus in the future if and when Miss Lee (god forbid) passes and the rights come available?

For his 70th birthday put toegther a list of songs he wish he written. What would be five songs by other composers you wish you had written?

Did you research which widescreen tv to buy before you bought yours or did you get what was on sale? Would you recommend the one that you eventually bought?

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 03/26/2003 05:39 PM PST

Patrick Cassidy, who had been set to recreate his father's Tony-winning role as the shop's dashing Lothario, dropped out of the show last week to film a one-hour pilot for UPN called "Newton." Damon Kirsche will take his place.

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 03/26/2003 05:45 PM PST

I am amused by the jokesters who feel they must come here and joke, aren't you, dear readers? Now, where in tarnation IS everyone? By the way (BTW, in Internet lingo) let us all send "get better" wishes to Mr. Craig Brockman who has been under the weather for far too long.

Posted by bk @ 03/26/2003 06:57 PM PST

This ain't no party
This ain't no disco
This ain't no fooling around
This ain't no mudd club
Or C.B.G.B.
I ain't got time for that now

Posted by Life During Wartime @ 03/26/2003 07:03 PM PST

WARNING: Long post! Here are a plethora of questions about GYPSY on "Ask BK Day" (these might be a little convoluted, but here goes):

"Mama's Talkin' Soft" and "Nice She Ain't" were two songs written for, but cut from the musical GYPSY. "Mama's Talkin' Soft" was cut (according to the liner notes of "Lost In Boston III," produced by you) because one of the little girls was afraid of heights and there was no other way to stage it. "Nice She Ain't" was cut (if what I remember is correct) because Jack Klugman couldn't sing it.

Now, IF the little girl hadn't been afraid of heights and IF Jack could have sung the song, do you think that those songs would still be part of the score today, or do you think that they might have been cut for other reasons, such as the show being too long, or whatever?

Also, according to the liner notes, "Mama's Talkin' Soft" was to be sung as a counterpoint (quodlibet) melody to "Small World," sung by Rose. When you were getting ready to record "Lost In Boston III," did you have access to the music or even the rights to the "Small World" / "Mama's Talkin' Soft" duet, or only the "Mama's Talkin' Soft" song-proper? If you did have the music and the rights to the duet version, why didn't you record the counterpoint? If you didn't have access to both, disregard this question.

With the new revival (has anyone heard if there is going to be any "revising"?) of GYPSY coming to Broadway, other than the attitude of "this is the was it was originally presented and has been available, and this is the only way to do it," is there any reason why those songs couldn't or shouldn't be put back into the score? If you were producing the show, and someone made this suggestion, would you even consider it? Do you know of any other well-known musicals that could benefit from cut songs being added (assuming that you know what the songs are)? What do you think (in general) of subsequent productions adding cut songs?

Those are my "Ask BK Day" questions. (Was that a plethora?) On to other topics:

Jose, I have a (female) friend who asks: "Boxers, briefs, other or nothing?" That way every option is explored! ;-)

A couple of years ago, I got a PAL VHS copy of "Song of the South" from eBay and had it converted to the U.S. NTCS format. A few months ago, a former (and supposedly good quality) rental copy of the laserdisc (with NO subtitles during the movie at all) was up for auction on eBay. I don't remember what the starting bid was, but it had a "buy it now" option. The bidding got up to several hundred dollars and then someone used the "buy it now" option, which was for $1,300! Just for a movie! Of course, Disney got none of that. If someone is willing (and able) to pay that much for a laserdisc copy, there has to be a demand for the movie in general.

Posted by George @ 03/26/2003 07:13 PM PST

Well, the summer-like weather started drifting away this afternoon. It actually got quite breezy, and there's a slight chill in the air. And the rain came - I'm not sure if it was thunderstorms since I was in rehearsal at the time.

OH! And in a moment of pure genius - and/or pure luck - I decided to try something with the finale for Hair. WOW! Let's hope the effect it had tonight will be same tomorrow night, and the night after that, and the night...

-I'll give you guys the details later.

And if I may ask another question of BK on this Ask BK Day:

After consulting with other music directors and other theatre professionals, I realized that the music for Hair has to, in a sense, be under-rehearsed. That there needs to be a natural raggedness to it for it truly to come across. Which leads me to my question: Have you ever been to a production where you thought the show was TOO clean musically?

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 03/26/2003 07:57 PM PST

It's proably considered terribly bad form (by some) to comment on a dress rehearsal, but I can't think of anything negative to say about Encores! The New Moon so maybe it's ok to say so. (After all, there are still seats available.) I've gone to all the Encores! for many years now and this was the best one. Incredibly, I know, as I wasn't an operetta fan ... when I arrived at City Center. Now I am

Posted by Noel @ 03/26/2003 08:22 PM PST

I forgot to comment on SONG OF THE SOUTH. I got my hands on a VHS copy dubbed from the Japanese laserdisc (the songs get subtitles but not the dialogue portions of the film.) I am happy to have it, and I truly do NOT understand Disney's reluctance to release it. I can't see much about it that would be controversial, certainly no more controversial than 1930s and 1940s depictions of Southern life in many other films which are in release and shown constantly.

I also have to say that last year I went to Disney World in Orlando for a vacation and went on the attraction Splash Mountain. Throughout this ride, there are many references to characters and songs from SONG OF THE SOUTH, and I wondered at the time if today's youth have the least notion who those characters are and where those songs came from. Why is it OK for Disney to reference them in a ride but not on home video, and why was the video available for so long in Europe and Asia and not in America? (I understand the videotape is now out of print in Europe, too.) It's beyond my comprehension.

Posted by Matt H. @ 03/26/2003 08:48 PM PST

I had to fill in for someone at work today even though it was supposed to be my day off. I got home and watched "Fitzwilly" which I had just gotten on amazon. I hadn't seen it for 25 years or so. Cute movie.

Posted by Kerry @ 03/26/2003 09:00 PM PST

Dear BK,
Do you figure your own taxes? Do you usually get a refund? If you do, do you spend it on an indulgent item?

Posted by Laura @ 03/26/2003 09:46 PM PST

Dear BK: What are desirable or attractive traits you look for in a woman?
Blonde, brunette or redhead?
What do you notice in a person, to want to get to know them better?
What vibes have you gotten from an actor-auditionee, that makes you crazy to cast that person?

Posted by KT @ 03/26/2003 10:45 PM PST

jrand: Our copies of Beginning of the end are thus: One tape of the movie as it appeared several years ago on Mystery Science Theater 3000, one DVD of the film containing both the un-MST'd film and the MST3K version. We might also have another VHS tape about somewhere, although I might be confusing it with Killers from Space (where Peter Graves battles aliens with ping-pong balls for eyes). All in all, probably enough giant grasshoppers for just about anyone, but your description of the new DVD makes it sound too good to resist. :)

Posted by Lulu @ 03/27/2003 03:42 AM PST

The NY Times has an interview today with Sid Ramin, original orchestrator of GYPSY and he claims that the latest revisal is using the original orchestrations. Despite the new Union minimums there will be an orchestra of 23 (although down from 29 in the original) and the only changes he has been asked to make are adding 16 bars to the strip music in Act II and adjusting some of the transition (scene change) music. It sounds like this time Sam Mendes is respecting the original material.

Posted by William E Lurie @ 03/27/2003 06:06 AM PST

Pointed pantaloons!! That's hilarious! ;-)

And it might be just the right attire for my audition on Sunday. I will be trying out for FOREVER PLAID that afternoon. I hope I can count on the dear readers for some plaid wishes...

Posted by Dave @ 03/27/2003 06:37 AM PST

Sending plaid vibes your way, Dave. You will be elevated greatly in status by Dear Reader Sandra if you become A Plaid!

Posted by Laura @ 03/27/2003 07:24 AM PST

Well Lulu, you have almost as many grasshoppers as the Gordons had in their garage!

Break a leg, Dave! And remember, you tryout for football, but you audition for a musical!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 03/27/2003 08:39 AM PST