haines his way

04/29/2003:
"LAGGING BEHIND"

Well, dear readers, I do believe that we will start taking preorders for Kritzerland early next week. Mr. Mark Bakalor is out of town until Friday – he was attempting to get the order page done before he left but he didn’t, so he will do it upon his return, this weekend. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that just too too?
Last night I watched two count them two motion pictures on DVD (trying to not lag behind in my DVD watching – one must never lag behind, to lag behind is for fools and simpletons). First I watched a motion picture entitled Rio Lobo, the final film of director Howard Hawks. He made three very similar films – Rio Bravo, El Dorado, and Rio Lobo. The latter is generally considered one of his weakest and therefore I have avoided it all these years. But, somehow time must have been kind to Rio Lobo, or I just like watching the Duke, John Wayne, but I enjoyed it very much. The photography is lovely (William Clothier, I think), the music is excellent (by Jerry Goldsmith) and the Duke is great. Unfortunately, like Big Jake, the film is marred by an incredibly weak supporting cast. I did like spunky Jennifer O’Neill and Jim Davis is always fun to watch, but the rest of the people are just not so great. Interestingly, the film features studio head Sherry Lansing in one of her handful of acting roles. It is instantly clear that acting was not going to be her “thing”, and it’s painful to watch her at times. The lead villain (the reliable Victor French) is so lightweight and underdeveloped that it’s almost perfunctory. But still, the script has some lively and sparkling moments and the whole thing somehow just moves along.
Then I watched one of my all-time favorite motion pictures, The White Sheik, the first solo directorial effort of Mr. Federico Fellini. I can’t say enough about this film and I never tire of watching it. It’s funny, it’s rueful, it’s a wonderful treatise on the difference between living in a dream world and the real world, and everything about the film just works. Briefly, it’s about a newly-married couple who come to Rome from a small town, to meet the groom’s family and to visit the Pope. The wife is a constant and loyal fan of the fumetti, which is a serialized comic strip, but done with photographs instead of drawings. She’s totally enamored of The White Sheik, and has written him fan letters and has received a reply that if she were ever in Rome to come visit him. She sneaks out while her husband is napping, since the address the Sheik has provided is only ten minutes from their hotel. She ends up meeting the lady who supervises the fumetti, then ends up being carted off to the location where they are shooting. She meets The White Sheik and I won’t spoil any more by revealing what happens. The leading performances of Alberto Sordi, Leopoldo Treiste and Brunella Bovo are perfect. Giulietta Masina makes a brief appearance as a prostitute named Cabiria, a character she’d go on to play again in Nights of Cabiria which, of course, became the Broadway musical Sweet Charity. The transfer, I’m afraid to say, is not up to Criterion’s usual standards. I’ve owned this film on 16mm, both dubbed and subtitled, I’ve owned every incarnation of it on tape and I’ve seen it in the theaters. A lot of it looks okay, a bit dark, and a bit contrasty, but acceptable. However, the shot that appears behind the main titles is so dark that you can’t even tell what it is, and for some reason they’ve removed two title cards which should appear at the 38 minute mark – at the very end of the sequence where they are photographing The White Sheik’s latest adventures a title card appears “End of Part One” and then it dissolves to the next scene and there is a title card which reads “Beginning of Part Two” (in Italian, of course). Here, there is an abrupt cut, no dissolve, and in deleting the title cards they delete most of one shot of Brunella Bovo’s priceless expression. Why is this I wonder? I took out a tape I have (off a pristine 35mm print) and checked – the two title cards are there along with the expression on Miss Bovo’s face. Also, the background plate for the titles is bright and clear as can be. I also had problems with the rather literal translation of the subtitles. Literal is not always best – an example: When the husband meets with his family he passes out what the subtitles describe as “sugared almonds”, which is the literal translation of what is said. What “sugared almonds” are in Italy is “wedding candy” which is what it says in the older subtitled version – a much better and clearer but not literal translation. Also, they frequently put two characters’ dialogue onscreen at the same time, which gets very confusing, timing-wise. But don’t let this dissuade you from buying the DVD – even with these flaws, the film is a must-have, a masterpiece, and one-of-a-kind.
What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? Now we are lagging behind, and we mustn’t lag behind because to lag behind is for fools and simpletons. Let’s all click on the Unseemly Button below before we lag behind even further.

My goodness, we are certainly lagging behind which, by the way (BTW, in Internet lingo) is for fools and simpletons. Have you ever had a lagging behind? I know I have.
The gardeners are outside gardening loudly and the sun is shining and it’s going to be a beautiful day. I have several errands to do and then I must write and attend to some business matters. Then I shall watch even more films on DVD – including Little Big Man and Le Mans.
Hapgood was the first to guess correctly about the identity of new poster JB aka JK who is, of course, my very own lovely daughter, Jennifer.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must not lag because to lag is for fools and simpletons, I must, in short, get crackin’. Today’s topic of discussion: Since we did performers yesterday, today we shall do composers and lyricists – who are your favorite underrated theater and film composers, and, when talking about musicals, your favorite underrated lyricists? I’ll start – film composers, the great underappreciated and undervalued Hugo Friedhofer, George Duning, and currently Joe Hisaishi – theater, Moose Charlap, Tommy Wolf and Fran Landesman, Claibe Richardson, Carolyn Leigh and Gene DePaul. There are many others, but I leave them to you. Post away, my pretties, and I shall check back soon because I mustn’t lag.

Replies: 86 Unseemly Comments

DR WEL, I thank you for the sweet sentiment of yesterday's post about me. I truly appreciate all the support the Dear Readers of this site have shown towards me and my career. I hope I can live up to it.
Posted by Susan @ 04/29/2003 08:46 AM PST

My absolute favorite underappreciated composer/lyricist team is Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones. As a pianist, playing a Schmidt score is about the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
The cast album "Taking A Chance On Love" gave me a new appreciation for the wonderful lyrics of John LaTouche. I recommend it, and him.
Posted by Pam @ 04/29/2003 08:59 AM PST

My post got posted just before the new notes went up.
Meron and Zadan have decided, at least according to Playbill On-Line that 1776 will be the next television project they tackle. They were in talks w/Peter Stone last week just before he died.
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/79258.html
Posted by Ben @ 04/29/2003 09:16 AM PST

I am lagging behind as well. The girls were having so much fun last night waving their towels around while Nellie washed Emile out of her hair, that we didn't even get to IN LOVE WITH A WONDERFUL GUY, which we will do tonight. Whewwww!!!
The boys have two big numbers in their scene. And then the girls have two big numbers in their scene. Who wrote this stuff? Oh - nevermind.
I like Hugo Friedhofer's film scores as well. I also enjoy Richard Stein and Albert Glasser who did a lot of sci fi genre work, but other scores as well.
Glasser wrote the ATTACK OF THE PUPPET PEOPLE score and Stein did ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT WOMAN.
Theatre - hmmmmm...guess I will go with Bob Merrill who did a really fine score for NEW GIRL IN TOWN.
Welcome, Jennifer!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/29/2003 09:25 AM PST

Looking forward to BK's comments on LeMans....it along with GRAND
PRIX are my two favorite car racing movies. WINNING is close behind.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/29/2003 09:44 AM PST

Oh my, oh my. Yesterday was at last my Joe's birthday, and, as I reported, I left my birhtday card (eyes only) and the Hainesy/Kimlet card I whippped together with DogByte software, on the table where he would have his morning coffee. I also added pictures from the Rogues Gallery to the card.
Well, I came home from work early to celebrate and narry a peep about the cards, although I saw they had been displayed on top of the window valence in the great room.
I gave Joe his present--Todd Rundgren's two CD set Something/Anything by Rhino--and we spent the next couple of hours listening to it.
Since we haven't yet unpacked a turntable in our new house, Joe has been bemoaning the lack of his old vinyls from the '70s, and I am trying to replace some of them in CD form. Not that Rundgren was someone I was ever aware of, but yesterday I really go into the mood of it, and the man has written some very nice ballads as well as his weird metal rock influenced occasionally by Gilbert and Sullivan.
A deluxe dinner prepared by me--corned beef and pastrami sandwiches augmented by tortellini cheese salad from the deli.
And then finally he said, "You know, I had tears in my eyes this morning when I read that card." Joe has been very much a shut-in for the last 14 years since he contracted EMS, after being a gregarious night-owl in the decade previous.
"To see people from all of the world wishing me a happy birthday--that meant a lot to me, Bill. I hope you thanked them all."
I did and I do. Thank you all from me and from Joe. It was the bestest present.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 04/29/2003 09:46 AM PST

Oh, WFO. It must be something about *you* - I got tears in my eyes just reading your post. But then, I'm a big sap! :)
Posted by Lulu @ 04/29/2003 09:59 AM PST

Without a doubt the most underappreciated theatre composer is Al Carmines. From the mid 60s to the late 70s, hardly a season went by that didn't have one or two new Carmines shows off-Broadway or off-off-Broadway. Carmines is an ordained minister and was at the Judson Church in Greenwich Village during that period. Most of his shows were first produced there and then moved to commercial off-Broadway productions. His best known work was PROMENADE which was the first show at the theatre of the same name. It starred Madeline Kahn although she left before the recording was made. He usually wrote his own lyrics, almost always played the piano for his shows (at least at the Judson), and occasionally appeared in the shows as well. Several of them were recorded, although except for PROMENADE thay have not been released on CD yet. The only other CD of his work is W.C., a studio recording of his musical about W.C. Fields that toured in stock with Mickey Rooney and Bernadette Peters.
The variety of his shows was amazing. His THE JOURNEY OF SNOW WHITE was one of the best shows I have ever seen. It played at the Judson with a cast almost as large as the seating capacity of the theatre. There were three princes (including an opera prince who sang the aria "O Mio Snio White") and three witches, plus a large chorus of forest animals (no, it wasn't a children's show). For JOAN he reset the Joan of Arc story in the East Village. THE FAGGOTT mixed contemporary gay life (70s) with people like Gertrude Stein and Oscar Wilde. PEACE was the Aristophanies play done as a minstrel show. His Christmas Cantata CHRISTMAS RAPPINGS was a yearly event for several years.
I think when he moved to a different church he was told to stop his writing or maybe he stopped on his own. It is a great loss to musical theatre. However I heard he has a new show opening in Los Angeles this spring. May it be a hit, recorded and come to NY. Maybe then he will get the fame he so rightly deserves.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/29/2003 10:03 AM PST

William F - so happy that Joe appreciated our wishes - give him a big hug from us as well.
Underrated musical composers - I definitely agree with Claibe Richardson. The Grass Harp, Lola and Night of the Hunter are all musically superb. I know he did an opera of Miss Julie, but what else did he do that has been recorded?
And, although he has had some great successes (Annie, Bye Bye Birdie), I think Charles Strouse is underrated - he has such a range of styles. Who would guess that Rags and Bye Bye Birdie were written by the same person? Larry Grossman has a similar range of styles, take A Doll's Life and Snoopy, for instance.
In the UK, Howard Goodall has a lot of potential, I think. He wrote The Hired Man and Days of Hope and a musical called Girlfriends, which was on briefly in the West End, but which was never recorded, apart from a single.
Of lyricists, Dick Vosburgh contributed some great lyrics to Windy City, one of the few CDs which has me laugh out loud virtually every time I play it.
Posted by Allan @ 04/29/2003 10:19 AM PST

Ben --
Thanks for the link to the article on the TV version of 1776. It is one of my favorite musicals, onstage and onscreen. So what was the crack the producer made about it not "being well-served in its film version"? It was almost perfect, IMHO. Sherman Edwards (underrated composer) wrote a perfect score for this piece and Peter Stone's book is amazing. I shudder to think what horrors are to come.
But then, this will be the Disney version. Can you imagine the cast....
John Adams: Matthew Broderick
Benjamin Franklin: Victor Garber
Thomas Jefferson: Justin Timberlake
Martha Jefferson: Kristin Chenoweth
Posted by Philip Crosby @ 04/29/2003 10:20 AM PST

I think most film composers would say they are underappreciated, although someone like Jerry Goldsmith has complained loudly that he is overrepresented on CD recordings. And he has a point. He has a large group of fanatics (and not without reason -- Goldsmith is a brilliant composer), but he has only one Oscar...and he has scored, in his past, some of Hollywood's greatest films.
David Shire is immensely underappreciated -- both as a film composer and a theatrical composer (with his lyricist Richard Maltby Jr.).
One of the most lyrical of Italian composers is/was Riz Ortolani who penned the song "More" from "Mondo Cane" but wrote some intensely beautiful movie scores including "The Yellow Rolls-Royce" and "Fratello Sole, Sorella Luna" (that's the international version of "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" with a severely banal replacement score by Donovan with Ken Thorne-arranged orchestral music, most of it from Ortolani's score --uncredited to Ortolani, to boot).
I'm not so sure "underappreciated" is the right word for composer Paul Glass whose one recorded film score -- the LP soundtrack to "Bunny Lake is Missing" -- is a monothematic masterpiece of the first order with a haunting, lyrical main theme that gets some amazing variations. This recording is most often found in "rock" sections of used record stores as it has a few selections from a rock group that has a cult following.
Glass had scored several films in the early 60s...not much information is available on him that I've been able to find. He seems to have chucked it all and entered the professional world of the classical, teaching in Switzerland (??).
Glass is largely forgotten except by a diehard group of us who will not let go of the memories "Bunny Lake..." evoked.
Another composer who never seemed to get appreciation in his lifetime -- at least, not internationally -- was Ray Cook who scored "Careful, He Might Hear You" -- an intensely beautiful score for an eerily frightening Australian film. This score was issued on LP only.
There are a batch of Newmans out there -- all related to the great, NEVER UNDERAPPRECIATED Alfred Newman, His sons Thomas and David, and nephew Randy, have each made a mark as film composers, but it's David who seems underappreciated to me and it is David, IMO, who seems to hold the most "musical cards" in his gene pool. He scored "Hoffa" and "The War of the Roses" -- two very high-profile films with wonderful scores -- and has since turned in scores for "The Phantom" (about 50 gazillion times a better score than the film was a movie), "Galaxy Quest" (an underappreciated comedy masterpiece!!!), "Bedazzled," "Ice Age" and "Affair of the Necklace."
There are many, many others: Some haven't been give much of a chance -- John Morgan, William Stromberg; others seem to be victimized for their gender -- Shirley Walker writes more muscular, interesting music than most of the composers who own the action movie franchises; the extraordinary John Morris who wrote so many fantastic scores for Mel Brooks and scored "The Elephant Man." Laurence Rosenthal has written tons of scores, but has never been truly "recognized" for the great composer he is.
It goes on and on and on....
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 04/29/2003 10:27 AM PST

Philip - hate to disagree with you.. but clearly Matthew is too old to play John Adams. I am guessing they would go with Haley Joel Osment - assuming his voice has finished changing ;)
Posted by Craig @ 04/29/2003 10:28 AM PST

Jrand- Ronald not Richard Stein - I only know that because of having produced two CDs of his music.
I didn't include Schmidt and Jones as underappreciated because The Fantasticks alone takes them out of that category for me.
If you haven't seen the last few posts on yesterday's notes, check them out.
Posted by bk @ 04/29/2003 10:29 AM PST

Fred Karlin--"Up the Down Staircase," one of the most charming main themes ever.
Percy Faith--"The Oscar" is a masterpiece from a scoring standpoint. No comment on the rest (though if I'm in a certain mood, it's a masterpiece of a different kind). His remarkably few other original scores (as well as his Oscar nominated adaptation for "Love Me or Leave Me") are similarly excellent.
"Christopher" Komeda--"Rosemary's Baby" set the standard for horror writing.
Posted by JMK @ 04/29/2003 10:36 AM PST

RE 1776 as the next ABC-Eisner musical: why? The film of this show is one of the most faithful adaptations of any Broadway-to-Hollywood transfers and most of the original cast is retained. If they have to do another musical, why not pick one whose film version was less than perfect. I don't even need to list any... we all know what they are.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/29/2003 10:47 AM PST

Craig: L0L. Yes, I can see Haley Joel staring into space "I see Constitutions"
I agree w/Philip & WEL about remaking it. While I thank Meron and Zadan for bringing attention to musical theatre I do think the crack about it not being well served is pompous on their parts.
Posted by Ben @ 04/29/2003 10:57 AM PST

How about Walter/Wendy Carlos? Electronic scores are probably considered heresy by some here, but I love the scores for A Clockwork Orange and Tron.
Posted by Lulu @ 04/29/2003 11:04 AM PST

...and Laurence "Clash of the Titans" Rosenthal.
Posted by Lulu @ 04/29/2003 11:05 AM PST

I thought the name Howard Goodall was familiar! I love the Blackadder theme (in all its many incarnations) so I'll throw in my lot with Allen, as well.
Posted by Lulu @ 04/29/2003 11:07 AM PST

OK, Jennifer, I warned you I'd be back with more...
QUESTIONS ABOUT BK
Is there any truth to the rumors that BK:
*Underwent elbow reduction surgery in 1982?
*Has a rare allergy to orange juice?
*As a teenager, possessed a fluffy pet bunny rabbit named "Maynard?"
*Still reads - and laughs at - "The Lockhorns"?
*Doesn't want anyone to know that his favorite color is puce?
*Really loves the word "squiggly?"
*For years, wrote lurid pulp fiction under the pen name "Roy G. Biv?"
*Before veering into theater, seriously considered a life in the Randy Vicarhood?
Tell ALL!
Posted by Lulu @ 04/29/2003 11:17 AM PST

Yes to all of the above :) Sorry BK!! :)
Posted by JB aka JK @ 04/29/2003 11:22 AM PST

You can imagine my embarrassment. Ronald Stein.
Which is somewhat like the following correction that appeared in a small weekly newspaper.
Last week reported that Joe Barton is a defective in the police force. This was a typographical error. Joe Barton is a detective in the police farce.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/29/2003 11:35 AM PST

Now, that's what I'M talkin' about. I am getting down and jiggy with all of this dish, this dirt, scuttlebutt, dirty laundry, dirty linen, prattle, scandal, this babble, hearsay, back-fence talk.
I LOVE IT.
Thank you, J!
Posted by Lulu @ 04/29/2003 11:38 AM PST

Newspaper humor, Jrand? How about...?
WACKY HEADLINES
Include Your Children When Baking Cookies
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
Safety Experts Say School Bus Passengers Should Be Belted
Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case
Survivor of Siamese Twins Joins Parents
Iraqi Head Seeks Arms
Is There a Ring of Debris Around Uranus?
...and my personal favorite
British Left Waffles on Falkland Islands
Posted by Lulu @ 04/29/2003 11:45 AM PST

LOL
WITNESS SAW DEAD MAN RIDING MOTORCYCLE
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/29/2003 12:04 PM PST

BATTERY STOLEN; YOUTH CHARGED
Posted by Jrand 52 @ 04/29/2003 12:05 PM PST

Man Struck By Lightning Faces Battery Charge
Posted by Lulu @ 04/29/2003 12:11 PM PST

Most underrated composer in musical theatre has got to be British composer, Bernard J. Taylor. Even though nothing he has written that has been produced in the United States, or in some cases, EVER, he works hard at creating shows based on such classics as "Whuthering Heights", "Pride and Prejudice" and "Much Ado" and he's the only British composer to tackle something as American as "The Alamo".
No, I'm not lying, yes I am lying. If you know his works you know what I mean. If you don't, you'd much rather change your oil.
Posted by Matthew @ 04/29/2003 12:13 PM PST

NIXON: "CAN'T STAND PAT."
Posted by William F. Orr @ 04/29/2003 12:20 PM PST

Hey my initials are JK too! Although my future husband's last name starts with F not B.
It's funny as soon as someone guessed that JB aka JK was BK's daughter, I knew they were right.
In fact I believe we both have the same middle name, Lynn. And were born in the same year around the same time.
Hey if you have any good BK stories, I know we'd all like to hear them :)
Posted by Jennifer @ 04/29/2003 12:41 PM PST

That would probably be right around the same time I was born, as my middle name is "Lynn," as well... :)
Posted by Lulu @ 04/29/2003 12:51 PM PST

OH!!!!!
Forgot to comment on the BEST NEWS!!!!
Pre-orders next week for KRITZERLAND!! Hooray! Best news since marbles in hula hoops!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/29/2003 12:57 PM PST

Did you know that Jennifer Lynn was the most popular name in 1970? Uh oh, not only have I dated myself - I have dated BK as well. HA HA!! Just a note about Kritzerland - I have read it and absolutely loved it!! Get your orders in pronto, tonto!! You will not regret it!
Posted by JB aka JK @ 04/29/2003 01:07 PM PST

This Jennifer chick is a complete nutball.
I like her.
Posted by Lulu @ 04/29/2003 01:14 PM PST

Yes Lulu - I am more than a complete nutball!! I am seriously demented - must have inherited that from my father's side :)
Posted by JB aka JK @ 04/29/2003 01:18 PM PST

OMG, I just had a flashback...I went to school for eight years (5th grade - senior year) with a girl named Jennifer KRimmel! The one thing I remember about her is she looked like a young version of Judy Blume. Oh, and in the 5th grade, she still sucked her thumb!
Posted by Lulu @ 04/29/2003 01:26 PM PST

I agree wholeheartedly re Paul Glass and Bunny Lake - always one of my favorites. And, of course, David Shire.
Ask JB aka JK how we used to spend our Saturdays - and about the LA tours we used to go on.
Re the comedy team of Zadan and Meron - they said the same disparaging remark about The Music Man, which to me is about as good as it gets.
Posted by bk @ 04/29/2003 01:37 PM PST

JB aka JK: Okay. I'll bite. How did
you spend your Saturdays? Tell me
about your LA tours.
Do I get a sparkling prize for my
guess? It would be so very sparkly,
and I like things that sparkle.
I don't know from underrated
composers. Adam Guettel is pretty
incredible, but he has a pretty good
following. Oh, I know: Burton Lane.
He has only a few well-known
scores, but they are fantastic.
I'm cautiously optimistic about 1776,
just becaus I love that show, and
they might do it very well.
Posted by Hapgood @ 04/29/2003 02:04 PM PST

Fun, fun posts!
Welcome JB aka JK! Welcome to the family!... Oh, well, since you're... Well, you know... Don't you?
And that's great news about Kritzerland. -Now, if I can actually set aside the time to read Benjamin Kritzer during my current "vacation". And, yes, BK, you can bitch-slap me from here to the end of the Sunset Strip... Can I still get a copy of the CD? Pretty please? With Splenda on top? ;-)
WFO: Thank you for sharing. Love, is indeed, a many splendored thing.
As for today's topic... I'll stick to the Great White Way: David Shire, Claibe Richardson, Carolyn Leigh, -all previously mentioned... Thank you, DRs.
On a totally silly side note: I just finished some major house cleaning - vacuuming, washing dishes, etc. Well, to make the time go faster, I put in a CD I got the other day from BMG. -I had "won" 12 free CDs since I've been a member for so many years. So, after checking out the web-site, I decided to take a chance on Donny Osmond's "Somewhere In Time" - I needed something to fill out the order. What a fun album - at least for me. It was like a trip back to the late 70's and early 80's - when Pop Radio was Pop Radio! He does cover versions of "All Out Love," "I Can't Go For That," and "(I Can't Live, If Living Is) Without You". I was laughing everytime an intro would start. Unlike his Broadway album, most of these covers stick pretty close to the originals - slicked up, of course, with today's technology. If you're in the mood for some "nostalgia" - with some cheese (maybe ham too), I highly recommend it! -And, yes, he does cover his own "Puppy Love".
-And, now I have the remaster of the Oscar Peterson Trio "West Side Story" on. This album still scares me - I swear, it sounds at times like he has three, if not four hands playing at once! -And the remaster sounds great - you can hear the humming...
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 04/29/2003 02:05 PM PST

Thanks for all the "welcomes"! OK - Since you bit - One thing that really sticks out in my mind is spending several hours in dark and dank warehouses, in dark and dank alleys, looking for 1st edition books. I also remember eating lots of sundaes at CC Browns, and spending lots of time at the magazine stand. I do know that it was always a good time!!
Posted by JB aka JK @ 04/29/2003 02:15 PM PST

Oh Yeah - Can't forget the Three Stooges Marathon in 3D!!
Posted by JB aka JK @ 04/29/2003 02:18 PM PST

Let me joggeth the memoryeth: Little Tokyo - Scrabble - Taco Bell. Driving around LA singing Some People sit on their butts, etc.
Posted by bk @ 04/29/2003 02:26 PM PST

The only thing I remember about Little Tokyo is the rice candy - and that was on top of your refrigerator. You are really going to have to joggeth hardereth! Now, Scrabble is a different story! I remember every Saturday playing Scrabble and eating..... Oh was it cheese slices and ham chunks?!
Posted by JB aka JK @ 04/29/2003 02:30 PM PST

Yes, Bob Merrill never won a Tony for any of his wonderful scores including CARNIVAL, my absolute favorite. And no one seems to remember that he did the lyrics for FUNNY GIRL. People only remember Jule Styne. So, he's my pick.
Film composers? Well, maybe David Raksin. If he's too famous, then Leigh Harline.
Posted by Matt H. @ 04/29/2003 02:32 PM PST

Films: Born Free, The Tamarind Seed, To Sir With Love, Mary Queen Of Scotts, True Grit.
Theatre: Billy, Budgie, Aspects Of Love, Tell Me On A Sunday
Lyricist: Don Black
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 04/29/2003 02:52 PM PST

I meant to comment in my post earlier about the new '1776.' I was heartsick when I read it because just like FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, we just don't need another film version of the property.
If Disney is so intent on making a musical for their Sunday night slot, why not CARNIVAL that I mentioned earlier? It's never been done for film, at least not with the Bob Merrill score, and it would be so charming for the whole family.
The VARIETY article I read this morning also stated that the Victor Garber/FIDDLER is back on track for production as well what with the hostilities in the Middle East calming down somewhat. Another reason not to rejoice.
Posted by Matt H. @ 04/29/2003 03:00 PM PST

Well, daughter, do you not remember that we'd go down to Little Tokyo just about every Saturday for almost a year, and we would eat various and sundried foodstuffs, and look in all the stores? I'm senile and I remember.
Posted by bk @ 04/29/2003 03:07 PM PST

Yep I think Jennifer Lynn was very popular in 1970. I remember in elementary school there were many girls named Jennifer.
What are the most popular names now?
Posted by Jennifer @ 04/29/2003 03:28 PM PST

Britney
Christina
and
Justin
(ain't that the pits!)
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 04/29/2003 03:45 PM PST

Statistics for most popular baby names in 2001 (latest year for which there are accurate statistics) are (in descending order from 10 to 1):
BOYS:
William
Daniel
Joseph
Andrew
Nicholas
Christopher
Joshua
Matthew
Michael
Jacob
GIRLS:
Jessica
Elizabeth
Abigail
Sarah
Samantha
Alexis
Ashley
Hannah
Madison
Emily
Most of these names would not be the least bit out of place in 1880. There are a couple of notable exceptions -- for instance, it's hard to believe that when "Splash" came out in 1984, the idea of a woman being named "Madison" was considered unusual in the extreme. Now it's the second most popular girls' name!
Posted by Lulu @ 04/29/2003 03:48 PM PST

In the year 2001, the most
popular baby names in the US
were...
Male: Jacob, Michael, Matthew,
Joshua, Christopher
Female: Emily, Madison,
Hannah, Ashley, Alexis
Posted by Stat Boy @ 04/29/2003 03:49 PM PST

There is a website belonging to the government were you can access the listings of 10 most popular names for boys and girls from 2001 and back.
The URL is: http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/
For 2001, the top three boys' names were Jacob, Michael and Matthew; the top three girls' names were Emily, Madison and Hannah.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 04/29/2003 03:49 PM PST

LOL -- three posts that must have popped in within seconds of each other!
Posted by Ron PUlliam @ 04/29/2003 03:51 PM PST

Jennifer ranked in the top 10
through 1992, but has now
fallen to #25
Posted by Stat Boy @ 04/29/2003 03:52 PM PST

In the 1960s, Patrick was the 32nd most popular name. George was the 33rd most popular. My first and middle names are George and Patrick (in that order). Cool, huh?
Posted by George @ 04/29/2003 04:10 PM PST

And a Very Merry Welcome to "JB aka JK"! What took you so long in finding this place?? Do you plan to stay and become a regular poster here to help HHW become the most popular site on the Internet?
Posted by George @ 04/29/2003 04:13 PM PST

Jennifer, I remember when you were born and how jealous I was, wanting a little girl named Jennifer myself. I did see you when you were just a toddler. You were very cute. Alas we had boys & didn't get to use the name.
BTW, I have known your dad since I was fifteen (met him at the high school drama class). My father use to eat at your grandfather's restaurant at least once a week. I had the privilege of joining my father on special occasions. It was an excellent restaurant.
Posted by Jane @ 04/29/2003 04:31 PM PST

Jennifer---
Now that you are posting on the site I hope you will join us for chat. The next one is next Monday and it alternates between Sundays and Mondays (since differrent people make it different nights). Also give a listen to Donald's show.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/29/2003 05:34 PM PST

Dear readers, .....and esteemed, facile, and quixotic BK,
I am just checking in to avoid being labeled as errant & truant, or a fool & a simpleton. Or my dear departed grandmother's favorite.."oh, he doesn't have the brains of a louse!" I think Benjamin Kritzer would have loved that one.
For film music (and I don't know how underrated this might be) I have recently been re-listening to some of the scores of Georges DeLarue (sp?). They have a wonderful richness, and are quite varied in style from one to the next. Also, the scores of John Barrie can always take me slightly off the ground.....I guess it's not hard to figure out I'm a big old flaming florid romantic. Minimal just doesn't touch me much.
DR Jose -- I know what you mean about listening to Oscar Peterson; I feel even more that way when I listen to the wonderful piano recordings of Art Tatum and Cy Walter. They had to have more fingers than I do !!!
DRs Lulu, JB aka JK, et al, -- Yes, I too have the name Lynn, and it was not at all common for a male name in the early 50s. If you don't think that was fun during elementary school....NOT.
Finally, as a great way to start the day, I got to break bread (actually, it was bend a bagel) with both DR Kerry and DR Laura right here in sunny Phoenix. "I hear la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la..and I'm young..."
Posted by MusicGuy @ 04/29/2003 05:38 PM PST

Re: 1776.
I can think of two good reasons for remaking this film. First, the story and score are strong enough to stand up to repeated filmings. To do so with a new cast and director might be what it takes to get the show a new audience, one that normally wouldn't seek out the original filming.
Second, let's face it, Jack Warner shredded the film! We will never be able to see it AS IT WAS INTENDED TO BE SEEN, because he shamelessly edited out tons of footage from the completed film to satisfy his own politics. And, while the restoration has put most of the film back together, the jumps and jerks that result from those parts that cannot be fully restored harm the film as a whole.
Where I do have a qualm, and a major one, is in the necessity to produce the new film according to network television standards. The script will have to be cut into, to make room for the dreaded commercials, destroying the original script's momentum. AARGH!
Posted by S. Woody White @ 04/29/2003 05:48 PM PST

When you guys write "jennifer" how are we to know who you are referring to?
:(
Posted by Jennifer @ 04/29/2003 06:36 PM PST

The composer of the score to The
Boys from Brazil. . . him/her. Who
was that? Creepiest waltzes since
Prokofiev's Cinderella. And since I
am so foolish and simple I haven't a
clue. . .
I have been lagging too. . . just
delivered three severed heads to the
prop mistress of The Scarlet
Pimpernel opening this weekend.
Some fun. . . now it's back to brick
walls on my Stage Door miniature.
Posted by Kurt @ 04/29/2003 06:46 PM PST

Apparently if I had been female
my parents were going to
name me Jennifer. Lynn never
entered the equation, but this
was a few years after JB/JK,
Jennifer, and Lulu were all
named.
Posted by Jed @ 04/29/2003 07:13 PM PST

Kurt -
The composer for Boys From
Brazil was Jerry Goldsmith.
Posted by Jed @ 04/29/2003 07:20 PM PST

I have read many complaints about the film of "1776."
Point is, most of them are from people who loved the film the moment they saw it in theaters, in its "truncated" form.
It received a renaissance, of sorts, when it was "restored" for laserdisc...complete with phony overture/intermission fabricated from underscore (according to its director, it never had these, although in the commentary on LD he said they'd been considered).
I have both the LD and DVD. I see no jumps/quirky edits in the DVD...it's quite an impressively restored film, right down to its sound (go with the Dolby 2.0...forget the 5.1).
There is much that was put into the LD that the director now disowns...stating that he never intended it to be in there.
Warner should never have cut "Cool, Cool Considerate Men," but the film offered most of the show's joys fully intact. Most complaints I've read about the butchery on the film have to do with "pretty shots" that were filmed for the cinematic effect but NOT used in any form until the LD was issued.
My point is this -- the LD is not the end-all be-all of how that film was intended to be seen.
The DVD restores so much and it's all of a piece, now, fully finished and glossy.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 04/29/2003 07:34 PM PST

P.S. Jack Warner was not his own boss when this film was produced...he was releasing through Columbia Pictures which wanted mulitple showings in cinema complexes.
The reception to the film was cold, for some reason, despite its being released three years plus from the nation's Bicentennial celebration.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 04/29/2003 07:37 PM PST

NEWLYWEDS LEAVE DAVENPORT FOR HOT SPRINGS
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/29/2003 08:17 PM PST

DR Kurt -- I agree with you about the Goldsmith score for "Boys From Brazil." I just recently watched the whole thing again, and I had forgotten how effective parts of the movie were....and how that wonderful, twisted, eerie score writing enhanced the "creepy factor."
Posted by MusicGuy @ 04/29/2003 08:29 PM PST

I agree with Ron. The restoration of '1776' on DVD is beautifully done, a version now so beautiful and so close to the original while still looking every bit as a film and not a stage reproduction that no TV remake could possibly match. I can't imagine Da Silva's Ben Franklin ever being bettered (Poor Rex Everhart couldn't come close on the cast album when Da Silva was hospitalized and couldn't do it).
I, too, have the laser with all the rough footage that doesn't match, and I'm glad to see that they did film the entire show, but the DVD is slick and gorgeous.
Posted by Matt H. @ 04/29/2003 08:29 PM PST

Jennifer raises a very good point. We shall soon become quite confused if we have two "Jennifers" posting! Since BK's daughter signs herself as "JB aka JK," perhaps we should call her that.
Posted by Laura @ 04/29/2003 09:01 PM PST

A belated welcome to JB aka JK from the merry old land of OZ.
With the above posts I shall now put 1776 on me list of DVD to be financed by......I know not what. I don't want to go back to work. I won't go back to work. I now need to (make that MUST HAVE) a new book to read too. This is one sequel I really am looking forward to BK.
I am currently reading "Kiss Of The Spider Woman" I think I appreciate the film and especially the musical even more. Great adaptions for the screen and stage
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 04/29/2003 10:14 PM PST

Well - after all these glowing reports - maybe I am WRONG about '1776'. Just never liked it at all. BUT with so many people at HHW with such good taste, maybe I should give it another chance.
Maybe it's because actor William Daniels gets on my last nerve and stomps on it with his big feet and irritating voice and mannerisms - you know some performers just do that to you. It can't be explained, but some of them do. Please don't make me list them - because some of them are FAVORITES of the PEOPLE.
Georges Delarue - film composer. His score for JOE VS THE VOLCANO is one of my favorites. I also like Hans Zimmer, especially his work in TRUE ROMANCE.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/30/2003 05:08 AM PST

Jrand---
The type of character you described is Bill Daniels' specialty and it works best in 1776. As John Adams is written, his portrayal is perfect for the character and is probably the highlight of his career. Although I agree in other roles it can get a little irritating.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/30/2003 06:00 AM PST

Maybe it's his toupee as well...ANYWAY. You are right, Bill, what works against him in other roles, may be why his 1776 performance is so right.
I have been reading some of the DVD reviews online, and they are all good! I can't believe in all my years in Community Theatre, I have been able to avoid working on this show. Maybe after I buy the DVD - I will start lobbying for it. I have been known to change my mind.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/30/2003 06:05 AM PST

Jrand: I know what it is about William Daniels; everytime he opens his mouth you expect him to say "Michael..." in that nasal, exasperated, prissy way of his. :)
Posted by Lulu @ 04/30/2003 07:17 AM PST

Jrand, remember that Adams was, what is the term, "obnoxious and not well liked"? I'm sure someone here can quote it exactly.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 04/30/2003 07:20 AM PST

Good Morning All!! WEL: I will try to join the chat on Monday. I use my computer at work, and I am in CST, so its a bit late for me. Maybe my hubby will bring the laptop home. I would really like to join you guys - you all seem like lots of fun!!
Posted by JB aka JK @ 04/30/2003 07:34 AM PST

"Mr. Adams, dear Mr. Adams, you are obnoxious and disliked, that cannot be denied. Once again, you stand between me and my lovely bride (lovely bride), Oh, Mr. Adams, you are driving me to homicide. (Homicide, Homicide, we may see murder yet)"
Sing the above in your head. The parts in parens are choral. It's the final part of the song. Jefferson is singing about being taken away from his wife, yet again, by Mr. Adams' entreaties to write the necessary documents.
I do love this show. It is one of my favorite in the musical theatre spectrum.
Just thought I'd share that.
Posted by Ben @ 04/30/2003 07:35 AM PST

Wow, I've never seen 1776...never even wanted to...and you guys are making me want to run right out to Blockbuster after work! LOL! I think it's called "enabling." ;)
Posted by Lulu @ 04/30/2003 07:37 AM PST

JB/JK: By all means, by hook or by crook, join us in chat! You are "a real hoot" (don't strike me, it's a compliment in the midwest) and you, Jennifer (Trading Spaces Jennifer), and I are the only '70s gals around these here parts (as far as I can tell). We need to stick together!
Posted by Lulu @ 04/30/2003 07:40 AM PST

Lulu, dont' forget about Donna and Susan, not to mention Laura and Sandra. I'm sure I'm forgetting about others.
And I'm with you. I've never been interested in 1776. Maybe it's because I'm not American, or because I've never heard anything in the score that I found terribly interesting. Maybe I'll give it another chance.
Posted by Dave @ 04/30/2003 07:56 AM PST

Dave, I'm not forgetting that there are other women here at HHW. I just don't think any of the aforementioned vibrant, brilliant, scintillating women named above were born in the '70s (though I could be wrong).
I'm American and have never been interested in 1776 (they didn't force feed it to us in Civics class or anything), but I am getting curious now, with so much discussion centered upon it. :)
Posted by Lulu @ 04/30/2003 07:59 AM PST

I can hear the people at deepdiscount.dvd now: "Dust off those '1776' DVD's - HHW is at it again!"
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/30/2003 08:01 AM PST

LOL! I think you're exactly right, Jrand. Remember when everyone here was talking about The Happiest Millionaire Roadshow Edition? Result: OUT OF STOCK.
Hmmmmm...wonder if BK's getting kickbacks? (if not, he should.)
Posted by Lulu @ 04/30/2003 08:10 AM PST

Lulu, I missed the '70s in your earlier post. Sorry 'bout that.
Posted by Dave @ 04/30/2003 08:59 AM PST

Paul Glass is indeed alive and well in Switzerland, and is still composing for films and opera. I met him about a month ago through my friend sam's grandmother, who i was staying with in switzerland. He's currently scoring "The Old Man and the Sea", which is due for release in '04/'05, and has written a ballet called "The Cokapo"(sp?), about an endangered flightless parrot of the same name.
Posted by Peter Herbst @ 06/20/2003 03:02 PM PST

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