haines his way

04/30/2003:
"THE LAST OF APRIL"

Well, dear readers, here we are on the last day of April. April was a bit better than March so I’m hoping that May will be a bit better than April. Yesterday, I visited the website of the American Cinematheque (www.americancinematheque.com) and saw the schedule of films which The First Nudie Musical is a part of. It’s going to be quite a festival, and I was pleased to see that we are not part of a double bill – we’re the only film being shown on our night, May 28th. I do hope that a few Hainsies/Kimlets can make it to the screening, which should be a lot of fun. I’ll have more details as we get closer to the event. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that just too too?
Last night I watched a marvelous motion picture on DVD, one that I’ve never seemed to catch up with – Little Big Man. It’s as terrific as I’ve always heard and is as fresh today as it must have been back then, perhaps even fresher. The script by Calder Willingham is brilliant and the performances are great, straight down the line. The transfer is magnificent and yes, Virginia, it’s a must-have in every way, shape and form, not necessarily in that order.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I’ve been feeling as if these here notes have been unwieldy the last few days. Unwieldy is what these here notes have been – too much information in the first half, too little in the second half, and that yields unwieldiness. Don’t we feel that “yield” and “unwieldy” are Jerry Lewis words? Quick, Watson, let’s put on our best Jerry voices and say “yield” and “unwieldy” on the count of three: One, two, three – yield and unwieldy. There, now we can click on the Unseemly Button, having done Jerry proud.

You see, today’s notes have balance. Today’s notes are at peace with themselves and are not yielding unwieldiness. My DVD watching also has balance, as I’m almost caught up with the pile that had been growing like wild mushrooms on a sunny day. My how poetic that was – “growing like wild mushrooms on a sunny day”. That speaks to me, that does. And why does “that” speak to me? I’ve told “that” repeatedly not to speak to me unless spoken to. Damn them, damn them all to hell. It all reminds me of the story of The Randy Vicar and the Donut Hole, but I shan’t tell it here, because then these here notes would be unwieldy.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must close out the month, take care of various and sundried business, eat various and sundried foodstuffs, and do other various and sundried things. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Ask BK Day, the day in which you get to ask all your excellent questions. Also, feel free to discuss whatever else you’d like as well – I’ll be back in a bit to see what’s happening, so post away, my pretties.

Replies: 95 Unseemly Comments

I would like to repeat my question which never really got answered from a week or so ago. Which specific songs were ghostwritten in which specific songs. For example, just which song(s) did Merrill and Strouse/Adams do for Dolly? Any other specific answers would be most appreciated.
Posted by JMK @ 04/30/2003 08:28 AM PST

Oops--meant specific songs in specific shows. But you knew that. :)
Posted by JMK @ 04/30/2003 08:28 AM PST

I have certain specific questions for BK. Specifically, I would like to know of any specific instances of his darling daughter being excessively cute and/or precocious and/or silly as a youngster. You know, those stories which parents delight in recounting to all who will listen, even as their now-grown offspring cringes in embarrassment?
I would also just like to note at this point that since said offspring has already revealed your elbow enlargement and over-fondness for the word "squiggly" to the world [see yesterday's notes], you should feel no guilt in relating this/these anecdote(s) in tomorrow's notes.
(and please, please...be specific.)
Posted by Lulu @ 04/30/2003 08:40 AM PST

Lulu, you makin' fun of me? Remember, I know where you live. (Well, at least the state). ;)
Posted by JMK @ 04/30/2003 08:42 AM PST

Don't mushrooms grow in the dark?
I saw LITTLE BIG MAN on its original release before many H/K were born. In fact I think we saw it twice at the newly opened Jerry Lewis Cinema! One of my favorite Dustin Hoffman performances - maybe my favorite!
Calder Willingham... I think his book END AS A MAN (filmed as THE STRANGE ONE) is a favorite novel...as is his ETERNAL FIRE.
Mr Jonathan Haze lives on Woodhill Canyon in Studio City. Is that close to you?
ASK BK day. Do you collect autographs? What was the first autograph you ever received (by mail) and (in person). What is your most prized signature, and what is the one you would most like to add to your collection, assuming you have such!
Jose - you should see the girls swinging their towels and having a blast in SOUTH PACIFIC - what a wonderful idea! In fact, I went a step further and they all use Emile's hat to great effect in I'M IN LOVE WITH A WONDERFUL GUY!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/30/2003 08:47 AM PST

BK-
Why the word TRAILER for Coming Attractions?When I was mere tadpole of a lad I used to call them COMING EXTRACTIONS(nooo my father was not a dentist.
In CITY OF ANGELS Stine the author sings a brilliant duet with his fictional creation Stone-You're Nothing Without Me.
In WOMAN OF THE YEAR Sam Craig sings a duet with his cartoon alter-ego,Katz-So What Else Is New?
Can you think of any other instances where the Author sings a duet with his own creation?
Posted by Arnold M Brockman @ 04/30/2003 09:03 AM PST

Hey BK --
Local theater desperately
needs audience next season. .
willing to do new musical. .
.successfully mounted Bat Boy
last summer. . .
Unwilling to do "OLD"
musicals. . . even in new ways.
They HATE The Last Five
Years.
The question:
What new musicals do YOU
think would attract audiences?
And, hey, anyone who wants to
post an opinion, I would
eagerly accept suggestions on
the theater's behalf.
Thanks, all. . .
Posted by Kurt @ 04/30/2003 09:05 AM PST

Kurt, a few questions...
i) What size venue?
ii) What size cast?
iii) What are the general demographics of the company?
Posted by Dave @ 04/30/2003 09:08 AM PST

I'd like to ask BK:
How obsessed should Hainsies/Kimlets be about "specificity"?
And how do YOU feel about being specific, specifically?
What is YOUR opinion of the film "1776" on LD and on DVD? What is your take on contradictions between Peter Hunt's comments on the LD and his comments on the DVD?
What is your choice for most underappreciated film of all time?
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 04/30/2003 09:11 AM PST

I hope many of you will be going to the showing of The First Nudie Musical. I will be there with bells on!! I've got a question for BK - Will you do me the honor of being my date at the big event?
Posted by JB aka JK @ 04/30/2003 09:13 AM PST

Paging Dr. Freud...paging Dr. Sigmund Freud...
;)
Posted by Lulu @ 04/30/2003 09:27 AM PST

How incredible,
How perverse!
Somehow Oedipal,
In reverse.
What could be worse?
Posted by Jung @ 04/30/2003 09:56 AM PST

For Ask BK Day---
According to Leonard Maltin's annual "Film Guide" you wrote most of the songs for TFNM. I thought you wrote all of them except, of course, "La Cucaracha". Is Maltin correct? If so, which songs did someone else write and who wrote them? (If he's wrong, I'll write to the address the book gives for corrections).
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/30/2003 09:59 AM PST

A father sharing an opening night with his daughter is the most natural thing in the world!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 04/30/2003 10:04 AM PST

Ask BK ANOTHER ?:
What is the possibility that each of the dancing dildoes in the stage production might have a secret name for his or her costume? I could recommend a "cabinet" full of possibilities!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 04/30/2003 10:06 AM PST

Shame on me. Someone please smack me, then never allow me to post again. I mean it.
Posted by Lulu @ 04/30/2003 10:10 AM PST

At a rehearsal:
("Okay, Ashcroft, you're off key and you've got to get the step correct. Hop on the "ands"...one AND, two AND."
"Rumsfeld, you're a dancer. A dancer dances!")
("Condaleeza....PLEASE, Girl! Keep your costume erect!")
("All youse dildoes -- let's see some energy!")
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 04/30/2003 10:15 AM PST

Thank you, Ron! I figured I better ask BK before someone else does. He's a hot ticket, ya know! Continue to page Dr. Freud, as I need him for a few other issues :)
Posted by JB aka JK @ 04/30/2003 10:15 AM PST

Dear BK,
I have another paper due for my Literature and Film class. I have to read a book and the movie based on it and write a paper about symbolism and all that. Here are my choices:
Any Hemingway novel/story
Any Shakespeare play exept Hamlet
The Maltese Falcon
Schindler's List
The English Patient
Any Ian Fleming novel
The African Queen
What should I choose?
Posted by Sandra @ 04/30/2003 10:17 AM PST

Dave --
Theater: 150 seats
Company: less than 20,
preferably 10 - 15
Biggest Successes: Love!
Valor! Compassion! and Bat
Boy.
Posted by Kurt @ 04/30/2003 10:24 AM PST

I'm back from my whirlwind long weekend from New York. It was 82 degrees when I left the big apple and now in California it's only in the 60's. It's cold over here on the left coast -- has mother nature gone mad?
I shall read the archives and see all what I have missed. Lots of celebrity sightings on the airplane -- Tyra Banks, Minnie Driver, and Leroy the dancer from FAME.
Hope everyone has a great day!
Posted by Angela @ 04/30/2003 10:44 AM PST

Hey Kurt!
Re: Musical - Although not in the same vein as Love! Valor! Compassion! and Bat Boy, what about CALAMITY JANE? Some time ago, I was browsing the bookshelves at Brand Library in Glendale, CA, and ran across a STAGE version of the Doris Day film (it was done after the film came out). The songs by Paul Francis Webster and Sammy Fain are terrific and with the right cast, it should be a lot of fun. One thing's for sure, it hasn't been done very often.
IN FACT - With songs like "True Love," "Love is a Many Splendored Thing," "Anastasia," "Secret Love," "Tender is the Night," "The Shadow of Your Smile," and "I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good," PAUL FRANCIS WEBSTER gets my nomination as one underappreciated lyricist.
Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 04/30/2003 10:49 AM PST

Crap. . . I will be in LA and SF
the week BEFORE Wicked
opens.
Crummy, rotten show. . . didn't
want to see it during my trip
ANYhow. So there. . .
Dumb ol' show. . .
Posted by Kurt @ 04/30/2003 10:50 AM PST

Donna --
Very thoughtful of you. . . thank
you. However, unless the
show is NEW and unproduced
this theater wants NOTHING to
do with it.
And wonderful songs may very
well be a hindrence. So, no
melodies, no words.
No, that's sarcasm. . . I said
that's SARCASM. . . didn't work
with them either.
Stumped? Yeah, me too. I
liked The Last Five Years.
Posted by Kurt @ 04/30/2003 10:56 AM PST

Kurt---
I have a suggestion for a small show that you could do (I think the stage version of CALAMITY has too large for your company). It's an off-Broadway from 1960 that was just reissued on CD --- and a show I hadn't thought about in years ---EARNEST IN LOVE, a musical version of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. The book is very faithful to the Wilde original and the score is a delight with the songs spread around to all the characters so it's not a show with a star and a supporting cast. Give the CD a listen.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/30/2003 10:59 AM PST

Hey, Jrand! Glad to know that rehearsals are going well. And, you may not know it, but you are proudly carrying on the tradition of snapping towels, and "hat dancing". -Isn't Emile leaving his hat in the script? *Helen Hayes Awards are this coming Monday, and I played for three of the nominated musicals. Who to root for? I'm especially torn in the Best Actress in a Musical Category: Christine Baranski (for Mrs. Lovett) and Kate Baldwin (for Nellie Forbush) and Melissa Errico (for Dot) are in the same category! It was a good year for theatre in DC!
BK - Is there any show currently in NYC that you would really like to see, but probably won't get the chance to?
Have you ever been into the whole bootleg "mania" when it comes to shows? I'm constantly amazed at what is out there.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 04/30/2003 11:00 AM PST

LuLu! Lulu!
All is forgiven!
Please come home!
I have a ticket to see "Wicked"!
Nanner-nanner-nanner!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 04/30/2003 11:00 AM PST

Correction: I meant "Secret Love" NOT "True Love" (sorry Mr. Porter).
Posted by Donna @ 04/30/2003 11:04 AM PST

Kurt,
Some Two-fers:
John & Jen - And MTI now handles it.
The Big Bang! - Ran off-Broadway a few seasons ago. Think of The Producers done with two people, but the same number of props! I did this show in Florida, and had a blast. Lots of fun, and some truly wonderful "groaners" in the script. Samuel French.
Danny & Sylvia - The creators of this show are just starting to make it available for wide release so to speak. It's a nice evening recalling Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine (?). A little song, a little dance...
Some more than two-fers:
Lies & Legends - It's the revue of Harry Chapin songs. I fell in love with this show when I saw it at Pasadena Playhouse many years ago. Amanda McBroom was in the cast, and it ran in rep with Jacques Brel... - what a wonderful weekend of song!
Triumph of Love
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer - Yes, this is the same one that flopped on Broadway a few seasons ago, and rightfully so. However, the authors have revamped the show, and the new "product" truly is improved. The Kennedy Center did is last year in the Lab. Might be checking with MTI for the materials.
Hope this helps...
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 04/30/2003 11:13 AM PST

The last time you had us say words in our Jerry Lewis voices, Dear Reader Sandra snorted Cherry Coke thorugh her nose and got in trouble wuth the librarian. So, be careful when and where you do your Jerrry Lewis impressions !
Posted by Kerry @ 04/30/2003 11:19 AM PST

lulu - come back to the five and dime.
Yes, Jose -Emile leaving his hat is indeed in the script, but only Nellie handles it...except in certain productions.
Oh, Kurt, I think Bryan would love to do Calamity Jane.... Send him the CD. ;-D
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/30/2003 11:33 AM PST

Kurt,
Have you given any thought to SIDE SHOW? If BAT BOY was such a success, your audiences obviously aren't adverse to unusual subject matter.
Other suggestions:
BLOOD BROTHERS
THE FULL MONTY (may not be available yet; check with MTI)
FLOYD COLLINS
VIOLET
THE WILD PARTY
Anything there appeal to you?
BTW, I'm with you. I love THE LAST 5 YEARS.
Posted by Dave @ 04/30/2003 11:39 AM PST

Oh, Violet how could I have forgotten Violet?!?!?!?! -Check the archives...
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 04/30/2003 11:49 AM PST

Dave---
Which of the 2 WILD PARTIES were you suggesting. I'd love to combine the best each since both have their good points and their faults.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/30/2003 11:49 AM PST

Dave --
Side Show is wonderful and
was successful at another
theater this season.
Blood Brothers not as
successful in a previous
season.
Unfamiliar (forgive me) with
Violet.
Have suggested all the others,
including both versions of The
Wild Party.
Jose --
Also,manymany thanks. I will
seek out these titles right
away!
Keep 'em coming, please.
Oh, and Jack: enough!
Enough!
ENOUGH! Bryan would send
that CD right into my forehead
and YOU KNOW IT! ! !
And Ron --
Roll your ticket to Wicked into a
nice tight tube. . . dumb ol'
show. . .
Posted by Dave @ 04/30/2003 11:49 AM PST

Kurt, do yourself a favour and give VIOLET some thought. The score is by Jeanine Tesori (THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE) and displays her gift for melody.
http://www.mtishows.com/InfoBase/MTInfobase.asp?showID=1162
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000DGOE/qid=1051729570/sr=8-12/ref=sr_8_12/104-1108839-9226313?v=glance&s=music&n=507846
Posted by Dave @ 04/30/2003 12:00 PM PST

Gee whiz, guys. I didn't really mean I was going to not ever post again. Sometimes even *I* get fed up with my insensitivity, that's all.
I never knew there was a musical based on the life of Bat Boy. As a former reader of Weekly World News, could some kind soul elaborate?
(I still think I'd be perfect for the role of "Dear Dottie," if they should care to musicalize *that* one...)
Posted by Lulu @ 04/30/2003 12:01 PM PST

Angela - did you ask Leroy for an extra bag of peanuts?
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/30/2003 12:03 PM PST

OMG Lulu! Click on my name immediately!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/30/2003 12:07 PM PST

WOW!
Thanks, Jrand. One question...
...why are you not producing this?!?
Posted by Lulu @ 04/30/2003 12:19 PM PST

And it's even funnier than it looks. Produced last summer by the Phoenix...big hit!
Produced by Putnam County Playhouse - probably NEVER!!!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/30/2003 12:23 PM PST

My comment about Dave
rolling his ticket SHOULD have
been posted by me, not him,
me. I mean, why would Dave
be talking to himself about
rolling tickets?
I mean really?
This is me now, telling ANyone
with a ticket to Wicked to. . .
well. . . uh. . . enjoy
yourselves. . . hope it's great. .
. really.
REally.
Posted by Kurt @ 04/30/2003 12:23 PM PST

dumb ol' show
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/30/2003 12:27 PM PST

OK, Jrand...I just visited the PCP (gotta love those initials) website, and I totally see your point. :)
Posted by Lulu @ 04/30/2003 12:37 PM PST

LOL....now log off the clear your system of all the tripod popups!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/30/2003 12:39 PM PST

Actually, the first time, I stumbled on the old website (non-Tripod). Didn't find the new (Tripod) one 'til just now.
You're holding auditions for Gypsy on my birthday! Maybe I should fly on up...? ;)
Posted by Lulu @ 04/30/2003 12:46 PM PST

I'll let cousin Brad (the director) know that Columbia is on her way.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/30/2003 12:47 PM PST

Actually, I'm more of a Magenta. :)
Posted by Lulu @ 04/30/2003 12:49 PM PST

Yikes - memory failed.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/30/2003 12:51 PM PST

Yes, PCP sure seems to be a fairly traditional joint, doesn't it?
Since some people asked for some photos from my production of SCARLET PIMPERNEL, this is the best I can offer. Somebody posted some photos on our website, so you can check these out:
http://www.windsorlight.com/shows/pimpernel2002/pimpernel.cfm
The photos aren't very good, but at least you can see some of the costumes.
If you look closely enough, you just might find me there,too. ;-)
Posted by Dave @ 04/30/2003 12:55 PM PST

Great pictures...look, Kurt!
Where are you, Dave?
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/30/2003 12:57 PM PST

Dave's the one in the gold and black striped costume, right?
PS: LOVE the feathers. ;)
Posted by Lulu @ 04/30/2003 01:03 PM PST

LOL! No, you won't find me in stripes. They don't do a thing for my figure....
To help you out, I will give you a hint. I am one of the men in this photo (taken at the opening night cast party):
http://www.windsorlight.com/shows/pimpernel2002/prod52.cfm
Posted by Dave @ 04/30/2003 01:06 PM PST

Oh, dear! Dave's being coy.
I'm gonna say the one in the middle is the green kangaroo.
Posted by Lulu @ 04/30/2003 01:14 PM PST

Dave --
Would Windsor Light Opera by
any chance have rented their
sets for The Scarlet Pimpernel
to a theater in Indianapolis?
Posted by Kurt @ 04/30/2003 01:15 PM PST

Kurt, it's possible. I had heard that there were bids for several of the set pieces from a couple of other theatre companies. What is the name of the company in Indianapolis?
Posted by Dave @ 04/30/2003 01:19 PM PST

Footlite Musicals. . . I was told
the set was rented from
Ontario. . .
Posted by Kurt @ 04/30/2003 01:23 PM PST

It's possible they rented from us, then. We're the only company in Ontario that has staged PIMPERNEL.
On the other hand, they could have just rented some generic pieces from Stratford or some other company, and used them for their production.
I can ask around.
Posted by Dave @ 04/30/2003 01:29 PM PST

Ahh. . . I only wish they could
have rented the severed
heads. . .
Posted by Kurt @ 04/30/2003 01:33 PM PST

Kurt, which guy in the picture do you think is Dave?
Jrand, you want in on this?
Posted by Lulu @ 04/30/2003 01:36 PM PST

Jrand52 -- Delta has forgone the peanut route for pretzels..... Darnit!
Posted by Angela @ 04/30/2003 01:42 PM PST

Honey, are you SURE there's any men in that photo?!
Posted by Mae West @ 04/30/2003 01:43 PM PST

Oh dear. . .
Posted by Kurt @ 04/30/2003 01:45 PM PST

LOL...
Did anyone else ever suspect that Mae West was really a man in drag?
Posted by Dave @ 04/30/2003 01:48 PM PST

My guess is the guy on the right.
LOL Angela.
Mae - when girls go bad...the men go right after them.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/30/2003 01:51 PM PST

ACK!! My second trumpet player injured his hand, he can't work the valves, no subs are available, looks like the second trumpet part will be synthed!!! Ugh, I hope no one notices.
BK - question, Have you heard works of British composer, Bernard J. Taylor, if so, what do you think about them, and if you haven't, well, that's ok, too. Since that question was weak, what do you think of the "Xanadu" movie as a possible musical?
Posted by Matthew @ 04/30/2003 01:53 PM PST

Great idea! I've been waiting for someone to get around to musicalizing Xanadu!
(and don't try to tell me it's been done already!)
Posted by Lulu @ 04/30/2003 02:06 PM PST

BTW, that was just a joke, so it doesn't count as "answering BK's question." 'kay? :)
Posted by Lulu @ 04/30/2003 02:07 PM PST

No one else answered the DOLLY question, so I'll gave a go at it:
Supposedly Merrill wrote "Motherhood" and parts of "Elegance." Strouse/Adams wrote parts of "Before the Parade Passes By."
For Ask BK Day: Did you ever see Barbara Cook's MOSTLY SONDHEIM solo show? Opinions? Also, did you ever see Ms. Cook in any of her stage roles? Opinions? I only saw her in two shows: SHE LOVES ME and the Lincoln Center SHOW BOAT and am so sorry I didn't get to experience her other masterful work. At least, we have the cast albums.
Posted by Matt H. @ 04/30/2003 02:13 PM PST

Lulu - some of us aren't joking :)
Posted by Matthew @ 04/30/2003 02:14 PM PST

Oh - please....I don't want to see a stage version of XANADU. I like the movie so much...and the music and performers are so well suited to the project - NO NO...please NO!!!!!!
Dave - which one are you?!!!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/30/2003 02:19 PM PST

Ok, that's enough posting about MY question!!!
Posted by Matthew @ 04/30/2003 02:25 PM PST

Sorry, Matthew, I forgot it was ASK BK day.
Forget what I said.
Got carried away, I'll take the fall.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/30/2003 02:28 PM PST

Backtracking a few hours! I remember seeing "Little Big Man" when it was first shown here (1971 I think.) stayed in my memory and made up-front appearances when I saw "Dances With Wolves". Apart from the impressives Cinamatography in Dances, I thought LBM was much better. Had the same deja vu experience with "Forest Gump" - "Being There" revisited with shovels of corn.
Question for BK. Any comments on Peter Sellers as an actor - favourite performances etc.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 04/30/2003 02:50 PM PST

I don't have an actual "Ask BK Day" question (yet), but Kurt, how about Stephen Sondheim's "Saturday Night"? It's technically "new", never having been produced before 1998 (even though it was written about 50 years ago). I think the cast size might be right, too. Anyway, that's what I'd suggest.
Posted by George @ 04/30/2003 02:50 PM PST

Now, now, Jrand. From now on, Matthew's question is a place
where nobody dares to go.
Posted by Lulu @ 04/30/2003 02:59 PM PST

George -- good suggestion. . .
thank you
Posted by Kurt @ 04/30/2003 03:09 PM PST

Kurt - I second (or third, as it
were) Dave and Jose's
suggestions of Violet.
Woefully unknown show with a
fantastic score.
Posted by Jed @ 04/30/2003 03:24 PM PST

Legumes! Legumes! Everywhere I look in the kitchen I see legumes! I just spent two hours learning about and studying legumes. I don't ever want to see another legume in my life. Unless it's the peanut butter in a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. That would be OK.
Posted by Sandra @ 04/30/2003 04:18 PM PST

One of my favorite lines is from "Little Big Man":
"Don't shoot me; I'm stupid."
Posted by Kerrry @ 04/30/2003 05:25 PM PST

I can hear the people at
deepdiscount.dvd now: "Dust
off those '1776' DVD's - HHW
is at it again!" said Jrand
this morning (end of
yesterday's notes).
Well, I just ordered my copy!
Posted by Jed @ 04/30/2003 05:29 PM PST

Will post more later... just wanted to let William (since I believe he enjoyed the production) and everyone else know that the CD for Prodigal is being released next week (May 6th). You can hear two sneak "peeks" from the cd on Kerry Butler's website at www.kerrybutler.net
More later.. Im thinking up my usual plethora of questions now!
Posted by Craig @ 04/30/2003 05:49 PM PST

Kurt,
Just got the new MTI catalogue, so I can offer a few more suggestions:
A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE (yes, it's in the catalogue, but is it available? THE PRODUCERS and THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE are in the catalogue, too.)
THE FIX
MOBY DICK (Jason can tell you all about this one...)
PASSION
Posted by Dave @ 04/30/2003 06:00 PM PST

I just watched Poltergeist for the first time in a really, really long time (we used to watch this *constantly* in the mid-80s when it was on HBO 57 times a month).
This was the first time I noticed something odd -- when he's talking to the parapsychologist, Craig T. Nelson says that he is 32 and wife JoBeth Williams is 31. And their kids are 16, 12, and 5.
Not that it isn't *possible*, but come on, now!
So what's up with that? Pampering of the stars' egos? Maybe so, but if Nelson and Williams insisted on playing people barely into their early 30s, why give them a teenage daughter (who was a completely superfluous character, anyway)? Even 12-year-old Robbie being their offspring was pushing it if they wanted to stay out of the mid-30s range.
WEIRD.
Posted by Lulu @ 04/30/2003 06:21 PM PST

I've got questions for BK, and all you hainsies and kimlets can figure out the common thread to the queries, okay?
1. Where were you when John F. Kennedy was shot?
2. Have you ever been to Nashville?
3. Robert Altman is one of my favorite film directors, do you have any favorite Altman films? (for the record, mine is IMAGES with a brilliant Susannah York performance).
4. POPEYE or H.E.A.L.T.H? which do you like more?
5. NASHVILLE (the movie) is a kaleidescope of great acting and story-telling; what are your personal feelings about Robert Altman's NASHVILLE?
6. Who, in your personal opinion, was responsible for J.F.K.'s assassination?
7. Oliver Stone is an *iffy* film director, what are your feelings about his film JFK?
finally, 8. If only the actresses from NASHVILLE had been nominated for Oscars, which one SHOULD have won the Best Supporting Actress Award: Lily Tomlin, Barbara Baxley, Ronnee Blakely, Barbara Harris or Geraldine Chaplin?
I know it is quite a bit of questioning, but, I have been noticeably errant and truant.
Posted by td @ 04/30/2003 06:21 PM PST

You been somewhere, td?
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 04/30/2003 10:12 PM PST

Where are you Jason? I like to check the "late" posts - usually Jose and Jason.Maybe in the morning (Oz time).
It's almost time for Allan and then as it is the week's end, François.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 05/01/2003 01:48 AM PST

Sandra check out Snows of Kilamanjaro - Hemingway story and Gregory Peck movie.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/01/2003 03:15 AM PST

Jrand, you're gonna be in trouble. That was a BK question. :)
Posted by Lulu @ 05/01/2003 03:51 AM PST

Oh dear....we need an edit function on this here site.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/01/2003 05:18 AM PST

No kidding. That was exactly what I wanted for myself, yesterday!
Oh, well...so few people read the morning notes that I wouldn't worry about it.
Posted by Lulu @ 05/01/2003 05:21 AM PST

Kurt, what about Debby Does Dallas? It's new.
Better yet, Going to Pot: The Reefer Madness Musical by our very own Dear Reader JMK.
Posted by William F. Orr @ 05/01/2003 05:29 AM PST

Ron, other than the state of Errant and Truant, I haven't been anywhere special.
Posted by td @ 05/01/2003 06:06 AM PST

TD - last night on Discovery Channel - there was a special that presented all the photos and amateur films taken during the Kennedy assassination. It was very interesting. Every photo had someone else in it who was also taking a picture, so those photos were shown in sequence.
Everyone but the "babushka" lady were located and their photos shown.
Nothing NEW, but a different perspective.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 05/01/2003 06:08 AM PST

td: Hope you had a good time!!
LATE Ask BK question:
How does one pronounce "Kritzerland"?
Is it two connected words: "Kritzer" and "Land" (like "Roseland")?
Or run together, like "Switzerland"?
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 05/01/2003 07:18 AM PST

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