haines his way

06/23/2003:
"THE MORNING AFTER"

Well, dear readers, here it is, the morning after our big event. We had quite a celebration yesterday, those of us that were here, and we danced the Hora and the Swim all the livelong day and night. If you missed out on the festivities you can simply use the Unseemly Archives to catch up on the merriment and mirth and laughter and legs that we had over the weekend. Or not.
Last night I watched two count them two motion picture entertainments on DVD. The first was the divoon The Shanghai Gesture, a film of the supremely strange and wonderful Josef von Sternberg, starring Gene Tierney, Victor Mature, Walter Huston, Phyllis Brooks, Eric Blore, and the amazing Ona Munson as Mother Gin Sling. There is simply no way to describe this film or it’s hallucinogenic qualities – it is one-off, dripping with atmosphere, the score by Richard Hageman is terrific, and you will never see performances the likes of which are in this film. Victor Mature as Dr. Omar, Doctor of Nothing. Mike Mazurki as The Coolie (“You likee Chinee New Year?”), Gene Tierney as Poppy (one of the strangest leading-lady performances ever), Walter Huston as Sir Guy Chateris, the man with a past, Phyllis Brooks (another incredibly strange turn) and above-all Ona Munson (“I’ve just been informed I’m your… mother”). The photography by Paul Ivano is breathtaking in the close-ups and the whole thing is just mesmerizing to watch. The DVD, unfortunately, while not terrible, does look like it was taken from a less-than-pristine 16mm television print, and the sound is awful. It’s one of these Raymond Rohauer Presents things (this guy also seems to own almost the whole of Buster Keatons silent films), and apparently Mr. Rohauer couldn’t be bothered to give them good elements for the film. But, if you haven’t seen it, you should try to take a gander.
I then watched Swing Time, which I have on a DVD-R from my laserdisc. I try to watch this movie every few months because the musical numbers are absolute joy and absolute perfection and I never tire of seeing them. This is my favorite Astaire/Rogers film, and they are just the best in it, along with able cohorts Eric Blore (again), Helen Broderick and Victor Moore. The score is amazing – A Fine Romance, Pick Yourself Up, Never Gonna Dance, The Way You Look Tonight, well, it just doesn’t get better. Why these Astaire/Rogers films remain unavailable on DVD is a mystery, but someday hopefully pristine transfers will be gracing our merry shelves.
What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? Why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because I have much to attend to. “Much” needs attending to these days, “much” has been acting up and going on tears, and I must knock “much” down a peg or two or, at the very least, a marge or two. What the hell am I talking about?

For the second time in a week I ate at Todai last night. I need a big long vacation from there now. It’s one of those all-you-can-eat places, Japanese-style. So, you just keep eating and eating until you top-off and can eat no more. It’s not that what I was eating was so fattening, it’s that there was so much of it. Shrimp, and crab legs, and California rolls, and shrimp fried rice, and fried scallops and tempura and chicken teriyaki and on and on and on. However, I didn’t hold a candle to the couple next to me, who I overheard were on Atkins, but who must have had nine plates of food each, every kind of fish and chicken and I’ve just never seen two people eat that much food in my life. I don’t care what kind of diet one is on, you cannot eat such volume and lose weight. Wasn’t that nice of me to not hold a candle to the couple next to me? Why, if I had held a candle to them they might have caught on fire and then where would we be? Well, they’d have been one hot couple. We don’t allow groaning here at haineshisway.com.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must go hither and thither and today I might even go yon if I’m of a mind to. Today’s topic of discussion – since we were talking about Mr. Astaire and Miss Rogers, let us say what our favorite Astaire/Rogers moments are, either with or without each other. I’ll start – the whole of Swing Time, but most especially Pick Yourself Up and Never Gonna Dance, two of the greatest musical numbers ever committed to film – they are art and they are sheer genius. Mr. Astaire’s Shine on Your Shoes from The Band Wagon. Miss Rogers’ turn in Mr. Billy Wilder’s The Major and the Minor. I don’t want to hog all the choices, however, so it’s your turn and I’ll be back to check up on your excellent posts. By the way (BTW, in Internet lingo) we will have a brand spanking new Unseemly Interview up this week, with Miss Christianne Tisdale, who is about to open in Very Good Eddie at the Goodspeed Opera House. Also, hopefully Donald has a new radio show up as well, and we’re going to start a brand new feature this week. Yes, you heard it here, dear readers, we will be bringing you a brand spanking new feature called Juliana’s Journal. I’ve asked our very own Juliana A. Hansen to keep a journal of her experiences doing the national tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie. From the auditioning process to rehearsals to the tour itself, she will bring us all the backstage drama and fun, and I should think it will be very interesting for one and all and also all and one. In fact, since I’ve seen the first installment, I know it’s interesting. Post away, my pretties and I will see you in a bit.

Replies: 74 Unseemly Comments

Good morning (again). I had just posted a last minute post to #600, and then BK, who is Early Bird form this morning, gets #601 up and running!
As for today's topic... I may have to bow out. I've seen many a Fred and Ginger movie, and a few Fred movies and a few Ginger movies, but it would take a whole lot of grey matter at this point of the day to come up with some favorites... I'm sure I'll be "inspired" by other DRs throughout the day.
I may be at that chat, but I'll still most likely be in auditions tonight. A local theatre is mounting Crazy For You, and I got the call to play the auditions, and I said Yes. So... We're supposed to go from 4:30-10:30... Hopefully, everyone will come early. -Hopefully...
Happy 601!
*Oh, and what is your preferred spelling: "gray" or "grey"? -I know it's not free-for-all day, but...
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 06/23/2003 07:40 AM PST

Didn't Bette Davis also play "Mother Gin Sing" under the name "Mother Goddamn" in a film. By the way, the movie you was what Charles Busch was parodying in last season's SHANGHAI EXPRESS.
As for Astaire and Rodgers, did you know that "Swingtime" is the basis of a new musical headed for Broadway next season? I would have to agree that it is my favorite film of the team. I have several Astaire favorites his tap dance with Eleanor Powell in BROADWAY MELODY of 1940, his two solos in ROYAL WEDDING, all of EASTER PARADE and so many more. As for Rodgers I's have to say slipping into a cardigan and tennis shoes before visiting Lady Elaine Fairchild.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 06/23/2003 07:46 AM PST

I really love the "Slap that Bass" number in "Shall We Dance?". Basically, most of the Astaire/Rogers films are just pure joy for me, so it's difficult to pick a favorite specific number. Slap that Bass immediately came to mind because it was so *different*, with the stylized, gleaming, art-deco engine room set and the inventive choreography. But there are so many, many more that I love.
Congratulations on 600 notes (now, of course, 601)!
Posted by Lulu @ 06/23/2003 07:50 AM PST

Oops (spoo, spelled backwards), tonight is our Unseemly Live Chat and we do hope all you Hainsies/Kimlets will be there for a rousing good time. Be there or be round.
Posted by bk @ 06/23/2003 08:07 AM PST

Oh what a choice to have to make. It is kind of a Sophie's Choice, it is. But here goes:
I will agree with Mr BK that Pick Yourself Up - the entire tap dance sequence is simply remarkable and amazing with turns, lifts, tempi changes, and simple glorious costuming.
I also enjoy "Isn't This a Lovely Day" on roller skates in the rain...from hmmmmmm...I think TOP HAT.
Favorite Astaire-only: Cyd Charisse and Astaire, "Dancing in the Dark" in THE BANDWAGON, or
"You'd Be so Easy to Dance With" from HOLIDAY INN....Virginia Dale is a smooth partner and beautiful.
Favorite Rogers only: ROXIE HART or MONKEY BUSINESS.
"I'll tell Hank Antwhistle, that's what I'll do...I'll tell Hank!"
Mr BK do crap legs come from crappies?
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/23/2003 08:33 AM PST

Forget Astaire/Rogers for a moment.
Why'd you have to go and mention Todai for? (snicker-snicker-snort)
You had "crap legs"? Now that is an item I wouldn't have expected.
Back to Astaire/Rogers:
I don't have ready references to sort out which films have which scenes.
I LOVE "Bojangles of Harlem" -- just cannot get enough of it.
"Change Partners" is one of my very, most favorite numbers ever.
In the same film, "I Used to Be Color Blind."
From "Barkleys of Broadway", that opening number under the credits is "sensaish"!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/23/2003 09:22 AM PST

"Crap legs"? Why I don't know WHAT you people are talking about. :-)
Posted by bk @ 06/23/2003 09:32 AM PST

LOL.... A technical term you picked up in the theatrical profession no doubt.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/23/2003 09:39 AM PST

Yeah...while casting dancers for "Dancing Dildoes," maybe...
: )
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/23/2003 10:20 AM PST

BK, I had heard somewhere, although perhaps it was rumor, that several of the Rogers/Astair musicals were headed for DVD soon. I certainly hope that is the case!!
As for my favorite Roger's performance...for my money nothing can beat her role in STORM WARNING. When I was a kid I tuned in to watch it as I thought it was a musical..what with a cast of Ginger Rogers, Doris Day, and Ronald Reagan...but, of course, it was a very scary tale of the Klu Klux Klan. I am always impressed with Roger's dramatic roles.
As for Fred, I don't have any favorites...but I do enjoy him in SILK STOCKINGS..the movie that is, not the hosiery.
PS: Also, when I was a kid, I thought that THE BIRDS was going to be a musical/comedy...boy was I in for a surprise (I couldn't figure out why my mom refused to let me watch it).
Posted by MBarnum @ 06/23/2003 10:24 AM PST

Jrand, I think the rollerskate sequence was in Shall We Dance? and the song was Let's Call the Whole Thing Off. That IS a great number!
Also love Monkey Business, a favorite from way back.
Posted by Lulu @ 06/23/2003 10:26 AM PST

OK, damn and blast it all, could we fix this so that if you accidentally leave the "name" portion blank and go to submit a post it doesn't ERASE your entire post so you have to re-type it all? This is like the fifth time this has happened to me since I've been posting here and it's getting annoying.
Anyhoo, I just wanted BK to know that the Tuesday Weld opus "Rock, Rock, Rock!" is coming out on DVD tomorrow. So hie thee unto your nearest purveyor of video and get it (the better to post your review of it here, my dear).
Also wanted to note that the Ray Dennis Steckler classic "Rat Pfink a Boo Boo" is also coming out on DVD tomorrow. With a name like Ray Dennis Steckler, shouldn't he have been a serial killer rather than an auteur? I suppose it's never too late...
Posted by Lulu @ 06/23/2003 10:38 AM PST

Oh. My. God.
Also coming soon (July 1st) to DVD: The Main Event. WITH scene-specific commentary from Babs herself! Also, a 1979 (didn't this come out in '78?) TV special "Getting in Shaper [typo?] for The Main Event."
This one takes me back. It was the first movie I was ever allowed to go see without an adult chaperone (my five-years-older cousin was with me, however). My mom gave me a 10 minute lecture before we left on what I should do if someone tried to abduct me. :)
Posted by Lulu @ 06/23/2003 10:43 AM PST

Hey, I didn't have a chance to read all of yesterday's posts yesterday. But did anybody else notice they had a new carpenter on Trading Spaces on Saturday. He seemed nice, but I HATE CHANGE.
Btw, if anyone has any jokes or things that might cheer me up, please pass them along. I'm feeling a bit fragile today. I won't get into it, but I got yelled at pretty bad yesterday.
Hope everyone is having a happy Monday, Jennifer
Posted by Jennifer @ 06/23/2003 10:55 AM PST

Jennifer,
Guy #1: Help! Help! I can't swim!
Guy #2: Why?
Guy #1: Because I'm not in the water.
Hope this helps. :)
Posted by Lulu @ 06/23/2003 11:03 AM PST

Lulu, that happens to me a lot. To get around it I always (well, usually) type my messages in Word (or some other word processing program) so that I can edit and use the spell check feature. Only when I've decided that I've finished with the message do I copy and paste into "The Unseemly Comment Box" which also reminds me to enter my Name and (optional) E-Mail.
As for Rogers and Astaire: the roller skating number and too, too many where I don't remember the song. They are just too too. As for individually (don't ask for specific moments, though), I love Fred in "Easter Parade" and Ginger in "Roxie Hart".
Posted by George @ 06/23/2003 11:04 AM PST

Hello!
The new Broadway Radio Show went up late last night. Sorry it was so late, but I was up in SF seeing Wicked and arrived home late last night.
Posted by Donald @ 06/23/2003 11:23 AM PST

Jennifer, I don't remember where I got these, but here are some Punny Mergers. Hope they help:
Hale Business Systems, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Fuller Brush and W.R.GraceCo.will merge and become: Hale, Mary, Fuller, Grace.
Polygram Records, Warner Bros. and Zesta Crackers join forces and become: Polly, Warner Cracker.
3M will merge with Goodyear and issue forth as: MMMGood.
Zippo Mfg., Audi Motor Car, Dofasco and Dakota Mining will merge to become, of course: ZipAudiDoDa.
Federal Express is expected to join its major competitor, UPS, and consolidate as: FedUP.
Fairchild Electronics and Honeywell Computers will become: Fairwell Honeychild.
Grey Poupon and Docker Pants are expected to become: Poupon Pants.
Knotts Berry Farm and the Nat'l Org. of Women will become: Knott NOW!
Posted by George @ 06/23/2003 11:29 AM PST

AND? AND? AND?
Don't leave us HANGIN', Mister Feltham!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/23/2003 11:31 AM PST

DR Jennifer: Whenever I'm low, I read stuff that cheers me up. Here are a few pithy things some very GREAT folks had to say about some not-so-great folks:
"I feel so miserable without you, it's almost like having you here." -- Stephen Bishop
"He is a self-made man & worships his creator." -- John Bright
"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." -- Winston Churchill
"I've just learned about his illness. Let' hope it's nothing trivial." -- Irvin S. Cobb
"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." -- Clarence Darrow
"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." -- William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway)
"Poor Faulkner. Does he really thing big emotions come from big words?" -- Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner)
"Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it." -- Moses Hadas
"He is not only dull himself, he is the cause of dullness in others." -- Samuel Johnson
"He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up." -- Paul Keating
"He had delusions of adequacy."
-- Walter Kerr
"There's nothing wrong with you that reincarnation won't cure."
-- Jack E. Leonard
"He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know." -- Abraham Lincoln
"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it." --
Groucho Marx
"He has the attention span of a lightening bolt." -- Robert Redford (Who'd a thunk it!)
"They never open their mouths without subtracting from them the sum of human knowledge." --
Thomas Brackett Reed
"He inherited some good instincts from his Quaker
forebears, but by diligent hard work, he overcame them." -- James Reston (about Richard Nixon)
"In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily." -- Charles, Count Talleyrand
"He loves nature in spite of what it did to him." -- Forrest Tucker
"Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?" -- Mark Twain
"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." -- Mark Twain
"His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork." --
Mae West
"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go." -- Oscar Wilde
"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends." -- Oscar Wilde
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts...for support rather than illumination." -- Andrew Lang
"He has Van Gogh's ear for music." -- Billy Wilder
(Feel better?)
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/23/2003 11:39 AM PST

I was thinking of a song in TOP HAT..... Isn't this a Lovely Day - sung and danced in a gazebo but NOT on roller skates. Oh my they do all run together, don't they.
Lulu is right Let's Call the Whole Thing Off on skates is in SHALL WE DANCE.
Yes, there was a new carpenter on TRADING SPACES who did some nice work - same old lazy Lori though.
ROCK ROCK ROCK on DVD? Where oh where are ROCK PRETTY BABY and its sequel SUMMER LOVE????
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/23/2003 11:41 AM PST

The new carpenter is a pretty boy...and is well aware of his looks. Another model/carpenter seeking fame/fortune by building bookcases and coffee tables.
Everybody wants to be Harrison Ford!
At any rate, he did nice work.
Both Frank and Laurie did nice rooms. (Sure beat the crap out of the rooms done in the earlier show -- including Hildy's self-portrait on the wall of a living room).
Jrand52...be nice...Laurie's breast-feeding.
A NEW "Trading Spaces" debuts in July on Sundays -- it's for families....entire families trade spaces with others. I'm guessing your family has to be a certain size.
Ought to be interesting.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/23/2003 11:45 AM PST

Here are some funny quotes:
When I die, I want to die like my grandfather who died peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming like all the passengers in his car. -- Author Unknown
A study in the Washington Post says that women have better verbal skills than men. I just want to say to the authors of that study: 'Duh.' -- Conan O'Brien
If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there is a man on base. -- Dave Barry
Posted by George @ 06/23/2003 11:45 AM PST

For those interested in my reactions to "Wicked" -- I think there is a very good musical there, but it needs some serious rewrites and editing. Some of the songs are terrific, but many make no impression at all....the performers are generally very good, but Kristen is overpowering Idina and that needs to change -- Mr Butz is making very little impression and I'm not sure whether it was just him or that his character is underwritten....as a fan of the book, I didn't care for some of the changes they made (especially the ending), but I am willing to overlook that....I think there needs to be more emphasis on Dorothy's role and how she is being manipulated....I think the relationship between Ephalba and Nessa Rose needs to be established before they arrive at the school....and for God's sake CUT that horrendous love duet between Ephalba and Fiero in the second act -- it's really bad Andrew Lloyd Webber (or typical Wildhorn)and adds NOTHING to the show but time.....and, excuse me, what the hell is that dragon all about???? Don't get me wrong, I did really enjoy the show, but I hope they use the next few months prior to New York to fix some very obvious shortcomings
Posted by Donald @ 06/23/2003 12:02 PM PST

Thank you, Donald!
: )
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/23/2003 12:11 PM PST

ASTAIRE/ROGERS - I am a HUGE fan of both of them - together and separately. Will post my favorites later but for now ...
BK - You mustn't forget "The Waltz in Swing Time." A perfectly danced, choreographed and costumed number to perfectly composed music. The dance is so lightly executed its as if they're suspended in air.
Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 06/23/2003 12:18 PM PST

LOL...Laurie...
Well, Ron, I guess if I liked her rooms, it would help... I must say she did a much better job than usual last week, although that was a LOT of green.
I think sometimes she has a difficult time expressing her ideas in words - but she is always so pleased with herself at the end of the show, it's like "Look what I did." LOL....
But then, it's a television show!
What funny jokes today. I have been laughing a LOT!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/23/2003 12:21 PM PST

Oh, MBARNUM, I remember STORM WARNING, even though I have only seen it once. Pretty powerful stuff....and if I remember correctly, Ginger almost gets the bullwhip near the end of the movie...
And Doris married to a Klansman -wonder what her father thought of the movie? I think she wrote in her autobiography that she was a bit apprehensive about his reaction.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/23/2003 12:22 PM PST

ALL TIME FAVORITE ASTAIRE/ROGERS LYRIC: "The Way You Look Tonight," lyric by Dorothy Fields (to Jerome Kern's music). Elegant, simple, sincere, it's no wonder why it won the Best Song Oscar.
Going back to reading now.
Posted by S. Woody White @ 06/23/2003 12:38 PM PST

Even more quotes:
Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same. -- Oscar Wilde
Suppose you were an idiot…. And suppose you were a member of Congress…but I repeat myself. -- Mark Twain
Our bombs are smarter than the average high school student. At least they can find Afghanistan. -- A. Whitney Brown
Women need a reason to have sex. Men just need a place. -- Billy Crystal
You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, 'My God, you're right! I never would've thought of that!' -- Dave Barry
Posted by George @ 06/23/2003 12:44 PM PST

Great thoughts, Donald. Ron, did
you check yesterdays archives, I
posted my thoughts on Wicked last
night when I returned home. Fred/
Ginger, I don't think I've seen
anything of that age, I'm WAY behind
on movie musicals.
Posted by Matthew @ 06/23/2003 12:54 PM PST

The BURNING QUESTION, however -- have any of our attempts brought a smile to Jennifer's face???????
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/23/2003 01:02 PM PST

I think I always write "gray", Jose.
I will also miss the lively unseemly chat tonight 8-(
We have our first read-thru for GYPSY and even Uncle Jocko/Mr Goldstone has to be there. Will also be taking the Glass Unicorn and other members of the Glass Menagerie I have located in my prop search for Miss Laura Wingfield. Blow out your candles, Laura. And my makeup plots for all the characters in the Children's Workshop Production of Percival the Performing Pig. I love summer theatre!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/23/2003 01:11 PM PST

Is it possible that the movies not being on DVD has something to do with Astaire estate? The widow Astaire wants to get money for everything that has to do with Astaire. I remember when Ginger Rogers was feted at the Kennedy Center Honors although they should clips to the audience at the center, CBS (at the time) was barred from showing any Astaire/Rogers clips because of the high licensing fee the widow Astaire was demanding. All the other people supply and involved with the clips waived their fees.
Also doesn't the Post Heiress Miss Dina Merrill and her husband own the RKO catalogue or is that Republic Pictures that they own. If it is the former I thought that it belonged to Paramount who bought Desilu who bought RKO.
I may not make the chat tonight and if I do it will be later on.
Posted by Michael Shayne @ 06/23/2003 01:39 PM PST

I hate to admit it, but I really don’t know one Fred & Ginger movie from another. That is not to say that I don’t enjoy their films, but I don’t think I have ever seen any one of them more than once. I think the number that stands out in my mind is “Cheek to Cheek” which I believe is from TOP HAT. Separately, I can’t think of any Ginger Rogers film that I really enjoyed enough to own it, with the possible exception of STAGE DOOR. However, when it comes to Fred, there are so many choices. I would have to say that my favorites would be HOLIDAY INN, FINIAN’S RAINBOW, and GHOST STORY...... Stange picks, I suppose, but I can't help it.
Posted by TCB @ 06/23/2003 02:10 PM PST

I'm a huge fan of Astaire-Rogers, but less one of Rogers alone. I don't think she's particularly good in LADY IN THE DARK, for example, though she was effective in STAGE DOOR and DREAMBOAT and a few others I've seen.
But pair her with Astaire, and she's divine. I, too, rate SWING TIME as my favorite of their pictures together, so every number in it is a particular gem. I also love "Let's Face the Music and Dance," "Cheek to Cheek," and "They All Laughed."
I read somewhere that Warners is coming out with some of the Astaire-Rogers films either late this year or early next year. I think the ones chosen were TOP HAT, THE GAY DIVORCEE, SWING TIME, and SHALL WE DANCE, but I could be in error there. Time will tell.
Posted by Matt H. @ 06/23/2003 02:15 PM PST

Am I correct in assuming that the chat will be at 6 p.m. PDT? Or are we doing it an hour earlier? I'm assuming 6 unless otherwise notified. Thanks.
Posted by Matt H. @ 06/23/2003 03:05 PM PST

Re: Trading Spaces, I loved Laurie's room. I almost always love her rooms. Yes it was a lot of green. But the stripes were beautiful. And that table with fabric was amazing. And her pillows ... she always uses classy fabric. Very nice room.
I didn't care for Frank's room. I liked the walls and the fireplace. But i hated the red and the blue. Those slip covers were tacky and looked so cheap!
Posted by Jennifer @ 06/23/2003 03:06 PM PST

Jennifer, re: Trading Spaces. I've heard that on an upcoming episode, Doug does purple-black walls and a "drop-down ceiling" (does ANYONE ever actually say to themselves, "Gee, my ceilings are too high; wish they could be lowered") out of POSTERBOARD. Yes, the same stuff you made Mom take you to K-mart to buy when you were in the third grade and had to have a visual aide for your book report the next day.
Are these "designers" actually trained and/or licensed as such?
Posted by Lulu @ 06/23/2003 03:13 PM PST

Yes, six p.m. Pacific Mean Daylight Savings Time. Be there or be round. And let's get some postin' goin' on. These errant and truant Hainsies/Kimlets are wreaking havoc with our excellent stats and each and every one of them will be bitch-slapped from here to eternity and back again.
Posted by bk @ 06/23/2003 03:56 PM PST

Michael - I remember all the hoopla about Ginger's tribute. When the program aired, you only saw Ginger's image with Fred cut out. What a rotten thing to do to Ginger, who by that time was suffering from the aftereffects of a stroke. The producers let the public know beforehand what was afoot and I recall Tom Selleck on some TV news program pleading with his widow, Robin Astaire, to loosen her grip. Ava, Fred's daughter, made some comments, too, and even I wrote Mrs. Astaire a letter asking her to reconsider her decision (the letter came back "no such person at this address." Balderdash!). Eventually, her lawyers had to go on the air to defend her position. And what was it?
According to her, the producers wanted permission to use the program's contents "in perpetuity," but, because she felt it was her duty to protect Fred's image from any "undignified" use, she didn't want to give up the control. So what does she do? She okays the use of his image dancing with a vacuum in a TV commercial! Soon after it aired, there was a People magazine article about the grieving widow where she admitted she gave her permission for the commercial because she needed the money!
Ginger was forgiving of Robin Astaire but Ava Astaire has said that because of her decisions, Fred Astaire has been wiped out of the public consciousness. Some have said that she, like Fred's first wife, was JEALOUS of Ginger. Once you see them dance together, you'll know why!
Posted by Donna - Cabaret West @ 06/23/2003 04:03 PM PST

Robyn Astaire (wasn't she a female jockey before she married Fred) may control his likeness and its use in clips and commercials, but I don't think she has any control over the licensing of complete films made by Fred Astaire. I think the slow-to-market road of the RKO musicals is simply one of economics. Warners doesn't think they'll be big sellers, and they want whatever they master to DVD to turn a profit. Seems like I read the negatives required pretty substantial work to clean them up for DVD, and all that costs money. I'm not sure they had to spring for a complete restoration of the titles, but they were still plenty dirty and I suspect they'll try to clean the soundtracks, too since the songs are such classics.
Posted by Matt H. @ 06/23/2003 04:14 PM PST

I can't pick a favourite sequence at all. They all blend into one piece of brilliance!
I am now losing myself in Harry Potter. The tasks I set myself - sometimes we need to escape I guess and my three nephews are waiting to read the book next week when the holidays begin.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 06/23/2003 04:52 PM PST

With the title of the Harry Potter book I wonder about the flight from Phoenix of our DRs
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 06/23/2003 04:53 PM PST

What are we, on vacation? We need more Astaire/Rogers choices. We need action, baby. Chat in forty-five minutes. Be there or be round.
Posted by bk @ 06/23/2003 05:17 PM PST

What are we, napping? Chat in exactly five count them five minutes.
Posted by bk @ 06/23/2003 05:55 PM PST

What are we, playing golf? Chat in exactly four count them four minutes.
Posted by bk @ 06/23/2003 05:56 PM PST

What are we, playing squash? Chat in exactly three count them three minutes.
Posted by bk @ 06/23/2003 05:57 PM PST

What are we, playing hooky? Chat in exactly, well, chat now, damn them, damn them all to hell.
Posted by bk @ 06/23/2003 05:59 PM PST

Get in the chatroom NOW.
Posted by bk @ 06/23/2003 06:06 PM PST

No more than seven (count 'em 7) folks have been in the Chat Room at one time in the past 35 minutes.
BK wants all butt cheeks that can squeeze in to come on over and log on, log in and say Howdy-do!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 06/23/2003 06:35 PM PST

Here with my obligatory
post-chat post. Lively and
sparkling, of course, but
woefully under-attended.
Really people, 7 simply will not
do for this, the soon-to-be
most popular site on all the
internet!!!
That said, I'll be missing next
week's, but I'll have a good
excuse, as I'll be in NYC at the
time! Very much looking
forward to this, my first NY trip.
Only...umm...53 hours till my
flight (via JetBlue, of course,
the unofficial airline of HHW)!!!
Posted by Jed @ 06/23/2003 07:06 PM PST

Chat is over ALREADY?? I got back home from work late and planned to log on ASAP but there was no one in there! Sigh...
Anyway, favorite Astaire and Rogers films--Swing Time and Shall We Dance (although I will admit an undue fondness for Flying Down to Rio).
Posted by Maya @ 06/23/2003 07:17 PM PST

Oh--and have fun in NYC Jed!
Posted by Maya @ 06/23/2003 07:18 PM PST

I missed the chat as well....here at 9:30 CST which means it was over by 7:30 Pacific?
Good grief!
Everyone must be watching a Fred and Ginger movie, so I will too.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/23/2003 07:28 PM PST

I was in the chat at the beginning and it was sparkling and lively but alas and alack (not to be confused with a lass and a lad), I had to leave early. I just returned to find that the chat room had been closed. Oh, well. There will always be next week!
Posted by George @ 06/23/2003 07:59 PM PST

My apologies to BK and DRs for missing chat this evening. With the night off from DOLLY I thought I could relax, but no such luck. I hope that I can make up for this faux-pas next week, by not only attending, but by being on time.
Posted by TCB @ 06/23/2003 08:16 PM PST

Oh, my! I arrived to chat late and found the room empty. I'm so sorry to have been errant and truant. Please, someone tell me what I missed. ;-)
Posted by Susan @ 06/23/2003 08:16 PM PST

One of the most important things I learned in the chat tonight is that bk loves SHALL WE DAn..., no, it was FOLLOW THE FLe..., no, let me see.... ROBER...., nope, oh, SWING TIME, that's it! SWING TIME! BK loves SWING TIME!
Enjoyed the chat. Thanks, everyone!
Posted by Matt H. @ 06/23/2003 09:07 PM PST

Three hours sans post. Ho and hum.
Posted by bk @ 06/23/2003 11:28 PM PST

What a wonderful day this has turned out to be!
Great weather. Sunny and warm - no too hot - at least not too hot to/for me.
Got my hair cut. Good cut too.
Played some auditions. Had two real trainwrecks - which I actually kind of like, they're fun. -Sorry. And one amazing girl who belted the heck out of "Cabaret". -The only drawback was that they went an hour and a half over, so I was finished right before midnight, and not at 10:30 as originally scheduled. Ah, well... At least I got paid in cash!
Then I decided to drive back home to Richmond tonight since we start late tomorrow in Winchester. There was a back up on 95 due to the repaving, but it was very bearable and only added about 20 minutes to my commute.
Then... and this is best part! Hmmm... What is the best way to put this? Hmm... Oh, I know!:
DR Tom and I can set up a mini-H/K get together in Australia!
YEAH! I got the e-mail today asking if I would be interested in taking the position for the audition tour. Would I?!?!?!? Mais, bien sur! Now, I'm not going to get too excited yet, but it does seem like a done deal. Phone calls will take place tomorrow. And I'll post the follow up. -Thanks for all the vibes! H/K vibes are the best!
And, Tom - We start in Gold Coast on August 24 - I'll get the rest of the itinerary tomorrow.
-Of course, now I'm so wired, I probably won't be able to get to bed for a few more hours...
Ah, well.... :-D
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 06/23/2003 11:56 PM PST

A day for hair cuts. Me too Jose.
great news about the audition tour. You are most welcome.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 06/24/2003 12:56 AM PST

Only seven people in chat. Heh heh heh. My plan is working perrrrrrrrrfectly!
Posted by Snidely Whiplash @ 06/24/2003 05:09 AM PST

Congratulations, Jose! I know you must walking on air now.
Posted by Matt H. @ 06/24/2003 05:48 AM PST

As I had previously posted, I was E&T from chat due to the last Broadway By the Year for the season - a repeat of 1925 that was scheduled for the night of the big blizzard in February and went on to an almost empty house (although the recording was done). Since not the entire February cast could make it, they had to be replaced and the replacements were all people who BK has recorded: Emily Skinner, Jason Graae and Marc Kudish (from the BELLS revisal album). It was excellent as usual, though I wish Jason had been allowed more comic material. The amazing thing is that in 1925 there were 200 shows that opened on Broadway, 40 of them musicals, and in one seven day period four classics opened: NO NO NANETTE, THE VAGABOND KING, SUNNY and DEAREST ENEMY.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 06/24/2003 06:09 AM PST

Does your dog bite?
Posted by Inspector Clouseau @ 06/24/2003 06:45 AM PST

No, my dog doesn't bite.
Posted by French Guy @ 06/24/2003 07:24 AM PST

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRr....snap!
Posted by Dog @ 06/24/2003 07:26 AM PST

I thought you said your dog didn't bite?
Posted by Inspector Clouseau @ 06/24/2003 07:26 AM PST

That is not my dog.
Posted by French Guy @ 06/24/2003 07:39 AM PST

*rimshot*
Posted by The Drummer @ 06/24/2003 07:41 AM PST

On the radio they are playing the song "VACATION" by Connie Francis.
What a great summertime song. I had to buy two of them in the summer of 1962 because my cousin used my first one as a frisbie and it went up on the roof....
V A C A T I O N....sail away........
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/24/2003 08:33 AM PST

What is with Amazon.com....NO reviews for KRITZERLAND added since June 10!
No reply to any email asking about missing reviews.
Are they too busy with Harry Potter and Hillary Clinton?
Posted by Jrand52 @ 06/24/2003 08:35 AM PST

Will BK title today's notes "The Morning After the Morning After"??
America demands to know!
Posted by Lulu @ 06/24/2003 08:41 AM PST

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