haines his way

07/03/2003:
"THE LONGER LONG WEEKEND OR THE SHORTER LONG WEEKEND"

Well, dear readers, tomorrow begins the 4th of July weekend. Tomorrow there will be fireworks and banging and dogs will be quaking and shaking because of the banging and clanging and the sky will be ablaze and the whole thing will simply be too too. Now, I forget – last year was the 4th of July on a Thursday? And if so, was that how the long weekend worked – Thursday through Sunday? And did we celebrate the 4th on the 4th? It all gets very confusing, these holidays. How does the long weekend work this time? Friday through Sunday? That is a shorter weekend than last year. Or is it Friday through Monday? I would hate to think we have a shorter long weekend than a longer long weekend just because the 4th is on a Friday rather than a Thursday. Will some wise sage let me know how this works because I don’t want to have a shorter long weekend if I’m supposed to have a longer long weekend and conversely I don’t want to have a longer long weekend if I’m supposed to have a shorter long weekend because that would be unseemly. What the hell am I talking about?
Last night I watched a motion picture on DVD entitled The Tenant, directed by Mr. Roman Polanski back in 1976. I’d only seen this film once before, on VHS video and while I enjoyed it I didn’t think it all that great. Seeing it now in a pristine and beautiful enhanced widescreen transfer I must amend my views on the film, because it’s one of Mr. Polanski’s best, and that’s saying something. It’s very much in the Repulsion mode, with a bit of Rosemary’s Baby thrown in (mostly atmosphere). It’s strange, it’s mordantly amusing at times, and Mr. Polanski’s direction is terrific, as is the camerawork of Mr. Ingmar Bergman’s very own Sven Nykvist. The score, by Philippe Sarde, is quite brilliant. Mr. Polanski stars in the film as well, and his performance is great and should have been up for an Academy Award. He is virtually never off the screen and he delivers a performance of amazing complexity. The only downside to this film is some less-than-stellar dubbing for the secondary characters. The film was shot in France, but all the French actors are dubbed – why is a mystery. It’s unnerving to hear dubbed voices for actors we know, like Isabelle Adjani and Claude Dauphin. They both speak English and are, in fact, clearly speaking English in the film – so why their voices had to be dubbed who knows. If you’re looking for a slightly different viewing experience, I’d say take a chance on this – it’s really creepy. Not quite the “thriller” that the packaging trumpets, but a really chilling mood piece of someone slowly losing his sanity.
Well, why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because don’t I have some excellent questions to answer? And don’t we have to ascertain just how long this long or not long weekend is? We do and we shall.

Why we’ve got a veritable plethora of questions I tell you. I’d better start answering them right this very minute or I’ll be here answering them until the cows come home.
Jose asks what is my favorite salty snack? Pretzels I guess. Are pretzels salty enough? Or should I say salt water taffy? What is my favorite sweet snack? Changes daily, but right now I’m sort of on a sour gummies tear, thanks to dear reader William E. Lurie. What is my favorite sour food and/or drink? Do not drink anything that’s sour – food, see above. Chocolate, vanilla or strawberry – or Neapolitan? Chocolate, always. When was the last time I had Parisienne Cake? Two weeks ago at the Glendale book signing, although they were out of the yellow cake version, so we had the chocolate cake version which was good but not as good.
S. Woody White asks if I’ve ever wanted to direct a videotaping of a play and if so what titles would I like to tackle? I’d love to videotape a musical, just to show it can, in fact, be done well. Straight plays – I’d love to tape a great production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and I think it would be grand fun to tape Murray Schisgal’s Luv if it were ever revived. And The Odd Couple, too. Musicals – well, Follies, of course, but only in a dream production with a dream cast. What Sondheim shows would I recommend to a Sondheim newbie? Oh, A Little Night Music, Company, Merrily We Roll Along, are all good and traditional musical theater scores. If they’re really feeling adventurous they could also start with Sweeney Todd.
William E. Lurie says that in this day and age a person can work for years on Broadway, be a Tony winner and still not be known to the general public unless they’ve done film or television. Do I feel that people like Michele Pawk, Brent Barrett, Debbie Gravitte or Karen Ziemba need to take time off from their stage careers and work in sitcoms in order to return to Broadway as easier-to-sell names? Hard to say. Of the names you mention only Michele strikes me as someone who might work in sitcoms. Brent, of course, has done soap operas, and Debbie and Karen have done those PBS type shows, but I just don’t see them being cast in sitcoms. I could be wrong of course. It is shocking that people can work all the time, win awards, and still remain unknown, but it’s the sad fact of Broadway no matter how popular the show. Marissa Jaret Winokur just won a leading lady Tony, is in the most popular show on Broadway, and I would venture to say if you went up to ninety-nine percent of the population of the US no one would know who she was.
Jay has this scenario: I arrive at the theater to see a show. My seat is in the center of the orchestra and many fellow playgoers are already seated in my row. The legroom situation is tight and I need to make my way past my fellow playgoers to get to my seat. As I do so, do I face my fellow playgoers so they have a close-up view of my crotch, or do I face away from them so they have a close-up view of my butt cheeks? Well, I don’t think I’ve ever entered a row in a theater so that my crotch is facing my fellow theatergoers – they get my butt cheeks whether they like it or not. However, when I enter a restaurant I always enter crotch first.
Ben asks how I come up with a title for a CD? Well, there are two or three ways to go about it. The album can be self-titled – just the singer’s name (presuming it’s a vocalist album). Or it can have the singer’s name and then a title as well. For that I will usually choose a song from the album that works well as a title – that has a feel and somehow evokes what the album is. Or, if it’s dedicated to a specific composer I will sometimes just do the simplest thing, like The Alan Jay Lerner Album. For the compilation albums, I just try to think of something clever – like Unsung Musicals or Lost in Boston, both of which came to me rather quickly. Sometimes, though, I just try to think of something that’s both clever and which tells what the album is, like Michelle Nicastro’s Toonful.
TCB asks as an audience member what was the most memorable night I’ve ever had in the theater? I would have to say seeing the original production of Follies. Nothing before or since has topped the feeling I had seeing that show. It was the most complexly staged and acted show I’ve ever seen – breathtaking, really, and utterly magical in every way, from the lighting to the sets and costumes. It was, in short, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Jrand52 asks in a stock or touring company of a musical, do I think it’s all right to change the material if a star is involved? No, I don’t, but it’s done all the time. I suppose maybe one little in-joke might be okay, but that’s it. I saw this awful non-union tour of Grease here at the Greek Theater, with my pal Cindy Williams (and Eddie Mekka). At one point, Eddie and Cindy look at each other and do the standard “Don’t I know you” bit. That was okay, but five minutes later he was saying, “Surely you don’t mean that” and she replied, “Yes, I do, and don’t call me Shirley.” I mean, we all cringed.
Sarah asks how do you solve a problem like Maria. Well, when Maria is being a problem I simply sing They Call the Wind Maria. This drives her crazy. That usually solves the problem and then we do a quick chorus of “You say Maria and I say Maria, You say Sophia and I say Sophia, Maria, Maria, Sophia, Sophia, let’s call the whole thing fish. Have I seen Thoroughly Modern Millie on Broadway? Nope. Am I a fan of the Star Trek series? Truthfully, I have never seen an episode of Star Trek all the way through. I do like a couple of the films, though. When I write, do I write or type? Mostly type – I find I do better when typing. I do keep legal pads all over the house, in every room, in case inspiration hits me. Why does inspiration hit me? What did I ever do to inspiration, I’d like to know? Damn them, damn them all to hell. Do I think the youth of today is boring, lazy, active, informed, stupid, annoying, fun, full of potential? Well, certainly some of the youth of today have good qualities, yourself included. But, like with every generation (only a bit worse today because standard have reached an all-time low), there are scads of youth that just are selfish, stupid and filled with no ambition whatsoever except to make easy money or just to sit around and not do anything at all, except surf the Internet and play video games. I also think fashion for young people has hit an all-time low as well, with them low jeans and them thong underpants, and those big baggy outfits for the men. I mean, do these people actually look in the mirror and think they look good? Do I believe what goes up must come down? Well, mostly yes, but I’ve heard that the drug Viagra does wreak a bit of havoc with that theory.
MBarnum asks if there was any film or television role I auditioned for and really wanted but didn’t get. Sure, tons. I really wanted to do the series Richie Brockelman, Private Detective, and I had several good readings for it, but it went to the talented Dennis Dugan. I was up for the part Dudley Moore eventually played in Foul Play with Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn. This was pre Chevy’s casting – once he was cast I had no shot because of our similar looks. Conversely, was there any role I got that I wished I hadn’t done? Not really. I’ve never done anything that is truly embarrassing.
Maya asks what book, play or movie would I like to see musicalized the most? Well, I have several choices, none of which I will mention because someone will steal the idea. Okay, I’ll mention one: Fellini’s Variety Lights. There is a great musical in this film, and I know just how it should be done.
Emily asks what book, play or movie would I least like to see musicalized? Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf certainly. And Long Day’s Journey into Night. And Hamlet – oh, wait, they did it, didn’t they?
MusicGuy asks if I wouldn’t mind letting him know what the real-life first names of Ernie and Minnie, Benjamin Kritzer’s parents, were. It’s there in the dedication – Eddie and Mitzi. The conceit of the book was that everyone who was based on a real character got their real initials – I only cheated once with Grandpa and Grandma Gelfinbaum, where they have the opposite first initials – she has his and he has hers.
TCB asks if there’s a way to know if there is going to be more than one touring company of Thoroughly Modern Millie, because he really wants to see our very own Juliana A. Hansen. As far as I know, there is only the one company going out, so you are safe.
Anna asks if I have a favorite day of the week. Like a lot of people, I am partial to Fridays. And Sundays.
Matt H. asks which of the new Chaplin releases, The Gold Rush, Modern Times, The Great Dictator and Limelight, is my favorite? Of those, I would say Limelight, followed by The Gold Rush. Which other Chaplin movie would I have rather seen in this first collection? City Lights, my favorite of all Chaplin films, followed by either The Circus, or The Kid.
Michael Shayne asks how One From Column A came to be and what happened to it? One From Column A, the column I wrote on the Sondheim site (under the name The Real A) came about because I’d been posting there under that name, and people liked my posts, and one day Mr. Mark Bakalor said that I should just do a column. I thought about it and said yes. It was a once-a-week affair, and it took about ten columns for me to find the proper voice and tone for it. I did it for two years, week in and week out, and it had a very loyal and large following, especially with young people. The best part for me was that many bits of the Kritzer saga had dry runs in that column. After the Sondheim: A Life book came out, I said that Meryle Secrest’s next book would be The Real A: A Life, and that’s where I told quite a few of the anecdotes that eventually found their way into the novels (in quite different form, though). At some point, I just tired of doing it (it was a very long and involved column) – then I did some sporadic columns, but that wasn’t even fun, so I just stopped. What five songs would best describe Bruce Kimmel? Pick Yourself Up, Look for the Silver Lining, Let Me Sing and I’m Happy, No One Is Alone, and Put on a Happy Face. And I’m sure that list would change daily. But, you get the idea – I’m a cockeyed optimist – oh, a Rodgers and Hammerstein reference.
My goodness that was a veritable plethora, wasn’t it? The cows actually came home, had a bite to eat, and then went out again. Those darn cows.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must prepare for a longer long weekend or a shorter long weekend, I must prepare for our haineshisway.com celebration, I must write and I must do whatnot. Today’s topic of discussion: Let’s use Michael Shayne’s question – what songs would you say best describe yourself? And, topic two, what are your favorite Chaplin films? Post away, my pretties and I will be checking back often.

Replies: 75 Unseemly Comments

Folks who took a "longer" weekend last year (i.e., Thursday AND Friday), most likely had to take the Friday as a vacation day. I did.
The only holiday that equates to a "longer" weekend, to my knowledge, is Thanksgiving, which is always on a Thursday. Virtually all Federal, State and Local government employees get the Friday as a holiday, too. At the Federal level, it is always by a Presidential decree. It is not a "right," but it has been the custom for many decades.
All the rest of the holidays in the U.S. are one day and one day only. Many are designed to fall on a Monday to give folks a three-day weekend. For those that don't, we workers cherish the holidays when they fall on Thursday or Tuesday; that way, we can take Friday or Monday as a vacation day and get four days in a row off.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 07/03/2003 09:31 AM PST

Oh, yes: For non-government employees, it totally depends on your employer...or, if you're union...what agreements have been made.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 07/03/2003 09:32 AM PST

Hmmm, "You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile", "I'm the Greatest Star", and "I Ain't Down Yet" are the ones that come to mind immediately. They will probably change within the hour.
"The Great Dictator" without a doubt.
Posted by TCB @ 07/03/2003 09:41 AM PST

"I Read", "Don't Look At Me," "It's a Grand Night for Singing," "I Think I May Want to Remember Today," "Losing Track of Time"
I'm assuming we're just using the titles themselves as our descriptions, not the content of the song. Those are mine.
Is anyone else as excited as me about the twilight zone marathon on the sci fi channel for the next couple days? I get giddy just thinking about it. tee hee.
Posted by Anna @ 07/03/2003 09:52 AM PST

What sparkling answers to the unseemly questions. Thank you, BK.
I am going to steal a song from Mr. Benjamin Kritzer and say that the song that best describes me for now for always (a Sherman Bros reference) is "I Don't Know Why, I Just Do."
As for Mr Chaplin...hmmm...I also enjoy LIMELIGHT, but that is about it for me. I am not sure why, but I don't "get" him. So there you are. I have seen "The Kid" which I liked and his music for "The Countess from Hong Kong" was the best thing about that movie. But - well - I will indeed rent the new DVD set and re-evaluate Mr Charles Chaplin. One hundred million H/K can't be wrong.
But then, I like "Rocky Jones" so there you are.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 07/03/2003 09:53 AM PST

DR Anna be sure to watch for DR Susan's episode of TZ!!!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 07/03/2003 09:54 AM PST

Damn! Almost the first post. Close......... so very close.
Posted by TCB @ 07/03/2003 09:55 AM PST

"Accent-chu-ate the Positive"
"Is That All There Is?"
(it depends upon which mood you happen to catch me in.)
Hmmmmm...not a huge Chaplin fan, actually. I probably enjoy his short films more than any of the features I've seen (though admittedly, I still haven't seen some biggies like The Kid and City Lights...never have seen all of The Circus, either) because I find his pathos a bit too heavy and insistent for my tastes (for features, I prefer Buster Keaton, especially Sherlock, Jr. and The General; or Harold Lloyd's Safety Last and For Heaven's Sake!). A couple of short films of his that I remember enjoying are Sunnyside and The Immigrant.
Boy, that was lengthy.
Posted by Lulu @ 07/03/2003 09:56 AM PST

Rocky Jones: Space Ranger is a classic and you darn well know it! Even Bobby wasn't so bad (as long as you keep the "mute" button on the remote handy).
Posted by Lulu @ 07/03/2003 09:58 AM PST

Yeesh, that looks like my comments were directed towards Rocky Jones. They were, of coure, directed towards DR Jrand.
That is all.
Posted by Lulu @ 07/03/2003 09:59 AM PST

Point taken.
Posted by Rocky Jones @ 07/03/2003 10:02 AM PST

Okay since I'm hungry, what are people's favorite things to eat on the 4th of July?
Posted by Jennifer @ 07/03/2003 10:04 AM PST

I'm shocked! Shocked! To find that gambling is going on in here!
Posted by Louis Renault @ 07/03/2003 10:06 AM PST

I came here for the waters.
Posted by Rick @ 07/03/2003 10:08 AM PST

What time and Channel is Susan's TWILIGHT ZONE on?
Regarding shows adopted for stars in stock, French singer (and Jack Paar regular) Genevieve did CAN-CAN in stock for years and then decided to try something different. She stuck with Cole Porter for SILK STOCKINGS (and added "I Love Paris" to the score) but since she was playing a Russian they had to add the following dialogue for her:
Commisar: I seem to detect a bit of a French accent. Are you sure you are Russian?
Ninotchka: Oui!
Most non-retail companies will give you Thursday and Friday off if a holiday is on a Thursday or both Monday and Tuesday if it is on a Tuesday, but no extra days if it is on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 07/03/2003 10:20 AM PST

Bill- I just checked the SCIFI channel list, don't see Susan's TZ episode THE FUGITIVE listed on either day. 8-(
Did she do more than one?
Posted by Jrand52 @ 07/03/2003 10:29 AM PST

In my experience, employers don't give employees Friday off if a national holiday falls on a Thursday (with, as has been noted, the exception of Thanksgiving). I mean, my husband works for the state government and they have pretty darn good benefits - and he would have to work on Friday if July 4th fell on a Thursday (unless he took Friday as a vacation or sick day).
Favorite July 4th food: Fresh berry pie with a dollop of whipped cream.
And poutine, of course. Lots of poutine.
Posted by Lulu @ 07/03/2003 10:43 AM PST

Jrand - That's the only TZ listed for the lovely Ms. Gordon on either TV Tomes or IMDB. Since you brought it up originally I figured you would know. We'll have to watch for it in the future.
To anyone interested in seeing WICKED in NYC - Tickets are on sale now. The only ad they had was for pre-sale to American Express Gold Cardholders, but there was a tiny note stating when that exclusivity would end and those of us with mere Visas or Mastercards can now order tickets. We got great seats (Row G just off the center) for the Saturday matinee 10/25 which is just a few days before the official opening (10/30) and the show should be "frozen" by then. I would expect a big ad in the Times either this Sunday or next and tickets will probably go very fast at that point, so order now. (It's ironic, but the day we see the matinee of WICKED we have evening tickets to City Opera's MAGIC FLUTE, another story where witchcraft plays a part. Maybe it's because I'm working my way through HARRY POTTER V where after 120 pages nothing has happened. Only about 750 pages to go. A Kritzer book it's not.)
And does anyone have info on tickets to BOUNCE THE GOLD WISE GUYS in Washington DC? I had hoped to get to Chicago to see it, but that probably won't happen. What are the dates, theatre, etc.? Thanks.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 07/03/2003 11:12 AM PST

BK--thanks for answering my question. I've never seen Variety Lights..I love Fellini though. I've seen La Strada, 8 1/2 and Juliet of the Spirits (Giuletta Masina is a goddess).
Also, I'm almost done with Kritzerland! My favorite part so far is where (spoiler?) Benjamin discovers the Gypsy OCR..his joy so closely mirrored my own when I listened to it for the first time. My one complaint about the book....too short! Make the next one 870 pages like Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix!
Songs that describe me the best? Let's go with Some People, Broadway Baby and Don't Rain on my Parade. Favorite Chaplin movies--haven't seen Limelight, but I loved Gold Rush and The Great Dictator.
Also, click on my name for a really fun quiz on which French New Wave actress you would be!
Posted by Maya @ 07/03/2003 11:16 AM PST

I just took DR Maya's quiz.
Posted by Jrand52 aka Juliet Berto @ 07/03/2003 11:35 AM PST

WOW - Catherine Deneuve!! What will my wife say?????
Happy 4th to all.....
.....and DR Jason - the postacrds are in the mail!
Posted by Phil @ 07/03/2003 11:48 AM PST

According to my Answers, I'm Bridgette Bardot - sexy, beautiful and talented, although after her recent diatribe against "homosexuals" and her alliance with Le Pen's far-right political party in France, I'm not sure she would want me to be her.
Songs: T'aint Nobody's Bizness, It's Not Where You Start, and I Can't Give You Anything But Love
Posted by Ben @ 07/03/2003 11:57 AM PST

You are Mireille Darc. Sensitive, impatient, yet thoughtful...
That actually is strangely appropriate for me. :)
I don't think it's possible to have one song thoroughly describe a person - but Stephen (or is that Steven? I can't believe I don't remember!) Schwartz' "Lion Tamer" comes close for me.
Posted by Emily @ 07/03/2003 11:58 AM PST

By the wat, the song title that best describes me...
I Am What I Am
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 07/03/2003 12:13 PM PST

Just took the quiz, and I'm wondering if they just match you with the name you choose from the list near the beginning...
Posted by Lulu, aka Isabelle Adjani @ 07/03/2003 12:16 PM PST

BTW, Ben...my aunt was known in high school as "The Brigitte Bardot of 10th Street." Someone even referred to her as "BB" when autographing her HS yearbook! ;)
Posted by Lulu @ 07/03/2003 12:19 PM PST

But this is a desert!
Posted by Louis Renault @ 07/03/2003 12:20 PM PST

JRand52 you can't be Juliet Berko, I am Juliet Berko!
Posted by MBarnum @ 07/03/2003 12:24 PM PST

Brigitte & Catherine - I must tell you how much I enjoyed your performances in two films recommended right here on HHW... BB in 'Comtempt' and CD in '8 Women'!!
Belle femme.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 07/03/2003 12:27 PM PST

Will the real Juliette Berko please....Stand UP!!
Posted by Bud Collyer @ 07/03/2003 12:35 PM PST

In my other identy I am Bud Collyer.
Posted by Superman @ 07/03/2003 12:44 PM PST

Lulu--maybe they do match you up with the name you choose at the beginning...cause my favorite name there was Isabelle and sure enough I am Isabelle Adjani too!
I take far too many of those online quizzes...although I have been able to find some pretty cool ones like--
What Broadway Songwriter (s) are you?
What Woody Allen film would you be in?
What Broadway leading lady are you?
What Sondheim musical are you?
The list goes on.
Posted by Maya @ 07/03/2003 12:46 PM PST

Lulu--maybe they do match you up with the name you choose at the beginning...cause my favorite name there was Isabelle and sure enough I am Isabelle Adjani too!
I take far too many of those online quizzes...although I have been able to find some pretty cool ones like--
What Broadway Songwriter (s) are you?
What Woody Allen film would you be in?
What Broadway leading lady are you?
What Sondheim musical are you?
The list goes on.
Posted by Maya @ 07/03/2003 12:47 PM PST

I was misinformed.
Posted by Rick @ 07/03/2003 12:50 PM PST

Oopsies...sorry for the double post. My PC has been acting up.
WEL--tickets for The Bouncing Gold Wiseguys in DC go on sale Aug 11th.
Posted by Maya @ 07/03/2003 12:50 PM PST

Cockeyed Optimist
Cain't Say No
yup, that's me. . .
Posted by Kurt @ 07/03/2003 12:52 PM PST

I hate these glasses. . .
Posted by Arlene Frances @ 07/03/2003 12:53 PM PST

Mystery Guest, enter and sign in, please!
Posted by Garry Moore @ 07/03/2003 12:54 PM PST

Wait till you hear what I know
about Jack Ken. . . . . . . . . .
Posted by Dorothy Kilgallen @ 07/03/2003 12:55 PM PST

I was always afraid I would get that song title in charades...
how would YOU do Cockeyed Optimist?
Posted by Jrand52 @ 07/03/2003 12:56 PM PST

And that's the word -
YOU DON'T SAY!
Posted by Tom Kennedy @ 07/03/2003 12:58 PM PST

Watch closely. . . I'm only going
to demonstrate this song
once:
Posted by marcelle marceau @ 07/03/2003 12:58 PM PST

Fermez la bouche, Marcel.
Posted by Helen Keller @ 07/03/2003 01:00 PM PST

Thanks for the date, Maya. Do you have a URL where I can order them at that time?
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 07/03/2003 01:12 PM PST

I'm not quite sure, WEL...but you may want to just try the Kennedy Center's website when they go on sale...I believe it's:
http://www.kennedycenter.com
Off to grab some chow...
Posted by Maya @ 07/03/2003 01:17 PM PST

Glad you're enjoying the book, Maya. Let us know how you like it when you're done. As to longer, you'll be happy to know that the final volume in the Kritzer saga is indeed longer but hopefully not too long.
Posted by bk @ 07/03/2003 01:40 PM PST

A BK/Benjamin Kritzer book too long? Never!
A line from a song sums me up: "I was born to soon and I started too late!" Yup, that's me. But on the flip side there's "Pick Yourself Up." That's a good one.
Otherwise, Stephen Schwartz's "Lion Tamer" is an accurate descriptive song for me as well, Emily. Unfortunately, it's paired with ALW's "Tell Me On a Sunday" (the song), which is soon to be autobiographical (but from the other side...don't ask).
Anyway, I did the French actress quiz and I chose Isabelle as the name of the choices, but the quiz ended up telling me that I'm like Bridget Bardot! So, it isn't JUST about what name you choose.
Posted by George @ 07/03/2003 01:48 PM PST

I did the broadway composer/lyricist quiz and I'm Jason Robert Brown...
woohoo!
wait... does this mean I'll never be a commercial success in life? ;)
Posted by Emily @ 07/03/2003 01:52 PM PST

My favorite Chaplin is CITY LIGHTS, by far. As for his pathos, that's what appeals to me in the films. I never find the sentiment too much; it's there but mixed in just right portions with absolutely hilarious shenanigans. Hard to pick a runner-up. Probably THE GREAT DICTATOR.
SOng that best defines me: "Losing My Mind" from FOLLIES, probably my all-time favorite song from any musical.
Posted by Matt H. @ 07/03/2003 01:55 PM PST

... but DAMN will I be talented!
Posted by Emily @ 07/03/2003 01:55 PM PST

God! Of all the Broadway musicals, I have to be RENT!! I hate RENT.
DR Ben - I forgot about "It's Not Where You Start", that is a great choice for me, as well. Although, "I'm Way Ahead" would probably be better.
Posted by TCB @ 07/03/2003 02:49 PM PST

It's the 4th July here so I guess I can be the first to wish all you Stateside DRs "Happy July 4".
My song choices (today): "Walking among My Yesterdays" & "The Road You Didn't Take".
Chaplin: "Limelight" (at least we got to see it here in OZ long before you!) and "Modern times".
Pathos was handled so beautifully by Chaplin.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 07/03/2003 03:07 PM PST

What we have here is a lull. A lull is what we have here. Here we have a lull. Let us lose the lull. Let us be lull-less. Let us have less lull rather than more lull. Let us be lull free or at the very least lull lite.
Posted by bk @ 07/03/2003 04:27 PM PST

There. No lull now. . .
Posted by Lucy Lull-less @ 07/03/2003 04:36 PM PST

A friend of mine used to buy hull-less popcorn. If Lucy Lull-less bough some we could call her "Hull-less Lull-less". What the hell am I talking about? (a BK reference!)
Posted by George @ 07/03/2003 04:43 PM PST

"I'm Losing My Mind", therefore "Don't Rain On My Parade" because "I Want To Be Happy" "Always". "Rose Tint My World" with "Razzle-Dazzle".
so there.
Posted by KT @ 07/03/2003 05:08 PM PST

"If I Had My Druthers."
Li'l Abner's CD notes include one of my favorite typos. Under Musical Numbers they list: "Jubilation." Which, they say, is sung by: "T. Cornpone, Stubby Kaye, and Ensemble."
I also like the misplaced modifier on the Seesaw LP album:
"Fifteen years ago, playwright William Gibson first introduced us to a slightly square, not-quite-single lawyer from the Midwest who came to Manhattan and proceeded to meet and fall in love with a kooky would-be dancer with an ulcer from the Bronx."
Posted by TorontoDan @ 07/03/2003 06:42 PM PST

re: Maya's quiz
No, they don't just put you with the first name you choose, or at least they didn't for me.
I am Brigitte Bardot: sexy, beautiful, and talented!
Posted by Jennifer @ 07/03/2003 06:57 PM PST

Jennifer,
This Brigitte Bardot does NOT
exist anymore...
She now is an ugly -- inside
and out -- narrow-minded
racist jerk!
Oh NO, you're not Brigitte
Bardot; take it from me!
Posted by François @ 07/03/2003 07:37 PM PST

George, what the hull are you
talking about?
Posted by Lucy @ 07/03/2003 07:44 PM PST

For sheer curiosity.... click on
my name to see what BB
looks like now....
She would get a part in
WICKED!
Posted by François @ 07/03/2003 07:49 PM PST

Ahhh! Tres laide! That face one belonged to one of the biggest sex-bombs of the sixties? Really though--I didn't know she was such a racist jerk...I had read about her being hugely into animal rights but apparently that compassion does not extend to humans.
Posted by Maya @ 07/03/2003 08:10 PM PST

Any Chaplin fans out there I hope have seen the three part documentary UNKNOWN CHAPLIN which features priceless outtakes from his rushes and uncompleted works, home movies, film clips, and wonderful interviews with people associated with Chaplin through his career including wives, children, fellow actors. Astounding footage and well worth seeking out if you've never seen it.
Posted by Matt H. @ 07/03/2003 08:29 PM PST

It would require at least threee songs to describe me now:
"Little Boy Blue"
and
"The Road you Didn't Take"
and
"Cock-eyed Optimist"
Chaplin:
"The Rink"
"City Lights"
Posted by Kerry @ 07/03/2003 09:23 PM PST

Add "Wonderful Guy" to my list of songs. You realize they'd be different an hour from now, but there you have it.
Posted by Kerry @ 07/03/2003 09:26 PM PST

One more song (the last, I promise):
"Times Like This" from Lucky Stiff
Posted by Kerry @ 07/03/2003 09:48 PM PST

Sorry to have been errant and truant so far today, but today was the day of the dreaded "10 out of 12", so I was in rehearsal from 11:00am to 11:00pm. -Well, we did get the nice dinner break from 4:00-6:00. -Thus the "10 out of 12". And it went VERY well - not dreaded at all. Lots of quick costume changes in this show, and there was only one we had to make any major adjustments to. Alas, I'll be in final tech during the fireworks tomorrow night, but it will be nice finally getting an audience to play to come Saturday. -Then official opening on Sunday. And then two days off!!!!
As for today's topic...
"The Road You Didn't Take" (which seems to be a "favorite" here on HHW)
"Finishing the Hat" and "Lesson #8" from Sunday in the Park with George - Well, maybe they don't describe me presently, but they have been appropriate at other times.
"Help Is On the Way" - In the sense that I'm usually "on the way"
"This Time the Dream's On Me" - Especially the way Ella Fitzgerald sings it!
As for Chaplin films... I'm also one of those who is only familiar with the shorts. I think I may have seen "City Lights" at one time, but I'm not sure. Something I'll have to rectify sooner rather than later.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 07/03/2003 10:00 PM PST

Jose For God's sake, what are you doing getting familiar with Chaplins's shorts??
Posted by TCB @ 07/04/2003 01:06 AM PST

Happy Independence Day, USA!
Sit down, John.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 07/04/2003 06:14 AM PST

Happy 4th! Today we will all, of course, be reading aloud from the Declaration of Independence and singing our national anthem. And at some point, let us all have a moment of silence as we bow our heads and give thanks that our ancestors had the grit and the gumption to not want to pay their taxes. ;)
Did y'all see that Jennifer Lopez is suing her former manager? Apparently, she's accused him of profiting from "exploitation of Lopez's
artistic and literary talents."
Now, going beyond the obvious hilarity of this line (taken verbatim from legal papers) - "literary talents"???? - we also have to ask the question: what the heck are managers SUPPOSED to do? I mean, that's pretty much a job description of an actor/singer's manager, agent, etc., isn't it? Profiting from exploitation of someone else's talent? DUH!
Have a happy, everybody.
Posted by Lulu @ 07/04/2003 06:25 AM PST

Lulu, I'm sure there is a joke about "capitalizing on Lopez's assets", but I'm too tired to think of it right now. Remind me to get to it later, 'kay?
Posted by Dave @ 07/04/2003 06:29 AM PST

...or maybe the joke is about "pirating her booty".
Posted by Dave @ 07/04/2003 06:59 AM PST

TWILIGHT ZONE ALERT:
(Yes, I'm lurking, I'm lurking, but the summer is... busy... )
I checked the SciFi Channel's website, and DR Susan Gordon's episode, "The Fugitive" is not listed in the marathon.
However, they have a decent search engine, and I found that "The Fugitive" will be shown on August 6 at 1:30 am (so actually August 7) EST.
I can hardly wait to see it and find out if DR Susan catches the One-Armed Man.
:-)
Posted by William F. Orr @ 07/04/2003 08:08 AM PST

Thanks, Bill!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 07/04/2003 08:45 AM PST

Note to DR WFO: Don't I wish I'd been on that 'The Fugitive' show, too!
Posted by Susan @ 07/04/2003 09:28 AM PST

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