haines his way

07/10/2003:
"THE HILLS OF BEVERLY"

Well, dear readers, my first shoot went very well. I could barely watch the botox treatment and the various other similar treatments, but we got some excellent footage. The second shoot of the day was at a coffee house in Sherman Oaks and that was also fun. Today I shall be at various dentist offices doing stuff on teeth whitening. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that just too too?
I forgot to tell you why I was asking the “nude” question the other day. I’ll try to keep it brief: I’ve had an offer to pose for a well-known artist, Don Bachardy, and I’ve been thinking about it. I’d met Mr. Bachardy way back when I was doing a play at the Mark Taper Forum in 1973. The pianist for the show (it wasn’t a musical, but it had two numbers) was a wonderful man named Ray Henderson. Ray had been best companions with Mr. Charles Laughton, and he was still best companions with Elsa Lanchester, Mr. Laughton’s widow. We became fast friends, and I used to brunch every Sunday with Ray and Elsa at Elsa’s beach house. Her next door neighbor was Mr. Christopher Isherwood, he of the source material that became Cabaret. Mr. Isherwood’s companion was Don Bachardy. Mr. Bachardy was quite well known for his male nudes, and he asked me back then to pose and I said no, that I didn’t feel comfy posing in the nude. So, here we are, almost thirty years later, and the offer to pose again has come from a mutual friend. I was going to do it until I heard that I would be posing nude. Now, if I would not pose nude at twenty-five years of age, why on earth would I pose nude at fifty-five years of age? Of course, I am buff and toned with abs and buns of steel, but unless Mr. Bachardy was doing a horror painting I don’t think I would be such a pleasant nude subject. So, I’m afraid I will be saying no.
Last night I finished watching The Boy Who Could Fly. As I said yesterday, I’m quite partial to the film – it has wonderful hearfelt performances, especially Lucy Deakins, Jay Underwood, Bonnie Bedelia, Fred Savage, Fred Gwynne, Lucille Fletcher and Colleen Dewhurst. It has wonderful music by Bruce Broughton. It is well-written and well-directed by Nick Castle. But I think the film has a major flaw and for me it is why I think the film did not become an all-time classic. I know, I know – you will say how can one little major flaw wreak such havoc. First I will say that the writer/director doesn’t feel it’s a flaw at all. But I think he’s wrong and have felt it since the day I first saw the film. Lulu hit it on the head in yesterday’s posts – it’s the “dream” sequence. Now, if you haven’t seen the film and you want to come to it fresh, then stop reading right now and skip to the next paragraph. You have been warned. There are spoilers ahead. The film is about an autistic boy who thinks he can fly. We, the audience, don’t know whether he can or not, we just know he thinks he can. Mid-way through the film, the Lucy Deakins character has an accident. She then has a dream and in the dream she and the autistic boy fly. It’s a beautifully done sequence. However, having the sequence then totally robs the climax of the film of its true emotional power – when they jump from the roof of a building and fly for real. We’ve seen it. Yes it may have been a dream, but the magic has lost its pull, at least for me. Take away the dream sequence (just skip it on the DVD) and suddenly the ending of the film is amazing and breathtaking, because we haven’t seen the flying – we are surprised and delighted when he can indeed fly. I think people sense something is wrong in the film, but very few people have been able to pinpoint it. Maybe I’m wrong, but I feel strongly about it. I understand what Mr. Castle was going for in the dream sequence and intellectually it’s fine. But this is a movie and the dream, for me, just lessens the surprise of what should be a major emotional release for the audience. Agree or not?
What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? Don’t I have whitened teeth to go shoot? Yes, let’s all click on the Unseemly Button below – first let’s dream we did, and then let’s do it for real.

Well, you see, now I am late. I must hurry and wrap up these here notes in a trice.
I did want to mention that I finished what I think is the end of Part One of the new Kritzer book. Part One is five pages longer than the entirety of Benjamin Kritzer. It seems to be working okay though, so I’m just going to let it be as long as it needs to be. After all, it is covering a longer time span than either the first or second book. The other interesting thing for me is that I started writing all three books in March. The first book took until late November to complete. The second book took until late December. This book will most likely be finished in the same time frame. But, I’ve written as many pages as Benjamin Kritzer has in half the time. So, I guess the process gets a teeny bit easier as you go along. I’ve also been quite disciplined this time around, writing pages every single day, which was not the case with the first two books. In any case, I shall keep you posted on the progress.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must drive to the Hills of Beverly which are, apparently, laden with white teeth. Today’s topic of discussion: What is your favorite fantasy film? I’ll start – certainly The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad would be at the top of my list. I also like several of Mr. Harryhausen’s other films. I look forward to seeing your choices when I return from the Hills of Beverly. I wonder how Beverly feels with all this unseemly talk of her Hills?

Replies: 54 Unseemly Comments

Wow, it is wonderful to have the new days "notes" so early! I always like to check in first thing in the morning when I get to work, but usually it is to catch up with last nights postings!
Hmmm...favorite fantasy film...I am very partial to those Italian Hercules/Samson/Ursus/Maciste films and if they count as fantasy films then my favorite would be all of them! LOL! Otherwise I am not sure that I have a favorite fantasy film...I did particularly enjoy Jack the Giant Killer when I watched it recently.
I will have to give this question more thought, and more coffee!
Posted by MBarnum @ 07/10/2003 07:07 AM PST

Well DR MBarnum, we did not win the PowerBall jackpot, so I see we are both at work today.
Fantasy films....hmmmm....probably MYSTERIOUS ISLAND...although a close second would be THE TIME MACHINE with Mr Rod Taylor!
Not sure it's a fantasy film, but there is THREE WISHES, which I mentioned yesterday.
BK is not posing nude....well I guess we didn't convince him.
Posted by Jrand52 @ 07/10/2003 07:23 AM PST

For fantasy films, I've always liked The 7th Voyage Of Sinbad, and also a strange little film of which I have totally screwed up the title....something like the 88 Keys Of Dr. T, or something like that. Also a bunch of others, except that they really span between fantasy and horror, and so they may not really qualify.
Hmmmm...eteemed, suave, lithe, guapo, erudite, sinewy, literate, reality-based, and then finally the offer of NUDE ???? Well BK, maybe your creation of TFNM was more of a harbinger than you realized??!!
Posted by MusicGuy @ 07/10/2003 07:26 AM PST

The 5,000 Fingers of Dr T!!!
I love that movie! Click on my name to read about it on the Internet Movie Database!
Posted by Jrand52 @ 07/10/2003 07:37 AM PST

For a real fantasy film, you can't top something rated XXX.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 07/10/2003 07:45 AM PST

My favorite fantasy films has to be The NeverEnding Story. It is a pure delight!
Posted by Susan @ 07/10/2003 08:06 AM PST

I LOVE "The Muppet Movie" (that's a fantasy film, right?) and "The Dark Crystal". There are several Sinbad movies that my sister and I watched when we were younger and "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad" was one of the best.
Posted by George @ 07/10/2003 08:38 AM PST

But, Susan, what about THE BOY AND THE PIRATES?
Posted by Charles Herbert @ 07/10/2003 09:02 AM PST

Seven Faces of Dr. Lao with Tony Randall. May not be my numero uno favorite, but it's the one I remember best.
Posted by TorontoDan @ 07/10/2003 09:17 AM PST

I'm not a huge fantasy fan, but the im
Henson stuff is always great.
No nude BK? What a loss for the
world of art.
Since I have been so errant and
truant (I'll tell why in a moment.) may
I ask, what is BK shooting? A movie?
More TV? Also, has there been
progress on TFNM on stage, or any
one of BK's other wonderful
projects?
Anyway, here is my excuse for being
E&T: I am producing, co-directing,
and playing Creon in a production of
Sophocles' "Antigone". This is my
little summer project-though I'd like
to make it an every summer project-
and it is understandably taking up
most of my time. My cast is
wonderful, my co-director is brilliant,
and it will be a fantastic show. There
are frustrations, and they are
frustrating, but I am convinced that
we will get beyond them.
Performances are August 15-17 if
anyone is in the Cleveland area. E-
mail me if you want more info.
Posted by Hapgood @ 07/10/2003 09:39 AM PST

I am also a big fan of Rod Taylor’s version of The Time Machine, although I don’t know if that counts as fantasy or science fiction. If that doesn’t count, how about Finian’s Rainbow? I know, I know, that’s a musical. Ok, there was another film from the 40s about a leprechaun in New York City….. Somebody’s Gold? Does that ring any bells with anyone?
Posted by TCB @ 07/10/2003 09:44 AM PST

Charlie, that was a fantasy???
Posted by Susan @ 07/10/2003 09:59 AM PST

LOL, Susan.
You know, I am very bad, I always think of older movies first...I would be very wrong if I didn't put LORD OF THE RINGS:FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING and LORD OF THE RINGS:THE TWO TOWERS on my list.
Wow, Hapgood - culture!
As for Beverly Hills, Mr BK? Exactly who won the contest? Who is the Possum Queen of Beverly Hills? I know it was a heated competition with both Granny Moses and Margaret Drysdale compaigning...and didn't Jane Hathaway lead the parade in a bathing suit and twirling a possum?
Posted by Jrand52 @ 07/10/2003 10:05 AM PST

Favorite Fantasy Films:
The Wizard of Oz
Field of Dreams
A Matter of Life and Death (AKA Stairway to Heaven)
Here Comes Mr. Jordan
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 07/10/2003 10:45 AM PST

HAAAAARRY POOOOTTTTERRR!!!!
Just-a-kidding, as much as I love the books, the movies are awful. I love dumb science fiction movies about the space alien that's coming to take all the humans, but then the humans take their super-laser guns and shoot the alien who, instead of using his super alien powers, just stands there and ponders the fact that humans might actually have weapons and why did they not ever think of that? Of course then he dies and the hero is announced, and the day is saved. I've always been confused by the fact that the aliens always speak erfectly good english and usually have very nice communication skills...how realistic.
Yes, those kinds of films. :) And the new movie Signs was incredibly stupid -spoilers entered here, dont look if you dont want to know-
The one thing that killed the aliens was water?!?!? The most ABUNDANT SOURCE ON THE PLANET?!? How incredibly intelligent...stupid movie.
Yes well thats that.
Posted by Sarah @ 07/10/2003 11:05 AM PST

Favourite Fantasies:
5,000 FINGERS OF DR. T...especially that surreal ballet in the prison.
Alexander Korda's THIEF OF BAGHDAD with Sabu as the thief, Rex Ingram as the genie, and Conrad Veidt as a superb villain. And the great Miklos Rozsa score.
And speaking of surreal, TARZAN & HIS MATE with Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan is about as surreal a fantasy as its gets, particularly the climatic battle which has apes, elephants, lions bloodthirsty natives, and bloodthirsty white hunters. Also it was pretty racy for its day...Pre-Hays Code.
Posted by Charles Edward Pogue @ 07/10/2003 11:20 AM PST

Dear BK:
I know it's your choice, and we all have our different degrees of comfort with nudity, but I can tell you that if I had the opportunity to sit for an artist as well-respected as Mr. Don Bachardy, I wouldn't hesitate for a moment.
Dear Reader Jose C. Simbulan: I'd love to connect with you when your audition tour takes you to the Los Angeles area. I tried e-mailing you by clicking on your name on one of yesterday's posts, but that did not work. So try clicking on my name here and e-mailing me. That way we can exchange phone numbers and set something up when you are here. Maybe we can get BK and other Lalaland Hainsies and Kimlets together for a small soiree?
Posted by Jay @ 07/10/2003 11:41 AM PST

Hi, everyone! *waves* I'm kinda sick today, in that yesterday I moved some boxes full of printed material that I really shouldn't have, and it hurt my back and shoulders so I took some pain medication which made me woozy, plus I got only about four hours of sleep last night (because I couldn't get comfortable). But I thought you would be interested to know that I've been looking up my old USEnet posts (going back nearly 10 years! Cripes!) and I am surprised to find that I ended nearly every post with a different pithy quote. Some from movies, some from books (even comic books) and some, like the one you are about to see, directly from Real Life.
So without further ado, here's Pithy Quote #485 of the series (collect 'em all!):
"There comes a time when you just get sick and tired of running around in public in your underwear"
-Joey Langston, on why he no longer goes to "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"
Posted by Lulu @ 07/10/2003 11:56 AM PST

BK-how interesting about your offer to pose au naturel. It really all is about your level of comfort--I guess posing nude for an artist could be something life-affirming and great but also degrading, and not to mention, cold!
My favorite fantasy movies are those ones that I grew up with in the 80's..Labyrinth, the Neverending Story, Legend. I'm not really a rock fan, but David Bowie just looks so good in Labyrinth as Jareth the Goblin King. Those tight pants...I think I noticed them even when I was 5. Dear God...what does that say about me?
As for later fantasy movies, Lord of the Rings is awesome and although I also prefer the books of Harry Potter, the movies are pretty good too.
Sarah--SPOILERS!--I agree with you that Signs is just incredibly, mind-bogglingly stupid in places. Like when the alien was shut in the pantry--supposedly these extraterrestrials are smarter and possess more advanced technology than any of us stupid humans, yet they can't figure out how to get out of a pantry!
Jose--I also know someone who went to VCU, although he didn't really like it and transferred out. Did you like it and is it a good theatre school?
Hapgood--boy, you are younger than me, yet you are producing, co-directing and acting in Antigone? There should be some kind of "Young Orson Welles of the Twenty-First Century Award" and you should take it.
Posted by Maya @ 07/10/2003 12:07 PM PST

Wizard of Oz
MeverEnding Story (love the theme song)
Somewhere in Time
Posted by Michael @ 07/10/2003 12:23 PM PST

Oh my gosh...how could I forget THE WIZARD OF OZ as a favorite fantasy film...and I will throw in the Laurel and Hardy version of BABES IN TOYLAND because I love it and it seems fantasy like, in a comedic sort of way.
Posted by MBarnum @ 07/10/2003 12:25 PM PST

DR Sarah - Back to yesterday for sec... King's Dominion used to be simply known as KD. The "P" wasn't added until about ten (?) years ago, when Paramount took over the park. For us "old folks", KD has never been the same, although some of the new rides are pretty good.
DR Maya - As for VCU's theatre department... Like any department, it's all a matter of "fit", and sometimes, unfortunately, you don't really know if you "fit" or not until after going there for a while. And, trust me, no theatre department is perfect.
DR Jay - I'll e-mail you my e-mail address and other info - or you can try clicking on my name again. *With the way my browser is set up, I can't click on the names either to bring up my e-mail program. -I usually right-click, and check the properties, and take down the e-mail form there.
Dates-wise, I'll be in LA from September 22-29 - with a at least two full days off in there!
OH! And I might as well lists the dates for the other cities - I know at least one DR in Chicago has promised to take me to Gino's in the past!
Gold Coast - August 22-27
Melbourne - 27-31
Sydney - 31-September 3
Orlando - September 11-15
New York - 15-18
Chicago - 18-21
LA - 22-29
As for today's topic, I'm another fan of "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad". However, my first exposure to the Harryhausen Sinbad series was "Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger" - which I remember seeing for the first time at a drive-in! I also remember seeing "The Golden Voyage of Sinbad". And I actually like "Clash of the Titans". -Harry Hamlin in a loin cloth!
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 07/10/2003 01:12 PM PST

I just got back from my Communications class. I met one of my classmates: the Romanian girl with the cleavage. We learned about how the somewhat overweight teacher with the plastic flowers in her hair's ex-husband (the identical twin) used to own a funeral parlor and that she likes popcorn. Then followed a rather lengthy lecture about how since it's so hot out, if we take our dogs for walks, we'd better get them doggie booties so they don't burn their feet.
Her favorite phrase appears to be "and all that kind of thing" because she's said it at least a hundred times since class started on Monday. She says it the way my history teacher said "hee-uh." Maybe I should start counting. It would give me something to write in my notes. Besides stuff about popcorn and doggie booties, that is.
Posted by Sandra @ 07/10/2003 01:54 PM PST

Okay, Jose, it isn't my fault that the group you will working for doesn't think there is any talent in the Seattle area. I was certainly ready to take you out for coffee or a meal, but you can't seem to fit a visit to your former home town into your schedule.
Posted by TCB @ 07/10/2003 02:24 PM PST

Hello All! I am going to have to agree with several of you, 5000 fingers of Dr.T and 7th Voyage of Sinbad are my all time favorite fantasy films. I had the pleasure of seeing Dr. T at a theater no too long ago in Seattle. It was great to see it on a big screen, since it had been so long since I had seen it.
BK - Glad you are not posing nude. I don't know why I am glad, I just am :) Also, the reason you always start your books in March is because that was when your darling daughter was born! :)
Posted by JB aka JK @ 07/10/2003 02:36 PM PST

Oh, bk, Nurse Ratched is going to get you for sure! That's LOUISE Fletcher, not Lucille. I think Lucille Fletcher wrote the radio play "Sorry, Wrong Number," didn't she?
Here's another vote for THE SEVEN FACES OF DR. LAO. Love it. Love Leigh Harline's score especially and the wonderful character actress Lee Patrick.
Posted by Matt H. @ 07/10/2003 02:49 PM PST

Thanks to all those who
congratulated me on Antigone: It is a
pretty mind-boggling thing. I just got
wonderful news: A reporter for the
community paper, which is a pretty
widely-read paper, is going to come
to a rehearsal with a photographer,
and do a profile story on us. Pretty
exciting!
I will ask again, because I am quite
curious: what is it that BK is
shooting? And why does it involve
botox?
Posted by Hapgood @ 07/10/2003 02:53 PM PST

Not my favourite genre of film but I do love both the "LOTR" movies. I usually prefer reading fantasy as there is more scope for the imagination. Any Clive Barker fans out there?
Well done DR Hapgood. Welcome back.
Posted by Tom from Oz @ 07/10/2003 03:12 PM PST

They Shoot Botox Don't They?
Posted by Syndey Pollock @ 07/10/2003 04:29 PM PST

Back from the Hills of Beverly.
Say, where in tarnation IS
everyone. Will those who are
not errant and truant tell those
who are that the 4th of July
weekend is OVER. Vacation is
OVER. Let's get a rally going,
shall we?
I admire Mr. Bachardy, but I'm
afraid I shall not be nude in a
painting. After all, a copy of the
painting might end up on eBay
and then where would we be?
Nude on eBay, that's where
we'd be. I just had a
half-a-bagel with some
noxious cream cheese spread
(all that was here at the office)
called tomato-basil spread.
That is a taste I never need to
have again as long as I am in
existence or vice versa.
Posted by bk @ 07/10/2003 04:33 PM PST

The ever-lovin' der Brucer and I did something different last night. We went to one of those TV screenings, where they show a pilot or two of projected new shows and a few commercials, and then ask the audience for their reactions. The whole event was quite pleasant, with a pleasant staff and comfortable chairs. Apparently they used to screen the pilots on a big screen, but they've found that they get a "truer" reaction if they use several television monitors.
As for the pilots, one was for a supernaturalish drama that was terribly conceived, and the other an older office-comedy pilot from MTM that is being explored as a vehicle for the same star that was in the original pilot, but with some updating and tweeking. And the three commercials we were shown to give comments on were of varying quality. Quite frankly, we couldn't even tell what the product was for the first commercial, it was that bad.
I really cannot imagine our BK posing in the nude for Mr. Bachardy. Not that I cannot imagine our BK in the nude, although I've been avoiding that sort of imagining as rather invasive and impertinent. Rather, I cannot imagine our BK posing in the nude for Mr. Bachardy mainly because Mr. Bachardy requires that his models strike their pose and NOT MOVE A MUSCLE for SEVERAL HOURS, and our BK is too much a man on the go to sit still for that kind of nonsense. Mr. Bachardy should take up photography if he wants to immortalize our BK.
As for fantasy films, The Wizard of Oz is way up there, as is Lord Of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring. (Try putting those two films together: Frodo must take the Ruby Slippers...nah, wouldn't work.) Another great fantasy film, if a bit grim in it's theme, is What Dreams May Come. Amazing in it's cinematography and effects, and how often do we get to see a quietened and subdued Robin Williams?
Posted by S. Woody White @ 07/10/2003 05:01 PM PST

FINALLY! Sorry to have been
E&T the past couple days, but I
have been having issues with
my dial-up service. All day
yesterday and today, I was
unable to connect to the
internet. I called the tech
service number, continuously
getting a busy message, and
left a couple messages of my
own wondering what the heck
was going on. No response.
Finally went to the public
library a little while ago and
went to the company's
website. Apparently they
changed their dial-up number
for my region, but just didn't
bother to let us know about it.
No e-mail warning, no phone
call, no mailer, no nothing. No
clue this was happening
unless you happened to go to
the company's homepage
(which, of course, is quite
difficult when you have no
internet access due to a
changed access number!).
My, how wonderful for all of us
to have Sandra in a class
again! Goodness, what ever
will my future students have to
say about me?!?
Topic de jour - I'm not much of
a fantasy guy, never have
been, so I'll plead mostly
ignorant on this one.
Posted by Jed @ 07/10/2003 05:06 PM PST

Bruce, what if you were almost nude? Maybe if you were wearing a nice pair of the official "First Nudie Musical" boxer shorts (available right here at haineshisway.com)! You would still be "covered" while simultaneously have an effective (and appropriate, I think) use of product placement at the same time (he said, redundantly)!
Posted by George @ 07/10/2003 06:06 PM PST

Maybe BK could wear a "Kritzerland" thong.
Posted by Laura @ 07/10/2003 06:13 PM PST

DR Sandra: Maybe you could teach the Romanian girl a new phrase or two and tell her she's overdoing the one she does use.
On my last visit to Britain, I heard "Thank you very much, indeed" so much I wanted to throw myself off the London Bridge...only it was no longer there. It was dismantled and someone moved it to the U.S. ages ago.
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 07/10/2003 06:52 PM PST

We've got it here in Arizona, Ron.
Posted by Laura @ 07/10/2003 07:04 PM PST

Oh, but Ron they STILL have
other bridges there, off which
you could have thrown yourself
INDEED! ;- )
Posted by François @ 07/10/2003 07:18 PM PST

Thank you very much!
Thank you very much!
That's the nicest thing that
anyone ever said to me!
Posted by Scrooge @ 07/10/2003 07:19 PM PST

Anyone seen Shirley Temple in "The Blue Bird" (1940)?
(I think someone mentioned the '70s Russian-made remake here recently.)
It's a strange but interesting movie, and has the sad distinction of being the flop that marked the end of Shirley's reign at the box-office.
Although usually written off as Fox's failed attempt at a "Wizard of Oz"-type fantasy (and there are many parallels between the two), it does have moments of great power and imagination, as well as some very memorable moments and images.
At the very least you can try to imagine what "Oz" might have been like, had Fox agreed to lend Temple to MGM. (Or would that just be sacrilege?)
If you love "Oz," but have seen it too many times, "The Blue Bird" is worth a look.
Posted by Sigerson Holmes @ 07/10/2003 07:30 PM PST

I think I was planning to replace one of those "moments" with the word "scenes," in the fourth paragraph. Next time I'll click on "preview," first. Promise!
Posted by Sigerson Holmes @ 07/10/2003 07:34 PM PST

Went to mall, then to see Legally Blonde 2 (very cute but not as good as the first), and then, with extra time, stopped in Borders, saw the Thoroughly Modern Millie Cast Recording, and I bought it. Just 2 seconds ago, I finished it. I LOVE THAT CD!!! I'd heard most of the songs through sound clips beforehand, but it was still fabulous. Sutton Foster is amazing, I admire her so much, that last note on Gimme Gimme just blows me away...it doesn't sound difficult, it's just so beautiful. Agh I couldn't say enough good things about it, except that as much as I love Sheryl Lee Ralphs depiction of Muzzy, her songs don't seem as great as I thought they could have been. That's all, it was amazing overall.
Hmm...well I haven't got anything else to say.
Posted by Sarah @ 07/10/2003 07:59 PM PST

DR TCB - I'm sorry Seattle is not on the itinerary. However, I do plan on visiting Seattle sometime sooner or later within the next year. *I actually have quite the list of "food stops" to make thanks to various articles in Gourment and Bon Appetit, as well as segments on FoodTV's "The Best of..." and "Food Finds". I also really want to check out everything that was there before, but was just too young to appreciate. -And I want to ride the ferry again, from Port Angeles to Seattle eating Corn Nuts and drinking hot chocolate. -If it's still possible to do that.
However, I do know some companies do recruit talent from Seattle and other points in the Pacific Northwest. Hey, at least you guys got Hairspray pre-Broadway.
*Oh, and after doing the math, it looks like I'll have enough miles after taking the various flights to qualify for a free ticket! So, Seattle could definitely be in my plans... It would just be a matter of when.
Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 07/10/2003 08:11 PM PST

Yes, I have Temple's version of THE BLUE BIRD on videotape. It's easy to see why the film did not achieve a wide audience back then. Temple was playing against type for a good portion of the film; she's selfish, impudent, churlish, and I'm sure to her fans at the time, they didn't want to see her act: they wanted to see Shirley be darling. And being shot in Technicolor boosted the cost of the film too along with the spectacular sets, costumes, and special effects. That fire sequence is quite something! I'm sure Gale Sondergaard was much happier playing Tylette than she would have been as Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West.
No way Shirley would have done "Over the Rainbow" any justice at all. The right actress played Dorothy.
Posted by Matt H. @ 07/10/2003 08:23 PM PST

Dear reader Hapgood -- Congratulations on your ambitious summer undertaking; when your first night performance is finally here, just remember that I send you a warm pat on your opening. All the very best, and much luck to you.
And as far as ultimate fantasy films....my God, how could I not have listed "Clash Of The Titans" and the studilicious Harry Hamlin !!! To quote Joe E. Brown in Some Like It Hot, "Zowie !!"
Posted by MusicGuy @ 07/10/2003 08:56 PM PST

Dear esteemed, cut, buffed, ripped, and (at least) partially clothed BK,
Are you allowed to tell us the name of the reality-TV thing upon which you are working? I thought that you mentioned that this was a second season, so I assume it is an already known show. You did mention the "Fine Living" cable channel, and even though that one isn't on our cable line-up, I have a friend with Dish-TV who gets F.L. .
Inquiring minds want to know?
Posted by MusicGuy @ 07/10/2003 09:02 PM PST

Dear, Dear DR Laura (and funny, feisty, pixillated François:
The moment has, as they say, passed.
But thank you so much for the encouraging words!
Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 07/10/2003 09:04 PM PST

Does anyone remember that
OLD TV Special celebrating
the London Bridge in Arizona?
It guest starred -- if i
remember well;
Tom Jones, gorgeous Jennifer
O'Neill and, I believe the
Carpenters... and had some
songs from Oliver!
memories.....
Posted by François @ 07/10/2003 09:15 PM PST

The Internet is a wonderful
tool....
This is what i've found, in
answer to my own question!!!
THE LONDON BRIDGE
SPECIAL
Starring Tom Jones and
Jennifer O'Neill.
Jones and O'Neill celebrate
the moving of the London
Bridge from Great Britain to
Lake Havasu, Arizona.
Jonathan Winters, Kirk
Douglas, The Carpenters,
Hermione Gingold, Elliott
Gould, Rudolph Nureyev and
cameos by Terry Thomas,
Charlton Heston, Lorne
Greene, Michael Landon and
George Kirby enliven the fun.
One hour of music, romance
and comedy. 48 minutes.
Posted by François @ 07/10/2003 09:19 PM PST

Lost Horizon (the original)
Wizard of Oz
E.T.
Somewhere in Time
Peggy Sue Got Married
As a kid, they would have been
The Time Machine
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Forbidden Planet
Posted by Kerry @ 07/10/2003 09:27 PM PST

Isn't it sad that about half of the guests from the London Bridge Special are gone now (The Carpenters count as one-half)
Don't laugh, but Lake Havasu is on my short list of retirement cities. Property can still be had at fairly decent rates there, and it is beautiful and warm. The same could have been said about Palm Springs until about five years ago.
Yes, Jose, you can still ride the ferry from Port Angeles to Seattle. Since I have an automobile, I would be happy to join you on your voyage, if you want company, just as long as I don't have to eat any corn nuts. If you don't need company on the ferry, the offer of coffee or dinner, whenever you're in town, is still open.
Posted by TCB @ 07/10/2003 11:30 PM PST

DR Kerry - my list was incomplete as I discovered when I read your post.
LOST HORIZON - original version
Posted by Jrand52 @ 07/11/2003 05:35 AM PST

Re those tests of television pilots S Woody mentioned above, they couldn't care less about the reactions to the programs. It is the commercials they are testing. I went to one years ago and the featured program starred Diana Sands - five years after she died. When we asked the mistress of ceremonies who Ms. Sands would be replaced with she said Ms. Sands would be doing the series. The programs they show have already lost any chance they might have had to be picked up. It's only the commercials that are being tested.
Posted by William E. Lurie @ 07/11/2003 06:13 AM PST

WEL - I was thinking of Diana Sands the other day. It was the Owl and Pussycat posting that triggered my thoughts of what a marvelous actress she was. A great career was cut short by her untimely death.
Posted by TorontoDan @ 07/11/2003 06:42 AM PST

Hard to believe.
Posted by Charlie @ 07/11/2003 06:54 AM PST

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