Haines His Way

Archives => Archive 2 => Topic started by: bk on October 24, 2004, 12:00:35 AM

Title: THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 12:00:35 AM: Well, you've read the notes, you've searched for the point, you haven't found it (or have you - if so, be sure to pass it along) and now it is time for you to post until the pointy cows come home.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Charles Pogue on October 24, 2004, 12:11:16 AM: BK, I agree...nothing better than holding your own published book in your hand. Proudest day of my life.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 12:17:54 AM: Here's a topic to get things rolling: Cinerama - when was the first time you saw it, what was the film? Not fake Cinerama, though (like Mad World and 2001 - those were 70mm films) - the original three panel Cinerama.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: S. Woody White on October 24, 2004, 12:32:33 AM: Towards the end of yesterday's posts, our esteemed BK responded to a post of mine with:

Posting at another site??? How unseemly.

Well, it was a site about food, nothing in direct competition with this site. And I did use a napkin.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 12:38:24 AM: We're not a food site? You wouldn't know it from our various and sundried endless postings about mouth-watering foods.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 12:42:10 AM: Since we're talkin' about food, what is the consensus on garlic bread. It seems to have fallen out of favor. I love it, especially the garlic cheese bread at The Smoke House.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Tomovoz on October 24, 2004, 12:45:34 AM: This Is Cinerama, Cinerama Holiday, Seven Wonders Of The World, Windjammer, South Seas Adventure, How The West Was Won. Saw them all as they came out. Gave up at about the Bros Grimm time I think.
I would assume we got Cinerama here in OZ about 18 months after the USA.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: S. Woody White on October 24, 2004, 12:45:53 AM: This isn't exclusively a food site. Everything is fair game, or harvested from the field, here.

I was bringing my Rehoboth Beach Restaurant diary up to date over at eGullet.com.

While updating the diary, I was able to advertise next weekend's "Yappy Hour" at Aqua, a place that has an extensive patio. The last Saturday of every month, they're trying to hold an event with the Delaware Humane Association, geared towards letting people meet dogs who need homes. We'll be taking Zeus with us on the 30th, and maybe Fletcher as well (because he loves to meet other people and dogs).
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: George on October 24, 2004, 12:48:21 AM: I have never seen a true Cinerama film shown in a genuine three-screen Cinerama theater, although I have seen movies shown at the Cinerama theater in Seattle. It has a huge curved screen and even non-Cinerama films are a wonder to behold! When "Star Wars" (a.k.a. "Episode IV: A New Hope") was re-released, we saw it there and it was wonderful. I wish I lived closer so that I could see more movies there, more often.

As for garlic bread...love it! Costco sells the best garlic bread (actually, it's more like a big giant square roll with garlic butter and whole roasted garlic cloves) that I've had in quite a while. To die for!
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: S. Woody White on October 24, 2004, 12:48:39 AM: Oh, how I wish I had the Smoke House recipe for their garlic-cheese bread. It's so danged tasty, and I want to know how they get it that florescent shade of orange.

Me, I love garlic bread, and I'm pretty sure der Brucer does, too.

I'll have to research this a bit, to see if I can find some decent (or decadent) recipes.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: S. Woody White on October 24, 2004, 12:53:11 AM: Like George, I can't say I've actually seen a Cinerama film on a Cinerama screen, but for a different reason: my parents were cheap. Like the blazes they were going to spend good money on a film in a theater, when if you waited a proper amount of time you could see it in a drive-in theater. That took care of paying for the parking, too!

Thus, I remember seeing HTWWW at a drive-in, which cut down rather drastically on it's impact. I almost think it was in a strange pan-and-scan print, too, because I can remember the lines where the three film elements came together moving from side to side on occasion. Still, I was young, and I loved it.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 12:58:23 AM: So why do we think that garlic bread has fallen out of favor? At most Eyetalian restaurants they give you some bogus bread or stick to dunk in some oily junk, which I hate.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 12:58:48 AM: My goodness, this is the first time in ages we've had us some late-night denizens.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: George on October 24, 2004, 01:01:11 AM: As for the homecoming dance that I helped at: I and my friend Margo made and served punch and handed out the bottles of water...all three hours that we were there. Those kids never stopped drinking punch or water! But no one got out of hand (but there were lots of hands on butts ;) ). All I kept thinking about most of the night (other than panicing at the thought of kids yelling NO PUNCH as I was making it as quickly as I could!!...no one did) was that they're so darned young! And they think they're so mature...and they're NOT! Well, to me, at least. ::)
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: George on October 24, 2004, 01:08:47 AM: Well, I'm going to pull the Wussburger act and say good night. Tonight is my last night at the house where I'm house-sitting (and the last night on the world's slowest computer still in existance!) and I want to get up early enough to do laundry before they come home...they didn't tell me when that would be.

So good night! The next time I post to (or even just read) HHW will be on my much, Much, MUCH (that's three muches) faster computer!
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Panni on October 24, 2004, 01:13:57 AM: I'd think that part of the reason garlic bread has fallen out of favor is that everyone in this country is on some diet or other. Most restaurants now ASK if you want bread -- plain bread. And many diners decline. So I'd say the call for garlic bread is not nearly what it used to be.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Panni on October 24, 2004, 01:15:24 AM: I was off to bed an hour ago. Got lost on the way, I guess. I'm trying again. G'night.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: S. Woody White on October 24, 2004, 01:21:09 AM: Well, how about this theory:

Italian Garlic Bread isn't really Italian!

I'm digging into David Rosengarten's It's All American Food again, paraphrasing as I go.

The first wave of immigrants from Italy came in the 1880s and 1890s. What these people had known in Italy were dinners that consisted of appetizers and primi (usually pasta), both usually meatless courses. Secondi, what we would call the main course, had maybe a little bit of simply cooked fish or meat to round out the meal.

This changed when the immigrants came to America. Some things were abundant. Others, common ingredients in Italy, were nowhere to be found. So, the pasta course became very important, the center of the meal. And, while in Italy the pasta would have been simply, scantly sauced, here the sauce was poured on by the ladleful.

In other words, Italian-American food is NOT what you would find in Italy.

Now for the bad news. We Americans have discovered Italian food, as it is eaten by Italians. Oh, how wonderful, these new dishes that are so much lighter and have so many different flavors than their counterparts in the red-sauce joints. BUT, in the process, we are abandoning those red-sauce dishes that are a part of OUR heritage.

And garlic bread is part of that heritage. What we're being served in the Italian restaurants now is part of the new Italian wave. Dipping bread in olive oil is more in keeping with what takes place in the boot. But the American tradition of garlic bread is disappearing. And I think that is a shame.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: S. Woody White on October 24, 2004, 01:24:10 AM: I'm off to wussburgerland myself. I'm going to dig through a couple of cookbooks, see what they have to say about garlic bread, and sleep sweet garlicky dreams. Then I'll try to get back online tomorrow (move over, der B!) and report on what I find.

It's nearly four-thirty in the morning here! :o
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jrand74 on October 24, 2004, 05:30:08 AM: HOW THE WEST WAS WON was my first Cinerama film and it was BIG -whew!

Then we saw THE BROTHERS GRIMM - which was....but it was okay.

I loved Cinerama. There was a Cinerama Theatre in Indy that showed regular or BIG films as well....The Greatest Story Ever Told was there for a LONG time. Not sure what the building is now, probably gone. I know it was downtown, as was the fabulous Circle Theatre and Loew's. Now all gone!
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jrand74 on October 24, 2004, 05:30:55 AM: Thanks for the link yesterday DRJANE....hmmmmmmm.....we didn't even make the list! I guess nothing short of nuclear destruction of the Isle would put us in contention.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: elmore3003 on October 24, 2004, 06:12:41 AM: Yes for garlic bread! Yes!

We made the trek to Cincinnati, in 1956 perhaps?, to see THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD, my only Cinerama experience. After that, I saw HTWWW, which I liked, and THE BROTHERS GRIMM, which I didn't, in non-cinerama theatres, but I still remember the seams in the picture, which divided the three screens.

Dear Friend BK, when you were holding the box with the dead rat, did you feel like Jane or Blanche Hudson?
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jrand74 on October 24, 2004, 06:18:47 AM: I heard one track from Neon Philharmonic.....as other DR's did on a Warner Bros record sampler. You could get a coupon on a WB LP inner sleeve - by sending in two dollars you got a double album back. The album was a LOT of stuff - individual tracks by mostly artists I had never heard of.

Sometimes if you find an old WB album from the late sixties - you can still get the coupon on the inner sleeve. I wouldn't recommend that you send in the two bucks though.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: elmore3003 on October 24, 2004, 06:52:36 AM: I watched two Bollywood films yesterday, courtesy of DRMichael Barnum, followed by the new DVD release of DAMN YANKEES. I confess that Bollywood eludes me, much like Kabuki. I feel I'm watching conventions I'm totally unfamiliar with and it puts me out of the loop. I think, though, that I will give them both another try, maybe next weekend.

After the discussion of DAMN YANKEES, which I hadn't seen in several years (on fullscreen video), it was a treat to see the letterboxed film, which I never caught in the theatres, and to see Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse do "Who's Got the Pain?" I thought Tab Hunter was wonderful, too pretty to be real, p'raps, but he's the one ballplayer who's synthetic. I also thought his film background was an asset since some of the actors are still playing to the back of the Broadway balcony.

Well, it's really not a very good film, is it? I've been trying to analyze the reasons, so I'll offer a few here:
1. The score and story aren't as good as THE PAJAMA GAME.
2. The main characters, Shannon Bolin and Robert Shafer, don't photograph well, and she's droopy and he's sort of a jerk to sell his soul and leave her, even if he does repent.
3. Rae Allen, who in 1971 gave the best performance of the Old Lady in CANDIDE I've ever seen, is much better in WHERE'S POPPA.
4. A little bit of Jean Stapleton and her sister go a long, long way.
5. As an advocate and supporter of period musicals, particularly ones from 1900-1940, and their often flawed logic, I'm still bothered in a post-Rodgers-Hammerstein era when a character sings a song that's a lie: I love "A Little Brains," but Lola sings about ruining knights and Samson, yet we learn before "Two Lost Souls" that she's only 170 years old and the ugliest woman in Providence, RI.
6. I've always loved Ray Walston, but it's painful listening to him wander around pitch on "Those Were The Good Old Days."

On the plus side, I loved the numbers, and it was great to see cast members I know only from recordings, like Nathaniel Frey and the other ball players, and Gwen Verdon, never a great beauty, made me laugh, cheer, and believe she was the most beautiful seductress in the world.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jay on October 24, 2004, 07:52:42 AM: Quote from: bk on October 24, 2004, 12:42:10 AM
Since we're talkin' about food, what is the consensus on garlic bread. It seems to have fallen out of favor. I love it, especially the garlic cheese bread at The Smoke House.

I like authentic garlic bread but the color of whatever it is they serve at The Smoke House frightens me.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jay on October 24, 2004, 07:59:37 AM: Here's an item from today's L.A. Times that will be of interest to at least one Dear Reader. I wonder if it comes as news to him.

*************************************

ARTS NOTES

A 'Fly' on the wall of L.A. Opera

By Mark Swed
Times Staff Writer

Oct 24 2004

That operatic opening flourish in Howard Shore's score to "The Fly" evokes Puccini's "Turandot." But operatic allusions pretty much end there in David Cronenberg's 1986 horror film, in which Jeff Goldblum turns into an oozing insect as Geena Davis watches in disgust.

Now, though, it turns out that this monster might well stalk the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Los Angeles Opera general director Plácido Domingo has invited Shore and playwright David Henry Hwang to make an opera based on the film. And with the popular success of Shore's "Lord of the Rings" Symphony — an evening-long synthesis of his soundtracks to the Tolkien trilogy that has been performed by dozens of orchestras in the U.S. and abroad — opera seems like a natural next step for him.

So far, the project, which would premiere in 2007, is in the final negotiation phase, but composer and librettist have both signaled their willingness to come on board. Would Cronenberg direct (or perhaps have a walk-on role as a gynecologist, as in his film)? Would the human fly sing and vomit at the same time? Would the Davis character give birth to a slimy larva, as she does in her movie dream? Stay tuned. It's been a long while since we've had an intentional good scare at the opera.

*************************************
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jay on October 24, 2004, 08:04:53 AM: Confidential to Dear Reader JRand 54:

I didn't realize how much you packed into that itty-bitty videotape!

I made it through the film last night. I am shocked (shocked, I tell you!) that this cinematic delight is not held in higher esteem, alongside such greats as Giant and Shenandoah and (dare I say it?) Gone With the Wind.

Or maybe not.

I hope to get to the TV portion of the tape this evening.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: td on October 24, 2004, 08:21:12 AM: Point by point, so to speak:

HOW THE WEST WAS WON - I did indeed see it on a true Cinerama screen, several times as a child. At the then named Stanely-Warner Theater in downtown Pittsburgh (a theater which still had that same deeply curved screen in the 1970s!)
I was indeed wowed with HTWWW, and can honestly say it started my appreciation for several of its performers: James Stewart, Carolyn Jones, Ms. Baker, Russ Tamblyn, Agnes Moorhead and Debbie Reynolds.

THE BROTHERS GRIMM bored me into sleep. I wonder if I would like it now. Part of my problem was the Buddy Hacket factor, though, believe it or not, later I liked him in a movie with Pat Boone and Barbara Eden.

I have garlic bread at the restaurant every morning when it's fresh out of the oven; dieting, I also believe is the cause of less garlic bread - many of my customers insist on no bread of any kind, including croutons.

Oh, DR elmoore, I'm one of the ones who likes the filmed DAMN YANKEES!

I'll grant you that it's definitely not Stanley Donen's finest hour as a director, though.

Isn't a soul at stake a higher "rick factor" than seve-and-a-half cents? I'm not even a baseball fan (dough, baseball been berry berry goot to me) but find DAMN YANKEES has a more "fun" factor that PAJAMA GAME.

That said, I also find it one of the ugliest looking musicals to come out of the 1950s, as if Warner was really filming it on the cheap side; which brings me to a positive: there are many single take shots in the film, it has that theater quality to the performances AND we get to have many of the Original Broadway Cast re-creating their roles on film. It's not often enough that we get that kind of respect for theater artists. (Was Ellen Greene the last time that this occured?)

Since it was a Warner film, I have often wondered how YANKEES would have looked and been cast had it been an MGM film. Any body have any casting suggestions?
I'd go with Ann Miller in Rae Allen's role.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Matt H. on October 24, 2004, 09:04:01 AM: Loved garlic bread. Love all bread, frankly, and I have the waistline to prove it. I really have no self-control when a basket of rolls, breadsticks, or bread is placed on a table. I try not to keep any around the house.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Matt H. on October 24, 2004, 09:08:26 AM: I have seen all the Cinerama productions which were run continuously at the Carolina Theater here in Charlotte, and once Cinerama went to 70MM productions like THE HALLALULAH TRAIL, 2001, and MAD WORLD, I watched them, too. Hard to describe the experience to those only familiar with the multiplex. Sadly, only the shell of the old Carolina is left in downtown Charlotte. Every time I walk by it, I grieve a little thinking about all the hours of entertainment that venue provided for me as a kid.

BTW, I don't think WINDJAMMER was Cinerama. It certainly was booked into the Carolina and treated as though it was another of their travelogues, but I don't think it was.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 09:26:55 AM: Windjammer was in a rival process called Cinemiracle - I saw it at the Chinese Theater. Wasn't quite the same experience.

In true Cinerama I've seen Seven Wonders of the World (those who've read Benjamin Kritzer know my feelings, although one thing I learned from the documentary last night was that I might have gotten one detail wrong - I have to go back and look - can anyone guess what that detail might be?), This is Cinerama (recently in three-panel at the Dome), West and Grimm. After seeing clips from Cinerama's Russian Adventure, South Seas Adventure and Cinerama Holiday I would know love to see those, too.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jay on October 24, 2004, 09:37:39 AM: I am off to Sandy Eggo, Dear Readers, to catch a performance of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (brought to life by the same people who, variously, brought us The Full Monty and Hairspray) in its pre-Broadway run at the Old Globe Theatre in beautiful Balboa Park. Full report when I return.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: S. Woody White on October 24, 2004, 09:39:58 AM: Digging through my many and nefarious cookbooks after signing off last night, I have managed to find out what has happened to garlic bread!

To begin with, I had trouble finding anything in any Italian cookbook. Good reason for that: they're all post-rediscovered-Italian-from-Italy cookbooks. To find true American Italian Garlic Bread, I was going to have to look elsewhere.

Sure enough, I found a recipe in the Good Housekeeping Cook Book of 1942, a copy of which my father gave to me. Good start, involving butter or margarine, peeled cloves of garlic, a long loaf of French bread, and grated Parmesan cheese. Plus paprika, for color. This suggested that I search through some of the cooking history books I have on hand.

The big clue as to what has happened to Garlic Bread came from Sylvia Lovegren's Fashionable Food: Seven Decades of Food Fads,where on page 173 she states that "Garlic bread was an important adjunct to Spaghetti Suppers in the Forties, but only in the Fifties did it come into it's proper and very popular role as a barbecue side dish."

Say what? Have we been misplacing garlic bread? Or has it relocated itself?

Sure enough, I've been finding traditional Italian-American garlic bread recipes in the barbecue books. The guru of Barbecue, Steve Raichlen, includes a couple of recipes in his opus The Barbecue! Bible.

Raichlen calls for a loaf of French bread, cut crosswise into 4 equal pieces, then lenghwise. For the spread, he takes a half cup of olive oil or butter (I can see the sense in using a combo, for flavor purposes), four minced cloves of garlic, and a teaspoon of grated lemon zest, plus some minced parsley. Generously brush the bread all over with the garlic oil, and heat on a medium-high grill for two to four minutes per side.

The only part of the recipe that I can think of that Raichlen doesn't is freshly grated Parmesan. But this is "man-food," no exact terms, just do it and do it the way you want. It's all in the technique and the enjoyment of the end results, not in the picky little details. But isn't it great to know that traditional garlic bread still has a place in our meals, and that it's just been relocated to a different tradition?

And that (meaningful pause) is the other half of the story. (A Paul Harvey reference.)

I'm still going to have to work on the Smoke House connection.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 10:06:11 AM: Might I just ask where in tarnation IS everyone? You'd think it was a beautiful Sunday morning or something.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jrand74 on October 24, 2004, 10:33:15 AM: LOL DRJAY......take your time. I will count three and pray.

Damn former reader DREVILKURT still has my copy of Benjamin Kritzer....so I can't check the Cinerama details.....hmmmmmmmmm.....
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jrand74 on October 24, 2004, 10:33:58 AM: MRBK the old seller now has nothing for sale under his NEW name....due to a "listing problem" it says. Hmmmmmmmmmm......
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jrand74 on October 24, 2004, 10:34:08 AM: Of course he also has our money.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Panni on October 24, 2004, 10:39:04 AM: Just a quick good morning. This is my last weekend in town before Ruderpest and I have a thousand move-related things to take care of - not to mention writing.
Will check in later.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jrand74 on October 24, 2004, 10:41:57 AM: DRJOSE must be banging the ivories to beat the band.....
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Panni on October 24, 2004, 11:03:53 AM: Had to come back to quote Kurt Vonnegut from an article in today's LA Times...

"Wherever I teach creative writing — and I have done it, God help me, at Smith and Harvard, the Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa and at City College in New York City — I have never mentioned the possibility of changing the world for the better by means of a work of art. What I have tried to teach instead is sociability: how to be a good date on a blind date; how to show a total stranger a good time; or, if you like, how to run a nice restaurant or whorehouse. The same would have been my main lesson had I been teaching jazz.

As for hoping to improve people's morals, if not making history, by means of art: The playwright typically finds himself or herself "preaching to the choir," to the converted, so to speak. An audience, after all, has not been dragooned into a theater but has come there with the expectation that their morals will be confirmed, that a play will say to them, in effect, "You are not alone."..."
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Danise on October 24, 2004, 11:35:34 AM: Hi everyone!

I'm taking it easy today. Being a real lazy bones.

I did try to take the dogs for a walk but it wasn't a long one. There are to many spooky/scary things starting to appear in people’s yards and Bear had a real sudden urge to head for home. My hero. Brandi could care less.

I love garlic bread. Maybe the carb craze has everyone bread-phobic.

Right now I have a yummy beef roast in the roaster/cooker along with some potatos that I cut slices in and stuffed some paper thin onion slices. You would be amazed how good that makes the potatoes.

It hard to think of poor DR Jose, slaving away in a pit someplace. ;) One can only hope he can escape sometime soon.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: TCB on October 24, 2004, 11:37:24 AM: Quote from: Matt H. on October 24, 2004, 09:04:01 AM
Loved garlic bread. Love all bread, frankly, and I have the waistline to prove it. I really have no self-control when a basket of rolls, breadsticks, or bread is placed on a table. I try not to keep any around the house.

Now, now, MattH, we saw the pool pictures, last summer, and we know that isn't true. Personally, I stopped swimming in our own Puget Sound after the time when my swim coincided with the newspaper headline:

WHALE POD SPOTTED IN SOUND
[/b][/size].

Garlic bread! Yum! Yum! Most Italian restaurants around this area still serve garlic bread, but usually only on request.

The only Cinerama film I can think of that I actually saw in that format was BROTHER'S GRIMM, but I thought there was a second film. Maybe, it was IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD.......? I agree with George that the Cinerama Theater in Seattle does make every film you see there look special. I remember seeing 2001 and THE EXORCIST there years ago, and also, CAMELOT. I tried watching BROTHER'S GRIMM on television once, and it was pretty awful.

I still love DAMN YANKEES, regardless of its shortcomings. Maybe because it is a warm childhood memory.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: MBarnum on October 24, 2004, 11:41:34 AM: Good morning! It is just me and TCB...hey, that rhythms.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: MBarnum on October 24, 2004, 11:42:45 AM: DR Elmore3003, I am proud of you for taking the Bollywood plunge...even if it wasn't quite to you liking! LOL!

Elmore3003 watched JISM and BHOOT BUNGLA, for those in the know.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: MBarnum on October 24, 2004, 11:43:40 AM: BK I am excited to hear your Astrud Gilberto connection...you know I wonder if she ever tours? Or is she retired now?
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: TCB on October 24, 2004, 11:44:45 AM: Hey, Michael, how are you???
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: TCB on October 24, 2004, 11:47:05 AM: Michael, are there ever any gay-themed Bollywood films, or would that be taboo?
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jrand74 on October 24, 2004, 12:13:06 PM: I just ordered the I MARRIED JOAN and MAKE ROOM FOR DADDY DVD collections. Everything old is new again!
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: DearReaderLaura on October 24, 2004, 12:13:37 PM: Good afternoon, everyone. I just got home from church. That's all I have to report, except to say that I have never seen a Cinerama movie, as far as I know.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Charles Pogue on October 24, 2004, 12:43:31 PM: Jay, I saw The Fly/Opera thing in the paper as well. I think I have to consult the guild and see if I have any seperation of rights in this issue. Because The Fly was technically a remake, I may not...but it seems if the Opera is specifically based my and Cronenberg's screen, it seems there ought to be some sort of ancillary rights attached.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Charles Pogue on October 24, 2004, 12:46:19 PM: JRand54, Take a lesson from an old book collector, never loan books out unless you expect to never see them agan.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Tomovoz on October 24, 2004, 12:59:34 PM: If this works, thank DR Jane.

One of the most beautiful villages of France:
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jrand74 on October 24, 2004, 01:04:36 PM: Lovely photo TOMovOZ....wow!

Yes, DRCHARLESPOGUE.....I will get it back...but it may take some arm-twisting.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jrand74 on October 24, 2004, 01:07:15 PM: Ta -da! A Sunday quiz for some DR's of a certain age.

Can you identify this woman - profiled in a September, 1967, issue of LOOK magazine?

She was on television regularly from 1960-1970. She is particularly indentified with one type of programming. 8)

Keep guessing......I will let you know when someone guesses correctly!

Good luck! ;D
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 01:32:44 PM: People would get upset with me when I wouldn't lend them books. But when you're a collector, unless you have "reading" copies you don't care about, you never lend anything out because they don't come back in the condition you lent them or, as Pogue says, they don't come back at all.

I'm back from a lovely long walk - haven't done that in a while. Love my neighborhood and love coming home to my new home environment.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jrand74 on October 24, 2004, 01:48:01 PM: No guesses?
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Matt H. on October 24, 2004, 02:05:50 PM: Quote from: Charles Pogue on October 24, 2004, 12:46:19 PM
JRand54, Take a lesson from an old book collector, never loan books out unless you expect to never see them agan.

The same thing is true of DVDs and videos. I loaned my copy of the 1984 Tonys (SUNDAY IN THE PARK, LA CAGE, THE RINK, TAP DANCE KID year), and I never saw it again. By the time I asked about it, the person I loaned it to said they just couldn't find it. So now, if anyone wants to borrow something like that, I make them a copy.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Matt H. on October 24, 2004, 02:09:26 PM: Spent two hours this afternoon with the next (second) disc in the BROADWAY DVD set: the Cole Porter, Ethel Merman/R&H years culminating with MY FAIR LADY and THE SOUND OF MUSIC. There really were only a few clips I hadn't seen before: some of PORGY & BESS and the wonderful "Kids" from THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. Just caught a glimpse of Dick Gautier, but was he something special back then or what? Wow! I bet he had chorus boys and girls drooling back then.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: MBarnum on October 24, 2004, 02:23:26 PM: Quote from: TCB on October 24, 2004, 11:47:05 AM
Michael, are there ever any gay-themed Bollywood films, or would that be taboo?

For the most part the subject is still taboo, although there certainly is a large gay population in the film capital of Bombay/Mumbai (as you can tell by some of the rather flamboyant male dancers in many Bollywood movies. LOL). Just recently they made a film called GIRLFRIEND (which I bought on DVD) which dealt with lesbianism between to best friends. It got a lot of press and had people demonstating out front of theaters (via the publicity department, no doubt), but the story line was lame and the main lesbian ended up being a crazy killer who tries to off her "girlfriend's" boyfriend. I don't recommend it...although it does have some good musical numbers! LOL!

Most Bollywood movies take the safe route and avoid anything too controversial (although the subject of out of wedlock birth and sex before marriage has been dealt with in numerous Bollywood movies in the 50s and 60s). There is a brand new release called PHIR MILENGE which is sort of a remake of PHILADELPHIA, but with a young woman who contracts HIV from a one night stand and later loses her job when her employer finds out. It is supposed to be quite good and has been a big hit in India. I have the DVD coming any day now.

And there was an India/Canadian co-production called, I think, FIRE, which dealt with lesbianism in a more adult matter...but I believe it has not even been released in India, and is considered more of an "art" film, rather then a "Bollywood" film.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: MBarnum on October 24, 2004, 02:30:08 PM: I tried DR Jrand54, but I cannot figure out who that is a picture of. :(

TomofOz, how could you even return from such beautiful scenery. What a lovely looking place!
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 02:30:34 PM: So many people here. Perhaps they'll post after they've caught up.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Dan (the Man) on October 24, 2004, 02:30:48 PM: Quote from: Charles Pogue on October 24, 2004, 12:46:19 PM
JRand54, Take a lesson from an old book collector, never loan books out unless you expect to never see them agan.

I once saw a bookplate that read:

"This book is not an orphan so don't adopt it."
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jennifer on October 24, 2004, 02:35:34 PM: Re: loaning out things

I think you have to know who you are loaning the item to (and if they are the type not to return stuff). I loan things to my sis (and she loans stuff to me). But we both know that we will get our stuff back.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jrand74 on October 24, 2004, 02:44:39 PM: I will be contacting the Evil Kurt tomorrow to see what goes!

DRMBARNUM you may be a bit on the young side to know this lady!
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: George on October 24, 2004, 02:46:23 PM: I once loaned a DVD to a very good friend of mine and when she returned it, it was all scratched up! I bought another copy on eBay and she paid me back for it. My dad refuses to loan his books to anyone...other than family. We all know how much he loves his books! Me, I've pretty much stopped loaning CDs, DVDs and videos. Mainly, because I tend to forget who I loaned them to!
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Charles Pogue on October 24, 2004, 02:47:41 PM: If I wanted somebody to read a book or they wanted to read something of mine, I'd just buy them a cheap copy of it rather than loan out a copy from my collection. When I first read PRINCESS BRIDE by William Goldman, I used to pick up used paperback copies and keep them around to loan out to people, never expecting them back.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Dan (the Man) on October 24, 2004, 02:47:53 PM: Quote from: JRand54 on October 24, 2004, 01:07:15 PM
Can you identify this woman - profiled in a September, 1967, issue of LOOK magazine?

I take a stab in the dark and guess Virginia Graham.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Sandra on October 24, 2004, 02:53:37 PM: All this talk about yummy bread is making me hungry. I want food, and this Chinese fried rice just isn't doing it.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Dan (the Man) on October 24, 2004, 02:58:56 PM: I have never seen a Cinerama movie in Cinerama.

I like garlic bread, but I really haven't had any that I thought was particularly tasty in a restaurant for years. The last good restuarant gb I've had was crisply toasted brioche that was smothered with garlic butter. Yummm...

I stay away from the supermarket frozen stuff. It never bakes right and is never garlicy enough for me. And what the heck is Texas Toast pretending to be, anyway?

Homemade garlic bread is the best. Even better if you make some homemade garlic butter. Yummm x 2...
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jrand74 on October 24, 2004, 02:59:28 PM: Good guess DtM - but not the lady in question.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 03:42:13 PM: I see live people, so what's with these hour-long lags? Have we no topics? How about tapioca? How about tap-dancing? How about topography? I think I'm through with today's writing. Now, what to watch on DVD? That is the question.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: William E. Lurie on October 24, 2004, 03:44:55 PM: I saw the original THIS IS CINERAMA® twice during its initial run in the mid-50s. In the 70s it was being revieved at the Ziegfeld in NYC... imagine my surprise and disappointment when I discovered this was being shown in regular one screen 70 millimeter and NOT in Cinerama®!

***

Friday night we attended the latest Drama Department presentation THE DOWNTOWN PLAYS. This was supposed to be 9 ten-minute plays by nine contemporary playwrights, but most of them ignored the ten-minute limit, and the main fault of the evening was its length when most of the plays could have easily been tightened up. The highlight of the evening was Jackie Hoffman in a monologue by Paul Rudnick about a mother at her first PFLAG meeting. This was truly hilarious. The low point --- and really only play I didn’t care for --- was Wendy Wasserstein’s version of a Greek myth as told by a rabbi to the accompaniment of 50’s rock records. It was funny but had no real point and ended the evening on a less than perfect note. Celebrity “hosts” for the evening were Kitty Hart (looking great at 94 and talking about the stamp being issues in honor of Moss’s centennial) and Tovah Feldshuh who managed to get in several Golda stories.

Saturday afternoon was GREENWILLOW at Mufti. Very well performed, the show is one of those great scores, mediocre book pieces. Regarding the book, I find a play with a man who travels all over the world and returns to his wife every few years just to get her pregnant before he leaves again offensive (not to mention the wife whose self-esteem is so low that he permits it). The main thrust of the play involves his son who won’t marry his true love because he feels he is cursed to be like his father. What’s more, there are so many side incidents the main story often gets lost in calf baptisms, dueling priests and other things. That said, the score is so wonderful that you don’t care how stupid the plot is and is sung to perfection here. With only 30 hours of rehearsal for the entire show, some of the choral singing sounds as if they had worked on it for months. By all means get the CD (although the original cast’s Anthony Perkins cannot compare with Mufti’s Machota), as the glorious Loesser music can be enjoyed better without the inane book.

Musicals Tonight’s latest offering was MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, in a production that they seemed to have put together themselves (though Hugh Wheeler is credited with the book). Every song from the film is used (except “You and I”), but the remainder of the score takes a couple of numbers from the 1960s strictly-for-stock version, others from the 1989 Broadway version, plus two songs Martin and Blane wrote for the 1963 remake of BEST FOOT FORWARD. The book is word for word the screenplay (not by Hugh Wheeler) with the only additional dialogue being the lead-ins to the songs not in the film. A cast of twenty did a fine job with the material. But it was the most unnecessary show I’ve seen in a long time… especially with the movie now available in a beautifully restored DVD. Who needs Heather Parcells (an excellent singer who I would like to see in something else) when you can watch Judy Garland in one of her finest performances.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Sandra on October 24, 2004, 03:47:37 PM: I like tapioca pudding.

I've never tried tap-dancing, except when I'm fencing. But that's not really tap-dancing. I'm not sure what that is. Come to think of it, it's not really fencing.

I have no opinion on topography.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jrand74 on October 24, 2004, 03:48:57 PM: Who indeed?
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: George on October 24, 2004, 03:59:35 PM: I'm watching (on laserdisc) "Heaven Can Wait" with Warren Beatty. I still love this movie! Dyan Cannon is wonderful!
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Ginny on October 24, 2004, 04:00:52 PM: Hi, All...Just signed up after being introduced to your group by Elmore (I was the "other woman" visiting him in NYC when Jane was there!)

JRand54: Is the woman in the picture Nancy Dickerson?
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: S. Woody White on October 24, 2004, 04:03:12 PM: Dear BK (and other Los Angeles area residents):

When was the last time you went to the Smoke House? I was running a Google, and as of 2003 I was finding references to a) the owner trying to find an investor to help pull them out of bankruptcy (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m5072/is_5_25/ai_97729018) and b) the plot of land it's on being coveted by condo builders! (http://www.roadsidepeek.com/preserv/2003/smokehouse/)

I hope they're still in operation, because I'd be very sad if we lost their garlic cheese bread without getting the recipe! :-[
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Sandra on October 24, 2004, 04:04:39 PM: Hi Ginny! Do you like Cherry Coke?
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jrand74 on October 24, 2004, 04:04:48 PM: Welcome new DRGINNY and yes you are correct. It is television news correspondent Nancy Dickerson!

Congratulations!
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: S. Woody White on October 24, 2004, 04:07:35 PM: Now I'm REALLY worried. I just ran a check through Digital City, and didn't find a listing. And I KNOW they used to be listed!
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: S. Woody White on October 24, 2004, 04:09:58 PM: And it's not listed on Yahoo's Yellow Pages!

:-[ :-\ :'(
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: elmore3003 on October 24, 2004, 04:22:14 PM: Ginny! What a nice surprise! The folk here are great, and I hope you have a good time with us. How was THE MIKADO?

For all you other DRs, Ginny is a wonderful actress and friend from my hometown, and I'm thrilled she's joined us. I won't say more than that since I think you should come to know her on your own.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jane on October 24, 2004, 04:31:30 PM: I love garlic bread but rarely make it at home any more as I eat too much. I recall the Hamburger Hamlet makes good garlic bread. Anyone in the L.A. remember Mario’s across the street from the Village Theater? They also had good garlic bread. The best was at La Barbara’s on Wilshire near Bundy.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 04:32:20 PM: Well, I was at The Smoke House last night, so it's alive and well. Went there after the screening with some chums who I hadn't seen in quite some time. The screening at my friend's screening room was supposedly going to be totally full. I was called four times last week to make sure I would be using my seat. So, I get there last night and there are about twenty empty seats when he finally starts the fershluganah movie.

The Smoke House seemed very lively and busy and this was at nine-thirty.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 04:34:26 PM: Welcome, new dear reader Ginny! Any friend of elmore's is a friend of ours.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Tomovoz on October 24, 2004, 04:36:53 PM: Welcome Ginny.

It seems that there are very few of us old enough to be around for the original Cinerama releases.

And of course I have never heard of Nancy Dickerson. She has not heard of me either.

Today is Helen Reddy's birthday. (Tomorrow for you). perhaps you can all wear your red dresses.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 04:42:54 PM: Here is a question: What was the first B'way musical to use an electric guitar in its pit? For some reason I thought the answer was probably Bye Bye Birdie - but I'm listening to an album recorded several years before and there is an electric guitar plain as day.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: elmore3003 on October 24, 2004, 04:50:29 PM: Quote from: bk on October 24, 2004, 04:42:54 PM
Here is a question: What was the first B'way musical to use an electric guitar in its pit? For some reason I thought the answer was probably Bye Bye Birdie - but I'm listening to an album recorded several years before and there is an electric guitar plain as day.

I thought the answer was BIRDIE as well. Are you sure it's not an overmiked acoustic guitar? Is it JAMAICA? That had a very jazzy band. I realize I have no idea when the electric guitar was even invented.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Tomovoz on October 24, 2004, 04:50:53 PM: Did Maria Von Trapp play electic guitar? Well I never.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 04:53:21 PM: There is a prominent electric guitar in Li'l Abner. It really surprised me as I hadn't really paid attention to it before. Not sure when it was invented, but Les Paul was playing one in the early fifties, I believe, or maybe before.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jane on October 24, 2004, 04:54:00 PM: Quote from: JRand54 on October 24, 2004, 05:30:55 AM
Thanks for the link yesterday DRJANE....hmmmmmmm.....we didn't even make the list! I guess nothing short of nuclear destruction of the Isle would put us in contention.

JRand your welcome. Even if I were on the list my religion would be unacceptable. ;D

Keith’s genealogy research has me going back to the 12th century. Some of those people were servants, but others were of the gentry landowner class. There are some Lords that might be in my past but so far he hasn’t made any connections to them.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 04:58:14 PM: The first commercially advertised electric guitar was in 1928! Gibson was making models in the forties, and Les Paul helped create the solidbody electric, and Gibson created the Les Paul model.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jrand74 on October 24, 2004, 05:11:24 PM: So - is ABNER the answer?
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Charles Pogue on October 24, 2004, 05:11:29 PM: Last time I was at the Smokehouse was with BK...about a year ago.

Jerome Coopersmith has an article in the current Mystery Scene Magazine about writing the book for the musical of BAKER STREET.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Danise on October 24, 2004, 05:15:02 PM: Hi all!

What lovely pictures, Tom! More, please!

Welcome DR Ginny! You will never find a nicer group of people then the people of this board. Happy posting to you! :)

Despite my plans to watch some of my DVD's, I got caught up in watching The Omen Triligy. I have never seen all of them. It was interesting. Don't think I want to watch it again. Not because it scared me but it was ok but not great.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: George on October 24, 2004, 05:16:18 PM: Welcome New Dear Reader Ginny!
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: George on October 24, 2004, 05:17:12 PM: I'm off to my sister's for dinner. Later!
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 05:20:02 PM: I can't think of any prior to Abner that would have had it, but certainly I'm no expert.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: elmore3003 on October 24, 2004, 05:20:20 PM: There's a good line on CHARMED tonight: "you'd think a demon invented reality tv, but the humans beat us to it."
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: elmore3003 on October 24, 2004, 05:22:31 PM: Quote from: bk on October 24, 2004, 05:20:02 PM
I can't think of any prior to Abner that would have had it, but certainly I'm no expert.

And my guess was JAMAICA, also conducted - I think - by Lehman Engel. I guess Philip Lang wanted to push the country sound with the guitar, but I honestly don't ever recall hearing it on the album.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: MBarnum on October 24, 2004, 05:23:41 PM: Welcome to new DR Ginny! I think you will like it here and let us know more about you when you have a chance!
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Tomovoz on October 24, 2004, 05:26:28 PM: Quote from: Danise on October 24, 2004, 05:15:02 PM
Hi all!

What lovely pictures, Tom! More, please!

Thank you Danise.
I would if I could work out how!!
Can't seem to post them from my Kodak pics. Maybe I'll have to get DR Jane to post them instead.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jane on October 24, 2004, 05:27:29 PM: Quote from: JRand54 on October 24, 2004, 01:07:15 PM
Ta -da! A Sunday quiz for some DR's of a certain age.

Can you identify this woman - profiled in a September, 1967, issue of LOOK magazine?

She was on television regularly from 1960-1970. She is particularly indentified with one type of programming. 8)

Keep guessing......I will let you know when someone guesses correctly!

Good luck! ;D

It looks like Jacquie Kennedy. Is it Julie Andrews with dark hair?
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Danise on October 24, 2004, 05:32:43 PM: Quote from: Jane on October 24, 2004, 05:27:29 PM
It looks like Jacquie Kennedy. Is it Julie Andrews with dark hair?

I thought that as well! Great minds, Jane!

Your welcome, Tom. I wonder why they won't post? I download my pictures, go into Adobie, resize them to 480 X 360 and "save them for the net".

That's how I make my photos work for the site.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jane on October 24, 2004, 05:41:07 PM: Ginny WELCOME!! I wish I had stayed longer in NY and we could have met. I am so glad you have joined us. Larry adores you so you must be wonderful.

You have certainly impressed m-Nancy Dickerson. The name is only vaguely familiar to me. Keith (my husband) went on line but could only find the magazine headlines which is why I came up with the guess that I did. ;D
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jane on October 24, 2004, 05:43:04 PM: Tomovoz you are welcome even if the credit goes to Keith-my idea though. I will try and email you some more when I get control of the large computer (I’m on the laptop) again.

Years ago I would make garlic bread with butter and garlic powder. Eventually I changed to extra virgin olive oil and fresh garlic.

Dan (the Man)-great bookplate. I won’t even write my name in a book. And I do follow the CharlesPogues advice and never lend a book I want back. Sadly we have lost books that could not be replaced or I didn’t want to spend the money needed to replace them.

Elmore-great line on Charmed. If I show it to Keith he might give the show a chance.

Keith just went outside-I shall switch computers and see if I can downsize a couple of more photos. ;)
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: elmore3003 on October 24, 2004, 05:49:29 PM: Quote from: Jane on October 24, 2004, 05:43:04 PM

Elmore-great line on Charmed. If I show it to Keith he might give the show a chance.

DRJane, it's quite funny tonight: "Witch Wars" a reality show in the Demonic World, with demons killing witches for prizes.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jane on October 24, 2004, 06:01:35 PM: Tomovoz email is on its way-eventually. Our upload with satellite takes awhile to send.

Elmore what station is CHARMED on?
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Danise on October 24, 2004, 06:10:28 PM: Well folks, it's after nine. Time for me to take my shower and start to get ready for another work week. I'll try to contain my excitement.

Have a good evening.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: elmore3003 on October 24, 2004, 06:10:32 PM: DRJane, the Warmer channel at 8:00 pm. How was PERSUASION?
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jennifer on October 24, 2004, 06:20:57 PM: Quote from: elmore3003 on October 24, 2004, 05:49:29 PM
DRJane, it's quite funny tonight: "Witch Wars" a reality show in the Demonic World, with demons killing witches for prizes.

But it's a repeat. I hate repeats!

Btw, Desperate Housewives was good.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: S. Woody White on October 24, 2004, 06:21:26 PM: Quote from: bk on October 24, 2004, 04:32:20 PM
Well, I was at The Smoke House last night, so it's alive and well.
WHEW! I was more than a little worried there. My father's father had two restaurants he loved to go to when he and Grandma were visiting us, the Smoke House and Sergeant's, and what with the latter being long gone, it would be a shame for the former to disappear as well.

I can make hushpuppies, a Sergeant's specialty, but the Smoke House Garlic Cheese Bread is unique.

At least this thread has made me crack open a few books I haven't cracked for a while. One, titled Hollywood du Jour, has recipies and histories of the hang-outs of yesteryear, ranging from the Coconut Grove and the Brown Derby, through Schwab's and Romanoff's to Ma Maison. Did you know that the Cobb salad originated at the Brown Derby? (I'd hold off on making their Old-Fashioned French Dressing, though - the recipe makes "about 1 1/2 quarts." That's a little more than I go through in, say, a decade.)
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: George on October 24, 2004, 06:21:55 PM: I plan on watching Desperate Housewives. I really like this show!
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: S. Woody White on October 24, 2004, 06:23:44 PM: Quote from: elmore3003 on October 24, 2004, 06:10:32 PM
DRJane, the Warmer channel at 8:00 pm. How was PERSUASION?
A demonic reality show, on the Warmer channel?

;D ;D ;D
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jennifer on October 24, 2004, 06:23:49 PM: Quote from: Jane on October 24, 2004, 06:01:35 PM
Elmore what station is CHARMED on?

The WB!

Well it's on the WB for everybody but me. I don't get the WB, so our local FOX station carries all the WB shows. This is great, except for during baseball time. They are only shown after the game!
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: George on October 24, 2004, 06:23:56 PM: Just had to pop in. I'm still at my sister's. Homemade chicken and dumplings for dinner and pumpkin pecan ring from Costco for dessert. Haven't had dessert, yet. But we will soon. Some people (a Sondheim reference) haven't finished eating yet. We're not too formal here.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jennifer on October 24, 2004, 06:25:32 PM: Quote from: George on October 24, 2004, 06:21:55 PM
I plan on watching Desperate Housewives. I really like this show!

I love when the show it here at 7pm. But at the end of the show they said next week will be on at 9pm, same as ABC. :(
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: George on October 24, 2004, 06:27:13 PM: That's why I have three (yes, three...I know, I'm weird) VCRs. ::)
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: S. Woody White on October 24, 2004, 06:28:12 PM: Quote from: Tomovoz on October 24, 2004, 04:50:53 PM
Did Maria Von Trapp play electic guitar? Well I never.
Only on occasion. Electricity was rationed at the abby, and the blow-drier she used to quick-set her curlers had to take priority.

;D
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: TCB on October 24, 2004, 06:32:46 PM: Welcome, Ginny!
[/size][/font]

I had a three hour dance rehearsal today, and all I got out of it was sore muscles and the worst cold I have had in years. I think I am going to bed.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jane on October 24, 2004, 06:33:08 PM: SWW was Ma Maison the restaurant in Beverly Hills with the great French onion soup?

elmore and Jennifer we don't get the WB station.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: elmore3003 on October 24, 2004, 06:42:29 PM: Yes, Desperate Housewives is a hoot tonight. If you're a James Denton fan, he shows some skin tonight.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: td on October 24, 2004, 06:46:36 PM: Quote from: Tomovoz on October 24, 2004, 04:36:53 PM

Today is Helen Reddy's birthday. (Tomorrow for you). perhaps you can all wear your red dresses.

I haven't got any ruby, should I still wear a red dress?
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jane on October 24, 2004, 06:50:05 PM: td what is the name of your restaurant? If I look online will I find it?
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 06:51:50 PM: I must have eaten at Ma Maison, probably several times, but I now can't even remember where it was located.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jane on October 24, 2004, 06:56:04 PM: On Beverly Drive south of Wilshire.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: S. Woody White on October 24, 2004, 06:56:17 PM: Quote from: Jane on October 24, 2004, 06:33:08 PM
SWW was Ma Maison the restaurant in Beverly Hills with the great French onion soup?

elmore and Jennifer we don't get the WB station.
I don't know about the soup, but it was located at 8368 Melrose, which certainly sounds like BH. The restaurant's patio was described (by it's owner, Patrick Terrail, no less!) as "a shower curtain with Astroturf." Still, it drew in the stars, the famous, and the would-be's. Orson Welles practically lived there. And several notable chefs, such as Mark Peel and Susan Feniger, worked earlier in their careers in the kitchen.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Panni on October 24, 2004, 07:05:29 PM: I bought some furniture in Burbank tonight from a lady who looked like an older Doris Day - sounded like her, too. Same raspy voice.
She was in her late sixties, I'd say. Finally I blurted out, "You really remind me of Doris Day!" She said she was often told that in her youth. Would sometimes hear people whispering as she went by, "Look! It's her! It's Doris Day!"
This furniture store is privately owned - same family for 70 years. The average age of the sales people was around 60. The woman who tallied up my bill looked like Ann Miller - and wore about as much jewelry. They were hugging me and calling me "Annie" as I left. Quite a difference from the huge chain I visited last night. I never thought furniture shopping could be fun -- but this was. I now have a new bed, BTW (among other other things).
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Panni on October 24, 2004, 07:07:22 PM: ...And the prices were excellent. And they let me haggle.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Panni on October 24, 2004, 07:08:23 PM: ****WELCOME DEAR READER (DR) GINNY!****
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 07:16:07 PM: Were there two Ma Maisons or is dear reader Jane thinking of another place on Beverly Dr.? I think the latter, because I THOUGHT Ma Maison was on Melrose - not exactly in BH but close. I had lunch there several times - it was THE hangout of Orson Welles. So, now we must figure out the restaurant that Jane is talking about, because I think I remember that, too.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Panni on October 24, 2004, 07:16:12 PM: ****COOKING QUESTION (SORT OF)****

I haven't had a gas stove in years. At my new home environment there's a wonderful double oven six-burner stove. I notice that the top of it is always warm. In fact, I usually keep a kettle on top of the stove and bought a new one recently to put on my new stove. When I went over to the new place to do some work today, the kettle was a bit warm.
Is it normal for a gas stove to be always slightly warm?
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: S. Woody White on October 24, 2004, 07:17:04 PM: Quote from: Panni on October 24, 2004, 07:05:29 PM
...I now have a new bed, BTW (among other other things).
Have you found a new broom yet?
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jane on October 24, 2004, 07:17:05 PM: While looking for an address on Ma Maison I came across a site “where actors died”. It lists all the locations famous people in L.A. died-very strange.

A chef at La Maison killed his beautiful 22 year old girlfriend, Dominique Dunne, the daughter of author Dominick Dunn. The chef confessed and received a mere six year sentence but was let out in 2 1/2 years. Upon his release he became a top chef again, in LA. Dominique's mother set up a grievance support group called, "Justice for Victims of Homicide." On the nights that Sweeney worked, Dominique's brother Griffin and other friends and group members would hand out papers in front of the restaurant that stated, "The hands that will prepare your meal tonight also murdered Dominique Dunne." Sweeney was instantly fired, and moved to the Northwest. He changed his name to John Maura.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jane on October 24, 2004, 07:18:39 PM: SWW was there more than one location. If not, what was the name of the restaurant on Beverly Drive?

Panni I love your furniture story. I would make many return trips to such a store, to visit if nothing else.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: S. Woody White on October 24, 2004, 07:19:13 PM: There was, indeed, a second Ma Maison, located in a hotel. The new restaurant never caught on, however, and the dining room shut down except for banquets.

(This info from the book.)
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: S. Woody White on October 24, 2004, 07:21:10 PM: The heat you're detecting is probably from the pilot light. This is common with gas stoves, except for some of the newer ones that have this "thingie" that lights an electric spark that lights the gas.

I wouldn't worry too much.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jane on October 24, 2004, 07:22:20 PM: Yes Panni, if you leave the kettle on the stove it is sitting on pilot light, or little flame.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 07:24:18 PM: I don't think Jane is talking about the Ma Maison in a hotel. I think there was a wonderful French restaurant on Bevely Dr. and it may have had "maison" or something similar in its name.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 07:25:37 PM: There were several world-class French restaurants in LA all through the seventies and some of the eighties and then they just disappeared. L'Orangerie was spectacularly good, and there was a place on Ventura near Sepulveda that had the best crispy duck ala orange. Anyone remember the name of that place?
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jane on October 24, 2004, 07:31:56 PM: The very fine Maison restaurant I’m talking about was definitely on S. Beverly Drive on the east side of the street. It was a short walk from where I worked at the Union Bank & I often went for a delicious lunch of onion soup.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jane on October 24, 2004, 07:34:26 PM: Goodnight.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: td on October 24, 2004, 07:37:51 PM: Quote from: Jane on October 24, 2004, 06:50:05 PM
td what is the name of your restaurant? If I look online will I find it?

Sam Morgan's Clubhouse, Jane, but unfortunately we are not online.
We'd happily send you out a fax, though, of our menu.

Our sister restaurant, Red Fin Blues, has a website; however, lately it's been down. . .
www.redfinblues.com (http://www.redfinblues.com)
a menu, however is online:
http://dining.dve.com/images/redfin_full_menu.jpg (http://dining.dve.com/images/redfin_full_menu.jpg)
As well as a very nice write-up in The Pittsburgh Post Gazette:
https://www.post-gazette.com/dining/20031031dine1031fnp3.asp (https://www.post-gazette.com/dining/20031031dine1031fnp3.asp)

Erik, who is pictured, is also a part owner of Sam Morgan's.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 07:39:08 PM: I know exactly what you're talking about, Jane - I ate there many times and remember the onion soup, for which they were famous. Now, what in tarnation was the name of it.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Dan (the Man) on October 24, 2004, 07:45:58 PM: Welcome to new DRs Ginny and sanjosegirl (who I missed welcoming yesterday.)
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Matt H. on October 24, 2004, 08:09:32 PM: Ah, yes, the dancing in SCROOGE is quite a jaunt, and all those words to "Thank You Very Much" are very, very hard to get cemented into the memory. When I did SCROOGE last (pplayed Bob Cratchit), the director had the family behind the chorus during "Thank You Very Much" singing right along with them. Didn't agree with that decision since I thought Bob would be at the cemetery grieving for Tiny Tim and the family would be at home, but I did what I was told.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Matt H. on October 24, 2004, 08:12:36 PM: I actually had a date tonght. An honest-to-goodness date. Nice fellow but no sparks. Hopefully, we can be friends.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: td on October 24, 2004, 08:21:41 PM: Omigod! There are GAY HOMOSEXUALS posting on the Scarlet Street Message Boards ! !

I am agog and aghast. (two states for which there are no emoticons).

:o
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Noel on October 24, 2004, 08:30:09 PM: On Beverly Blvd. (not Drive), just west of LaCienega, there is one of the most horrifying pieces of architecture I've ever seen, a hotel, that, when it opened, went by the name of Ma Maison Sofitel. If Ma Maison had a branch in it when it first opened, well, the name might make some sense. But nothing about the building quite makes any sense, although its southern suites all offer a swell view of the whale of a building known as The Beverly Center. There's bright blue glass and trim on a dizzying quantity of French doors, over some sort of Spanish motif fleshed out in pink concrete. Not to be outdone, across Beverly Center is yet another shopping mall, and an even worse piece of architecture (than Beverly Center), The Beverly Connection. On the other corner, the northeast, is, I believe, a gas station, which, by process of elimination, the best looking thing on that corner.

And to think, it once was an amusement park and pony ride (Beverly Center, that is.)

It's so lonely here you could hear a card drop. (Or the Cards drop two.)
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 08:36:15 PM: Actually, this has been one of our busiest Sundays, a day usually filled with WUSSBURGERS.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 08:36:30 PM: Heatin' up the Jacuzzi.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Panni on October 24, 2004, 08:36:42 PM: Quote from: bk on October 24, 2004, 07:25:37 PM
there was a place on Ventura near Sepulveda that had the best crispy duck ala orange. Anyone remember the name of that place?

There used to be a little French place on the south side of Ventura just west of Sepulveda. But they only served a secret recipe steak - extremely thinly sliced with pommes frites. Out of this world. And the owner/chef was also a pastry chef. The desserts were to die for.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Panni on October 24, 2004, 08:36:56 PM: No new broom yet.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 08:37:58 PM: This was one of those days and nights when I could not get motivated to watch a DVD. I was going to watch the new Superbit version of Guns of Navarone, but it's too long and I wasn't in the mood. Then I was going to watch Ed Wood, but I wasn't in the mood. Then I started to watch Night of the Iguana, which I TIVOd and which I may try to finish after the Jacuzzi. It's quite weird and somewhat entertaining.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Panni on October 24, 2004, 08:40:29 PM: MB - FIRE was directed by Deepa Mehta. I worked with her in Canada on Martha, Ruth and Edie, a feature which is not listed on my resume because it didn't turn out terribly well. An honorable failure, as they say. (BTW - Back then she was Deepa Mehta Saltzman.)
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Panni on October 24, 2004, 08:46:20 PM: Quote from: bk on October 24, 2004, 08:36:30 PM
Heatin' up the Jacuzzi.

You an' me, we sweat an' strain,
Body all achin' an racked wid pain
Tote dat barge, lif' dat bale
Git a little drunk, an' you land in jail

Ah gits weary
An' sick of tryin'
Ah'm tired of livin'
An' skeered of dyin'
But Ol' Man River
He jes' keeps rollin' along
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 08:47:48 PM: Whaddup, dog?
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 08:51:01 PM: Welcome six GUESTS. We're talkin' about anything.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: DearReaderLaura on October 24, 2004, 08:56:41 PM: Good evening. That's about all I have to say today.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 09:42:33 PM: Well, Laura, your post so alarmed people that they've all pulled a Laura and have nothing to say? Do you have something to say about that? Where in tarnation IS everyone? We were having such a lovely Sunday posting frenzy and then everyone disappeared. I will now disappear into the Jacuzzi for fifteen minutes.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Panni on October 24, 2004, 10:14:50 PM: I'm zonked. Going to wash the dishes, then to bed.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: bk on October 24, 2004, 10:14:51 PM: I see six GUESTS, three people perusing the board, and yet I see no postings. I'm VERY relaxed. I may eat some eggs now.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Panni on October 24, 2004, 10:17:22 PM: I've discovered Nu-Laid Reddi Egg. Comes in a carton like milk. Makes the best scrambled eggs. I know, I know. But it's real egg and it takes one second and it tastes great. 'night.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jay on October 24, 2004, 10:26:40 PM: Quote from: S. Woody White on October 24, 2004, 06:56:17 PM
I don't know about the soup, but it [Ma Maison] was located at 8368 Melrose, which certainly sounds like BH. The restaurant's patio was described (by it's owner, Patrick Terrail, no less!) as "a shower curtain with Astroturf." Still, it drew in the stars, the famous, and the would-be's. Orson Welles practically lived there. And several notable chefs, such as Mark Peel and Susan Feniger, worked earlier in their careers in the kitchen.

Not to mention a young fella by the name of Wolfgang Puck.

And, for the record, it was West Hollywood, which makes it Beverly Hills adjacent, in local realtor parlance.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jay on October 24, 2004, 10:31:32 PM: Quote from: Panni on October 24, 2004, 07:16:12 PM
****COOKING QUESTION (SORT OF)****

I haven't had a gas stove in years. At my new home environment there's a wonderful double oven six-burner stove. I notice that the top of it is always warm. In fact, I usually keep a kettle on top of the stove and bought a new one recently to put on my new stove. When I went over to the new place to do some work today, the kettle was a bit warm.
Is it normal for a gas stove to be always slightly warm?

Another Dear Reader has already educated you about the presence of pilot lights on gas stoves, Dear Reader Panni. I just wanted to stress that you want to make sure that all your pilot lights are lit at all times. There is probably a separate pilot light for each of the ovens plus separate pilot lights for each of the burners.

If you have trouble lighting your pilot lights, call the gas company and they will come out and do it for you and check out the connections while they are there, all for free. The gas company is the last utility (maybe it was the only one) that still provides a high level of customer service.
Title: Re:THE POINT
Post by: Jay on October 24, 2004, 11:39:04 PM: This afternoon I saw Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, a new musical in a pre-Broadway run in San Diego, and I predict it will do very well indeed when it arrives on the Great White Way.

Lyrics and music are by David Yazbek (of The Full Monty fame), with a book by Jeffrey Lane, who's done a good deal of work in the world of television. Direction is by Jack O'Brian (Hairspray) and scenic design by David Rockwell (Hairspray.) Gregg Barnes did the costume design and Jerry Mitchell (The Full Monty and Hairspray) handled choreography. Ted Sperling (The Full Monty) is music director and Harold Wheeler (The Full Monty) did the orchestrations. Does any Dear Reader detect any patterns in the artistic team's resumes?

Based on the movie of the same name, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels takes place in a beachside resort in the south of France. Lawrence Jameson (John Lithgow) has made a very successful career of swindling wealthy women of their jewels and cash. He takes on an apprentice in Freddy Benson (Norbert Leo Butz.) They soon arrive at a realization that the spa is only big enough for one of them, and they agree to a bet that the first to swindle $50,000 from Christine Colgate, aka "The Queen of Soap" (Sherie Rene Scott) will win the territory and the other will have to leave. Joanne Gleason plays Muriel Eubanks, a ditzy vacationer at the resort, and Gregory Jbara plays Jameson's faithful assistant and confidant and, it should be noted, the town's chief of police.

The show is a great deal of fun from beginning to end. The book unfolds with rapid pace and the music is quite accessible and catchy. Mr. Yazbek has chosen to create many of the numbers in parodic form of familiar song genres. So we have a Viennese waltz song, a wild country & western kick-dancing song, a delicious take on a Noel Coward ditty, a sort of trucker's ballad, a rap song, etc., etc., etc. Much of the wordplay is quite clever, and some of the rhyming is outrageously twisted to good comedic effect.

There is a good deal of groan-worthy corn in the book, which the audience lapped up, myself included. One example:

Joanna Gleason: Hi! I'm Muriel of Omaha.

Gregory Jbara: Nice to meet you.

Joanna Gleason: It's mutual.

Mr. Lithgow plays Jameson as the quintessence of suave, and he maintains wonderful balance in the comic antics of the part. He has a bona fide 11 o'clock ballad and handles it with aplomb. From his initial appearance on, Mr. Butz proves himself an able rubber-bodied comedian. He has been allowed, however, to take his schtick way too far over the top and his mugging to the audience is more than a bit precious. Miss Scott, relative to the two male leads, does not have a great deal to do, though she's excellent in what has been apportioned to her. Miss Gleason has been provided some of the best lines in the show and demonstrates how less can be a great deal more when it comes to comedy. Her scenes with Mr. Jbara are particularly memorable. The singing in the show--by the principals and ensemble--is just fine.

The use of a turntable and set elements gliding smoothly from the wings and the flies create very successful montage effects through the course of the show. Though the elements themselves may be spare, they are evocative. The ladies' costumes are lavish. The overall visual aspects of the show work together very nicely.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is not without its flaws. The comedy would benefit from a good deal more restraint and greater faith in subtlety than is currently present. The 1st act curtain is misplaced, in my humble opinion. There are numerous topical references--including one involving George W. Bush--that will likely date the show in a hurry. Most egregious of all is an overt self-consiousness that pops up here and there throughout the show. For example, as Joanna Gleason checks back into the resort at about 80 minutes into the show, she says something along the lines of "I'm sure I can be of help to someone in the second act." It gets a laugh, but this device, borrowed (stolen?) from The Producers (where I didn't care for it either), takes audience members out of the story and reminds them that they are watching a theatrical event, a big no-no in my book.

The aforementioned notwithstanding, and despite its lack of special effects or falling chandeliers, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has just the right formula in terms of music, book, visuals and, certainly not least, star power and talent in its cast to be the next Broadway musical blockbuster.