Haines His Way

Archives => Archive 1 => Topic started by: bk on April 26, 2004, 12:00:46 AM

Title: WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 12:00:46 AM
Well, you've read the notes, you know the Dead Rodent conundrum, and you are now ready to post until the Dead Rodents come home.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: S. Woody White on April 26, 2004, 12:17:32 AM
Since no one else is stepping up to the plate, let's start our Spy list with three by Hitchcock:

Notorious
North by Northwest

and Torn Curtain.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 12:17:35 AM
Welcome nine GUESTS.  I must to bed, I'm afraid, and I do hope the smell of what may or may not be a DR (Dead Rodent) doesn't keep me up.

Begin countdown to 40,000 posts.  And let me tell you, when it happens later this week we are going to have some partay.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Tomovoz on April 26, 2004, 12:17:48 AM
Happy Birthday Jennifer.

I enjoyed reading the Bond books but I really only liked "From Russia With Love". I anxiously await the release of each new movie  but for the theme song.
My favourite "Spy" writer (and films of his work) is John Le Carre. The best filming of his intricate novels has been for TV series such as "The Perfect Spy" and "Smiley's People". That is of course MHO.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: S. Woody White on April 26, 2004, 12:20:14 AM
[size=20]FIRST POST!!!!![/size]

[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]happyhappyhappyhappyhappyhappyhappyhappyhappy[/move]
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]birthdaybirthdaybirthdaybirthdaybirthdaybirthdayb irthday[/move]
[size=20]JENNIFER!!!!![/size]
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Tomovoz on April 26, 2004, 12:23:21 AM
We have a "Production Company" here in Melbourne that produces 3 shows a year - 9 days of rehearsal and 5 performances only I think. I usually don't like their choice of show as they have usually been "done to death" by non professional groups and Schools. This year's shows will be "Annie Get your Gun" which has not been produced here since the 1950's, the b awful "High Society" which was not done that long ago nad "Carousel" which has not been staged. professionally here since 1964. I will be looking forward to that one as it stars David Campbell. (Seems an odd choice but who knows??) Other seasons have seen the wonderful Caroline O'Connor in "Mack and Mabel" and "Funny Girl".
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Tomovoz on April 26, 2004, 01:07:29 AM
Am listening to the wonderful Rebecca Luker as I type this. What a surprise packet. My first hearing of her "Leaving Home" album. Truly wonderful IMHO.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Panni on April 26, 2004, 02:38:40 AM
                 



                 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNIFER!!!

    [move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%] 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) [/move]    
     [move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%] ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D [/move]
      [move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%] :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* [/move]  
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Emily on April 26, 2004, 04:03:07 AM
Happy Birthday Jennifer!

Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Emily on April 26, 2004, 04:03:45 AM
Argh!

Exam in 6hrs and 57 minutes!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Michael on April 26, 2004, 04:29:03 AM
I am going out on a limb and saying when I was a kid I enjoyed "
Mrs. Polifax-Spy with Roz Russell. From what I have read about it in recent years it wasn't a good film. But when Darren McGavin first showed up in the movie I reconized him as the guy in the series of Car commercials! I think that was the first time I thought people in tv commercials can act!!!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on April 26, 2004, 04:39:38 AM
H a p p y

B i r t h d a y

J e n n i f e r

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on April 26, 2004, 04:44:59 AM
What a difference an apostrophe makes. Hairspray is about to open in Toronto. An article in this morning's Globe and Mail says that the producer had also produced

Angel's in America.

And a question for American Idol fans. Playing Tracy Turnblad will be AI contestant Vanessa Olivarez. Any idea of what to expect?

Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on April 26, 2004, 05:07:01 AM
Another by Hitchcock: The Lady Vanishes.

Thunderball and From Russia With Love are my favorite Bonds.

(And who remembers Sol Weinstein's Secret Agent Oy Oy Seven & Loxfinger?)
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: DearReaderLaura on April 26, 2004, 05:17:27 AM
Happy Birthday, Jennifer! May your day be filled with much cake -- and we want a full report!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: elmore3003 on April 26, 2004, 05:23:43 AM
Good morning, all!  DR Jennifer, happy birthday!  I wish you many more happy and healthy ones as well.

I may be E&T or late to Chat tonight; I have a rehearsal to attend for a job in the Lusty Month of May, before June busts out with WHERE'S CHARLEY?  I hope I can get back before chat is over.

Spy movies!  I'm afraid my knowledge of this genre is as limited as my knowledge of making the smilies dance.  I stopped with Bond when Sean Connery gave up the title, but my favorites were GOLDFINGER and FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE.  Where do things like 39 STEPS or MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE fall?  I love them both.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Dan (the Man) on April 26, 2004, 05:45:57 AM
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENNIFER!!![/move]

Once again, I was e & t this weekend.  My great-niece (who is simply great!) had her first Holy Communion on Saturday and her party yesterday, so there was much of the dressing up, taking of pictures, wrapping of gifts, gathering of family, eating of macaroni shells and meatballs, and playing of catch into the evening darkness.  A good time was had by all.

Spy movies:  Growing up, I was a fan of the spy movies that featured good spy gadgets like the early James Bonds and TV series like Man From UNCLE (wasn't there a MFU movie?) and even Get Smart.  I also liked the James Coburn Flint and the Dean Martin Matt Helm films.  I remember seeing it only once or twice, but Modesty Blaise was a lot of fun, too.  And of course, there's A Man Called Flintstone.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Dan (the Man) on April 26, 2004, 06:00:21 AM
Along with spy movies, can we talk about the spy toys we had as kids?  I loved this stuff!  I had a secret agent brief case that had a built-in secret camera which also held a revolver that could be transformed into a deadly, high powered rifle!  I had a few of the Mattle Zero-M toys:  the instamatic camera that--with a flick of a hidden switch--became a deadly, high powered handgun and a pocket knife that--with a flick of a hidden switch--also became a deadly, high-powered handgun.  I also had the Holy Grail of all spyware--the unassuming, portable radio that--with a flick of a switch--became a deadly high powered spy rifle!  These were swell toys!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: td on April 26, 2004, 06:13:08 AM
I may as well mention it first, maybe I'm in the minority here, but my favorite James Bond spy film is:
ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE

Then there would be:
FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
DR. NO
GOLDFINGER

THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD
TORN CURTAIN

I've read most of the Ian Fleming Bond Books, and say that IF some adventerous producer actually filmed CASINO ROYALE, we'd have an S&M classic right up there with Mr. Gibson's piece of religiosity.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: William E. Lurie on April 26, 2004, 06:17:07 AM
Dan - Who is playing Edna?

We saw BABY at Papermill yesterday.  Despite some problems with the show and the production, we enjoyed it and it is good to see Papermill getting more adventuresome in their choice of material.  Unfortunately there were more empty seats than I have ever seen there.

BABY is one show where the book isn't as dated as the score.  It 's origins in the early 80s were clear, particularly in Jonathan Tunick's orchestrations.  The score is also not as good as the Maltby-Shire revue scores.  And the book tries to concentrate on three couples equally and therefore doesn't fully develope any of them as much as it could. It  didn't get me as emotionally involved as it should have.

This was a production that could have benefited from supertitles.  At first I thought it was the sound system until I realized that of the six leads there were only two whose diction made the lyrics unintelligble (Moisha McGill and Chad "Milky White" Kimball).  Both have good voices but need to work on their enunciation.  No such problems with Carolee Carmello, Michael Rupert, Norm Lewis or LaChanze.  Actually the show was stolen by Lenny Wolpe in a one scene cameo as a doctor.  The setting was sparse but good and it waswell lit; the costumes were ugly (that 80s influence).  But despite the flaws, it was well-worth the train ride to New Jersey to see.  We're going back next month not because it is GUYS AND DOLLS but because Karen Ziemba is playing Miss Adelaide.  And next season with THE BAKER'S WIFE, OF THEE I SING, SHE LOVES ME and others I' glad that Papermill is only forty-five minutes from Penn Station (oh - a George M. Cohan reference).

Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on April 26, 2004, 06:58:45 AM
WEL,

Jay Brazeau is Edna. He's a Canadian actor who's appeared in various TV programs shot in the country (e.g., X Files). The IMDB says he played Dr. Chuck Nelken (Beatrice the Weimaraner' shrink) in Best in Show.

The Producers had an excellent all-Canadian cast, and I'm hoping that Hairspray will be equally first-rate. (Both shows are being produced here by David Mirvish.)
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: MBarnum on April 26, 2004, 07:24:31 AM
Haven't seen them in many a year but I like any of the Sean Connery James Bond films, particularly YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE.

I also enjoy the Italian spy films that came out in the 60s with my two favorites being THE FULLER REPORT starring Ken Clark, and MASTER STROKE starring Richard Harrison, along with the fun KOMMISSAR X spy films that starred Brad Harris and Tony Kendall.

Yes, DR Dan the Man, there were some MAN FROM UNCLE movies and two of them, ONE OF OUR SPIES IS MISSING and ONE SPY TOO MANY co-star Mr. Cal Bolder!!!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Matt H. on April 26, 2004, 07:29:37 AM
Happy Birthday, Jennifer.

My favorite Bond movie was always GOLDFINGER. I can't remember how many times I saw it at the theater, but every time it came around, first singly and then paired with other Connery-Bond epics, I'd always go to see it. I've bought it in every media: videotape, laserdisc (still have both Connery-Bond boxed sets on laserdisc), and DVD. It's a terrific film, and doesn't suffer from overlength the way most of the later Bonds do.

I can only tolerate the Roger Moore-Bonds. I find him a terrible James Bond. But I liked both Timothy Dalton-Bond films and am sorry he didn't go over with the public because I found him a great Bond.

GOLDENEYE is by far my favorite of the Pierce Brosnan-Bond pictures.

Others have named some classic spy films that I also love: THE LADY VANISHES, FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT, NOTORIOUS, TORN CURTAIN (Hitchcock knew how to do a spy movie; glad to see there are others who like TORN CURTAIN).

THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE: a masterpiece.

I especially like THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER and PATRIOT GAMES, the first two Jack Ryan films. Many people didn't like Tom Cruise's first MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, but I loved it (and you won't hear me say that about many Cruise pictures).

The only recent spy movie I really liked is THE BOURNE IDENTITY. I thought it was sensational.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jrand73 on April 26, 2004, 07:41:20 AM
Happy Birthday, Jennifer!

Dead rodents are no fun!  Especially HIDDEN dead rodents!

James Bond spy films:  DR NO.

Cold War spy films:  MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE. NORTH BY NORTHWEST

WWII Spy Films:  FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT, NOTORIOUS

Misc:  KISS ME DEADLY

DTM - I enjoyed THE MAN FROM UNCLE on tv a lot, and even THE GIRL FROM UNCLE with Stephanie Powers & Noel Harrison.



Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Matt H. on April 26, 2004, 07:47:36 AM
Weren't those MAN FROM UNCLE movies merely expanded TV episodes (or perhaps two episodes linked together) and released to theaters. MGM was pretty smart to double dip their product that way, but I wonder if it didn't shorten the life of the show.  The show was canceled before it got through its fourth season.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: DearReaderLaura on April 26, 2004, 08:01:09 AM
This morning I went for a walk, and this is what I saw:
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: TCB on April 26, 2004, 08:05:22 AM
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]HAPPY[/move]
[move=right,scroll,6,transparent,100%]BIRTHDAY,[/move]
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]JENNIFER![/move][/size][/font]

(http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0304/sehrgrosse/large-smiley-007.gif)

You are a DELIGHT.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Dan-in-Toronto on April 26, 2004, 08:17:46 AM
And BK, remember -

You must never
Let a vermin
In your life
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 08:19:15 AM
Good morning and good choices so far.  Modesty Blaise, while it hasn't worn that well, has always been a guilty pleasure of mine.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Matt H. on April 26, 2004, 08:28:54 AM
Last week, I finally got those back surround speakers hooked up so I could enjoy Dolby Digital-EX and DTS-ES sound. (For those who don't know what I'm talking about, those extended versions of Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound allow you to have seven speakers in your speaker arsenal instead of the usual five; it gives you two additional rear speakers - four instead of the usual two.)

At any rate, the first disc I played that had Dolby Digital-EX sound was HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS, and the extra rear channel of sound did give a nice sense of completeness.

Then, I stuck in the last Brosnan-Bond film DIE ANOTHER DAY so I could hear DTS-ES. I thought the windows in my den were going to blow out. Good lord, is that an active sound field for that movie or what!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 08:29:29 AM
In a nice bit of serendipity, just got a call from my pest control people and today is their monthly service call, so they'll be able to ascertain whether there is a dead rodent or not.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Panni on April 26, 2004, 08:46:45 AM
Spy movies - Not a genre I'm a huge fan of, so I'm not all that knowledgeable. If the MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE is considered a spy movie, then that's my favorite. I like the old James Bond films (Connery, I mean).
NOTORIOUS, yes. NORTH BY NORTHWEST.
I haven't seen THE IPCRESS FILE since it came  out, but I liked it at the time. Oh - and I really liked THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD.
Used to like watching THE MAN FROM UNCLE on the tube.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Ben on April 26, 2004, 08:47:49 AM
The New York Times seems to know about Jennifer's birthday. In today's edition there is an article about

POUTINE

It's called Montreal's signature dish. I won't post the entire link because it seems to put us in Widescreen. Here is the opening paragraph.

Poutine, Quebec's favorite fatty fast-food concoction, is like a voluptuous mistress. It is loved passionately in a province where eating is virtually an art form, but in public it is often acknowledged only with embarrassment. Recently, however, the shame has been ebbing.

If you go to the NYTimes Web site (http://www.nytimes.com/), you will most likely need to register (if you haven't already) to read the article.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR JENNIFER. HHW wouldn't be the same without you.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Ben on April 26, 2004, 08:49:03 AM
Don't know from Spy Movies so I will remain close-mouthed on the subject.

Don't know a James Bond from a Treasury Bond
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Noel on April 26, 2004, 08:49:33 AM
Does Casablanca count?
I don't really know what makes a film a spy film

Happy Birthday Jennifer.  I shall cease from blaming Canada all day in your honor
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jennifer on April 26, 2004, 08:59:06 AM
Thanks for the birthday wishes.  I woke up in a bad mood. And the wishes are making me feel better.

For DR Ben: If you don't want your link to go into widescreen post it under "reply" (not quick reply) and then highlight the link and click on the hyperlink icon (i thinkwe said it was 3rd from left on the bottom row).

It will make your link smaller.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jennifer on April 26, 2004, 09:00:17 AM
Oh and now I'm craving poutine. Thanks for that. :)
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: TCB on April 26, 2004, 09:05:52 AM
I am not a big expert on spy films.  I like them when I see them, especially Connery as Bond, but I can't really think of very many special ones that don't slide over into the war movie genre instead.

I love THUNDERBALL, (http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0304/mittelgrosse/medium-smiley-106.gif)
it is my favorite James Bond film with FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE a close second.  

Other Favorite Spy Films

SABOTEUR
THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
GOLDFINGER
THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD
SPY KIDS
and DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Matt H. on April 26, 2004, 09:07:31 AM
I didn't mention another very good Hitchcock spy movie, SABOTEUR. I like it quite a bit.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Matt H. on April 26, 2004, 09:08:52 AM
Robert Redford and Brad Pitt made a spy movie a few years ago called SPY GAME that had some nice twists in it.

THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH -- of course!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 09:14:49 AM
Here is some interesting Star tidbits:

The intermission music (missing from the DVD) is simply a short instrumental version of the title song.

The exit music, which everyone is complaining about not being there, was apparently NEVER there - it was added for the laser disc so they could do their restoration credits.  Can someone with the laser confirm that (apparently there is a freeze frame on the curtain that ends the film proper).  Now that that information has been posted, the complainers, who were apparently wrong, are nowhere to be found.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: TCB on April 26, 2004, 09:15:04 AM
I didn't mention another very good Hitchcock spy movie, SABOTEUR. I like it quite a bit.

Great minds think alike, MattH!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Matt H. on April 26, 2004, 09:21:18 AM
Here is some interesting Star tidbits:

The intermission music (missing from the DVD) is simply a short instrumental version of the title song.

The exit music, which everyone is complaining about not being there, was apparently NEVER there - it was added for the laser disc so they could do their restoration credits.  Can someone with the laser confirm that (apparently there is a freeze frame on the curtain that ends the film proper).  Now that that information has been posted, the complainers, who were apparently wrong, are nowhere to be found.

The intermission also features the freeze frame of the curtain, and the STAR! theme is the same version of the song as played over the closing credits of the original movie.

I mentioned this to someone in private mail, but figured I had beaten the STAR! horse to death and chose not to post any more about it (until now). Because it's not seemingly a part of the original version, the fact that it's missing from the DVD didn't bother me at all.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 09:22:41 AM
Well, it's fascinating, because the main idiot who posts about these things could have cleared that up immediately.  I'm beginning to think that you are right, MattH, and that the DVD is representitive of the theatrical showing.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jennifer on April 26, 2004, 09:51:30 AM
Re: Vanessa from American Idol appearing as Tracy in Toronto's HAIRSPRAY.

I'm not sure how good she'll be.  But I do remember her from AI.  She was quirky and had painted hair.  I think she was one of the first ones voted out of the Top !2.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Ron Pulliam on April 26, 2004, 09:51:37 AM
I don't know from the original theatrical or LD presentation of "Star!"   Besides having sat through "Those Were the Happy Times" and being totally appalled at the fact that more than half the score on my LP had evaporated with cuts, my only exposure to the film is through a widescreen tape of it as shown on AMC back in the early 1990s.  So far as I recall, it's complete, sans overture.

The DVD, however, is fascinating to me.  The overture  is tremendous.  I have to wonder if that was Lionel Newman in the orchestra pit.  It does not resemble Lennie Hayton, but I could be wrong.  I was a bit let down that the title song was not in full-fledged stereo but was cast in that "newsreel of the day" sound.

I think the musical numbers are pretty sensational (although I'm apparently one of few who doesn't care for the "Jenny" staging).  Everything looks very good to me on my Sony 17-inch TV!!!!!   I'm totally NOT disappointed with this DVD, and imagine my surprise that the commentary has not only Robert Wise, but Saul Chaplin and Julie Andrews (and who else???? I only listened to a bit of it).

I also watched "Call Me Madam" and found it totally irresistible, charming and alarmingly energetic and entertaining. The musical numbers positively sparkle.  So much so that the non-musical scenes tend to seem unrehearsed by comparison.  The book's not so creaky that it doesn't have laugh potential, but some of those laughs are not set up well at all.

The scene in which Merman sings "The Hostess With the Mostess" is brilliantly set up.  There she is on the top step of a marble staircase, with the reporters surrounding her in a "V", all of them on different steps, so we see Merman in full figure at all times.  The "bad thing" about this staging is the background window with the Capitol building in the distance and a very pink cherry blossom tree in full bloom just outside in full sunshine.  It upstages Merman throughout the song and makes the scene too busy.  Also, when this scene starts, Merman strikes a few classic poses on the stairs for the photogs...they should have borrowed from "Easter Parade", as well as doing some close-ups, having Merman pose one pose too many, as Nadine Hale did on an Easter Sunday promenade...one pose more than there were photographers snapping shots, with an appropriate, "Oh, poo!" reaction.

It seemed to me that the non-musical passages were handled almost as though they were bothersome links between sensationally staged numbers.  

It's not a short movie musical, and perhaps they wanted to rush the story more than give more time to setups for the jokes.

I think if they'd had a bit more respect for the total package -- and possibly one less reprise of "Something to Dance About" -- I think the movie would have been an all-time classic in the genre.  (Don't get me wrong...I think the main song, plus both reprises of "Something to Dance About" are wonderful, but if they needed to make room for something else.....)  As it is, though, it's as good a musical recording of the score as there'll ever be, IMO, and NOBODY will ever be better in the part than Merman.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Noel on April 26, 2004, 09:53:37 AM
I always confuse Saboteur and Sabotage.

Which one has a little boy carring a bomb on a bus, and scenes behind the screen of a movie theatre?

Which one has the Statue of Liberty?

Are they both spy films?

I love all the Hitchcocks mentioned so far, although I haven't seen Torn Curtain or Foreign Correspondant
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Ron Pulliam on April 26, 2004, 09:58:44 AM
Re: Vanessa from American Idol appearing as Tracy in Toronto's HAIRSPRAY.

I'm not sure how good she'll be.  But I do remember her from AI.  She was quirky and had painted hair.  I think she was one of the first ones voted out of the Top !2.

IIRC she was the very first to go.  Simon's critique of her really good performance was that she would make a good cabaret artist like Bette Midler, but she wasn't "pop starl" material (they could not have figured that out before selecting her for the final auditions??????).

Then again, Bette Midler was NOT a pop star???????

Vanessa was much better than most of the singers in the top 12, but the hair and her shortness seemed to make that one performance the end of the line for her.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 09:59:10 AM
Sabotage has the bomb and Saboteur has the lady with the torch.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Noel on April 26, 2004, 10:09:56 AM
Re: Vanessa from American Idol appearing as Tracy in Toronto's HAIRSPRAY.

Well, that's just cause for a rant:

American Idol serves one purpose: It makes its contestants extremely famous.  That's what television will do for you.  I don't know Clay Aiken from Adam, but I DO know he's more famous than Brett Barrett, whom I've enjoyed live on stage in a number of shows.

Now, imagine a producer has a choice between casting Clay and Brett; who will they go with to sell the most tickets?  (I'm assuming - which makes an ass of u and me - that Clay's not nearly as talented as Brett.)  And that's reason enough to loathe American Idol.

Every day I deal with people who are working their butt cheeks off to make it on the musical theatre stage.  They study, they practice, they go through the physical rigors of complicated dance routines.  In a just world, the best of the zaftig young ladies would be playing Tracy in Hairspray in Canada.

But it's not a just world.  It's a world in which the producers of a TV contest show have the power to circumvent the process.  I've no idea who this Vanessa is or how good she is: All I know is that she managed to get herself on the American Idol program.  Which means she's famous enough to sell tickets and beat out possibly-more-talented aspirants for a plum role.

I'm not saying it doesn't take talent and savvy to get yourself on American Idol.  I'm sure you're put through hoops.  But these hoops are of the producers' making, which means they have a great deal of power.

And, effectively, they've injected themselves into the process so many of us are a part of: ensuring the best possible performance in every musical role.  I know this was not the producers' intention.  They're in the business of selling soap, as is every one on television.  But this unintended side effect is... well, reason enough for a rant.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 10:15:35 AM
I wouldn't cast either Brett Barrett or Clay Aiken, I'd cast our very own Brent Barrett.

Countdown to 40,000 posts.

Waiting for Mr. Pest Control Man to come remove what is now very clearly a Dead Rodent.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jennifer on April 26, 2004, 10:18:10 AM
DR Noel: I wouldn't say that Vanessa is one of the more famous Idols.  She was kicked out very early.

And while I think Brent Barrett is very talented, I think that Clay Aiken is hugely talented as well.  I don't think Clay is a good example to use when talking about untalented people.  He is phenomenal.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Ron Pulliam on April 26, 2004, 10:25:06 AM
Clay Aiken was meant to sing on Broadway!
 
His voice is as good as any out there, IMO, but it's a different voice from Brent's, and they are different physical types/looks, so they'd never vie against one another for roles.

They could do some dazzling duets, though!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: MBarnum on April 26, 2004, 10:26:28 AM
A very happy, happy Birthday to DR Jennifer! (I was in such a rush to post this morning that I plum forgot the birthday wish!)

Have your morning mocha and perhaps you will be in a more festive mood!!

(http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0304/ernaehrung/food-smiley-010.gif)
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Ben on April 26, 2004, 10:27:13 AM
For you Doris Day fans out there (and I know you exist) BBC Radio 2 has begun a multi-part series in celebration of her recently passed 80th birthday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/

When you get to this page go to Listen Again (it's purple on the right hand side of the screen) and click on The Life of Doris Day.

Enjoy!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Charles Pogue on April 26, 2004, 10:34:52 AM
I'm not a big spy guy, but I love NOTORIOUS.  I like the Harry Palmers, particularly THE IPCRESS FILE, and I always enjoyed the OUR MAN FLINT movies. Connery Bonds.  Another one I like is SECRET AGENT, directed by Hitchcock, starring John Gielgud of all people in the romantic lead, with Madaleine Carroll and a wonderful performances by Peter Lorre as a character known as the Mexican Hairless.  Robert Young is also in it.  Very interesting picture where, if I recall correctly, the hero actually at one point in the film, kills the wrong person. It's based on Maugham novel Ashenden.

BK, I remember fondly THE SCENE OF THE CRIME on Woodman & Ventura (Later near Wilshire and Western...terrible location) and the strange woman who ran it, Ruth?, who used to dress up like a Victorian heroine (or poisoner).  I don't remember Sally Powers working there...though I do remember that name as a casting director.  But much of my mystery collection was built from purchases from Scene of the Crime.  It was one of the first places I visited when I blew into LA.  I remember the first book I bought there.  Master of Villainy...a bio of Sax Rohmer, creator of Fu Manchu.  I also saw my first celebrity there...William Daniels.

On my way back from the Book Festival staturday I stopped by Sam French and picked up Sir John Gielgud: A Life in Letters.  My favourite excerpt so far:

"I had a gay hour with that old fribble Alexander Woolcott today. He was saying Ethel Barrymore had made a wonderful comeback in The Corn is Green in America after...' along sojourn in the valley of menopause.'  Also a funny description of the Lunts working out their dream production of MACBETH.  Lady M. was to pass along the gallery to murder Duncan stark naked! 'How?' I asked. 'Oh,' said Woolcott, 'behind a high balustrade, so that her pudenda were still kept strictly for Alfred's edification.'"
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: elmore3003 on April 26, 2004, 10:38:49 AM

I think the musical numbers are pretty sensational (although I'm apparently one of few who doesn't care for the "Jenny" staging).


DR RLP, I too loathe the "Jenny" number, which has nothing to do with LADY IN THE DARK and almost nothing to do with Gertrude Lawrence, Kurt Weill, Ira Gershwin, or Moss Hart!  
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Sandra on April 26, 2004, 10:41:34 AM
I don't know from spy movies and you don't want to get me started on dead rodents.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: elmore3003 on April 26, 2004, 10:44:34 AM

Waiting for Mr. Pest Control Man to come remove what is now very clearly a Dead Rodent.

Well, I've dated several rodents and I wish they were dead with your, BK!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Charles Pogue on April 26, 2004, 10:51:08 AM
I think it's way too early to say whether Clay was meant to sing on Broadway or that his voice is as good as any.  I certainly think and have always thought that Clay's voice is strong enough to be singing standards and Broadway material and is certainly wasted on the pop tripe he is now singing.  

But as Noel says, Broadway has rigourous demands and people there train and train and train.  Brent Barrett, besides being a superb singer, is a wonderful actor and moves well.  For a kid just plucked out of obscurity and not focusing on a theatrical career, I suspect Clay has a long way to go before he can be compared to the likes of Brent Barrett or Harry Groener or a lot of other Broadway singer/actors. That doesn't mean he couldn't make it in time,  but while he could sell tickets, I doubt that he could give you the seasoned, mature performance that enumerable others who ply their trade on Broadway could.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: William F. Orr on April 26, 2004, 10:58:41 AM
Frist Things Frist:  (hey, that was intentional, so get off my back)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNIFER!!!

Bond Films:  My Joe and I are in agreement here.  Sean Connery is  James Bond.  Roger Moore doesn't play Bond, he plays The Saint.  He plays Simon Templar in all his movies.  Timothy Dalton, whom I have liked hugely in other films, just wasn't Bond for me.  Pierce Brosnan is the best since Connery.  Always loved him in Remmington Steele and quite enjoyed him in that remake of Our Man in Havanna.  George Lazenby has become, alas, a trivia question in his own right, but he didn't have the charisma.  Diana Rigg did, but unfortunately she died after he married her.  Who knows, perhaps she could have handled the rôle of Bond as well as that other Dame has done with M.

Speaking of Bond, I quite enjoyed the James Bond parody they did on Deep Space Nine--"Bashir--Julian Bashir."  In fact, I think Malcom McDowell's nephew Alexander Siddig (aka Siddig El Fadil) would make a quite credible Bond, although they would have to explain his Sudanese ancestry.  For those of you who are not Star-Trek-obsessed like me, I will add that this episode involved all of the main characters trapped in a holodeck simulation of a Bond story, and after fighting the megalomaniac villain at every turn, Bashir realized that the one way to escape was simply to give up and let him destroy the (virtual) world.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: S. Woody White on April 26, 2004, 10:59:18 AM
...This year's shows will be "Annie Get your Gun" which has not been produced here since the 1950's...
Starring Dame Edna?  That would be a sell-out production!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: MBarnum on April 26, 2004, 11:05:01 AM
Oh, there is also that spy film WHAT'S UP TIGER LILY! Love that one!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: William E. Lurie on April 26, 2004, 11:07:20 AM
The only time I heard Clay sing was on a radio station over the p a system at the grocery store and I wasn't aware it was he until they announced it afterwards.  He seems okay for the lousy material he was singing, but I have no idea how he would sound singing classic show music.  From pictures he is not nearly as good looking as BB (although he looked better before the stylists got through with him) but since he is half BB's age, I don't ever think they would be in competition for the same roles anyway.  I don't think any of these successful amateur competitions will attract people whose goal is Broadway, meaning the great masses will never hear of current and upcoming Broadway talent, and Broadway producers will continue to cast name stars from other media to try to attract audiences.  I heard that some hostess on a home remodeling show is Broadway's next Roxie Hart.  I wonder if she will get to redecorate the set as part of the show.

By the way, coming up next is a AI/Star Search style show with people who think they can sing but really can't.  They don't know that the worst person with the least amount of talent will be the winner.  How sick.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 11:07:41 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENNIFER!  


Have a great day.


Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: William E. Lurie on April 26, 2004, 11:08:46 AM
Tomovoz---
Which version of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN are they doing, the 1940s version, the 1960s version or the 1990s version?  They are all substantially different.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: S. Woody White on April 26, 2004, 11:19:32 AM
Does Casablanca count?
I don't really know what makes a film a spy film
Normally a spy film has spies in it.  However, since Casablanca involves hidden documents and international affairs, I'm willing to include it in our discussion.  

Here's an interesting question: Could Casablanca be done as a stage musical?  The big question of course being, can Rick sing and dance?

I think it could be done, but carefully.  I would not have Rick singing and dancing at the beginning, having all that done by those around him instead.  Ilsa would bring out the melody in him.

Think of Cole Porter writing in darker colors for the score.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: William F. Orr on April 26, 2004, 11:19:42 AM
Today is very wet.  Storms on the parkway on my way in.  Water, water everywhere.

But that was nothing compared to the river of tears for the last two days.  You see, I finished Kritzer Time.

I got up at 5 on Sunday morning, as is my wont, to do my weekly shopping when the stores are empty.  I finished Chapter 8.  Well, I already knew enough about BK's life from his writings here and under the Real A logo to know what was coming long before.  That didn't stop the tears, oh no, that didn't stop the tears.  And putting on the CD and listening to the last song on it three times in a row didn't stop them either.  Somehow I managed to do the shopping.

Then Joe and I went to his sister's for the first time since his return from The Bad Place.  While we were talking, he noticed a crucifix on the mantle and asked about it.  "Oh, they put that in Mom's coffin, but they took it out before she was buried.  Do you want it?"  Holding it in his hands, Joe had to leave the room, embarrassed by his tears.  Well, he's still haunted by the "boys don't cry" his father drilled in to him.  I ignored that long ago and if I feel like tearing, I let 'er rip.  I'm convinced a good cry, as well as a frequent good hearty laugh, is good for us, not just mentally, but physically as well.  Joe:  "I would never have believed I would accept a crucifix and cry over it."

Then, if that weren't enough, this morning I finished Kritzer Time.  If you haven't finished the book,

BEWARE, SPOILERS FOLLOW!





From p. 318:  "What good was Kritzer Time if it couldn't bring back Samantha Gilman?"

But it has, Bruce, it has.  In the best way humanly possible.  She now lives in the hearts of many people who never knew her, and, G*d willing, she will continue to live.




Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 11:21:53 AM
Estee Lauder passed away at the amazing age of 97.

Emily summer vacation already!  When does school end for you?

Michael Shayne I have to go to L.A. but why anyone would want to spend their vacation there is beyond me, unless it is to see people.  On that note, who wants to meet us for breakfast at Du-Par’s? :)

Italy and Germany are wonderful and closer than Australia and New Zealand, which I hope to visit one day.

Dan (the Man) I enjoyed reading about your spy toys.  I never played spy.

MBarnum, cute coffee cup.

I enjoy spy movies.  I will return later with my list.

Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: S. Woody White on April 26, 2004, 11:31:20 AM
I love all the Hitchcocks mentioned so far, although I haven't seen Torn Curtain or Foreign Correspondant
Torn Curtain is a necessity for some of the humor in Mel Brooks' High Anxiety to be understood.  Howard Morris' character, Professor Lilloman, is based on the Professor that Paul Newman's character is trying to meet in East Germany.  A dead-on impersonation by Morris.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Noel on April 26, 2004, 11:33:43 AM
I see no reason why Casablanca couldn't make a great musical.  There's no problem with Rick being too "tough" to sing and dance - he's obviously got a lot of heart and appreciates the power of a nostalgic song.  But, just as Harold Rome's Gone With the Wind was a hit in foreign countries but not America, you have the problem of the audience being SO familiar with the original, they might not accept other actors in the roles immortalized by Bogart, Bergman, Lorre, Rains and all the rest.

When I saw Play It Again, Sam, I thought it might make a good musical.  But, since Bogart's not a star of musicals, it would make more sense to have it be Fred Astaire giving the Woody Allen character advice.  Call it Dance It Again, Fred (if you must) but I think there's the germ of an idea there.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: MBarnum on April 26, 2004, 11:39:12 AM

Michael Shayne I have to go to L.A. but why anyone would want to spend their vacation there is beyond me, unless it is to see people.  On that note, who wants to meet us for breakfast at Du-Par’s? :)


DR Jane,

Los Angeles is my FAVORITE place to go on vacation! LOL! The film history that is there just fascinates me and the thought that when I walk into Target in North Hollywood there is a very good chance that I might be standing in line with someone who made movies 30, 40, 50 years ago...I just love it! So many places to visit and see and just driving around and looking and thinking, ah, Allison Hayes probably walked on this sidewalk once...it just fills my heart with happiness!

I know, I know... my friends think I am strange too.  :D
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Matt H. on April 26, 2004, 11:40:59 AM
From the photographs I've seen of Lawrence's Jenny, the circus motif is very similar to what is in STAR! but Gertie was wearing a black dress with some sequins, not a sequined jump suit. All the acrobatics and the busy stage business that Michael Kidd put in that STAR! number was because it was serving as the finale to the film. They wanted the splashiest number they could get. I find it HUGELY entertaining.

Today in the mail came the two Rathbone/HOLMES films and the DRACULE/WOLF MAN boxed sets. I am a happy man indeed getting these even a day early. First up, THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES, my favorite of all the Rathbone/HOLMES pictures.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Noel on April 26, 2004, 11:41:02 AM
Of course, my point was not to compare the talents of Clay Aiken and Brent Barrett.  I don't know much about Clay.  The current mess we're in comes from producers going with the famous person (famous from whatever TV show) over the person whose training and experience makes them better for the role (all matters of fame aside).  Yes, Aiken and Barrett aren't vying for the same roles, but whenever however wherever a famous-from-TV beats out a more talented theatre professional for a role, it's the audience that suffers.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jrand73 on April 26, 2004, 11:44:42 AM
DRMBARNUM - Allison probably wore different shoes.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: td on April 26, 2004, 11:47:17 AM
DR RLP, I too loathe the "Jenny" number, which has nothing to do with LADY IN THE DARK and almost nothing to do with Gertrude Lawrence, Kurt Weill, Ira Gershwin, or Moss Hart!  
Well, the whole movie really has nothing to do with Gertrude Lawrence!  I mean, really, where is Bea Lillie? ? ? Where is her most famous American stage role?  Where is her limited voice?  
No, STAR! is about Julie singing and dancing, Gertie sure as hell didn't have the sustained high note in "The Saga of Jenny!"
Someone like Gertrude Lawrence cannot successfully be transferred to the screen, even Gertrude Lawrence didn't tranfer well to the screen - see REMBRANDT or THE GLASS MENAGERIE.
It would take a very skilled writer and director to bring whatever qualities Gertie possessed on a stage with a live audience to the screen; which is why I sit back and enjoy STAR! for not being about Gertie, though its leading character is called Gertrude Lawrence, but for being all about Julie's singing, dancing and acting abilities.  Plus, I love the arrangements, and the small doses of a capella singing - - "Someone to Watch over Me" and "My Ship."
STAR! is an extravaganza, with mostly accurate production values, a ton of production numbers - and a script which merely serves to get from one song to the next.

Oh, and thanks, DR MattH! I too, am very fond of THE BOURNE IDENTITY, and am looking forward to the super-duper, double deluxe special edition coming out on dvd just as the sequel hits the big screen.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: S. Woody White on April 26, 2004, 11:48:28 AM
When it comes to the Bonds:

Favorite Connery: You Only Live Twice
Favorite Moore: The Spy Who Loved Me
Favorite Dalton (and favorite Desmond Llewelyn): Licence to Kill
Favorite Brosnan: The World Is Not Enough
Favorite "M" moment: Judi Dench snubbing the Admiral in the pre-credits of Tomorrow Never Dies (particularly since Geoffrey Palmer plays the Admiral, and also plays her husband in As Time Goes By.)
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: George on April 26, 2004, 11:50:57 AM
[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNIFER[/move]

I haven't seen many spy films at all (very few that have already been mentioned are even familiar to me), but of the ones I have seen, I like:

Casablanca
The Manchurian Candidate (assuming that these two are considered "spy" films) and
Hopscotch (with Walter Matthau and Glenda Jackson)
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Matt H. on April 26, 2004, 11:51:45 AM
Fanny Brice didn't sound like Barbra Streisand either, though she could be quite moving in her own style of singing, and she never looked as glamorous as Barbra did at moments in FUNNY GIRL.

One must always take screen biographies with a grain of salt. STAR! was as accurate as FUNNY GIRL as far as I've been able to ascertain. Which is to say, not much. DOesn't lessen their effectiveness to me as entertainment in the slightest.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Matt H. on April 26, 2004, 11:55:34 AM
Gretchyn Wyler did a straw hat tour of CALL ME MADAM in the mid-1960s, and the show was WONDERFUL. Someone had updated all the conversations with "Harry" and made them to "Lyndon," and they were just as hilarious. The audience was in stitches every time she picked up the telephone.

BTW, she came back the next summer in SWEET CHARITY, and she made the best Charity I've ever seen. There is one woman who was a VERY underrated talent.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jrand73 on April 26, 2004, 11:56:14 AM
How could I forget THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH - 1956, and SABATUER.....

Well yes, people keeping saying they are so and so in STAR! and I never believe it.  But then I didn't believe Carroll Baker was Jean Harlow either, but I still like that movie.

My copy arrived today and I will watch it tonight.....
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 11:59:10 AM
Thank you, WFO.  Please add your thoughts to the KT board here, and post a review to amazon (be careful of spoilers over there).
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 12:05:01 PM
One nice thing about living in the country, on a beautiful day like today you can skip down the road without anyone there to laugh at you. :D
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: td on April 26, 2004, 12:10:12 PM
How could I forget THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH - 1956, and SABATUER.....

Well yes, people keeping saying they are so and so in STAR! and I never believe it.  But then I didn't believe Carroll Baker was Jean Harlow either, but I still like that movie.

My copy arrived today and I will watch it tonight.....

Meanwhile, I like Larry Parks as Al Jolson.
I like Ben Kinsley as Mahatma Gandhi.
I even like Jennifer Jason Leigh's Dorothy Parker.


Sure, most biographies on film rarely tell the true stories, is there gay subtext floating around in HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON?

As far as screen bios go, though, which ones do the dear readers and the esteemed BK think most successfully capture their subjects?

Back to spies:
How could I forget THE 39 STEPS?!?!?!?!? Can you whistle its code?
THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR is also quite good.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: td on April 26, 2004, 12:10:53 PM
One nice thing about living in the country, on a beautiful day like today you can skip down the road without anyone there to laugh at you. :D
Is Keith skipping as well?  ;)
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Ron Pulliam on April 26, 2004, 12:20:36 PM
Anyone who heard Clay sing on "American Idol," when he was in control of his material, knows that he has been singing all of his life.

Frankly, I'm not terribly overwhelmed by much of what goes for "singing voices" in contemporary Broadway musical recordings, although some are extraordinary.

The problem is what they're given to sing rather than what they are capable of singing.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 12:23:36 PM
Is Keith skipping as well?  ;)

No, he was home working while I was out playing with Echo.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Stuart on April 26, 2004, 12:54:50 PM
Spy movies are not favorites of mine, so I have nothing to say on the subject, really.  Except that there is nothing like a good Bond theme song.  Especially when sung by the ultra-fabulous Miss Shirley Bassey.

I have been a bit E&T the last couple of days since, on Friday, I read a report that Carl Samuelson had passed away.  Carl was the last surviving original owner of my alma mater of sorts, a summer camp called Stagedoor Manor, which was the inspiration for last summer's indie flick CAMP.  CAMP was indeed written by another SM alum, Todd Graff.

Somehow, I have never seen the film, but this was one of those rare obituaries that ran a link at the bottom of it, to Stagedoor's website, which I did not realize existed.  On said website, there happens to be an alumni message board, and while scrolling through the seemingly 1000s of posts, I only came across 3 names I recognized, and only one of which with whom I was friendly.  So of course, I had to E-mail him.

At any rate, I know not why I tell you all this fact, other than that Stagedoor Manor was a fascinating place to have gone to camp, and that sometimes our youth does live on within us.  Whether or not we want to admit it.

So there.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jrand73 on April 26, 2004, 01:09:31 PM
Very interesting dRSTUART.  Thanks!

STAR! certainly doesn't skimp on the Extras, does it?
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 01:13:27 PM
Question, who thought my birthday message to Jennifer was a sign flashing “someone is trying to steal a picture”?  Jennifer I hope you saw the cute happy face I had on there this morning.  I didn’t mean to become a thief on your special day.  I thought it was off a free site I used in the past-OOPS!  The flashing sign has now been substituted with a different happy face.  Not as unique as the first one, but at least it’s an honest one.

Once again Jennifer

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 01:16:15 PM
Jennifer,

(http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Surf/7782/pcsmile.gif)
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: TCB on April 26, 2004, 01:17:46 PM
Is Keith skipping as well?  ;)


In your dreams, td
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 01:22:23 PM
Page two dance.  

(http://www.gifs.net/animate/dancingrosered.gif)
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: TCB on April 26, 2004, 01:22:50 PM
Jane -- I thought the "someone is trying to steal my picture" was a very original birthday card.  I didn't understand it, but I thought it was very clever.  Sorry to hear you were busted as a shoplifter.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 01:29:15 PM
LOL  ;D ;D

You should have seen my face when I discovered what happened. :o
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jed on April 26, 2004, 01:30:16 PM
I thought the "Someone is trying to steal my picture" was intentional, too! :D
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Robin on April 26, 2004, 01:34:58 PM
I may as well mention it first, maybe I'm in the minority here, but my favorite James Bond spy film is:
ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE

It's mine, too.  I've always thought that George Lazenby was a terrific Bond, too.  So there.  
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 01:35:58 PM
Jed you didn't think I was clever like your father did.  What were you thinking?  :-\
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 01:36:01 PM
Countdown to 40,000 posts.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 01:36:48 PM
I've always thought that George Lazenby was a terrific Bond, too.  So there.  

Me too.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 01:37:34 PM
Bruce, doing my part to get there.  
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Charles Pogue on April 26, 2004, 01:39:51 PM
RLP, singing all one's life is well and fine.  It still doesn't necessarily prepare a singer for the rigours of Boradway or theatre singing where one has to sustain his voice through eight shows a week.

I might give you that some voices these days are not as honed as they once were...but one shouldn't want their American Idols to be competitive with mediocrity.  And there are still chorus people on Broadway who probably have stronger, better, and more diligently trained voices than the best of the American Idol singers.

I, for one, deplore the trend of miking the Hell out of everything.  This probably is because I come from a discipline where as an actor (not even a singer) was expected to be able to project and hit the back wall.  Something I've always been able to do even in barns like the Ahmanson out here.

But that is the problem...the barns...more than lack of discipline and training, I think...require the necessity of miking.  Over the years, cities have built these huge theatres that are more suited to capacity rather than  performance and acoustics.  Not what best serves the show, but what best serves the box-office.  So you get theatres with rotten acoustics and dead spots and are a trial even for the best voice.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Robin on April 26, 2004, 01:42:45 PM
Oh, and HAPPY NATAL ANNIVERSARY to DR Jennifer!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 01:44:33 PM
At the moment I can’t think of any more favorites, so here’s my list.  Since I don’t consider my all time favorite movie, CASABLANCA, a spy movie it isn’t on the list.

THE IPCRESS FILE
THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
THREE DAYS OF CONDOR
ONCE UPON A HONEYMOON
NOTORIOUS

James Bond films.  Just don’t ask me to name my favorites.  I read the books first and recall from the first moment Sean Connery came on the screen thinking “wow, he is James Bond”

My brother introduced me to the Bond books, then my father.  All was fine until my father decided they weren’t appropriate for his little girl and confiscated them.  Fortunately my mother smuggled them back to me.  It was a big event when my father, brother & I went to see the first Bond movie together.
   

Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Ann on April 26, 2004, 01:47:04 PM
Jane - I love the dancing rose!  How cute :)
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jed on April 26, 2004, 01:50:34 PM
Countdown to 40,000 posts.

Just 680 to go!!!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Ann on April 26, 2004, 01:51:57 PM
I don't know many spy movies, I confess.  I've only seen one Bond movie, and I can't even remember which one it was.  I have, however, seen Notorious, and I quite enjoyed it.  So I'll list that as my favorite :)
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Laura II on April 26, 2004, 01:52:30 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNIFER!

Hope you are enjoying your day! :D
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 01:52:44 PM
Update: Mr. Pest Control Man is here.  We have ascertained that it is not in the attic.  He is now checking the crawlspace under the bedroom, which is where he thinks the problem now is.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 01:53:00 PM
Update: It is unbearably hot.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Robin on April 26, 2004, 01:55:46 PM
Speaking of Bond, I quite enjoyed the James Bond parody they did on Deep Space Nine--"Bashir--Julian Bashir."  In fact, I think Malcom McDowell's nephew Alexander Siddig (aka Siddig El Fadil) would make a quite credible Bond, although they would have to explain his Sudanese ancestry.  For those of you who are not Star-Trek-obsessed like me, I will add that this episode involved all of the main characters trapped in a holodeck simulation of a Bond story, and after fighting the megalomaniac villain at every turn, Bashir realized that the one way to escape was simply to give up and let him destroy the (virtual) world.

Actually, I liked that episode quite a bit too, but it was actually titled "Our Man Bashir", and obvious Flint reference.   I especially enjoyed the name of one of Barshir's conquests in the episode, Mona Lovesit.  (Obviously, since I felt obliged to correct you, I'm more Star Trek-obssessed than yourself.  God, I'm so hopeless.)

And I agree...Mr. Siddig would make a terrific James Bond.  As to his Sudanese-ness...so what?  Why would they bother having to explain it?  I mean, if Bond can be played by half-a-dozen different guys without bothering to explain why he looks quite a bit different from movie to movie, I think people would be perfectly happy to accept a Bond of a slightly different skin tone.  

And on the subject of different skin tones....

There was a rumor floating 'round the net a few months ago that Beyonce Knowles was being considered for the new Lois Lane in the latest Superman movie.  Now, I don't have a problem with LL being African-American, but I'd at least like her to be played by a DECENT actress.....

There was a Bond-ripoff movie called Operation Kid Brother, which starred Neal Connery (yep, Sean's brother!) as the superspy.  And a lot of the cast of the Bond movies showed up in it, too.  It's a piece of crap.  But for some oddball reason I've yet to put my finger on,  I've been dying to see it again.  Go figger.  

I wonder if there's any chance at all it'll come out on deeveedee?
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 01:56:16 PM
Update: No update.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Robin on April 26, 2004, 01:56:47 PM
My favorite spy movie:

North by Northwest
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Ann on April 26, 2004, 01:58:59 PM
It is currently 70 degrees in Tacoma, and absolutely gorgeous!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 01:59:18 PM
Bruce do you have air conditioning?

Ann, thanks.  And I must thank JRand53 since he showed me the rose.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 01:59:48 PM
Update: Not beneath the house.  He is back in the attic.  If it's not there we may have a real bad problem because it might mean the stupid idiot Dead Rodent is in the wall somewhere.  How stupid Dead Rodents get in walls is beyond me.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 02:00:25 PM
Yes, I have air conditioning.  I think that's the next thing he'll look at before we start in with the walls.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jrand73 on April 26, 2004, 02:00:44 PM
Beautiful day here as well and 64 degrees!

LOL DRJANE - it happens to all of us sooner or later.  
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 02:01:13 PM
It's 77 degrees in Ashland. :)

Bruce, I hope you find it.  No time to waste

GOOD VIBES ON FINDING THE DEAD RODENT!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: TCB on April 26, 2004, 02:01:43 PM
Almost as bad as dead rodent smell in the bedroom, is insect spray in the bedroom.  I woke up yesterday morning and found that I had three small bites (probably spider) on me.  So yesterday afternoon, I sprayed the bedroom.  Unfortunately, eight hours later, when I went to bed, the smell was still there -- just as strong as ever.  The cats were smart enough to sleep somewhere else last night, but I toughed it out.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 02:07:55 PM
Update: Still in the attic.  Wonder if he'll find any toys up there?
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 02:09:26 PM

In Pennsylvania we lived next to a corn field and one winter the mice decided to move in and never leave.  One night I could hear a mouse running around above my head.  I unsuccessfully tried waking Keith.  So I turned on the light and timidly searched the window and wall, looking for a hole a mouse might come through and down onto me.  Finally convinced the mouse was securely behind the wall, I turned out the light.  At which point Keith wakes up and wants to know what’s going on.  He of course had to get up and convince himself it was safe to go back to sleep.

I guess if that mouse had died inside the wall, we would have had a dead rodent in the wall.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 02:09:42 PM
Update: Nothing in the attic, including toys.  He's back under the house.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Matt H. on April 26, 2004, 02:10:20 PM
THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES is a stunning DVD trasnfer. Razor sharp with glorious clarity, it is everything I had hoped it would be. And Richard Valley's running commmentary is excellent. Now that I have all the HOLMES films looking so magnificent on DVD, I can be at peace.

Well, until I get my hands on the Rutherford MISS MARPLES, and they're still a year away! Argh!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 02:12:56 PM
In Michigan we had live Red Squirrels in our attic.

Insect spray is pretty bad.  In Connecticut we had a marching invasions of ants in our enclosed porch.  And I mean hours of these things coming down a hole from the top of the wall.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Ann on April 26, 2004, 02:15:49 PM
My parents recently had a family of mice move in to the house...I think mousetraps have taken care of most of them, though
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Matt H. on April 26, 2004, 02:16:06 PM
Me = kid in candy store

What to watch next; what to watch next?  ;D
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jed on April 26, 2004, 02:18:04 PM
77 degrees, bright blue skies, and not a mouse in sight.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Ann on April 26, 2004, 02:19:59 PM
I am slowly making my way up to the clouds...soon I shall be a god!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jennifer on April 26, 2004, 02:24:43 PM
DR Jane: Oops I thought that "someone is trying to steal" sign was intentional too.

And I actually liked it. :)

All I see now are red Xs (in the original and follow-up message).  

So what was the original a picture of?
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jennifer on April 26, 2004, 02:27:28 PM
I will be off in 1 hour to feast on my favorite barbeque babyback ribs and fries.  Yummy, yummy.

I am so obsessed with this restaurant that year after year I continually make my own birthday reservation for my family (since by the time they think of it, my table could be gone).
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Ron Pulliam on April 26, 2004, 02:30:19 PM
RLP, singing all one's life is well and fine.  It still doesn't necessarily prepare a singer for the rigours of Boradway or theatre singing where one has to sustain his voice through eight shows a week.

I

DR CP:  I feel Clay demonstrated quite a talent during his competition last year -- and his vocal interpretations were often amazing...much more sophisticated than any we've heard on the show.    Also, last year there was a show called "Fame" in which a 33-year-old Eurasian male named Harlemm Lee blew everyone out of the water week after week and won that competition. His debut album is amazing.  He could be great on Broadway, too, IMO.

As for what it takes to do theater/theatre "singing," please don't presume I'm some bumpkin who has to have these things explained to him.  I've had my flirtations with amateur theater, as a student with a BA in theater arts, and as a performer/director/producer in/of comedies, dramas and musicals, both in high school, college and during my military career.  I know that Broadway has far more intensity than amateur theatrics, but I understand the amount of work it takes to raise the performance level.

Angela Lansbury who was not trained for musical theater, managed rather nicely to adapt to it for a string of musical triumphs.

I have never had to do eight shows a week, but I have  dealt with the ups and downs and the almost-outs of saving the voice and vocalizing.  Had my voice been better, and better-trained, I'd not have had to work at it so hard, IMO, but work at it I did.  And I loved it.

Clay Aiken has a gift for song interpretation.  You wouldn't know it these days, but he sang the hell out of some songs during his "Idol" days....way too good for the rest of the competition, in fact.  When he met one of those amazing songs head-on, our friend Simon would cut him down and say, "You'll be great for Broadway, but that's not what we're looking for in an 'American Idol'"  It used to make me so mad -- first, that he considered himself smart enough (he isn't, IMO) to determine whether a voice would be Broadway-suitable or not (I think Clay's is) and second, that he believed he was speaking for the public that would be buying the CDs (he, in fact, wasn't since Clay's outsold all the others by a vast majority).


Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 02:31:20 PM
Update: Not underneat, not in the attic.  It's in the wall, and Mr. Pest Control Man is now poking holes in the area where it smells the most.  We HAVE to find it because it is now drawing flies which are somehow finding their way into the house.  The only other option is to deodorize and let nature take its course, which is about a week, but with this heat and the flies that option is a last resort.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: TCB on April 26, 2004, 02:32:57 PM
Like you, DR CP, I learned at an early age, that if you wanted to work on stage you had to learn how "to project," regardless of the size of the theater.  Apparently that is not something that is taught in many drama schools or acting classes any longer.  A couple of years ago; I worked with a very talented actress who internalized everything about her performance, including her voice.  She literally gave a great film performance.  After daily notes from the director regarding projection, without result, he opted to try miking the actress.  It worked fairly well, until the first time I moved in close to her, and we almost blew out all of the theater's speakers.   The director and the sound man came to me after the rehearsal and asked me to please pull-back when I got close to her on stage, so that we wouldn't have any problems.  I, being in one of my ornery moods, flat-out refused to change my voice, just becuase she had never learned to project.  After thinking about it overnight, I probably should have just adjusted for the microphone, but, by then, it was the principle of the thing.  So, when we finally opened the show, I still projected, the actress never projected, and the sound guy almost lost his mind trying to adjust the levels.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Robin on April 26, 2004, 02:34:10 PM
In Michigan we had live Red Squirrels in our attic.

In Texas, my house was invaded, at one time or another, by those little goddamn lizards, scorpions, and cockroaches.  Lord, how anyone lives in that Godforsaken state I haven't a clue.  
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Panni on April 26, 2004, 02:37:54 PM
It's in the wall,

Edgar Allan Poe, eat your (tell-tale) heart out.  :-X
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 02:40:39 PM
I’m glad my error was a hit today and more entertaining than my original sunflower happy face.  Shall I try it again and see what happens? ;)

Jennifer have a nice time tonight.  I think you are smart to make your own reservations.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 02:40:53 PM
In the wall it may be, but Mr. Pest Control Man cannot find it, so it's in some nook or cranny or corner and I'm stuck.  So, he's going to deodorize and that's that.  It will take a week or two, maybe more in this heat, and I'm just hoping the fly situation doesn't get worse than it is.   These type of flies are incredibly stupid and just sit there until you kill them.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 02:43:55 PM
Jennifer did you see the big happy face in the cloud at the top of page four?  That has also disapeared. ???
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 02:45:04 PM
Yuck!  Sorry Bruce.   :P
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Michael on April 26, 2004, 02:45:40 PM
Update: Nothing in the attic, including toys.  He's back under the house.

Maybe it was Christopher Jones
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Matt H. on April 26, 2004, 02:47:18 PM
The most damning comment that can be uttered on AMERICAN IDOL by one of the judges is "You have a great theater voice." For those three judges, having a theater voice is a no-no.

And the comment is stupidity personified. Who says that theater singers can't rock a song with the best of them? Who says all theater songs sound alike? Who says all theater singers sound alike?

Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Michael on April 26, 2004, 02:50:41 PM
Estee Lauder passed away at the amazing age of 97.

Emily summer vacation already!  When does school end for you?

Michael Shayne I have to go to L.A. but why anyone would want to spend their vacation there is beyond me, unless it is to see people.  On that note, who wants to meet us for breakfast at Du-Par’s? :)

Italy and Germany are wonderful and closer than Australia and New Zealand, which I hope to visit one day.


I have friends and relatives on the LA area. I thought I'd spend a few days in LA and then onto  NZ or Aust. Stop in LA on my way back. Decisions decisions.

I would love Europe but Wouldn;t want to watch over my shoulder all the time
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jed on April 26, 2004, 02:51:21 PM
Like father, like son.  The lack of projection I encounter working with high school theatre drives me absolutely batty!  When I was in HS, just 6 years ago, we played an auditorium of about 650 seats, and we most certainly did not wear mics.  As a result, I can project with the best of 'em.  Now it seems the kids totally rely on their mics, regardless of how much I harp on the subject.  To help prove my point, during my student teaching last winter the school musical was Grease, and they had me sort of guest star as the Teen Angel.  Did I wear a mic?  Heck no!  And could I be heard (and understood) in the back row of the dreadful cafetorium?  You bet!

I must now be off for tech rehearsal of this dreadful HS production of Children of Eden.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 02:56:55 PM
He's leaving the spray container of deodorant in case it gets bad.  I have a choice whether to let him "bomb" the room re flies, or just hope for the best.  If he bombs I have to leave for over two hours and I don't really want to do that, so I may see how it goes for the rest of today and tomorrow, and if it gets worse I'll have him come back to bomb the room.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 02:57:00 PM

I would love Europe but Wouldn;t want to watch over my shoulder all the time

In Italy Keith carried our passports and money in a travel, under the clothes, wallet.  Our son traveled all around Europe, mostly by himself.  What are you mostly concerned about?
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jrand73 on April 26, 2004, 02:57:06 PM
Since using my Electronic Mousefier - there have been no mouses or flies in my house.

One of more of these does get rid of crawling and flying pests, Mr BK, in case the flies get too bad.  Because there are no flies on me (a Bob Merrill reference.)
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: George on April 26, 2004, 02:58:05 PM
It is currently 70 degrees in Tacoma, and absolutely gorgeous!

It's hot up here.
It's hot and it's monotonous [well, here at work. ::) (A Sondheim reference)]
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Ron Pulliam on April 26, 2004, 03:01:32 PM
In Pennsylvania we lived next to a corn field...

Did you ever send anyone "into the corn", Jane????

Hmmmmm?
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 03:02:41 PM
 :D :D :D
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Tomovoz on April 26, 2004, 03:08:53 PM
To answer the "Annie Get Your Gun" Questions: Can't find out which version. The series here is based on "Encores" but it is staged and costumed etc - as much as 9 days will allow! The shows I have seen have been done really well and it does make you wonder why they have to spend millions on other shows. I could not find out which version of "AGYG" has been licensed.
The lead role will not be played by Dame Edna but by the darling of the OZ stage - Marina Prior. The public loves to love her. Since her professional debut way back in Pirates, she has been in Camelot (Richard Harris production), WSS, Phantom, Les Mis, Showboat etc. Her most recent appearance here was in a production of "Noises Off" in 2003.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Emily on April 26, 2004, 03:09:15 PM
Sorry for your dead rodent troubles BK... it sounds absolutely disgusting.

If it's any consolation, I just had an image of you being haunted by the spirit of a dead rodent and it made me laugh (sorry... but it IS a funny image - little ghost like rodents... tee hee) :D
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: MBarnum on April 26, 2004, 03:16:31 PM
Me = kid in candy store

What to watch next; what to watch next?  ;D

Ha, ha! MattH!

I had to cancel my Universal monsters DVD set and then reorder. I checked Amazon.com to see if my order had shipped but I had forgotten that I ordered that set along with the Ma and Pa Kettle and Francis the Talking Mule sets! Well the Kettles don't release until May and the Mule doesn't come out until June...so the whole entire order was scheduled to ship in June!

I cancelled the Kettles and Francis too and will just pick them up at Best Buy when they come out!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 03:20:34 PM
Emily I thought that was funny.  You certainly have a fun imagination.  Now if I were in Bruce's situation I might not be laughing yet.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: td on April 26, 2004, 03:51:07 PM
In your dreams, td
NO.  in my dreams it's YOU who's doing the skipping.  :)
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: td on April 26, 2004, 03:52:11 PM
Jane --  Sorry to hear you were busted as a shoplifter.

No, she was just playing "The Sheila Green Memorial Game."
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Tomovoz on April 26, 2004, 03:54:54 PM
Is that a Henson Cargill reference td?
Radio is currently playing my least favourite song and performance of all time:  Wayne Newton singing "Daddy Don't you Walk so Fast". Off button here I come.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: td on April 26, 2004, 03:56:24 PM
Me = kid in candy store

What to watch next; what to watch next?  ;D

I agree!  My Hammer Horror boxed set arrived today. . .
so, do I start with Lee & Cushing?  Lee alone? Cushing alone?  Mummy?  Draculas?  Frankenstein?
Decisions. . .decisions.

Jane, I also thought the "photo thief" was done on purpose!

HAPPY NATAL DAY, JENNIFER!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: td on April 26, 2004, 03:57:16 PM
77 degrees, bright blue skies, and not a mouse in sight.
Not even the one used to control the computer?
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: td on April 26, 2004, 04:01:00 PM

I had to cancel my Universal monsters DVD set and then reorder. I checked Amazon.com to see if my order had shipped but I had forgotten that I ordered that set along with the Ma and Pa Kettle and Francis the Talking Mule sets! Well the Kettles don't release until May and the Mule doesn't come out until June...so the whole entire order was scheduled to ship in June!

Ummm. . . the Kettle set has been out in stores for a while, DR MBarnum.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: td on April 26, 2004, 04:02:23 PM
Is that a Henson Cargill reference td?
Radio is currently playing my least favourite song and performance of all time:  Wayne Newton singing "Daddy Don't you Walk so Fast". Off button here I come.

could be. . .who knows?   Ah! a WEST SIDE STORY reference in return.
Why, oh, why is Wayne Newton singing THAT song?!?!?!?!?
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jrand73 on April 26, 2004, 04:03:03 PM
Light in the Piazza.  
Never thought George Hamilton was pleasing to look at - and George Hamilton as an Italian - hoo boy.

Beautiful scenery though.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Panni on April 26, 2004, 04:11:39 PM
 Dead rodent disappear (or be found) and stop smelling putrid VIBES to bk.   : :P
                             
                            [move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%] RODENT[/move] [move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%] RODENT[/move] [move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%] RODENT[/move]
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 04:16:07 PM
It's going to be sketchy around here for a few days.  I do have their deodorant, which is not doing a brilliant job at the moment, but will hopefully kick in at some point.  Meanwhile, the window is open and the air conditioning is on.  I hope I can sleep through this.  The smell, even at its worst does tend to neutralize once you've been in the room for a few minutes.  It's just coming in there from the other room that it's really horrifying.

Countdown to 40,000 posts.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 04:25:29 PM
No, she was just playing "The Sheila Green Memorial Game."

Since I was playing the game, please tell me what it is.

Tomovoz I didn't have a skiparope.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Tomovoz on April 26, 2004, 04:29:49 PM
Pleased to hear it Jane. According to Lucy all those people jumping rope has led to the world getting smaller.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 04:30:00 PM
Update: Eating some of my famous tuna pasta salad and watching Where the Spies Are with David Niven and Francoise Dorleac.  At the time of release the film was sold as a comedy, a spoof.  That it is not - it is a straightforward spy thriller - yes, a lightweight one, but not a spoof or a comedy in any way.  However, what they do is suddenly have Riz Ortolani's score be stupid or "comedic" in totally inappropriate scenes.  Very bad, and very dumb.  I think had they not done that and not mis-sold it, it might have done much better, because I can think of many more unpleasant things than watching David Niven and Francoise Dorleac for a couple of hours.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Tomovoz on April 26, 2004, 04:30:50 PM
That was of course a "Peanuts" Reference.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: MBarnum on April 26, 2004, 04:32:11 PM
Ummm. . . the Kettle set has been out in stores for a while, DR MBarnum.

Ah yes DR TD, but this is the 2nd Ma and Pa Kettle set..the ones with the lovely Lori Nelson as the eldest daughter!

Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Noel on April 26, 2004, 04:33:30 PM
It's rained all day long here in Bethlehem.  I've petted a cat or two, looking out at it.  Also wrote a brief scene and scenelet, along with a melody I'm sure not to use, for the big musical.

There's so much I'm so sure I won't end up using, and yet the idea is to start by completing a full draft.  Does every moment need to push the story forward?  Time will tell.  But I often write things that "merely" entertain, with the full expectation that someday they'll be considered extraneous and go.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Tomovoz on April 26, 2004, 04:33:35 PM
I didn't ever catch up with "Spies Like Us". Should I be thankful? My mind seems to put in the same box as "Ashanti".
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 04:34:22 PM
It's hard to keep all these Universal DVD franchise sets clear.  I hadn't heard Warners was doing a Hammer box, but I already have Curse, Horror and The Mummy - so what am I getting that I need to have that I don't already have, and will they be available separately?
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Robin on April 26, 2004, 05:07:55 PM
It's hard to keep all these Universal DVD franchise sets clear.  I hadn't heard Warners was doing a Hammer box, but I already have Curse, Horror and The Mummy - so what am I getting that I need to have that I don't already have, and will they be available separately?

Since you already have half of what's in the Hammer boxed set, and the three other titles are available separately, there's no real reason for you to pick it up.  Unless you really like the box.  

As far as the Universal box goes, the selling point for me is that I don't have all of the movies in it, and the new-and-improved transfer of The Bride of Frankenstein.  As well as the Dracula, Wolf Man and Frankenstein Monster busts they're giving away with them.  I'm a sucker for an action figure...
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: td on April 26, 2004, 05:12:24 PM
BK - you also get:
DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE
FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED
TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA.

I held off on the original titles, for I had heard gossip a while ago that Warner would indeed be putting them in a box.
( "Put it in a box, tie it with a ribbon and toss it in the deep blue sea." - I know that some dear reader will recognize those lyrics immediately).

And should I tell Jane how to play "The Sheila Green Memorial Game," or should a fellow DR?
Maybe Yvonne Romaine will show up with Leslie Bisquick, er, I mean LESLIE BRICUSSE to teach us all. . .
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Tomovoz on April 26, 2004, 05:23:58 PM
DR WEL: Update: Annie Get Your Gun is the 1999 version. Our promotion/booking booklet arrived in today's mail.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 05:27:26 PM
Chat in a mere thirty-three minutes from now.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Sandra on April 26, 2004, 05:31:18 PM
I realized after I had posted that I had forgotten to wish Jennifer a happy birthday.  :o I'm sorry, Jennifer, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Regarding the kinda-sorta topic of the day, what is it with science teachers and dead rodent stories? There was a rather nasty dead rodent story in my seventh grade Biology class, and just today, my Geology teacher Queen Merry told us a dead rodent story that happened to her over the weekend.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Danise on April 26, 2004, 05:52:08 PM
Hi all!

Happiest of Birthdays to you, DR Jennifer!  Many, Many, Many more!  If I knew the exact date/time, the time program I found would tell you exactly how long you’ve been here on the planet.  I found out it counts up as well as down.

Sympathies on the loss of your rodent, BK!  I have smelt your pain on an occasion or two.  :)
 
I am sooo sleepy right now.  I must have over did it yesterday.  We have a nice cool breeze and it’s going to rain in a bit (so the weatherman says).  That makes me want to close my eyes and ZZZZZZ.

Forgive me if I don't make it to chat.  

Jane, I will answer your e-mails tomorrow night.  I just didn't get around to them.  I'm sorry.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 05:53:33 PM
Chat in a mere seven minutes.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Danise on April 26, 2004, 05:56:06 PM
I'm fading fast but I'll try to hang on--at least to say hi and goodnight.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jrand73 on April 26, 2004, 05:58:08 PM
Heading for chat...hang on Danise!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 05:58:51 PM
Chat in a mere two minutes, or just come on in now.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jrand73 on April 26, 2004, 05:59:24 PM
Page Seven Dance!   ;D

(http://www.gifs.net/animate/105-02_ani.gif)
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 06:00:37 PM
Where in tarnation IS everyone?
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 06:04:35 PM
Danise, no rush.  Sleep well.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jane on April 26, 2004, 06:06:01 PM
Have a nice chat.  Goodnight.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Danise on April 26, 2004, 06:08:30 PM
Thanks Jane.  I can't get into chat.  The computer is acting strange.  Even as I type this it's acting funny.  
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: td on April 26, 2004, 06:14:14 PM
Chat is open and engaging!

picked out DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE to watch whilst I chat. . .I think that Christopher Lee may get a lot more of my attention. . . .
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Danise on April 26, 2004, 06:16:17 PM
My computer must be as tired as I am.   I don't know if it's my computer or the board or the net or what but I can't get past the java loading screen and I'm to tired to fight with it.  You guys have a nice chat.

Goodnight.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 06:20:52 PM
We are merrily chatting away.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: George on April 26, 2004, 06:49:49 PM
I just left, but it's not too late to join the chat!!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: td on April 26, 2004, 06:52:20 PM
Quite active chat tonight. . .tarzan in manhattan. . .tarzan in fairyland. . .really a swingin' affair!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Tomovoz on April 26, 2004, 07:02:03 PM
A big hello to DR Jose from his friends in OZ.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: elmore3003 on April 26, 2004, 08:01:02 PM

Michael Shayne I have to go to L.A. but why anyone would want to spend their vacation there is beyond me, unless it is to see people.  On that note, who wants to meet us for breakfast at Du-Par’s? :)


I do!  I do!  Oh, hell!  I'm in New York!  I love Du-Par's!  Just back from the rehearsal.  Sorry I missed Chat! I'm catching up on the posts now.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 08:06:17 PM
I will be there for breakfast whenever you say.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Matt H. on April 26, 2004, 08:09:04 PM
DR td wrote: "I held off on the original titles, for I had heard gossip a while ago that Warner would indeed be putting them in a box.
( "Put it in a box, tie it with a ribbon and toss it in the deep blue sea." - I know that some dear reader will recognize those lyrics immediately)."

Of course, it's one of Doris Day's hit tunes from her screen debut in ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS. I think it's "throw it in the deep blue sea," isn't it?
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Emily on April 26, 2004, 08:10:55 PM
I just ran into chat and no one was there.  I guess that's what I get for the dead rodent ghost thingamabobber ;)

Jane - the winter term of school ends in early April with exams stretching until Wednesday at the latest.  For most people, summer starts then - but I'm taking two month long intensive summer classes in May and June, so my "official" summer only starts in July.

Oh well... three whole days of freedom. :(  Of course it also hasn't broken 20 degrees Celcius yet - so at least it won't feel like I'm missing out on summer.  :)
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: elmore3003 on April 26, 2004, 08:27:38 PM
DR WEL: Update: Annie Get Your Gun is the 1999 version. Our promotion/booking booklet arrived in today's mail.

DR Tom, you'll be hearing my orchestration!  It's a loooonnnggg story!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Tomovoz on April 26, 2004, 08:35:32 PM
Actually I won't be hearing your orchestrations - I will be in France at the time. C'est La Vie.
I will get to "Carousel" which is in August but will not suffer through anyone producing "High Society" on stage - once was more than enough. Annie will have to get her gun without me. I have not seen a stage production of AGYG and still have not seen the movie since its first release.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: JoseSPiano on April 26, 2004, 08:38:08 PM
Good Evening!

First of all, thanks to all those in chat tonight for the very warm welcome back.  -And for those of you who weren't in chat when I was...

In short, it's been a rough two weeks.  My "allergy crap" turned out to be two(!) bacterial infections - one in my throat and one in my sinuses.  Thankfully, my doctors really ran the gamut of tests on me, and started me on the road to recovery.  There's been a virulent strain of strep throat going around lately, and, at first, that's what they thought it was, but after running various tests and checking out all the various possibilities, they finally put their collective finger on my particular malady.

After all is said and done, I am doing much, much better now.  The biggest thing I had to deal with was the side effect of the antibiotics - I developed a very upset stomach, and, consequently, acid reflux - which is something I've never had before.  So, now that my antibiotics are "all gone", I'm now on Prevacid to help remedy the acid reflux, and it seems to be working like a charm.  It's sooo nice to sleep through the night without waking up every 30 minutes coughing up a storm.  *I swear there was a stretch of four days/nights where I only got about 10 hours of sleep total.  -And, trust me, that made playing the show quite interesting - even when Mr. Schwartz came to see the show!

-And, looking back at the past two weeks, I was actually kind of pitiable... I basically would wake up in time to get to the show - and to eat - well, try to eat (my throat was really sensitive for a while) - get to the theatre, play the show, and head back to the apartment and try to sleep.  There were a few times I wanted to call in, but since I don't have a sub...  YES!  I'm a trouper!   ;)  Thankfully, the staff at the theatre was very understanding, and made me as comfortable as I could be when needed.  -And I have to say Ford's Theatre has one of the most comfortable "Equity cots" around - just perfect for those for in-between shows naps.

Oh! One "pleasant" side effect of the past two weeks is that I lost 16 pounds in about 11 days!  My doc tells me that I should "Eat, Eat, Eat", and put back on the weight I lost, but, hmmm....  She even suggested that I eat lots of ice cream!  The full-fat stuff too! ;-)  We'll see... In the meantime, I'm enjoying fitting back into my "skinny jeans" again.  *It actually caught me off guard... I weighed myself last week, and noticed that I had lost a lot of weight in a short time... I thought it was my scale malfunctioning, but when I went back to the docs last Friday, sure enough, I had dropped all that weight.  -And after thinking about it, I did try to eat at least three to four times a day while I was sick-sick... but when you only eat about 200-300 calories each time, it doesn't really add up... well, at least not to my normal caloric intake.

Now I just have to introduce foods back into my diet at a "cautious" pace just in case I've ended up becoming sensitive to some foods, spices, etc.  I have tried some "bad" food here and there, and so far, so good.  Hopefully, once my system gets used to NOT producing so much acid - especially since I'm no longer on the antibiotics - I should be able to eat "normally".  But I will be playing it safe in the meantime, mainly to not to aggravate my throat which is still a bit "tender".

Too much information?

-Oh, and there were the couple of days in there where they thought I had contracted Lyme disease... ugh...  Needless to say, that weighed heavily on my mind and psyche in general.

So...

As for spy movies... Never really much of a fan of them... I like the Bond movies, but I never really watched any of them closely enough to tell you which one is which.  However, I, too, love (most of) the theme songs, and there's still nothing like the sight of Sean Connery in his bathing trunks.  Truly the best looking Bond without his shirt on.

OK - Well, I think this was long enough of a first-time-back-in-a-while ramble, but...

DR Jed - Sorry your production of EDEN is not going so well.  I'm still liking mine.  -And till June 4... ;)

As for Broadway caliber talent...  There are sooo many people out there.  Deserving and (possibly) undeserving.  I play about 1500-2000 auditions a year - regional theatre, tours, and Broadway productions.  Most everyone who comes in the room has a chance, but it's that "something" that attracts the eye/ear/heart/other-body-part of the director/casting director/choreographer/musical director/producer that gets that person the job.  Yes, stunt-casting does abound nowadays - but I don't think stunt-casting is something new, is it?  -However, I do have to wonder about Scary Spice stepping into Mimi in Rent?  Does anyone really care any more?  (And from all reports, she is majorly vocally handicapped for the role... but I guess with half of the audience singing along anyway... ;) ) -Sheesh, I guess my meds made me catty too...

-I just wish there were more shows running at the same time so that more people could get work.  Heck, even in the "regions" the competition can get quite tough at times.

And as for people not learning how to project...  Blame it on their teachers!  I'd rather have a student start off with a good classical teacher to learn some good technique and vocal habits, rather than having them be coached and finessed to death throughout their training - which, unfortunately, happens.

OK - Now I am rambling... I guess I'm more back to "normal" than I think I am...

I missed you guys!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 08:54:34 PM
And one for Mahler.  Welcome back Jose!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Panni on April 26, 2004, 08:57:14 PM
Great to have you back, Jose! Missed you! hope you're totally well REALLY soon. 8)
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: elmore3003 on April 26, 2004, 09:00:32 PM

No, STAR! is about Julie singing and dancing, Gertie sure as hell didn't have the sustained high note in "The Saga of Jenny!"


Of course STAR! was about Julie Andrews; I'm smart enough to realize that.  It's equally clear from the FUNNY GIRL Broadway gestation period that the show became more about La Streisand than Fanny Brice, and since the producer was Miss Brice's son-in-law, the show wasn't going too deep into all the facts.  I suspect there was some equal fiddling with FIORELLO's accuracy; for one reason, real life is never as tidy as drama.   Noel Coward seemed to have no problem about his godson portraying him, but Bea Lillie clearly was a problem.

Several of the numbers in STAR! are tied to their stage origins like the rag doll in OH, KAY!'s "Someone to Watch Over Me," and "The Physician" looks a bit like its London staging.  While I like a lot of the production numbers in STAR!,  I find  "The Saga of Jenny" hyperventilated, over-inflated, and gaudy.  I'm glad you and DR MattH like the number; I loathe everything about it.  Chacun a son gout.

As far as Gertie's "limited" range, she ends her recording of "The Saga of Jenny" with a sustained high C.  She was never a great singer, but. like Helen Morgan, she was a light soprano, and I suspect a lot of her bad rep comes from THE KING AND I, Rodgers' bio, and the fact that she was dying from cancer.
Julie's highest note in STAR! is probably at the end of "The Physician," and I haven't checked the pitch.  The highest notes I've heard from her elsewhere are her high B-flats in "Poor Little Pierrot" on the OBC of THE BOY FRIEND, but she seems happier ending on a high G or F-sharp in "I Could Have Danced All Night" and "The Simple Joys of Maidenhood."
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: elmore3003 on April 26, 2004, 09:01:33 PM
Jose!  Welcome back!  Sorry I missed you at chat.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 10:07:34 PM
We haz slowed to a crawl.  I've got Dead Rodents here - posts are all I've got to make the smell bearable.  
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 10:23:28 PM
Sad to be all alone in the world with a Dead Rodent.

I see Pogue but does Pogue see me?
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jrand73 on April 26, 2004, 10:32:02 PM
I see you.

Four Horsemen is starting up!  In letterbox!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Panni on April 26, 2004, 10:36:32 PM
I was reading a manuscript and fell asleep. Ooops (spoo). Now I'm awake, but not in the mood to read a manuscript.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Panni on April 26, 2004, 11:04:59 PM
...And now I'm thinking I'm going to try and go to sleep early tonight. Here's one more to help ease us toward the big 4-0.
G'night!
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: Jed on April 26, 2004, 11:10:59 PM
Glad to hear your CoE production is going well, Jose!  As for ours... well... I thought I'd experienced ugly tech rehearsals, but I had no idea.  Ended up starting over an hour late, and then Act I ran damn near 3 hours!!!  Since this is a high school production (with a few middle school chorus members and elementary school animals), the director just called it a night, without getting to Act II at all.  Ugh.  And this thing is supposed to open on Thursday?!?  I see looooooooong nights in my near future.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 11:19:08 PM
Soon I will be posting the new notes and then trying to sleep without vomiting from the smell of the Dead Rodent.
Title: Re:WHO KILLED THE DEAD RODENT?
Post by: bk on April 26, 2004, 11:19:46 PM
Page eight - that's cause for a celebration.

On the road to 40,000 posts.