Topic: THE FLYING DAYS (Read 55208 times)

Druxy · « **Reply #60 on:** September 23, 2008, 08:02:06 AM »

My last post reminded me of my favorite on-stage "screw-up" that I witnessed.

It was about 25 years ago, a production of THE DESPERATE HOURS, presented at a 99-seat theater on Hollywood's Santa Monica Blvd.

Perhaps you remember the William Wyler-directed movie with Humphrey Bogart and Fredric March? It's about a group of escaped convicts, led by Bogart, who invade March's home and hold he and his family hostage.

In the production I saw, actor Don Dubbins [TRIBUTE TO A BAD MAN, etc.] played the March role.

Near the end of the play, the police surround the house and one of the convicts rushes out of the place, leaving his gun. The March character retrieves the weapon, then goes upstairs to face the Bogart character, who is using March's young son as a shield. What Bogart doesn't know is that his gun is unloaded, but March's is.

On this particular night, the actor playing one of the convicts neglected to leave his gun on stage. Therefore, after desperately looking around for it, poor Don Dubbins (in the March role) had to face the Bogart character and "ask him nicely" to let the boy go.

Knowing the play quite well, I can't tell you how sorry I felt for those two actors, trying to ad-lib their way through the scene without breaking character.

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #61 on:** September 23, 2008, 08:03:43 AM »

Sometimes...for amusement...I consider the possibility that some people change their names when they are legally able to do so.

I have come to this conclusion because I've never known any kid who was named "Todd", but all of the adult men I've known who are named "Todd" are gay.

Of course, this cannot be absolutely the case.

MBarnum · « **Reply #62 on:** September 23, 2008, 08:07:46 AM »

Quote from: JRand58 on September 23, 2008, 06:25:34 AM

Pictures....lots of them....from the Anniversary Party.

http://picasaweb.google.com/paula.gambill/200809Sep?authkey=oHhiAIs9QZQ#

Wonderful photos JRand, and I would love to have heard your speech with those fun illustrations!

Druxy · « **Reply #63 on:** September 23, 2008, 08:10:20 AM »

I love stories about on-stage "screw-ups".

When I was a kid, I remember hearing late character actor Fred Clark relate one on a television interview show.

Clark was doing a play called BLIND ALLEY in summer stock. He was playing a psychiatrist and, at one point on-stage he went totally blank.

Clark saw that the prompter was on the other side of the stage, so hoping to get a cue to get him back on track, he ad-libbed his way over to where she was sitting in the wings.

He cocked his ear in her direction, but all he heard was: "No, that's not right. That's not the right line."

$:-\$

Kerry · « **Reply #64 on:** September 23, 2008, 08:14:38 AM »

Nancy Kovack was gorgeous in anything, but she was kind of like Julie Newmar-- they were just to much to take in.

Carl Reiner is brilliant in many ways, but all of his movies come of as lengthy sit-coms and somehow cheap.

MBarnum · « **Reply #65 on:** September 23, 2008, 08:14:44 AM »

TOD:

Film: FOOTLIGHT GLAMOUR
SUMMER STOCK

play: CURTAINS

Kerry · « **Reply #66 on:** September 23, 2008, 08:17:13 AM »

TOD:

Without a doubt, "All About Eve."

Ginny · « **Reply #67 on:** September 23, 2008, 08:26:35 AM »

No announcement about me in today's staff newsletter. I'd told the HR dept. to list my retirement in the same issue as the position vacancy. Apparently, they're not ready to post the position yet.

Ginny · « **Reply #68 on:** September 23, 2008, 08:32:27 AM »

Quote from: elmore3003 on September 23, 2008, 07:49:45 AM

What about the Met on Thursday?

Don't think that's W's cup of tea, DR Elmore. You'll be fine.

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #69 on:** September 23, 2008, 08:41:02 AM »

I have a haircut appointment Saturday. Hope my hair stays short until then.

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #70 on:** September 23, 2008, 08:43:48 AM »

"Scion, Scion Harvest Moon...up in the sky;

"I ain't had no lovin' since January, February, June and July"

Matt H. · « **Reply #71 on:** September 23, 2008, 08:44:28 AM »

Heading down now to check the mail and then start cooking lunch. I got no UPS deliveries in the morning run. Something may come in this afternoon. We'll see.

WBBL.

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #72 on:** September 23, 2008, 08:46:11 AM »

I hope today is a more "relaxed" work day. I was turnin' and burnin' yesterday. Got a lot accomplished, but I was plumb tuckered out when I got home.

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #73 on:** September 23, 2008, 08:48:07 AM »

BK -- I was very pleased with last evening's Intrada announcement.

It sure took some steam out of the youngsters, though...didn't it!

I see you've made a very special friend with Mr. Wrathbone!

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #74 on:** September 23, 2008, 08:48:57 AM »

We had a rather beautiful day in Oakland yesterday. Today and tomorrow are supposed to be more of the same. Temps expected in the mid-80s, but not too hot and with breezes.

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #75 on:** September 23, 2008, 08:49:46 AM »

Quote from: MBarnum on September 23, 2008, 08:14:44 AM

TOD:

Film: FOOTLIGHT GLAMOUR
SUMMER STOCK

play: CURTAINS

Color me S-H-O-C-K-E-D! You've seen "Summer Stock"

?

bk · « **Reply #76 on:** September 23, 2008, 08:51:52 AM »

Quote from: Ron Pulliam on September 23, 2008, 08:00:59 AM

Do people still name their daughters "Ruby"?

Alet and Andy Taylor certainly did - their second child is named Ruby.

bk · « **Reply #77 on:** September 23, 2008, 08:55:10 AM »

I'm up, the sky is blue and not overcast, and I'm up and the sky is blue and not overcast.

FJL · « **Reply #78 on:** September 23, 2008, 08:58:36 AM »

Just caught up and suddenly tax work awaits.

Ginny · « **Reply #79 on:** September 23, 2008, 09:00:17 AM »

In the "Why bother?" department, they shampooed the carpeting in our cube farm last night. I know this because

A) all the stuff that's usually on the floor was on our desks and chairs this morning, and
B) whatever they used to "clean" the carpet makes me cough and sneeze.

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #80 on:** September 23, 2008, 09:00:53 AM »

Quote from: Druxy on September 23, 2008, 08:02:06 AM

In the production I saw, actor Don Dubbins [TRIBUTE TO A BAD MAN, etc.] played the March role.

Near the end of the play, the police surround the house and one of the convicts rushes out of the place, leaving his gun. The March character retrieves the weapon, then goes upstairs to face the Bogart character, who is using March's young son as a shield. What Bogart doesn't know is that his gun is unloaded, but March's is.

On this particular night, the actor playing one of the convicts neglected to leave his gun on stage. Therefore, after desperately looking around for it, poor Don Dubbins (in the March role) had to face the Bogart character and "ask him nicely" to let the boy go.

Very nice anecdote, Druxy. It's always fun to see what people will do in such a situation.

I was in a production of "10 Little Indians" back in 1976. During our final dress rehearsal, William Blore -- who had quite a number of lines meant to analyze all the death that had surrounded us -- was serving up a plate of food to both Philip Lombard (me) and Vera Claythorne. At one point, as he sat down on a couch to join us as we ate, he jumped several pages ahead of himself and then realized he wasn't where he was supposed to be on stage. He looked at me rather puzzled. I gently gave him an earlier line. He stood up and reacted as if I had managed to get him back on track. He went to a table and started dishing up food again. He had only his plate and turned to look at us as if to say, "What in blazes?" What came out of his mouth, was, "Seconds?"

We all dissolved into laughter. The performances went on without a hitch.

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #81 on:** September 23, 2008, 09:02:30 AM »

Quote from: bk on September 23, 2008, 08:51:52 AM

Alet and Andy Taylor certainly did - their second child is named Ruby.

That's kind of sweet. My grandmother (maternal) was named Ruby, and I also had an older cousin named Ruby. Apart from them, though, I've never encountered any other Rubys.

It's nice to know that names do come back into fashion after a time.

George · « **Reply #82 on:** September 23, 2008, 09:09:40 AM »

Quote from: JRand58 on September 23, 2008, 06:25:34 AM

Pictures....lots of them....from the Anniversary Party.

http://picasaweb.google.com/paula.gambill/200809Sep?authkey=oHhiAIs9QZQ#

Great pics, JRand! It looks like a good time was had by all!

And Congrats on your 32,000+ Posts!!

Jane · « **Reply #83 on:** September 23, 2008, 09:09:57 AM »

Quote from: Ginny on September 23, 2008, 08:26:35 AM

No announcement about me in today's staff newsletter. I'd told the HR dept. to list my retirement in the same issue as the position vacancy. Apparently, they're not ready to post the position yet.

Will you tell them to make the announcement in the next letter even if they aren't ready to post the position?

Jane · « **Reply #84 on:** September 23, 2008, 09:11:07 AM »

DR JRand, such a lovely gathering for your parents. They certainly dressed for the occasion, such a good looking couple.

George · « **Reply #85 on:** September 23, 2008, 09:14:09 AM »

Quote from: singdaw on September 23, 2008, 06:52:12 AM

***excellent vibes and xylophones***[/size][/color]
for no annoying annoyances today[/size][/color]
for bk!!![/size][/color]

[size=8]DITTO!![/size]

Ginny · « **Reply #86 on:** September 23, 2008, 09:19:55 AM »

Very nice anniversary photos, DR JRand. Glad the party wasn't spoiled by the windstorm!

George · « **Reply #87 on:** September 23, 2008, 09:21:09 AM »

Quote from: Ben on September 23, 2008, 06:47:28 AM

I'm listening to a re-broadcast of

Friday Night is Music Night

It's a tribute and interview with Charles Strouse on the occasion of his recent 80th birthday. It will be up through this Friday until about 3:30 or 4:00 Eastern Standard Time. Click on Hear the Show (on the right side of the screen) to listen.

Thanks for posting this! I'll have to listen to this later...I need to get ready for work.

George · « **Reply #88 on:** September 23, 2008, 09:23:41 AM »

Until later!

George · « **Reply #89 on:** September 23, 2008, 09:23:56 AM »

But, since we're so close...

News:

Author Topic: THE FLYING DAYS (Read 55208 times)

MBarnum

MBarnum

FJL