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[td]

TOD:
(in order of most watched Holden performances)
S.O.B.
BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI
SUNSET BLVD.
SABRINA
PICNIC
STALAG 17
THE TOWERING INFERNO
and though it's a horrible film, i still find enjoyment in PARIS WHEN IT SIZZLES.

Someone was speaking of Scarlet Street magazine earlier, and i will say that the mag's editor is NOT a Holden fan; but,  i firmly believe that he was a great FILM actor (thank you, Panni), equally at home in comedy, drama and films with O. J. Simpson.

[td]

[move=left,scroll,6,transparent,100%]! ! ! !PAGE TWO DANCE! ! ! ! [/move]

[Matt H.]

I have to admit that I have never seen THE WILD BUNCH. At the time of its release, it was for its day super-violent. I realize, of course, that with the violence soaked film world of the 70s, 80s, 90s, and the new century, it probably looks tame now, but those old announcements of its violence still make me wary. (I really have a hard time with bullets going into flesh.)

[Jay]

I just want to express appreciation for Dear Reader Der Brucer's comeback  return to this site.  It wasn't the same without you, DRDB.

[Matt H.]

Yes, I re-watched PARIS WHEN IT SIZZLES a week or so ago. Some real potential there for something very unusual, but inspiration in writing just dried up, sad to say. Holden and Hepburn are always a treat together.

I watched it again because Noel Coward mentioned in his diaries the film, how much he adored Audrey and Bill, and how much they paid him (and how beautiful and huge the suite was they put him in during the shooting) for basically two or three days' work.

[Jay]

Well, Dear Readers, either I was terribly naive or I put a jinx on myself with my last post yesterday.  It took me forever--and I mean forever-- to get to Ojai.  Stop and go on the 101 the whole way.

The trip was worth it.  I had never been to the Ojai music festival before, and the setting is quite lovely.  Far more laid back and much much much (that is three muches) smaller than the Hollywood Bowl, attending a concert at this festival is a real pleasure.

I don't know why Carl Orff's Die Kluge ("The Wise Woman") is not peformed regularly.  It is a perfectly charming opera--suitable for young people as well as adults--with a book based on a story by the Brothers Grimm.  The music is filled with melody and, in particular, interesting orchestrations that produce appropriately evocative sounds to accompany the events of the story.

The piece was sung in English by an attractive cast (members of the Los Angeles Opera's young singer development effort) and partially staged in front of the orchestra, which was led by Kent Nagano.

[Panni]

I have to get busy, but must say more about William Holden. Haven't thought about him in a long time, but I used to have a major crush on him. What I find interesting about WH as an actor, particularly in the later years, is that there's something unspoken (and mealncholy at times) underneath the performance - as if we're not seeing it all, as if there were a very private layer which is impenetrable. And isn't that the way it is with most people you meet? Sometimes even people close to you. I always find performances where it's ALL there on the surface pretty boring. It can work for a short period - and then my mind goes elsewhere. Nice scenery.
IMHO, most great film actors have this quality. The "I know you, but I'd like to get to know you even better" quality. So you keep coming back, wanting more. (Of course, it doesn't hurt either that he was one helluva good looking man.)
If that makes any sense, congratulations. Let me know what I just said.

[DERBRUCER]

And might I just say where in tarnation IS everyone?

Could be they hied to the Video Store.

On our yesterday sojourn to NYC we "hied" it to the Virgin Megastore at Times Square - the Big Aplles latest innovation in ensuring that all visitors to Times Square leave with empty bill folds.

I added:

"Adventures of Robin Hood" - 65th Anniversary 2 Disk Special Edition.

The finally remastered wide-screen special edition of "Around the Word in 80 Days".

Remastered "North by Northwest" - with extras

"Gaslight" (both 1940 and 1944 versions plus extras including  "Reflections on Gaslight with Angela Lansbury)
(A film I've never seen!) - "preserves the aspect ratio of the original theatrical presentation"

"Marvin's Room" (starring my favorite lost puppy)

The Digitally Remasterd CD of the OBC "Li'l Abner" with lots of previously unreleased material.

Woody picked up the Special Editon "Nashville" DVD and "Triplets of Belleville" and added "Bounce" and "Elegies" to the CD collection.

On our return we discovered that the dogs had developed a fondness for things HHW theatrical by devouring the entire Jewel Case of "Beyond Therapy" (fortunately leaving the CD untouched).


der broker Brucer

[DERBRUCER]

I just want to express appreciation for Dear Reader Der Brucer's comeback  return to this site.  It wasn't the same without you, DRDB.

Aw, shucks, gee, um, thanx.

der Brucer (doing his best Forrest Gump impression)

[JoseSPiano]

Good Afternoon!

My breakfast was wonderful - Eggs Sarducci - sort of their take on Eggs Florentine - (from the plate up: toasted English muffin, sauteed spinach, tomato slice, egg over easy, swiss cheese) - with hash browns on the side - well, this morning, they were more like "breakfast potatoes".  And it was nice catching up with Edwina again.  And since it was a slow morning, I was able to have a nice, roomy booth all to myself.  Plenty of room to read the morning papers.

And now I'm back in my apartment... Just watching some TV, and trying to keep from napping.  I've had such a strange sleep schedule this week, I just need to stay up and reset my internal clock.

However, I do need to rearrange the kitchen so that when they fix the ceiling next week - I hope - the workmen won't be getting "stuff" all over my pots and pans.  And then I will need to make some headway in my bedroom eventually...  I at least need to clear a path to my closet so I can put some clothes away... and then "unclear" the path again afterwards probably.

DR DERBRUCER - Thank you for the Eden compliment.  As for Assassins - it truly is one of those shows that you either love or hate.  And the book seems to be the deal breaker.  When I first did the show, the book drove me up the wall.  But it did grow on me.

Another thing I noticed about the show - and it could apply to other shows too - is that if someone in the cast is not "on" that night, the whole mood and tone of the piece can be affected.  And as much as some of the portrayals of the assassins and would-be assassins could be played totally for laughs and schtick, if there's not something "human" about them, then there's no real reason for the show, imho.  What can make a production of Assassins truly frightening is when an audience member catches a spark of themselves in one - or more - of the characters on stage.  The frustrations, the disappointment, the anger, etc.  The only difference between "them" and "us" is that they picked up a gun and pointed it a president.  -Instead of yelling to the air on the way home from work.  -Writing a letter you never send.  -Doing a few extra laps in the pool.  -Punching a hole in a wall.

Well... I need to walk around for a bit - I can feel the "nappies" coming on....

[DERBRUCER]

I don't know why Carl Orff's Die Kluge ("The Wise Woman") is not peformed regularly.  It is a perfectly charming opera--suitable for young people as well as adults--with a book based on a story by the Brothers Grimm.  The music is filled with melody and, in particular, interesting orchestrations that produce appropriately evocative sounds to accompany the events of the story.

Do you recommend the pricey CD import?

der Brucer (always on the lookout for youngster friendly material)

[DERBRUCER]

And as much as some of the portrayals of the assassins and would-be assassins could be played totally for laughs and schtick, if there's not something "human" about them, then there's no real reason for the show, imho.  

Ay, there's the rub. This production had, in the main,  cartoons for Assassins.

der Brucer (the egg dish sounds good)

[Sandra]

The only William Holden movie from which I know a little is The Moon is Blue, but only because of the episode of M*A*S*H called The Moon is Not Blue.

Unseemly Haines His Way T-shirt, too-small boys' plaid pajama bottoms, new socks, saddle shoes.

[DERBRUCER]

Whilst a-brousing at Virgin I saw:

True Romance - Unrated Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Edition) (1993)


2003  Nominated: DVD Premiere Award - Best Audio Commentary, Library Release
Quentin Tarantino
For the Unrated Director's Cut.
 
Have heard nothing about the flick, but it has a cast of death and good reviews.

Any comments?

der Brucer (with an ever inquiring mind)

[Jrand74]

DRJAY do you recommend a particular recording of DIE KLUGE. I would like to hear it.

Yes, I am glad to see DB back as well.

And I have some shows that grow on me as well, DRJOSE.  The sad part is that most shows are only seen once by any particular audience member.  I always go back to see a show I liked...or look for other productions....but usually if (and I am sure it's the show NOT the production), I don't go again to see something.  Even in a bad or uneven production, the GOOD shines through.

And I am hoping the only difference between me and an assassin is NOT that he/she picked up a gun.

[Jane]

Okay I am confused.  Why was DR MBarnum's brother at DR Jane's house?

He deliver's our Fed-X packages.  I must add he is the nicest, most efficient Fed-X person we have ever had, and we thought so before we knew he was Michael's brother.

[Jrand74]

Does any DR know actress/singer Ilona Dulaski?

[Jane]

Sorry Beekay - don't think anyone else will understand. I'lll make it up you and read another Janet Frame book.
I wonder if any DRs have seen "An Angel At My Table".

I did.  It has been awhile and I had to look up the movie to jog my memory.  At least this time I have a better excuse for not remembering.

[JoseSPiano]

Does any DR know actress/singer Ilona Dulaski?

YES!!!  Why do you ask?  She actually works a lot in the DC area.  In fact, she was in the Sweeney Todd at the KenCen two summers ago.

-Now there may be more than one Ilona Dulaski, but....

[Jane]

Are any DRs as surprised as I am by the posters for some new movie which feature the Black Wayan brothers as WHITE women?  The women part is fine, but let's face it: if this poster showed Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt as BLACK there would be quite an uproar.  Why the double standard?

LOL-those guys look way to creepy for me to watch the movie.  To me, the poster fits the story plot and I didn’t think anymore about it, except it just looks stupid and creepy.

[Jane]

François next time I’m in France I shall try the beets, if the opportunity presents itself.

Jason, I think you were traumatized by that woman yesterday.  

[Jane]

DerBrucer, thanks for the list.  I was in the process of looking for one and you saved me the effort.  There are so many wonderful movies on the list.  I had forgotten about RACHEL AND THE STRANGER which is a favorite of mine.  

Panni, yes you may dare to mention you like THE WILD BUNCH.  It is also one of my favorites.

My top three favorites are:

SABRINA
BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI
BORN  YESTERDAY

[Dan (the Man)]

My favorite William Holden movie is Sunset Boulevard, with Network a very close second.  

I watched Picnic last night on TCM and I thought it was awful.  Strange, because I remembered liking it a lot.  But I found it to be an incredibly overacted and overdramatized film.  (It was also rather funny to see another parade of half naked males in a Josh Logan movie.  That guy sure liked his beefcake.)

[Jane]

Charles Pogue, I hope you and the lovely wife are doing better each day.  I know when the time comes and we loose our Echo we will be devastated.

[Jrand74]

LOL DRJOSE - Her brother is in STATE FAIR with me in a barn in the middle of a field in Putnam County, Indiana!   It is a small world!

[Charles Pogue]

Jane, we are doing fine, Thanks.  RACHEL & THE STRANGER is also one of my favourite Bill Holden films (and one of my favourite Robert Mitchums as well).  The others would be SUNSET BLVD. & NETWORK.  And, though I haven't seen it in years, I remember being right fond of DEAR RUTH.

[George]

And I have some shows that grow on me as well, DRJOSE.  The sad part is that most shows are only seen once by any particular audience member....

That's why I like to usher for shows, especially local productions, so that I can see them more than once, and I usually get to.

[George]

I watched Picnic last night on TCM ....  (It was also rather funny to see another parade of half naked males in a Josh Logan movie.  That guy sure liked his beefcake.)

And this is a problem...why??

[Jrand74]

That's why I like to usher for shows, especially local productions, so that I can see them more than once, and I usually get to.

I do, too DR GEORGE.  I love to watch a show many many times.  That's why if I am not working on a show, I volunteer to do the lights or work in the booth...it's amazing to watch a show from opening to closing....see the different audience reactions....and see how the actors grow (or not)...it's almost as much fun as DOING a show!  

[Dan (the Man)]

There are two interesting articles in this week's New York Magazine.  The first is on the Tony Awards Race and the second is a not-too-flattering portrait on Michael Riedel   (as if any portrait could be flattering.)