Topic: FREAKS (Read 14881 times)

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #30 on:** August 19, 2004, 08:36:38 AM »

I posted the following sentiments late last night, but they disappeared in a flurry of etheraporation:

After watching last night's Gymnastics "All Around" for men, it occurred to me that the Winter Olympics -- and indeed, the sport of figure skating -- should adopt a broader field of competitions. Skaters practice as hard as gymnasts, and at ages just as young, and it seems silly to deprive "specialists" from recognition.

For all disciplines (ladies, men, pairs and dance), there should be "team" competition in which every country that qualifies to send three competitors in each discipline may participate. Each participant performs a set of routines (to be proscribed by whatever goverrning body might oversee it), the scores are added up and the three highest scores win the medals. Next would come the "all-around" which would be basically what we have now -- individual competitors going through their respective programs to arrive at ultimate winners (individual bests, as it were). Finally, there would be individual competitions -- and I'm just imagining a jumping competition that involved quads for men, triple-combinations for all, and straight line footwork. Each would be worth a medal in each discipline. This would be much more fair, and rewarding, for skaters who work every bit as hard as gymnasts who, as it turns out, get all the opportunities to "medal" that I've detailed above.

Dan (the Man) · « **Reply #31 on:** August 19, 2004, 08:39:53 AM »

Thanks to Forry J Ackerman of Famous Monsters of Filmland Magazine, I am too pre-freaked-out to watch Freaks. I remember reading articles of his in which he would go on and on about how it was THE most disturbing movie that he had ever seen, and coming from Ackerman that carries a lot of weight. I'm afraid that if buy the DVD that it will just sit up on the shelf, unwatched and taunting.

Dan (the Man) · « **Reply #32 on:** August 19, 2004, 08:43:13 AM »

Quote from: RLP on August 19, 2004, 08:36:38 AM

I posted the following sentiments late last night, but they disappeared in a flurry of etheraporation:

After watching last night's Gymnastics "All Around" for men, it occurred to me that the Winter Olympics -- and indeed, the sport of figure skating -- should adopt a broader field of competitions. Skaters practice as hard as gymnasts, and at ages just as young, and it seems silly to deprive "specialists" from recognition.

For all disciplines (ladies, men, pairs and dance), there should be "team" competition in which every country that qualifies to send three competitors in each discipline may participate. Each participant performs a set of routines (to be proscribed by whatever goverrning body might oversee it), the scores are added up and the three highest scores win the medals. Next would come the "all-around" which would be basically what we have now -- individual competitors going through their respective programs to arrive at ultimate winners (individual bests, as it were). Finally, there would be individual competitions -- and I'm just imagining a jumping competition that involved quads for men, triple-combinations for all, and straight line footwork. Each would be worth a medal in each discipline. This would be much more fair, and rewarding, for skaters who work every bit as hard as gymnasts who, as it turns out, get all the opportunities to "medal" that I've detailed above.

I just think the Olympics should be done naked. Summer, winter--all of it.

PennyO · « **Reply #33 on:** August 19, 2004, 08:49:27 AM »

Rest in Peace, dear departed Hainsie. Reminds me, my sister's temple had a sale on burial plots to raise money for the youth program - I guess churches hold bake sales... - anyway, I bought one next to grandma and grandpa, and my mom and dad's plots and sister and her hubby plot - such togetherness. We'll always have enough folks down under there for a picnic, if we want. Oy. Stangely comforting, however...

Where was I? Oh - album I just love and will never get rid of: my original cast Jacques Brel is Alive and Well. A dear friend gave it to me when I was a young actress in LA - he also insisted I take singing lessons, took me to his singing teacher, and encouraged me to audition for Juilliard and then, to move to New York. We are still good friends lo, these many years later. He just had his 67th birthday. Was all that too much information?

BK - critics just ARE. Some of them can't sing, and are pissed at those of us who can. Some hate the theater, and look for "good reasons" to justify their animosity. More of them truly love the theater and seek pleasure, there in the dark. A review is less about the work of art than it is about the person writing... sometimes people just had a bad oyster at dinner... or a fight with their elderly, too- demanding parents... or just fell in love unexpectedly. What we see and react to is what we're looking for... like the old quantum physics conundrum: is it a wave or a particle??? Answer: what do you want it to be?

bk · « **Reply #34 on:** August 19, 2004, 08:51:42 AM »

MattH: One of the things we find out in the extras on the Freaks DVD is that the Olga part was originally given to Myrna Loy who ran screaming into the night after she read the script.

PennyO · « **Reply #35 on:** August 19, 2004, 08:53:12 AM »

Oh, and FREAKS - too upsetting the one time I saw it a hundred years ago, to ever want to see it again. Of course, I did think that of Fantasia... decades later I wondered what had upset me...

And I'm just hanging around here, waiting for the tying up of all loose ends, and then I get to move back to New York!!! Oh, the waiting!

Stuart · « **Reply #36 on:** August 19, 2004, 09:02:22 AM »

Quote from: Matt H. on August 19, 2004, 08:28:01 AM

...the truly awful Olga Baclanova.

That's funny, 'cause now and again I like a nice piece of Baclanova with a hot cup of tea.

Matt H. · « **Reply #37 on:** August 19, 2004, 09:03:49 AM »

Thanks for the info, BK. I'll look forward to getting the DVD at some point. Myrna, of course, would have been wonderful in the film, but, I guess in an odd way, Olga fits right in with the other "freaks." The problem is that she doesn't mean to!

Ron Pulliam · « **Reply #38 on:** August 19, 2004, 09:06:30 AM »

LPs: I have nearly 1,000 LPs on shelves in my apartment. I'd love to have storage for them that didn't make them part of my everyday life, but I don't. And they ARE up front and center in my life.

They are mostly soundtracks, with some Broadway thrown in. My pop albums and classical LPs and rock records are all in storage. That's another 500 or so, I fear. Most are in near-mint condition. Some would fetch some bucks on eBay, I reckon.

But I won't sell, I tell you! No! Don't ask it!

I have, of all things, a Hungarian turntable. Or is it "an" Hungarian turntable?

I bought it several years ago through a specialist catalog. I have never been without my turntable or my records...not in 40-something years, except for the 5 1/2 years I spent on aircraft carriers. Then, I had recorded several hundred of my LPs onto cassette tapes, so I had my music with me always.

One very special LP I enjoy that hasn't made it to CD is the Richard Harris "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" recording. I truly enjoy this recording.

There are scores of soundtracks that have not made it to CD and I have them available to me, as well.

A couple of treasures:

An LP of "Hello, Dolly!" autographed by Carol Channing and Jerry Herman.

An LP of "The Main Event" autographed by Barbra Streisand.

An LP of "Mary, Queen of Scots" autographed by John Barry.

Matt H. · « **Reply #39 on:** August 19, 2004, 09:06:51 AM »

I agree with you, DR RLP, and at the very least the art of "tracing figures" should be recognized in the Olympics, as much a specialty and requiring just as much concentration as synchronized swimming and diving or as much as practicing the jump combinations.

DR Dan-t-M, I know your post about naked Olympics was only half in jest, but I wouldn't want to be an skater attempting to do those quads and triples without a dance belt or athletic supporter where the family jewels are kept. Argh!

Matt H. · « **Reply #40 on:** August 19, 2004, 09:10:19 AM »

I think perhaps today's DVD will be PRICK UP YOUR EARS. Not a light bit of entertainment, but I'm in the mood for it. Will probably put it on after lunch.

Dan (the Man) · « **Reply #41 on:** August 19, 2004, 09:14:41 AM »

Quote from: Matt H. on August 19, 2004, 09:06:51 AM

DR Dan-t-M, I know your post about naked Olympics was only half in jest, but I wouldn't want to be an skater attempting to do those quads and triples without a dance belt or athletic supporter where the family jewels are kept. Argh!

Yeah, I've been thinking it over, too. I've come up with close to a dozen events I wouldn't want to see done naked, either. Plus, there's the probability that the athletes would have to have Nike tattooed to various parts of their bods.

MBarnum · « **Reply #42 on:** August 19, 2004, 09:15:12 AM »

I love FREAKS and picked up the DVD when it came out the other week. I have only watched the extras so far. It is a bit difficult to understand some of the performers at times...some because of heavy accents and some because they don't speak very clearly, but it is still a fascinating film.

MBarnum · « **Reply #43 on:** August 19, 2004, 09:19:56 AM »

Myrna Loy would have been great in FREAKS! Has anyone seen her in 13 WOMEN? She is wonderful as the evil woman plotting the death of her former sorority sisters!

Seems to me that Olga Baclanova went a little loopy in her later years...or maybe that was Helen Chandler...or maybe it was both of them! LOL!

Stuart · « **Reply #44 on:** August 19, 2004, 09:25:24 AM »

Quote from: Matt H. on August 19, 2004, 09:06:51 AM

I agree with you, DR RLP, and at the very least the art of "tracing figures" should be recognized in the Olympics...

Doing away with the cumpulsories, as they were called, was the stupidest decision ever made by the IOC. Or the Figure Skating Association. Whichever one was responsible.

I still recall Dorothy Hamill tracing figures on the ice with what seemed like 6 or 7 judges hovering around her. And, as memory serves, the cumpolsaries were done on outdoor ice. But I think that '76 was the last year those skills were part of the judges' scores.

Jennifer · « **Reply #45 on:** August 19, 2004, 09:30:13 AM »

I am now the proud owner of some Roots Canadian Olympic wear.

Btw, re: NBC's coverage of gymnastics last night, WHY did they end it so late? I could see 11pm. But it ended WAY past that. I already knew who won. But I really wanted to see it and ended up taping the end because I was too tired.

Jennifer · « **Reply #46 on:** August 19, 2004, 09:31:28 AM »

For all BB watchers, it has not been too interesting since the twin twist was revealed.

But I believe they are voting live this Thursday.

Jennifer · « **Reply #47 on:** August 19, 2004, 09:33:07 AM »

I didn't write anything about TAR (The Amazing Race) yesterday. Because I wasn't sure if DR MBarnum had watched it yet.

But what did you guys think about the team who was eliminated. I was NOT happy.

Jennifer · « **Reply #48 on:** August 19, 2004, 09:35:13 AM »

Big Brother America's choice.

WE VOTE to choose who will be on an episode of The Young & The Restless.

http://jam.canoe.ca/JamBigBrother5/aug19_bb5-can.html

Okay BB watchers, who should we choose?

JMK · « **Reply #49 on:** August 19, 2004, 09:54:42 AM »

Thanks to all DRs for posting their thoughts about Dennis. I unfortunately can't attend his memorial service tomorrow, but I've let his friends and family know about your posts here, as well as many nice posts about him on Max Preeo's CASTRECL listserve, after I let that group know as well about Dennis' passing.

Dennis had a very wry sense of humor, which is apparent in his reviews/posts. He had just started rehearsals for "Three Angels," based on the old Bogie movie. I still can't believe that I must have been one of the last, if not the last, people to talk to him last Saturday. How ephemeral it all seems.

LPs: Well I have tons of LPs, too, that I will never discard. I have a great copy of "Parade" (the Jerry Herman one), autographed by Jerry, the entire cast, as well as the pianists. I have several great Sergio Mendes records autographed with great gusto and a lot of personal info by Sergio and his gracious wife, the aptly named Gracinha Leporace. But the most treasured LP I have is Frances Farmer Swings Fats Domino.

(That's a little inside joke for JR).

Stuart · « **Reply #50 on:** August 19, 2004, 09:56:04 AM »

Quote from: Jennifer on August 19, 2004, 09:33:07 AM

But what did you guys think about the team who was eliminated. I was NOT happy.

I wasn't either. But blame it all on screwed up airline schedules. IT was out of their hands, 'cause mark my words, if their plane was on time, they would not have been eliminated.

And the change in Adria/Natalie on BB5? I think I have seen this somewhere before...DEAD RINGER with Bette Davis?? Marlena and her sister on DAYS OF OUR LIVES? Very disappointed with the two of them.....and some pretty shlocky playing on their parts, because now they really are targeted. They could have had a nice, fun house for another week or two......but NO!

George · « **Reply #51 on:** August 19, 2004, 10:24:31 AM »

Quote from: td on August 19, 2004, 06:14:34 AM

I also still treasure two OBCs which were modified for cd:
OVER HERE! and PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES.

And from what I understand, Coco was also modified for the CD release...or were there two different album releases? I know there was of Lorelei and the CD is the combination of the two different albums.

I can't think off the top of my head what albums that I have that I'd love to have on CD. I just know that I've never gotten rid of an album unless I have two copies of it. I've gotten CDs of albums that I own and still have them all.

Jane · « **Reply #52 on:** August 19, 2004, 10:26:03 AM »

Thanks for all the well wishes. They seem to be working.

Bogie is keeping to himself today. I guess that is good since I have way too much to do before I leave here at 5:00 tomorrow morning. He is eating well and I’m sure will be back to cuddling this evening. Between Keith & I we spent an hour this morning doing his favorite activity, brushing him.

Panni I’m glad DD has arrived safely in Budapest.

I still listen to LP’s. Sorry I must go.

bk · « **Reply #53 on:** August 19, 2004, 10:31:02 AM »

I have to leave the home environment for a while. Keep the home fries burning.

JMK · « **Reply #54 on:** August 19, 2004, 10:37:36 AM »

I am pretty sure that both Coco and Applause had two different LP releases, the originals of each which were quickly withdrawn when the leads' vocals did not meet with said leads' approval. A long time ago someone told me how to tell the two different Coco's--I believe the only way to tell was to look at the "runoff" on the wax and see the two different matrix numbers.

The CD releases of both of these are the second, lead-approved versions, I'm pretty sure.

MBarnum · « **Reply #55 on:** August 19, 2004, 10:46:34 AM »

LOL DR Jennifer, I am always a day late on The Amazing Race cause it is on so late and I just have to tape it and then watch it! But I have now watched it and, yes, I too was not happy about the team that was eliminated...and yes, if their plane had not been delayed they would surely have not been eliminated.

It was pretty neat to see Phil get so chocked up over them! I like that.

And you know, I DO NOT like Colin and I DO NOT like the twins (even though they are from Oregon!)..

MBarnum · « **Reply #56 on:** August 19, 2004, 10:49:52 AM »

...and as for Big Brother...yes, Adria and her sister have turned evil, haven't they! And Diane sure seems to have torn herself away from her old team! Yikes!

I really don't want Will or Marvin to be voted off, but I guess one of them has to go and if I had to choose I would vote off Marvin.

Stuart · « **Reply #57 on:** August 19, 2004, 10:56:38 AM »

Quote from: MBarnum on August 19, 2004, 10:49:52 AM

... and if I had to choose I would vote off Marvin.

Ditto.

Dan (the Man) · « **Reply #58 on:** August 19, 2004, 10:57:11 AM »

Quote from: George on August 19, 2004, 10:24:31 AM

And from what I understand, Coco was also modified for the CD release...or were there two different album releases? I know there was of Lorelei and the CD is the combination of the two different albums.

I'm not exactly sure of the details, but after the Coco OCR LP was released, Hepburn was disenchanted with it and asked the lable to remix and/or re-do some tracks. Unbelievably, they did. The CD is a transfer of the latter release (which I think is the better of the two.)

Some LPs I'm glad I have: the aforementioned Joe Papp Three Penny Opera, the '74 Candide revival, the zonked-out Electric Carmen (the opera, not the Miranda), Lily Tomlin's Modern Scream, The Best of the Warner Brothers (or something like that--it's the three disc, silver boxed set), the soundtrack to An Unmarried Woman, and a few disks by pre-Goth, post-punk popstar Lena Lovich.

During the past few years I've made some great eBay purchases: Paul Sill's Story Theatre, Lolita, My Love, Drat, The Cat, The Mad Show, Gordon Jenkin's Manhattan Tower, and just two weeks ago, The Rose Tattoo with Maureen Stapleton.

The last LP I purchased new was The Mystery of Edwn Drood OCR (which, coincidentally, was the first cast recording on CD I bought.)

Sandra · « **Reply #59 on:** August 19, 2004, 11:06:11 AM »

The only record player I remember having was made by Fisher-Price. My brother used to listen to Bill Cosby records on it. We don't have the record player any more. As I recall, my brother broke it.

News:

Author Topic: FREAKS (Read 14881 times)

MBarnum

MBarnum

MBarnum

MBarnum