NOTE TO BK and everyone else: The 8217 and 8220 numbers were supposed to be where the apostrophe and quote marks go. I did an edit eliminating most of them. I think what it was were the smart quotes in my Microsoft Word program. I replaced them with straight quotes in the resubmission below. Oy. --Donna
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Hi Ho Everybody!
Long time no post. I trust you're having a delightful Thanksgiving weekend. I spent the day at my niece's and just before I got there, the oven caught fire and they were running all over the neighborhood looking for a fire extinguisher. Thankfully, they got the fire out. Everybody thought the turkey was ruined but, lo and behold, it turned out to be the most deliciously moist turkey we've ever eaten! Next year, they're talking about deep frying the bird! What a potential for another fire! Oy.
DE-LOVELY:
For me, the film had its moments, but not too many. There was a spot-on (IMO) review of it by author Gary Giddins in the L.A. Times. Of all the singers, he felt Natalie Cole pulled it off best. I think her spot was the ONLY time in the film when a song was sung simply and knowingly all the way through and didn't have any quick camera cuts. The worst of the lot was the cherubic singer who portrayed Nelson Eddy. He was too young and (if that was his voice) a terrible singer (please don't any of you tell me he is a friend of yours). Kevin Kline wasn't right for the part. Unlike BK, however, I thought Ashley Judd was effecting given the confines of the script--which IMO was the main problem with the film. And about the part where Cole falls off his horse...Somewhere I read that while he was waiting for help, he spent his time writing a song. Now wouldn't that have been something to see. Also...In real life, I believe Linda Porter was taller than Cole. I wish some filmmaker would have the COURAGE to portray it that way. I once saw on television, Sammy Davis, Jr. dancing with his wife, Altovise. She was clearly a head taller than he was and when they came together to ballroom dance, he rested his head on her upper chest. The sexiest and tenderest thing I've ever seen.
Overall, a dissatisfying and disappointing film for me, too.
FAVORITE PORTER SONGS:
Oh brother, what an impossible task! So hard to choose.
Ella's renditions from her songbook series is indeed wonderful.
Probably every recording that Sinatra made of his songs.
Lena Horne's recordings of How's Your Romance, It's All Right With Me, and After You Who? from her Live at the Waldorf Astoria album.
The score from Kiss Me Kate.
Let's Do It
You're the Top
I Get a Kick Out of You
You Do Something to Me
What is This Thing Called Love
Begin the Beguine
Night and Day
Love for Sale
Just One of Those Things
Down in the Depths On the 90th Floor
At Long Last Love
Do I Love You
Do I, Well, Did You Evah
Let's Not Talk About Love
Every Time We Say Goodbye
You're Sensational
C'est Manifique
True Love
Mind If I Make Love to You
I Concentrate On You
Please Don't Monkey With Broadway
Amanda from the Tracy/Hepburn flick, Adam's Rib
...and many, many more!
A favorite songwriter of mine. One thing about Porter's songs that isn't always true of others'...they even sound good when you just read the lyrics.