Well, dear readers, we got another lovely book review, this one from Robert Yacko – he really loved it – read it in one afternoon – and, of course, he was around for a bit of it as it happened, being in so many Kritzerland shows and celebrations. Well, why talk about it when you can just read the damn thing.
Is it Fish? No, It’s a Joyous Love Song
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2025
When two simpatico artists meet – one younger who was deeply inspired by the elder – and their spirits collide in instant joyous harmony, you have the magic of an extraordinary friendship, the likes of which we rarely see. “Richard And Me: A Supercalifragilistic Friendship” is the real-life tale of just that kind of magic, lovingly told, from the earliest connections to their fated first meeting, to the ever-deepening bond these two joyful, creative men forged together. Bruce, the book’s author, and legendary composer Richard M. Sherman shared so many positive traits between them, and through their friendship, they inspired each other to create and to co-create with music, chocolate licorice and laughter, three things we all need more of in this world. The journey is well worth the taking and is interlaced with so much of the indelible music we cherish from Richard M. Sherman and the Sherman Brothers (as well as with rarities we may not have known) – so what’s not to love? It is also peppered with Bruce’s fresh-as-a-daisy, real time memories taken directly from his long-running blog’s personal posts, written as their story’s events transpired. “Richard And Me” is a funny, moving, behind-the-scenes look at a unique collaboration of art, music and two souls in tune with one another from the very start. Fans of Richard Sherman (& who isn’t one?), and fans of true friendship will savor every morsel of this wonderful book. The radiant Hayley Mills says it best, “Bruce Kimmel has written a love song for Richard Sherman.” So, is it fish? Read it and find out. You’ll be glad you did.
Isn’t that a lovely review? And as I write these here notes, I am listening to what was probably my most played soundtrack LP ever – Jerry Goldsmith’s masterpiece of a score for the wonderful motion picture A Patch of Blue, a movie I saw over and over again when it came out and still watch it at least once every few years. It is a perfect score, and a textbook example of what film music is supposed to do, unlike the things they write today, which do the opposite. I can’t even begin to imagine the number of times I’ve listened to this score. If you’ve never seen the movie or heard the score you really owe it to yourself to do so immediately. The performances in the film are just great – with Elizabeth Hartman’s first movie performance being one for the ages – thankfully, she was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress – but it was a very strong year and she lost to Julie Christie in Darling – others who lost to Miss Christie were Julie Andrews, Simone Signoret, and Samantha Eggar. Sidney Poitier is also wonderful – not nominated. Other nominations were for photography, art direction, score (lost to a score I actually cannot stand – Dr. Zhivago), and its one win – Shelly Winters for best supporting actress.
I did watch a movie last night – the TV movie Pursuit, starring Ben Gazzara and E.G. Marshall, from the book Binary by John Lange, which I read when it came out – a wonderful and really suspenseful thriller, one of those countdown things as chapter by chapter we count down to impending doom. And then, a great twist that works even better in the movie. At the time, the flap copy acknowledged that Mr. Lange was a pseudonym for a successful young author – who turned out to be Michael Chrichton. The movie is one of the best TV movies and is still suspenseful, especially the countdown twist. It’s on YouTube but sans its end credits, which is really irritating. It’s on Blu-ray from Kino.
Otherwise, I was up at eight after six hours of sleep and out the door by eight-thirty. I breakfasted with Robert Yacko, after which instead of going to Gelson’s, I simply walked over to the Von’s that’s in the shopping center where the restaurant is. I needed more jam – I got the usual cherry preserves and also orange marmalade – same great brand – Bonne Maman. If you’ve never tried Bonne Maman, it comes in many flavors and comes highly recommended by the likes of me. After that, I came home, did a bit of proofing for a few hours, then had two homemade tacos and pill two. Then I watched some stuff on YouTube, proofed some more, then had some crackers and pill three, after which I watched the movie. And here we are.
Today, I’ll be up by ten at the latest, I’ll do some proofing, I have food coming at eleven-thirty, and I’m hoping the books will be at the mail place by noon – if they are, as soon as I finish eating I’ll mosey on over there and pick them up and in the good timing department, one of the extras that will be included with the book for those who ordered signed copies arrived yesterday. There’s one other thing people will get that will come via e-mail. I think people will find it interesting. As you know, occasionally Muse Margaret asks me to remove something she feels is not right – and she’s always right in her reasoning and I remove it. In one instance in Richard and Me, I told the exact story of the idiocy that happened at the Richard Sherman ninetieth birthday celebration concert I directed, and I pulled no punches – in fact, most of it came right from the blog I wrote that night. She felt, and rightly so, that it put a negative spin on what was a joyous concert and celebration – the negative stuff, while fun to get off my chest, wasn’t really the story – the story was the joy and positivity. So, folks who bought the signed copies will get via e-mail the unexpurgated version of that chapter.
I’ll sign the books and get them ready for the helper. Not sure I’ll get that done in time for her to get them, so she’ll probably pick them up early tomorrow and get them shipped out pronto. After that, it’s back to proofing and I’m really going to try and do a marathon and get a lot further. Then I’ll watch, listen, and relax.
Tomorrow, helper will hopefully be able to ship out the books, otherwise I’ll proof but mostly get myself in the right head space for the neurologist visit on Friday morning, after which I may just treat myself to food at the Farmer’s Market. I have no idea what’s happening on the weekend.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, be up by ten at the latest, proof, eat, then hopefully pick up the books, come home, sign them and get them ready for the helper, and then at some point watch, listen, and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Ask BK Day, the day in which you get to ask me or any dear reader any old question you like and we get to give any old answer we like. So, let’s have loads of lovely questions and loads of lovely answers and loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, excited for the arrival of the books.