TOASTY TUESDAY

April 19, 2016

For nostalgics:  The Fantasticks opens on Thursday, April 21st at the Crown City Theater in NoHo.  I'm bucking for a ticket so I don't have to review an old friend and an old nemesis.  It'll be nice to just enjoy the show.  It's one of those chestnuts that are hard to screw up.  The politically correct version of El Gallo's song may be in place or not.  

Rewriting history is not a good thing in my opinion.  In my recent reading of three books by William Faulkner (okay .. I'm still working on The Sound and the Fury).. the word 'nigger' is used fluently.  It is a sign of the times. Prejudice factors throughout Light in April and if the word was changed or censored, it would totally change the flavor of the novel.  One of the main characters is of mixed race, but even though he passes for European, he's still hunted like a wild animal because he's been called out as a 'nigger.'  Our language fluctuates and our respect for it will probably be always in motion.  To me, to call someone a 'republican' these days is kin to any of the racial/ethnic slurs that Lenny Bruce taught us are just words.  It's the intention of the speaker or writer.. as I've just done .. that carries the insult.  Language!

Summer's lease is starting early here.  Rumor has it that there may be more rain.   That would be fine.

Meeting the petanque folks in Claremont and corresponding with the organizers of the group there, is heartening. If anyone in the Glendale area would like to find out about this simple/complex sport, please email me at directortv41 at yahoo 

Watching Orson Welles's Chimes At Midnight last night was a lesson in cinematography.  Made about twenty-five years after Citizen Kane, Welles has said that his Falstaff might be his finest role. The film is a combination of Shakespeare's Henry IV, Henry V and some other stuff. It  is way too long, but the grace and beauty of this black and white film is a primer for anyone who wants to see an auteur direct himself to near perfection.  My favorite line is delivered, I think, by Maragaret Rutherford to Falstaff, "When was the last time you saw your knees?" Welle's is either really padded or is, in fact, leaving 300 pounds in the dust! 

Just missed a Happy Birthday (April 14) to Julie Christie. Another well made film that she earned a SAG Award for, Away From Her, is worth another look. 

Be kind. 

michaelsheehan

April 19, 2016