July 15, 2016
Dick
Cavett Show 1972.. Dr. Walter C. Langer appears on the show to discuss
his book "The Mind of Adolf Hitler" and his 'analysis' of der fuhrer.
Questions about the suicide of a mistress of Hitler's, "committed" with
his gun and her being buried in a Catholic cemetery comes up. They
discuss how Hitler, who was at once gentle and then maniacal, could rise
to power, engaging experienced military leaders to expand into the
horror of the Holocaust. The discussion is fascinating. The good doctor
is not glib; Cavett is. The point being that what Hitler was somehow
able to do was to turn the presumably good people of Germany into the
Nazi scourge of Europe.
With Anita Loos and Helen Hayes sitting politely by, the discussion is somewhat stilted, but makes me want to read the book.
Oh
look!! The next guest is Orson Bean! It's 1972. He says that he is
driving a VW Bus! Orson and I had the same agent many years ago and
after an audition, Orson took me to lunch at Musso and Frank's! Fast
forward to last February when I went to see Orson's "Safe at Home" at
the Pacific Resident Theatre. What a treat. The man is articulate and funny. The contrast of a discussion of Hitler and Orson's take on a 'freestyle' life is interesting. The psychiatrist's opinion about Orson's lifestyle hints that it might be a bit irresponsible. The physical contrast of the shrink and the funny man is remarkable. The doctor is 73 in a lumpy suit, equally lumpy of demeanor, though kind.
Orson,
at his age today of 87 now echoes this basically identical guy at the
age of 43, driving a VW bus and unapologetic for what sounds like a very
wonderful way to live a life. How odd to stick with this old TV show
to hear about the frightening story of Hitler and then to be charmed by
Orson unflinchingly fielding Cavett's questions. He is effortlessly
funny and quick. They talk about doing magic as a way to discover being
'on stage.'
What
a treat to be led pleasantly down memory lane in the midst of global
strife ... all the while dragging my feet on an important art project!
I'd better get to it!
Happy Birthday, LynnE.
michaelsheehan
July 15, 2016
No comments:
Post a Comment