It’s cold and grey here in Connecticut today, which makes it a perfect movie day. Two hours ago, I tuned in, as I always do on rainy Sundays, to TCM and was delighted to find a movie that I have never seen before. It was Light in the Piazza, starring Olivia de Havilland.
Light in the Piazza gets its name from ….nothing. There is nothing in the film that makes any sense of the title, except that it contains the word, piazza, which hints that it might take place in Italy. Well, in fact it does take place in Italy. It’s the story of a wealthy, middle-aged American woman (de Havilland) who takes her beautiful blonde American daughter, Clara, to Florence for a holiday. There, a wealthy young Italian man, Fabrizio, falls in love with Clara. The problem is that, though Clara looks like a 20-something bombshell, in fact, she was kicked in the head by a pony when she was little, and now has the mental capacity of a 10-year-old. So she flits about, giggling and chasing puppies and splashing in her bath and in swimming pools, completely happy in her innocence. Her mother and father’s marriage is unravelling because the father wants to place Clara in a home for the mentally retarded. But, in Florence, the mother’s dreams are realized. Clara will not need to go to a home at all because Fabrizio and all his family and friends see nothing wrong with Clara at all. You see, to them, Clara is a typical American girl – beautiful, rich, silly and …well, dumb as a rock. How did I never see this movie before? It’s written as a heartwarming drama, but has such a comic premise and the lines! Hilarious! George Hamilton plays the Italian lover! The sets, the driving sequences with ridiculous footage of Italian scenery flying by. Oh, the campy, corny lines! And just as the credits started to roll, I learned that I should get my lunch of ice cream and brownie soup right quick, because up next: Sunset Boulevard. Later? To Sir With Love.
On the seventh day, God created TCM.
Ann,
OMG–what kind of plot is that?? I have never heard of this movie. It seems like it should be a cult classic. I have to find it. Was George Hamilton extremely tan in it? It sounds like a great find.
You must be having our weather from last week. It’s finally getting sunny and a little warmer in Chicago. Spring is so close I can almost taste it!!
See you on twitter!
Perhaps the title is an Italian reference to ‘the light are on, but nobody’s home’? This does sound like an upbeat must-see!
The Light In The Piazza was made into a Broadway play, and my neighbor, Victoria Clarkson, won a Tony for her role in it! (I so rarely get to name drop) Now this was my old building. In my new building, the people win prizes for best jailhouse tattoo.
OH NO!!! And I was going to get some writing done today! But my fortune cookie on Friday said “A good movie will inspire you — reach for the stars.”
I so love “Sunset Boulevard” . . . it might be my favorite movie of all time. I have the Polish film poster on my wall.
And, it is about a screenwriter . . . so yes, I’m watching it! Sorry to miss the first hour, and sorry to miss “A Light in the Piazza” — I’ve never seen it.
Speaking of Italy, Antonio has issued an invitation (challenge) for all of us to go to Positano, and walk the stairs to Nocelle (all 1,860 steps) with him!
http://sirensongs.net/2010/03/27/a-brief-encounter/#comments
Why did I open my big mouth? I planned to take a whole year to work up to the 1,455 steps of the Stratosphere.
Antonio walking all those steps in 20 to 25 minutes is phenomenal.
So, who is with me?
Beautiful Spring here in Dublin .We spent the day trying to get the garden into shape.The cherry blossom is starting to come out on the trees and the birds are busy building nests .I love this time of year . Had to laugh Ann at your decription of that film on TCM .I love that channel. It shows movies that you would see nowhere else .Unfortunatly they do show a lot of turkeys as well .Hope everybody has a great start to their week!
Julie Klam, if you now live next door to Michelle “Bombshell” McGee, give her a bop on the head for me.
I have never heard of that movie either, will have to chuck it out. Sunny and warm here today, been spring cleaning like crazy, too windy to get in the yard, but looks like the flowering crabapple will pop soon. Happy Sunday, and still waiting on the bathroom pics.
Oh, I wish I could get that movie station. I love, “To Sir With Love”. Fantastic movie. I will put it on my Netflix queue.
I just wasted 98 mins watching A very young Gerard Butler in “One More Kiss”, didn’t care for that story at all, it did have some lovely scenery along the Scottish coast and a beautiful musical score. I guess I did get some enjoyment from it.
I’m watching movies for the same reason you are, Ann, cold and blustery, not going outside ’til it warms a bit, not until the end of the week here in Maine.
Now, back to my book, a bio of Louisa May Alcott.
Light in the Piazza? Pardon my French (or, in this instance, my Italian), but WTF??
According to the Internet Movie Database (my favorite source for all kinds of cinematic information), this hunk of cheese was released in 1962. What’s perhaps most remarkable – you might want to sit down for this – is that George Hamilton was actually nominated by BAFTA (that’s the British Academy of Film and Television Arts) as best foreign actor for his role in this movie. Sad to say, he lost out to Burt Lancaster, who won for Birdman of Alcatraz.
Of course, Candy’s observation below that she would have to “chuck it [Light in the Piazza] out” made me laugh out loud. Well said!
Ann, that sounds like a deliciously cheesy, unintentionally campy movie! But what a bizarre plot — rather disturbing, in so many ways!
Alan, LOL re your “French”! I also love IMDb — such a great, quick source of info. Unbelievable about the BAFTA nomination for George H.!
I want to mention that we just got back from our own KC’s Thunder Moon Farm and the best first horseback-riding lesson ever! The farm is lovely, situated in a charming and picturesque area. KC is a wonderfully gifted, sensitive teacher, that’s all there is to it, and she did an amazing job putting our shy and timid almost-7-year-old at ease. I have to give credit to the beautiful palomino Topaz, as well, who seemed to somehow know that the little person in the saddle might be a little nervous, and walked especially carefully.
When we arrived, KC first let Madeleine give both the horses some carrots. Then she let her come into the stall with Topaz, where she spent some time explaining to her about the various pieces of tack. It was quite a chilly afternoon, colder than we expected, and after we got our girl’s heavier down coat from the car (thank goodness I threw it in at the last minute), KC even let Madeleine wear her own precious SHOW riding gloves to warm those tiny, cold hands!
Then it was time to walk out to the riding ring and for her to get on — after we all made way to let Zeus, like a giant puppy, scamper out of his stall as well and follow us along! (What a handsome and sweet boy he is.) KC had such a great way of providing gentle, insightful instruction and encouragement, such that by lesson’s end, amazingly, M seemed to have a sense of the basics of body position, leg and foot position, how to hold the reins, and how to gently signal the horse to walk, turn, and stop.
And her hubby Matt was so warm and welcoming, just as terrific as he could be. What a great, extremely likable guy. It was incredibly nice of him to stay outside in the cold wind and keep Bruce and I company as we watched the lesson.
Afterward he and KC very kindly invited us into their lovely home for a quick peek — love that blue-and-white dining room! — and KC gave Madeleine a neat little horse pen/toy that our girl played with all the way home.
A warm and sincere thanks to KC, Matt, and Topaz for such a delightful afternoon! We can’t wait until next week. : )
It was a bit gloomy for photos, but I took plenty and will send them to KC and/or upload some to Facebook later, to share via a link.
Ha, Ha, Alan, chunk of cheese.
Running up to feed horses before …”Those school girl days…” Hmm, trying to remember the words. Something, something, something ” and long last looks are gone….blah blah blah …from crayons to perfume…la, la, la …IF YOU WANTED THE MOON I WOULD WRITE ACROSS THE SKY WITH LETTERS THAT WOULD SOAR A THOUSAND FEET HI-I-GH, TO SIR_ER-ER, WITH LOVE!”
(caps for the part I scream when song comes on the radio)
Sounds like another great day at Thunder Moon Farm!
Oh, that SONG!!! I have to watch that movie!
“… but how do you thank someone
who has taken you from crayons to perfume?…”:
SIGH.
And yes, it was a great day at Thunder Moon! Going through pics now. : )
Arliss, Bruce, and Madeleine, Welcome to the Thunder Moon Club. So glad to hear that Madeleine enjoyed her little self. I can’t wait to see the pics.
Alan, is it safe to assume that March Madness will be over in April? We’ve gotta get you up to Thunder Moon for a lesson…or a sandwich.
Those schoolgirl days, of telling tales and biting nails are gone,
But in my mind,
I know they will still live on and on,
But how do you thank someone, who has taken you from crayons to perfume?
It isn’t easy, but I’ll try,
If you wanted the sky I would write across the sky in letters,
That would soar a thousand feet high,
To Sir, with Love
The time has come,
For closing books and long last looks must end,
And as I leave,
I know that I am leaving my best friend,
A friend who taught me right from wrong,
And weak from strong,
That’s a lot to learn,
What, what can I give you in return?
If you wanted the moon I would try to make a start,
But I, would rather you let me give my heart,
To Sir, with Love
I LOVED the play Light in the Piazza, all my musical theatre type friends did not, who cares. I even bought the poster signed by Julie’s neighbor despite cheesiness of said purchase. And speaking of author Julie Klam, I have spent my weekend laughing out loud at her wonderful book. Am reading said book as per instruction of fearless blog leader Ann. Do read it, fellow bloggers..so funny! And I need the laughs badly due to work related stress this week..a three year old baby boy’s adoption being threatened. Probably my last case before I stop doing this in June.
Time for more Julie Klam!
I have a lot of the Ginger Roger movies all set to be recorded on my DVR, I love TCM Love it!!! I was going to spend the day doing what you did, but i went house hunting instead….. Walked into yet another one who had 6 horse and My daughters eyes just lit up! Ended up feeling under the weather so i am just about to settle down with a box of Dots and the movie the Blind Side, Cannot wait to watch all my Ginger movies though.. Enjoy your Ice cream soups and your movies.. Mark loves the movie to Sir with Love ….
Hi, Aislinn! Thanks so much for the welcome! It was a great time. Hope to see you there soon.
(Yes, we must get Alan there as well, if only to fling witty remarks from ringside.)
Ann, I meant to say, LOL re the title of today’s blog entry!
Well, since I am writing a musical like right now (um, well when I am done with this comment), I am happy to watch YouTube videos of “Light in the Piazza” songs. The ones I’ve seen so far seem a little tortured and heavy for my tastes, but Victoria Clarkson is superb.
For me it is a given that musical theater is cheesy, so I don’t shy away from the fromage.
It is a weird sort of game to make odd movies into musicals (Piazza, Nine, Xanadu, Legally Blonde, etc.) — I don’t really understand that mentality. I’d rather start with fresh milk, but to each his own.
Oh, and I like George Hamilton, his photo (as Hank Williams) made the cut in my book. Yep, I’m definitely NOT lactose intolerant.
Actually, yesterday I was watching the ending of “My Fair Lady” — and yes, I got a little teary eyed.
Any song that starts with “Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn!” and has so much vitriol has a distinct twisted advantage over most.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HroAq_E075Y&feature=related
Aislinn, March Madness will indeed be over in early April…but the opening of baseball season isn’t far behind. Nevertheless, I eagerly look forward to a visit to Thunder Moon Farm, even if it’s just for a sandwich. As for riding lessons, well, that’s a whole other story. I don’t think I’ve ever actually been on a horse in my life (maybe a pony at someone’s birthday party). But, based on Arliss’ wonderful description, it sounds like KC would be just about the perfect teacher. (KC, we’ll talk….)
I haven’t seen this movie, but it sounds hilarious – must rent! Matt gets all mad at me when I stick some random (ie, old) flick in our Netflix queue, but then we both end up loving it. I knew it was a Bway play too, but haven’t seen it.
Arliss completely blows me away. It was a fun day today, Madeleine is one gifted little rider, after just one lesson. Her listening skills and comprehension of what I asked her was incredible. I already told Arliss that she has a budding professional equestrian on her hands. Topaz, of course, soaked up all the little girl love she could handle. And the pictures are great! (Just got a peek at some of them.)
Alan – I’m emailing you tonight or tomorrow. Look out!
Ann -
I’m sorry to keep asking about Raven, but something about that dog just touched my heart. Can you give us any information about how she’s doing? I know you said you were going to stay in touch with the rescue organization and follow up on what was happening with her. I would love an update.
Dani Shapiro’s “Devotion” is wonderful. I love the way she thinks and writes. I’ll be sorry to finish it but will definitely read all her other books. I’m looking forward to our blogchat with her.
Want to share with the group something I think is pretty funny. I was at a dinner party last night, and the conversation turned to situations when we had felt really nervous about something because there was a lot at stake or it meant so much to do well. One of my friends recalled a time when she was a young opera singer. She and a group of other young singers were getting so worked up before a performance that she finally just blurted out: “That’s it. I’m not going to worry about this any more. If I suck, I suck!” She said everyone laughed, and it really broke the tension. Maybe it was the wine, but this just struck me as really funny and sort of insightful. Anyway, I’ve decided to adopt it as my new motto.
Cheers,
Linda S.
Linda, Raven is still being fostered by Stephanie, who is waiting to find a really great home for her. She has been an angel and is still available for adoption. So email the Simon Foundation if you’re interested in her.
Sounds like a fun club you guys belong to !! So glad that you had a fun day Arliss. And Alan–I am a true March Madness fan!! There have been some exciting games this year. And, in between games, my husband and I love TCM….favorites and often movies we’ve never seen but usually enjoy. Just love Sunset Blvd !!! Going to be a TCM few days coming up–more rain headed our way….they better not tell us we are in a drought this summer. People living near the rivers will revolt!!
Thanks, Barbara!
If anyone’s interested, here are some pics taken during Madeleine’s fun lesson today with the lovely KC and wonderful Topaz at Thunder Moon Farm:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=45685&id=1620063772&l=3de8021da0
There’s a very blurry one at the end that I had to include because it hints at the wonder of the handsome Zeus and his many talents. I forgot to mention that KC is working to ensure that he’ll have a circus-horse career to fall back on, should this whole show thing not pan out!
Arliss, thanks for sharing the photos of your day at KC’s. Madeleine looks so happy! I can see that she has really connected with KC, and she looks very comfortable on Topaz. What a fun experience for a young girl. Love Madeleine’s boots. I have a pair that look very similar. I sure wish I lived near Thunder Moon Farm!
I also have to add that I saw “To Sir With Love” when it was first released, and it is one of my favorite movies. I love LuLu’s song, too.
I don’t know if I’ve ever spent a day in such slothful inertia as I did yesterday. This morning I am wearing the same pajamas that I woke up in yesterday morning. Why? Because I wore them all day yesterday, even when I was up at the barn attending to horses! But I did make a little DTV video. It’s so lame, I’m tucking it into the comments instead of posting as a blog entry. It’s the music that cracks me up. Found it and decided I would make it look like the girls were having themselves a good old-fashioned acid trip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKmWIg9jr40
I have not watched To Sir With Love in years!!!! Love the song, I think Lulu (the British girl, not the dog) sang it. I wonder what happened to her. I know at one time she was married to one of the BEE GEEs.
Love this – Lulu still looks hot, almost 40 years later!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CmDTdgEsjo&feature=related
Wow, Ann, between the two videos you posted, I’m having a ’60′s flashback. Of course, as some wag once pointed out about Woodstock: “If you remember it, you probably weren’t there.”
Arliss, those are some wonderful photos of M’s first riding lesson. The smile on her face is priceless!
Thanks so much, Alan and Sandy! We all had fun. Ann, I love that ’60s music in your video! Really groovy. The dogs are so adorable. I’m having an online love affair with Daphne — just look how sweetly she curls around Holly. She seems like a real dear.
Wow, LuLu looks and sounds fabulous!
Very funny about Woodstock, Alan — probably true! I was just a little kid in the late ’60s but remember trips on sunny Saturdays with Grandma and my siblings to Greynolds Park in North Miami, which was a big hippie hangout, and the flower children were all very nice to us. I realize now that Grandma was really cool with them, which is neat. And mom and dad used to let us kids go into the head shop that was next door to our favorite restaurant on Miami Beach. I remember wondering what all that weird stuff in the glass case was for. But they also sold really neat, colorful clothes and imported things, and to this day the smell of incense and patchouli takes me back to that little shop next to the Lime House.
Wow, I just googled Greynolds Park and learned that they’re having a 1960s revival there in May, complete with an appearance by The Grass Roots and a gathering of vintage VW Bugs. Far out.
http://www.hellomiami.com/Articles/Event/672/Greynolds_Park_Love-In_for_your_inner_hippie.Cfm
That certainly was a far out Psychedelic Sunday Ann – you have two very groovy dogs there. Outta sight music too – glad you put the bongs away for the video.
Yes, I watched To Sir With Love yesterday also – I also remember seeing it when I very young. Classic and LuLu looks even better today.
Arliss: Loved seeing the photos from your visit. It looked like Madeleine was very much enjoying herself. How could you not with the lovely Miss Topaz. Gotta go back soon – KC is the best!
Wow. What freaky coincidences. This blog mentioning Madeleine’s first riding lesson, watching Light in the Piazza, and I just finishing Jane Hamilton’s When Madeline Was Young (a book that’s based on Light in the Piazza).
I think a few posts back Candy and others were asking about reading recommendations. In addition to the ones that were mentioned, I’d recommend this one by Jane Hamilton (When Madeline Was Young) as well as the other one I read this weekend (Laura Rider’s Masterpiece). See what crappy weather and a bad cold can do for a person? Keep her in bed with good books.
Glad to hear it was another successful riding lesson at TMF. If Alan does decide to take KC up on riding lessons, I want to be there–for moral support. Man of the blog turns cowboy. I won’t be able to contain myself.
Have a great week everyone.
Ann, I now have to see this movie! I myself just discovered TCM when my older brother was visiting a few months ago and was watching this amazing channel. I had no idea about it, nor that I had it. I am having so much fun with it. “To Sir with Love”, cannot say enough… one of my favorites is also An Affair to Remember” I cry everytime. Love the dog video, song is hillarious…. so cute. Home with my son today.he has a cold, no school..love staying in bed watching movies..dogs, stuffed animals, books.. of course he loves it too.
Hi Ann
Been reading the blog but not posting. Quick update we had to put Dad in a nursing home after the hospital so sold his place in CT and he is in Boise where my sister lives and closer to me in LA. Very sad stuff but that is life at least he made it yet again. Would have loved to have had coffee with you in CT but not much reason to go back again.
Any way I pride myself on being an expert on old movies so of course I love TCM. There is an old movie I have been meaning to mention to you called Lonely are the Brave starring Kirk Douglas. It’s his favorite movie and he produced it himself through his own production company.
It’s about a cowboy trying to deal with the modern world. He wants life to be simple and free like the old west. He rides his horse across highways with cars. His horse is his way of life.
I don’t want to give away too much of the plot but if you and your readers rent it on Netflixs I guarantee it is a movie you will never forget especially the ending.
I see just about all current movies that come out and most are so forgetable. TCM plays this occasionally but if Netflix has it put it in your queue.
Best Wishes for lots of sunshine in your life.
Kathy Close
Kathy, I love “Lonely Are the Brave” — absolutely one of my favorites (I guess it can’t be my favorite, because I gave the top spot to “Sunset Boulevard” yesterday) movies. Anyways, I have a story about making a friend watch “Lonely Are the Brave” not knowing she had a similar experience to the one at the end of the movie. I won’t spoil it, but I think horsepeople might want to know there are some very unsettling moments. Not a spoiler, just a warning.
I recommend a double feature of “Lonely Are the Brave” and “the Misfits”.
And Ann, if I can figure out how to access my Twitter account, I will help you reach your goal!
Ann, wonderful post, Sundays are great TV movie days…TCM, Lifetime, etc…
I found one of my all time favorites on TV yesterday, Sixteen Candles, I watch it everytime it comes on, those days are of my fondest memories in life….
It was delightful to refresh the page and see yr note Mary Lynn. Lonely are the Brave is such a little known classic but in the top 5 of best movies ever and I do love The Misfits. It would be a perfect double feature.
One of the reasons I did not mention it before because it is an upsetting movie on many levels. The ending is the most the most disturbing thing I have ever seen on film. Which is why it is such a powerful film and there is no other possible ending. From the blog Ann seems like a very sensitive person and this is the kind of movie that stays with you. Didn’t really know if it was the kind of thing that would really upset her.
I am a writer and think probing deeply and affecting people is the truest sign of great art whether you move them to laughter or tears at least you moved them which is a great gift. This movie makes me cry like a baby every time so be forewarned.
Just a little back story… the screen writer is Dalton Trumbo. He was very famous did the Sparticus script with Kirk and a bunch of other really great movies. Totally amazing he wrote comedies and tragedies. He was blacklisted as a communist which killed his career. He did write under other names but was totally broke and broken. Kirk made this movie and allowed him to use his name again. This is indie film at its finest.
View with kleenex handy
Best to All
Kathy C
Hi Kathy, I must see “Lonely Are the Brave”! I love deeply emotional (but not sappy) movies. Recently I watched “Splendor in the Grass” for probably the 50th time. There is always an exact moment when the tears begin – and tears are an understatement, I collapse in sobs. It’s when Natalie Wood reads the bit of Wordsworth and then must leave the classroom because she is so upset. I cry for the rest of the movie. ALso, major tearjerker for me is a Swedish film by Lasse Hallstrom (sp?) called “My Life as a Dog.” It’s not really about a dog, but is one of my all time favorites. I’m crying just thinking about that movie.
Unfortunately, I can’t find my last few netflix movies and don’t think they’ll let me get more. Can I just pay a fee? Must see this Kirk Douglas film
Colleen, got “When Madeline was Young” on my list, currently listening to Steinbeck’s “Travels with Charlie”, I am enjoying this one. I have been trying to listen to Jane Austen books but really have trouble getting in to them, not sure why. I have made a list now of movies to get from the library, I can’t keep up with you guys anymore. Getting warmer everyday here, yippeee….
Hi Ann
From your post I made the right decision. Some people don’t feel comfortable with things that make them cry. I have seen Splender in the Grass many times and her reading that poem makes me cry too. Also like My Life as a Dog
I cry for the human condition but that is what it means to be human really human and personally I don’t respect people who run away from their feelings. It takes courage to feel deeply and not push emotions away.
The movie is about an outsider who can not fit in to the present day world or live by societies law. He longs for a world that doesn’t exist any more. I think you, me and Mary Lynn would have made great outlaw Cowgirls in the old West because we would just want to be with the animals and not herd them.
If you tell Netflix what happened and pay for the lost movies you should be good to go. They may just comp you.
Ok Ann, you finally galvanized me to bite the bullet and Twitter. Helping you get to the 1K mark!
Hello everyone! I cannot remember who recommended The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I think it was several people. I just finished it and loved it – so thank you, whoever you are.
I finally got Devotion from the library, so that’s next.
Loved the photos of Madeline’s riding lesson with KC! Priceless expressions on M’s face.
Ann, I love Splendor In The Grass and cry every time. I’ve put Lonely Are The Brave in my Netflix queue. Gotta love Netflix. I’ve been watching DVDs of The West Wing & really enjoying the show all over again. Raining hard here for several days, so great time for books & movies.
Ann,
Between you and KC, I’m being dragged into this century. I have signed up as an Ann Leary follower on Twitter. Lord, I don’t even know how to do Face Book yet! Please, Fellow Posters,and Lurkers Alike, sign up to follow Ann on Twitter.
Sincerely,
Your Technically Challenged Follower,
Cyn
Jane,
so glad you finished The Help.
Kim, have you finished it yet?
Not to hijack the blog away from Ann’s 1k twitter…but does anyone here have insider info on the Pulitzer Prize? I know the announcement is in a couple of weeks. Does anyone but me think that The Help has a good shot?
Ann, a friend just sent me an email about my passion, dogs. I am technically challenged so I will just say how to pull it up…go to youtube. com and “search” a doggie summer. It is such a fun video to watch and listen to. As you know, I absolutely love the videos you do of your three!
I am in queue at the library for The Help after it was recommended so much on the blog, well maybe I will get to listen to it by Labor Day, apparently there is a very long line for the book on audio.
Arliss, Those are wonderful photos of Madeleine sitting proudly on top of Topaz. She looks very happy up there. I think Topaz was smiling too. Isn’t Zeus a handsome devil too.
Ann -
The video of Daphne and Holly is just adorable! How do you get them to sit still and pose like that, especiallly little Holly? Did the hammer on the table have anything to do with it?! They are so cute together.
Thanks for the update on Raven. Unfortunately, I’m not able to have a second dog, but was wondering how she ws doing and hoping she had been adopted. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before she finds a wonderful home.
Splendor in the Grass – just quoting that part of the Wordsworth poem makes me get all teary. A great film.
Have you read Louann Brizendine’s new book “The Male Brain” yet? She lives here in Sausalito, and there was an article in the local paper about her and her husband and the interesting work they do. It sounds like a great follow-up to “The Female Brain.”
I’m reserving “The Help” from the library posthaste on all the recommendations.
Linda S.
Arliss, your little girl looks adorable on Topaz. It looks like she had a fabulous time. And KC, your Topaz is a gorgeous! Do all palominos have spots like that?
Amanda, thank you! She is a pretty old lady, my Topaz. Not all Palominos have dapples (spots) like that, and as she sheds her winter coat, she’ll turn an even richer shade of gold, with the dapples. I’m sure we’ll have some photos to show!
I am having a spastic Monday myself
. Unsure as to the reason, but I will not ponder on it. Spastic happens, right?
I love old movies. Have taken two classes on film. The first one was with a Professor from SFSU, and she was a walking-talking ‘moviepedia’, difficult to follow because I am not even in the same galaxy (information). The second class, is the one I have been ranting about. Again, this professor also is a moviepedic (word?), and again is difficult to follow. In this one class, he makes you analize scenes (!) and gives you the goings on at the time. I just try to grasp it all.
“Spendor in the Grass” was/is a hell of an intense movie. The lack of balance of the roles are compelling, as indeed, some relationships create such deep state of emotion and some cannot pull out (for a good ending). I remember when she goes to visit him at the farm, and that was one sad thing to observe. The love of her life, probably, and he is happy ‘like that’. And that is after she spends all of that time at a mental institution!. Some price to pay for falling for somebody, in that time. Today folks jump around from one relationship to the other (seems like) like they are changing tshirts… or so it seems. I do wonder, if they know who they are with?.
Cannot be that cynical, right?. Just seems that way..
And yes, looking at old movies and old scripts, the young girl was supposed to be pretty and giggly and stoopid and that is all that was expected of her. Also, if you watch some ‘foreign’ movies, SAME shit, only another country!. Must be aware and weed the caca out, that is all.
Lovely photos of young rider at KC’s farm. And I love Holly and her big sister (Daphne, I think) sitting pretty by each other. The music? I don’t know….
And the Hollywood couple on the news, I wish the heck they make it work, if they still want to be together… and I say that because their lives are hardly normal, and stuff like that happens to many, because of the environment!. Why do I care?. Perhaps because they seem to be sincere, regardless of the media information. Also, because I was visiting that Hollywood area, and there is enough pressure there you can chew on. Just the ceremony for Dennis Hopper…a thing to see. It is hardly ‘normal’. Lots and lots of pressure and people are not themselves….or who they would be, should THAT kind of pressure not be there.
Oh, there was NOBODY in the ceremony under 50 years of age. Not a soul. Not even the photographers. There were some young tourists (from the Netherlands, they said) just happy to take photos of the photographers and their amazing equipment. I do not think they knew who the actor was, that he was so late to get his plaque. Then again, I was not ‘interviewing’ anyone. It appeared that way. And the mood? somber, very somber. More as if it were a funeral… really.
It got to me… stopped me from going to see Rodeo Drive that day.
And so it goes it….
Ann, the closing shot on your latest DTV video is hilarious. The wide eyed stare with ears perked up. So funny.
Colleen, I just wanted to let you know I am almost done with “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” and have love, love, LOVED it!
Just got a chance to view the videos, and yes Lulu does look hot and sound great still. Thunder Moon Farm is beautiful, as are the horses. How fun was that. And I totally agree with Catherine, Potato Peel Pie Society was such a good book. I was ready to move to the Channel Islands and live there. Off to yoga.
I read Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society when it was first published. Just loved it.
Ann. Do you think you could stop Holly from growing any bigger? She’s just so perfectly adorable the way she is right now. The last shot of Holly and Daphne (head over head) on the video is so sweet. I wish I could have a copy of it to keep in my e-photo album.
Lupe, Dennis Hopper’s ceremony. You were lucky to see it, but it sounds so sad. I don’t understand why Hollywood was so slow to give him a star. I was surprised he didn’t have one – just for Easy Rider, if nothing else – but there were lots of other great films. Reminder to all the men to have your PSA checked.
I took a nap this afternoon and dreamed about Deanie and Bud – the last scene when she visits him at his farm. As luck will have it, that scene’s on youtube. Bud doesn’t seem very happy either.
from IMBd: The film’s title is taken from a line of William Wordsworth’s poem “Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood”:
What though the radiance which was once so bright
Be now for ever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind…
So happy to hear others are loving The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I would like to go to Guernsey myself! The Help is worth waiting for. Thanks, Cynthia! Our libraries here bought multiple copies & when I picked up my reservation, there was a stack of other copies waiting to be picked up. I see that it is going to be made into a movie. Both books would make great movies, if done well.
Can anyone tell me when Rescue Me starts up again, can not find on their website.
“Lilith” is another oldie but goodie with Mr. Beatty himself. I first saw it in film class when I was in high school and again much later. Its about an elite woman who is mentally ill and I believe Warren Beatty is mystified by her. It came out in 1964. Haunting and odd.
Cyn – I am still plodding along with “The Help”. I love the book – its just me – plodding along.
Poor Dennis Hopper. His wife is making his last few days on earth a living hell.
Kim, if Warren Beatty was mystified by a mentally ill woman, I’d say I have a pretty good chance at getting a dinner date with him. Oh, that was a movie, right.
Lupe, I just noticed your typo of “spendor in the grass.” That would be me! Too funny.
Ais – ROFL! – stop – Ernie will not tolerate such talk.
Aislinn, you make me laugh constantly!
I see there was some heavy stumping for Twitter domination today . . .
I feel guilty because I ignore all my myspace friend requests.
Is anyone on Foursquare? You get to become “mayor”.
As for Dennis Hopper, I thought it was great that he showed up to his star ceremony, as painful as it may have been all around. Just ‘cuz you’re dying, doesn’t mean you’re not living.
All this Hollywood talk, made me go looking for Norma Desmond’s (Gloria Swanson’s) reflections on “Stars” from “Sunset Boulevard”, but I found this instead –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmzjubEGIi4&feature=related
How old was she in 1980? How beautiful she is.
Tonight there is the most perfect and beautiful full moon here and I went outside to try and take a picture but could not capture it, how does Moses P. do it????
Aislinn, You are too cute !! Warren Beatty would be a lucky man!
Kim, The Help was just so good…..wait till you finish it! Can’t wait to see if you liked it….
Jane, I heard on TV that several attempts had been made in the past to give Dennis Hopper a Star, and he had refused each time. This time, his children supposedly contacted the group, and they got right to work on giving him the honor. He truly seemed to enjoy the occasion, and I think it is wonderful that he now has his place on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Kirk Douglas stays pretty active on his myspace page –
http://www.myspace.com/kirkdouglas
A while back he wrote a piece for the New York Times about his father quitting smoking. I’ll link to it next comment.
I think it is pretty obvious I cry a lot when I watch movies. Sometimes, I cry when I am writing a movie, and I wonder if that means the audience might cry too . . . I hope so, but then again, I may never know.
Here is Kirk Douglas, on his first cigarette and his last –
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/16/opinion/my-first-cigarette-and-my-last.html?scp=1&sq=kirk+douglas+father+smoking&st=nyt
My friend gave up smoking cold turkey in January, and I am very proud of her.
The sad part of getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is that is costs $25,000 — and basically, it can be bought. The nomination must be approved of course, but it is a big publicity stunt, with a price tag attached. Welcome to Hollywood!
Thanks Kathy Close for the info on Dalton Trumbo.
Are the kids in bed yet? I’m going to link to Dalton Trumbo’s diatribe to his son on self-pleasure as read by Nathan Lane.
Actually, you might want to get the kids out of bed for this. Then you can send them off again, armed with a dictionary.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDZMXZciaVM
American Master_____ indeed!
“Dainty” June has left the theater! http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/30/theater/30havoc.html?hpw
Lupe, So many movies reduce woman to silly, passive, or supporting roles, but a heck of a lot don’t. I took a sociology class in Junior College (I wish I could remember what it was called), where the professor pointed out that “The Wizard of Oz” was all about keeping girls from becoming independent women.
Well, I guess I could see his point . . . but I remember that teacher really pissed me off.
I watched “the Snake Pit” on TCM yesterday (that is one scary, intense movie), and then read about the controversy it caused regarding its ending and what it said about women’s role in society.
I like a lot of movies that may seem to keep women in their place. Have these films adversely shaped my future, or self image? Absolutely not. That’s the thing about the movies — they tell stories — they don’t dictate.
I could be every bit John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, James Dean and Clint Eastwood, as Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Natalie Wood, and Vivien Leigh. If there is some hidden agenda in all these classic movies that I love, it is totally wasted on me.
Maybe I should stop talking about movies, and let them speak for themselves . . . Check out these scenes from “Duel in the Sun” — this classic definitely has a shocking ending. If you haven’t seen it, you must.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjHZEjPUQ5Q
Dear Mary Lynn:
I was refering (comment about what is expected of women) to Ann’s depiction of the young female in the one movie she commented on. You see the same stuff in movies from other cultures NOW, perhaps because they are new to the film scripting? or perhaps because that is how the writter thinks? or who knows why. The film industry was new when Ann’s topic (movie) was created/done.
And perhaps that/those socialization/s have indeed not affected you, but it has influenced me. I am not angry or anything, as it is what it is/was. But I am aware of it. And some of those movie scripts really suck!. They are lame city!. Or so I think.
Ann,
I LOVE “My Life as a Dog.” It’s also one of my all-time favorites. Such a beautiful film. Actually, I mentioned it to my husband last week, he’s never seen it and I told him we have to get it on Netflix and watch it. The boy is so sweet in it. And the DP did an amazing job. Kleenex is ready.
Ann thanks for posting the hyperlink to Lulu. I sang along with Lulu as my cat watched. Lulu looks great. I saw Petula Clark a few years ago at Mohegan Sun and she looked and sounded amazing. Those Brits! It’s interesting how a song can take you back to a moment in time in your life. It’s like you’re that age again.
Growing up we had a two family house and the family that lived above us had a teenage daughter that was into The Beatles and the entire British invasion. Her bedroom was above mine and I could hear her play her records. I was not in kindergarten yet, but I loved listening to the records she would play. Sometimes she would even give away the albums she no longer wanted to me and my sister. Not The Beatles albums of course!!! Anyway, this girl gave me her Petula Clark collection and I just loved it and I’m still a Petula fan. Petula covered some Beatles songs, and I thought she was the original artist of many of those songs for the longest amount of time.
As far as Woodstock. That summer my dad planned a family vacation to Canada. The man who watched the news, listened to ‘news radio’ in the car and in the house constantly did not pay any attention to a group of hippies that were going to have a little concert in upstate NY!!!!! Needless to say my family was on the NYS Thruway when it was shut down. It was boiling hot!! I was only about three years old and I remember all these long-haired big kids walking around laughing and my father seething. We still joke to him about this. ‘Dad, want to plan a family trip? Do you think any major roads will be shut down when you’re on them? How does a man listen to the news and not listen to the news?!!!!!’ My sister and I consider ourselves taking part in Woodstock because we were technically there with part of the audience.
Christine, Those are great stories! Wonderful way to start the day.
Dear Ann,
Wonderful story about the movie love in the Piazza… living in Positano during the summer, I love walking by the bars and restaurants seeing them filled with young Italians, some of them fortunate enough to have met a charming American girl gazing fondly in each others eyes. This was exactly the case with my Neapolitan father who met my beautiful Californian mother while she was on holiday in Positano!!!
Christine, love your story! My dad was one of those hippies. And my grandparents, his parents, *still* do not know he went. Tee hee.
KC does your dad have any pictures? That would be pretty cool to have! My dad should have taken pictures of us sitting in a car, wilting, for 8 hours. I still remember that car very well (I wonder why?!) It was a two-door, baby blue, Super Sport (SS) Malibu with bucket seats.