In the 1960s, Barbara Hershey was an ingénue actress on television and small parts in films. There was something about her, more than sending young boys into puberty. She co-starred in a television Western called The Monroes, about a family of kids trying to make it on the frontier without adult supervision, just a benevolent … More Barbara Hershey, plus a look at two Woody Allen Films
Summer notions hardly unpacked Just sunbaked ground deeply cracked August’s heavy, suffocating air Curling my damp, sticky hair Vacation months grow shorter Dog days give no quarter My youthful energy spent Wondering where the years went The golden evening hue Swallows the overhead blue At dusk the insects call Announcing the coming fall
Instead of acting classes and schools, wannabe actors have transitioned from the world of athletics. Buster Crabbe (Olympic swimmer) Johnny Weissmuller (Olympic swimmer), Sonja Henie (Olympic skater), Woody Strode (football, martial arts) and Esther Williams (swimming) come to mind from Hollywood’s Golden Era. Catch them on the late show. Then came Chuck Connors (baseball, basketball), … More Athletes Who Became Actors + Joe Namath
I never thought I’d see this group, certainly not in 2022, but here we are. Little Feat is a swampy, bluesy, rock band with a long history. I thank my friend Brian Shields and his wife Anne for offering the chance to tag along with my girlfriend (JN) and enjoy an evening of music and … More Little Feat (2022) – Concert Review
When a recording artist wants “hits” only, they or their record company release a hits, or best of, collection. The intent is the most popular airplay, sales or charting songs. The anthology is a whole different animal. This collection has some required hit songs, but the intent is to go beyond a greatest hits or … More Anthologies or Greatest Hits?
I had great anticipation for these films and books. I often read books by authors I follow or people in the news that have some interesting revelations. I’m very selected about films too, my attention span is pretty short for poorly made or mindlessness. Music is an entirely different matter. I have my preferences, but … More Recent Film, Book and Music Disappointments
Arguably, the best sports films were directed by Ron Shelton. He is to sports films what Oliver Stone is to conspiracy thrillers and Quentin Tarantino is to gritty psychological thrillers. Shelton directed other non-sports films, crossing over into the weirdness of Stone/Tarantino. And yet, Shelton says that baseball is only secondary to Bull Durham. “It’s … More Ron Shelton: The Church of Baseball (book review)
I’ve never understood this film, although preparing for this review, I have made progress. It’s a witty, complex and character-driven who-done-it. If you watch it, you need to really watch it, in other words, pay attention and keep your mind from drifting. The ending is far from the only payoff – this is a chain … More The Last of Sheila (1973)
I heard about this book on CBS Sunday Morning and I knew right away I needed to read this book. ‘If you are in Manhattan, traveling downtown on Fifth Avenue or Seventh Avenue, you can turn only left on Tenth Street. It’s a one-way street, west to east. Left on Tenth is my way home. … More Left on Tenth, A Second Chance at Life: Delia Ephron (a book review)
Viola Davis is a wonderful actor. If you’ve seen her in The Help, Doubt, How to Get Away With Murder, Fences or any of her other acting roles, you already know how talented Davis is. This is a difficult, although highly rewarding book. Davis is blunt, direct and does not hold back. Her early life … More Finding Me: Viola Davis (book review)
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