Happy Birthday, Baby

OH MY GOD! We're now old enough for "Early Bird Specials".

Happy Birthday!

Love you Syl
Always have and always will!

I've Got the Music in Me!

You know, we haven't had a nice discussion about movie musicals in a long time. And there are so many to choose from. Stay tuned.

Love you Syl ...
always have and always will!

"The Valley of the Dolls" Did Not Take Place During the "Summer of Love"

They have nothing in common so why combine them into one posting? Because I can ramble on and say whatever I want on this blog -- that's why! Does anyone have a problem with that?

Again, it just amazes me that one of your favorite movies is also one of mine. One of two things has happened ... you've turned into a fat, 53 year old man with a penchant for campy movies starring aging/fading Hollywood has-beens or I've turned into a chick flick/tear jerker fanatic! OK - let's not beat around the bush ... we know that men of my ILK love anything that reeks of camp! And God knows I've got my fair share of Broadway show tune genes! DUH! I guess it's obvious!

I watch "The Valley of the Dolls" every time it's on TV. I love the theme song and I love watching Barbara Parkins and Patty Duke -- but let's not forget Susan Hayward, another one of my absolute faves!

Barbara Parkins was so lovely, fresh off the set of "Peyton Place". Where is she? I was enamored of her, she was so beautiful. And I have always loved Patty Duke, that little fresh-faced muffin (I think I liked Cousin Cathy even more). Both Barbara and Patty were 60s TV icons, it was impossible not to like them -- especially when you're 12 years old (as we were).

Remember when "Peyton Place" was on TV three nights a week? We were in grade school and I watched it every night. Never missed an episode ... and then we'd talk about it the next day at school! We thought it was so provocative ... maybe even lurid. Rodney Harrington, Allison MacKenzie, I'll never forget them!

They say history repeats itself ... I did the same thing with "Dallas", "Dynasty", "Falcon Crest", et al -- I was also enthralled with those TV shows. We had our soap opera phase, didn't we ... "Dark Shadows". "All My Children", "General Hospital". My phase lasted through the early 80s and I couldn't get enough when I was at my most addicted!

I think that "The Valley of the Dolls" also had a certain lurid appeal to it. The book was considered "dirty" at the time and certainly trashy (of course, it couldn't compare to "Sin One, Sin All", remember our first foray into "pornography"? We didn't even know what "get your rocks off" meant!)

Lastly, I hear the Whitney Museum in New York has a fabulous exhibit of "Summer of Love" memorabilia. A friend of mine from Miami went to see it and spent 5 hours there. She got these very groovy postcards that are psychedelic and brought back a poster of Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisted". The young punks at work didn't know who he was ... only us "mature" folks recognized him! The local oldies station here in Miami is giving away trips to San Francisco to see the concert in Golden Gate Park on Labor Day weekend. Anyway, if I can get a really cheap airfare, I want to come up and see the exhibit. Remember how much we wanted to go to "Woodstock"? We had a very colorful and rich experience growing up ... I wouldn't have changed it for the world!

Love you Syl -- always have and always will.

You Are "Effin' Amazing!"

OH MY GOD! "By jove, I think she's got it!" (Can you say "My Fair Lady"?)

Absolutely, positively, completely and totally RIGHT! I told you #7 was a trick question but you weren't tricked -- it's not movie dialogue, it's a line from the song "Ode to Billie Joe". And yes, what exactly did they throw off of the Talahatchee Bridge?.

So #4, where's it from? It's dialogue between Constance Bennett and Lana Turner in the movie "Madame X".

The plot: Holly Parker (Turner), a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, meets and marries the future Senator Clayton Anderson (John Forsythe) from Connecticut (he is on the fast track to the White House). The Senator is always on the road, fulfilling his political ambitions, and the lonely Holly becomes involved with the Lothario Phil Benton (Ricardo Montalban). When Holly breaks-up with Phil, he accidentally falls down the stairs and dies. Estelle Anderson (Bennett), the Senator's mother, learns of Holly's scandalous behavior and she arranges for Holly to fake her own death by drowning at sea, ultimately disappearing forever, and thereby avoiding a scandal that could forever tarnish the Senator's reputation and embarrass their 4 year old son.

In the scene, Holly passionately questions Estelle's plan and her underlying motive, to which Estelle SCOWLS,

"TO BE RID OF YOU"!

This is the scene in the movie during which the line is said.

It's so campy ... and even though the line is meant to show Estelle's innate hatred of Holly, the delivery of the line always makes me laugh!

I'd bet $$$ to doughnuts that you know the plot of "Madame X", but just in case, here's a link. It's a definite tear jerker (I'm not giving away any more of the plot except to say that Holly falls to the bottom of the barrel, murders a man to save her son from learning about her shady past, and then goes on trial for the man's murder). You've got to see it, if you already haven't!

http://www.tcm.com/thismonth/article.jsp?cid=88744&mainArticleId=31278

Love you Syl ---

Always Have and Always Will!

You asked For It ! Answers.

Hi Ive Baby! Here’s what I got:

1. The Treasure of The Sierra Madre (for the longest time I was thinking of an episode of “Bonanza” for some reason. LOL).
2. Valley Of The Dolls (one of my faves).
3. Auntie Mame (I confess, I cheated and had to Google it).
4. No clue
5. Now Voyager (I know this because of you my dear).
6. All About Eve (a fave of ours )
7. I have no idea. I know the song with this line in it-- Ode to Billie Joe by Bobbie Gentry, and I know there was a movie of the same name, but I don’t remember a movie where this is a famous quote. And what were they throwing off the Tallahatchee Bridge, anyway?
8. I admit, I couldn’t remember but I used this line on my dad the other day and he said, “Cool Hand Luke.”
9. Kilgore to Lance in one of my faves—Apocalypse Now.
10. North by Northwest (Googled it!).

Love you!

Syl

You Asked For It!

My Dearest, Darling Sylvia,

It's impossible to express my emotions over your last post ... I was completely, totally, absotively, positutely, implicitly, explicitly, duplicitly, replicitly and biplicitly overwhelmed! IT WAS THE BOMB! WAY WAY COOL! You blew me out of the water! And I thank you for that.

So now, down to business. OK ... here are some famous movie lines, try to guess anything about the movie. The name of the movie, the actor who said the line, the character's name, whatever comes to mind. Enjoy!

1. "Badges? We ain't got no badges. We don't need no badges. I don't have to show you any stinking badges."
2. "Art films? They're not art films, they're NUDIES! NUDIES!"
3. "Life is a banquet and most poor sons-of-bitches are staving to death!"
4. "But Estelle, how could you do that to me? Why would you do that?"
   (Estelle's reply) "To be RID of you!"
5. "Oh Jerry, let's not ask for the moon, we have the stars."
6. "Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night!"
7. "It was the 3rd of June, another sleepy, dusty, delta day."
8. "What we've got here is failure to communicate".
9. "I love the smell of napalm in the morning."
10. "Not that I mind a slight case of abduction now and then, but I have tickets for the theater this evening, to a show I was looking forward to and I get, well, kind of unreasonable about things like that."
    

Hint: #7 could be a trick question -- be careful.

Love you Syl -- always have and always will!

Ive

"So proper judging others over her tea..."

Ivan Dear... In your last email you mentioned hearing The Monkees singing Your Auntie Grizelda on your XM radio. Ohmygod! How funny is that?

Not long ago I asked someone if they rememberd this song-- I erroneously sang it to them: "Auntieeeee Grizelllldaaaa" to the tune of the Peter and Gordon song Lady Godiva (remember that one?)--it's been a very long time. LOL!

But after you mentioned it I went over to You Tube and looked up the song title and I came up with the following video and It all then flooded back to me: those hot summer Monday nights watching The Monkees TV show! Peter Tork!12 year old girls dancing and having a ball! LOL! I love this crazy song!
Thanks!
Love you Ivan/ Enjoy

VIDEO REMOVED BY SYL

HI Ivan!

As for classic movie lines--I say:"Bring 'em on!"
Oh no, wait........ that's not a movie line, that's a "moron" line. :) /LOL.
Anyway, one of MY favorite classic movie lines is from my favorite movie of all times: "Nobody puts Baby in the corner."
Can you guess the movie?

As if...

From Their Mouths to Our Ears!

My Dearest Syl,

So ... are you up for a little discussion on classic movie lines? I've got a few that I'm putting together in my next post. They're mostly campy, certainly nothing profund, but at the very least, engaging. It'll be my own little version of "That's Entertainment".

Love you Syl -- always have and always will!

Hint: "Art films? They're nudies! That's all they are, nudies!"

"The Sounds of Sondheim" and Comments from Cletus (Biby, that is)

Dear Biby,

WOW! It was quite a surprise to see your comments to my post, "Just a Little Chat 'bout Nothin'". Welcome to "Friends on Film". Sylvia and I and are having a wonderful time with our little blog. I'm happy to learn that someone else is enjoying our posts. If you have a few minutes, why don't you take the "Which Sondheim Musical Are You" test? Let us know what comes up -- we'd love to hear from you. We love reading your comments ... keep it up! Regards, Ivan

Ivan says:

In my last post, I ventured away from the movie theme and took a trip down "The Great White Way". Truth be told, Broadway is my first true love. Something I've said before bears repeating ... "At 13 years, in 1967, my favorite album was the soundtrack from "Funny Girl". Not The Beatles or the Rolling Stones or The Dave Clark Five or The Beach Boys or The Four Seasons (frankly, The Monkees were a VERY close second to "Funny Girl" -- I had a big crush on Davy Jones!) . I guess it only goes to show that we can't hide who we are ... even at 13 years old I was a budding "Friend of Dorothy" (yet another one of my favorite performers!)"

Another truth be told ... I am a Stephen Sondheim freak ... he is an amazing composer. He is definitely my favorite songwriter. "Follies", "Sweeney Todd", "Company", "Pacific Overtures" ... it doesn't get any better than that. Yes, "A Little Night Music" is right up there. It's not that I like the others any less -- I love them all and "A Little Night Music" is up there, at the top of the list, with all of the others!

The lead character in "A Little Night Music", her name is "Desirée, reminds me of you because she speaks some of the most clever lines in the show. She's her own woman. And of course, Judy Collins sang "Send in the Clowns" back in the early 70s ... and whenever I hear Judy Collins, I think of you! They say sound is the most powerful sense and I truly believe that!

So you ask, what is the best revue of any Broadway composer ... "Side by Side by Sondheim".

Love you Syl -- always have and always will!

Which Stephen Sondheim Musical...? Syl adds:

I went ahead and took the "Which Stephen Sondheim Musical Are You?" test myself-- here are the results:

A Little Night Music - You are a neglected masterpiece. Insightful and poignant, you make people laugh and love. You'll even make people question their very outlook on life.. if they ever live to be 80.

Which Stephen Sondheim Musical Are You?
brought to you by The Best Website EverThanks Ivan...this was really funny! I think you really should pursue your Broadway dreams--sure, you could still be discovered! ;) I always thought that I would love to have played the role of Betty Rizzo in Grease :)Just a thought.Good night darling...One word: MAMBO!

Just a Litte Chat 'bout Nothin'

Ivan says:

I love that picture of you and Jack on the sofa in Hazelton, PA. Too bad you can only see half of him. Why would the person taking the picture focus on anyone other than Jack, I wonder? Then I remembered, it's you! Why wouldn't we want to look at you even if a movie star is in the room? I've always wondered about the correct pronunciation of his last name ... is it PAL-ance or pa-LANCE?

I do remember Jack and very well indeed. Mostly from TV, not from the movies. Funny thing ... my impression is that he made many westerns, but when I reviewed his bio on www.IMDB.com, it doesn't look like westerns were his forte. Perhaps it was because of you that he stands out so clearly in my mind. Or perhaps it's my shameless "star fucker" gene that is completely enamored of anything related to show business.

I think I've told you before, I'm a Broadway STAR who's just waiting to be discovered! Don't laugh, it could happen. Look at that old lady who was in "Titanic", Gloria Stuart -- she was in her 70s when she was re-discovered (having last acted in movies during the the 30s). Would you like to know what my dream roles are, the ones I'd like to play on Broadway?

1. Pontius Pilate in "Jesus Christ Superstar"
2. Laurent, the betrothed son, in "La Cage Aux Folles"
   (I'M WAY too old for that role now but
   not when the show first ran on Broadway)
3. Che Guevara in "Evita"
4. Ben Stone in Stephen Sondheim's "Follies"
5. Joanne in "Company" (because I love the song
   "Ladies Who Lunch")

I took the "Which Sondheim Musical Are You" test, this is the result:

No matter ... I can often be heard singing, very loudly, to the original cast CDs of these shows while I'm washing floors and dusting the house on Saturdays!

I also remember the trip we took to Hazelton when we were about 12 years old -- your father drove us in his 1965/1966 Mustang -- we were THE coolest kids in the world. I remember Lattimer Mines, the house in which your father grew up, your maternal grandmother and her house. I remember your cousin Georgie and his mother (can't remember her name) and your Uncle Joe (is that his name, on your mother's side). And remarkably, I remember your mother's family name -- SLIVA, right? I don't know why I remember it, I just do.

Your mother's family always seemed like such nice folks, I really liked them. Of course they were nice, they were from Pennsylvania! And you know, I've always been one of your Mom's biggest fans. She played a significant role in my life growing up. I have VERY many fond memories of your mother ... she was very good to me, a dirt poor French-Canadian kid, latent homosexual who couldn't stop dancing or obsessing about his hair or lusting after every cute boy in the neighborhood! I was definitely shameless!

So, to the point of my post. As I've said many times in this post, I'm an avid audiobook "listener". Well, I recently rented "Running with Scissors" and was very disappointed. It did not translate well onto the big screen. The book is funny and sad and surprising and semi-pornographic and altogether outrageous. But the movie doesn't capture any of it. The movie, although meant to be a "dark comedy" is just simply dark, and you never really come to feel anything for the characters. Starring Annette Bening as the monumentally dysfunctional and detached mother -- she's one of my ABSOLUTELY, COMPLETELY, TOTALLY AND UNABASHEDLY FAVORITE ACTORS -- the movie fails to draw you in. By the end of the movie, all I thought was "So What"? All the events from the book were far too abbreviated and the finished movie was a bit disjointed -- at least to me.

If you've read any of Augusten Burroughs' other books, you surely found them irreverent, if nothing else. He writes like no one else. I just finshed "Dry" and I'd recommend it, the memoir of his time spent in alcoholic rehab!

I also rented "The DaVinci Code" on DVD recently. This is a book with which I was totally captivated for quite some time. In fact, I listened to the audiobook CD TWICE, that's how much I loved it. Although not as disappointing to me as "Running with Scissors", I have to agree with the critics that it did not live up to the hype. Of course, the critics were just plain rude who booed the movie and walked out on it at the Cannes Film Festival, but it is obviously not the movie it was touted to be. I'm disappointed in Ron Howard and Tom Hanks. Maybe it was the choice of actors ... Tom Hanks did not make a good Robert Langdon; it would have been a PERFECT vehicle for a younger Harrison Ford type.

All that being said, I'm off to bed.

Love you Syl -- always have and always will!

PS: Can you guess the
underlying design
methodology
for this post?

JACK AND THE JUNK MOVIE JUNKIE by Sylvia

As the days finally become longer, and I emerge, stretching and yawning from my long winter hibernation—I pour myself a strong cup of coffee.settle down at my desk, crack my knuckles and prepare to divulge to you my dear reader (s), my latest addiction—to viewable entertainment that is.

One day, while shopping at my local supermarket, I happened to stumble upon the (drum roll) dollar DVD. So—having previously admitted to being a “bad old movie junkie,” you can just imagine my sheer joy at finding these cheesy, campy, corny and sometimes poorly preserved old movies…and all for a dollar!

I now possess stacks and stacks of these
low-budget delights:

.Warning from Space(1956), a superbly campy sci-fi film replete with bad dubbing and aliens tormenting Tokyo in the cheesiest star-shaped costumes ( with one big dumb eye in the center) I have ever seen.


•King of the Zombies (1941), featuring lots of Voodoo, Nazis and best of all Mantan Moreland.

•The Monster Walks (1932), with Willie Best as “Ol’ Sleep N’ Eat.”
•The Brain that Wouldn’t Die.
•Topper Returns.
•Tales of Tomorrow (1951-1953), with a
VERY young Leslie Nielsen.
•World War II (The German Front), an
eye-opening Frank Capra propaganda film.
·The Bat, with Vincent Price and Agnes Morehead.

•No no Nanette •Dinner at the Ritz.
•The Beverly Hillbillies.
•The Lucy Show.
•The Andy Griffith Show.
•Shane , with Jack Palance.
Just to name a few.

An article in USA Today calls the enthusiasm over the dollar DVD “a new phenomenon.” It goes on to say that, “…consumers are snapping them up.” It also warns consumers to choose carefully, least they are disappointed—they just don’t get it, do they?

I could go on and on ad infinitum with raves for
these inexpensive forms of entertainment but
suffice it to say that they have provided this
“junk movie junkie” with hours and hours of pure
viewing pleasure.

I would like to digress a bit here and take this
time to talk briefly about a certain actor: star of
many dollar DVD’s. An actor: recently deceased
(Nov. 10, 2006). An actor: the quintessential
“crumb” of the “silver screen.” An actor:
Volodymyr Palahniuk (a name that defies
pronunciation!). An actor (please Syl come to the
point!): Jack Palance, childhood friend of my
father (and friend of my uncle on my mother’s
side as well).

Most people I talk to only remember Jack Palance as Curly or Duke in City Slickers, his 1992 Academy Awards 73 year old one-hand push-ups, or maybe as the evil gunfighter Jack Wilson in Shane, but I have pretty much been aware of him all my movie-viewing life due to my dad (who grew up with Jack and his brother in Lattimer Mines, PA.) who would always comment to me about his “overacting.” My dad recounts that when they were kids and they played “cops and robbers” Jack was always the robber. And when they played “Cowboys and Indians,” Jack was always the “Indian” (who were the bad guy’s pre “political correctness”). All this was in practice, no doubt, for his subsequent roles: Dr. Jekyll (Mr. Hyde too), Ebenezer Scrooge and Count Dracula -- and for his movies, including: The Man in the Attic (1953), Sudden Fear (1952) and “Panic in the Streets (1950).

By now you may be asking yourself if there is a point to all this talk about a dead actor. The answer is, “no, not really.” It’s just that, one day while visiting my mom, I came across this photo:

Yes, it’s ol’ Jack and I sitting on the couch during a 1975 visit to my grandmother’s (my mom's mom) house in Hazleton, PA (a neighboring town of Lattimer Mines and another one of Jack Palance’s “stomping grounds”) waiting to taste my grandmother’s legendary Perogies.

Please note the “Leisure Suits.”

Enjoy!

Another Birthday???

Ok! Will the person who just had a birthday--please twist your ear!

Happy Birthday Ivan! You were soooo cute!

Love you!

Happy New Year! It's 2007! Dejà vu and "Stream of Consciousness" Revisited

Ivan says:

2007? We can't be that old, can we? Oh my God ... if people only knew that those pictures of us at the top of this page are from the mid-60s! But I must say, yet again, we were SO cute!

Ivan and Cherl Chapman, Miami Beach -- this has nothing to do with the post ... just thought you'd enjoy this picture.

I also want to restate that I love our little blog. It brings me great joy to banter back and forth with you.

I've recently become addicted to audio books, listening to them during my 45+ minute commute each day to and from Miami. A friend of mine gave me "The Devil Wears Prada", and even though I had seen the movie last summer, I decided to listen. I mentioned this movie in a previous post but it was limited to my adulation for the wonderful Stanley Tucci, who is always a joy to behold! I'm very much enjoying the book ... but the reader (Rachel Leigh Cook) has that same marble-mouthed vocal peculiarity as Holly Hunter ... and it can be distracting. She is saved only by her additional vocal resemblance to Hope Davis -- one of the best book readers working today.

I also recently finished listening to "Running With Scissors". Two friends used different words to describe the very revealing story; one said "Very gritty" and the other said "Too much information". My personal feeling is that it was borderline pornography, as only a gay male writer can scribe. I haven't seen the movie, with Annette Bening as the mother (she's another joy to behold), but I can't wait. The book was laugh out loud funny, if graphic. The psychiatrist, Dr. Finch, is really the craziest character in the book.

Over Christmas vacation, I saw two movies on HBO that moved me. "The Family Stone" is one of those family angst movies, albeit a charming, funny and poignant one, with a long list of highly entertaining characters and actors: Sarah Jessica Parker, Dermot Mulroney, Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams (if you haven't heard of her yet, you will), Luke Wilson, Craig T. Nelson, Claire Danes. Whether they're on the "A" list or the "B" list, these actors were simply a pleasure to watch. No big message in this movie ... just a highly enjoyable two hours. I watched this film twice and both times cried my eyes out ... literally wailing on my couch. Keep the Kleenex handy.

I also watched a documentary from 2003/2004 called "Mad Hot Ballroom". It's about a Ballroom Dancing Competition for 6th-7th-8th graders in NYC. Each school selects a team of competitors to represent the school. It's been held for a number of years now and the trophy is as big as those given to high school football teams! There are teams from all five boroughs and it was amazing to see "city kids", with all their "rough" edges go through these competitions. There are, of course, the usual heart-breaking scenes, when your favorite team loses, but it all ends in triumph for one school. I disliked the teacher who coached the winning team -- she was a bit crude, overbearing and demeaning, , but the dance instructor, who taught all the routines, was someone who brought out all the best in the kids. I admit it, I'm a bawler, and this one made me cry too!

So, if you have a little time to spare, take a few minutes to view these movies.

PS: "The L Word" is back in production ... don't you just love that series?

Love you Syl -- always have and always will!

Hello Dahling...

"Laverne" says: "You are just tooooo funny dahling! I'm excited too--I'll then be in my prime so watch out! Love you--ta, ta for now...

A Little Birdy Told Me ...

. . . there's a special day on the way! Dec 13th -- I wonder what it could be? It would seem that our friend "Ruvana", here on the left, is very excited about this day.

Praise the Lord,

and Hallelujah!

Another Bad Blogging Buddy!

Hi Ivan! I have also been remiss of late, but I am working on a post about our family friend, Jack Palance, who has recently passed away.

Love your horns !

Love you--Miss You!

Syl

Bad, Bad Blogging Buddy!

Ivan says:

I have not forgotten you nor have I forsaken you ... I've just been "on leave". Lots of stuff going on ... I was in Maine for my uncle's funeral, in NJ for my aunt's funeral and just plain occupied with other stuff. Considering that the Halloween season is upon us, you could say I've been a little devil, hiding from my friends and generally being in communicado.

I had a very hard time figuring out the name of the movie with the black woman and the two kids. Of course, the top picture is "Come Back to the Five & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean". Sandy Dennis, Cher and Karen Black -- love all three of them. My favorite Sandy Dennis film is "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

The 2nd picture is a shot from "Member of the Wedding", with Ethel Waters and Brandon DeWilde (I have no idea who the young girl is). I've never seen this movie and had to rely on IMDB.com to find the answer. However, I've certainly heard of the movie, and the book by Carson McCullers, upon which it is based. I am definitely adding this movie to my "must see" list.

I have become addicted to audio books, especially since they keep me company on my hour long drive back and forth between home and work each day. Right now, I am CONSUMED (no other word) with a Ken Follett book, "Pillars of the Earth". It's an epic novel (think "The Thorn Birds", "The Fountainhead", "Les Misérables") that takes place in 12th century England, and revolves around the building of a cathedral. The book is on 28 audio cassettes -- I've already had it checked out of the library for six weeks and I can proudly say that I'm now listenting to cassette #20! I can't help thinking that this book would make a fabulous movie ... in the right hands!

Love you, Syl! Always have and always will!

Syl Says:

Here is a preview of the 2 movies covered by my next post. Can you name them? Can you name the actors? Can you figure out what they have in common (besides being 2 more of my faves)?

No need to turn the answers in--just something to think about.

I Love You 2 Ivan...

More Best Bettes

Ivan says:

Very, very clever post -- a compelling, completely unpredictable and thoroughly enjoyable ride -- one that I enjoyed very much!

We start out on "Davis Drive", make a sharp right on to " Harrison Highway", continue until we arrive at "Jack's Junction", turn left at "Kathy Court", make a u-turn and end up right back on "Bette Blvd". One of the most delightful "road trips" I've been on in a while; I couldn't help but keep driving through all that wonderful prose!

I'm sorry that you didn't get to see "Now, Voyager" -- it's definitely in a first place tie with "All About Eve" for me. The list continues and I might recommend at least two more "BD" films. "The Old Maid", "The Great Lie", "The Letter", "The Man Who Came to Dinner", "Old Acquaintance", and yes, "In This Our Life" ... OK, that's more than two, but there are so many worth watching. The Turner Classic Movie Channel often runs a "Bette Fest", so it's worth keeping an eye out on TCM (if you are a cable subscriber). As I've said many times before, TCM is the default TV channel in my house.

You know, when one talks about "The Divine Miss Bette", the mind can't help but drift to Olivia de Havilland ... but that's for another post, my dear!

Love you Syl, always have and always will!

102 In The Shade...

Syl Says:

The first week in August was oppressively hot in old NJ (102 in the shade as they say). And I, needing to plan only air-conditioned activities (and after your last post my dear), set out to the video store to rent Bette Davis films and have a BD film fest of my own. To my utter disappointment, however, they had only 2 BD films: Pocketful of Miracles and All about Eve. So, armed with these 2 movies (and a couple of other unrelated films),a tub of popcorn and a big box of Milk Duds, I spread my blankets and pillows on the floor, revved up the a/c, popped in the first DVD and let the tube take me away…

I can remember seeing this Frank Capra directed film, Pocket Full of Miracles a couple of times before. Sadly, I do not think that the role of “Apple Annie” did anything to showcase the real talent of the “spitfire” actress, Bette Davis. I realize, though, that the premise of this movie is one that has been utilized in quite a few movies and sitcoms over the years. Another film that comes to my mind (though not the exact premise) is “Working Girl.” I liked this movie because a mere peon becomes the “big cheese” for awhile, not to mention it had Harrison Ford (a heartthrob of mine at the time) shooting his famous “look of love” at Melanie Griffith (Tess). And speaking of Harrison Ford and his “look of love,” I’d like to mention “Witness” (another fave). Having a fascination with the Amish and the charm of the Amish Country, this film is a sheer delight for me. When Det. John Book (Ford), while hiding out on an Amish farm, stumbles across the Amish widowed mom, Rachel Lapp (Kelly McGillis) bathing nude and they simply just “look” at each other for a long, hungry moment and everything that needed to be said, was said, in that one “look”—I swooned. Please pardon my digression.

Now, All About Eve; that was another story! Bette Davis was perfect in the role of Margo Channing; with her dramatic style, “acid tongue,” and fashionable smoking—I was enchanted by the aging (but still very beautiful) Bette. I was also compelled by the gradual character development of Eve (Anne Baxter) from the sweet, unassuming ingénue to the cold, calculating witch that she really was. This brings to mind for me the frightfully creeping transformation of the dear little, perfect nanny, Peyton Flanders (Rebecca DeMornay) to the scheming little monster she really was in The Hand That Rocks the Cradle. And, although the motivations were different (ambition for the former/revenge for the latter) the Bitches they became were the same. To digress even further—I can’t help but think about the eerie evolution of Jack Torrance (the amazing Jack Nicholson), nice dad, to the evil “what ever that was” in The Shining (another fave-o-mine). All work and no play…

Much to my chagrin, however, I was not able to get a copy of my absolute favorite Bette Davis film—What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? Oh, how I long to see this campy, macabre, weird and wonderful film again! My favorite scene is the final one where Blanche (Joan Crawford) lay dying on the beach and Jane, while bringing her an ice cream cone, suddenly finds the police and a curious crowd gathering around them—she then begins to smile, holds her dress out and dances for them as if they were her adoring audience. Brrravaaa! And, as you may have guessed by now—I am going to digress.I am thinking about another weird and wonderful movie, Misery (based on the Stephen King novel of the same name). This one had me at the edge of my seat as the bizarre Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) "nurses" writer, Paul Sheldon (James Caan) back to “health” (as it were). After this magnificent performance by Kathy Bates—I just may be her “number one fan.” Heck, did you happen to see her long sagging breasts in the hot tub seduction scene in About Schmidt? This proves to me that she would do anything for her craft! I would not want Jane Hudson or Annie Wilkes to take care of me if I were disabled—would you?

And, speaking of Stephen King—I have been a big fan of the writers of the “New England Horror” Genre for almost as long as I could read. H.P. Lovecraft, Joseph A. Citro, Ann Arensberg and the like. I recall reading several books by the actor turned writer, Thomas Tryon: The Other, Lady and Harvest Home. I loved these great gothic novels and remember being thrilled by the TV mini-series, based on Harvest Home: The Dark Secret of Harvest Home in 1978. A nice young couple moves to a quiet and picturesque New England village where the people are quaint and adhere to the “old ways.” Here they meet the “Widow Fortune,” the town’s eccentric herbalist, midwife, and matriarch. The couple’s young daughter (Rosanna Arquette) starts to become more wholesome and is no longer suffering from the symptoms of her deadly asthma and everything is relatively fine—that is until the Pagan Festival of Harvest Home rolls around. It is then that “all hell breaks loose” and there is the “corn play” replete with seductive dancing of the women, sex (rutting) between the Harvest Lord with the Corn Maiden, the slashing of the Harvest Lord’s throat at the moment of climax, and the cutting out of any man’s tongue and blinding he who happens to witness the corn rituals—yes, everything a good pagan festival should be! And all this presided over by the High Priestess; namely, Bette Davis hamming it up wonderfully as the Widow Fortune! Ye ha!

A Big Hand for the Little Lady!

That's a great big "A+" for getting all the answers right (including the trick questions)!

Love you Syl, always have and always will!

Turning in late homework:

"All Things Bette and Beautiful" (and Bitchy, too!)

Ivan says:

It's been what, 4 months since we started posting on this blog, right? Well, I think it's about time we had a post that talked about the legendary and talented Bette Davis -- who happens to be at the very top of my all time favorite list!

I get the impression that Bette Davis is an acquired taste for many Baby Boomers. Aside from the mature gay men I know, I don't frequently find many folks who are die-hard Bette Davis fans, like me. Yes, it's a different style of acting but it was grand style, to be sure! The characters are unforgettable and form a long list of well-known names – Margo Channing, Charlotte Vale, Fannie (Mrs.) Skeffington, Julie Marsden and yes, even "Baby Jane" Hudson.

If you watch "All About Eve" (1950) and apply today's movie standards, it is an absolute hoot! Who could forget the immortal line, delivered by the argumentative Bette to her boyfriend Bill (her then real life boyfriend Gary Merrill), as she walks into the room just before Bill's birthday party begins, "Fasten your seat belt, it's going to be a bumpy night!" Anne Baxter as Eve and George Sanders as Addison De Witt also deliver some memorable lines. It's very soap opera-ish, very 40s/50s and quintessentially Bette! I've always thought the plot had many similarities to Bette's life – a prolific, highly praised, controversial and rapidly aging actress (Bette was 42 and pretty much washed up in Hollywood at the time) pushed off the pedestal by a younger, prettier and more energetic actress. I watch this movie EVERY time it's on TV ..., which is quite often, since my default TV channel is Turner Classic Movies. You can't take your eyes off her. There's also a nice turn by Celeste Holm as Margo's friend Karen. A classic movie if ever there was. One of my all time top three films.

Just as soap opera-ish, but 8 years earlier, is "Now, Voyager" from 1942. Bette, in her mid-30s, was in her prime and at her most beautiful (to my eye). With Paul Henreid and Claude Rains, two of Bette's favorite leading men, this is the famous “two-cigarette" movie that the boys go to see in "Summer of '42". The story: A depressed and dowdy spinster suffers a nervous breakdown. After a stint at a "rest home" she emerges a dazzling, if diffident, woman, who, during a South American cruise, meets a married man with a troubled home life. Although a love story, the movie also chronicles the psychologically tumultuous relationship between a wealthy, overbearing and unsympathetic matriarch (Gladys Cooper at her bitchiest) with her newly confident and slightly rebellious daughter (Bette). In the “Summer of ‘42”, Hermie and Benjie were enthralled by the movie – and so am I. Lest I finish this paragraph without quoting the famous last line of the movie; standing on a balcony in the moonlight with Paul Henreid, who has just lit two cigarettes, Bette chides him after he wishes they could spend the rest of their lives together, "Jerry, let's not ask for the stars, we have the moon!" Depending on my mood, this is either my #1 or #2 Bette Davis vehicle.

Together again with Claude Rains, who plays the part of "Mr. Skeffington", this is a dark movie for its time and for Bette. Bette plays an unsympathetic woman who marries her brother's boss to save her brother from going to jail after he embezzles a large sum of money from his employer. Bette ages 50 years in the movie and although her shrewish character is not very likeable, you've got to marvel at her transformation and her ability to become the character – heavy make-up and all. This movie doesn’t make my Top 10 list but it’s definitely a “Bitchy Bette” movie. A must see for anyone with a penchant for movies about strong-willed and determined woman. No memorable lines but yet again, another wonderful Claude Rains performance (I really like him!)

We take another step backward in time, now to 1938 and “Jezebel”. It’s a pre-Civil War period movie in which a 30-year-old Bette passes plausibly as a 19 year old in love with Henry Fonda, although she does everything to rebuke his advances – it’s all so very “Come here, I hate you – Go away, I love you”. The characters are every bit “Gone with the Wind” types, and Bette won the Best Actress Oscar in 1938 for her portrayal of the quintessential southern vixen, just as Vivien Leigh did for her 1939 portrayal of Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone with the Wind”. Favorite line: Bette to her Aunt Belle, as she prepares to go to the Debutante Ball in a fabulous, but politically incorrect gown, “ This is 1852, not the Dark Ages” – that’s such an unexpected line in a movie that takes place in the 1850s. My favorite scene: A headstrong Bette goes to the Debutante Ball in a flaming red dress, stunning everyone at the ball and shaming herself in the process (she was expected to wear white). Another one of Bette’s favorite boys, George Brent as a man she pretends to love, is in the movie.

Bette Davis and Joan Crawford in the same movie – does it get any better than that? Campy and creepy, “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane” is a triumph of Bette over the Beast (at least as far as her make-up is concerned). You gotta give it to her – how many actresses would allow themselves to be made-up quite so ghoulishly in an effort to augment the character’s disturbing behavior and eccentricities? When I first saw this movie as a young boy of nine at the Strand Theatre in Keyport, NJ, I was petrified by it [Remember those days, when there were no movie ratings and a kid could get into any movie? Not long after that, I started buying my own (our own) cigarettes!] Joan Crawford tied and bound by Bette, hanging from the ceiling, like a steer being readied for slaughter. Bette’s performance is a tour de force, perhaps inspired by the fact that Bette and Joan hated each other – there was a very long history of animosity between them and lots of public jabs. You have to wonder about the horrific and brutal scene where Bette kicks Joan mercilessly after she catches Joan using the phone – must’ve made Bette feel good that she got the better of Joan on the big screen! And how about the scene where Bette serves Joan a rat on a silver tray? Very scary! Piece of trivia: Bette did her own make-up in this flick.

Keeping in mind that paybacks are a bitch, here's my little trivia quiz for you – can you match the character names with the movies that were mentioned?

The characters: Margo Channing, Charlotte Vale, Fannie (Mrs.) Skeffington, Julie Marsden and "Baby Jane" Hudson

The movies: “Now, Voyager”, “Jezebel”, “Mr. Skeffington”, “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane” and “All About Eve”.

If you get stuck, there's always www.imdb.com.

Love you Syl, always have and always will!

The Dreaded Demolition, Drive-Ins and "The Dead." " Donnie Darko," "Designer Devils," Dustin and "Drop Dead Fred."

Syl Says:

The Dreaded Demolition

Oh Ivan, say it isn’t so—not our White Castle in Rahway! How could they do it? How could they obliterate that strange and wonderful place; close enough to allow us to visit frequently, far enough away to qualify as a” road trip.” It was fast food indeed, but still an exotic treat; a landmark as indigenous to New Jersey as “big hair “and the drive-in theaters of the recent past.
“Sliders”—Adieu!

Drive-Ins and “The Dead”

And, speaking of drive-ins: ah, the drive- ins. Ah, those hot summer nights as a child in my pajamas, playing on the rides, watching the movie while sitting on the hood of the car and going to sleep in the back seat. Ah, those hot summer nights as a young adult, in the car with the windows steamed up, in the back seat only half watching the movie (wink, wink).

I can still remember the static of the speaker in the window, the taste of the drive-in food: hot dogs, burgers, egg rolls wrapped in foil, popcorn and big sodas—not to mention the great movies including: The Blob, The Night Evelyn Came Out OF The Grave, The Night of the Living Dead (my fave.) and (oh yea) the one I didn’t see twice (wink, wink): Love at First Bite.

I remember the “Amboy’s Drive-In Theatre” on Rt. 9 in Sayreville. This one had great rides and no window speakers (the sound came over an AM station on the car radio), and the screen faced Rt. 9 and the Parkway. I can recall being stuck in a summer traffic jam on the old Edison Bridge and watching some soft-core porn while riding in the back seat of my parent’s car. The theater closed in the late 70’s and by the end of the 80’s most of the New Jersey drive-ins had slipped into obscurity.

Oh, what I would give to experience just one more drive-in movie!
Drive-Ins--Adieu!

"Donnie Darko"

Ivan, I would like to thank you for turning me on to this very cool dark drama. I’m surprised that I missed it when it came out in theaters because any time there is a movie where someone is talking to a 6 ft. tall (murderous) bunny rabbit named Frank—I am there. The “Goth” girl in the video store said that she purchased a copy and had to watch it over and over again. So I watched it, then went to the website for more info, then watched it again—and, armed with this info plus my understanding (as it were) of the “Theory of Relativity,” “The Quantum Theory,” “The Big Bang,” and “Black Holes” (due to reading Stephen Hawking’s books: A Brief History of Time and Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays), I was able to figure out what was going on. I, however, want to watch it another time to try to tie up some details.

Finally, in the scene you refer to, where Jake (Donnie) slides his hand down his pants under hypnosis, you express your disappointment with the therapist (the still beautiful Katherine Ross) for waking him. I ask you Ivan: just what kind of therapist would she have been to let him take that to fruition? LOL!
Thanks again Ivan—I loved it!
Donnie--Adieu!

“Designer Devils”

By “Designer Devils” I am referring to the film you mentioned: The Devil Wears Prada. Meryl Streep is a “kick-ass” actress and it looks like my kind of movie. I was supposed to see it last week with a coworker-- unfortunately however, we did not go. I will definitely see it at a later date and then provide a review.
Last week’s movie date—Adieu!

Dustin

I also watched Midnight Cowboy recently—what a cowinkydink! I happen to love old movies of any genre, so I just love the 60’s ambience of this movie. Aside from the “cultural significance” of this film, the remarkable performance of Dustin Hoffman as the pathetic “Ratso Rizzo “impressed me the most. Truth be known, I was on this earth for only 16 years when I first saw this movie, and I didn’t really give a “rats ass” for my fellow man as of yet. To my immature teenage mind, the relationship between a male prostitute and a cruddy homeless guy was very humorous—still, the last scene where Ratso dies as the palm trees of his beloved Miami begin to pass by the windows of the bus touched me. Who can forget that scene?
Ratso--Adieu!

“Drop Dead Fred”

Never saw this one—never will! I only used this movie title because it rhymed! LOL!

ADIEU!

A brief thought about "The Thorn Birds" from Syl:

Did I read the book or did I see the mini-series first? I really can’t remember-- but I can remember the day in 1983 ( while discussing my excitement over the upcoming mini-series with my coworkers) when my mentor, a “prim and proper” older woman (my age now), expressed her sheer horror that I was about to watch such an abomination of a movie during “Holy Week” (yes, it began on “Palm Sunday” and ran through “Holy Week”). You see, my mentor was a devout Catholic, and the mini-series (I found out) “raised the ire of the “United States Catholic Conference.” It was with this knowledge then that I watched The Thorn Birds with such devilish fervor!
--"Kyrie eleison!"

Since that “Holy Week” of “priestly passion,” I have seen the mini-series several times and have read the book more than twice. I always fall under the spell of this achingly beautiful movie and fall in love with the sublime Father Ralph de Bricassart over and over again. I remember seeing a review of the book that stated: “…all else pales in comparison.” --Amen to that!

Ivan,I would also like to take this time to say to you, my dear old friend, that it gives me great pleasure and sheer joy to be able to work on this blog with you! After all these years--I think we are, only now, finding out all we have in common. Let this blog (and our eternal friendship) cause a bond between us that cannot be broken!
--Amen.

YOU Light Up My Life! YOU are a Complete and Total Delight!

Ivan says:

I love our little blog ... and I just love that we're doing it together!

For anyone who may be watching or reading, or simply anyone who cares, I'd like to set the record straight ... we've known each other for over 46 years, since kindergarten actually! We were the cutest! Precious little Italian/Polish girl and cute little French-Canadian/Irish boy! Kindgergarten, 1959/1960; First Communion, Nov, 1961; Holy Confirmation, May, 1966 (yes, I remember Geraldine); first cigarette, summer of '66; hanging out down at "The Flats", all the time; "Truth, Dare, Consequences, Private or Repeat", a regular diversion down at "The Flats"; "Sin One, Sin All", summer of '67; Bodo Reuter, Ron McDonald and Icky, 7th grade; first Slurpee, winter of '67; graduating 8th grade, June 1968, first liquor, spring of '69; first man to walk on the moon, July, 1969; Lorraine and Eddie, summer of '70 (and the infamous T-Bird); visiting Mr. & Mrs. Clericuzio at home in Cranbury, fall of '71; graduating high school (different schools), June, 1972; BINGO at St. Thomas High School in Edison, winter of '72/'73. That's a lot of history, and it's only the beginning!

But the real point of the story is: even to this day, you continue to surprise and amaze me. I've asked it before in this column and I'll ask it again ... how the hell does it come to pass that we have so much in common? Is it all the time we spent together during our formative years? Is it because we're the same age or from the same generation (Baby Boomers are THE BOMB!)? Is it because we grew up in Central New Jersey in the 60s/70s?

I'm going on and on because you've dropped yet another bomb! "The Thorn Birds". Aside from the obvious onscreen attraction in the form of the beautiful Richard Chamberlain, and aside from the 8 hour miniseries being one of my all time favorite films, "The Thorns Birds" is one of my all time favorite books (popular literature) ... it is in the top 3 or 4. Right up there with "Lonesome Dove", "The Fountainhead", and "The Stand". Of course, in the classical genre, there's nothing to compare to "Les Misérables" ... a definite must read. And then there's my favorite current book, "The DaVinci Code" -- I've twice taken the plunge in that book, the only time I've ever done that! But, I'm rambling -- as I'm prone to do.

It is just so amazing that you love "The Thorn Birds". Believe it or not, I purchased the VHS version when it was first released many years ago (decades before DVDs were even contemplated), and I watch it every so often.

Looking forward with great anticipation to your next post ... which I'm sure will be nothing short of Delightful, Delicious, Decisive, Dazzling, Dizzying, Divine, Delectable, Diverting, Distinguished, Distinctive and Downright De-lovely!

The Pop Quiz ( First Things First )

Sylvia Says:

1. Yes, you are correct: Leonardo DiCaprio. The movie is Total Eclipse. In this little known film Leonardo DiCaprio plays Rimbaud, the 19th century precocious boy-poet. Ivan, this movie is a must see!

2. Yes, correct: The lovely Richard Chamberlain as Father Ralph de Bricassart in The Thorn Birds (one of my all time faves.).

3. Yes, correct again: Macaulay Culkin in Party Monster.

4. And correct once more: Brad in Troy.

**********************************************************
Very Good Ivan! Check back very soon for my next post entitled:

"The Dreaded Demolition,

Drive-Ins and 'The
Dead.'

Donnie Darko,

'Designer Devils,'

Dustin,

and Drop Dead Fred."

( Not as good as your little jingle--but
what the heck! )

Ciao!

Sad, but True -- Harold and Kumar Would Be VERY Disappointed!

During my recent visit to NJ, I was saddened to learn that our beloved White Castle, on Route 1 in Rahway, NJ, has been torn down. Let's bow our heads for a moment to remember the lovely, exciting and memorable "road trips" at 300AM from Cliffwood Beach to Rahway for "sliders" and onion rings! Here's to the steamed up dashborard in my mom's '69 Chevy station wagon.

Stream of Consciousness ... The Saga Continues: Judy, Genes, The Jingle Junky, Joyful, Jon and Jake

Ivan says:

My Dearest Sylvia, I'm back in action. After six weeks of non-stop activities and a quick trip to NJ (sorry that we weren't able to hook up), I finally have a few minutes to sit down and complete a post. So, as I begin, I have to wonder, will there ever come a time when I stick to just one subject per post? It's so hard to do, especially when there's an extended time between posts. My mind floods over whenever I'm posting and God knows where I'll end up today.

Judy:

Funny that you should mention her -- she was my first ever musical concert. I don't recall how it came to pass -- I remember only that back in early June, 1969, I was at the (then) Garden State Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ (a stone's throw from our neighborhood). At the previous night's performance, Judy had been a "no show" and the following night, she fell off the stage. Shortly thereafter, she passed away and I remember feeling very, very sad at the time. My only frame of reference for Judy in 1969 was "The Wizard of Oz", which remains one of my all-time favorite movies to this day. But I was so excited to go see Judy. And yes, I am a bit surprised by your "Judy" confession, you sly girl -- I never knew!

Genes:

Even at the tender age of 15, it was obvious I had "the gene". This was also supported by the fact that my favorite album in 1968 (at age 14) was the soundtrack from "Funny Girl" (it would seem I knew I was "unique" at a very young age). At the time, I thought my fondness for Judy was just one of my many "queer" penchants -- it was incomprehensible to me that anyone else my age might have an appreciation for such astounding talent. Both my parents regularly played and listened to music from the 40s/50s, so I developed a taste early in life for something more than just 50s/60s rock-n-roll and the other types of music with which we were inundated during our formative years.

The Jingle Junky:

I remain however, a complete 60s music junky and recall obscure songs and artists (as is evident in my self published series "Uncle Ive's 45s" -- even if I still haven't found "They're Coming to Take Me Away" in MP3). I confess to loving all of those novelty songs -- "Gitarzan", My Girl Bill", "The Chipmunk Song", "How Much is that Doggie in the Window". And any catchy tune or jingle that we heard on the radio.

Joyful:

I loved your "What I Hate" and "What I Love" comments. I too can appreciate a good "chick flick". I just saw "The Devil Wears Prada" last weekend ... loved it! The joyful Stanley Tucci, highlighted in one of my previous posts, delivers the best line in the movie. To the unsuspecting Anne Hathaway, newly hired at a world famous fashion magazine, he declares, "Size 2 is the new size 4, size 0 is the new size 2 and size 6 is the new size 14". It was hilarious! I howled. The movie is a must see, for both Stanley's and Meryl's over the top performances as demanding and demeaning fashion magazine fanatics (Meryl as the editor and Stanley as her right hand man).

Jon:

I recently watched "Midnight Cowboy" ... WOW! It's been over 30 years since I last saw it and I'd forgotten how powerful a movie it was. At first, I was struck by the 60s sensibility of the movie and not sure if I could continue to watch the entire movie. But I quickly became engaged in the characters and the out-dated feeling quickly faded. "Midnight Cowboy" is certainly one of the top 5 movies of the 60s, so why is it that you don't hear much talk about it these days? "Five Easy Pieces", "Easy Rider", and other "gritty" 60s movies seem to be better remembered and more frequently mentioned, even though "Midnight Cowboy" won two Academy Awards, for both Best Picture and Best Director. Depressing? Yes. Disturbing? Yes. Sad? Definitely Yes. And yet sometimes poignantly funny. Dustin Hoffman is a wonder to behold and Jon Voight is breath-taking in all his studly presence! Another favorite of mine, Brenda Vaccaro (a one time girlfriend of Michael Douglas), is in the movie, as a lonely lady who gets the favors of Joe Buck (more like "lucky lady", I'd say). This is a must see movie ... The Good, The Bad, The Beggar and (most superbly) The Beautiful Boy!

Jake:

We've already done the Jake Gyllenhall "Brokeback Mountain" post, but I'd like to talk about "Donnie Darko" for a minute. After watching the movie last night, I had to visit the Donnie Darko website to make sure I "got" this movie -- I had a bit of a hard time understanding what was happening. I was happy to learn that I had a fairly good grasp of the plot, although the website clarified some of the more obscure scenes. The one phrase that keeps coming to mind about this movie is "thought provoking". Because it's a fantasy, you have to suspend belief to a great extent, but there's a lot to think about. I liken it to a two hour episode of the "The Twilight Zone", but with swearing. Favorite scene? While lying on his therapist's sofa under hypnosis, Jake describes an erotic scene from his mind's eye. He unbuckles his slacks and slides his hand down his crotch to begin masturbating. Stupidly, the therapist (an aged Katharine Ross) wakes him ... how utterly and completely disappointing! He is just as lovely in this movie as in "Brokeback Mountain". I wonder if the famed "Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut" has the scene in its entirety? And you think you're a dirty old lady?

PS: Answers to the Pop Quiz:

• Leonardo DiCaprio? (movie not known)
• Richard Chamberlain (movie not known, but wasn't he absolutely gorgeous in "The Thorn Birds"?)
• Macaulay Culkin (The Party Monster?)
• Brad Pitt (Troy)