What Occupy could have looked like — if Hollywood organized it in 1933
I am reading a delightful book about Fred and Adele Astaire, one that offers a little insight into a long-vanished world. Along the way, the book mentions Eddie Cantor. That reference reminded me of...
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How could you believe me when you know I’ve been a liar all my life?
By now, you already know about the 2007 tape of Obama speaking which was released yesterday in full, rather thane expurgated form. In it, Obama affects a vaguely black accent; says that blacks are...
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Americans used to have guns without shame
There are very few bad Fred Astaire movies, but there are a few. You’ll Never Get Rich definitely falls into that category. Even Rita Hayworth, who is at her most lovely, cannot save this pathetic...
View ArticleIrving Berlin’s “Puttin’ on the Ritz”— a joyous walk through almost a century...
My recent post about the best flash mob ever reminded me of a post I did in 2009 about Irving Berlin’s “Puttin’ on the Ritz” a song that lives on and on, around the world. Today seems like a good day...
View ArticleJust Because Music: Waltz in Swing Time
The headlines are so depressing I’m shying away from processing everything enough to write about it. I’m hoping that a little Fred and Ginger will fortify me:
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It’s time for trigger warnings for classic Hollywood musicals
To make classic Hollywood musicals today, you’d need serious trigger warnings to cover everything from gun violence, to misogyny, to rape and kidnapping. I’ve always adore classic Hollywood musicals....
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[VIDEOS] 90 years later, Irving Berlin’s “Puttin’ on the Ritz” is still a hit
In 1927, Irving Berlin wrote Puttin’ on the Ritz. In the 90 years since then, this song about style has never fallen out of fashion. In 2009, I first posted about the fact that Irving Berlin’s Puttin’...
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Something completely different: Why wasn’t Gene Nelson a huge star?
Gene Nelson, a singer and dancer from Hollywood’s golden age, reminds us that talent isn’t always enough. You need an intangible extra to be a star. Gene Nelson with his ex-wife Miriam Nelson, who was...
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Bookworm Beat 2/24/19 — the Billy Porter illustrated edition
Billy Porter’s Scarlett O’Hara attire at the Oscars thrilled fashionistas and depressed me, so it’s the lead entry in tonight’s illustrated edition. The post Bookworm Beat 2/24/19 — the Billy Porter...
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A reminder that we are blessed with very good people in America
I took a little time away today from politics and social commentary and, instead, concentrated on some uplifting, amusing, or entertaining videos. I felt perfectly fine today, but I was mentally limp....
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