Michael's Musings

August 11, 2014

I think that I've finally come up with a viable approach to writing my play about the William Desmond Taylor murder. 

Taylor, a top director of the silent screen era, was found shot to death in 1922, and the crime has never been officially solved.  Indeed, the killing put an end to the careers of two silent screen stars, Mabel Normand and Mary Miles Minter.

If you've read my first memoir, MY FORTY-FIVE YEARS IN HOLLYWOOD ...AND HOW I ESCAPED ALIVE, you are aware of how long I've researched this case.  It's one of those "missed opportunities" in my life.

In any event, while I'm still working on my current play, which is going well, I'm going to start initial work on the Taylor piece.  Like with the Franchot Tone/Barbara Payton/Tom Neal story which became B MOVIE, this Taylor story is, for me, "unfinished business".

For those of you in/around McKinney, TX: On the weekend of September 13-14, I will be at the "Spirit of the Cowboy Festival," appearing with both Dan Haggerty and Bo Hopkins, who were in my movie, CHEYENNE WARRIOR.  So, come on down and say "Hello".

You have a creative week.

Michael

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August 4, 2014

I added four new reviews this past week to the Best Bets on DVD site, accessible via the link in the Introduction section of this page.  They are:

1.  THE ESSENTIAL JACQUES DEMY, a 6 movie set from The Criterion Collection.

2. PING PONG SUMMER with Susan Sarandon

3. FADING GIGOLO with John Turturro and Woody Allen

4. LOW WINTER SUN, a gritty cop series set in Detroit.

Also, for those of you who own a Kindle and have Kindle Select, there are two more of my book titles that you can now borrow for FREE.  They are GHOUL CITY (screenplay) and HAIL ON THE CHIEF! (stage play).

My next door neighbors are moving next weekend.  We're going to miss them.  I spent part of Saturday at their house, helping them with their garage sale. 

You have a creative week.

Michael

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July 28, 2014

I had a medical procedure last week, and I am happy to report that everything is okay.

Also this past week, I received a bunch of DVDs to review, which I will do during the next several days.  Already, I've uploaded reviews of THE RAILWAY MAN starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman and the new Critertion edition of THE BIG CHILL.  You can view my comments on the Best Bets on DVD site, accessible via the link in the Introduction section of this page.

I'll probably have more reviews up later this week, including one for the new 6 movie Jacques Demy set from The Criterion Collection.  I must admit that, although I don't really like foreign language films (I hate "reading" movies.), I am enjoying these Demy pictures.

Being concerned about my aforementioned medical procedure and with this sudden onslaught on DVDs to review, I've put aside the writing of my new play for a week or so.  It had been going well, but I think I need a bit of a vacation from it, so that I can look at it with fresh eyes.

You have a creative week.

Michael

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