Michael's Musings

June 17, 2013

This past week, I stumbled across a video that was recorded of me when I did a radio interview on May 31st in Fort Wayne, IN, to promote the staging of my play, LOMBARD.  Here's the link to the video, but if that doesn't work (as it often doesn't), just copy the address into your browser and you'll be taken right there.

http://afw.pegcentral.com/player.php?video=c5e36ce08b2ea135e1cbb91fb884ac4a

I don't come on until about halfway through the program, so check the index on the right of the page, then click on the proper link.

I only wish I'd been warned that they were going to do a video of this interview.  I look (and felt) very tired.

This week, I also uploaded two new reviews onto the Best Bets on DVD site, accessible via the link in the Introduction section of this page.   RECTIFY is a well done new TV series, which premiered in April on The Sundance Channel, and WILD BILL: HOLLYWOOD MAVERICK is an excellent documentary about film director William A. Wellman.

Aside from having my teeth cleaned, not much else happened this past week.  I'm sort of between writing projects; trying to decide what I want to do next.

You have a creative week.

Michael

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June 10, 2013

So, I'm back from Fort Wayne, IN, and the production of my play, LOMBARD, at that city's Civic Theatre.  The role in the one-person play was played by Jessica Butler, and she is an extremely talented actress.

I like going places, but I do hate traveling.  Indeed, I'm still a bit weary from the trip and I've been home a week already.

From Austin, I had to fly to Atlanta, then change planes for Fort Wayne.  That wasn't too bad, since there was only an hour layover, but coming home I went via Detroit and spent almost 3 hours  in that airport.

I had a wonderful time in Fort Wayne, and was treated very well by my hosts.  They put me up at the downtown Hilton, and I had my own driver to take me wherever I wanted to go.  Naturally, first stop on my list for Carole Lombard's childhood home.  The current owners were very gracious; gave me a tour of the house, which is filled with photos of Carole. 

I also visited the graves of Johnny Appleseed (Yes, he was a real person), and Homer Van Meter, who ran with John Dillinger.  Being a Dillinger buff, I just had to see that one, and what surprised me was that there were fresh flowers on his grave.

Why is that surprising?

Because Homer, a vicious criminal and killer, was shot down in the early 1930s.

On Friday (opening) night, we got a terrific downpour in Fort Wayne, the upper end of the weather system that was devastating much of the Midwest.  We've had heavy rains like that in Austin, but never for that length of time.

On Sunday, I presented a workshop for wannabe screenwriters, then enjoyed a second performance of my play.  I sold/signed quite a few copies of my memoir, MY FORTY-FIVE YEARS IN HOLLYWOOD AND HOW I ESCAPED ALIVE, while I was in Fort Wayne.

BTW: The local Fort Wayne paper gave the play a rave review.

There are two new reviews posted on the Best Bets on DVD site, accessible via the link in the Introduction section on this page.  They are QUARTET, directed by Dustin Hoffman, and IF I WERE YOU.  Both are delightful comedies.

You have a creative week.

Michael

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May 27, 2013

So, on Thursday, I will be flying off to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where I will attend two performances of my play, LOMBARD, which is being staged by the Fort Wayne Civic Theatre.  I'll also be doing a workshop there for aspiring screenwriters, plus taking part in other events.  Hopefully, since I will be bringing copies of MY FORTY-FIVE YEARS IN HOLLYWOOD AND HOW I ESCAPED ALIVE, I will also sell some books.  Although I'm looking forward to the trip itself, I am dreading the long flights, which will take me to Atlanta, then on the way home, Detroit, for layovers.

Also, my back has been acting up, which is not the best thing to happen when you are traveling.

While I'm in Fort Wayne, I hope to visit Carole Lombard's childhood home, the Johnny Appleseed monument and, being a John Dillinger buff, I might even visit the grave of Homer Van Meter, who ran with the infamous badman. 

For reading material, I'm going to bring along my copy of Bruce Kimmel's new Adriana Hofstetter mystery, MURDER AT THE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL.  This is Bruce's fifth book about the high school detective, a modern day Nancy Drew, and I do enjoy them.

If you like Westerns, there are reviews of the new Criterion versions of 3:10 TO YUMA and JUBAL, both directed by Delmar Daves and starring Glenn Ford, posted on the Best Bets on DVD site, accessible via the link in the Introduction section of this page, so take a look.

Since I will be out of town for several days, my next blog will not be June 10th, at which time I will tell you all about my Fort Wayne trip.

You have a creative two weeks.

Michael

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