Michael's Musings

June 4, 2012

Seattle's JT News gave a nice plug to two of my published screenplays, MATRICIDE and UNCLE LOUIE,  in their current issue.  If you want to take a look, click on this link, or if that doesn't work, copy this address into your browser and you'll be taken right there:

http://www.jtnews.net/index.php?/news/item/9185

Also, there are three new reviews on the Best Bets on DVD site, accessible via the link in the Introduction section of this page.  They are Criterion's HAROLD AND MAUDE, SEEKING JUSTICE with Nicolas Cage, and a 3-disc set of filmed stage musicals, DIRECT FROM BROADWAY.  Please take a look.

Last week was spent writing more chapters for my 2nd volume of memoirs, as well as working on a couple more book trailers for my friend, Marian Hailey-Moss.  She writes nicely illustrated books for young adults.

This week will be pretty much the same, though my neighbor is coming over this afternoon to do a touch-up the paint job he did on my fence two years ago.  That shouldn't take more than a half hour or so.

Later this month, I'm going to be talking about Basil Rathbone at the Baker Street Pub here in Austin, then later that week, I'll be doing a panel on publishing for the Texas Writer's League.

You have a creative week.

Michael

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May 28, 2012

I hope everyone is enjoying their Memorial Day Weekend.

This past week was somewhat eventful.  Wife Sandy got rear-ended while she was stopped at a Yield sign.  There was no significant car damage and, although she will be undergoing some treatments, she was not badly hurt.  But, we spent a lot of time on the phone dealing with insurance companies, doctors and lawyers.

When I wasn't doing that, I was writing away on the new memoir (over 100 pages thus far), plus I did a couple of book trailers for my friend, Marian Hailey-Moss, who writes for young adults.

I also set a couple of speaking engagements to promote my book on Basil Rathbone, the ultimate Sherlock Holmes.

On June 19th, I will be speaking at the Baker St. Pub on Lamar Avenue in Austin, which has a definite Sherlock Holmes decor.  Then, in November, I will be addressing the local Sherlock Holmes Society at a dinner.

On this past Thursday night, Sandy and I were guests at the H.I.D.E.O.U.T. Theater, the local Improv club, where they were doing a Sherlock Holmes sketch.  It was quite entertaining. 

And, on Saturday night, we watched THE CRUCIFER OF BLOOD, a Sherlock Holmes TV movie (adapted from a stage play) with Charlton Heston.  I found the DVD on sale for $3.00 at Big Lots.

So, it's really been a Sherlock Holmes week for me.

You have a creative week.

Michael

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May 21, 2012

For the past week, I've been writing daily on my new memoir, the title of which I am still not going to share with you yet.

It's amazing how, once you start writing that the memories start pouring back, one right after another.  This past week, I wrote sections on comedians Jack Carter and Stanley Myron Handelman, as well as pages on Christopher Lee and Richard Castellano.  Already, I have approximately 80 pages.

This past week, I also had phone conversations with two former publicity clients with whom I haven't spoken to in years.  One of them was character actor Don Keefer, now in his nineties, who has hundreds of credits, including BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID, as well as several TWILIGHT ZONE episodes, but perhaps his main claim to fame is that he originated the role of "Bernard" in Arthur Miller's DEATH OF A SALESMAN, played the role for the entire Broadway run, then repeated it in the Fredric March movie version. There will be a page or two about Don in the new book.

I also spoke to Marian Hailey, a fine actress, who is probably best known for the film LOVERS AND OTHER STRANGERS, and appearing in the Broadway revival and subsequent television show of HARVEY with Jimmy Stewart and Helen Hayes.  Marian has a new family book coming out, and I'm going to make a book trailer for her.

It's nice to talk to old friends.

You have a creative week.

Michael

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