Michael's Musings

April 16, 2012

Folks, I'm going to be at Texas Frightmare Weekend on May 4-6, signing copies of my books (BASIL RATHBONE, DRACULA MEETS JACK THE RIPPER, GHOUL CITY, BLACK WATCH/THE CAVERN, etc.) and my DVDs (THE DOORWAY, CHEYENNE WARRIOR), so come on down and say "Hello".

This convention caters to fans of horror movies, but I'll also have copies of MY FORTY-FIVE YEARS IN HOLLYWOOD with me.  And, if you're wondering why I'm bringing copies of CHEYENNE WARRIOR to a horror convention: Clint Howard, who was in that movie, is going to be in attendance, so he can sign the DVD, too.

Additionally, Ernest Borgnine, Piper Laurie, Michael Madsen, Kim Darby and a lot of other celebrities are going to be there.

The event takes place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.

This past week, I've been working away at the screenplay I've been hired to write, as well as my 2nd memoir.  It's amazing how when you are writing something autobiographical that the forgotten memories just seem to pour out.

I'm also looking to turn some of my written works into audio books, so that for you folks who don't like to read, but like to listen to books in your car, you'll be able to hear some of my stuff.  More information will be forthcoming as this progresses.

Finally, this past week, I uploaded a review for MOTHER'S DAY onto the Best Bets on DVD website, accessible via the link in the Introduction section of this page.  Within the next day or two, I'll also upload a review of W./E., the film directed by Madonna about the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.  So, take a look.

You have a creative week.

Michael

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April 9, 2012

This past weekend, I finished reading Bruce Kimmel's second memoir, ALBUM PRODUCED BY...

It's an interesting and entertaining read that picks up where his first book pretty much left off. 

I learned a lot about the record producing business in this work.  Over a nine year period, Bruce produced a huge number of albums, working with such artists as Carol Channing, Ann-Margret, Lauren Bacall and many others.  He not only tells many insightful, gossipy and funny tales about dealing with these and other luminaries, but he also gives readers an inside view of how this often back-stabbing business works.

My friend, Bruce, is just too trusting.  He's an artist who really would just prefer to practice his craft, which he does as well, if not better than most people in the music business today.  But, artists get screwed, and as you will read in this page-turner, Bruce got screwed more than once.

On the other hand, Bruce is a survivor and he has always landed on his feet.

Pick up the book.  It;s a good read.

This past week, I spent writing, then did more writing.

I'm well over half way through the screenplay I've been contracted to create, and I've also written a couple of chapters for my 2nd memoir.

I wasn't sure if I would have enough new and interesting stories that I didn't include in my first memoir, MY FORTY-FIVE YEARS IN HOLLYWOOD AND HOW I ESCAPED ALIVE, to make a 2nd book.  But, the list keeps growing and, as I write, new anecdotes keep popping into my head.  Just as soon as I finish the screenplay, I am going to go at this memoir full throttle.

You have a creative week.

Michael

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April 2, 2012

First, I've uploaded a new review to the Best Bets on DVD site, accessible via the link in the Introduction section of this page.  The film is THE IRON LADY, which won Meryl Streep a third Oscar a couple of months ago.  So, take a look.

This past week has been spent writing.  I've finally proceeded to the second act of the screenplay I've been hired to create, and it seems to be moving along at a slow, but steady clip.

I've also decided what my next book is going to be. 

I really haven't written a new book since my volume of short stories, DRACULA MEETS JACK THE RIPPER And Other Revisionist Histories.  Everything that has been published in the months since then have been books, like my Basil Rathbone biography, or screenplays or stage plays that were actually written long ago.

The new book is going to be a second memoir.  In fact, I've already been writing some parts of chapters for it.

I know that MY FORTY-FIVE YEARS IN HOLLYWOOD...AND HOW I ESCAPED ALIVE pretty much covered my life up to and including my move to Austin, but there were a lot of show business stories that I did not have the space to relate.  Some of them are funny.  Others relate useful lessons in life. 

So, rather than a chronological memoir like the first book, this one will be more of a book of stories about me and the people I knew.

I'm looking forward to getting into it just as soon as I finish this screenplay.  I even have a title, which will remain secret for the moment.

Finally, did you see what I posted on FaceBook this past Wednesday morning?

So, this morning I wake up around 6:30 with a charlie horse. I step out of bed and, while trying to avoid my dog who sleeps on the floor next to the bed, I trip and smash my head on the pointed corner of the dresser.

In five seconds, I am covered in so much blood that you would think that I'd been attacked by Jason Voorhees or Norman Bates. My wife is pressing paper towels against my head, and I'm thinking: "We can't go to the emergency room. We were there two days ago with my wife's sliced finger (3 stitches), and the people there will think that we're trying to kill each other."

I didn't go to the emergency room, and I can assure you that both Sandy and I are fine and healing nicely.

You have a creative week.

Michael

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