Michael's Musings

June 9, 2011

Yesterday, I watched a film on YouTube that I had always wanted to see, but never had the opportunity.

I'm talking about the 1949 version of THE GREAT GATSBY with Alan Ladd and Betty Field.  It's available on YouTube in 6 parts.

I'd always heard that this was the best film version of Fitzgerald's novel, certainly superior to the glossy Robert Redford/Mia Farrow picture that was released in the 1970s.

Frankly, I was not impressed.  I've never been an Alan Ladd fan.  He was a boring actor and his performance in this picture did not change my opinion.

But, the movie itself, which has never been released onto home video, nor (I believe) shown on television because of some sort of copyright legalities, is also lacking.

One of the major problems is the fact that it contains 3 flashbacks spaced throughout the picture.

Unless virtually the entire movie is a flashback, I detest them.

Why?

Because they stop the forward flow of the story.

The Redford/Farrow version of GATSBY may have also been dull, but it did avoid the mistake of flashbacks.

It's interesting how often "lost" movies that you've heard about and wanted to see for years turn out to be disappointing.  Film buffs bemoan the fact that LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT with Lon Chaney is a "lost" film, but my hunch is that should a print of that silent movie ever be discovered, its legend would go down the drain.  It's probably a real "turkey".

You have a creative day, and I'll be back tomorrow.

Michael

Comments (0)     

June 8, 2011

I came across this video that seems to have the right answer for solving our problems in the Mid-East.

If the link doesn't work, just copy the following address into your browser and it will take you right there.

http://www.therightscoop.com/klavans-solution-to-peace-in-the-middle-east/

BTW: If I haven't mentioned it already, I will be speaking at the Faulk Central Library here in Austin, 800 Guadalupe, at 2 pm on Saturday, June 18th.  So, if you're in town and have nothing better to do, please come by.

Have a creative day...and enjoy the video.

Michael

Comments (0)     

June 7, 2011

A Cow, an Ant and an Old Fart are debating on who is the greatest of the three of them.

The Cow: "I give four gallons of milk every day and that's why I am the greatest!!"

The Ant:  "I work day and night, summer and winter, I can carry 52 times my own weight and that's why I am the greatest!!"











Why are you scrolling down?  It's your turn to say something.




Have a creative day.

Michael
 
 

Comments (0)