DRIVING ALONG WITH ALICIA KEYS!

Alicia Keys

The more I think about it, nothing makes me happier than seeing people having fun and celebrating life. It is infectious. The other night, for example, I was driving back to my hotel on I-95 (which is a major highway along Florida's East Coast) when I stumbled onto a previously recorded program on National Public Radio (PBS) featuring singer and pianist Alicia Keys. She was asked by the shows host to pick a song--any song and play it. Keys giggled excitedly and then thoughtfully chose an Ella Fitzgerald staple called "Good Morning Heartache". I tend to talk to myself in the car. And midway through the number I said, "Damn she's nailing it. She is really good". It was a fun moment. Of course, television would have been better than radio, but I had no complaints. Here are the lyrics written by the late Ella Fitzgerald. It's a marvelous song, and maybe you'll be inspired to hear both Ella's version and Alicia's too!

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Good morning heartache

You old gloomy sight

Good morning heartache

Thought we said goodbye last night

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I turned and tossed until it seems you have gone

But here you are with the dawn

Wish I forget you, but you're here to stay

It seems I met you

When my love went away

Now everyday I stop I'm saying to you

Good morning heartache what's new

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Stop haunting me now

Cant shake you no how

Just leave me alone

I've got those Monday blues

Straight to Sunday blues

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Good morning heartache

Here we go again

Good morning heartache

Youre the one

Who knows me well

Might as well get use to you hanging around

Good morning heartache

Sit down

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Having just returned from a one-month business trip to 13 cities in the Southeast, I look forward getting caught up with all of you. First it's time to unpack, and catch up on plenty of sleep!

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It was an absolute delight to see Bud & Cathy Buckley both at the beginning of my road trip at their lovely home in Venice, and then staying over as their Guest last night. I'll share a secret: Cathy is an incredible cook! Bud and I were strumming guitars and gently singing snippets from a few songs we had almost forgotten (in his recording studio so as not to wake Cathy). It was very exciting to hear material from Bud's CD--a "work in progress" that will be awesome! He taught me some Guitar moves that were very cool, and then we auditioned the new Kris Kristofferson Acoustic CD. Up to this point, we thought that we were pretty clever (not waking Cathy) until the telephone rang around 11 PM. Bud said to me, "Who's calling at this time of night?" At first I thought it was one of Bud's student's. Then Bud--who was grinning ear-to-ear by now and seemed to be doing some listening said---"Wow (looks at his watch). Well, okay. Guess who I have here? Yeah, he's sitting right here. You want to talk to him? Okay". So, Bud hands me the phone and says "Here's someone you know". (From the girl on the phone): "Do you have any idea that in four and a half hours you will be leaving for the airport? And here you guys are messing around ". IT WAS CATHY! We were so BUSTED! I cracked up and swore on my Honor that we were disbanding immediately--which we did. I also had the Joy of visiting Deni Bonet and her equally amazing Father. The combination of visiting these GREAT friends was the highlight of my "worn to a frazzle" trip! Interestingly, it was a little over 2 years since I last sat down and visited with Deni her after attending one of her two Amazing performances in West Virginia. So, (by the way) if you are in the Northeast, I urge you to Check Out Deni's upcoming schedule of concerts by Clicking on "Last Girl On Earth" under my list of Blog Buddies! I'll talk a little about Florida--a beautiful State in my next Blog.

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:)

A SMILE AND RAISED CHAMPAGNE GLASS TO JACK WARDEN!

Last Saturday morning, I was reading the newspaper over breakfast when I learned that veteran Actor Jack Warden had passed away in Manhattan. Due to enormous technical difficulties with Blogger, I am posting this BLOG late. However, a promise is a promise. And I'd like to use our "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" to Honor Jack Warden with a Double-Feature I hope each of you will enjoy: "12 ANGRY MEN" AND "THE VERDICT".

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Released before most of us were born (1957), "12 Angry Men" is an intense Trial Drama about an 18 year-old Latino boy who is accused of murdering his father. The trial has already been presented and delivered to a jury of 12 men who hold the accused man's life in their hands. Director Sidney Lumet, who by sheer coincidence also directed THE VERDICT 25 years later delivers a cast that is a tour-de-force: Martin Balsam, John Fiedler, Lee J. Cobb, E.G. Marshall, Jack Klugman, Ed Binns, Jack Warden, Henry Fonda. Joseph Sweeney, Ed Begley, George Voskovec and Robert Webber make up the jury. The set is sparse. How Lumet managed to film in such a close-in set is a miracle. The story and the intense look at each of the jurors, free from prejudice and partisan politics will have you on the edge of your chair until the ending. This film received Oscar Nominations for Best Director: Sidney Lumet; Best Picture: Henry Fonda and Reginald Rose; Best Screenplay: Reginald Rose.

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Our next film, "The Verdict" (1982) is largely regarded as the finest performance of Paul Newman's lengthy career. Paul Newman is "Frank Galvin", a one-time brilliant Attorney-turned binge-drinking alcoholic whose life has hit rock bottom when his retired mentor and law partner "Mickey Morrissey" (Co-Star Jack Warden) throws what appears to be an "open and shut case" to help Galvin collect his one-third settlement out of Court. Warden shares an almost equal billing with Newman with a masterful performance rarely seen in today's "personality of the hour" trend. While these are two films from different decades, the consistently of Warden's acting retains an Integrity that is refreshing. Ordinarily, I never repeat a film from "Friday Movie Suggestion Night", but given the circumstances, I felt this was reasonable and appropriate to feature "The Verdict". And just as coincidental as Director Sidney Lumet's work on this project as well, this film was the very first feature of FMSN beginning in 2005!

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for Jack Warden

JACK WARDEN WITH RESPECT AND APPRECIATION

Jack Warden 1920-2006

Knowing of my love of movies, I just wanted to mention to those of you who may have missed it that a wonderful Actor, one of my all time favorites has passed away. Jack Warden was nominated for Oscars for his work in the films "Shampoo", "Heaven Can Wait", and he won an Emmy for the 1971 TV film "Brian's Song". Jack was twice Emmy-nominated for the 1980s television series "Crazy Like a Fox". His other films you will probably remember include the trial drama "12 Angry Men"--his break-through role with Henry Fonda and Lee J. Cobb and "All The President's Men" along side Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford. I had very high regard for this man. From the 1950's he worked steadily in Television, Theatre and in cameos including "From Here to Eternity" with Frank Sinatra. He played Paul Newman's retired law partner in my very first "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" feature, "The Verdict" (my personal favorite). His other notable roles included the films; "Used Cars" "Bullets Over Broadway" and his last film role in "The Replacements" filmed in 2000.

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Jack Warden was born John Lebzelter in Newark, New Jersey, in 1920. He had a brief career as a professional boxer, and was a paratrooper during World War II. His manager described Jack as "very gentle, very dapper". How fortunate we were to have him in our world! What I enjoyed most about Jack Warden was that he played characters who were "tough guys" on the outside, but possessed "a heart of Gold" on the inside. So, with your kind permission, I am going to change what I had planned to post next Thursday for "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" in a film for each of us to raise a glass (and a prayer) to a great guy who helped us make some sense of the world with Humor and Integrity. God Bless!

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THE BANGER SISTERS!

Since this is Summer, I decided to go with a movie that was such a "feel-good escape" for me when it came out that I saw it four times in two weeks! The tag line is even funny: "Some friendships last forever... like it or not". That, plus the fact that I have had a crush (one of my famous 100 Crushes yet to be published--why bore you?) on Goldie Hawn forever without bad feelings for Kurt Russell, who flies airplanes and is very cool. He just gets an added caveat of waking up with Goldie Hawn every morning!

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Goldie Hawn and Susan Sarandon are former groupies now settling into their fifties. Lavinia "Vinnie" (Sarandon) is a very uptight Phoenix housewife with a lawyer husband, two daughters who are spoiled rotten, and a calendar full of politically correct events to attend. Suzette (Hawn) remained true to their past as one-half of the notorious rocker-lovin' "Banger Sisters" who gets fired from her job on the Sunset Strip as a bartender. So, she decides this would be a good time to look up "Vinnie" decades after the "Flower Power" movement. The film is fun and engrossing as Suzette helps Vinnie recover a life she buried for stability and materialism. The two had "roll in the hay" afterphotos of--shall we say--certain body parts of every guy from Roger Daltry to Jim Morrison and endless others (thus the name of the movie) long before having this much fun could kill you and 'anything goes' ruled. Miss the 1970's yet? Actor Geoffrey Rush adds some interesting twists as a stifled and conflicted guy whose career aspirations aren't workin out as he approaches 50. This becomes serious and exactly how this will resolve is largely placed into Suzette's hands--a girl who is hard not to love, but has spent very little time doing anything for herself over the years.

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Goldie Hawn and Susan Sarandon wearing tight pants (looking good I might add) and doing some real acting bring the story along about the initial effects of Suzette's "liberating" everyone with real life sensibilities. (Sarandon's real life daughter Eva Amurri steals a scene that had me cracking up when she fails her driving test---probably because I failed mine at 16). Yes, a major crisis we can all relate to that is hysterical! So, this is a fun ride with two funny, lewd, good-time ex-groupies. Bob Doleman wrote and directed a fun, sexy and funny film that is just perfect for Summer and leaves you feeling Good with a sense of Hope.

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Cast includes: Goldie Hawn....Suzette; Susan Sarandon....Lavinia Kingsley; Geoffrey Rush....Harry Plummer. Nominated in 2003 for a Golden Globe Award for Goldie Hawn, "Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy". Eva Amurri....Ginger Kingsley; Erika Christensen....Hannah Kingsley; Robin Thomas....Raymond Kingsley. Winner: Eva Amurri, for "Best New Young Artist Award: Best Performance in a Feature Film - Supporting Young Actress".

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ENJOY! :)

CD'S I BROUGHT ON MY TRIP!

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Like many of you, whether I am in my own car, or as in this trip, where I flew into one corner of Florida and used a rental car to cover 3,000+ miles on business, I always enjoy bringing along a handful of CD's from home. So, I thought it would be a cool idea to BLOG about just three of a handful or so I slipped into my suitbag.

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To say THE PRETENDERS have undergone multiple band personnel changes over the years would be an understatement. But this 1995 "Live" recording in England before an intimate audience finds Chrissie Hynde with an Acoustic Guitar along with Guitarist/Vocalist: Adam Seymour; Drummer/Vocalist: Martin Chambers; Acoustic Bass Guitarist Andy Hobson; Pianist: Damon Albarn, Percussionist: Mark "Wiff" Smith and The Duke Quartet: Viola: John Metcalfe; Violin: Louisa Fuller, Violin Richard Koster and Cello: Ivan McCready. This set list is a gem while tooling down the highway with: Sense of Purpose, Chill Factor, Private Life, Back on the Chain Gang, Kid, I Hurt You, Criminal, Brass in Pocket, 2000 Miles, Hymn to Her, Lovers of Today, The Phone Call, I Go to Sleep and Revolution.

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Yes--the band--is arguably one of the longest running Progressive Rock bands and this is unquestionably a Masterpiece of 3 songs in 37 minutes with the title song gradually building up to the band's attack of the suite "Close to the Edge" with the opening and closing sounds of a waterfall and birds. Lead Vocalist Jon Anderson's songwriting is a bit obscure and deep--such that the band members confessed they really don't always grasp his spiritually-driven themes of Rebirth, Regeneration and Renewal coming in full circle to Harmony. Bass player and Vocalist Chris Squire's Rickenbacher leads with the deepest if not infectious melodic riffs I have ever heard. Lead Guitarist and Vocalist Steve Howe appears as if he has just emerged from a "Peace-pipe" meeting with Segovia and Steve Vie (who would be impressed). In June 1972, as this album was just being mastered Drummer Bill Bruford whose off-beat precision and speed dazzles, left "Yes" for the band "King Crimson" leaving the band in a crisis to find his replacement to tour the project. The 3 LP "Yessongs" features Bruford's eventual replacement in former Plastic Ono Band drummer Alan White. Keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman had just joined the band and brought forth an intensity with Classical interplay between himself and Howe alternating between a "Phantom of the Opera" Chorale, to highly intricate moog synthesizer-driven dirges. To this day I have never heard a more tightly-produced recording project thanks to Eddie Offord. This belongs in every Progressive Rock collection. It delivers with a "wall of sound" and complexity I still love, (as I recently Blogged, "YES" was my very first band to see in concert and they played the entire "Close To The Edge" work. Rick Wakeman had left the group to pursue a solo career and Patrick Moraz filled in on the LP "Relayer"). Not to be missed in concert!

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When I was a kid Three Dog Night ruled the Pop/Rock world filling arenas with beautiful women throwing themselves at the bands three frontmen: Danny Hutton, Cory Wells and Chuck Negron. The band was formed in 1967 and--unbelievably--scored 21 hit singles, with 11 winding up in the Top 10 producing 12 consecutive Gold Albums from 1969 to 1975. Their formula was soulful vocal harmonies, an excellent ear for quality material and the band's creative arrangements and interpretations of cover choices that gave exposure (and royalties) to several talented songwriters: Nilsson ("One"), Laura Nyro ("Eli's Coming"), Randy Newman ("Mama Told Me Not to Come)", Hoyt Axton ("Joy to the World"), Argent's Russ Ballard ("Liar"), and Leo Sayer ("The Show Must Go On"). They took their name from an Australian expression describing the freezing temperatures in the nighttime outback (the colder the night, the more dogs needed to keep warm). The rhythm section included Guitarist Mike Allsup, Keyboardist Jimmy Greenspoon, Bassist Joe Schermie, and Drummer Floyd Sneed. "One" became the band's first Top Ten hit in 1969 (and the first 4 minute song we knew of to air on AM Radio), while "Mama Told Me Not to Come)" hit number one a year later. "Joy to the World" (included on this CD) became the group's biggest hit in 1971, spending six weeks on top of the pop charts. Their final number one hit was 1972's "Black and White" (a U.K. reggae hit for Greyhound), and their final Top Ten, 1974's "The Show Must Go On." By 1976, the band charted with a ballad called "Till the World Ends" and they sounded better than ever. But behind the scenes and endless television appearances, an internal power struggle ensued amongst the three singers who felt that the original concept of three equal singers had disintegrated with Negron taking the leads on most of their songs. A fed up Hutton left the group, and Three Dog Night officially disbanded a year later. Today, THree Dog Night is back with Hutton and Wells on tour with some of the original band members without Negron (who completed a drug rehab program and wrote a jarring book about it) who is now leading his own band. It's really a shame these guys can't reconcile decades of bitterness because they were so distinctive in their sound and this CD is just "proof" in the selections such as "One Man Band", "Joy To The World", "I've Got Enough Heartache" and "I'll Be Creeping" that they remain a powerhouse that is as relevant today as they were yesterday. I hope I can catch the new lineup in concert soon!

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I have another week here in Florida. The people are wonderful and the beach last night was moonless until around 11:30 PM. I finally had some "play time" from all the pressures to try and pinpoint the Treasure Island beach my late Father loved. I was last there at age 10. I actually recalled the "Thunderbird Hotel" which is still there. Just watching the "white caps" of warm water waves ebb and flow as I walked along the shoreline and savored some memories of Dad was nice.

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Have a Beautiful Sunday!

THE OUTLAW JOSIE WALES!

One of the final appearances of the late genius Actor and Movie Mogul Orson Welles was on "The Tonight Show" (his last public appearance before he died in 1985 was on "The Merv Griffin Show") where he characterized the picture I have chosen here as "a masterpiece" and the audience went wild. Make no mistake about it. This is a captivating film that is directed by Clint Eastwood--a fact many overlook--that he directs many of his projects with a deft hand and intelligence. On the one hand, a compelling argument can be made that this is but a continuation of "The Man with No Name" with a silent, stoic Eastwood whose personality is as closed as his compadre, the late Chief Dan George (who partners with him) is open. Their destinies cross when Eastwood, (as Josie Wales) has refused to be "reconstructed" at the end of The Civil War where his family is butchered by Northern troops. This is a rich tapestry of the hell associated with war, about its atrocities, about prejudice, and about a group of characters whose lives become intertwined while heading West. A man of Justice, Wales becomes a fugitive while "leveling the playing field" What is so intriguing about this story is that Wales, the loner who is embittered against civilization is no longer the lone drifter and refugee in the unsettled postwar West. He begins to collect a raggle-taggle group of similar loners and drifters who find their core destiny together.

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The most memorable character I have ever come across in any Western is an old Indian, played by Chief Dan George (who sadly passed away 3 years ago). A humiliated Indian who has grown old, his wit and sense of humor is side-splitting. In fact, he really is the glue who holds together the Missouri man Wales with a widowed Grandma and her young Niece whose family is nearly wiped out on their journey from Kansas to El Dorado. The Niece is played by Sondra Locke during the better days of her relationship with Eastwood. This is an intelligent movie about war and peace with beautiful photography brought to us by Bruce Surtees in a magnificent way. A favorite moment of mine is where a silent Wales leaves for an unannounced destination--a meeting with "Ten Bears" (Will Sampson)--an Indian Chief and his warriors. The dialogue is simply awe-inspiring as they make peace in a manner that we all find ourselves wishing to apply to modern day warfare and global conflict; if only peace were attainable the way these two men handle it. Meanwhile, bounty hunters are relentlessly after Wales. The late John Vernon's character is complex, part-Judas/part Humanitarian. Ultimately the viewer has to decide who is what as each character becomes distinctively unique. So, to recap: There is love, betrayal, war, peace, prejudice, a breaking down of barriers, survival, defeat, and retrenching before each of the character's destinies takes a final unexpected turn--including that of Wales. This is undoubtedly one of the finest Westerns ever made. It was Nominated as Best Musical Score (by Jerry Fielding) at the 1977 Oscars.

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Cast: Clint Eastwood....Josey Wales; Chief Dan George ....Lone Watie; Sondra Locke....Laura Lee; Bill McKinney....Terrill; John Vernon....Fletcher; Paula Trueman....Grandma Sarah; Sam Bottoms....Jamie; Geraldine Keams ....Little Moonlight; Woodrow Parfrey....Carpetbagger; Joyce Jameson....Rose; Sheb Wooley....Travis Cobb; Royal Dano....Ten Spot; Matt Clark....Kelly (as Matt Clarke); John Verros....Chato; Will Sampson....Ten Bears.

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I truly hope you love it!

JUNE ALLYSON 1918-2006!

June Allyson and husband David Ashrow

I am posting this quite early as I am snowed under with many things to get done here on the East Coast of Florida. June Allyson, the screen icon of MGM died Monday in Ojai, California and I wanted to honor her with a wonderful true story of the 5 hour dinner I had with her in Dallas with actor Van Johnson, Van's manager Alan, June and her husband of 30 years David Ashrow--a wonderful man. My heart goes out to David during this time of grief for he and his family.

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When you do Television and Radio for more than 10 years in a market, you are called a "veteran". I've never thought this way, but the fact of the matter is that all of us in the business were called upon to Emcee many, many non-profit events ranging from The Susan G. Komen Foundation to a Muscular Dystrophy Association cook-off benefiting "Jerry's Kids", and one even benefiting Abused Children. In the 1990's TV and Radio had these "Ascertainment Meetings" and I always represented our station. The purpose of these meetings was to hear out five or ten speakers from area non-profits make a five-minute "pitch" for free air time (today stations prefer to promote themselves by choosing their own charity of choice and hardly any Public Affairs shows exist anymore). Well, I chose to use a broad brush stroke in announcing our focus for free air time: "Women and Children's Health Issues". So, when a local group assembled a $1,000 (US) a plate dinner featuring June Allyson and Van Johnson as "An Evening with Hollywood Legends", I was tapped to be the Emcee. That meant meeting with Van and June for hours at The Fairmount Hotel. This was the late 1990's. Van was 82 and almost completely deaf as a result of a tragic injury when he boarded a British Airways Concorde with a bad head cold and blew out his ear drums during the flight. He read lips and only his manager and I had the bass baritone voices to literally clasp out hands around his ears and speak loudly to answer a few questions. This was otherwise a fun (and funny evening). My Mother used to swoon over Van Johnson in his early pictures. In fact, June and Van appeared in 6 motion pictures together in the 1940's when her stardom hit at MGM and 5 with the late Jimmy Stewart--always playing his wife.

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We ran through the introductions with scripts. Van was hilarious. Ever a joker who remained a close friend to June (who was married to actor-movie mogul Dick Powell and hosted "The Dick Powell Show" until his death in 1963) Van saw her walking toward us from the elevator lobby with her husband David Ashrow. David was a retired Dentist and he was hip to Van's sense of humor. Van stood up and pointed at the couple and said, "Oh, look! It's June with Dick Powell. I'm so glad you two could make it. We're having a little party here". I thought I would die! I was certain my face was the shade of a Tomato!! June cracked up and we met and just hit it off! After several run-throughs, the Allyson entourage was heading downstairs to the plush "Venetian Room Restaurant". I shook hands with June but noticed she wasn't letting go of my hand. "Where are you going?", she asked. She was cute. I said, "To my apartment". I answered. "Well, what are you going to do there?", she asked. "Oh, probably cook some dinner". At that point she put her arm through mine and pulled me close to her side as we started walking saying, "No, no, no. I'm keeping you! You're not going anywhere. You're fun, so you're going to go to dinner downstairs with us". The entire evening literally flew by as I sat and listened to stories about their neighbor Merv Griffin and lots of Hollywood talk. I felt I was in a movie just listening to these stories! They were all incredible tales. Van became quite emotional over a personal story I won't repeat out of respect. He was such a kind and humorous man with heart. I had no idea that June had such a tough childhood in the Bronx and spent years in a steel brace after a fall as a young girl. She looked dazzling --much younger than her late 70's. She was a doll! After dinner, the two stars walked me out to the hotel Lobby (again June and I were arm-in-arm) and she kissed me goodnight square on the lips. June was a good kisser. And let me just add a delightful lady who was generous and made me feel like a million dollars. Who was I? A local broadcaster. Imagine! The event went off without a hitch the following evening and there were clips shown from movies like "Till Clouds Roll By" (1946) and 1949's "Little Women". June was a beautiful woman and a night that I could have never predicted in my wildest dreams is now a fond memory. May she Rest in Peace. God Bless You, June!

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A LAVA LAMP!

Above: Lava Lamp

Elizabeth Hurley!


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Well, as of last week, I became an official Lava Lamp owner! Earth shattering, isn't it? I picked up a 70's model with Green Colored Wax. Not that this makes me cool or interesting, but if I ever have a date with Elizabeth Hurley, I may turn it on to "spark" some conversation. Not that any "spark" is needed. That's my BLOG for today! I didn't want to over-tax myself. All the search work has been completed here in Tampa/Orlando. The lengths I went to would make Lance Armstrong proud. I look forward to seeing if I can get together with Bud Buckley ASAP. He's about 120 miles South of here. Hope your weekend is a nice one!

CASABLANCA!

"Friday Movie Suggestion Night" rolls out the "Red Carpet" for a film rated as "The Number 2 Film of All Time" from The American Film Institute: CASABLANCA! In 1942, every major film studio was producing one movie per week. "The Lions" who ruled the studios at the time, of course were Samuel Goldwyn, David Selznick, and Louis B. Mayer. But one mustn't leave out Jack Warner! Scriptwriter Murray Burnett and Joan Alison took a late 1930's trip to Europe and stopped at a Cafe with some Belgian friends. The Cafe had a black piano player, and people--literally from all walks of life seemed to resemble refugees at a time when Paris was facing a menace called Hitler. Burnett felt that the setting, with all of the sights and sounds and socio-political angst would make for a good screenplay. So, he wrote one called "Everybody Comes To Ricks". Back in Hollywood he managed to sell it to Warner for $20,000.00 (US) sight unseen! Imagine!! Warner brought in Julius and Phillip Epstein--two brothers who were charged with the task of sculpting Burnett and Alison's play into a script for a movie. The two brothers were well known for their sharp wit, humor and rapid pacing of dialogue. (You can catch this with Bogart's dialogue with the girl from Bulgaria who approaches him as he is seated having a drink at a table). Actually, the bulk of the Epstein's work led up to the film's "flashback" sequences of Rick (Humphrey Bogart) and Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) in Paris during a whilrwind romance. But this was the "studio contract" days and the brothers were swept away to another film project. Enter Casey Robinson, who now had to oversee the romantic scene-melding (brilliantly carried out over Max Steiners musical score). "As Time Goes By" was actually written and released in 1931 with little fanfare. But by 1942, it was a major hit due to this film. Originally, Dennis Morgan was picked for Bogart's role, Ann Sheridan for Ingrid Bergman's role and Ronald Reagan for Paul Henreid's role as Victor Laszlo! (Thank God this was changed!). A deal was struck between Producer Hal Wallace and David Selznick to "loan" Olivia de Havilland to Selznick in exchange for Ingrid Bergman to Wallace. Bogart was signed, but Paul Henried was under contract to play in "Now Voyager" with Betty Davis. Director Michael Curtiz ("Captain Blood" and "The Adventures of Robin Hood") was a great action film director hired to lend an inspired direction to the project. Casablanca is on the Western edge of Morocco and was selected as the site where refugee's assembled to wait for valuable "Letters of Transit" to America in an effort to escape the clutches of the Nazi's. In fact, the film's sequence where the Nazi's begin to sing their national anthem while the freedom seekers enlisted by Victor Laszlolo to sing Le Marseilles ("Viva La France"!) had Burnett literally in tears as he was writing this scene. I mention this because the tears you see in the eyes of everyone singing to drown out the Fascists on the other side of Rick's "Cafe Americain" were actors who were genuinely moved to sing of freedom over tyranny! The script was being changed every day and Ingrid Bergman grew weary of what appeared to be movie moguls who were inexperienced; in fact, they were merely scared. This was a film produced in "real time" and the ending required Bogart and Claude Rains to come back to an "Airport Hangar" set one month after filming wrapped (or so they thought). In fact, the last line was alleged to have been written by Hal Wallis himself for the sake of continuity with a startled look exchanged between Bogart and Reins. This explanation won't spoil the movie for first-timers!

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The Plot: In World War II Casablanca, (French Occupied) Rick Blaine, exiled American and former freedom fighter (Humphrey Bogart) runs the most popular nightspot in town. A cynical maverick with a heart, Blaine comes into the possession of two valuable letters of transit taken from two murdered Nazi's. When Nazi Major Strasser (Conrad Veidt) arrives in Casablanca, French police Captain Renault (Claude Rains) does what he can to please him, including detaining Czech underground leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid). To Rick's shock, Laszlo arrives with Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), Rick's one time love who ran out on him in Paris where they had planned to wed. All of that unwound when Ilsa discovered that her husband whom she was told had been killed--the great resistance leader Laszlo, was in fact alive! When a bitter Rick learns the facts, they plan to run off together again using the Letters of Transit. This triangle plays out in unexpected ways. There. That's all you'll get from me! Let's have a look at one of the most extraordinary Casts in Movie History!

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Directed by Michael Curtiz; Writing Credits: Murray Burnett and Joan Alison; Julius J. Epstein and Philip G. Epstein; Howard Koch and Casey Robinson; Cast: Humphrey Bogart...Rick Blaine; Ingrid Bergman....Ilsa Lund; Paul Henreid....Victor Laszlo; Claude Rains....Capt. Renault; Conrad Veidt....Maj. Strasser; Sydney Greenstreet....Signor Ferrari; Peter Lorre:....Ugarte; Dooley Wilson....Sam. The film won the Oscar for BEST DIRECTOR, BEST PICTURE and BEST WRITING.

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This One is for My Father.

BACK TO THE ROAD!

Usually, I am quick with fresh day-to-day BLOGS. However, with the July 4th celebrations (in the US) coming up, I felt that many people would be prevented from stopping by to see the "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" pick. So, I wanted to leave it up a bit longer than normal. In the process, I was taught a new way to add photos and in turn, went back and re-dressed the BLOGS lacking the photos that Blogger suddenly stopped allowing me to post around 6/1. Tuesday, I'll be jetting away for a week in Florida. In fact, the carrier I am using is pre-boarding me to meet the flight crew and snap some photos for a feature I'm writing for a Airways magazine called "Coach Flyer". My colleagues and I at the magazine critique Coach and Business Class on a different International airline each month. So, I'll be "working" even as I get underway to seek a new home in Florida. This is a really nice magazine feature that focuses on everything you would associate with a pleasant airline trip from an on-time departure, comfort, atmosphere, cabin service, attitudes--you name it.

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Tom Norwood's excellent hardbound book "Deregulation Knock Outs Volume II" is officially out and features on Page 129 my graphic art design under that was under serious consideration in 1994 for the "New" Eastern Airlines. It was quite exciting to see my professionally reproduced mechanical that I designed in a Sheraton Bar from Midnight until 2 a.m. in Miami all that long ago! I was "inspired" and as you might expect, I have a large custom-matted and framed copy at home on the wall. There were two Eastern projects. Mine was associated with the effort on the previous page to raise $135 Million (US) in start-up costs for a point-point carrier that connected Miami in the South with Philadelphia to the North--Indianapolis to the West--and back to Miami, phasing in 32 aircraft (29 Douglas DC-9-30's and 3 Boeing 757's) over a 2-year period. AirTran today closely resembles this endeavor that was eventually discontinued in favor of resuscitating Pan Am II (1996-1998--an excellent carrier, by the way!). I'll be checking in whenever possible.

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To order the book, just go to my HOME page at www.michaelmanning.tv and Click-On the Airways magazine button.

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Wishing all of you a very nice July 4th!

:)