Born On This Day- December 31st... Jule Styne

Readers have been in the know that my favorite musical is Gypsy, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim & music by Jule Styne. Before he left us, Styne had written 2,000 songs, published 1,500 & had 200 hits. Styne: "I'm talking about hit hits, the others were popular, but there were 200 hit hits." Those hits included: It's Been a Long, Long Time, It's Magic, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!, Time After Time, 5 Minutes More.

In Hollywood, he teamed up with Sammy Cahn on romantic ballads: I've Heard That Song Before, I'll Walk Alone & 3 Coins in the Fountain. On Broadway, he shifted from satire- Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, with Leo Robin, to drama- Funny Girl, with Bob Merrill, also working with the great Betty Comden & Adolph Green on musical comedies- including 2 on the Aisle & Bells Are Ringing.

Styne: "I had 15 # 1 songs with Sammy Cahn. He loved that big-band sound, so every song had that big-band sound. Then I read lyrics by Yip Harburg & Leo Robin & I thought, 'I'd like to write to those kinds of words.' Yip's syllables & sounds tingle with music. Leo had a wonderful edge, a suave & very sophisticated way of comedy."

His songs often shared the stamp of the singers who introduced them: Carol Channing, Judy Holliday, Doris Day, Mary Martin, Barbra Streisand & Ethel Merman.

Born in London to Russian Jews in 1905, Styne moved to NYC & became a vocal coach & conductor for the Broadway musicals, which led to a job in Hollywood with 20th Century Fox, coaching Shirley Temple & Constance Bennett.

He said he changed his name at the suggestion of an executive of the Music Corporation of America, who told him that "Stein" seemed "too Jewish." He was also being confused with Dr. Jules Stein, the head of the Music Corporation.

Paramount borrowed Styne for the 1942 musical- Sweater Girl. He wrote songs including I Don't Want to Walk Without You, with Frank Loesser. The team turned out hits including: It's Been a Long, Long Time & I've Heard That Song Before. Many of their songs were written for Frank Sinatra, with whom Mr. Styne had a close if uneven relationship over the years.

Styne said he never liked working in the movies, even though he received an Oscar for 3 Coins in the Fountain & 7 nominations. Styne: "I didn't like a director telling me what song goes where. I was not pleased with Hollywood's adaptations of Gypsy & Funny Girl. The movies destroyed every musical they ever made from the stage.”

In 1959, Gypsy, his only collaboration with Stephen Sondheim, who wrote the lyrics, the pairing brought out the best in both of them. Frank Rich: "They brought out something in each other's talent that cannot quite be found in their extraordinary separate careers."

Hallelujah, Baby!, his 18th show, finally brought Styne a Tony. He was among the 5 artists honored in 1990 by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington for their cultural contributions to the nation. In 1992, he received the New Dramatists Lifetime Achievement Award. Styne was elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the American Theatre Hall of Fame, & he was a recipient of a Drama Desk Special Award.

He was still composing in 1994 when his spotlight was shut off. Styne in 1990: "I've had a goodly life & I'm working as hard as I've ever worked. A sunny day when I can sit down & write, that's what makes life so good. The brain is an amazing thing. I could sit down to write 9 songs right now, & I don't know what would come out. That's the wonder of it all."

My favorite Jule Stein song is Neverland from Pete Pan, lyrics by Comden & Green:

I have a place where dreams are born

& time is never planned

It's not on any chart

You must find it with your heart

Never Never Land.

It might be miles beyond the moon,

Or right there where you stand.

Just keep an open mind

& then suddenly you'll find

Never Never Land

You'll have a treasure if you stay there

More precious far than gold.

For once you have found your way there

You can never, never grow old

& that's my home where dreams are born

& time is never planned

Just think of lovely things

& your heart will fly on wings

Forever in Never Never Land.

You'll have a treasure if you stay there

More precious far than gold

For once you have found your way there

You can never, never grow old

& that's my home where dreams are born

& time is never planned

Just think of lovely things

& your heart will fly on wings

Forever in Never Never Land

Styne/Comden/Green

1960

Bebe & Me

When I lived in NYC in the mid-1970s, & I was studying at HB Studios, I was living with my friend- WCK3 ( who was studying at Julliard) & I working at ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers). This was a fabulous job as a “music monitor”. I had a small cubicle in the ASCAP building, with a huge window that looked out at Lincoln Center & a smack on view of the Chagall tapestries at the Metropolitan Opera House. It remains one of my favorite jobs of all time, & one of the perks was frequent house seats for Broadway musicals.

The big musical of the moment was a little thing called- A Chorus Line, but my own favorite current broadway show was the somewhat less popular- Chicago. I loved this show, directed & choreographed by Bob Fosse & I saw it when ever I got a chance. It starred Chita Rivera, Jerry Orbach & Gwen Verdon. At some point,Gwen Verdon fell ill, the victim of swallowing a feather from her costume & she was replaced for 1 month by someone named Liza Minnelli. I was so excited to see Liza up close & personal. ASCAP secured, for me, 2 tickets for her 1st night in the role. WCK3 could not attend, but he suggested that I bring his friend & classmate at Julliard- Bebe.

I felt bad that I had been taunting Bebe, because she shared a name with the Seattle Zoo’s famous gorilla. Beebee & BoBo were a very famous gorilla couple at the Seattle Zoo, & WCK3’s friend had to suffer through my gorilla jokes. I was glad to have a date for Liza’s Chicago debut, & Bebe seemed to have forgiven my ribbing. We had a great date at the theatre, with drinks at Joe Allen’s after the show. I wish that I had been portentous at the time, about my date was Bebe Neuwirth. I would loved to have told her that she would someday go on to win a Tony Award as Velma Kelly, in the most successful revival in Broadway history- Chicago (She would also be the 2nd Sheila in that other show- A Chorus Line): “Hey Bebe… someday, you will win a Tony award for this show & you will go on to be a big Broadway & TV star (winning 2 Emmy awards for her take on Dr. Lilith Sternin on Cheers), how about a kiss? She was a swell date. I regret not trying to make out with her at the end of our evening.

Things turned out pretty well for Bebe. Last year she has starred with Nathan Lane in The Aadams Family on Broadway. Bebe never thanks me in her award speeches, although I was the perfect date, footing the cost of the tickets & the drinks, & every bit the gentleman. Today is Bebe Neuwirth’s birthday. I will never forget our date.

Born On This Day- December 31st... Canadian Polymath Douglas Coupland

I certainly love our neighbors to the north. Margaret Atwood, Kurt Browning, Michael Bublé, Raymond Burr, Kim Cattrall, John Candy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, k d lang, who would want a world without Canadians? The Husband & I were married in Vancouver BC on our 25th anniversary of couplehood.

I first came upon Vancouver B.C.’s Douglas Coupland when the vacation home he shares with his husband was featured in the NY Times. The article revealed that the couple’s second home was directly behind their primary residence. In Seattle, The Husband & I had a second home, a 150 square foot barge on Lake Union, that was within walking distance of our 700 square foot cottage in the Wallingford neighborhood. I knew that I would dig around & get to know this Coupland fellow.

Coupland’s first novel- Generation X was published in 1991. I guess the title had some impact on our culture, giving a name to the post-Boomers & the term McJobs. In the next 2 decades, he wrote 13 novels, a collection of short stories, 8 volumes of nonfiction, the official guide to the Vancouver Olympics, stage plays, & screenplays.

It isn’t enough that he has created books & scripts, Coupland is a visual artist. Recently he designed the Monument to the War of 1812 in Toronto, iconic sculptures in Canoe Landing Park in downtown Toronto. His tribute to Canada's fallen firefighters in Ottawa is unveiled in March, 2012. Coupland, in collaboration with Roots, designed a popular collection of summer streetwear.

Hornet Nest 1 & 2

Downy Bottle #1

Blocks

Coupland claims to work 7 days a week & to never have taken a vacation.

Coupland has written a series of suggestions for surviving the future. Here are a few that I have taken to heart:

“It's going to get worse .No silver linings & no lemonade. The elevator only goes down. The bright note is that the elevator will, at some point, stop.”

“The middle class is over. It's not coming back. Remember travel agents? Remember how they just kind of vanished one day? That's where all the other jobs that once made us middle-class are going – to that same, magical, class-killing, job-sucking wormhole into which travel-agency jobs vanished, never to return. However, this won't stop people from self-identifying as middle-class, & as the years pass we'll be entering a replay of the antebellum South, when people defined themselves by the social status of their ancestors 3 generations back. Enjoy the new monoclass!”

“North America can easily fragment quickly as did the Eastern Bloc in 1989. Quebec will decide to quietly & quite pleasantly leave Canada. California contemplates splitting into 2 states, fiscal & non-fiscal. Cuba becomes a Club Med with weapons. The Hate States will form a coalition.”

“Your sense of time will continue to shred. Years will feel like hours.

“It is going to become much easier to explain why you are the way you are. Much of what we now consider “personality” will be explained away as structural & chemical functions of the brain.”

“You're going to miss the 1990s more than you ever thought.”

“Stupid people will be in charge, only to be replaced by ever-stupider people. You will live in a world without kings, only princes in whom our faith is shattered.”

“IKEA will become an ever-more-spiritual sanctuary.”

“Dreams will get better”

“Being alone will become easier”

“Expect less… Not zero, just less.”

Last Post of 2011.

It's rare my sister encourages my blogging.  She deemed this little incident blog-worthy so I thought I'd take advantage.

Scene:  We went to Target after dinner and before seeing New Year's eve.  Our goal was to pick up some new year's head wear to sport for the evening.  To our dismay, we found nothing.  We decided to check the seasonal area and found only Christmas decorations and Valentine's decorations.  It's here we met our new friend Mando.  He was awesome.  We explained our situation to him.

Mando:  "So are you all looking to get chocolate wasted?"
Me:  "Well...we're kind of Red Lobster wasted right now.  So probably not."

Mando:  "Yeah...drinking and seafood don't really go together."

Me:  "Oh...you weren't really talking about chocolate?"

Mando explained to me that it was some sort of movie reference that I, clearly, did not get.

Later in the car this scene took place.

Me:  "Did you know that guy wasn't talking about chocolate?"
Hannah:  "Yeah....I thought he was talking about sex."



So..there you are.  One last awkward moment to polish off the year.  Lesson learned:  If a black man asks you about getting chocolate wasted...he's not talking about chocolate but you shouldn't necessarily jump to the conclusion that he's propositioning you for other things.

Happy New Year!!

Born On This Day- December 31st... Taylor Mead

I met him at a holiday party hosted by my acting teacher- Austin Pendelton & I figured that we might possibly become friends & he would be my entrance to Andy Warhol's Factory, another step closer to fame.

Tennessee Williams: "All art is a scandal. Life tries to be. Taylor Mead succeeds. I come close". It took a long time for any one to have any reason to think of Taylor Mead as something other than a lonely old barfly living in a squalid apartment, feeding cats & mining mumbled memories.

In fact, Mead has been at the heart of the American avant-garde and counterculture for over 6 decades. A bridge between the Beat movement & the New York art world of the 1960s, he has remained an important creative force, as a writer, a performer & a muse for filmmaker Jim Jarmusch who featured Mead affectionately in Coffee &Cigarettes (2003).

Mead was initially discovered as a poet, but he soon became a leading onscreen figure in American experimental & independent Film, as well as an important collaborator off-screen, contributing to the editing & soundtracks of the films in which he appears.

Born in 1924 to a prominent Grosse Point family, Mead grew up gay at a time when it was not just scandalous but dangerous. He was disowned by his family & he left & fled to the freedom of NYC’s bohemian circles in the 1940s where he became a fixture on the poetry scene. He relocated to San Francisco like so many The Beats. In California, Mead began a collaboration with aspiring filmmaker Ron Rice, starring role in the sensitive The Flower Thief (1960). The film’s tremendous success brought Mead to the attention of artists working in NYC experimental film & theatre. Mead began to appear onstage with major roles in plays by LeRoi Jones & Frank O'Hara, eventually landing a "contract" as one of Andy Warhol's first superstars.

Mead's raunchy & droll performances, are completely unsophisticated & sincere. He has made over 100 movies, 10 with Warhol.

Those who think American indie film began with Quentin Tarantino in the 1990s will be surprised to know that it was the1960s underground cinema that laid the groundwork of what would become the entire independent film movement.

Mead turns 87 years old today. He lives in NYC, & still performs & read poetry regularly at The Bowery Poetry Club. His latest book of poems is called A Simple Country Girl. He was the subject of a documentary- Excavating Taylor Mead, which debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2005. The film shows him engaging in his nightly habit of feeding stray cats in an East Village cemetery after bar-hopping, & features a cameo by Jim Jarmusch, in which Jarmusch explains that once, when Mead went to Europe, he enlisted Jarmusch's brother to feed the cemetery cats in Mead's absence.

Mead is a beloved icon of the downtown NYC art scene since the 1960s. He continues to be charming, with a wry outlook & dry delivery Mead: “Warhol was a genius. Of course, Hitler was a genius, too ...".

In the mid 1970s, Gary Weis made a short film of Mead for Saturday Night Live that featured Mead talking to his cat in the kitchen of his Ludlow Street apartment on the Lower East Side. The film is titiled- Taylor Mead's Cat.

The Year 2011

Today is the final day of 2011 and I cannot say that I am unhappy to see this year go. From a personal standpoint this has not been a particularly good year for me. Indeed, 2011 will always be to me the year that my best friend died. It was on 12 June of this year that my friend Brian passed on. I must confess that I still am mourning him and I still miss him a good deal. This past holiday season was a particularly difficult one for me because of that.

Even if my best friend had not died, however, it would be hard for me not to view 2011 as a year of death. Many of my favourite celebrities died this year and in such quantities that I swear I spent the first six months of this year writing eulogies in this blog. I am guessing the big news as far as celebrity deaths go this year was the passing of screen legend Elizabeth Taylor. As much as I loved Elizabeth Taylor, however, she was not the celebrity I mourned the most this year. Indeed, there were others I mourned more and a few I actually shed tears over. I am guessing that many of us felt the passing of Peter Falk more intensely than we did Miss Taylor. The reasons go far beyond the fact that he played Lt. Columbo. Mr. Falk was a multi-talented actor who also had a career not only on television, but on the screen and stage as well.  I believe many of us also mourned a good deal over Jane Russell. Miss Russell was well known for her physical attributes, but it was for her wit and her talent that we all loved her. She was both on screen and off screen the perfect combination of brains, beauty, and wit. Of course, she was not the only beautiful brunette to pass this year that I found myself mourning. Elaine Stewart was an actress on whom I had a crush since childhood. She was beautiful and quite versatile. I think because of her beauty her talent was often underestimated, something I hope will change in coming years.  I also found myself mourning John Neville. Most people probably knew him as Baron Munchausen from The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988), but he played may more roles, including Sherlock Holmes in A Study in Terror (1965) and the Well Manicured Man in The X-Files.

Others of my favourite actors worked primarily in television. This was particularly true of James Arness. Most of us know him as Matt Dillon from Gunsmoke, but Mr. Arness also appeared in such films as Big Jim McLain (1952), The Thing (1951), and Them! (1954). What made me feel Mr. Arness's death even more acutely was that he left behind a letter in which he thanked his fans for his career. It's the only time I have ever seen an actor do that. This year also saw the passing of what may have been the most popular of The Doctor's companions on Doctor Who of all time. Elisabeth Sladen played Sarah Jane Smith on Doctor Who. She was the first of The Doctor's companions to whom I was ever exposed and she still one of my favourites. In fact, in my humble opinion Sarah Jane ranks alongside Cathy Gale, Emma Peel, and Honey West as far as independent female characters who could think for themselves on television. Arguably Cliff Robertson was as much of a film actor as a television actor, but it was on television where I first encountered him. He was a frequent guest star on television shows in the Sixties, including The Twilight Zone and Batman. Of course, he also had an extensive career in film, appearing in such movies as PT 109 (1963), Sunday in New York (1963), and Charly (1968).

Of course, actors were not the only celebrities who died this year. Director Sidney Lumet, who helmed such films as 12 Angry Men (1957), Fail-Safe (1964), Serpico (1973), and Network (1976) , passed this year. This year also saw the passing of screenwriter Jimmy Sangster, whose screenplays for Curse of Frankenstein (1957) and Dracula (1958) turned Hammer Pictures from an obscure British studio into the studio most identified with horror movies besides Universal. The world of television saw the passing of three men who had a huge impact on my life and on Anglo-American pop culture. Sherwood Schwartz created Gilligan's Island, arguably one of the most successful sitcoms of all time. David Croft co-created several successful sitcoms, including Dad's Army, Are You Being Served, and 'Allo 'Allo. Bert Schneider was the co-producer of The Monkees. He went onto produce some of my favourite films, including Head (1968), Easy Rider (1969), and Five Easy Pieces (1970).  The world of comic books was also hit hard this year. Les Daniels, the comic book historian died at a terribly young age of 68. Jerry Robinson, the creator of The Joker and well known advocate for creator rights, also passed this year. Legendary comic book artist and writer Joe Simon, who created Captain America and other characters, died only months after his creation finally saw life on the big screen in a major motion picture.

While there were many deaths this year, in many ways 2011 was unremarkable as far as pop culture goes. The biggest movies this year were primarily sequels--Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two, a third Transformers movie, a fourth Twilight movie, and so on. Even when a movie wasn't a sequel, it was often a remake (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) or based on existing properties (the various superhero movies and so on). If anyone wants to use a year as an example of the possibility that Hollywood has run out of idea, 2011 could well be it.

Fortunately, television would at least make an attempt to be original in the 2011-2012 season, although the quality of the end results were often questionable. On the surface The Playboy Club was something different for NBC. Unfortunately, it was also very, very bad. Similarly, its fellow period piece Pan Am was something that ABC usually would not do. Unfortunately it was also a bit of a disappointment. The major networks have made more of an effort to air genre shows this year. Early in the year NBC aired The Cape, a superhero drama that lasted rather briefly. This season NBC and ABC debuted two very different shows that draw upon fairy tales (Grimm and Once Upon a Time). While the networks at least seem to be experimenting with different sorts of shows, they also seem to have lost all tastes when it comes to sitcoms. When it comes to the 2011-2012 season, it may be remembered as the Season of the Banal Sitcom. Up All Night, Whitney, and How to Be a Gentleman also seemed to demonstrate that NBC and CBS have forgotten what a good sitcom is. Indeed, his might be particularly true of NBC. Late this year NBC shelved the best comedy on television, Community, but is keeping the frightfully unfunny Up All Night and Whitney  on the air!

There is somewhat better news in the world of music, particularly for those of us who worry that Justin Beiber and The Jonas Brothers may be taking over the world.  Indeed, tween heartthrobs figured in none of the top ten albums. What is more, some of the top ten albums came from vocal talents who can actually sing. Adele, Lady Gaga, and Michael Buble held the top spots for the year. Even better, rock music seems to be making a bit of a comeback. Albums by both Coldplay and Mumford & Sons ranked in the top ten. Another upside is that not one of the top albums was by a rap artist, something those of us fear that particular musical genre could make a comeback have to be thankful for. On the downside, the top ten albums of the year worldwide also included what I call "pop rubbish." Both Rihanna and Beyonce had albums in the top ten.

Whatever the impact had on myself personally, I have to say it was not overly remarkable year with regards to pop culture. While television and music seem to be improving, motion pictures seem to be stuck in a rut of sequels. I suppose we can only hope that movies follow the course of television and music in trying something different. Sadly, that might not be 2012, as there seem to be more sequels on tap.

The Burned - Make Believe

The Burned - Make Believe, originally uploaded by Sarah Woodruff Photography.

Via Flickr:
aww I had a great shoot today!!! whooo more photos coming soon if you want to see more check out my facebook and I have now reached 508!!! woo and Happy New Years!

Christmas Has 12 Days!

Yesterday I went to WalMart. The huge Christmas tree that one saw just as he or she walked into the store was gone. There was no trace of holly to be seen. Worse yet, there was no eggnog in the dairy section, nor were there any cherry cordials anywhere in the store. It was as if as far as WalMart was concerned, Christmas was over.

Now I now that some reading this may point out that yesterday was 29 December, four days after Christmas Day. While this is true, it ignores the fact that Christmas is not one day, but a festival that is twelve days long. Traditionally Christmas took place from the evening of 24 December (Christmas Eve) to the day of 6 January (Twelfth Day). And while I must confess no one outside of churches seems to have recognised the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas in my lifetime, when I was a lad there was at least some recognition that the period between 26 December and 1 January was part of the Christmas season. Oh, radio stations generally ceased playing Christmas music after 25 December and most TV outlets would not show holiday oriented specials and movies after 25 December. But all businesses would keep their Christmas decorations up, including their trees, until at least 2 January. In the days when I was growing up, it was generally recognised that New Year's Day was a part of the Christmas season, even if almost everyone stopped celebrating the holidays before Epiphany.

Of course, WalMart apparently forgot that Christmas lasts twelve days long ago. While I seem to recall that even as recently as the Naughts they kept their ornaments up longer, I also remember an advert they ran back in the Naughts beginning 26 December (it may have first aired on 25 December for all I know). The commercial began, "Now that the holidays are over..." Ummm, it's not even New Year's Day yet! From the commercial it would appear that WalMart believed the holidays ended with Christmas Day. The fact that they had no ornaments up in the store yesterday demonstrates that they apparently have not learned any differently since that advert aired.

I would not be so irritated at WalMat for taking down their Christmas decorations so early if they did not put them up so early as well. I went to WalMart on 1 November this year. I was confronted by the huge Christmas tree at the front of the store and Christmas music playing over the intercom. One would have thought it was the middle of December! Going by this, I almost believe that WalMart thinks the holiday season begins the day after Halloween and ends on Christmas Day. No, it doesn't. In fact, I think the vast majority of Americans do not think of it as "Christmas time" until Thanksgiving at the earliest. Many of us don't think of it as the holiday season until much later!

Now I'm guessing many reading this might ask why celebrating the Yuletide at least until New Year's Day is such a big deal. Well, for me there are several reasons. The first is simply tradition. Until the 20th Century, when the holiday season became convoluted with the holiday shopping season, Christmas was observed as a festival that lasted for the traditional twelve days. The song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was first published relatively recently, in 1780 in England. Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol, published in 1843, makes reference to the twelve days of Christmas. Even when I was a growing up there was some recognition that Christmas did not end with Christmas Day. It has only been the past twenty years that certain merchants and media outlets have forgotten that Christmas is twelve days long and New Year's Day is a part of the Christmas season. In ignoring this tradition we effectively break with the past, we break with what our ancestors practised for years. This sets up what could be a dangerous precedent. If we forget the twelve days of Christmas, what is to keep us from forgetting Christmas all together?

The second reason is that Christmas is essentially a winter holiday. In both the United States and the United Kingdom its imagery deals with winter--snowmen, snowflakes, sleighs, and so on. Now winter does not begin until 21 December or 22 December. In insisting that the "holiday season" runs from 1 November to 25 December, then, WalMart and other merchants are placing the bulk of the Yuletide during autumn! Unless we are willing to change Christmas imagery to fallen leaves and pumpkins (not unlike Halloween and Thanksgiving), then we need to keep the Yuletide in its proper season.

Of course, that brings me to the third reason for observing the Twelve Days of Christmas. In the United States, at least, we already have holidays that take place in autumn. Both Halloween and Thanksgiving are very big holidays here in the States, and both are closely tied to their season. Unfortunately, for many years Thanksgiving has been in danger of losing its own identity. Almost all major stores have their Christmas decorations up before Thanksgiving, if not as early as WalMart (who put them up 1 November). Worse yet, in the past some networks and cable channels have aired Christmas movies on Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is very much in danger of becoming just another part of an overly long Christmas season. Given how early many stores are putting up Christmas decorations and start selling Christmas ornaments, I have to wonder that in a few years Halloween may not be as well! Of course, if society began observing the Twelve Days of Christmas again then we probably would not see stores putting up Christmas ornaments until later, adn Thanksgiving would remain its own special day rather than an mere extension of the "Christmas" season.

As to my fourth reason for celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas, it is simply that I believe the average American needs a break after a long year of work. The way we celebrate Christmas now the average American does not receive much of a break Far too much emphasis is placed on shopping for gifts to be given on 25 December. making a time that should be one of joy all too stressful for the average American. If we celebrated the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas, then gifts could be given on any of the twelve days, not just Christmas Day. This would give people more time to shop for gifts, which would reduce the amount of stress people experience during the holidays. I might also point out that it could also bring in more money for retailers like WalMart who seem to turn Christmas into an autumn holiday!

Of course, there are signs that at least the period between 25 December and 1 January may be increasingly regarded once more as part of the holidays. At least since the early Naughts the DMX Holidays and Happening digital music channel has continued to play Yuletide tunes until 31 January when it switches to what I can only describe as "party music." Various television outlets have also shown signs of regarding the period between 25 December and 1 January as part of the Christmas season. This week AMC showed The Polar Express several nights in a row beginning with the night of 26 December. Oxygen showed the movie Elf this week, after 25 December. This trend has been taking place for a few yeas now, so one can only hope that it continues to grow.

Indeed, I am hoping it will continue until even WalMart, the veritable Grinch of late when it comes to the holidays, realises the error of their ways. It is bad enough that WalMart seems to believe that 1 November is a good time to put up Christmas decorations. It is even worse that they think 26 December is the day to take them down. Christmas is a winter holiday, not an autumn one, and it should be observed as such!

Fashion: Jean Paul Gaultier

Way out there exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art - The fashion world of Jean Paul Gaultier. The man had a vision even as a young boy influenced by his grandmother in France, or digging through her drawers and creating a bustier for his teddy bear.

Whether it's futuristic designs for movies like The Fifth Element, or costumes for Madonna's Blond Ambition Tour, Gaultier's designs are unique, eyepopping, and distinctive. The couture aspect is demonstrated with the amount of hours noted to complete a piece. Sequins, feathers, lace, etc. are hand stitched, appliqued, or woven into intricate patterns for his seasonal themes.
I got a kick out of the cammo/wild hunter theme - oh yeah, I could see my husband in those outfits at his deer lease.

The museum exhibit is a fabulous experience. The mannequins' faces are animated - thus they pout, blink, and appear alive. It's disconcerting at times, yet fascinating. Step out of this world and into the future that is now - see Jean Paul Gaultier's exhibit through February 12, 2012.

C'est magnifique!

Hannes Matthysen abandona Chromium

Lamentablemente, el batería de la banda sudafricana Hannes Matthysen ha tomado la decisión de abandonar el grupo para dedicarse a otros menesteres personales.
Será sin duda una pérdida muy importante recordando que Hannes estaba ahí desde sus inicios. Chromium llevan 6 años intentando abrirse paso en el complicado mundo del metal y les queda ahora un duro trabajo para encontrar un sustituto a Matthysen.

Catch the New Catwoman in Dark Knight Rises

Few months ago, Anne Hathaway announced her special participation as a supporting actress in the upcoming and probably, most awaited "Dark Knight Rises" which immediately capture our attention. And of course, her fans and followers starts to talk about her outfit as the new face of Catwoman along with the famous superhero in Gotham City, the fictional place of Batman. Christian Bale was still the man who will play the role of Bruce Wayne, the man behind the black mask who is about to give a non-stop and mind-bending plot to bring a new life in the story.

According to our source, Anne recently gave her wonderful experiences behind the camera as the new Catwoman. She is quite good for her look, a woman in a shiny and black dress creeping the street of Gotham City and upon watching the trailer of the upcoming film, we can say that the inspiration of Hedy Lamarr, the pioneering star who able to join Bob Kane's creation. Other than her, Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry is a former prospect to inline with the other iconic woman behind the physically fit sporty costume. The classic-themed movie continue to tease anyone through its promotional posters and YouTube sneak peeks.

Michelle Pfeiffer

Halle Berry

Anne Hathaway Photo in Dark Knight Rises

Going back to Anne, she also revealed her looks upon guesting from one of United States television interview. Her comic-inspired appearances as one of underground villain that will join Batman and the rest of their colleagues will probably give us a wave of excitement, right? People are now talking about it in Facebook, Twitter, as well in other social networking sites and you can join them as they criticize the other aspect of the film.

Reviews and movie enthusiasts commentaries is another way for us to know more aside from the photo galleries and clips of Dark Knight Rises and you can try to look around for additional report. Furthermore, the film was scheduled to land in big screens (available in iMax 3D theaters) this summer of 2012.

Hot N' Crusty

Spotted at Panera Bread, a brochure that features a baker offering you his bread.


Well, not just offering the bread. He's thrusting the bread at you, telling you to take it, yeah, just take all that bread, baby. Take it all in. Ungh. Ungh. Now cup the muffins. Both of them. Yeah, now eat the sourdough bread. Lick the tip. Put the whole thing in your mouth. Yeahhh. Ahhh, the loaf is rising... ahhh... ah.... almost there... I'm... I'm glazing! GAHHHHHH!


No, I don't want to cuddle.

EADJ's Exclusive Interview With Jillian Michaels' Left Nostril

Eat A Dick Joel recently had the opportunity to sit down with the left nostril of Jillian Michaels, the celebrity fitness trainer from the NBC hit reality show "The Biggest Loser." We interviewed Michaels' left nostril at the Chateau Marmont in Beverly Hills on December 20th.

EADJ: Thanks for sitting down with us.

JMLN: No problem.

EADJ: We've noticed Jillian Michaels isn't with you today.

JMLN: Yes, Jillian is on a media tour promoting the next season of "Losing It With Jillian." I myself had some prior commitments, such as this interview.

EADJ: Well, thank you for that. How has her success affected your relationship with her?

JMLN: (laughs) That's probably the first question I get at every interview. I'm happy for Jillian and don't begrudge her at all. So when people read some of my Tweets (@JillianMichaelsLeftNostril) or overhear me say something about keeping up with her, they automatically think that she and I are on the rocks. That couldn't be anything further from the truth!

EADJ: But you do have your differences...

JMLN: I'm going to just stop you there and say this: when you have two big personalities like hers and mine, you can't help but have a few clashes once in a while. But I realize I'm her left nostril. She can't breathe without me...

EADJ: Actually, she could, from her mouth or her right nostril...

JMLN: (flares) ...My point is that I need her and she needs me. We have a mutual respect for each other and are not staying together just for appearances.


EADJ: I see. So tell us about your own personal projects.

JMLN: Ah, yes. Well, I have my own line of liqueurs and fragrances, and I've just taped a cameo appearance on the NBC show "Whitney."

EADJ: Ooh! I love that show!

JMLN: Also, I'm in talks for the role of the Scarlet Witch in "The Avengers 2" movie (crosses fingers) and I have been asked to ring the opening bell for the New York Stock Exchange next month.


EADJ: Wow. It sounds like you do have a full plate.

JMLN: I know, right? Fame is a funny thing. (picks self)

EADJ: Thank you so much for talking to us today! And give Jillian a hug for us!

JMLN:My pleasure! Thank you!

Bad Kids~Lady GaGa

Bad Kids~Lady GaGa, originally uploaded by Sarah Woodruff Photography.

Via Flickr:
I am having a great vacation I have one shoot sorry make that two this weekend and then it's back to work I got a promotion at work so I get to start training towards that! anyhow one I haven't shown yet.. enjoy new offical work coming sunday!!! or sat.. also side note these are all the real lens flares I didn't do anything in photoshop In fact I never do! I enhanced the color and contrast but nothing more. I dislike heavy editing

The "Thin Man"/"It's a Wonderful Life" Connection

(Warning: This post deals with some very important plot points in the "Thin Man" films. If you have not seen all of the "Thin Man" movies, then, you would be advised to skip this post. Here There Be Spoilers!!!)

Last Thursday Turner Classic Movies showed a "Thin Man" marathon. That is, they showed all six "Thin Man"  movies back  to back. Of course, it is also the holiday season, which means NBC showed the classic It's a Wonderful Life multiple times. In watching both "The Thin Man" marathon and It's a Wonderful Life I learned something I should have realised long ago given how many times I've watched the films. Quite simply, "The Thin Man" movies and It's a Wonderful Life are connected more than one would think. Several actors who would go onto appear in It's a Wonderful Life appeared in "Thin Man" movies. It was not a small number of actors who did so, nor was it always actors who played only in It's A Wonderful Life who appeared in "Thin Man" movies. Indeed, both leads appeared in "Thin Man" movies before they ever appeared tin It's a Wonderful Life.

Of course, the most obvious connection between "The Thin Man" series and It's a Wonderful Life is not through actors but through writers. Husband and wife writing team Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich wrote the first three "Thin Man" movies--The Thin Man, After The Thin Man, and Another Thin Man. They also wrote the screen play to It's a Wonderful Life with Frank Capra. If It's a Wonderful Life has so many great lines, then, it is because it was written by writers who had written more than their fair share of witty lines.

Beyond sharing the writing team of Hackett and Goodrich, the first movie in the sires, The Thin Man, also shared an actor with It's a Wonderful Life. Charles Williams may be best known to many as Cousin Eustace from It's a Wonderful Life, George's cousin and clerk at the Bailey Building and Loan. In The Thin Man he had an uncredited role as a fighter manager.

While Charles Williams had only a bit part in The Thin Man and only a supporting role in It's a Wonderful Life, After the Thin Man would feature none other than George Bailey himself, Jimmy Stewart, in a major role that was as different from George as one could get. Jimmy Stewart plays David Graham, who has long carried a torch for Nora Charles' cousin Selma (Elissa Landi). In the end we learn David is not only some poor guy suffering from a case of unrequited love, but he is stark raving mad. Indeed, Jimmy Stewart, who played self sacrificing George Bailey, is guilty of murder in After the Thin Man! Mr. Stewart would not be the only actor from It's a Wonderful Life to appear in After the thin Man. Ward Bond, who played Bert the Cop, appeared in a very small role as a party guest!

Like After the Thin Man, Another Thin Man would also feature two actors would go onto appear in It's a Wonderful Life. Sheldon Leonard played nick the Bartender in It's a Wonderful Life. In Another Thin Man he plays a much more sinister character, Phil Church, who has been threatening Colonel McFay (C. Aubrey Smith).  Phil Church has very little in common with Nick, as he is even more menacing than Nick was in the reality in which George Bailey was never born! In addition to Sheldon Leonard, one of the police detectives in Another Thin Man is also played by an actor with a minor role in It's a Wonderful Life. Dick Elliot played the man on the porch who urged George Bailey to kiss Mary Bailey "...instead of talking her to death" and then complains, "Youth is wasted on the wrong people!"

Like After the Thin Man, Shadow of the Thin Man featured one of the leads of It's a Wonderful Life. Donna Reed played Molly Ford, girlfriend of the murder victim, Paul Clarke (Barry Nelson). Miss Reed would be the only actor in Shadow of the Thin Man who would go onto appear in It's a Wonderful Life, but the next "Thin Man" movie would make up for this. No less than three actors who would appear in It's A Wonderful Life appeared in The Thin Man Goes Home, although none of them would be in major roles. Sara Edwards, who played Mary's mother (Mrs. Hatch) in It's a Wonderful Life, played a passenger on a train. Tom Fadden, who played the bridge caretaker in It's a Wonderful Life, played another train passenger. Charles Halton, who played Carter the Bank Examiner in It's A Wonderful Life, had a slightly larger role as R. T. Tatuam, one of the employees of banking tycoon Sam Ronson (Minor Watson).

Song of the Thin Man would be the last "Thin Man" film, but like After the Thin Man, Shadow of the Thin Man, and Another Thin Man, it would have a very strong link to It's a Wonderful Life. Gloria Grahame, Violet Bick herself, played Fran Page, a very sultry jazz singer. Al Bridge, who appeared as the sheriff in It's a Wonderful Life, appeared as Nagle the Watrefront Policeman. Charles Sullivan, who played a bartender at Nick's in the reality in which George Bailey was not born, played a police sergeant.

As can be seen, it's not a simple case of character actors appearing in minor roles in both the "Thin Man" series and It's a Wonderful Life. The two leads of It's a Wonderful Life each appeared in a  "Thin Man" movie (Jimmy Stewart in After the Thin Man and Donna Reed in Shadow of the Thin Man). Two important members of It's a Wonderful Life also appeared in "Thin Man" movies--Sheldon Leonard in Another Thin Man and Gloria Grahame in Song of the Thin Man. One major member of the cast of It's a Wonderful Life appeared in a minor role in a "Thin Man" movie--Ward Bond in a bit part in After the Thin Man. And then there are the bit players who appeared in small roles in both the "Thin Man" series and It's a Wonderful Life: Dick Elliot, Sam Edwards, Charles Halton, and so on. Even discounting the act that Hackett and Goodrich wrote the first two movies, there is never anything less than one degree of separation between any given "Thin Man" movie and It's a Wonderful Life.

Today it must seem unusual for so many actors who would go onto appear in It's a Wonderful Life to have appeared in "Thin Man" films. It would be something like several members of the cast of, say, Serendipity (2001) having appeared in "James Bond" movies (admittedly it's hard seeing John Cusack saying "I expect you to die, Mr. Bond...."). What is even more remarkable it that the "Thin Man" movies and It's a Wonderful Life were produced by two different studios--the "Thin Man" movies by MGM and It's a Wonderful Life by Capra's own Liberty Films. It becomes even more remarkable when one considers that Frank Capra had not ever worked for MGM by the time It's a Wonderful Life  was produced. Why then are there so many connections between the "Thin Man" films and It's a Wonderful Life?

Much of it is the fact that the "Thin Man" movies were the "James Bond" movies of their day. While most series films were cheaply produced programmers, the "Thin Man" movies were very much "A" pictures. This meant that not only were the leads played by big name stars (William Powell and Myrna Loy), but that MGM would use the best of their young talent. Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, and Gloria Grahame were probably all cast because they were seen as up and coming stars by the studio. Frank Capra, as a director of some importance, would naturally cast big names as his leads in It's a Wonderful Life. Indeed, he had worked with Jimmy Stewart on Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. As to character actors such as Sheldon Leonard and Dick Elliot, it should come as no surprise that they would appear in both the "Thin Man" movies and It's a Wonderful Life. First, we must consider the fact that character actors generally played a specific type. Sheldon Leonard was known for playing thugs and gangsters, so he was a natural choice for Phil Church. Now he might seem like an odd choice to play Nick the Bartender, except when one considers Nick's  behaviour in the reality in which George was not born--he was not a nice guy. Second, character actors tended to work frequently and in a wide array of  movies, everything from programmers to major feature films. While the leads of It's a Wonderful Life appear in two "Thin Man" movies, many of the actors who played lesser parts probably appeared in other series as well. In other words, It's a Wonderful Life probably has connections to everything from "The Falcon" series to the "Blondie" series (actually, it has at least one connection to the "Blondie" series--Penny Singleton appears in a major role in After the Thin Man).

Regardless, when one becomes aware of the connections between It's a Wonderful Life and the "Thin Man" movies it makes for some rather interesting viewing. Indeed, my favourite could well be After the Thin Man. Not only do we get to see George Bailey as a psychotic killer, but we get to see Bert The Cop as a party guest. One has to wonder what the folks in Bedford Falls would think....

Strait Trippin'

We had to use a prop straitjacket (yes, a lot of people spell it 'straight jacket,' but they're wrong) for a work presentation (don't ask), and for only $24.99, you get this pretty convincing, wearable straitjacket, starring Joe Baran on the cover.




And of course, the lawyers for Franco Inc. wouldn't let them sell the jacket without a printed warning:


I don't really understand why you can't wear it while sleeping, but whatever. Not wearing it while crossing the street sort of makes sense. And sure, swimming with one on should only be done by Houdini. But driving?! What kind of person would drive with that stupid thing on? I'll tell you who– a raving maniac who needs to be institutionalized.

Also, eating and drinking? "Good God, man, you'll starve to death that way!"

Christmas in Texas - updates to follow

AB and I just got back from five days in San Antonio to visit my family. We managed to sneak away twice for birding purposes, and I have a TON of photos to show you. However, it's 8:37 and I've been up since 3:45 Texas time; you'll just have to wait and see what I have for you.

Hope your holiday was safe and happy!

Blackberry VI

A mere 37 days after the EADJ Gallery had acquired a fifth invaluable addition to "The Blackberry Face," they witness a holiday miracle in a much sought-after sixth piece to their already impressive collection: "Doug."


"Doug" was donated by an anonymous private collector who discovered him in a West Elm in Paramus, New Jersey. And unlike four of the previous pieces, "Maggie," "Frank," "Tony," and "Edvard," "Doug" is captured off of any mass transit, instead relaxing on a sofa at the front of the store while his wife picks out wall art or vases or some shit.


With a gala opening and ceremony, the EADJ Gallery will reveal its first ever completed hexaptych on January 4 in the Main Gallery and will be free to the public. The Young Artists Juried Show has accordingly been moved to the East Gallery since it wasn't very good to begin with.


Photography and video recording of any kind will be prohibited. Armed guards will be stationed throughout the show. No food or drink is allowed.

:C

Don't Hate The Giver- Hate The Game.

I bought my brother a "Chocolate Edition of Clue" for Christmas. I know- weird, right.


We broke it out and played it the other day, and turns out it's just the same ol' game of Clue, but the playing pieces are NOT chocolate sculptures of Colonel Mustard, Mrs. Peacock, etc. but instead are a bunch of cheap square chocolates with the names of the weapons, rooms, and suspects on each piece.


Game play aside, I noticed on the back some nutritional information and even an allergy warning:


Depending on the severity your nut or wheat allergies, this might mark the first time that the game Clue could actually kill you. Neat!

Paradise~Coldplay

Paradise~Coldplay, originally uploaded by Sarah Woodruff Photography.

Via Flickr:
aww new work coming self ports.. personal works.. I know I keep saying it.. but really it's on the way.. so here is an oldie but a fantastic goodie.. all sorts of new stuff going on this year!!! whooo new prospects and new everything

Book Review: The Marriage Plot

The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides won the Pulitzer. Whee!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was excited to pluck it from the library stacks. Wow - how could it NOT be on a special list...like you had to make an effort to get it? Well........

I admit I had to skim. Boring......at a lot of chapters. I hated most of his characters - they were self-involved jerks.

Guess I'm just not freakin' literary enough. Sigh.

Here's a paragraph from the jacket: With devastating wit and an abiding understanding of and affection for his characters, Jeffrey Eugenides revives the motivating energies of the Novel, while creating a story so contemporary and fresh that it reads like the intimate journal of our own lives.

I don't think so. Most of the people I know are not dolts like these whiny-ass wieners. The writing is quite good and the general flow of the book is fine. And I understood whatever symbolism existed. Yes, I got the underlying current and the overlying blah-blah. It was all of the stuff in between that did not engage me.

I liked the line on p.136 It was as if the entire city of Paris had agreed to abide by a single understated taste. I could picture what he meant and I liked the understated implication. Good stuff there. There are a lot of rich moments like this as far as description.

However, our "heroine" Madeline is an idiot. Plain and simple, she doesn't make good choices. Maybe that's the point, but it's rather sad. I'd love to hear another person's opinion, besides the Pulitzer Prize committee. Then again, I read awesome reviews, so I'm in the minority.

Go ahead. I dare you to read The Marriage Plot and LOVE it. Please convince me I'm wrong.

Spotted In Penn Station

Two packages of instant chocolate pudding.


Yeah, two packages of instant chocolate pudding. Just abandoned there, totally free for the taking. Like someone either forgot them there, or somehow intentionally left them there. No, it's chocolate pudding, for crying out loud. Someone definitely forgot them.


Wait, shit. Did I say two packages? I meant THREE packages of instant chocolate pudding. Just sitting there, unclaimed, like it's perfectly natural for three packages to be sitting there with no one around to claim them. What is going on here?! Aren't we in the middle of a crippling recession? Who throws out three packages of perfectly good instant chocolate pudding?!

I'll leave it there over the break, and if it's still there on January 2nd, I'll take it home.

An Imagined Conversation

Guy 1: Well, these ice cream treats are terrible.

(Guy 1 takes another taste, looks at packaging)

Guy 1: "Nutty peanut butter and cheese flavor?!" No wonder it's so bad.

Guy 2: I have another theory.

Guy 1: Yeah?

Guy 2: Maybe it's the fact that in the top upper left hand corner, it says "ice cream style treats for dogs," you moron.

Guy 1: "Ice cream style treats?!" You mean they're not even real ice cream for dogs?

Mermaid Wishes and Hip-Hop Dreams.

Oh Christmas. I'm not a person who especially cares for Christmas. I love Jesus, baby Jesus, and the fact that peppermint comes on everything for an entire month. Other that that...I rarely get excited about it.

Until this year. Oh yes. I had three separate Christmas dreams come true this year. Dare I call them...Christmas miracles.

First I found this. http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/12/22/r-kelly-trapped-closet-new-chapters/

Please note the pinky ring.

In case you're too lazy to read the article, I will debrief you here. R. Kelly is writing 32 new chapters of the world's greatest hip-hopera Trapped In The Closet. Joy overcomes me. 32 chapters is more than the original installment. My heart starts racing as I imagine who, now, will be trapped in the closet with Sir Robert Kelly. Will there be more midgets? Will they crap their pants? Does R. Kelly still sport the Beretta? What kind of accents could he possibly sing in this time? Will he still sing his own bleeps? I just can't wait. My prayer is that the project gets picked up by a studio and this business gets shot in 3d. You might say I dream too big but I guess that's why it's called a dream.

Still on my TIAC anticipatoin high I stumbled upon this piece of rad.

Am I awful for also wanting an I Am Stephen Hawking mic?

The I Am T-Pain mic. I found it as I was searching for legos for my nephew. I just paused for a moment. Speechless. Once again my imagination got the best of me and I just thought about all the awesome places I could use my mic. Like in the drive thru for Los Hermanos. "Heeeey shaaWWWTAaaaAAAYYYyyy, caaaAAnn I get a nnnUUUuummmMMMeeeRRooo dddDDoooOss." Or while I'm telling telling my friends about what I did over the weekend. "I ssSsaAAwwW this documeeeEEnnTttAaaRrryyyy on dddOOOOlllppPPhhhIIns, shaawWWWttTTaaaAAAyyy."

(If you're trying to figure out what's going on with that font, that was the best way I could think to type out synthesizer voice. If you've got a better idea I'm all ears.)

Last but not least came the real doozy. This is when I became certain that not only was there a God who loves me...but he clearly has been reading my diary. I must thank my beautiful friend Melissa for telling me about this. Watch this brief video from Mermagica.com and then we'll discuss.
 

Okay. Now I hope I didn't lose you with that mostly creepy video. Those long, awkward, underwater scenes give me that same tense feeling I get when watching foreign films. The feeling of not knowing if something is meant to be ironic or suspenseful or interesting or if something is just lost in translation. And really, Mermagica? No one could track down someone over the age of 39 to play a grandma during an afternoon-long photo shoot? I would have an easier time believing this was a young girl talking to Oprah than her own grandmother. And as a representative of the insurance industry I must make it clear that I in no way condone keeping sea shells at the bottom of your pool. That is a hefty med pay claim looking for a place to happen.

But I digress.

To the innovative team at Mermagica I only have one criticism of your actual product: Where’s the one piece? This mermaid likes to keep the area above her fin and below her sea shells a mystery. If you can’t make the mermaid leotard my mom’s going to make me wear a white t-shirt underneath.

Mom was concerned about me showing too much shoulder skin.
 Not so worried about making sure my wig was straight.

I can’t take that kind of embarrassment again. Come on, Mermagica. Help a fish-like lady out. Also something to think about…wigs that won’t float off under water. There's really no point of having a mermaid tail if I can't accompany it with beautiful red hair.

I mean Wynonna Judd found a way to make her dreams come true. You can't tell me this look isn't Ariel inspired.

Can I just tell you how much happier I am living in a world where these things exist? May it be Christmas every day in our hearts!

Holiday Movies That Aren't Holiday Movies

Most people if asked to define what constitutes a holiday movie would probably define it as "any movie set at Christmas or any movie in which Christmas plays a pivotal role in the plot." On the surface this sounds like a very good definition. Indeed, I would be inclined to agree with it myself. The problem is that there are movies that fit this description that are not generally considered Christmas movies and ones that do not that are.

A perfect example of a holiday film that is not often counted among holiday films is Billy Wilder's classic The Apartment (1960). The movie takes place from about early November to New Year's Eve, thus encompassing the whole holiday season. What is more, both Christmas and New Year's Eve play pivotal roles in its plot; however, for what reason it is not often included in lists of holiday movies. Indeed, I have seen the movie shown in July nearly as often as in December. While I am not about to complain about The Apartment being shown all times of year (it is one of my favourite films), it seems to me that it should be counted as a holiday favourite in the same way that It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and Miracle on 24th Street (1947) are.

Another movie that has in the past been excluded from lists of holiday movies is Love Actually (2003). Like The Apartment its plot encompasses nearly the whole holiday. And like The Apartment Christmas plays a pivotal role in its plot. Despite this, the first time I ever saw the film was on the USA Network in July. That wasn't an isolate incident either, as I have seen it at other times of year. Here I want to stress I am not going to complain, as I love the film, but it seems to me it is an ideal movie for the holiday season. Fortunately, unlike The Apartment, I think Love Actually is becoming regarded as a holiday classic, even if TV stations and cable channels neglect to show it over the holidays. Quite simply, I know a good many people who watch it every Yuletide (myself included)!

Another film not often regarded as a holiday movie is Die Hard (1988). Die Hard is set during the holiday season and given that a Christmas party is taking place the holiday does play a role in its plot. In fact, it is hard picturing it set during any other time of year. While I know of many who regard The Apartment and Love Actually as holiday movies, I know very, very few people who regard Die Hard as such. I suspect it is because it is an action movie.  The emphasis in Die Hard is not so much on holiday cheer as it is on action. Still, the fact remains that the movie does take place at Christmas and the holiday plays a role in its plot. For that matter, it does have subplots which fit the holiday (McClane's reconciliation with his wife, Powell's redemption).

While there are movies that are set at the holidays and in which the holidays are central to the plots that are not considered holiday movies, strangely enough there are movies that actually have little to do with Christmas beyond relatively few scenes that are considered such. Among these are Meet Me In St. Louis (1944). Indeed, Meet Me in St. Louis takes place from the summer of 1903 to the spring of 1904. The movie then touches upon several seasons besides Christmas. Admittedly, the climax is set at Christmas, but the holiday itself only has little bearing on the plot. For all extents and purposes the Christmas ball of the climax could have been set at spring or summer with very little change to the plot. In fact, it can be argued that Halloween played a more pivotal role in the movie! Now the holiday standard "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" was introduced in the film, that really does not seem to me to be enough to qualify it as a holiday movie. As much as I have always enjoyed Meet Me in St. Louis, I fail to see why it is shown so much in December. It could easily be shown in October or March as well.

Similar to Meet Me in St. Louis is a movie considered one of the Christmas movies, Holiday Inn. The plot of Holiday Inn unfolds over roughly two years and covers much more than just the Yuletide. Indeed, while Christmas does play a pivotal role in its plot, so do many other holidays (including Valentine's Day and the 4th of July). It would be hard to argue against the film being shown at Christmas, but at the same time it seems to me that it could be played at nearly any holiday. Indeed, I rather doubt it was the intention of Paramount to crate a Christmas film with Holiday Inn. Despite its close connection to the holiday now, it was originally released in August! Regardless, one could argue that Holiday Inn is a film for all holidays, not just the  holidays.

At least Meet Me in St. Louis  and Holiday Inn do touch upon Christmas. There is one film that at least the media connects to Christmas, if no one else does, that has absolutely nothing to do with the holiday. Every  year ABC shows The Sound of Music (1965) on or around Christmas Eve and several channels have done so before it. Despite this, The Sound of Music has no scenes set at Christmas, Christmas does not play a pivotal role in the film, nor do I think Christmas is even mentioned in the movie! The airing of The Sound of Music at the holidays actually does irritate me, not simply because I dislike the movie, but because it seems to me that they should be showing something that has more bearing on the holiday. While Meet Me in St. Louis and Holiday Inn only touch upon Christmas, I can appreciate why they are shown at this time of year. I cannot understand why The Sound of Music is shown. If one is going to show The Sound of Music on Christmas Eve, then why not The Ten Commandments or Mary Poppins or Gunga Din?! Heck, Alien has much to do with the holidays as The Sound of Music.

In the end I suppose what is a holiday movie for any given person is largely a matter of perception. Indeed, despite my words regarding Holiday Inn above, I do see it as a Christmas movie, thus violating my own definition of the term. If some do not consider The Apartment  as a holiday film, then I assume it is because they do not perceive it as such. Of course, I am still puzzled to ABC and other television outlets considering The Sound of Music holiday fare, but then I also have trouble seeing "My Favourite Things" as a Christmas song too.... I suppose some things just defy explanation.