… there was “Not Only… But Also,” with Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.
Author: DOuG pRATt
Follow that tractor!
Where else, but on the BBC World Service, can you hear a surprisingly interesting documentary about the world’s largest auction of farm equipment, held monthly in England? The World Service also has The Arts Hour, with Paul McCartney talking about his trip to Lagos, Nigeria, recording “Band of the Run.”
In Public (Domain) Service
Barely six months before England and Germany were at war, Lawrence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, and Valerie Hobson (from “Bride of Frankenstein”) appeared in “Q Planes.”
The Horror, The Horror
Mark Gatiss, who plays Mycroft to Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock, surveys the field of horror films, starting from not quite their beginning.
A couple of things came to mind while watching this. Gatiss was, of course, working within a time limit, but for all of the attention he gave to James Whale, there isn’t even a mention of “The Invisible Man.” It also features the now late Gloria Stuart, who Gatiss interviewed regarding “The Old Dark House.” Stuart talks about the difficulty she had working for Whale, but he liked her enough for a return performance.
Boris Karloff was well-known for his distinctive voice, but for his most famous role he only spoke a few words. Gatiss is right to praise the superb “Bride of Frankenstein.” Universal used Franz Waxman’s outstanding score many times over, most notably in the “Flash Gordon” serials with Buster Crabbe.
Trumpelstiltskin
One of the scary truths behind what happened on Wall Street leading up to the 2008 credit crisis, was the influence of cocaine on the out-of-control behavior of the traders. I’m wondering if Donald Trump is similarly under the influence of something. Because it’s even scarier to accept that his bizarre pronouncements are solely the result of a runaway ego.
Up Tempo
Born two days before Elvis, Nino Tempo looked more like a nightclub performer than a Pop music impresario. But he put his studio experience as a member of the Wrecking Crew to good use, producing some excellent recordings in the Sixties, years after “Deep Purple,” Tempo’s big hit with his not unattractive sister April Stevens. This one in particular I think is a standout.