BruceH

You know, I think Mary Astor ruins this movie myself. For the reason you mention, and also, she just isn't attractive enough to fit the part in my opinion. I disagree. Having finally read the book a few years ago, I can see what you mean. She's at least 10 years older than the Brigid in the book. But that makes her character more interesting. In the movie she's a woman in her 30's who was always used to manipulating men through her looks, but now she's getting to the point in life where she realizes she won't be able to do that much longer. It makes her rather desperate. She perhaps sees Spade as her "last chance" in a way. This adds a whole new dimension and richness to a character who, frankly, in the book was just a cardboard cutout femme fatale.

I haven't been able to stand Leno for years and years. He's always represented a kind of show-biz mediocrity to me. But then, I'm still under 50, even if just barely.

Agreed! RIP

I read 4 or 5 of the Spenser novels in the 80's. At the place where I was working a bunch of co-workers were passing the paperbacks around, so I got to read the first 3 or 4 for free. But then I happened to read a much later one, #10 or more, and it didn't seem as good. Part of the kick to them was the Boston locations, as that's where I was living at the time.

That must be one of the first things she ever did. Also used to be one of my favorite episodes growing up. That was the pilot for a possible spinoff series that was never picked up.

Gee, Ubu, I still think a lot of your picks were good ones.

Rainy.

"And I'm not saying that so-and-so beats his wife..."

I prefer the classic, warm sound of brown chocolate. Actually, with this format, you'd have to buy your albums again and again as you ate through them. (At least I would.) And a 'hot' record would be a bad thing.

For those who truly hunger for good music.

Very sorry to hear about your troubles. Hope things continue to get better. Best wishes for the future.

"Steroids is bad!!!!"

Smart move.

Not to highjack this thread commemorating Mr. Rohmer, but Jean-Luc Godard is still with us. Those French filmmakers live long. Jacques Rivette, Godard, Chris Marker, Alain Resnais - all alive and working and past 75 years of age. Rohmer lived a full life and left us with an amazing series of films. R.I.P. Truffaut passed away rather early, though. Only 52, I believe. WAY too early.

I agree, Ferguson is now the funniest guy on late night TV, if you can stand to stay up that late. I still don't understand why Leno didn't just retire after leaving The Tonight Show, like Carson did. And why is NBC so bent on keeping him at any cost? Finally, when Leno took over The Tonight Show in '92 his ratings lagged for at least two years. The network stuck with him until he found an audience. Why can't they do the same for Conan? Instead they're destroying a 60-year-old tradition? It makes zero sense.

I hope they get some major aid there, fast.

BTW, thanks for the link, Jim! Very cool stuff. I instantly was put in mind of old New Yorker cartoons, and then it turns out Dunn was their most prolific contributor in his time. And his wife was a New Yorker cartoonist, too! What a family!

That Swank cover really reminds me of Frank Kelly Freas.

I shouldn't have been surprised at this, considering his age...he certainly accomplished a lot. I love his films. A great talent. He will be missed.

It would help if I could get it for $40 or less. I mean, damn, I already have all of this music in other forms, so unless it's a bargain or it's got something extra, I think I'll give it a pass. (Still, there's something I love about that label name: "Hip-O." Ain't that just a spiffy name?)

I would consider it too, if it weren't 70$ for 4 discs.

See a good movie, listen to some good music, get together with friends or family, have some tasty food... Maybe even have, I don't know, a party of some sort.

Fuck.

Right now I think the funniest stuff of TV is The Daily Show and The Late, Late Show With Craig Ferguson...at least for me personally.

25 years is a hell of a long time in the music biz, or in any sort of corporate gig these days.