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Friday, October 27, 2017

Fats.

There's not enough that can be written or expressed about Fats Domino.
So anything I might add will be insufficient.
Among legends, he was a legend.
Among great legends he was a great legend.
What he brought to the piano with driving pulsing and incredible left hand has never been equaled.
Fats, with his bejeweled fingers, was very cool.  In a way that Liberace never was.
No one was ever cooler than Fats.
And no effort ever seemed to go into it.
Ricky Nelson, before he started to complain about only singing about "memories being all there was to sing, he' rather drive a truck", managed to cover all of Fats hits.
He did it pretty well, and they even appeared together.
Fats always opened for Ricky.
He was so cool that he probably didn't give a shit.
He certainly didn't need to do it.
But Ricky wasn't a legend.
Fats was.
Maybe it was just a matter of "a buck's a buck'.  Although, I'm pretty sure that Fats didn't need the money.
Maybe he just liked the attention.
I just hope he is never forgotten.

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My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.,
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

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Monday, October 23, 2017

About Harvey Weinstein.

Forgive me, I have tried really hard not to be this relevant, but the DVDs that I've promised to review for you have been lost somewhere in the mailing system, so I'm forced to write about something else.
Something of significance.  They'll be here eventually, but my public awaits, so 1 have to write about something.
Now, as to Harvey Weinstein.
Ideal casting for the undoubtedly forthcoming film "The Harvey Weinstein Story" is Jeff Garlin.
You know, Susie Greene's "fat fuck" of a husband from "Curb Your Enthusiasm".
It's perfect.  He should be lobbying for it now.
As one who has witnessed show business from the inside out, let me just say that everything you have heard about Weinstein is undoubtedly true.
Is it typical behavior?  Most assuredly.
It's probably the main reason more men haven't spoken out about it.
They've got their own things to not talk about.
Have I ever have I ever been guilty of such acts?
I'd like to think not.
I may have told an actress that she was attractive, but there was never any implied threat about whether a part was at stake.
I just thought I was just being courteous.
I have been told about first-hand or witnessed first-hand major transgressions, ranging  from studio heads basic chasing an actress around their desks all the way to producers installing a lock that locks a potential victim from the inside and threatening her with blackballing if the actress didn't come across.
I could name names but both men are now dead, and have living families.
So I'll let that lie.
What did I do about it at the time?
As contemptible as I thought it was, I was in no position to act on my disgust.
Did I ever think in terms of "was she asking for it?"
Never crossed my mind.
Who asks for such things?
Will this continue?
I can't imagine why not.
Harvey Weinstein produced wonderful A-List movies.
Actresses have allowed themselves to be exploited for "The Attack of the Grade -Z Zombies".
All we will have perhaps done is eliminate one of the great, if most offensive, producers.
Maybe.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.,
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

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Thursday, October 19, 2017

A Commercial I Actually Like, Repeatedly.

This is a rare thing, particularly if you know me, but there is one.
A car commercial, no less.
You've probably seen it.
It takes place in midtown traffic, and we suddenly hear Neil Diamond's recording of "Sweet Caroline", coming from one of the cars.
It turns out that it's coming from a young red-headed male's car.
He is loudly singing along with Neil.
After we see some other drivers mocking him, we see a rather attractive girl contemporary of his
singing along with him.
She pulls along side of him.
"Sweet Caroline--(bah, bah, bah,) Good times never felt so good, (so good, so good, so good), they sing in duet.
And it makes you sad to think that these two will probably never see each other again.
He should have at least gotten her phone number.
You know she would have given it to him.
And they are both on their respective ways.
And it's sad.
As with most commercials, I had no idea what kind of car they were selling.
It wasn't until the sixth viewing, when I went out of my way to pay attention, that I realized that they were selling Hyundais.
It doesn't much matter what they were selling, this is how commercials should be made.

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My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.,
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

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Saturday, October 14, 2017

"Busting Loose"

About two months ago, I mentioned that in the not too distant future, I will be uploading episodes of my 1977 series "Busting Loose".  A few days ago,  I received this e-mail from Stu Shostak, whose internet podcast I have appeared on three times, and will appear on again in the near future.
He is referring to "Busting Loose", which hasn't been seen in 40 years.
Note how similar its theme music, which I wrote, is almost identical to that of "Matlock's".
But ours was 9 years earlier.
So who stole from who?


Hi Mark...I FINALLY had a chance to get the first eight episodes of your series on Youtube.  The links are as follows:

Pilot - https://youtu.be/Dx86NA8uT84"Five's a Crowd" - https://youtu.be/umZtcYOd6Yc

"The Bigger They Come, The Harder They Fall" - https://youtu.be/yYhTTKnnQJU

"Still Nutsy After All These Years" - https://youtu.be/dWFlC1K81rM"Grandpa Markowitz" - https://youtu.be/UeEPUFhW6Kw

"Hell Hath No Fury" - https://youtu.be/f28BzflCX8U  

"Love's Labor Lost" - https://youtu.be/viz2uL5Katc

"Kiss and Dwell" - https://youtu.be/rQZdbKa9iBA

Stu

I think they are all very funny and hold up and are worth your time.  I hope you'll check them out, and give me your feedback about them.
The irony is that Barbara Rhoades as Melody  was not my first choice. A young voluptuous actress whom I had never seen before came in and gave a knockout reading.
I gathered the troops, and they weren't as impressed as I was. I said that Barbara Rhoades had been around the track a few times.
This was not going to make her a star. We desperately needed a star. This girl had star potential. About a year later she became one on WKRP in Cincinatti.
I got outvoted. It was Loni Andersen. Go try to be smart.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.,
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Report Card---"Logan"

I had no idea what to expect with "Logan".
All I knew going in was that Hugh Jackman  and Patrick Stewart were in it.
It was produced by Marvel Films, should have been a clue.
It takes place in the not too distant future.
Within the first five minutes, we learn that the key characters are all mutants.
It is based on Marvel's X-Men Comics.
It's extremely high grade, high-tech moviemaking.
The kind of movie that you'd expect to open in the summer, with the expectation of being a huge summer blockbuster.
That it's opened in March is a bit of a surprise.
If I'd known more about what it was about, I'd never had any interest in going to see it.
That all being said, I found it to be an extremely engaging movie.
A perfect movie to watch on the big screen in your house.

On to the scoring:   

Is it interesting?

Quite.
A.

Compelling even?

Often
A.

Is it a story worth telling?

Why not?
A.

Is it good storytelling?

Excellent
A.

Is it well written?

Very much so.
A.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Hugh Jackman carries the movie.  He is wonderful.  Patrick Stewart, as his father, is no slouch himself.  There is a young girl, Dafne Keen, who is extraordinary.  Stephen Merchant is also quite effective.
A+.

Well shot?

Yes.
A.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

Dunno.
B.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale and time period?

Very early.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Perfect.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?.

Yes, if you can buy into mutants and caring about them.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

As I have nothing to compare it to in my mutant filmgoing, absolutely.
A+.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

I don't think it's designed to do that.  It's simply a very ripping yarn.
A.

Is it funny?

On occasion
A.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

As much as I liked it, no.  I save my thirteen bucks for Woody Allen movies. But there are worse ways to spend your money.
A.

Is it impressive?

Extremely.
A.

Overall grade: A.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.,
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

The True Sign That Fall Is Officially Here.

With all the shit that's going on these days, with Las Vegas, Puerto Rico, and Trump's constant swindling of the taxpayers and general bullshitting, I just want you to know that you have a place to go to where the news will be more uplifting, and certainly less important.
Fall is here, and as usual, it means the beginning of movie reviewing season.
I just received my first DVD from the West Coast, and I will begin watching them soon enough.
For those of you unfamiliar with the approach I use, just go back to any of the "Report Cards", as I refer to them. They are all there from the last few years.
I ask specific questions of myself and apply the same questions to every film.
You'll see the grading system I use for each question.
It creates film criticism from a writer's point of view, something I don't think there is enough of.
A good rule of thumb is if you generally agree with me, I should be your go-to source for movie recommendation.
I go out of my way to reveal as little of the plot of any film.
No more than is absolutely necessary.
This is why I don't like reading most reviews or looking at clips until I have seen the actual movie.
But I think I provide enough information so that you can determine whether or not you should want to see it.
So, unless some major story breaks that I feel I must comment on, this space, until late January, will be used for "Report Cards"
Hope you keep coming back.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.,
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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About Me

Hi. I am, according to my Wikipedia entry,(which I did not create) a noted television writer, playwright, screenwriter, and occasional actor. You can Google me or go to the IMDB to get my credits, and you can come here to get my opinions on things, which I'll try to express eloquently. Hopefully I'll succeed. You can also e-mail me at macchus999@aol.com. Perhaps my biggest claim to fame is being responsible, for about six months in 1975, while Head Writer for the "Happy Days" TV series, for Americans saying to each other "Sit on it."