Right Out Of Frank Capra.

No matter how this FBI Investigation ends up, Jeff Flake provided us with the great scene from
" Mr.Smith Goes To Washington." from 79 years ago.  Claude Rains, as James Stewart's senatorial
mentor develops a momentary instance of conscience, revealing his honesty after years of corruption.
Not to impugn Flake's honesty, but in any case, it was stunning to watch, and unforgettaable TV vtewing.
I unabashedly hope the FBI uncovers the goods on Judge Kavanaugh, and fast.
I have the feeling I'm not alone.
Such a bad liar.
Gives Trump a run for his money.

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My books, "Show Runner" and "Show Runner 2" can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store,

along with newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".

They are all compilations of blog entries 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, there's my reading of my screenplay of my unmade "Laverne and Shirley" movie on "YouTube".

Virginia Mayo Day.

A couple of weeks ago, I was home and decided to indulge myself in one of my favorite hobbies.
I was watching TCM and, as is their wont, they devoted their entire day to featuring the films of one
star: That day it was Virginia Mayo.  Best known for "White Heat" and "The Best Years of Our Lives", she did a ton of other movies.
A lot as a contract player at Warner Brothers, and before that in a bunch of female leads in
Danny Kaye movies at Goldwyn in the forties.
She was one "hot tomato".
She acquitted herself quite well in " White Heat' and "The Best Years of Our Lives", but this day have me the opportunity to give a more thorough evaluation of her career.
She appeared a couple of times with Ronald Reagan.
Both times she was much better than he was.
In the rather dopey "She's Working Her Way Through College", she was pretty good, and Reagan was an absolute stiff.  And Gene Nelson did some great hoofing.
In "The Girl From Jones Beach" which was as silly as it sounded, she was pretty good and Reagan was an absolute stiff, attempting to pull off doing foreign accents and fooling nobody.
Getting out of show business was the right move for him.
"The West Point Story"one of the silliest movies ever made, she was Cagney's girlfriend, and Gene Nelson did more great hoofing.  I've written about this one before.
"Backfire" was a very entertaining film-noir from 1947 with Dane Clark, and Ed Begley Sr.
Both terrific. Mayo was first rate.
"Painting The Clouds With Sunshine" was a very pleasant musical that took place mostly in
 Las Vegas.  This one had something that none of the ones had.  a great turn by
 S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall.
He alone was worth it.
And this also had Gene Nelson doing some great hoofing.
So, she was pretty good, then got too old for the movies, and settled into a lot of guest shots on TV.
I met her once, when I was casting the Pat Carroll role on "She's The Sheriff".
She hadn't aged well, and Pat Carroll was a lot funnier.
But I certainly enjoyed I spent the day watching Virginia Mayo on TCM.. .

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

My books, "Show Runner" and "Show Runner 2" can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store,

along with newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".

They are all compilations of blog entries 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, there's my reading of my screenplay of my unmade "Laverne and Shirley" movie on "YouTube".

Report Card: "Paterno"

Yes, it's the official beginning of fall.
The studios are starting to send out their screeners for this year's award season.
As usual, I will use my traditional scoring system.
I will tell you as little as you need you to know, without revealing anymore about the plot than you
need to know. With Grades all the way in each category from A+ to F..

Is it interesting?

Totally

A.

Compelling even?

Often.

A.

Is it good storytelling?

Very good.

A+.

Is it well written?

Very. 

A.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Yes.  Pacino as Joe Paterno is great.

Well shot?

Very. Extremely.

A+.

.

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

I didn't know it was Barry Levinson until it was over, so no.

B-.

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

Very recently.  And immediately.

A.

Is it too long? Too short?

About right.

A.

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

Yes, and yes.

A+.

Is it predictable?

No, and it has a kicker of an ending.

A+.

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

Yes.

A.

Is it funny?

Doesn't really aim to be.

B.

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

If you're in the mood.

B.

Is it impressive?

Very.

A..

Overall grade: A.

Make sure you stay for the credits.

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

My books, "Show Runner" and "Show Runner 2" can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store,

along with newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".

They are all compilations of blog entries 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, there's my reading of my screenplay of my unmade "Laverne and Shirley" movie on "YouTube".