FILM 1947: 9 TO 5

FILM 1947: 9 TO 5 

TRIVIA: This was Dolly Parton's theatrical film debut. In preparation for her role as Doralee Rhodes, she not only committed to memory her own part, but the parts of every other role in the film. Apparently, the two experienced starring actresses, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, burst out laughing when Parton let on that she believed that pictures were filmed in the chronological order of a film's script. 

Apparently, Dolly Parton was cast because Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin felt that she would "bring them the West". Parton was both a lead actress (along with the other two) and sang the title song, "9 to 5", which was Oscar nominated and won two Grammys. In an interview with Isaac Mizrahi, Parton states that when she wrote and performed the theme song to Tomlin and Fonda, she used her long acrylic nails to create the beat of the song.

The movie spurred a reasonably successful sitcom television series Nine to Five (1982) which went for eighty-five episodes, and aired between 1982 and 1988. The first three seasons were broadcast on ABC between spring 1982 and fall 1983, while the second and final season aired in syndication between 1986 and 1988. Dolly Parton's younger sister Rachel Dennison played Parton's role Doralee Rhodes on the show. 

Dolly Parton accepted the role with the condition that she would write and sing the theme song, which was nominated for an Academy Award and won two Grammys. Parton made the same deal for almost every other movie, in which she has starred. The exception was Steel Magnolias (1989), which declined to use the Parton-penned song "Eagle When She Flies".

To prepare for her role as Judy Bernly, a middle-aged divorcée entering the workforce, Jane Fonda interviewed numerous women who had entered the workforce late in life due to divorce or widowhood. It inspired Judy's first day outfit: a frilly, conservative wardrobe with over-sized glasses, elaborate hats, and an over-done hairstyle.

Dolly Parton's almost shy and reclusive husband, Carl Dean, never appears in public with her nor accompanies her to any musical concerts or other events. One of the few times he made an exception was during filming of this movie, Dolly's theatrical film debut. When he walked into the studio, Jane Fonda pointed him out across the room and said, "Look at that handsome man! I call him, he's mine!" to Lily Tomlin. Dolly then "spilled the beans" that he is her husband. After a few minutes conversing together, Dolly broke the news of being married to him and introduced him to the other actresses. When Jane heard Dolly's remark, she was extremely and deeply embarrassed, especially after she made a remark to Lily as if she was out "husband hunting".

As of 2018-2019, a re-make movie with the original stars is in production.

The first female dominated film to gross $100 million dollars.

BOOK 193: NO ORCHIDS FOR MISS BLANDISH: JAMES HADLEY CHASE

BOOK 193: NO ORCHIDS FOR MISS BLANDISH: JAMES HADLEY CHASE

The novel was influenced by the American crime writer James M. Cain and the stories in the pulp magazine Black Mask. Chase reportedly wrote the book as a bet to out-do The Postman Always Rings Twice.

No Orchids for Miss Blandish provoked considerable controversy because of its explicit depiction of sexuality and violence. The novel was a great critical success and was included in the Le Monde's 100 Books of the Century.

In 1942, the novel was adapted into a stage play which ran for over 200 performances at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London.[4] Robert Newton starred. In 1948, it was adapted into a British film No Orchids for Miss Blandish and given a contemporary New York City setting. The 1971 American film The Grissom Gangwas also based on the novel, moving the setting of events back several years to 1931 Kansas City.

In 1944, it was also the subject of an essay by George Orwell, Raffles and Miss Blandish, and parodied by Raymond Queneau in We Always Treat Women Too Well. In 1962 the novel was extensively rewritten and rearranged by the author because he thought the world of 1939 too distant for a new generation of readers. (Confusion can result if readers of the Orwell essay refer his quotations and references to the 1962 edition.)

( Information from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Orchids_for_Miss_Blandish_(novel) )

FILM 1846: WHITE MAN'S BURDEN

FILM 1846: WHITE MAN'S BURDEN

TRIVIA: John Travolta took the role at Quentin Tarantino's urging.

Desmond Nakano, who is Japanese-American, created the film in part because of how we felt that to both American whites and blacks, he was "them". He also tapped into the disorienting feeling he felt when he visited Japan, saying that "for so long I had been different, it felt wrong to be the same."

PODCAST: ATLANTA MONSTER

PODCAST: ATLANTA MONSTER

From the producers of Up and Vanished, Tenderfoot TV and HowStuffWorks present, ‘Atlanta Monster.’ This true crime podcast tells the story of one of the city’s darkest secrets, The Atlanta Child Murders. Nearly 40 years after these horrific crimes, many questions still remain. Host Payne Lindsey aims to find truth and provide closure, reexamining the disappearance and murder of over 25 African American children and young adults.

MY VERDICT: I started by listening to Payne Lindsey’s first podcast, ‘Up and Vanished’ but haven’t quite got to the end of that yet – the reason? Because Payne Lindsey was recording it as he went. As exciting as the investigation can be, and the joy of revelation as it is – it doesn’t make for the best story-telling. All the best podcasts are investigated and then recorded and split into episodes with information being revealed as it goes – but the storyteller always knows where it’s going – therefore the narrative is controlled and always interesting. As compelling as the story was (‘Up and Vanished’ is about a missing school teacher and remained a cold case for many years – until this podcast caused people to open up and secrets to come out) it could be a little exhausting to listen to. Nothing was emitted to make the story more captivating, nothing was held back as a reveal later on, it was all laid out in every episode.

I think Payne Lindsey learnt from the mistakes of his first podcast (and it was commendable because it got amazing results) and this podcast ‘Atlanta Monster’ is a much more polished and well narrated, well curated story in comparison.

There was a lot of information to absorb, it’s a sad tale of so many young men going missing and many bodies being found. At its core is what seems like a really lucky find of the main suspect Wayne Williams, Many things point to his guilt and his innocence, and whether Williams is guilty is the main point of investigation for this podcast.

I think what we’re left with is the idea that yes, some evidence does point to the fact that he did do something. Possibly he killed some of the children, or young men – ultimately he was only convicted of killing two men and not all the children but the press or society, or both seemed to believe he might as well have been convicted of all the crimes. I’m on the side of the argument that says, yes he did commit some crimes but not all the murders and disappearances of the children were the work of one man. So there are some people who walked free, possibly they’ve passed by now, who benefitted from Wayne’s conviction.

I won’t give any more away, give this a listen.

FILM 1737: BRIGSBY BEAR

TRIVIA: Following the world premiere at Sundance Film Festival 2017 at the Eccles theatre during the Q&A, the cast were asked what attracted them to the project. Mark Hamill talked about how much he liked the script and the originality of the story, but also joked: 'Also, I actually had lines. You know, that's always a bonus for me'. This is a reference to the fact that all of his lines were cut from Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015).

Received a PG-13 rating for its theatrical release, but was labeled "not rated" when released on Blu-Ray and DVD.

THE FALL (2013-2016)

TRIVIA: Gillian Anderson declared that Stella Gibson is her favourite among all of the characters she has performed, even more than Scully from The X-Files (1993).

All of the episodes names are borrowed from lines in John Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost".

Jamie Dornan was born in the same city where the story develops (Belfast, Northern Ireland).

Jamie Dornan originally auditioned for the part of a police officer.

Many characters are named after guitars or things related to that world, like makers (ex. Spector, Burns, Stagg). Smith (named for Paul Reed Smith or PRS guitars). Benedetto (taken from a jazz guitar company). Stella Gibson is actually a double guitar name.

Emmett J Scanlan and Bronagh Waugh previously played brother and sister in Hollyoaks(1995). They left the show at the same time to appear in this show together.

FILM 1705: WHO TOOK JOHNNY

TRIVIA: Johnny was the second person to have his picture on a milk carton. The first was Etan Patz.