The Sheila Variations

I would *love* to see that show again! 1776 was the first musical I ever saw. It was an abbreviated version presented in the schools by a little traveling company. I had never seen anything like it, this modest production on our rinky-dink little school stage. It was magical. My friend and I were singing the songs for days. "Sit down, John! For God's sake, sit down, John!" At age 12, I thought that was hilarious.

Karen - I know! Like all of Congress rolls their eyes at him and shout at him to sit down. Love it!!

Gnashes teeth in envy... ;-)

When I think of 1976, I think of bunting.

I'm partial to "Mollasses to Rum"... and Blythe Danner singing "He Plays the Violin"

Personally I'm partial to Betty Buckley singing He plays the violin, "will someone open up a window" and "New York abstains, courteously."

New York abstains courteously ...

Ha!

Yes - I have the Broadway recording, which has the exquisite Betty Buckley on it. Love it. I also love the whole writing of the Declaration song:

"I'm obnoxious and unpopular, you know that's true--"
"I hadn't heard."

"They say we may get smaaaallpoooooohx"
"Uh, madam, what else is new?"

Jeez, and I just thought Betty Buckley was merely an interloper in the "Eight is Enough" family... that, and I think she sang some song called "Memory".

Interloper!! Who the hell IS this woman now running our family? All I know is, she was responsible for bringing Ralph Macchio into the fold, and for that she has my eternal gratitude.

But yes - she's an illustrious Broadway performer, with a voice to die for. Not too shabby in the acting department either (cue: Another Woman. My GOD - her one scene is almost unwatchably painful.)

Ted - ha!!!

And how about from Jefferson, suffering from horniness due to separation from his wife:

"But I burn, Mr. A!"

Stuffy little John fires back, "So do I!"

All the members of Congress are shocked - "You?" "John ... you?"No!" They can't imagine him as a "lover" .. hysterical.

That's in the Declaration song, too. The "But Mr. Adams" song which I adore.

John sings back, defiantly:

Mr. Jefferson, dear Mr. Jefferson
I'm only 41; I still have my virility
And I can romp through Cupid's Grove with great agility
But life is more than sexual combustibility

Ha-ha-ha, that's right!
Oh my god - Betty Buckley's two minute scene in Another Woman is worth that whole movie. And Ian Holm's intense discomfort!
And Betty Buckley dubs the Vietnamese girl who sings "My Body is Walking in Space" in the Milos Forman film of Hair. I just love that movie and her singing in it is hair-raising.

Seriously - performances like hers in Another Woman is why Mitchell and I want there to be another category for actors at the Oscars: the 10 minutes or less Oscar.

Actors who knock their shit out of the park in 10 minutes or less.

I mean, honest to God. You have one scene in a movie and you do what she did in Another Woman?? You might as well just retire after that!

But you know, everyone is awesome in that movie. Sandy Dennis??? My God, that scene makes me want to run screaming into the night. And Gene Hackman at his most manly and passionate ... heartbreaking. And isn't Gielgud in that movie? Or - no - John Houseman? Help? Who plays Gena Rowlands' father??

betty buckley in 'tender mercies'!

alongside Robert Duvall, Tess Harper and Ellen Barkin

One of my mostest favorites!

Bill - ah yes, I love that movie, too. A quiet masterpiece, huh??

Bill - have you seen No Country For Old Men yet? Or have you been too busy (ahem!!!) with your own movie?? Which appears to be taking over the world right now?

Anyway, Tess Harper shows up in No Country for Old Men for about 2 minutes ... and man, it's always just so good to see her. She doesn't work enough!! She and Tommy Lee Jones - with very little dialogue - suggest an entire relationship - YEARS of stuff - with almost no lines. Such damn PROS, you know?

dearest--gerry allessandrini played the sc delegate who sang molaases. he was terrific as i recall. love dad

Dad - hello!! I was so young - I just remember being blown away by him! And his fabulous costume! I had forgotten the part he played!

I was also thrilled because he and I have the same birthday. I felt that meant we must be connected in some way.

John Houseman. Yeah, and a really young Martha Plimpton, remember? The only one I can't stand in the film is the young version of Harris Yulin's character or was it David Ogden Stiers' - who doesn't want to work for a paper box company. He's plays Houseman's son. Otherwise, it's a stunning cast.
I love the 10 minutes or under idea!

Ted - it would be a good blog-post! We should both put together our choices at some point for 10 minute Oscars, and blog about them.

Sheila - you've posted about the Ten-and-Under Oscars before, I believe... you were talking about the actor who was the doctor for a horribly abused girl, darned if I can remember the film or the actor right this instant... I feel like an idiot, I should know this. You talked about the recognition in his face as he realizes that he should have easily put all the evidence together and saved her from her life, and he willingly let himself be blind and not get it.

Charles Lane!!!! Bless you for remembering!

Charles Lane as the doctor in Sybil. He probably has 5 minutes TOPS in that movie ... and it's one of the best scenes in the whole thing.

Charles Lane died this past year at the ripe young age of 101.

Charles Lane (at very end of scene): "I suppose in your line of work you hear a lot of confessions."

Joanne Woodward (after a long pause): "Dr. Quinoness, it was a long time ago."

Charles Lane: "How do I find ... absolution?"

End of scene.

Absolutely killer, simply played, heartwrenching.

THAT'S IT! Charles Lane. You wrote about it so wonderfully.