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- “I have a fan base that’s super, super loyal.” — Lance Kerwin
- Happy Birthday, Ralph Macchio, or: How one episode of Eight is Enough saved my life
- “A mind which really lays hold of a subject is not easily detached from it.” — journalist Ida Tarbell
- “People say I’m a one-note actor, but the way I figure it, those other guys are just looking for that one right note.” — Joel McCrea
- “If the thing is there, why, there it is.” Happy Birthday, Walker Evans
- “I’ve had the kind of fame which I felt was just the right amount.” — Lois Smith
- Dynamic Duo #45
- “I was never afraid of failure, for I would sooner fail than not to be among the greatest.” –John Keats
- Trailer for The Art and Making of Frankenstein, by me.
- Dynamic Duo #44
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- Pam on The Books: “Rally Round the Flag, Boys!” (Max Shulman)
- Steve on The Books: Ellen Terry & Bernard Shaw: A Correspondence
- sheila on Publication day: The Art and Making of Frankenstein
- Maddy on Publication day: The Art and Making of Frankenstein
- sheila on Publication day: The Art and Making of Frankenstein
- sheila on Publication day: The Art and Making of Frankenstein
- sheila on Publication day: The Art and Making of Frankenstein
- sheila on Publication day: The Art and Making of Frankenstein
- sheila on Publication day: The Art and Making of Frankenstein
- Frances on Publication day: The Art and Making of Frankenstein
- Lyrie on Publication day: The Art and Making of Frankenstein
- mutecypher on Publication day: The Art and Making of Frankenstein
- Melissa Sutherland on Publication day: The Art and Making of Frankenstein
- Maddy on Publication day: The Art and Making of Frankenstein
- Jay on The Books: “Talk To Me Like the Rain … And Let Me Listen” (Tennessee Williams)
- O on “Since when was genius found respectable?” – Elizabeth Barrett Browning
- sheila on “The other girls weren’t singing quite like I was.” — Wanda Jackson
- sheila on “If my life wasn’t funny it would just be true, and that is unacceptable.” — Carrie Fisher
- sheila on “Acting gives me permission that maybe I don’t give myself in real life.” — Gillian Jacobs
- Bill Wolfe on “Acting gives me permission that maybe I don’t give myself in real life.” — Gillian Jacobs
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Category Archives: Television
“I have a fan base that’s super, super loyal.” — Lance Kerwin
You can say that again. I’m still here. It’s his birthday today. I discovered him when I was 10, 11, and everyone in my very small weird generation knew who he was. He was a teen idol. Something about him … Continue reading
Happy Birthday, Ralph Macchio, or: How one episode of Eight is Enough saved my life
Yesterday was Ralph Macchio’s birthday. I always knew Ralph Macchio was something special. I knew it before Karate Kid. I knew it from Eight is Enough. I clocked him as awesome from the beginning. I felt territorial. When everyone else … Continue reading
“Quite frankly. I was all talent and no looks.” — Angela Lansbury
It’s her birthday today. Even if you came to Gaslight clean, without knowing a thing, which is hard to believe, but let’s just pretend: Even if you knew nothing about it, it would be instantly obvious that the teenage girl … Continue reading
Posted in Actors, Movies, Music, On This Day, Television, Theatre
Tagged Angela Lansbury, Elvis Presley
10 Comments
“I’ve been very lucky, considering what I look like and what I do.” — James Gandolfini
Like a lot of people, he first came on my radar through the extraordinary scene in the motel room with Patricia Arquette in True Romance (“you gotta lotta heart, kid.”) The moment I always remember, the moment that struck me … Continue reading
“I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.” — Lily Tomlin
It’s her birthday today. I wrote about Lily Tomlin (and other talented actresses who come from comedy/improv) in my “Present Tense” Film Comment column. She is on another level. I mean … A couple years back, as part of an … Continue reading
Posted in Actors, Movies, On This Day, Television
Tagged John Travolta, Lily Tomlin, Meryl Streep, Robert Altman
7 Comments
“If you’re creating anything at all, it’s really dangerous to care about what people think.” — Kristen Wiig
Today is the birthday of one of the greatest actors working today. I can’t seem to stop mentioning Kristen Wiig in my writing. I mention her even if she isn’t the main subject. She’s my favorite. I am in awe … Continue reading
Posted in Actors, Movies, On This Day, Television
Tagged backting, comedy, drama, Kristen Wiig, mirrors
4 Comments
“I’m a tough little rebel.” — Linda Manz
Days of Heaven (1978) It’s her birthday today. Manz died on August 14, 2020. She was HUGE to me growing up, and I have written about it on occasion. She didn’t work all that much, but her performances meant so … Continue reading
Posted in Actors, Movies, On This Day, Television
Tagged Days of Heaven, Dennis Hopper, Linda Manz, Orphan Train, Out of the Blue, Terrence Malick
4 Comments
July 2025 Viewing Diary
2025 has not been a movie-watching year for me, outside of the things I’ve been assigned to review. I was feeling really down on myself for not keeping up but honestly something had to give. I had to work on … Continue reading
Posted in Monthly Viewing Diary, Movies, Television
Tagged crime movies, documentary, drama, France, Jensen Ackles, true crime, women directors, X-Files
4 Comments
On This Day, 1957: Jerry Lee Lewis Kicks the Stool Back
Jerry Lee Lewis made his TV debut on the Steve Allen Show. The performance is terrifying. Who else is this terrifying? I suggested the Sex Pistols on Facebook. They did, indeed, terrify. But they were almost 20 years later. Jerry … Continue reading
“He’s one of those actors who knows that his face IS the story.” – Sam Shepard on Harry Dean Stanton
It’s Harry Dean Stanton’s birthday today. I’m pretty sure my introduction to Harry Dean Stanton – whose birthday it is today – was as Molly Ringwald’s sad dad in Pretty in Pink (he made a huge impression on me). It … Continue reading