Tag Archives: Barbra Streisand

“I only began to sing because I couldn’t get a job as an actress.” — Barbra Streisand

You can’t understand Barbra Streisand if you don’t know the famous story of her audition for I Can Get It For You Wholesale, which ended up being her big break. She made a splash in her Broadway debut, which of … Continue reading

Posted in Actors, On This Day | Tagged | 7 Comments

“There won’t be another Bette Davis. There can’t be.” Mitchell and I discuss Bette Davis

From the audio files: Mitchell and I discuss one of our favorite topics: acting, and how the “old” style of acting – let’s call it before what’s loosely known as the Method- is not only under-appreciated in certain circles (most … Continue reading

Posted in Actors, Movies, On This Day | Tagged , , , | 25 Comments

For International Women’s Day: Ladies I Love

I post edited versions of this every year. I add names. I take names off if I feel like it. I enjoy compiling it. It’s not just about enjoyment. As women’s rights are up for grabs more than ever, like … Continue reading

Posted in Actors, Art/Photography, Directors, Personal, writers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 106 Comments

2024 Books Read

1. Brotherhood of Tyrants: Manic Depression and Absolute Power, by D. Jablow Hershman I was talking with the doctor who helps me manage my bipolar. He saved my life back in 2013. Well, it was a group effort. He knows … Continue reading

Posted in Books, James Joyce | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

2023 Books Read

I think I might have read more books by non-American authors than American this year. Countries represented below: Austria, Hungary, Poland, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Croatia, Ireland, France, Russia, Colombia. I revisited some old favorites, which I will continue to do in … Continue reading

Posted in Books, James Joyce | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Bing and Billie and Frank and Ella and Judy and Barbra: an interview with author Dan Callahan

I’ve interviewed Dan about almost every one of his books! It’s almost a ritual now. His latest is, so far, his most ambitious: a book about, of course, Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, and Barbra … Continue reading

Posted in Actors, Books, Movies, Music, Theatre | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

After a long break: Let’s iTunes Shuffle

I work from home. It’s a busy job, lots of meetings and Zoom calls, and then there’s my writing work, as well as family stuff and having a personal life, and in the last 3 months I have been – … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

September 2021 Viewing Diary

Busy month. I found an apartment. I moved. AGAIN. Second time this year. Plus, a family wedding. Plus a new job. It’s been a full year of upheaval, no stability, nothing regular, my stuff scattered in storage units. I’m doing … Continue reading

Posted in Monthly Viewing Diary, Movies, Television | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Stressful Autumn Shuffle

The past two months have been so stressful I’m not sure I even processed the stress. I’ve been up in Rhode Island, mostly, and then Allison and I went and stayed in a cottage in the woods of Connecticut for … Continue reading

Posted in Music, Theatre | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

March-April 2020 Film Comment

I have two pieces in the current issue of Film Comment (neither of which are online, so pick up a copy at your local bookstore – if they have it). The first piece is on Eliza Hittman’s Never Rarely Sometimes … Continue reading

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , | Leave a comment