Tag Archives: Shirley MacLaine

Podcast: The Last Thing I Saw: Focus on Billy Wilder

It was so much fun appearing on Nicolas Rapold’s “The Last Thing I Saw” to discuss Billy Wilder. The other guests were Farran Smith Nehme (a good friend of mine), and Steven Mears. The inspiration to discuss Billy Wilder was … Continue reading

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July 2021 Viewing Diary

Sally, Mary and Irene (1925; d. Edmund Goulding) For some reason, I forgot to include this gem in my June viewing diary. Considered lost forever, it is one of Joan Crawford’s earliest films – and one where she is actually … Continue reading

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Recommended Books: Memoirs

More recommendations: Recommended Fiction Recommended Non-Fiction MEMOIRS The Fervent Years: The Group Theatre And The Thirties, by Harold Clurman Probably the most famous of all the Group Theatre-related books. Harold Clurman writes his memories of that time and what those … Continue reading

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Present Tense: Death Scenes

William Holden, “Sunset Boulevard” For my next “Present Tense” column at Film Comment, I wrote about a long-time obsession – which I have covered from time to time here on my site: Actors performing death scenes. And a tribute to … Continue reading

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April 2017 Viewing Diary

I just dash these off. Superficial bullet-point analysis for the most part. It’s a good way to keep track of what I’ve seen, for year-end lists, of course, but also for future reference. I also always love the discussions on … Continue reading

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“Well, I’m not your run-of-the-mill lady from the Valley, am I?” – Shirley MacLaine

I am always behind the curve with TV trends. The Downton Abbey mania has been so bad that even virtual strangers are stopping me on the street telling me how much I will love it. When people find out I … Continue reading

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The Books: “My Lucky Stars: A Hollywood Memoir” (Shirley MacLaine)

Daily Book Excerpt: Entertainment Biography/Memoir: My Lucky Stars: A Hollywood Memoir, by Shirley MacLaine Wonderful book! It might be my favorite of Shirley MacLaine’s (although granted I have not read her latest). It’s a book of anecdotes and character studies … Continue reading

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The Books: “Dance While You Can” (Shirley MacLaine)

Daily Book Excerpt: Entertainment Biography/Memoir: Dance While You Can, by Shirley MacLaine Dance While You Can came out in the early 90s. Now it can’t be said that MacLaine ever really had a dry period – that’s one of the … Continue reading

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The Books: “Out On a Limb” (Shirley MacLaine)

Daily Book Excerpt: Entertainment Biography/Memoir: Out on a Limb, by Shirley MacLaine This is the book that tipped her over the edge onto a whole other level of wide-spread cultural consciousness. Out on a Limb was 15 weeks on the … Continue reading

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The Books: “Don’t Fall Off the Mountain” (Shirley MacLaine)

Daily Book Excerpt: Entertainment Biography/Memoir:: Don’t Fall Off the Mountain, by Shirley MacLaine I wonder if Shirley MacLaine is bad at anything. I’m sure she is – and so she doesn’t spend her energies in those areas … or who … Continue reading

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