In Memorium: Sean Bonniwell, The Music Machine
Posted on December 30, 2011
Filed Under Main, Music | Leave a Comment
Sean Bonniwell, iconoclastic lead singer/songwriter of Los Angeles’ proto-punk garage band the Music Machine, has died of lung cancer in Visalia, Calif. He was 71.
Though much of the great rock ‘n’ roll of the late 50s and early 60s were made by garage bands, early punks or lone renegades (think Buddy Holly, the great Doo-Wop groups, the rockabilly movement, Love, the San Francisco sound, even the early Elvis), rock had pretty much been tamed by the end of the 50s by the major record labels. It was up to rebels like Bonniwell and his Music Machine, to insert a hint of insurrection, danger and sex into the music — and they did it with their one-hit wonder “Talk Talk,” a proto-punk single that broke into the Top 20 in 1966.
We’ve always loved “Talk Talk” (and a similar one-hit wonder, “Psychotic Reaction,” by the Count Five) and the adrenalin still gets flowing we hear it.
Tip o’ the hat to ya, Sean.
Memo to Hollywood: Guard Your Traditions
Posted on December 29, 2011
Filed Under Culture, Films, Greed, People | Leave a Comment
OK, we know that the business of moviemaking has always skewed more to the business side than to the movie side when big money is involved — the history of cinema has always revolved around a balancing act between art and commerce — but the folks over at The Grauman Chinese Theatre in Hollywood seem to have tipped the scales way over to the dark side of bookkeeping.
To wit, this headline in the Dec. 29, 2011 Los Angeles Times: “Grauman’s Chinese: Movie star prints’ futures not set in cement.” Seems that the new owners of the venerable Hollywood showcase (built in 1927) — movie producer Donald Kushner and entrepreneur Elie Samaha — have been allowing just about anyone to add their hand and footprints into the hallowed theatre forecourt — as long as they pay the price ($25,000 for “cement and labor,” plus around $20,000 to cover costs of the ceremony). Recent additions: The Chipmunks, the young cast of the “Twilight” movies (Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart), Kobe Bryant, French DJ David Guetta and the Smurfs — big stars all to stand side by side with Marilyn Monroe, Cark Gable, the Barrymores, Gregory Peck, Gene Kelly, Natalie Wood, Mickey Rooney, Tyrone Power, Julie Andrews, Kirk Douglas, Danny Kaye, Doris Day, Eddie Cantor, Henry Fonda, Alan Ladd, Sophia Loren, Edward G. Robinson, Joan Crawford, the Marx Brothers, Lana Turner, Gloria Swanson, George Burns, Debby Reynolds, Myrna Loy, Abbott & Costello, Jack Benny, Gary Cooper, Sidney Poitier, Jack Lemmon, Nelson Eddy, William Powell, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers among them.
The Times quoted Kushner as saying, “They’re not going in the forecourt. They weren’t real ceremonies — they were mock ceremonies. The kids’ stuff would be displayed at the Chinese 6 theaters, located in the adjacent Hollywood & Highland mall complex and operated by Kushner and Samaha. But what about the non-kids stuff? Will those be added to the forecourt?
Tinseltown seems to be losing its consciousness of its history, blotting it out at every economic step: whether it be a new mixed use high-rise development on Vine Street that threatens to block views of the Capitol Records Building and even the Hollywood Sign (from some angles) — or last August’s announcement by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that Oprah Winfrey would receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award given “to an individual in the motion picture industry whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry”; Winfrey, of course, has spent virtually all of her career in television (granted she’s a humanitarian and philanthropist, but not in the movies). Oh well, at least she’ll draw some TV ratings for the televised awards how when she makes a brief appearance.
I suppose it’s all for the tourists, who don’t know the difference between Kobe Bryant and Jimmy Stewart, or the kids, who see everything on digital screens these days and think the Kardashians are a bigger deal than Kurosawa. It’s all celebrtiy, after all.
Happy Holidays
Posted on December 27, 2011
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Rock ‘n’ Roll Greed — The Saga of The Malibu Edge
Posted on June 28, 2011
Filed Under Culture, Greed | Leave a Comment
OK, time to put on our angry hat.
Despite the fact that the boys of U2 are noted as being politically active, socially conscious and incredibly philanthropic (Bono, for one, has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize), at heart they’re super-rich rock 
businessmen. In the past they’ve been criticised for trying to skip out on Irish taxes (at a time when Ireland began to become sorely in need of tax monies to fund social programs) by moving their song catalog to the Netherlands, where bands are subject to lower taxes, and for being naive in the way they fund charity groups (throwing money at symptoms rather than trying to repair underlying dysfunctional social problems).
OK, we’ve been willing to cut them some slack — until the L.A. Times reported that U2′s The Edge was trying to build five gigantic mansions on protected land on a rugged ridge in Malibu. This was a gigantic project that would have taken up 158 acres of wilderness and negatively affected the environment (The Edge’s main house alone would be 12,785 square feet). When authorities balked at the size, The Edge, according to The Times, tried to conceal ownership by having his representatives put the property in other names. And after the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy told The Edge that “the development would have unavoidable significant adverse visual and ecological impacts, he bought them off by paying them $1 million if they took a neutral stance.
Fortunately, the California Coastal Commission stood its ground, denying the proposal. The Times quotes Peter Douglas, the agency’s executive director: “In 38 years of this commission’s existence, this is one of the worst projects that I’ve seen in terms of environmental devast ion … It’s a contradiction in terms — you can’t be serious about being an environmentalist and pick this location.”
“Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.”
Movie Poster Slide Show
Posted on April 14, 2011
Filed Under Culture, Films | Leave a Comment
Dreamsville’s Movie Poster
Slide Show
Here’s a slide show we put together a couple year’s ago
as an electronic holiday card. Click the poster and enjoy.
Films & TV We Grew Up With: April
Posted on April 11, 2011
Filed Under Culture, Films, Main, Television, TV | Leave a Comment
OK, kids. Time for another trip down memory lane. Here’s a smattering of some films and TV shows making their way to DVD this month — films and TV shows that were part of our cultural landscape and influenced us as we grew up.
So here’s to the start of a new monthly column.
Dirty Mary Crazy Larry/Race With the Devil Double Feature:
“Dirty Mary Crazy Larry” (1974) Peter Fonda, Susan George. Larry (Peter Fonda) is a former NASCAR racer looking to score some quick cash. Mary (Susan George) is a sexy 
groupie aching to take a fast ride. Together with mechanic Deke (Adam Roarke), they pull off a cold-blooded supermarket heist and hit the highway. Now there is a maniacal lawman (Vic Morrow) on their trail, an entire police force in pursuit and hundreds of miles of roadblocks between their ’69 Charger and freedom. Buckle up for the action classic that blows the doors off all other car chase films as it speeds toward one of the most jaw-dropping finales in movie history. Directed by John Hough (“The Legend Of Hell House,” “The Incubus”). Extras: Commentary by Director John Hough, “Ride the Wild Side” featurette, theatrical trailers, TV spots and radio spots.
“Race With the Devil” (1975) Peter Fonda, Lara Parker, Warren Oates. For old friends Roger (Fonda) and Frank (Warren Oates) and their wives (Lara Parker, Loretta Swit), it was supposed to be “the best damn vacation they ever had.” But their RV road trip takes a deadly detour at a secluded campsite when they accidentally witness a satanic sacrifice. Now horror hits the highway as the couples are pursued by satanic cultists through some of the most intense car chases and into one of the greatest twist endings in drive-in movie history. Directed by Jack Starrett (“The Losers,” “Cleopatra Jones”), who was also an actor and played the memorable role of the vicious Deputy Galt in “First Blood.” Extras: Commentary by executive producer Paul Maslansky and actress Lara Parker, “Hell On Wheels” interview with Peter Fonda, theatrical trailers, TV spot and radio spots. (Shout! Factory). Due April 12.
Dragnet 1970: Season Four(1969-70) Four-disc set with 26 episodes of “Dragnet 1970,” $34.93. (Shout! Factory). Airing on NBC, “Dragnet 1970″ 
was the second run of the highly popular “Dragnet” TV series. Spawned from the popular “Dragnet” radio program, “Dragnet 1970″ would mark the end of an era as Jack Webb would retire his legendary onscreen persona Joe Friday, although he would continue to executive-produce the popular spin-offs “Adam-12″ and “Emergency!” Bonus Features include Jack Webb and Harry Morgan’s appearance on “Jack Benny’s Second Farewell Special.”
Tracy and Hepburn: The Definitive Collection The first and only complete anthology of films starring Hollywood’s dream team. The collection includes all nine remastered favorites: “Woman of the Year” (1942), “Keeper of the Flame” (1942), “Without Love” (1945), “Sea of Grass” (1947), “State of the Union” (1948), “Adam’s Rib” (1949), “Pat and Mike” (1952), “Desk Set” (1957) and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” (1967), plus a bonus disc featuring an intimate tribute to Spencer Tracy moderated by Katharine Hepburn; $59.92. “Keeper of the Flame,” directed by George Cukor, and “Sea of Grass,” are DVD debuts, and are both available separately for $19.97 each. (Warner). Due April 12.
Father Knows Best: Season Six (1959-60) Five-disc set with 31 episodes, $39.99. (Shout! Factory). Robert Young stars as Jim Anderson in the final season of the television classic. Throughout the previous five seasons, we’ve watched Betty, Bud and Kathy grow up under the watchful eye of the best in the business. A lot has changed through the years, but the loving relationships are still much the same. Due April 19.
Dementia 13 (1963) Dir.: Francis Ford Coppola; Luana Anders, William Campbell, Bart Patton, Eithne Dunne, Patrick Magee. Produced by celebrated B movie icon Roger Corman, this is considered to be Coppola’s first mainstream, “legitimate” directorial effort. The gothic psychological thriller — based on a story idea Corman penned in one night — was shot for a budget of $42,000. 
Although Coppola promised “lots of sex and violence,” Corman later battled with Coppola and hired director Jack Hill to shoot additional scenes of carnage. For years, it was rumored that the film’s print had mysteriously disappeared. Now, “Dementia 13″ is available, restored and in HD for the first time. The story: After inadvertently causing her husband’s fatal heart attack, Louise, a scheming young woman (Luana Anders), attempts to have herself written into her wealthy mother-in-law’s will. Forging a letter from her deceased spouse to convince his family he’s away on business, Louise — determined to get into their good graces — pays a surprise visit to the ancestral home in Ireland. With other family members gathered at the foreboding castle, she joins in a morbid ritual to honor Kathleen, her sister-in-law who died mysteriously seven years earlier. When an axe-wielding lunatic begins murderously stalking the gatherers, her plans are permanently interrupted. But which one is the killer? Is Louise — or one of the other peculiar mourners, each with a dark motive — willing to do anything to gain fortune? Restored and in HD for the first time ever. Available in a special DVD/Blu-ray combo pack from Film Chest on the HD Cinema Classics and CULTRA labels (distributed by Virgil Films & Entertainment). Due April 26.
The Lucy Show: The Official Fourth Season (1965-66) Four-disc set with 26 episodes, $42.99. Extras: “Lucy: Behind the Scenes”, photo galleries, cast biographies, original network openings, Gale Gordon holiday messages (audio), excerpts from “Wonderful World of Burlesque” and “Magic of Broadcasting,” Beatrice Foods Presentation. $42.99. (CBS/Paramount). Due April 26.
Don’t Know Much About History Dept.:
Moguls & Movie Stars: A History of Hollywood (2010) Seven-episode original documentary on Hollywood from Turner Classic Movies, narrated by Christopher Plummer. The American movie business started as peepshows and grew into a near-mythical art form that used an exciting new technology to create drama, laughter and adventure literally bigger than life. Here is the whole story — the glamour and the sweat, the collaborations and the conflicts, the careers that skyrocketed and the dreams that crashed. Each one-hour segment focuses on a different era of American movie history, from the invention of the first pictures to the cutting-edge films of the 1960s. Each installment features clips and interviews with historians and major Hollywood figures: “Peepshow Pioneers” (1889-1907), “The Birth of Hollywood” (1907-1920), “The Dream Merchants” (1920-1928), “Brother, Can You Spare a Dream?” (1929-1941), “Warriors and Peacemakers” (1941-1950), “Attack of the Small Screens” (1950-1960), “Fade Out, Fade In” (1960-1969). Extras: Limited edition book with 40 pages of vintage photographs and insight about the people, power, and periods that created Hollywood. Three-disc set, $39.92. (Warner). Due April 26.
The Ernie Kovacs Collection
Posted on April 6, 2011
Filed Under Culture, Main, Television, TV | Leave a Comment
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On April 19, Shout! Factory will release a lavish six-disc set compiling the work of one of the greatest comics of the 20th century — Ernie Kovacs. This is a collection not to be missed. Here’s the press release:
Featuring more than 13 hours of Kovacs’ original classic television content, unforgettable characters and a treasure trove of genuine rarities all collected in a lavishly packaged six-DVD box set. The vast majority of this content has not been seen in over 50 years.
With a gift for inventive comedy that was alternately cerebral, goofy and just plain absurd, Ernie Kovacs (www.erniekovacs.com) transformed television’s early era into his own personal playground — and invited viewers to enjoy every sight gag and loony character. Kovacs, whose offbeat humor graced the airwaves for just a decade in the 1950s and 60s, served healthy portions of the offbeat to his audiences, who had never seen anything quite like this cigar-wielding charmer. Wickedly funny but not offensive, Kovacs’ unique humor and flair for improvisation would ripple across generations, influencing TV funnymen from Johnny Carson and Monty Python to David Letterman, Pee-wee Herman and “Saturday Night Live.”
Kovacs, who died in a 1962 car accident, left behind a stunning body of work that survives thanks to the indefatigable efforts of his wife and co-star, the late Edie Adams. With many of the programs newly transferred from original 16mm kinescopes and curated by noted film/television historian Ben Model, “The Ernie Kovacs Collection” DVD box set is the first-ever comprehensive collection of Kovacs’ work — encompassing the full breadth of existing material, from his local Philadelphia morning shows in the early 1950s and national evening shows to the ABC primetime specials in the early 1960s that cemented his legend. Along with such iconic pieces at The Nairobi Trio and such signature characters as poet Percy Dovetonsils, Miklos Molnar, Matzoh Hepplewhite, Mr. Question Man and Uncle Gruesome, fans will finally get to enjoy Kovacs’ genuine gift for improvisation, charm and warmth as host of his many variety shows.
The DVD set also includes the rare color version of Kovacs’ famous “Silent Show” (aka “Eugene”), an unprecedented wordless classic featuring a hapless character wandering through a typically Kovacsian world of surreal visual gags. In addition to a wealth of bonus features, “The Ernie Kovacs Collection” includes a commemorative booklet filled with rare photos, informative program notes and a special tribute by award-winning novelist Jonathan Lethem.
From Shout! Factory. Retail price: $69.97
Contents:
Episodes from his local and national morning shows
Episodes from his NBC primetime show
“Take a Good Look”
Five ABC TV specials
The color version of his legendary silent show “Eugene”
Classic sketches
DVD Bonus Features:
1987 Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall Of Fame induction
“Remembering Ernie” with George Schlatter (“Laugh-In”) and Jolene Brand
Kovacs’ award-winning commercials for Dutch Masters Cigars
“Baseball Film”
Making of “Baseball Film”
“The Mysterious Knockwurst”
Performer Andy McKay’s 8mm home movies
“Superclod” Test
“Take A Good Look” clues
“Take A Good Look” sales film
“Silents Please” host segments
“Our Man In Havana” Behind-the-scenes footage
Dutch Masters Cigars commercials
Kovacs’ trailer for “Operation Mad Ball”
“It Happened to Ernie” featuring Jack Lemmon and Ernie Kovacs
Muriel Cigars commercials featuring Edie Adams
Clip of Ernie Kovacs’ ABC Special from December 12, 1961
Complete Contents:
THE ERNIE KOVACS COLLECTION – Disc 1 (THE EARLY YEARS)
It’s Time For Ernie
March 7, 1951
It’s Time For Ernie
June 1951
Ernie In Kovacsland
July 6, 1951
Ernie In Kovacsland
August 23, 1951
Kovacs On The Corner
Date Unknown
Kovacs Unlimited
May 28, 1952
Bonus Material:
1987 ATAS Hall Of Fame Induction
Remembering Ernie with George Schlatter And Jolene Brand
“Baseball Film”
Making Of “Baseball Film”
“The Mysterious Knockwurst”
Andy McKay 8mm Home Movies
THE ERNIE KOVACS COLLECTION – Disc 2 (THE NBC MORNING SHOW)
The Ernie Kovacs Show
December 19, 1955
The Ernie Kovacs Show
February 20, 1956
The Ernie Kovacs Show
March 15, 1956
The Ernie Kovacs Show
April 12, 1956
The Ernie Kovacs Show
June 12, 1956
Bonus Material:
Percy Dovetonsils: “Ode To Stanley’s Pussycat”
Martin Krutch, Public Eye
Rock Mississippi in “Fingers Under Weskit”
Howard, The World’s Strongest Ant
J. Burlington Gearshift
THE ERNIE KOVACS COLLECTION – Disc 3 (THE NBC EVENING SHOW)
The Ernie Kovacs Show
July 2, 1956
The Ernie Kovacs Show
July 30, 1956
The Ernie Kovacs Show
September 3, 1956
Bonus Material:
“Superclod” Test
THE ERNIE KOVACS COLLECTION – Disc 4 (THE LATE 1950s)
Saturday Color Carnival: “The Ernie Kovacs Show”
airdate: January 19, 1957 (NBC)
Kovacs On Music
airdate: May 22, 1959 (NBC)
Take A Good Look
airdate: July 21, 1960 (ABC)
with panelists Cesar Romero, Edie Adams and Jack Carson
Bonus Material:
Take A Good Look Clues
Take A Good Look Sales Film
Silents Please
Our Man In Havana Behind-The-Scenes Footage
THE ERNIE KOVACS COLLECTION – Disc 5 (THE ABC SPECIALS)
THE ERNIE KOVACS COLLECTION: The ABC Specials
Kovacs Special #4
September 21, 1961
Kovacs Special #5
October 28, 1961
Kovacs Special #6
November 24, 1961
Kovacs Special #7
December 12, 1961
Kovacs Special #8
January 23, 1962
Bonus Material:
Dutch Masters commercials
THE ERNIE KOVACS COLLECTION – Disc 6 (CLASSIC PIECES)
The NBC Morning Show
· Percy Dovetonsils Reads “Roughing It”
· Ferrante & Teicher Perform “Oh Susannah”
· Mr. Question Man
· Rock Mississippi: “Fingers Under Weskit”
· Drawing With John Magee
· Leena Queen Of The Jungle
· Leroy L. Leroy
· A Series Of Magazine Ads
· Tales From Uncle Gruesome
· Crossed Skillets
· Leonard And Lola
· Percy Dovetonsils almost Reads An Ode
The NBC Evening Show
· The Late Late Late Late Hungarian Movie
· Mr. Science
· Nairobi Trio
· Howdy Deedy
· Let’s Take A Visit
· TV Backstage
· Trapizza
· Vas You Dere?
Bonus Material:
Trailer for Operation Mad Ball
It Happened To Ernie
Muriel Cigar commercials featuring Edie Adams
Father’s Day
Posted on June 20, 2010
Filed Under Culture, Main, People | 1 Comment
Father’s Day
Sunday was so very nice in Beverly Hills. The sun was warm, its rays sparkling through the swaying of the elm and eucalyptus trees. It smelled fresh and clean. Early in the evening I decided to ride my bike up to the post office — about a mile away — and maybe cruise on in to the Whole Foods for some fresh vegetables. I put on my riding clothes (paint-stained black Levis, sweatshirt) and riding gloves, adjusted my helmet, carried my bike downstairs, and hopped on it … only to hear a bang — the tire went flat. Cursing, I walked back upstairs.
What to do. I still had some letters to mail, but didn’t want to drive my car anywhere. So I decided to walk to another, closer post office, about five blocks away, on South Beverly Drive. That would be a leisurely journey as the sun went down.
I walked to the post office, mailed my letters, then sauntered up Beverly, stopping at Peet’s for an iced latte (with an add shot for an extra kick). I sat on an outside bench, watching the young marrieds walking by, dragging their kicking kids (“why do we have to walk so fast, daddy?”). Some people were just gathering for dinner now, some ganging up at the local Chipotle or the Mulberry Street Pizza, others just leaving, waiting for their car in front of Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Surprisingly, most places were empty; it was almost 7:30, maybe too late for Sunday dinner on Father’s Day.
I walked North on Beverly to Wilshire, past a couple high-end restaurants that seemed deserted, past a new bar called Honor, with a blaring honky tonk band and hamburgers sizzling on a stove, then traveled east toward Rexford. I started to feel a little sorry for myself, a little lonely. And that’s when I saw it, sitting behind the window at the high-end sports car showroom: a gorgeous, sexy, new-to-these-shores Alfa Romeo 8C (available for just 200,000 euros). Talk about love at first sight.
There’s only been a few cars I’ve ever really wanted so bad I could taste it: a 1963 Sting Ray, a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gull-Wing, a 57 Chevy two-door, a Cobra, an early Alfa Sprint, my current 2008 Mustang … but this baby, oh my.
I stood there for a couple of minutes, thinking about this beauty, wondering how I could ever, ever earn enough money to buy it, let alone maintain it. Here I was, 64 going on 65, unemployed, looking for work, trying to figure out how to buy a car for a quarter of a million dollars.
I guess you always have to have dreams.
Capitalist Shibboleth #39: Land Is the Basis of All Wealth
Posted on June 2, 2010
Filed Under Culture, Future, Greed, Main | Leave a Comment
While rummaging through some old file folders I found this advertisement; it appeared in the Los Angeles Times on February 24, 1970 – while the Cold War was still raging.
File Under: The Rich Get Richer
Posted on March 26, 2010
Filed Under Greed, Main | Leave a Comment
Under the headline “Big companies are awash in cash as economy picks up,” The Los Angeles Times reported (March 24) that although many individuals, small businesses and even states have been devastated by the recession, many of the country’s biggest companies are “loaded with cash, thanks to deep cost-cutting that helped drive unemployment into double digits.”
“The good news for America now is that companies are very competitive, flush with cash and ready to expand,” Joseph Carson, an economist at money management firm AllianceBernstein in New York, told the Times. But, according to the paper, “others worry that the business giants’ clout has increased significantly at the expense of workers — the millions in the ranks of the jobless as well as those who remain employed but must work harder than ever.”
“More and more of the balance of power in society is shifting toward corporations,” said Thomas Kochan, a management professor and co-director of the Institute for Work and Employment Research at MIT in Cambridge, Mass.
According to the Times, “by one prominent measure, major companies had extraordinary success weathering the recession: Industrial companies in the Standard & Poor’s 500 index, a list that includes such giants as 3M Co., Coca-Cola Co. and United Technologies Corp., ended last year with a record $832 billion in cash and short-term securities on their books, up 27% from a year earlier.”
And while there are signs that some business are beginning to reinvest their overflowing coffers of money, others are taking a wait and see attitude — while workers sweat it out.
San Jose’s Cisco Systems Inc., a leading producer of computer networking equipment, last month said it would add up to 3,000 workers to its worldwide staff of 66,000 employees to keep up with rising demand. At the other end of the spectrum is the FedEx Corp., whose profits more than doubled in the quarter ended Feb. 28 compared with last year’s depressed level. According to the Times, “Although the company early this year reinstated merit-based pay increases, it remains ‘very strict’ on hiring, said Chief Financial Officer Alan Graf Jr. No job can be filled without the OK of a senior management committee.”
A committee that, most likely, will need to give itself seven-figure raises first. But that’s a story for another time.
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