Stephen Winer
@rowrbazzle.bsky.social
Former Writer for David Letterman, Robert Klein, Dick Van Dyke and The Disney Channel All New Mickey Mouse Club. Writer of film essays for The Criterion Collection
Santa is well known for his funnies. People who saw his Dec. ‘78 set at The Comedy Store are still talking about it.
December 7, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Santa is well known for his funnies. People who saw his Dec. ‘78 set at The Comedy Store are still talking about it.
Me too, forever. She was also an interesting woman and a lifelong progressive. Still it’s worth mentioning that she wrote that her marriages failed because men married Nora Charles and woke up with Myrna Loy.
December 6, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Me too, forever. She was also an interesting woman and a lifelong progressive. Still it’s worth mentioning that she wrote that her marriages failed because men married Nora Charles and woke up with Myrna Loy.
Yes, as are the Marxes films. But Bert Lahr flopped in Flying High and Ed Wynn flopped in Follow the Leader. Both went back to Broadway. Lahr, of course, had his one great film role in Oz. EdWynn didn’t really come back to films until Walt Disney, a big fan, started casting him years later.
December 5, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Yes, as are the Marxes films. But Bert Lahr flopped in Flying High and Ed Wynn flopped in Follow the Leader. Both went back to Broadway. Lahr, of course, had his one great film role in Oz. EdWynn didn’t really come back to films until Walt Disney, a big fan, started casting him years later.
In the early days of sound, there were a number of stage musicals that were basically made as if they were filmed off the stage - Whoopee, Flying High, Rio Rita, the first two Marx Brothers films, etc. As sound filmmaking became more fluid, these disappeared.
December 5, 2025 at 2:03 AM
In the early days of sound, there were a number of stage musicals that were basically made as if they were filmed off the stage - Whoopee, Flying High, Rio Rita, the first two Marx Brothers films, etc. As sound filmmaking became more fluid, these disappeared.
Often they kept the book and threw out the songs which seems…counterintuitive.
December 5, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Often they kept the book and threw out the songs which seems…counterintuitive.
Other than U’s SHOWBOAT, were there any film musicals before the fifties that were faithful to the shows? Weirdly, one of the few that comes to mind is Paramount’s LOUISIANA PURCHASE.
December 5, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Other than U’s SHOWBOAT, were there any film musicals before the fifties that were faithful to the shows? Weirdly, one of the few that comes to mind is Paramount’s LOUISIANA PURCHASE.
No movie was ever improved by putting Joe Penner in it. And, yes, Venus is another mess.
December 4, 2025 at 11:59 PM
No movie was ever improved by putting Joe Penner in it. And, yes, Venus is another mess.
They also made a wreck out of The Boys From Syracuse.
December 4, 2025 at 11:49 PM
They also made a wreck out of The Boys From Syracuse.
But my father took some pleasure at how much they had to pay MGM to borrow Kelly for CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY
December 4, 2025 at 11:27 PM
But my father took some pleasure at how much they had to pay MGM to borrow Kelly for CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY
My father was working for Universal Studios in various capacities- one was scouting talent. He saw PJ out of town and tried to convince them to sign Gene Kelly. They weren’t interested. In truth Kelly probably dodged a bullet.
December 4, 2025 at 11:27 PM
My father was working for Universal Studios in various capacities- one was scouting talent. He saw PJ out of town and tried to convince them to sign Gene Kelly. They weren’t interested. In truth Kelly probably dodged a bullet.
I remember seeing Du Barry Was a Lady at Encores and there were so many good songs I’d never heard before…or since. At least there are reasonably complete recordings of Pal Joey. But yes it would be great to hear that cast.
December 4, 2025 at 11:02 PM
I remember seeing Du Barry Was a Lady at Encores and there were so many good songs I’d never heard before…or since. At least there are reasonably complete recordings of Pal Joey. But yes it would be great to hear that cast.
MOONLIGHTING era Cybill Shepherd would like a word:
December 4, 2025 at 8:23 PM
MOONLIGHTING era Cybill Shepherd would like a word:
And today is Deanna’s birthday!
December 4, 2025 at 4:38 PM
And today is Deanna’s birthday!
Would anyone debate this? (I’m going to be sorry I ask, won’t I?)
December 4, 2025 at 5:21 AM
Would anyone debate this? (I’m going to be sorry I ask, won’t I?)
Last year’s list is why I started following you. Thanks for both.
December 4, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Last year’s list is why I started following you. Thanks for both.
I think it probably is. The nephews are always a tell because Kelly’s had a very distinctive look. But something about Donald’s face here looks like his.
December 3, 2025 at 11:36 PM
I think it probably is. The nephews are always a tell because Kelly’s had a very distinctive look. But something about Donald’s face here looks like his.
No wonder he started drinking.
December 3, 2025 at 5:24 AM
No wonder he started drinking.
I was lucky enough to spend a little time with Adolph Green - a very nice man who retained the enthusiasm of a teenager all his life.
December 2, 2025 at 4:20 PM
I was lucky enough to spend a little time with Adolph Green - a very nice man who retained the enthusiasm of a teenager all his life.
I saw her do it live at the National and it was a great evening of theater.
December 2, 2025 at 5:54 AM
I saw her do it live at the National and it was a great evening of theater.
I don’t know the actual list but I would be surprised if Anita Garvin wasn’t on it.
December 1, 2025 at 5:49 PM
I don’t know the actual list but I would be surprised if Anita Garvin wasn’t on it.
I saw HAPGOOD in London with his then lady Felicity Kendal who I also saw in THE REAL THING and INDIAN INK.
December 1, 2025 at 4:11 AM
I saw HAPGOOD in London with his then lady Felicity Kendal who I also saw in THE REAL THING and INDIAN INK.