Sunday, July 07, 2019

Out of the Sunshine

Kicked off the morning with work. Thankfully, considering it was still hot, hazy, and killer humid, I was only outside with the carts for my first hour. I otherwise swept the store, shelved loose items and gift cards, and bagged. Got stuck in the register very briefly, for less than a minute before the actual cashier came in. It really wasn't that bad. We were mildly busy or most of the morning. I'm guessing most people went away for the holiday weekend.

Went straight upstairs and on the computer when I got home. Spent the next few hours writing. Luke and Leia take off with the Jet Pack Squadron. Luke and Wedge discover tanks made to look like massive snow beasts. Wedge flies at the speed of light, going through the legs of one and knocking it over. Luke has less luck with another that sends him crashing into the snow.

Broke for an early dinner at 5:30. Listened to Mack & Mabel while I ate. I'm in the midst of re-reading Moviola by Garson Kanin, about the early years of Hollywood through the eyes of a fictional mogul. The first few chapters heavily discuss Mack Sennett and his tempestuous relationship with one of his biggest stars, party-loving Mabel Normand. Mack (Robert Preston) just wants to make two-reel comedies, but Mabel (Bernadette Peters) has had a taste of the big time, and now she wants to do drama. Mack has no intention of ever doing anything more dramatic than tying a woman to a railroad track. Mabel turns to director William Desmond Taylor to star her in something more serious...but she ends up in serious trouble when he gets her hooked on drink and drugs. Meanwhile, he does well with his Kops and Bathing Beauties, but can't change with the times when sound comes in. He promises Mabel a happy ending...but real-life isn't like the movies, and there was no happy ending for these two.

Pretty dark, huh? The downbeat story definitely isn't reflected in the wonderful music, possibly Jerry Herman's best score. "I Won't Send Roses," Mack's attempt to explain to Mabel why their relationship won't work (and Mabel thinking she understands), is probably my favorite Herman ballad. Other good ones here include Mack's "I Want to Make the World Laugh," "Look What Happened to Mabel" for Mabel and the chorus, the classic torch song "Time Heals Everything" for Mabel, and another fun chorus routine, "Tap Your Troubles Away" for Sennett leading lady Lottie (Lisa Kirk).

The story is so depressing that the original show only ran for a little under two months in fall 1974, and no amount of re-writing has made it work in subsequent versions. The cast album, however, is a personal favorite of mine and is highly recommended.

Finished the night with more Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga. The Minikit Detector proved to be a godsend, helping me finish or close to finish at least 6 rounds tonight. The extra-long "Mos Eisley Spaceport" and "Invasion of Kashyakk" were the toughest; they were helped by finding the Invincibility, Super Lightsaber, and Super Jedi Slam extras along with many pieces. I still haven't found a lot of red bricks, though, including all of the times ones.

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