VOODOO DREAMS/VOODOO- LES BAXTER

     Delicious.

My Name Is Barbra

 

      Of course Barbra Streisand was fabulous before her legendary television debut, "My Name Is Barbra", aired in 1965.  But to the general public, she was still considered a curiosity.  People weren't quite sure whether to take her seriously or not.  Then, "My Name Is Barbra" aired... and her television debut became a pinnacle moment in music history, and a legend was born- all at a mere 22 years old.  Filmed in glorious black and white, it's a thrilling and sensational moment in television history.  If people didn't know who Streisand was before "My Name Is Barbra", they sure did the next day.  Not only was the show itself a runaway  ratings smash, but it made Barbra the most famous woman on the planet, besides Elizabeth Taylor.  The show was immensely popular, and the freshness and boldness that went into this production is still impressive even today.  Barbra had balls, and her braveness to do it different than the rest paid off.  It's a fantastic hour of song and show that tosses out the traditional variety show format of the time and amazingly drops the whole guest star thing.  Barbra has no guest stars- no silly and staged banter.  She is the show. Divided into three segments, Barbra is a true tour de force- astonishing the viewer with her raw talent.  It was truly groundbreaking at the time, and it's still a dazzling piece of showmanship. "My Name Is Barbra" is rightly considered one of television's most legendary moments- putting it up there with Elvis and The Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and Madonna on the VMA's.  This is perhaps Barbra presented in her finest hour.  And it's worth it alone just for the fabulous Bergdorf Goodman segment.And the two soundtracks to the television special is a must-have for any self-respecting fan of Streisand or lounge music.  Utterly delicious.

THE SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE/ DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES

     Hmmm.... delicious...

THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN

 

  
     Don't be fooled by the title.  This is one of the best sci-fi/horror films to come out of the 50s- rivaling 1956's "Invasion Of The Body Snatchers" as the best, in my opinion.

     Scott Carey and his wife are out enjoying their cabin cruiser one day at sea.  While his wife is momentarily below deck, the small craft passes through a mysterious mist.  Scott is left covered by a strange, glitter-like substance, which eventually disappears.  All seems fine, until a few days later when Scott is accidentally sprayed with an insecticide.  Then, he incredibly begins to realize that his entire body actually seems to be shrinking.    

      "The Incredible Shrinking Man" is an amazingly thought-out movie, and the stunning special effects (for the time) enhance the story greatly.  It also doesn't hurt the fact that it's based on such a well-written story to begin with, and the fact that the author himself adapted the screenplay.  It's not just a bunch of lines delivered with the usual b-movie schlock.  As fantastic as the special effects were for the time, the film is actually just as much a character study.  Grant Williams does a fine job with Scott Carey- it's fascinating to watch him become more and more resourceful in a desperate attempt to save his life and to deal with ordinary, everyday objects (spiders, the cat, etc.) that are now much more dangerous. On top of the repercussions his new fate has on his marriage.  Up until then, there had simply not been a film to deal with the psychology of the over-the-top and fantastic situations portrayed in the movie.  It's just a well-done flick all around.  If you want to see a perfect example of 50s sci-fi/horror, check out "The Incredible Shrinking Man" now!

The New Classic Singers- Call Me

1960's Easy Living

Hmmm... delicious...