Watching Mozart in the Jungle.

I've been curious about the series Mozart in the Jungle.  My interest mainly stemmed from the participation in the show by British actor Malcolm McDowell.  I've always been a huge fan of his work and he's been mentioning Mozart in the Jungle during his latest convention appearances.

Usually it doesn't take me long to check out McDowell's performance in anything I'm aware of.  But Mozart in the Jungle is a production of Amazon - available at this time only via streaming and I'm not much into (what I deem) new fangled viewing methods.  The show's second season premiered weeks ago and the recent Golden Globe Awards gave a victory to Mozart in the Jungle for best comedy or musical series.  With the win fueling interest, Amazon made Mozart in the Jungle available for free streaming over the weekend and I decided to indulge.  Each of the show's two seasons are comprised of ten episodes running at an average of about twenty five minutes.  I watched all but one segment of the show.  The result left me a bit bleary eyed (but not nearly as badly as McDowell from undergoing the ludvico treatment in A Clockwork Orange) and a huge fan of Mozart in the Jungle. 

Mozart in the Jungle revolves around the New York Orchestra.  The major players in the show's storyline include a young female bassoonist looking to make the grade to perform in the big time, the orchestra's unconventional new maestro who has arrived on the scene amid a whirlwind of fanatic attention and Thomas, the former conductor who attempts to accept the new situation as an agent of change even if he is not a hundred percent favorable to it.  The episodes are highly enjoyable as independent entities, but there are continuing story arcs which provide additional substance to the series large cast of characters.  My favorite supporting character is the aging percussionist who hasn't seemed willing to give up a single hippie trait.  Secret politics play out in the board rooms funding the orchestra while romances weave throughout the lives of the musicians.  I had sort of feared when approaching this show that it would be filled with young angst amid dating frenzies and adherents to the show biz saying of "Let's put on a show"!  Instead I was entranced by clever scripts concerning the life efforts of the musicians of various ages.  The new orchestra conductor's methods (such as breaking into an abandoned lot in the middle of a city block to get in touch with the city's soil and spirit) at first befuddles the orchestra.  But the orchestra warms up to his actions, as I did.     

Overall I would say Mozart in the Jungle is a charming series with a magnificently quirky attitude. 

For me, Malcolm McDowell is the highlight.  He plays Thomas, the orchestra's former leader.  Thomas is an eccentric.  You can never be sure of what he has in mind.  That makes for a lot of fun and McDowell acts with great gusto.  He played a similar highly esteemed eccentric of grand ideas most recently in Franklin and Bash, which ran for several seasons on TNT.  Here's hoping that Mozart in the Jungle runs for more outstanding seasons!

Myself & Mozart in the Jungle star Malcolm McDowell at Horrorfind.  

Changes

I have never been much for change.  I feel comfortable adhering to set patterns.

Ah, the change that can come from a minute or a mile!

Last week my blogging was cheerfully concerned with David Bowie, who was in the news for the release of his latest album Blackstar to coincide with his birthday last Friday.  The two new videos from Blackstar were mesmerizingly cryptic.  The visuals were lavishly stunning and the words were enigmatically endearing.   These elements were found in all of Bowie’s output and is a great part of my attraction to his work.  His imagination was drawn to the otherworldly outcast.  He was creating what fueled my dreams.

Before the excitement of Blackstar’s release had time to fade, a fresh wave of Bowie emotion surged to the forefront of the news.  Bowie had died before weekend’s wane.

Apparently the musical genius had been suffering from cancer.  He shared so many roles with the world via his music – Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, etc. – but his role as cancer fighter he played out privately.

Released videos from Blackstar have been scrutinized for farewell clues.  With an artist as intellectual and vibrant as Bowie, a multitude of clues can be found or imagined.

I’ve read a lot about Bowie and watched/listened eagerly to everything of his I could.  Articles and more about him have stoked the media over the last few days.  I have no greater knowledge about him to share, other then to express my personal adoration of his work.  I thought he was wonderfully bizarre as the title character in The Man Who Fell to Earth.  I loved the futuristic noir styling Bowie incorporated into his 90’s album Outside.  Outside and Diamond Dogs (which began life as a musical version of George Orwell’s 1984) played with paranoia and dark visions of a futuristic society.  This and other elements of Bowie’s charisma remind me of another of the icons I adore – Patrick McGoohan.

Patrick McGoohan’s probably most famous for his work as star of The Prisoner, a 60’s series he also worked behind the scenes to bring to life.  The program revolved around a secret agent who found himself mysteriously transported to an enigmatic village at an unknown locale.  The Prisoner has the edge of Kafka as it dealt with the manifestations of government, education and more upon the life of citizens.

There are some cool connections I can stretch between McGoohan and Bowie.  Patrick McGoohan played a spy using the name David Jones in the film Ice Station Zebra and David Bowie was born with the name David Jones.  Both Bowie and McGoohan died in the month of January.  Both Patrick McGoohan and David Bowie are at the top of my list of favorite artists.

Artists have always been my heroes.  How appropriate that one of Bowie’s songs is called Heroes.  And then there’s also that early hit of Bowie’s called changes that is always due a new listening.

The Many Names and Abilities of David Bowie

Today is the birthday of David Bowie - but when Bowie was born his name was David Jones.

It seems somewhat appropriate for an iconic musician who shed his apparent identity with each new album to have selected a new name to start his career.  Actually adopting a stage name is not all that uncommon, and David Jones/Bowie allegedly selected his new name thanks to the popularity of the bowie knife and a desire to not be confused with the Davy Jones who was heating up the music and television world as a Monkee.  But even with the Bowie moniker in place, David Jones became famous under yet another name…Ziggy Stardust.

It should probably be no surprise that an artist so talented at creating characters from his work would be equally adapt at fashioning concept albums.  Many of Bowie’s albums follow through a concept in form of character or world.  Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars was an exploration of the inner alien rock star – his success and corruption.  The album was influential in its visual attributes which were coined glam rock.  Bowie had toyed in the sci-fi realm earlier with the song Space Oddity at the time sci-fi was really just emerging as a vital component in everyday society from film (2001 A Space Odyssey) to the real moon landing.  Bowie’s future concept albums would draw on sci-fi elements from Diamond Dogs which gained life as an interpretation of George Orwell’s 1984 to Outside which took listeners to a dire future society where art could have dark origins and influence.  I greatly enjoy all of David Bowie’s work, but Outside is a particular favorite – although only after multiple listenings which I often find to be the case with Bowie’s innovatively rich out put.

Due to Bowie’s changing musical viewpoints, he is often referred to as a chameleon of music.  No surprise then that a character master should find his way to the theater.  Bowie portrayed John Merrick – better known as The Elephant Man – on the New York stage.  His film work has been more numerous – although still usually in a role of an outsider.  There is no surprise seeing him in The Man Who Fell To Earth as an alien seduced by Earth’s vices as he attempts to complete an mysterious mission.  Other notable roles of Bowie’s include his rapidly aging  vampyric character in The Hunger from directot Tony Scott and as cult favorite scientist Nikola Tesla in director Christopher Nolan’s enigmatic meditation on magic called The Prestige.

Of course Bowie’s contribution to film isn’t limited to acting.  He’s provided soundtracks to many notable films.  In fact his theme of Putting Out the Fire from the remake of Cat People is what first brought the David Bowie name to my attention!

Laugh

Those of you who have read past blogs of mine are aware I'm quite the fan of things sci-fi and spooky.  But sometimes we all need a laugh - as they say laughter is the best medicine.  So as a devoted tv viewer and coach potato, here are my favorite funny bone ticklers.

Vicious - The only new program to truly tickle my funny bone.  Sir Ian McKellan and Sir Derek Jacobi are fabulous as a long time couple who trade barbs with abandon.  Everyone in their circle of friends are splendid eccentrics, such as their young friend Ash whose family seems to have an extraordinarily high conviction rate.  I find the episodes a marvelous mix of sharp writing and fun physical comedy.  A wonderful Britcom airing new episodes in the states via PBS.


Myself & William Sanderson

Newhart - Much like the legendary Jack Benny, Bob Newhart is a master of reacting to comedic situations.  Therefore his sitcoms generally placed his sane central character amid a cornucopia of zany misfits.  The setting of Newhart was a historic inn located amongst the beautifully tranquil countryside of New England.  But things were never very peaceful for innkeeper Dick Loudon (Newhart) who dealt throughout the long running CBS series with a millionaire heiress as maid (Julia Duffy) as well as three bizarre backwoodsmen brothers.  Of the brothers two were named Daryl and the only one of them who ever spoke was Larry (William Sanderson).

 

The Honeymooners - Jackie Gleason portrayed Brooklyn bus driver Ralph Kramden.  His next door neighbor was sewer 'technician' Ed Norton (Art Carney) who often aided in Kramden's numerous mad money making schemes.  Comical highlights included Ralph and Ed appearing on TV to promote the kitchen tool of the future and leaving the set in ruins after Ralph botched his lines.  The action of The Honeymooners generally transpired in the modest lodgings of Ralph and his wife Alice.  Alice Kramden and Trixie Norton rounded out the show's regulars and were played by various actresses throughout the evolution of The Honeymooners from a series of sketches on Jackie Gleason's Cavalcade of Stars variety show to 39 classic self-titled sitcom episodes to Jackie Gleason's Variety Show on CBS.

 

Car 54 Where Are You?  The officers of police car 54 in the Bronx kept citizens safe and in good humor.  Misunderstanding was a mainstay at the 53rd precinct, such as the time a rumor took root that a temporary captain had previously served as a Nazi general.  The series boasts clever writing.

The Monkees - In the 60's, a group of charmingly zany young musician/actors were assembled in aspirations of bringing a type of Hard Day's Night allure to the small screen.  The Monkees were Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Davy Jones.  In an era when many musicians were protesting political decisions the network mandated that the show remain largely family friendly as the adventures of The Monkess spoofed almost every genre or thing you could think of - from spies to fairy tales.  The enthusiasm and fun of the production still remains in each episode as well as great tunes from such prestigious pens as Neil Diamond and Carol King.  One of The Monkees songs was called Laugh.  How appropriate, and just the note to end on.

Peter Tork of The Monkees and I - October 2015.

 

All Through Space

A sci-fi magazine recently ran a flash fiction contest with the theme of invasion at Christmas.  Alas, my following submission did not place amongst the winners but I hope you enjoy its offbeat charm. 
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

All Through Space

 

 

     Bernie watched as the last of the wreath pictured wrapping paper folded itself across the front of the jewelry box.  He tied a thin red ribbon around the slender item and smiled at his work.  Holiday music grew louder as he passed through the metallic corridor to the relaxation quarters where his wife sipped coffee.  Bernie walked by the electronic screen which displayed the quadrant of space he was designated to monitor and placed the gift beneath the sparkling lights of the holographic Christmas tree.

 

     “That better not be anything expensive,” she chided him.  “Remember our agreement?”

 

     “A quiet relaxed Christmas without expensive presents or any type of holiday ruckus.”  

 

     “Exactly!  Now that the children are grown and gone, there’s no reason to.  Bet they’re all excited to be back on Earth to celebrate the holidays with real snow instead of being stuck in this station watching space traffic.”

 

     “I gotta admit I’ve REALLY been looking forward to the quiet…”

 

     “Me too.”

    

     Suddenly an alarm bell blared. 

 

     Bernie raced to the control panel.

 

     “What is it?”

 

     “Unauthorized ship rapidly approaching,” Bernie replied.

 

     “Alien invaders!”

 

     “Doubtful this far from the rim.  Maybe fugitives – or worse,” Bernie pondered as his fingers engaged the station’s defense systems.

 

     The station then received a transmission. 

 

     “Hi ma! Hi pa!  We knew you couldn’t enjoy Christmas up here alone!  Thought we’d zip up in our new ship to keep you company.”

 

     “The kids are coming,” Bernie gasped.  “No peace here – we’re invaded!”

 

 

                                                                              FINIS

  

© 2015 William P. Rigler

   

My short story collections can be found at www.lulu.com/spotlight/wrigler - a great gift idea!

A Year of Conventions

I vividly recall Star Trek conventions from my youth.  What fans started as an effort to restore a classic science fiction series to the screen and learn the show's secrets from its production crew blossomed wildly.  The current convention phenomena embraces numerous TV shows as well as comics and other pop culture trends like steampunk.  Fans get to connect and share their special tastes in activities ranging from costume contests to panels. For fans of TV and films the midatlantic U. S. is a great spot for conventions that fit every enthusiast's taste.  I've found 2015 to be a fun year of conventions and thought I'd share some memories of the ones I was fortunate enough to attend.

March has several sensational area cons.  In Virginia, The Williamsburg Film Festival is dedicated to celebrating classic cowboy/western media with celebrity guests, movie screenings and a large, collectible filled vendor's room.  I attended the convention last year where I got to meet guests like Alex Cord and Robert Fuller.  Alas, attending this year was not in the cards.  However I did go to Cherry Hill New Jersey for Monstermania which commenced on March 13th and appropriately enough spotlighted the popular Friday the 13th film franchise over the weekend.  Although I only attended Saturday, that day did feel a bit like a Friday the 13th with overcast skies and cool drizzle as I made my way through the labyrinth like parking lot surrounding the hotel.  Monstermania's main focus is horror films. For me, the best part was chatting with the always amicable William Sanderson.  He's probably best known as Larry, the good hearted backwoodsman, from the series Newhart but has numerous sci-fi/horror credits including Blade Runner, Nightmares and True Blood.

Spring officially arrived by the last weekend of March, but Maryland was in for a dusting of snow.  I travelled through the white stuff without the aid of a TARDIS for the Baltimore based Regeneration Con.  If you're a proponent of TARDIS travel, then you're probably a fan of Dr. Who.  Regeneration Con is a Whovian delight featuring actors and writers who worked on the long running British Sci-Fi series that still makes its presence known Saturday nights via BBCAmerica, currently with Peter Capaldi as the title character.  Doctor Who - an alien Time Lord - has been portrayed by 13 different actors on television and one exclusively for two cinematic offerings.  Two of the actors who had played Doctor Who were present to sign autographs and reminisce about their memories on the show during Q&As.  In addition to the interview sessions with actors and writers, the event boasted numerous panels of interest to fans of the time travelling doctor.  There promises to be more time travelling fun at Regeneration Con 2016.


 

The first con of April transported the focus from all things Whovian to Trek.  The Great Philadelphia

Clive Revill and I at The Great Philadelphia Comic Con.

Comic Con assembled three actors (Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig and George Takei) from the original Star Trek series to greet fans, do photo ops and sign autographs.  Other TV shows represented by guests included The Power Rangers and Buffy.  The Star Wars legacy was represented by several guests, including Clive Revill who voiced the Emporer in the original saga.  It was delightful hearing him discuss his career.  I eagerly talked to him about his work on stage in The Marat/Sade, on the silver screen in The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes and in TV shows such as Remington Steele.

  

Gates McFadden speaks at Steel City Con.

Pittsburgh's Steel City Comic Con is a cornucopia of vendors and celebrities.  April's edition featured guests Cassandra Peterson (Elvira) and Gates McFadden (Star Trek: The Next Generation).  The event had numerous panels and boasted a few classic TV  reunions.  Tom Wopat and John Schneider of The Dukes of Hazzard obviously maintained their chemistry from the series as they joked together about their time on the show and shared touching memories of cast mates.  Three's Company stars Richard Kline, Joyce DeWitt and Priscilla Barnes shared the stage to comment on favorite episodes like the one where confusion reigned when both Jack and Terri's date thought the other was a mental patient.


Amazing Con took place outside of Philadelphia and celebrated an eclectic mix of interests.  Guests  included artists and cosplayers as well as celebrities such as Bond girl Lana Wood and Parker Stevenson.  I couldn't help chatting with Stevenson about 80's TV miniseries as he appeared in the epic production of Civil War intrigue North and South.  It seems we are both fans of Masada. 

April ended with Chiller in New Jersey - certainly one of the area's largest assembly of celebrities.  I got to meet a Monkee (Michael Nesmith) and several film favorites including veteran actor Rip Torn.

My final Spring con was Awesome Con in Washington DC.  I got to hear a fascinating Q&A from both William Shatner and stars of The Lord of the Rings films - John Rhys Davies and Sean Astin.

Summer certainly had some hot fun!  The August offering of Monstermania in Cherry Hill had a great mix of guests including one of my favorite actors - Malcolm McDowell whose Q&A kept the packed audience amused and fascinated with anecdotes of his long career.  It seems McDowell met with disdain at his costar Roy Scheider's idea that the two claim they did their own flying in the film Blue Thunder.  Apparently McDowell loathes flying.  Sid Haig was extremely friendly to his long line of fans eager to get an autograph or picture taken with him.  Haig has an extensive career ranging from TV (the original Star Trek & Buck Rodgers) to films (Diamonds Are Forever).  As Haig signed a pic of him with 007 Sean Connery from Diamonds Are Forever for me, I couldn't help mentioning that I'd met Bond girl Lana Wood at a con earlier in the year.  His one line reply was great - "I threw her out a window once!"

Myself & Michael McConnohie at Retro Con.

September's two cons tugged at the heart strings of my youthful memories.  Near Philadelphia, Retro Con is a great event mostly celebrating 80's animated shows and pop culture.   There you'll likely walk past your favorite comic or Star Wars character.  In fact I especially felt nostalgic when I saw a group clad in the red costumes of the aliens from the original version of V.  V aired when I went to my first cons and those uniforms were awfully popular attire!  Retro Con's guest list included various voice actors of cartoons that I fondly discovered on TV in the afternoons or mornings of my youth, such as G.I. Joe, Mask and Robotech.  It was interesting to see the animation's real life counterparts.  Michael McConnohie was a voice for Robotech and has recently put his talent to use in reading audio adaptions of the adventures of Doc Savage.  I told him I was a fan of the character and it turns out we are both fans of the little known George Pal produced film - Doc Savage: Man of Bronze.  I've never tired since childhood of watching that film!

The Visitors surround C3PO & R2D2 at Retro Con.

Baltimore Maryland's Midatlantic Nostalgia Convention (known as MANC) is a treat for fans of early films and television shows.  This year's edition featured a trio of lethal lovelies from Hammer's horror films and a Bionic reunion with cast members from both The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman.  The vendor's room with classic toys, books, movies and other historic mementos can easily transport one to an earlier era.


The scenery of scarlet and golden trees on the drive to Chiller's October edition really put me in the mood for Fall.  Police officers were on duty as usual guiding vehicles into the spacious parking lots across the street from the huge hotel that housed the convention.  Perhaps due to my selection of Sunday to attend, I was able to park closer then usual for my arrival in conjunction with the opening of the event and enjoyed a brisk walk in the autumn air.  The registration area was thankfully efficiently manned this year.  Once inside there was a large crowd milling through the vendors' rooms and the various celebrity signing areas.  Some of my favorite stars were signing at this con - like genre actress extraordinaire Sybil Danning whose credits include the original V TV series, Roger Corman's Battle Beyond the Stars, Rob Zombie's version of Halloween and The Howling 2 - Your Sister Is A Werewolf.  It was a pic from that film that I got her to autograph and she sweetly asked my preference for signature color!  Other celebrities included her Battle Beyond the Stars leading man, Richard Thomas AKA John boy of The Waltons and Chyna, the wrestler.
I really enjoyed chatting with a couple cult favorite actresses.  Brenda Strong said she and British actor David Warner had such chemistry as their characters in Twin Peaks that their time in the bizarre TV town was extended for additional episodes.  Being a season two player, she never got to work with its co-creator David Lynch but was directed by the show's other regular directors.  Misty Rowe played Maid Marion in the 70's Robin Hood TV spoof from Mel Brooks called When Things Were Rotten.  I remember the series as being hilarious - far funnier then Brooks film attempt at infusing the Robin Hood legend with comedy called Men in Tights.  "The show was ahead of its time," Rowe mused.  "It was cancelled because with so many sets it was too expensive."

Leroy and Star Trek's Walter Koenig.

I got to celebrate my birthday in Pittsburgh at Steel City Con's December edition.  I went with my friend Marie and her service dog, Leroy - who was a real star of the show!  Children were eager to pet him and he certainly charmed the celebrities so much so that he was called over by Star Trek's Walter Koenig and Paul Sorvino.  Leroy was happy to grant free photo ops! Leroy really liked William Katt, who he favored with some licks.  I've met Katt at several cons and he's always very friendly.  Katt starred in the '80's classic fantasy TV series The Greatest American Hero as well as numerous films.  Katt autographed for me a dvd cover of the movie Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend which he starred in opposite one of my favorite actors - Patrick McGoohan.  When I asked him about working with McGoohan he spoke of the actor with respect in his voice - especially at the way McGoohan departed the set regularly when free to return to be with his ailing wife.  All in all 'twas an excellent time and great end to the con year.

Believe it or not - the two Williams.  Myself and Katt at Steel City Con.

Many of these cons have more offerings then what I managed to briefly detail, such as musical offerings and costume contests.  There are themes for every taste in cons, ranging from faerie festivals to comic cons.  The common denominator is the fun. 

Open Channel D - And Happy Birthday

     Today is the 83rd birthday of Robert Vaughn. 
     Vaughn is a legendary actor of diverse talents who has brought charisma and a sense of gravity to every role.  His resume includes cult films such as Roger Corman's Teenage Caveman (in which Vaughn was the title character in a jungle that appeared rather flimsy) and Hollywood prestige pictures like The Young Philadelphians for which the acclaim the actor achieved resulted in an Oscar nomination.  Vaughn often found himself working alongside tinsel town's top talent and never failed to hold his own or outshine them.  Along with Steve McQueen and Charles Bronson, he was part of the line up of current or impending mega stars that reinterpreted Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai for American audiences in the form of The Magnificent Seven. Vaughn portrayed a cold hearted gunslinger who carried out his work without a twinge of feeling - although such actions would seem to haunt him. 
     Humble in stardom, Vaughn seemed happy to give audiences what they wanted and returned to this famous character type to play an interstellar mercenary in Roger Corman's low budget outer space adventure Battle Beyond The Stars which I recently viewed and found just as exciting as when I was a kid. Robert Vaughn also directly revisited The Magnificent Seven's recent TV version as a judge.  I met one of that show's stars, Dale Midkiff who spoke of Vaughn's appearance with respect.
     Robert Vaughn occasionally appears at conventions.  I've been lucky enough to see him twice.  Both time I've been impressed by his intelligent demeanor.  At The Dean Martin Expo in New York City he gave an intriguing Q&A in which along with tales from his career he discussed differences between British and American TV.  Vaughn could certainly be an expert on the subject. 
     Thanks to the success of James Bond in the movies, 60's television was dominated by spies.  Other British spies included Patrick McGoohan's John Drake who was a no nonsense agent, uninterested in frivolous activities or guns as he tried to keep the world safe and Patrick Macnee's John Steed who sported a bowler and was armed with an umbrella as he teamed with a series of lethal lovelies to fend off enemy agents.    
     Robert Vaughn and David MCallum shot to international stardom in the TV series The Man From U.N.C.L.E..  The show offered the weekly international adventures of U.N.C.L.E. agents Napoleon Solo (Vaughn) and Illya Kuryakin (McCallum) as they fended off evil  madmen, usually in service to the sinister organization called T.H.R.U.S.H..  The series started in black and white with rather conventional tales of espionage and daring do.  In the second season the series shifted to color - and much more colorful adventures.  Solo and Kuryakin generally approached their problem separately (but not always) and generally found a civilian embroiled in the case either to be used or rescued.
     Many other TV shows such as Murder She Wrote have been favorably graced by Robert Vaughn's appearance. 
     Recently Robert Vaughn starred as Albert on the British TV series Hustle, which followed the complex plans of a group of relatively kind hearted con men.  I couldn't help but smile as I weekly watched Vaughn star in Hustle and David McCallum star in NCIS.  I guess you can't keep a good spy down!  

Robert Vaughn & I at the Dean Martin Expo - June 2014.