I’m still muddling through Carnival. Russian aggression against Ukraine hasn’t helped my morale, but I’m plugging away on the periphery of the parade route. I’m still leery of crowds and determined not to catch COVID as has happened to several of my vaxxed and boosted friends. So it goes.
Speaking of Carnival, I’d like to thank everyone for making Letter From New Orleans: Nix On Nyx our most read post so far this year. Was it the Felix and the Bag Lady featured image?
James Taylor wrote this week’s theme song for 1971’s Mudslide Slim and the Blue Horizon album. It’s my favorite JT LP.
We have four versions of You Can Close Your Eyes for your listening pleasure: the studio original, JT live with Carole King, Linda Ronstadt, and Susanna Hoffs & Matthew Sweet.
Keep your eyes wide open, jumping to the break can be dangerous.
In case you haven’t had an eyeful, here’s the title track from the worst Yes album. It’s the best thing on the album.
We begin our second act by skipping it. I’m feeling tense and terse as I write this. Thanks, Putin.
We begin our third act with our favorite stolen feature. Thanks, Kurt Andersen.
Separated At Birth Casting Edition: The story goes that Jack Kennedy wanted Warren Beatty to play him in PT 109. His advisers thought Warren’s image was too messed-up to play the young JFK, so Cliff Robertson was cast instead.
Here are JFK and CR in the Oval Office,
Here’s a lobby card for the movie with Robertson in uniform.
The last word of the segment goes to Jimmy Dean before he became the Sausage King:
Tweet Of The Week: First Draft contributor Ryne Hancock attended Nyx and saw something disgusting:
Nyx really did this shit. pic.twitter.com/GRjG7F6Swu
— Ryne is Wholesome (@TheRHancock19) February 24, 2022
Way to stay on brand, Nyx.
The Movie List: I’ve had Joan Crawford on my mind of late. Did I see a woman in a suit with shoulder pads? That’s not it. I do, however, avoid wire coat hangers.
The most interesting thing about this list is that only two films come from Joan’s MGM glory days. She did much better movies after leaving Metro.
My Top Ten Favorite Joan Crawford Movies
- Mildred Pierce
- Possessed
- The Women
- Johnny Guitar
- Humoresque
- Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?
- Flamingo Road
- Grand Hotel
- Strait-Jacket
- The Damned Don’t Cry
Ready for another movie theme song? This one was written by Peggy Lee and Victor Young:
Let’s take a break from Joan Crawford fest to meet the February 26th babies.
Born On This Day: This is an odd assortment; only one of whom is still with us.
Here’s the February 26th babies photo array:
New Orleans own Fats Domino, Odd Couple star Tony Randall, musical-comedy star Betty Hutton, former Kiwi PM Helen Clark, and Johnny Cash who needs no introduction but gets one anyway. As you can see, JC wasn’t always the Man in Black.
You say collage, I say photo array. Let’s call the whole thing off.
Sing us off, Fats:
Celebrity Ad Corner: I promised more Joan Crawford. She loved money, so she did many print ads. The first image reflects her time on the PepsiCo board of directors. The others are earlier ads she did for RC Cola and Coca-Cola.
I need a drink after contemplating Joan’s cola fickleness.
Let’s close down this virtual sideshow with the GIFS that keep on giving.
Saturday GIF Horse: Three views of Joan Crawford. I’ve sandwiched a victim GIF from Baby Jane in between more characteristic badass imagery from Johnny Guitar and Strait-Jacket, respectively.
That’s all for this week. The last word goes to director George Cukor, Joan Crawford, and the cast of The Women.
