(consensus critics) here's a political film that doesn't fence sit Yes, I've seen that, but could backfire.

First I would like to say that the acting is excellent. Mikey was good too!!!;-) The film is filled with clich�es and in the end, it is very obvious that the characters have been stereotyped. Jeff Bridges has the best part (you will know why when you see it). There is a twist at the end (and in DHs opinion they could have had an interesting film had they focused on that ambitious Democratic senator) (forgot his name, sorry). I also found the camera work annoying. Too many close-ups. Too undecided. Oldman wears a head wig which makes him seem bald except for three curls which looks so fake it is hard not to look at it while he is rattling on. (And I am a big fan of Oldman--should have been Oscared [as in medaled] for playing Sid Vicious IMO). I am still undecided as to who to vote for and this film did not influence me in any way. I went with three other people and we were all disappointed. Give Bjork the Oscar, says I!

Hi all! Karen and Evelyn here and we've just seen Billy Elliot. What can we say that hasn't been said? Well, neither one of us took out a kleenex. Loved the Alan Parker/Evita ripoff scene, was waiting for "What a Feeling" to start playing at the audition (Chariots of Flashdance fits perfectly, although I do like Brassed Off with a Tutu). The kid is good, although all that dancing in the streets was getting to be too much. All in all, an enjoyable but v. derivative film.

Hi all! Karen and Evelyn here Have a *GREAT* time at the DQ screening!

Will do!! BTW, Barbara Leigh-Hunt (Lady Catherine) is in Billy Elliot. She's on the audition panel for the Royal Ballet School and asks him "the" question that likely got him in. As soon as I heard her speak, I nudged Evelyn and said, "Lady Catherine."

I've been reading all the Londinium news, and enjoying it, so today, when Joe and I went to see the Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges and Gary Oldman film The Contender, imagine my surprise at A) Mariel Hemingway in a one scene cameo, and B) Mike Binder himself with a major supporting role as Joan Allen's senate chief of staff. I didn't recognize him. In fact, I asked Joe if that actor didn't look a bit like Ben Stiller, but there was Mike's name in the credits. I see all this has been mentioned above. The film is fun, but does carry a serious message, that there is a double standard in public life for women in office. Jeff Bridges, whom I love, gets to do a larger than life, Lyndon-like president that loves to eat, and Gary Oldman is wonderfully creepy as the right wing senator trying to bring the Allen character down. Joan Allen is an understated actress, but I thought that kind of performance worked well here against scene stealers like Bridges. I didn't know Oldman had complained, but I really wasn't thinking Dems and Repubs when I saw it though the film does have a definite liberal slant. I was thinking how the man's world of politics still asks us to judge women by different standards. The accusations against Allen would not have raised an eyebrow if she had been a man. As I said, fun to watch the scene stealers, not a great film but an enjoyable one, and one with a message for us all. I liked Sam Elliot very much. Has a great voice. He is new to me. What else has he been in? And totally off topic, I am reading a lot about Colin.......no, not Firth, but Farrell. I have seen him on the cover of Interview Mag. There is some hunk of an Irishman. (Just scrolled to the top and see that Karen has mentioned him already.) Late as usual, Murph!

Here's the Oldman article from Reuters: Friday October 13 7:09 PM ET Oldman at odds with DreamWorks over ``The Contender'' LOS ANGELES(Reuters) - Actor Gary Oldman claims that DreamWorks turned his new film, ``The Contender,'' into anti-Republican propaganda to serve the Democratic agenda of studio owners Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen, Premiere magazine reported Friday. In the magazine's November issue, the right-leaning British actor and his manager, Douglas Urbanski, charge that ''Contender's'' writer and director Rod Lurie altered the film under pressure from DreamWorks to fit the political tastes of the studio's partners -- Spielberg, Katzenberg and Geffen. DreamWorks officials and Lurie denied that the film was politically slanted or edited to reflect a studio political agenda. Spielberg, Katzenberg and Geffen are major Democratic Party backers in Hollywood. In the movie, Oldman stars as a Republican congressman trying to derail the vice presidential nomination of a Democratic senator played by Joan Allen by dredging up an alleged sexual scandal from her past. Oldman told Premiere that after buying rights to the completed movie, the studio pressured Lurie, a self-described liberal, to edit the film in such a way as to depict Oldman's character and Republicans in general as villains. The actor and his manager say the question of who is virtuous and who is not was left ambiguous before the final cut, and that Oldman actually saw his character as ``the only true patriot in the film.'' The magazine quoted Urbanski as calling the movie ``almost a Goebbels-like piece of propaganda'' and also suggesting that the November presidential battle was a factor in the changes. ``If your names are Spielberg, Katzenberg and Geffen, you can't have a film with a Republican character who is at all sympathetic being released Oct. 13,'' Urbanski said. In the Premiere article, DreamWorks Pictures executive Walter Parkes denies any political motivation behind the final cut of the movie. ``There's no indication to me whatsoever that Rod ever felt pressured. One only has to look at the coverage of the (Democratic National) convention to see that the owners of this company have sympathies with the Democratic party. Did those sympathies enter into the editorial process or the decision to buy the movie? Unequivocally, no.'' Lurie also denies that he was swayed by DreamWorks to alter the political tone of the film, or that he meant for Oldman's character to be a kind of tragic hero. ``Gary is emblematic of what many actors go through: a kind of Stockholm syndrome in which they being to sympathize with their captors, and in this case, the captors are the characters that they play,'' Lurie told Premiere. Reuters/Variety REUTERS

(Karen) I don't mind most of those films at all. They have their place. I quite enjoy melodrama myself when it makes no pretense to something else. I like getting weepy over Penny Serenade w/Cary Grant. Of course my idea of sappy may not be another's idea of sappy. I do not seek to persuade others to my point of view and speak only for myself using "we" in the royal sense only. ;-)

(Heide)I do not seek to persuade others to my point of view and speak only for myself using "we" in the royal sense only. ;-) Love it, Heide. May I use this in the future? ;-)

But of course. We are never averse to sharing our wit as well as our inanities.

;-) ;-)

Moon, forgive me if this is old news, but when will the discussion of Apartment Zero begin? I want to have enough time to watch it again. Thanks.

To get in the mood of AZ, I thought we should start the discussion after Halloween. ;-D Will Nov. 7th give everyone enough time?

Yahoo news used this picture for an item on The Contender controversy. Look who is in it! Doesn't look his usual dork self. Actress Joan Allen portrays Senator Laine Hanson in a scene from the new drama film 'The Contender' along with actor Mike Binder (L) who portrays her communications director in this undated publicity photograph. Actor Gary Oldman claims that DreamWorks paid to turn this film into anti-Republican propaganda that serves the Democratic agenda of studio owners Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen, Premiere magazine reported on October 13, 2000. (Gino Mifsud/DreamWorks Pictures via Reuters)

And we thought the Jodhi May version of TTOTS was bad. If people see this Spanish version, it will make ours look like a masterpiece. Henry James novel gets "Mind"-less treatment "Presence of Mind" By David Rooney SAN SEBASTIAN (Variety) - While recent film versions of Henry James' novels have met with wildly divergent critical receptions, it's hard to recall a more wrongheaded attempt to transfer the author to the screen than Spanish newcomer Antoni Aloy's "Presence of Mind," a blundering adaptation of "The Turn of the Screw." Everything that's subtle and open to interpretation in James' novel of evil, possession and ghosts is lurid and obvious here, with an unauthoritative star turn by Britain's Sadie Frost and arch support from screen legend Lauren Bacall that gives the drama a ripple of unintentionally camp humour. An unusually ambitious first feature, Aloy's adaptation of James' story of a governess engaged to look after two orphaned children shifts the action from a British country house to an island off the Spanish coast. The only real addition to the novel concerns the governess's father (Jack Taylor), who dies at the beginning of the film, but whose disturbingly inhumane treatment of her is revealed in heavy-handed Gothic nightmare sequences, troweling on even more factors to spook the put-upon heroine. Interviewed for the job by the children's uncle (a quietly hammy Harvey Keitel), the governess feels an attraction to the man that gives rise to some darkly sexual fantasy interludes. The seemingly kindly, rather ambiguous housekeeper of the novel, Mrs. Grose, becomes a downright sinister figure here in Mado Remei (Bacall), whose heavy eyebrows work overtime with insinuations about the evil infesting the estate and its grip on the two beautiful, petulant children (Nilo Mur, Ella Jones). Slowly, the governess pieces together events from the past, putting a face to the household's sense of intense evil and sin in a callous former valet (Spanish director Agusti Villaronga) who was the lover of her predecessor, Miss Jessel (Dayne Danika), both of whom are dead. In "The Turn of the Screw," James leaves it for the reader to decide if these ghosts and their evil agendas truly exist for the children or are merely the hysterical fabrications of the governess. Aloy, however, whips the whole scenario up into an overblown Hammer House of Horror frenzy full of dangling cadavers, leering spectres and hints of incest and paedophilia that would have James pirouetting in his grave. Unfolding to bursts of lugubrious opera, this is coupled with a generally tired, TV-literary-adaptation approach, replete with predictably lush period trappings and fussy costumes. Bacall creeps about like Lurch in "The Addams Family," indefatigably launching cold, imperious stares and furtive glances, but top honours for acting ineptitude go here to Frost. The actress's thin voice, dull, contemporary intonations and remarkably inexpressive features make her a wooden centrepiece for this ripely silly affair, which fails to come even close to the chilling atmosphere of Jack Clayton's 1961 Deborah Kerr starrer "The Innocents," based on the same novel.

(Murph) I liked Sam Elliot very much. He is new to me. What else has he been in? Lots of TV, mostly westerns. Has a great voice. ...and commercials: 'Beef. It's what's for dinner.'

(Eileen) 'Beef. It's what's for dinner.' Great ear! Sam's also been married to Katherine Ross for years.

Karen, that's the pic of Mikey that I told you I've been seeing everywhere. Talk about being in the right place/shot at the right time!;-) RE: Gary Oldman--how on earth did he think that his character was going to come across as "the only true patriot" in this film?? Did he not read that dialogue and appear in those scenes? Have since read that he and his idiot manager were able to finagle "executive producer" titles for themselves at the last minute as an inducement to coming on board. Gee, that implies that you actually had something to do with the film's production, eh, Gar? What exactly did you "executive produce?" Answer: nothing, it's all ego. No matter what your political persuasion, his manager's likening of this (a movie, fergodsake!) to a "Goebbels-type" propaganda effort is deeply offensive and beneath contempt. What jerks.

(Mari) No matter what your political persuasion, his manager's likening of this (a movie, fergodsake!) to a "Goebbels-type" propaganda effort is deeply offensive and beneath contempt. Or incredibly stupid. If Oldman was aiming at Spielberg, he grossly miscalculated. It wouldn't surprise me if he never worked in Hollywood again. (Moon) To get in the mood of AZ, I thought we should start the discussion after Halloween. ;-D Will Nov. 7th give everyone enough time? Sounds good to me, but most anything does as I'm still on a DQ high. ;-D

Karen, I wonder if Doug Urbanski knows how to calculate 15% of $0.;-) Moon, Apt. Zero discussion sounds good to me. Here's a longish article on my favorite mogul.:-) Check out the part about what happened on the film he is doing with Tornatore; sounds like something out of a Sciascia novel. See how these things all tie together, children?;-) Why is Harvey Weinstein smiling? By Peter Bart, Daily Variety Editor-in-Chief ROME (Variety) - Harvey Weinstein doesn't seem to get it. When I ran into the Miramax Films co-chairman last week in this always frenetic city, a big grin was plastered on his broad face. He'd been racing around Italy, opening a new Nobu Restaurant with Robert De Niro in Milan, making the scene with a rail-thin Leonardo DiCaprio in Rome (local gossip reported that Leonardo had become rotund, apparently confusing the two). Along the way, he'd found time to supervise several Miramax movies shooting around Europe including the $85 million period epic, ``Gangs of New York.'' Happy Harvey seems oblivious to the fact that, by all accounts, he should be in a funk. After all, the market for arthouse movies is collapsing, the audience for European-made films has all but vanished and ``culture warriors'' like Lynne Cheney are singling him out as a prime culprit in making the edgy movies that are poisoning society. Harvey's reaction seems to be: What, me worry? Ask him about these portents and he has a ready answer. On the pressure from Washington: ``The movie industry deserved a slap in the face. We've been doing some things in marketing our films that we shouldn't be doing. I have a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old and I'm sensitive to these issues.'' But he adds: ``That doesn't mean I'm going to change the content and character of our films. We just have to be more ingenious in selling them.'' At the same time, he feels the R rating must be split into two categories so that ``Shakespeare in Love'' isn't lumped with films that are grotesquely violent. On the market for art films: ``I believe there's a big future for European movies. If not, I wouldn't be spending half my time over here working my butt off.'' The problems are fairly clear, he says. The major studios have exhibited ``a homerun mentality'' in running their new classics divisions, thinking another ``The Full Monty'' is right around the corner. Further, too many films have been battling for too small a market share. ``But most of all, the quality is not there,'' he says. ``We just have to strive to make better, more provocative films. When you succeed, the potential audience is bigger than ever. Witness 'Life Is Beautiful' grossing $150 million and 'Il Postino' $100 million.'' No one can claim Harvey isn't trying. He's personally involved in a wide range of films shooting in Europe including Giuseppe Tornatore's ``Malena,'' which he's co-producing; ``Heaven'' directed by Tom Tykwer (``Run Lola, Run''), based on a script by the late Krzysztof Kieslowski, which Anthony Minghella is producing; and ``Chocolat,'' a film directed by Lasse Hallstrom. There's also a Nicole Kidman thriller, ``The Others,'' shooting in Spain, a John Madden (``Shakespeare in Love'') movie, which recently wrapped in England -- a co-venture with Universal and Working Title -- and ``Four Feathers,'' a co-production with Paramount lensing in Morocco. Shooting in Europe is never easy, Harvey acknowledges. The Mafia burned down the set of his Tornatore film in Sicily because he neglected to employ the services of a favored company supplying extras -- a mistake he doesn't plan to repeat. And Europe is no longer a bargain; witness the mother of all Miramax movies, ``Gangs of New York,'' helmed by Martin Scorsese. Harvey is a regular on the intricate period set of this saga, presently in its fourth week at Cinecitta Studios outside of Rome. The movie stars DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz. Harvey and Scorsese even persuaded Daniel Day-Lewis to set aside his newfound career as a Tuscan shoemaker to play a key role. No press visits have been allowed on the set. Indeed, security is so tight that all sorts of rumors have been spawned, suggesting that the movie is already way behind schedule, that Scorsese and Harvey are battling over the script and that Leonardo has become a fatty. They're all nonsense, insists Harvey: ``The movie is turning out so great I have to pinch myself.'' To be sure, this was a film Harvey had hoped to shoot at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where he had planned to build a studio until, he says, ``Mayor Giuliani did a 180 360 on me.'' Then, too, a brief location visit by Tom Cruise a couple of weeks ago proved costly. ``He agreed with Marty that we should build another set -- a cathedral, no less. I had opposed it, hoping we could re-dress an existing set. So now we've built it and it's known as St. Thomas Cathedral in honor of Cruise.'' If Harvey seems good-natured in defeat, it's because he loves the process. What has always set him apart from virtually all of the other studio executives is his passion for films and filmmaking. He wants so desperately for his movies to work that sometimes it seems as though he actually wills them to success. And that, in the end, is why Harvey is Happy.

(Mari) I wonder if Doug Urbanski knows how to calculate 15% of $0.;-) Someone must have told him because they're backpedaling. Claims he was misunderstood and actually said "gerbils." (Variety) Harvey Weinstein doesn't seem to get it. Doesn't this just say it all? ;-) He wants so desperately for his movies to work that sometimes it seems as though he actually wills them to success. *Seems* is the operative word. ;-D Thanks, Mari, for the article.

The Mafia burned down the set of his Tornatore film in Sicily because he neglected to employ the services of a favored company supplying extras -- a mistake he doesn't plan to repeat. Wait a minute. He gets it! ;-) So now we've built it and it's known as St. Thomas Cathedral in honor of Cruise.'' The perks of co-producing a film in Italy. :-D ``I believe there's a big future for European movies. If not, I wouldn't be spending half my time over here working my butt off.'' I hope he is right. Thanks, Mari, this was very interesting. Will have to check out Nobu next summer. On a side note, The Contender was the fifth grossing movie this weekend. The studio people are starting to wonder what they did wrong. Their big publicity campaign did not get them the results. Could it have been dear Gary's comments that turned people off? ;-) Glad to see the AZ discussion group starting to form. I highly recommend everyone to rent this film. One of DBs best.

The Mafia burned down the set of his Tornatore film in Sicily because he neglected to employ the services of a favored company supplying extras -- a mistake he doesn't plan to repeat. Now I know how to ensure I get a walk-on role in all future London films *getting the arson equipment together*

Now I know how to ensure I get a walk-on role in all future London films You really should aim higher but that will involve taking out a contract or two. ;-D

(Harvey) ``I believe there's a big future for European movies. If not, I wouldn't be spending half my time over here working my butt off.'' (Moon) I hope he is right. About the future of European movies, or about Harvey's butt? :-) The Contender was the fifth grossing movie this weekend. In defense of both Dreamworks and Gary, not that they need it, but I'm just in the mood to ramble: In defense of Dreamworks: From everything that I have read, this movie is a knockout. Political agendas aside, from a pure business point of view, it makes perfect sense to release it earlier than originally planned. If its subject matter can ride the coattails of the election, then why not. And if the performances are stellar, then it makes sense to release it this year so that the film and its actors can qualify for the upcoming Oscars and be fresh in people's minds. Clearly the films producers knew that they had a gem on their hands. And sometimes timing is everything, so why not rush it to market. In defense of Gary Oldman: It must be frustrating for an established performer, who I presume can afford to be choosey about the roles than he takes, to sign up for a work, again presumably for the sake of the art, to see that work or his role tampered with during the production. (His presumption that a political agenda was at work may not be all that far-fetched, didn't the Dreamworks crowd stay in the Lincoln Bedroom, tee hee?). But again, political agendas aside, just purely from an artisic point of view, it has to be frustrating. Poor Gary, LOL. And I was just getting to really like him, I hope his impolitic comments don't tank his career. One of those odious tabloid shows on TV, you know the kind that I never watch but it just happened to be on, had done a story on actors who were good with fans and actors who weren't. To my utter surprise, they listed Gary as being wonderful with fans. Apparently he really appreciates them and always stops to give out autographs and talk to them. Travolta was listed as a good guy. I wish I could remember others, and those that were listed as the bad buys. Anyone ever hear Dee Wallace Stone talk about her experience with Spielburg after making ET? I wish I could remember the exact details, but she was on an interview show years ago and talked about how vindictive he was towards her when she was unable to do the promotional tour. I think she said she was physically unable to do the tour, maybe pregnant or something. Afterwards, she said doors were closed to her. She couldn't get work. But who knows where the truth lies... She is not exactly in the same class as Gary. Her story might be totally phooey. And Spielburg vindictive? Who knows. But in an amazing interview, Dreyfus talked about how he and Spielburg didn't get along on Jaws. Dreyfus seemed to take most of the blame, basically calling himself a royal pain in the butt. Tee hee, I can fully imagine that. But Spielburg rose above it and re-teamed with him on Close Encounters, much to his surprise. As Dreyfus tells it, he basically asked, "You want to work with ME again?" LOL. Ramble end. Over and out :-)

Yes, Donna, there are always two sides to stories and possibilities where people have been misquoted, their words taken out of context, etc. Unfortunately, some words can be extremely inflammatory and Oldman & Co. used one such word. Besides, don't we all form opinions about people from casual encounters and work experiences that lead us to say, "hey, I don't want to work with someone again" or similar. It's really very natural and human. It shall be interesting to see how this plays out, as not everyone is as vindictive as I am. ;-D Haven't seen The C yet, so shall reserve judgment on quality or alleged bias.

Actually, I thought the Contender's 5th place showing was very respectable, considering that it is on far fewer (like 1000 less) screens than the films ahead of it. Also, an R rating limits the audience. (Mark) *getting the arson equipment together* Mark, I always felt you would add a spark to any film in which you appear.:-) BTW, I saw a sneak preview of an interesting film last weekend called "Pay It Forward." Wonderful performances from Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osment, and intelligent direction from Mimi Leder. It's about a 7th grade teacher (Spacey) who challenges his students to take on a project that will improve the world in some way. Uh oh, I can almost hear the schmaltz police coming after me now.;-) The film didn't work for me altogether, primarily due to the resolution of the story and to some of the peripheral characters, but it is compelling, thought-provoking, and beautifully acted. Worth a look. Just don't come back and tell me you feel abused and manipulated.;-)

Uh oh, I can almost hear the schmaltz police coming after me now.;-) (Heehee), Schmaltz, schmaltz, schmaltz! I have seen the previews. Nothing I would even bother to rent. What kind of make-up did they use on KS and HH? On the other hand, I would be very happy to see those Iranian films which won prizes at the CFF. When will you see The C, Karen? I am probably alone in my opinion if the film, and, it would not be the first time. ;-)

The poor showing of "The Contender" may be due to a variety of factors, Gary Oldman's comments may well be among them or not. I don't know if most Americans care very much one way other about the political affiliations of the Dreamworks team. Indeed, the political leanings of Speilberg, et al, have never been a secret. Those who are of a conservative bent are not likely to have a favorable inclination toward the film from the start. It therefore is ulikely they would have been swayed by Oldman's remarks. Has Oldman damaged his career by stating his position so strongly? Perhaps. A factor which may have lead to the lower than expected box office is the decision to release the movie during the presidential campaign. It was a calculated risk which may have failed. Many Americans are largely bored and disenchanted with the election and its attendant functions, such as the debates. Many people have had enough, and just wish this process were over. "The Contender" may remind them of something from which they would prefer to escape by going to the movies. Why go to the movies when the film looks like the evening news? Of course it may be as simple as the four other movies just seemed more appealing to the public at large. On Richard Corliss and his delicious summation on "Billy Elliot"; it really doesn't seem likely that the movie could be quite so entertaining as the Corliss review. I really do miss Richard Corliss as the editor of "Film Comment".

(Mari) I can almost hear the schmaltz police coming after me now.;-) How's that possible? Greased shoes are a staple in their arsenal for surprise. ;-D Now if you want to talk schmaltzy, manipulative movies, I'll take The Green Mile over Billy Elliot any day. I cannot believe the praise it is getting when it is no more than a Flashdance with slightly higher production values and no sweatshirts with holes. Would the next person to see Billy Elliot check the credits? Who was Jamie Bell's dance instructor? Michael Flatley? Oddest ballet I've ever seen, and when have men been the swans in swan lake aside from Les Ballet Trocadero de Monaco? Think the last shot (a Nijinsky-esque leap) came out of the sequel to Saturday Night Fever. ;-D I recommend Bread and Roses (little tears forming in eyes at end) by Ken Loach. The guy can make movies, and Adrien Brody looked pretty good. Re: The Contender I don't think the comments have affect the box office. People just wanted to see those other movies more as escapist entertainment. I can't begin to tell you how they're talking up Meet the Parents as the funniest thing since....that Mary movie. Who knows, Ben Stiller may be the next Jim Carrey.

Happy Birthday Tracy. Always happy to be your bit-part interloper. Um breezers are heap powerful medicine. Argor room swirling ... oof!

Wot!? Have I missed Tracy's birthday? That shall not be borne. Go to it! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRACY!! Time to move onto to more birthday-like celebratory beverages... and some dancing! Of course, no birthday would be complete without *my* ardent wishes.

(they came from me)

Happy Birthday Tracey, hope it is the best. (Oh boy that look, swoon!!)

Happy Birthday Tracy

Now whose showing off, there is no stopping her!!! (I am very impressed actually).

Dearest, Lovliest Tracy, I cannot believe I have missed your birthday. Will you forgive me? Was it not just the other day, when you were touring my estate, that we celebrated our new-found love? You must know how ardently I admire and love you, Tracy, but I will *not* put on the kilt. On that, Madam, I will not be swayed. I wish you many years of happiness and may God bless. Yours &etc., Fitzy

"Just one moment, Tracy dear. Let me autograph this bug*er's paper, then we can discuss my weight." "Podgy? Skinny legs? My dear, you really know how to hurt a man. Nevertheless, I wish you a belated happy birthday with a promise I will be far more fit and handsome as Mark Darcy. At the very least, Mark has *much* better hair."

Happy Birthday Tracy! Wishing you many fun firthfilled years.

HAVE A FIRTHALIZING FIRTHRATE BIRTHDAY! FROM ALL YOU FELLOW FIRTHOPHILES!

Tracy: Sorry to be tardy on the birthday wishes. (Hope you aren't hurtin' after falling into your computer last night. You know what they say about operating heavy machinery.:-)) Maybe I will have HTML down by next year so I can include a sumptuous photo of "The Man." In any event, Happy Birthday!

Happy Brithday, Tracy! Sounds like the celebration was a real breeze(er;-) Hope you had a good one, and I wish you a Firthful year!

An article about John McCarthy in The Times: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,21322,00.html

Thanks to all for your birthday wishes - my head, thankfully, stopped swirling enough for me to appreciate your lovely messages.

Didn't log in for a couple of days so missed your birthday, Tracy! What can I say? I hope it was a great one, and here's a little gift to lift you up after all the "real" drinks :-) Hope you had a great Birthday!

Glad to hear that you had fun on your birthday, Tracy. Hope it wasn't too hard getting to work the next day. Have a wonderful year!

So sorry I missed your birthday, Tracy. Hope you had a devilishly good time. and you're all recovered now. ;-) Happy Birthday!

Are the Scorpios starting to come out? ;-)

With tail held high and a happy sway :-)

Indeed...out gathering flowers as I go...Lei-making time for me... and some thing to post on 113 so as not to steal the thunder from Gi's festivities...

Hauoli Na Hanau, Gi! Plumeria with hibiscus and orchids. One for daytime festivities and one for evening...with fondest Ahoha.

Birthdates which occurred on your SELECTED date of October 25: 1759 Baron Grenville (Whig) British PM (1806-07) 1800 Thomas Babington Macaulay England, poet/historian (Ivry, Naaseby) 1825 Johann Strauss (the younger) composer (Waltz King) 1838 Georges Bizet France, composer (Carmen) 1843 Gleb Uspensky Russia, author (Power of the Soil) 1869 John Heisman pioneering football coach/trophy namesake 1877 Henry Norris Russell astronomer (Hertzsprung-Russell diagram) 1881 Pablo Picasso Spain, artist (3 Dancers, Guernica) 1884 Eduardo Barrios Chile, novelist (The Love-Crazed Boy) 1888 Richard E Byrd Virginia, admiral/polar explorer (1926) 19-- Asher Brauner Chicago, actor (Officer Donovan-B.A.D. Cats) 19-- John Leven rocker (Europe-The Final Countdown) 19-- Laura Malone actress (Another World) 19-- Marc L Taylor Houston Tx, actor (Conrad-House Calls) 19-- Matthias Jabs rock guitarist (Scorpions-Wind of Change) 19-- Paul Regina Brooklyn NY, actor (Joe-Joe & Valerie) 19-- Shelley Smith Princeton NJ, actress (Scruples, Associates) 19-- Gi, Lisbon, Portgal, Medical Doctor, Plastic Surgeon 1902 Henry Steele Commager Pitts Pa, historian (Atlas of the Civil War) 1909 Philleo Nash US Bureau of Indian Affairs (1961-67) 1909 Whit Bissel NYC, actor (Time Machine, General Kirk-Time Tunnel) 1912 Jack Kent Cooke NFL team owner (Washington Redskins) 1912 Minnie Pearl [Sarah Ophelia Colley] Tenn, (Grand Old Opry, Hee-Haw) 1914 John Berryman American poet (Friends & Associates) 1914 John Reed King Atlantic City NJ, TV host (Why?, Let's See) 1923 Bobby Thomson HR hitter (The Giants win the pennant) 1924 Billy Barty Millsboro Pa, 3'9" actor (Under the Rainbow, Foul Play) 1925 Yakov Rylskly USSR, sabre team (Olympic-bronze-1956) 1926 Biff McGuire New Haven Ct, actor (Serpico, Heart is Lonely Hunter) 1926 Galina Vishnevskaya Russia, soprano (Madama Butterfly) 1927 Barbara Cook Atlanta Ga, stage singer/actress (Music Man) 1927 Franklin "Bud" Held javelin world champ (1949, 51, 53-55) 1928 Jeanne Cooper Minneapolis, actress (Kay-Young & Restless) 1928 Marion Ross Albert Lea Mn, actress (Marion-Happy Days, Brooklyn Bridge) 1928 Anthony Franciosa NYC, actor (Long Hot Summer, Name of Game, Death Wish 3) 1931 Annie Girardot Paris France, actress (Gypsy, Jacko & Lise) 1935 Russell "Rusty" L Schweickart Neptune NJ, astronaut (Apollo 9) 1940 Bob Knight college basketball coach (Indiana, Olympic-gold-1984) 1941 Anne Tyler American writer (Accidental Tourist) 1941 Helen Reddy Melbourne Australia, singer (I Am Woman) 1944 Kathy "Taffy" Danoff Wash DC, vocalist (Starland Vocal Band) 1948 Dave Cowens NBA forward (Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks) 1949 Brian Kerwin Chicago Ill, actor (Chisholms, King Kong Lives, Lobo) 1950 John Matuszak Milwaukee Wisc, NFLer (Raiders)/actor (Hollywood Beat) 1951 Ransom Wilson Tuscaloosa Alabama, flutist (Soliste NY) 1958 Kornelia Ender German DR, 100m/200m freestyle (Olympic-gold-1976) 1960 Scott Anthony Haneline Indianapolis, murderer (FBI Most Wanted List) 1960 Tom Eplin actor (Jake-Another World) 1963 Tracy Nelson Calif, actress (Glitter, Square Pegs, Father Dowling) 1965 Nick Thorpe rocker (Curiosity Killed the Cat-Keep Your Distance) 1967 Julia Roberts Smyma Georgia, actress (Mystic Pizza, Pretty Woman) 1968 Lisa Trusel Cal, actress (Lizette-Father Murphy, Days of our Lives) Deaths which occurred on October 25: 1400 Geofrey Chaucer author, dies in London 1892 Caroline Harrison Pres Benjamin Harrison's wife, dies at 60 1959 Bob Murphy TV host (RFD America), dies at 42 1961 Peter Jensen co-inventer (loud speaker), dies at 75 1964 Belle Montrose actress (Mrs Harrison-The Hathaways), dies at 78 1973 Abebe Bikila Ethiopian marathoner (Oly-gold 1960, 64), dies at 46 1985 Morton Downey singer (Star of the Family), dies at 83 1986 Forrest Tucker actor (O'Rourke-F Troop, Dusty Trail), dies at 67 1987 Cecil Brown news correspondant (CBS), dies at 80 1989 Mary McCarthy author (The Group), dies, at 77 1991 Bill Graham rock concert promoter (Filmore), dies at 60 On this day... 625 Boniface V ends his reign as Catholic Pope 1415 Battle of Agincourt, Welsh longbow defeats the armored knight 1671 Giovanni Cassini discovers Iapetus, satellite of Saturn 1760 George III ascends the British throne 1764 John Adams marries Abigail Smith (marriage lasts 54 years) 1812 US frigate United States captures British vessel Macedonian 1854 The Light Brigade charges (Battle of Balaklava) (Crimean War) 1870 Pimlico Race Course opens in Baltimore 1870 Postcards 1st used in US 1891 1st International 6 day bike race (NY MSG) ends 1900 England annexes Transvaal 1903 Senate begins investigating Teapot Dome scandals of Harding admin 1915 Atty James L Curtis named minister of Liberia 1918 Canadian steamship "Princess Sophia" hit a reef off Alaska, 398 die 1924 1st appearance of Little Orphan Annie comic strip 1926 Lester Patrick becomes 1st coach & gm of NY Rangers 1929 Former Interior Sec Albert Fall convicted of accepting $100,000 bribe 1930 1st football game in Atlantic City Convention Center 1930 1st scheduled transcontinental air service began 1935 Hurricane-produced floods kill 2,000 in Jeremie & Jacmel Haiti 1944 Japanese navy defeated at battle of Leyte Gulf 1945 Japanese surrender Taiwan to Gen Chiang Kai-shek 1951 Peace talks aimed at ending Korean War resumed in Panmunjom 1960 1st electronic wrist watch placed on sale, NYC 1962 110th member of the UN admitted (Uganda) 1962 American author John Steinbeck awarded Nobel Prize in literature 1962 Stevenson demands USSR amb Zorin answer regarding Cuban missile bases saying "I am prepared to wait for my answer until hell freezes over" 1963 Beatles begin their 1st full foreign tour in Sweden 1964 Viking Jim Marshall runs 66 yards in the wrong direction for a safety 1965 Rolling Stones release "Get Off of My Cloud" 1968 Chicago recognizes Jean Baptiste Pointe de Sable as its 1st settler 1968 Longest Oly field hockey game, Hol beats Spain 1-0 in 2h25m (6 OT) 1968 Yoko Ono announces she is having John Lennon's baby 1971 Roy Disney dedicates Walt Disney World 1971 UN General Assembly admits Mainland China & expels Taiwan 1972 Eddy Merckx (Belgium) covers 30 miles, 1,258 yards in 1 hr 1973 Chris Wills wins 1st National hang-gliding championship 1974 Wings release "Junior's Farm" 1975 USSR's Venera 10 makes day-side Venus landing 1976 5th Enterprise, approach & lands test (ALT) flight 1976 Gov Wallace grants full pardon to Clarence Norris, last known survivor of 9 Scottsboro Boys who were convicted in 1931 rape 1978 Israeli Cabinet approves "in principle," a draft compromise peace 1980 Barbra Streisand's "Guilty," album goes #1 for 3 weeks & her single "Woman In Love," goes #1 for 3 weeks 1983 US invades Grenada, a country 1/2,000 its population (US Wins!) 1984 "Give My Regards to Broad Street" premiers (Gotham Theater-NYC) 1984 Rangers beat Devils 11-2 1985 Kosmos 1700 communications satellite placed in geostationary orbit 1986 International Red Cross ousted from South Africa 1986 Michael Sergio parachutes into Shea Stadium during game 6 of WS 1987 Minnesota Twins win their 1st World Series championship beating St Louis Cards, 4 games to 3 in 84th World Series 1988 ABC News reports on potbellied pygmy porkers' popularity as pets 1990 Evander Hollyfield KOs James "Buster" Douglas for HW boxing title 1990 NY Daily News goes on strike (lasts through March, 1991) Holidays Note: Some Holidays are only applicable on a given "day of the week" Taiwan : Restoration Day (1945) Virgin Islands : Thanksgiving Day US : Mother-in-Law's Day - - - - - ( Sunday ) New Zealand : Labour Day-last Monday in October - - - - - ( Monday ) US some states : Veterans Day - - - - - ( Monday ) US : Francis E Willard Day-temperance day - - - - - ( Friday ) Religious Observances Ang : Commemoration of St Crispin (Ang) Christian : Feast of St Gaudentius, bishop of Brescia Christ : Commemoration of SS Chrysanthus & Daria, martyrs (3rd cen) Religious History 1147 The armies of the Second Crusade (1147-49) were destroyed by the Saracens at Dorylaeum (in modern Turkey). The Crusaders went on with fruitless campaigns against Damascus, Syria. 1564 Birth of Hans Leo Hassler, sacred composer. The first notable German musician educated in Italy, Hassler left a rich musical legacy, including the hymn tune PASSION CHORALE, to which the Church now sings, "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded." 1800 Birth of Jacque Paul Migne, French theological publisher. Establishing his own press in 1836, Migne published a voluminous collection of writings by the ancient Greek and Latin fathers (161 vols: "Patrologia Graecae"; 221 vols: "Patrologia Latinae") during his remaining 39 years. 1921 Franklin Small, 48, and a group of dissatisfied members of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, obtained a Dominion charter to establish the Apostolic Church of Pentecost of Canada. In 1953, this group merged with the Evangelical Churches of Pentecost, whose major congregations are located today in the Canadian prairie provinces. 1941 The first Youth For Christ rally was held at Bryant's Alliance Tabernacle in New York City. An international evangelical youth organization, YFC has no single founder, but rather emerged out of weekly rallies held for the youth of New York City during the 1930s.

(I thought Portugal looked funny.... sorry dear!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GI. Belated Happy wishes to Tracy. Missed yours while in Kentucky to see my new grandson, now two weeks old.

Thank you, Marcia and Lucie... The leis are lovely. Amid all that trivia I've learned a few interesting things (Bizet and Strauss - I knew about Picasso - surprised by Julia Roberts). Only one murderer, thank the Gods!;-) But please, my birthdate is in the second half of the 20th century, not at the beginning...:-)

Have a great day Gi

Hullo, Gi? Remember me? I had to do something to get your attention since you're spending so much time with that Firth fella. Have a great birthday! Oh, and when you have a minute, can I talk to you about the tiny wrinkles around my eyes? Thanks.

Oooh, love those shower pics. Bring 'em on!! ;-D

"You say Gi lives here? How come she's not answering the door? I've got flowers and everything for her birthday."

Gi, I've come to lure you away from Antonio with these tomahtoes. Er--you say tomahtoes are a symbol for wot? Well, I thought of bringing flowers but I see someone has beaten me to it.

Ooooohhh--can I have some of what Gi is having?:-) Aniversario feliz, Gi. Tenha un maravilhoso, Firth-enchido ano!

Just so he doesn't look empty-handed... You know what they say about a bird in the hand, same applies to tomatoes. ;-D

Happy Birthday, Gi!!

"Combining the best of all worlds, I've brought you flowers and my own personal tomatoes and am wet to boot!"

"I'm sending my birthday wishes to Patas' mommy." Woof!

why so serious? Karen, that shower pic, ROTFLOL. C'mon Gi, take those flowers, we're waiting!;-)

Happy Birthday, Gi

That was meant to be in Portuguese colours. I must have got it wrong as a subconscious response to the incorrect identification of my hair colour! Try again: Happy Birthday, Gi

ROTFL, Tineke! You're getting pretty good with those de- and recapitations. What else can we do with that pic? ;-D (Mark) I must have got it wrong as a subconscious response to the incorrect identification of my hair colour! And they say 'elephants don't forget...' Around here, nobody forgets nothing. ;-D

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GI Just so you'll never run out....

Wow, what a party! Thank you all, you are wonderful! Eileen, I almost fell from my chair at the sight of that shower pic. And I bet he's singing to Aishling's words :-) Of course I'm home, did Karen give you a wrong address? Now I've got and ... I guess I only need a to make it perfect :-) ... And Spam, there's never too much Spam! So thank you all, Aishling, Eileen, Karen, Mari (muito obrigado!), Tineke, Mark (I promise I won't make the same mistake again)and Evelyn. adds his thanks :-)

Happy Birthday, Gi! Wishing you the best birthday a girl could possibly have in a new century, Gi! I have arranged for you to stay at Villa d Este on Lake Como next summer. Enjoy! Shall we meet by the pool? :-D

You will have to tell us the flowers smell, Gi. ;-)

We spared no expense in transporting your cake across the seas: It might not have arrived first thing this morning, but I think you'll like it. It's sort of like your shower cake. ;-D So after your martinis, be sure to leave some room for: HAPPY BIRTHDAY GI!!

AND MANY MORE GI!!

AND MANY MORE GI!!

Seems it is a cosmic event for Gi. I just posted this in Geo: Oct. 25th Solar Coronal Mass Ejection Space Weather News for Oct. 25, 2000 http://www.spaceweather.com This morning a full halo coronal mass ejection sped away from the Sun faster than 620 km/s. The leading edge of a solar wind shock wave could arrive in the neighborhood of Earth later this week and possibly trigger auroras. For details and animations please visit http://www.spaceweather.com

Happy Firthday, Gi! Hope I am not too late to join the party. Do you plan to share your presents? Mmmmmm,what a hot tomoato! :-)

Happy birthday Gi!

Happy Birthday, Gi! Doesn't it feel like just yesterday you made your entrance into the world?

I promise, Gi. Just a few seconds more and it will be your turn. For you, Madame -

It's your birthday, Gi! (Well... was...) *Sigh!* Late as usual! ;-) Well, I hope I didn't miss all of the partying: According to hieroglyphs dug up in the last few years, certain birthday traditions go back to ancient times (i.e. 3000 B.C.) From them we see that Birthdays called for: the presentation of presents: And good things to eat: drink: And be merry: A special cake is usually made, lit with candles to represent the briefness of life. And expressions of congratulations and affection are offered [with great enthusiasm]: and all to celebrate a:    to  Gi! [Unfortunately, Belatedly] Love, KJ

Oh! Phooo!! That first graphic should be: Sorry KJ

Well, we seem to be very centered here; time to left-justify... ;-D

oooh, great graphics Karen - (At least not self-centered!!!)

Did I mention that I am engaged? Yes, THAT kind of engaged...! Next birthday is November 2nd - Eileen!

Moon, your present is just what the doctor ordered! (doctor = me?) Karen, the cake got here in time to close the day, I blew the candles and shared it with Antonio and Patas :-) LisaJH, I will share some of my presents with my Spring friends... Other people, back off! (Heide)Doesn't it feel like just yesterday you made your entrance into the world? Well, my dear, sometimes it feels like I haven't made it yet :-o Thank you also, Tracy and Terry, and KJ, you were perfectly on time :-) Marcia - that solar wind image is awesome... Thank you all for a wonderful birthday

And now for something entirely different: Marcia engaged! Congratulations, dear, and be very happy. Give us some details - and dates - so we can plan a bridal shower for you ;-) For a first toast here's one of the very best Portuguese wines:

Marcia? What have you been hiding from us? Engaged? You must tell us all about it! Congratulations!?

Hey Marcia....you've been holding out on us..... BEST WISHES Details, please....

Best wishes to you both! Hmmm, those shower pics from yesterday should come in handy. ;-D

Marcia! Engaged?? Well, blow me down, I thought you were already married I've really missed something here, haven't I? Congratulations! Next birthday is November 2nd - Eileen! You've got the right date but mine is *not* the next celebration in Spring's annual Scorpi-o-rama: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JANA2!

Oh my!! (she says in horror) Why didn't I check my list!! Am such a stooge! In the meantime, me and the boys want to wish our favorite Beach Baby a very Happy Birthday

Bollocks! Despite those *&^%$ dweebs at Phaedra, I've finally made my way to LA and I don't see Jana in the audience yet! When you finish getting Robert his Arsenal tickets and soaking your ex for all he's worth, won't you help me look for Jana? ...The sun's out, I'm going to be a father...Jana's coming to see me... Look, Mum, I've got to go. Supper's on the table and Jana said she'd be here. At last--I *knew* you'd be here, Jana. Come here...I want to tell you about Michael Thomas moments...

Paul, you self-centered dolt, you forgot to wish Jana a happy birthday! The pleasure is mine, since she came to see *me* also. Happy birthday, Jana darling!