Sweet Marijuana

A little song to comfort Los Angeles today after the loss of the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries.
“Sweet Marijuana” from “Murder at the Vanities” (1934)

Monica Almeida/The New York Times
A medical marijuana dispensary on Melrose Boulevard, one of many throughout the Los Angeles area.
By JENNIFER STEINHAUER
Published: January 26, 2010

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles City Council approved an ordinance on Tuesday that shutters roughly 80 percent of the nearly 1,000 medical marijuana dispensaries in the city and makes the use of marijuana in the remaining outlets illegal.

Rain

I don’t know where you are, but where I am it is raining like crazy. Not just heavy rain, we’re talking “Rain” rain.

Yesterday I wrote about an article on MTV where they were taking suggestions of films to remake since a “Footloose” remake apparently fell through. Many of you were not very happy with the whole manipulative culture of the Hollywood remake or the “Franchise”.The general consensus was that why do a remake when there is so much material out there that has not been produced yet. I’m sure you know at least two people with a screenplay they are trying to get produced. Screenplays, treatments, novels, there are endless story opportunities out there for new material.

But sometimes we need a break from the constant change of life, technology and our evolving global village. Sometimes we just want something that is familiar. I’m not justifying Pirates of the Caribbean 10 or Star Wars-In the Womb, yes, sometimes a story just needs to stop being told. But if you have ever seen “The Nutcracker” on an annual basis at the ballet, or if you watch and compare the ten million different remakes of “A Christmas Carol” or if you go to the theater or opera and see your fourth version of “King Lear” or “La Traviata” because they always make you cry no matter who is producing it you may know what I mean. Sometimes we like a little tradition and something we know will make us feel good or sad in the end. Sometimes we enjoy a new interpretation by a new director or actor. Sometimes the story never really did it for you until you saw Bill Murray as Scrooge. Sometimes it is different and makes you appreciate the common story that you and several generations have shared. Can you imagine if “Scarface” hadn’t been remade? Maybe there wouldn’t be such a huge appreciation for the original film with Paul Muni. I can’t imagine growing up without Basil Rathbone in his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. There are missteps and abuses more often than not, but who are we to say that one story’s interpretation must be the definitive one.

Anyway, blah, blah, blah. All that to say, someone suggested a remake of “Rain” (1932) which was a remake of a 1928 silent film version called Sadie Thompson with Gloria Swanson and was made again in 1953 with Rita Hayworth titled Miss Sadie Thompson. My personal favorite is the Pre-Code remake with Joan Crawford.
This 1932 version is just devine, and yes, I would love to see a modern actress try to pull this one off. I would love to see someone try and kick Crawford’s ass. I don’t think it’s possible, but I think Halle Berry could put up a good fight.

Bolero and Torvel and Dean

The Olympics are coming up. I never really watch the winter games that much until they start getting into the ice skating. I love the ice skating. Remember Torvel and Dean?

I thought you might enjoy a little Lombard doing Bolero.


This reminds me just a little of “Dancing with the Stars”.

Earthquakes

Quake! A film about the Long Beach Earthquake on March 10th, 1933

So those of you who are annoyed by Twitter and Facebook here is a good example of why they are important. I’m not a Twitter Fan, I can barely remember to do the dishes and easily forget about my Twitter duties. But as a tool that enables important information to be distributed quickly and cheaply, I think it’s great. The first reports of the earthquake in Haiti came from Twitter and Facebook. As limited as they were, they were able to distribute some images and critical info.

Can you imagine having to wait for this film to come out in order to get aid?
International House (1933 film) was what is said to be the first film to show an earthquake. (There was an actual earthquake during filming) In honor of the earthquake and the recent legalization of medical marijuana, in New Jersey I give you the famous Reefer Man performance by Cab Callaway from the movie International House which experienced an earthquake during filming.

Anyway, here’s a link to how to help.
Haiti Disaster Relief: How to Contribute

“I’ve got to get up and go to work” a little Tune to get you motivated for Tomorrow Morning.

Banks Prepare for Bigger Bonuses, and Public’s Wrath is the headline on the New York Times website at the moment. This is what I have to look forward to tomorrow morning. I have to go to work and make some insanely low amount of money. I must motivate myself to give my time, brains and talent to an unappreciative, competitive, low paying workforce.

You too are about to go to work tomorrow (or not) and witness for no rhyme or reason people make piles of money more than you. I’m not talking a pay grade or two more than you because you went to a different school or belong to a different social class. I’m talking a PILE of money that would be equal to the economy of a small country to a person for no real rational reason.

Can a person be THAT much smarter than you? I mean your IQ is higher. Can they be THAT much more qualified? Life experience, education and connections are important but there are limitations to the human experience and collegiate system. They must be SUPER HUMANS!!! Somehow these people earning this SUPER amount of cash have SUPER POWERS!!!

Well, since you do not possess the super human powers to generate more money than a team of drug lords I’m here to motivate you.

Here’s a little tune I found from a great little rare musical “Moonlight and Pretzels” (1933). I love the title, because that’s the light that bathes you as you leave your house in the morning and kisses your tired eyes as you return at night. The pretzels are all you can afford to eat after the commuting expenses, credit card debit and your mortgage.

The first little tune is called “I’ve Gotta Get up and Go to Work” (I’m not kidding that’s really the title) followed by the anthem that is always running through your subconscious “Are You Making Any Money” sung by the lovely Lillian Miles(of Reefer Madness fame). This film must have been some type of inspiration for the tunes in the film Ishtar.
Enjoy!!! Here’s the link if you are having problems viewing the embedded video below.