AND THE WINNER IS....Rich!
Thanks so much to everyone who emailed to enter the contest. I'll be running another one next month.
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I'll be speaking to the Chicopee Historical Society on the exploits of three guys from the same Northern factory during the Civil war: a Medal of Honor winner, a teenager who later worked with Augustus St Gaudens and other famous scupltors producing bronze statuary, and the owner of the company - James Tyler Ames. The ironies and coincidences that link them are a chapter of my forthcoming book, and I hope to have some copies on hand for the occasion. The event is at Ames Privilege Common Room, lower Springfield St, Chicopee, Mass., Wednesday, Oct. 16th at 6 p.m. Love to see you there.
***
I have a new project for this blog in the works for next year, an experiment of sorts. I'd like to explore the career of Ann Blyth--movies, radio and TV appearances, and stage work. I've been kicking this idea around for a couple months and what particularly interests me is examining the relationship between Hollywood, TV and theatre in the 20th century through the trajectory of one person's career. Ann Blyth's own career path, the apparent fact that she hasn't had much play on most blogs that I can find (including mine), and that she is still with us and, as anyone who has seen the Robert Osborne interviews conducted last spring for the TCM Film Fest, is a most articulate and valuable representative of her industry. We spend a lot of effort on our blogs to celebrate the work of so many greats who are long gone. It's also important, when we find the opportunity, to celebrate those who are still with us.
I'll still blog on other topics and movies, and join in the occasional blogathon when I can, but for the most part, 2014 is going to be The Year of Ann Blyth. I'll post more info on this in December. The next few months will be the hunter-gatherer stage for me as I collect material. I've seen probably a third of her films and some TV work, but I'd like to see all of them if I can. Not all are easily available, so knocking them off my list is going to be a challenge.
I'm hoping the series will generate some thoughtful discussion among us, as I appreciate your comments and value your opinions.
18 comments:
After wowing the folks at the Chicopee Historical Society, check out "Wagon Train" Of Ann Blyth's 5 guest appearances on the program Train", my favourite is "The Jenny Tannen Story" because she gets to sing a pretty waltz by Johnny Williams. Available on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHBEH1_DDhk
CW, I've seen that episode (and YouTube currently has her other guest spots on that show too). Thanks so much for the heads up.
I like that episode, too, especially how illustrates her chameleon-like ability to play two very different people at two very different ages.
And who wouldn't like to waltz with Ward Bond? He cleans up good, don't he?
I'm sorry I missed the contest! :/ And the Ann Blyth project you have planned sounds wonderful, Jacqueline! I look forward to it.
Aurora
Thanks, Aurora, and many, many congratulations on your CMBA win.
So you're gonna autograph my copy of the book too, right? :D
Many thanks, and while I have your attention, lemme ask you: you've written a number of books already. How do you get the word out about them? Is it really as simple as sending copies to literary websites and saying 'Please review my book,' or do you have an agent, or what?
Rich, for you, I'll use my best handwriting. Which isn't saying much.
Getting the word out is the toughest thing in the world. Writing the book is easy compared to that.
Asking for reviews from websites, yes, but also the blogs, Twitter, Facebook, message boards, Goodreads. Develop a mailing list. There are a number of sites that take paid advertising -- if you've got that kind of money. I don't have an agent at present, nor am I pursuing one at the moment, for many reasons.
I speak before groups, and do book signings.
It's a tough game.
And every once in a while I give one away to a lovely chap like yourself, and hope the angels look kindly on me.
I should have known you'd already be on board with the wagon train. So true about Ward Bond!
Tell me, do you sing the "Tomorrow" waltz while doing the dishes? I find it is best to have water or a machine running when I go for the high notes.
Ann Blyth is too high for me, period. I sing, shamelessly, in my own clumsy but well-meaning alto way. I have about a two note range, three if it's a really humid day and I'm not wearing a belt. I leave the leads to accomplished people like you, even if your backup singer is a running water faucet.
Very excited about your Ann Blyth project, Jacqueline, I think it's a wonderful idea! (If you need help tracking down her hard-to-find SALLY AND SAINT ANNE drop me a line.)
Best wishes,
Laura
Thanks so much, Laura. I've actually got hold of SALLY, but I'd give my right arm for ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST. There's some others I don't have, but they may not be as much trouble, like THUNDER ON THE HILL or SLANDER.
I may need the help of some experienced scavenger hunters before this thing is through. But I think it will be a fun and very illuminating project.
I'd also love to hear from some folks who've attended her live performances in plays and concerts. Pass the word.
ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST seems really, really hard to find -- I've never come across it.
THUNDER ON THE HILL is out on a TCM Vault DVD, I think only sold at the TCM Shop -- a little pricey although sometimes the TCM Shop has 20% off coupons.
If SLANDER doesn't turn up easily I can help you out with that one, just email me at the "Contact me" on my blog or DM me at Twitter. :)
Good luck!!!
Best wishes,
Laura
Thanks, Laura. I'll keep an eye out, and get back to you if I need help.
YAY, Rich, ya lucky duck!
Jacqueline, I wish I could follow you around for one week while you give your presentations, do all that you do for the Historical Society there. Shoot, I would settle for having your energy and drive. : )
I'm really interested in what you have planned for Blyth. How did you come about your decision to focus on her? If you need any photos of her or her autograph just let me know. I have a lot that I've collected over the years. (Another bio that I have on my 'get to' list) ha ha
Loving your new blog layout, btw.
See ya soon!
Page
Thanks, Page. My energy comes from a passionate desire to pay my bills. Some days are less energetic than others.
The Blyth project will certainly be a different course for me, as I've never really attempted to focus on one actor or actress. The blog has really been pretty scattershot, which is nice and convenient--both for me and the reader. The problem with sticking with predominantly one topic for the year might turn off readers who haven't any interest in the person you've chosen.
My hope is that readers who are not as familiar with Ann Blyth's work will come to appreciate it as much as I have, and that longtime fans of hers will have an outlet to discuss her movies.
Thanks for the offer of photos. Your collection must be stupendous by now. I'll be in touch. I would love to read your bio on her. You do great work; I like your bio posts.
Jacqueline,
With you saying that some might get bored with just one focus or topic I thought immediately of Ivan. Can you just imagine if you or I even decided to choose O'Brien or Shirley T to focus on for a year? Oh, my word! It would be funny just to get his response. I think it might just drive him bonkers.
You probably won't see my Blyth bio for awhile. No way will I compete with your sure to be amazing articles on her. ha ha
Now that I can focus on my blog again I think I'll get some more of my Hollywood at Home posts ups. They seem to be a blog favorite and the list is long on who to feature.
Whatever you need for your adventure, just let me know. : )
Page
Thanks, Page. I like the Hollywood at Home feature.
I think we should have a Shirley Temple/Margaret O'Brien Blogathon just for Ivan. Or maybe just show up at his house at Halloween wearing Shirley Temple and Margaret O'Brien masks. I'll bet there are a lot of fun ways to send poor Ivan to the funny farm.
Laura's Misc. Musings tipped me off about your 2014 mission.
What a project! A whole year of Ann Blyth would be great since I've seen only about two of her films. I want to know more.
People won't get bored. Because you have a full year of one person, you -of necessity, not to mention your own thoroughness- will unearth all kinds of interesting information.
And because you write so well, this will become an Ann Blyth Database (ABDB?), a go-to source for other bloggers and for the papers.
[Personally, famous people and newspapers have linked to my little corner of the internet but refuse to even mention my blog's name. What is it, do you think? Does my blog make me look fat?]
You might even cobble together these pages, throw in a lot of extra, never-before-seen information and write a book.
Then you'll get offers to write and record audio for the DVD commentaries of newly-released Ann Blyth movies.
And then Robert Osborne himself will feature you on TCM's primetime to discuss your favorite films...
The facts suggest that your Year of Ann Blyth will be a great success. I look forward to your analyses.
-- Java
Java, you overwhelm me with your kindness, not to mention your amazing predictions. Yikes. Across the chair from Robert Osborne? Yikes again.
ABDB, love it.
I really don't know how well I can pull this off (am suddenly feeling unnerved about the whole thing) but right now I'm just looking forward to trying something a little different. A change from the same-old, same-old.
And like you, I want to know more.
I don't think your blog makes you look fat at all. It think it really brings out the color of your eyes, and goes perfectly with those shoes you're wearing.
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