ROMEO’S ASS – OR -- FAMILIAR FACE

Okay, I hate when these magazines morph together male and female actors that produce another actor which is supposed to be their offspring. For example, Bette Midler + Al Pacino = Sarah Jessica Parker.

[Pic above is Leonard & pic below is Gael]

[Upper pic is Leonard & side pic is Gael]

Having said that, I recently watched Zeffirelli’s 1968 film, Romeo and Juliet, and I couldn’t help but notice the similarity between the actor, Leonard Whiting, who played Romeo, and the actor, Gael Garcia Bernal. Father and Son? Brothers? Even their hot little asses are alike!

[Leonard's ass on left; Gael's ass on right]

DON & CHRIS

Attended a screening of CHRIS & DON: A LOVE STORY, a stunning documentary about the lives and loves of partners, Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy. It is now playing in New York, will open in Los Angeles the 4th of July and around the country during the summer. CHRIS & DON is informative, witty, intriguing, sentimental, and entertaining. It took Guido Santi and Tina Mascara, the filmmakers, ten years to create this extraordinary film. They are to be congratulated.

The film interests me probably because I have met the pair, interviewed Don [see several posts below], and can relate to Chris, the writer. I can also relate to Don, more so, and in several ways. One being that I was as star struck as he was when I was a kid – still am! Like Don, when I was a teen, I loved going backstage and getting my picture taken with the stars. In another way, I understand Don’s attraction of having an older gentleman take an interest in you and provide mentorship and life experience. Though unlike Don, I had several gentlemen, but not a solid love as Don and Chris had.

It might be time to call on Don again for another interview ……

FUNNY LADY

Another loved comic died over the weekend – Dody Goodman, who hailed from my hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Known for her wit, wackiness, and wild voice, she was probably best known for appearing in TVs Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, and, of course, the films Grease and Grease 2. It wasn’t two weeks ago that I was asking some friends, Whatever happened to Dody Goodman? Sadly, now I know.

A MOMENT OF LAUGHTER

I loved George Carlin!

Delightfully irreverent, George Carlin, who was the first host of Saturday Night Live, poked fun at everybody and everything. The comic told it like it was and we need more like him around. Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to interview him. I will miss his humor and truth . . .

STREAMING SUN

After watching the 1961 autobiographical film, Bridge To The Sun on TCM tonight, I recall what an impact this tender, war torn, well-acted film [the incomparable Carroll Baker and James Shigeta] made on me as a preteen when I first watched it on NBCs Saturday Night at the Movies. I was inspired to buy the book, and eventually I wrote to its author, Gwen Terasaki, who graciously replied with a wonderful note. Subconsciously, I think the film planted a seed that later would blossom into my yearn to travel and a profound interest in not only the Asian community, but a zest for learning about other cultures, as well.

I just called Amoeba in Hollywood and, drats, it’s not on DVD yet. . . .

DOWN DON WAY

Over the weekend I learned that a documentary about writer, Christopher Isherwood and his life partner, artist, Don Bachardy is being released on DVD after being shown last year at several film festivals. Theirs is truly a fascinating story and I look forward to watching this movie.

In the late 70s, my friend, Kirk and I met Chris at one of those UCLA weekly gay gatherings where Chris spoke. We chatted with him afterward and he invited us to lunch the following week. We went and as we entered their home, Don was in swimming trunks heading to the beach. Chris introduced us and Don dashed out. The pic above in b&w was probably taken around this time. I remember Don had long, shaggy hair and a moustache. My memory is a bit cloudy on the details of the lunch but Kirk and I had a lovely time with this lovely man. I could kick myself now because at the time, I really didn’t know the importance of this man and I didn’t even have my always-present camera!

In the early 90s, I contacted Don and he agreed to be interviewed for my book, STRAIGHT OUT, at his Santa Monica canyon home that he shared with Christopher [who died in 1986] for many years. He was then living with his partner, Tim Hilton. Due to my inexperience of being a writer and interviewer, I failed to get a release form signed by Don at the time. Weeks later when I called and asked him to sign, he said he would only after he read the article. I agreed and he called me afterward. He kept me on the phone for over an hour changing, correcting, rearranging the piece. It was laborious. Some was helpful, most was picayunish. Boy, did I learn my lesson! From there on, I had the interviewees sign BEFORE the interview.

Last year I met up again with Don when he attended Davidd Batalon’s gallery opening [see pic below of Don standing between Davidd and I]. We hugged and chatted briefly. He seemed quite feeble, though his trademark Tallulah Bankhead-British accent was still there. I don’t think he remembered me. [ Davidd Batalon's website: http://laartrat.tripod.com/intro.html ]

CAN I BE IN THE CHORUS, TOO?!

Only if I can stand next to Kevin Santos! He plays Paul in the touring company of CHORUS LINE and Ruby will be getting her paws all over him when they sit down to an interview very soon. They certainly have a commonality. Ya know, Ruby used to take dance classes when she was a mere kid in Columbus, Ohio….

[photo by Paul Kolnik]