Jack Kerouac played a little football at Columbia
Happy Jack Kerouac’s birthday everyone! As long time readers of this blog know (I’m looking at you Antoninus Bottomlicker of Lambertville, New Jersey) I am a huge Kerouac fan (actually not true, I am of average height and weight). I’ve consumed all his novels, many of them multiple times. I’ve also read his letters, journals and biographies about him. Yay Jack!
It is also Liza Minelli’s birthday in fact it’s her 80th. I revere Ms. Minelli mostly for her role in Cabaret which I consider one of the greatest films ever made (currently ranked number twenty-two in my top 100). It’s not a film without her just as it isn’t without Joel Grey and maybe not as good a one without Michael York. It was the performance of a lifetime. She’s been in other films TV shows and the like that I’ve enjoyed (particularly her turn in Arrested Development) but Cabaret alone puts her in a hall of fame. I’m not sure what hall of fame but there’s got to be one that suits her.
There is yet another birthday of note today, that of Barbara Feldon who is probably less recognizable to you young kids. Ms. Feldon is 93 today (you go girl). She’s primarily known for her role as Agent 86 — or was she 99? — in the TV series Get Smart which aired in the mid sixties. Ms. Feldon managed to combine sexiness with being flat out funny. I can do it too if pressed. (Honestly I can.)
Speaking of actresses ….Recently Darryl Hannah had a piece in the OP-Ed section of the New York Times. In it she quite justifiably lambasted the makers of a recent docudrama about the romance between JFK Jr. and his wife. Ms. Hannah was portrayed in a most unflattering light which was galling because there was no need for them to do it. They could have easily made up an actress who behaved egregiously instead of sullying the name of a woman who is highly respected both for her acting and her philanthropic efforts. I understand Mr. Hannah is loathe to respond to critics, liars and mudslingers but felt this instance warranted a response. Sadly the stupid little film has done its damage and in the minds of many Mr. Hannah is the awful person portrayed on screen. Assholes.
The above is, relatively speaking, a first world problem in a world rife with third world problems and quite serious ones as well. See the latest episode of John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight (aired Sunday March 8) about the massive cuts by the Trumpy organization to the USAID organization which has done so much good in the world especially in impoverished areas. It is estimated that already hundreds of thousands of people have died as a result of these cuts. Meanwhile the U.S. is making even more and stronger enemies with it’s unprovoked war in Iran which has featured bombing a school in which 175 were killed many of them children. I think that bears repeating. The U.S. bombed a school killing 175 people many — likely most — of them CHILDREN. Assholes.
Not going to end this on that downer, instead I’ll repeat my wish that you all have a Happy Jack Kerouac’s birthday.
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