Monthly Archives: December 2009

CHRISTMAS ON THE PRAIRIE.

Posted on December 25, 2009 by Philip

CHRISTMAS ON THE PRAIRIE. Annalisa’s childhood was shaped by the Little House books. In THE LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, Laura and Mary worry about whether Santa Claus can find them, isolated as they are on the prairie and about … Continue reading →

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THE BEST FIRST SENTENCE.

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Philip

THE BEST FIRST SENTENCE. I nominate the first sentence of A CHRISTMAS CAROL as the best first sentence in fiction: “Marley was dead, to begin with.”

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MARLEY AND SCROOGE.

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Philip

MARLEY AND SCROOGE. There was one ornament which troubled me when I was a boy. It was a plastic image of Jacob Marley in his chains. It was to be attached to a Christmas light to make it more visible. … Continue reading →

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CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS BACK IN THE DAY.

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Philip

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS BACK IN THE DAY. For many years, we used to get together with our cousins—Judy, Ken, Dick and Mary Jo—on the day after Thanksgiving and make Christmas ornaments, using styrofoam balls, glitter, and glue. But what about the … Continue reading →

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A CHRISTMAS TREE SUCCESS.

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Philip

A CHRISTMAS TREE SUCCESS. I had one success in putting up Christmas trees. Early in our marriage, Mary Jane called me at work, near tears with frustration. We lived in a high-rise apartment on 14th Street. A man was selling … Continue reading →

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PUTTING UP THE CHRISTMAS TREE.

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Philip

PUTTING UP THE CHRISTMAS TREE. We had the pleasure—relief—again this year of having Annalisa and Nick put the Christmas tree up before we decorated it. Putting up the tree had always been stressful; the struggle was a family tradition. Part … Continue reading →

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IF METHOD ACTING IS DEAD, WHAT KILLED IT?

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Philip

IF METHOD ACTING IS DEAD, WHAT KILLED IT? David Thomson attributes the change in acting to changes in the way people look at the world.Thomson identifies method acting with sincerity and emotional truth. Actors revealed the true feelings of their … Continue reading →

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IS METHOD ACTING DEAD?

Posted on December 20, 2009 by Philip

IS METHOD ACTING DEAD? I posted here that: “People think of great acting now as method acting—and Brando was as responsible as anybody for that change in thinking”; and I quoted here David Thompson’s entry on Cary Grant in A … Continue reading →

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INITIATING THE NEW IN-LAW—IRISH STYLE.

Posted on December 19, 2009 by Philip

INITIATING THE NEW IN-LAW—IRISH STYLE. An American friend of mine went to visit his wife’s extended family in Ireland. They were greeted warmly, there was a nice meal, and people sat down together afterward. The hosts poured my friend a … Continue reading →

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INITIATING THE NEW IN-LAW.

Posted on December 19, 2009 by Philip

INITIATING THE NEW IN-LAW. The Mulberry Street musical features a scene in which the new “Muddy-gan” boy friend is expected to eat enormous quantities of Italian food. Kids, I’ve been there. On Christmas Eve, in an Italian family, there is … Continue reading →

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