Quickies

Elizabeth Fackler, a fine writer whether she's turning out a western or a mystery, has decided to try publishing for herself. You can get all the details at the following address. http://www.westernstarbooks.com/

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As I've mentiond before, I'm not much for episodic tv. The only show I watch faithfully is Monk. It rarely disappoints me. Now I need to add another show to my list, that being Desperate Housewives. Carol watches it more often than not. I tried it a few times but just didn't get into it. Last Sunday night's show, however, was of Emmy-winning quality in writing, acting and directing. I can't recall seeing an hour long drama with this many twists and turns. Nor one that managed to mix the sardonic with the pathetic so skillfully.

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This morning TCM played the first four Bugs Bunny cartoons. Interesting to see how Bugs evolved so quickly from an annoying wabbit into a fully developed sociopathic nuisance. It was also interesting to see how differently four directors handled him. For all the praise Bugs gets, my favorite Warner cartoon character is still Sylvester the cat. In the WB canon, he's the one true outsider.

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Cable will be showing both The Iceman Cometh and Madame Bovary in December. Please to watch. As I've mentioned before, this was Robert Ryan's last film and it was clear he was dying in the course of it. His performance is matched by that of Lee Marvin and Jeff Bridges. While Jason Robards' version is considered the definitive one, this American Theater take on the Eugene O'Neill classic has a seedy power all its own. Madame Bovary is the Claude Chabrol version and it is stunning in every respect. Isabelle Huppert is almost ridiculously beautiful in the lead role. And her gradual breakdown is shocking in its truth. It'll stay with you a long, long time. I promise.