This is the stuff that only happens in Los Angeles.
The winter months frequently unleash days and days of torrential rain. That happened last week. If you're in another part of this country, you probably heard the news reports. Flooding. Mudslides. God enacting his revenge for Hollywood making Seth Rogan a star. As a result, Los Angeles is now floating somewhere off the coast of New Zealand.
Drama, drama, drama.
Well, you never heard what happens after the soaking. Frequently, a rainbow as shown above. Or a snow-capped vista as seen in this photo above. Snow served just the way I like it. From afar. When it is beautiful and not slippery. Because of the layout of the city, you pretty much can't drive anywhere without seeing these magnificent landscapes looming up at you. I look at these wondrous views and imagine that this is where Paramount Pictures got the idea for their long-standing logo. When you're done looking at the scenery on a weekend like we just had, you can press on in the cool, cool, cool of the evening and sample some other things you can't do anyplace else. Like taking a leisurely nightime walk down Montana Avenue in Santa Monica. With the glorious smell of fireplaces doing their job in one home after another. With the cool, crisp air invigorating you. You can't do that usually on January 23 in Yonkers, New York. Heck, the simple act of just strolling the downtown streets of Getty Square could kill you, thanks to the knife-wielding prowess of somebody named Miguel. Instead of clogging a multiplex on a Saturday night, Los Angeles always affords you the opportunity of seeing a classic movie on a big screen. The way they are supposed to be enjoyed. Such was the case the other night when the Aero Theater in Santa Monica celebrated the 50th anniversary of this still-powerful "Elmer Gantry." A screening that was made more profound because one of its stars, Jean Simmons, had just died blocks away the night before. Luckily, one of the film's co-stars, Oscar winner Shirley Jones, is alive and well and also willing to go out on a Southern California winter's evening. After the film, she spoke to the audience about the film, answered questions, and even let her husband, the ultra-bizarre Marty Ingels, upstage her from time to time. And Miss Jones got herself a perk as well. A photo opportunity with yours truly. I'll bet that Shirley Jones didn't think she would be so lucky when she got up on Saturday morning. But, then again, you never know what you'll do or see on a winter's day in Los Angeles. Dinner last night: Leftover ravioli and meatballs. Why is Italian food always better the second day?
5 comments:
We are pleased to add that Shirley Jones is a gracious star from a period in Hollywood when actors knew how to treat fans. She didn't get paid for her appearance but came anyway, watched the movie with us then told fascinating stories about it and her whole amazing career.
The story of how she met Rodgers and Hammerstein and got her big break is a true-life fantasy. She recounts it on the Oklahoma DVD. Check it out and prepare to be wowed. Things like that only happen in Hollywood movies, but they really happened to Miss Jones.
Today's phone-throwing stars could sit at her feet and learn a thing or two or a hundred about how to behave if you get the one-in-a-million chance to makes movies.
Let's hope she will grace us again for the 50th anniversary of The Music Man.
And the 50th anniversary of the Music Man would be in 2012.
Let's just hope they don't drag out Jane Withers for the event.
Very enjoyable photo essay. When the skies are clear the mountain views are a treat.
15thavebud
Twas quite the evening.Len is right; only in Los Angeles. We/I have been lucky enough to see Jack Lemmon, Shirley McLaine, Janet Leigh, and such as their passing ilk at such movie houses. You can't beat it. And the snow tipped mountains are nice too!
Len, I told you that you have to let go of the Jane Withers mix-up. I think she was just confused or too polite.
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