Ah, that Raleigh Rye . . .
Note the tiny furniture on the lower shelf of the table.
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AN ALEXANDER KORTNER FOR TODAY
Magazine illustration for a story called Romantic Rebels: The Fall of the Rancho Queen.
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AN LP COVER FOR TODAY
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A HORROR MOVIE WINDOW CARD FOR TODAY
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A PAPERBACK COVER FOR TODAY
I am crazy — and the world has gone wild.
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RICHARD DIAMOND, PRIVATE DETECTIVE
Just got this set of radio dramas from the late Forties and early Fifties, starring Dick Powell. Powell moved from boy-crooner star of musicals to heavier dramatic fare later in his career, in films and on radio. In Richard Diamond, Private Detective he’s a serious but blithely wisecracking gumshoe who ends each episode by singing a song to his girlfriend. Sounds tasty.
This collection, available here from Radio Spirits, venerable purveyor of old-time radio shows, includes lively and informative program notes by Ivan G. Shreve, Jr., whom many will know from his lively and informative blog Thrilling Days Of Yesteryear.
Can’t wait to explore the world of Mr. Diamond . . .
TOMOTHY O’SULLIVAN’S WEST
Paiute Indians, photographed in Utah in 1872.
There is a small Paiute Indian reservation in North Las Vegas, with a smoke shop selling discounted tobacco products. I drive up there to buy cigarettes.
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THE BEST WAY TO EAT RADISHES
Use small radishes or cut larger ones into bite-sized pieces. Place them in a bowl, drizzle them with melted butter and salt to taste. Eat with a strong red wine. This is the way the French do it, though sometimes they eat the radishes on pieces of buttered baguette.
Delicious, refreshing — almost a meal in itself.
MARGARET LOCKWOOD
. . . in The Wicked Lady, 1945.
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AN E. J. BELLOCQ FOR TODAY
Beautiful, haunted . . .
A COURTNEY ALLEN FOR TODAY
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AN LP COVER FOR TODAY
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A MOVIE MAGAZINE COVER FOR TODAY
Terrifying cover art by the great Basil Gogos, 1962.
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[Via Golden Age Comic Book Stories, ever edifying.]
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
This movie is a getting a lot of buzz.
WHAT I’M SPINNING NOW
Cajun Swamp Music Live is one of the best of all albums of Cajun-Zydeco music, by the great Clifton Chenier, recorded at a jazz festival in Switzerland in 1975. As far as I know it has never been released in its entirety on CD — Arhoolie offers a slightly abridged version of the concert — but fortunately my vinyl copy is in excellent shape.
Over thirty years ago, when I was writing the screenplay that got me to Hollywood, a story set in Cajun country, Cajun music was still obscure regional stuff. I played this album over and over again, in sheer amazement, as I tapped out my tale on the keys of a small portable typewriter.
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