Published inWritingAndTypingErnest Hemingway’s Accident Prone LifeIn 1954, Ernest Hemingway took his fourth wife Mary Welsh to Africa. He chartered a sightseeing plane to show her the Belgian Congo and…4h ago24h ago2
Houdini’s Fight Against Spiritual FraudstersIn 1913, Harry Houdini’s mother Cecilia Weiss died. She was his “angel on earth” and he was overwhelmed with grief. He spent hours at the…3d ago23d ago2
Published inRiverRhythmsDid Jeff Buckley Foretell His Own Death?Jeff Buckley’s musical coming out party occurred on April 6, 1991 at the St. Ann Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn. He made his first public…Apr 1911Apr 1911
Published inRiverRhythmsThom Yorke Is Not Crazy About PeopleThom Yorke does not like celebrity culture. When Jack Black and Miley Cyrus expressed a desire to meet him, he spurned their requests. “I’m…Apr 1235Apr 1235
Published inPicture PalaceWas Silent Film Star Buster Keaton an Abused Child?Joseph “Buster” Keaton was born in 1895 into a performing family. His father Joe owned a traveling vaudeville show with Harry Houdini…Apr 717Apr 717
Published inPicture PalaceThe Day I Was Fired by Chevy ChaseIn 1991, I worked on the movie Memoirs of an Invisible Man. I was a lowly production assistant accruing hours toward a career as an…Apr 241Apr 241
Writing a MAGA-Themed TV ShowIn 2019, an old producer friend named James called to say he was working on a MAGA-themed comedy series to pitch to a streaming network. We…Mar 2714Mar 2714
The Strange Life of Colonel SandersWhen I was in college, I was part of a reading group that focused on strange and obscure books. Selections included On Atlantis by Edgar…Mar 2514Mar 2514
Published inLos Angeles StoriesIt’s Never Good to Confront a Meter MaidMy first show business job after college was as a menial serf for a Beverly Hills production company specializing in award shows. I ran…Mar 1214Mar 1214
When a Jewish Funeral Doesn’t Go as PlannedAs the oldest surviving male relative, my father bore the duty of burying his Uncle Koppel. Koppel had survived three years in Nazi…Mar 1039Mar 1039