- May 23, 2017
Dina Merrill: Pure American Class
Dina Merrill died on Monday, May 22nd at the age of 93. She was the quintessential upper crust American sophisticate. Soft spoken but determined, the heiress to two vast fortunes and devoted philanthropist supporting an array of causes from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to the Republican Pro-Choice Coalition (yep, there was one). As a child she dreamed of costarring with Cary Grant. In 1959 in "Operation Petticoat," she did, and beautifully. Her father, the financ


- May 17, 2017
Does anyone still wear a hat? Of course, darling. On Broadway.
Love this article in The New York Times about all the amazing hats on Broadway this season. Yes, a whole article about HATS may seem trivial, anachronistic and indulgent. But really, what a lovely respite from "the news." Think of it as a mini vacation. Why not go all the way and sip a martini or some champagne while you're reading it? Lah dee dah. Above: Bette Midler in Hello Dolly Below: Anastasia


- May 10, 2017
European Gems to Stream Now
It all started with "The Bridge" (AKA "Bron"). A friend turned me on to this amazing Scandinavian thriller of a series, such a worldwide mega-hit that it spawned several offspring, among them the excellent British/French production "The Tunnel." I was instantly addicted and wanted more. And boy, did I find it! If you love great television you have to check out these series. Not by many means exhaustive, the list below includes a few that come immediately to mind, in approxima


- May 3, 2017
The Indefatigable Appeal of 'Better Call Saul'
If you already adore "Better Call Saul," as I do, check out this great interview in The Hollywood Reporter with writer/director/producer Thomas Schnauz. It's full of inside tidbits about everything from DP Marshall Adams's cinematographic feats to why Chuck (Michael McKean) is such a dick to how long it took Giancarlo Esposito to sink his tin foil basket. And if you don't know the show yet, you're in for a treat. I'll admit it took me a while to embrace the cult of "Breaking

