Michael's Musings

October 8, 2017

I am pleased to announce that the audio adaptation of my one-person stage play, TRACY, is now available for download via Amazon, audible.com and iTunes. 

Chris Hendrie delivers a marvelous performance as Spencer Tracy, the 2-time Oscar-winning actor who starred in such films as CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS, BOYS TOWN, BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK, ADAM'S RIB, INHERIT THE WIND and many other classics.

Currently in production are audio editions of my one-person plays on Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone.  All of them should be available for holiday giving.

I've posted two new reviews on the Best Bets on DVD site, accessible via the link in the Introduction section of this page.  They are the Criterion edition of Orson Welles' OTHELLO and a charming documentary, HAROLD AND LILLIAN: A HOLLYWOOD LOVE STORY.  So, please take a look.

You have a creative week.

Michael

Comments (0)     

September 16, 2017

Yesterday was surreal.

We drove into a Chevron station to get gas.  I put my credit card into the slot on the pump and the machine "ate it”.

So, I head for the building/market at the station, and the place is closed: out of business.

NO SIGNS.  Nothing to indicate that the place is out of business.

Sandy says, “Let’s go home and cancel the credit card.”

"No,” I said, "I need my credit card.”

So, resourceful me, goes to the pump and, without breaking anything, manages to get the front part of of the pump open and retrieve my credit card.

There are also a dozen other credit card in with mine.  There about 8-10 other pumps in the station, so I figure they are filled with credit cards, too.

We call the cops; tell them we will be home in a couple of hours, and to please come and pick up the extra dozen credit cars, since we didn’t want to leave them just sitting in an open pump.  (I was unable to replace the front of the pump after I retrieved my card.)

When I got home, I called Chevron to tell them about the issue and the open pump and, except for one woman I finally was connect to (after 4-5 tries), the Customer Service people were extremely rude.  “That’s a franchise,” they would say.  “Yes,” I replied, “but Chevron’s name is still on it.  Nobody who lost their credit card there gives a damn if it’s a franchise.”

Finally, a nice police officer showed up at our door and picked up the credit cards.  My guess is that they’d all been cancelled.  Still it would not be good if they fell into the wrong hands.

The Moral: Make sure that a gas station is still in business before you use your credit card.

BTW: I drove by the station this morning.  Nothing has changed.  The front of the pump si still hanging down where I left it.

Not my problem.

You have a creative week.

Michael

Comments (0)     

August 10, 2017

It never just rains.  It always seems to pour.

For those of you who are familiar with my work, you're aware that several of my books and stage plays are available on audio, as well as in paperback and Kindle editions.

Up until now, I've only put out one or two works on audio each yer.  Part of the problem is, at least with my one-person stage plays, finding the right actor willing to make the time commitment is not always easy.  Indeed, thus far, only my ORSON WELLES and CLARA BOW plays have been committed to audio.  Both are available for download via iTunes and audible. com.

However,, during the last 2-3 weeks, things may may have changed.  Not only is the multi-talented Fred Frees currently recording my new novel, JACKIE GOES TO DIXIE, onto audio, but I've also signed agreements with actors to record my one-person plays on Basil Rathbone, Spencer Tracy and Carole Lombard.  Also, there's a good chance that I will be contracting another actor to do my Clark Gable play. 

Based on past experience, I know that not all of these audio productions will be completed, but right now, things are looking pretty good.  Indeed, if all goes well, all of these productions could be available this year for holiday giving.  Fingers crossed.

You have a creative week.

Michael

Comments (0)