There’s a lot of hype about the fact that Sally Potter is releasing her new film RAGE on iPhones, but to me, it’s a mixed blessing. We can all applaud new technology without ignoring the fact that this incredible filmmaker is in effect going straight to DVD without so much as a limited theatrical release… Please Pre-Order the film NOW on Amazon & let’s show the powers that be that there IS a market for Sally Potter films!
Click HERE to read my ’05 Chat with Sally Potter (timed to the release of her last film YES). Note that her wonderful film THE TANGO LESSON (also much discussed in this interview) is still not available here on DVD L
03.Sep.09 
Rants: Jan's Wish List 
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“There was two little minks in the woods. A hunter comes by and shoots one and aims at the other. The first mink turns to his friend and says, ‘See you in shul.’” Belle Barth’s Borscht Belt humor typically involved body parts, so this may well be the cleanest joke she ever told, but I think it captures her savvy, self-mocking schvester style. Belle is the missing link between Sophie Tucker and Bette Midler, and Chicago audiences can meet Belle in the wonderful new show Belle Barth: If I Embarrass You, Tell Your Friends.
Belle Barth is a musical with a book by Joanne Koch, and original songs by Ilya Levinson (music) and Owen Kalt (lyrics). Born Annabelle Salzman, Belle ran her own club in Miami and released eleven best-selling adult party albums in the ‘50s and ‘60s. The highpoint of her career should have been her debut at Carnegie Hall, but a misguided manager “persuaded” her to tone down her lewd material, (where “persuaded” means he threatens to shut her down unless she complies). This new show rests on the premise that Belle is still beating herself up months later because she didn’t have the nerve to call his bluff. Everything that happens in this new show happens during the rehearsal for her comeback. She’s flashing back over her life, and reaching within to try to find the courage to get herself back on stage.
When I called Kalt for more details, he told me: “Writing lyrics for Belle was fun because she didn’t hold back her thoughts or emotions—she let it all hang out.” Here’s a sample: “Dirty little secrets; I like to explore ‘em. Dirty little secrets on a smoky stage. Private little secrets in a public forum made me all the rage.”
Screenwriters take note!!! We typically think of the 1950s as the calm before the storm, but the winds that eventually blew Donna Reed’s skirts to smithereens didn’t gather momentum over night. As I said in my Sept 08 JUFN column, as I watched Belle Barth, I was always aware of two more Jewish-American women, also big and brassy, waiting in the wings: Bella Abzug and Betty Friedan. Did either of them ever see Belle perform live? I can’t say, but I’m willing to bet they both had copies of her LPs J
20.Nov.08 Rants: Jan's Wish List, Events: Metro Chicago Only, Events: Khaverot v' Khaverim Read more Comments Off
Last year, when lyricists Alan & Marilyn Bergman came to the 2007 Chicago Humanities Festival, they told me plans were underway for a new DVD version of Yentl—a special 25th anniversary release. Since that time I’ve checked Amazon faithfully to no avail, but today: HOORAY!!! It’s scheduled for 2/3/09 & available for pre-order!!! For years now, Yentl has been the butt of ignorant jokes, but this new version will undoubtedly provide an opportunity for women everywhere to take emotional ownership of one of the most beautiful & important films made in the 20th century. Do I really believe this? YES I DO!!!
10.Nov.08 Rants: Jan's Wish List Read more Comments (0)
ENORMOUS CHANGES is based on three stories by Grace Paley, one of the most acclaimed short story writers of the 20th Century. The film has major stars such as Ellen Barkin & Kevin Bacon, & John Sayles is one of its credited screenwriters, so why is this film almost impossible to find?!?! I tracked down a “region 4″ copy (from Australia), & watched it again. It’s not perfect, but the first “chapter” (based on the story “An Interest in Life”) is extremely well-done & definitely worth the seach.
Paley aficionados will know that ”An Interest in Life” is the story that contains the line that became the title of GP’s first collection: The Little Disturbances of Man. The story is about Virginia –Virginia’s husband Jerry decides to “join the army” one day, leaving her alone with three children in a tiny Manhattan tennament…
Barkin is excellent as “Virginia,” able to convey all the passion & pathos required for her role. David Strathairn plays “Jerry” as a boy-man who’s both ardent & cruel. He knows he bears full responsibility for the predicament he’s in, but he’s determined to escape it nonetheless. Ron McLarty is touching & just a shade creepy as “John;” he makes it easy to understand why Virginia reacts as she does to his visits. Of course, the kids are all adorable, & when the inevitable “Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Johnday!” line comes, it’s perfect.
The other two chapters aren’t quite as strong, but they’re well-intentioned & definitely worth watching.
22.Feb.08 Rants: Jan's Wish List, Reviews: E-G Read more Comments (0)
