New Fairbanks Book and Other Items

[c***@ttu.edu]

And just who is the author of this dubiously necessary new biography
of Chaplin? ;-)

I recently got a postcard announcing a new book on Fairbanks by Jeff
Vance with Tony Maietta out of UC Press. Haven't seen the book yet,
but it looks handsome. Also reading Jim Neibaur's new book on the
Essanays (McFarland).

It's been very dull here lately. And that's odd, because Chaplin
people are anything but dull. Even politics or Mr. Shelps will do for
a conversation starter.

Pennsylvania, of course. It's even possible that Obama will carry
Texas, which hasn't always been in the red column. West Texas, where I
live, is less affected by the downturn than most areas, but we feel
the pinch. Obama won't win here, but he'll do well in Dallas and
Houston

My retirement fund is handled by TIAA/CREF. All my kitty is in TIAA,
which means that I don't invest directly in stocks, though the fund
does in a very conservative manner. I'll no doubt take a hit in
earnings, but nothing like direct investors in stocks. When times
were better I thought of dabbling a bit with CREF, but never succeeded
in changing my fund allocation because of misleading information on
the fund's website. Computer error and/or poor website design has its
upside.

One thing I've always liked about Chaplin is a trait he's usually
criticized for--his reluctance to
spend money. There's something endearing about a person who hates
losing a dime in the opulence of '20s Hollywood, and who squirrels his
millions away as if his life depended on saving every dollar. But when
you think about it that's another paradox in Chaplin's character,
becuase he spent a lot when he felt like it.

Connie K.

[Feuillade]

Post by c***@ttu.edu
And just who is the author of this dubiously necessary new biography
of Chaplin? ;-)

"Chaplin: A Life in Film" by Stephen Weissman (with an Introduction by
Geraldine Chaplin) is being published by Arcade Publishing in
November.

When in November I'm not sure. Amazon says the 24th, but I've heard
it could be pushed up sooner. Possibly even as much as November 1st.

Dr. Weissman was the guy who wrote that Chaplin's mother was a
prostitute and contracted syphilis (which Geraldine discusses in her
introduction). That section is in Schickel's anthology "The Essential
Chaplin."

I'm looking forward to reading it, and depending on the venue I may
review it somewhere or other.

Let's face it: after Kenneth Lynn and Joyce Milton there's nowhere to
go with a Chaplin biography but up.

As Sarah Vowell says: "Buy it while you still have money."

Tom Moran

[c***@ttu.edu]

Post by Feuillade

Post by c***@ttu.edu
And just who is the author of this dubiously necessary new biography
of Chaplin? ;-)

"Chaplin: A Life in Film" by Stephen Weissman (with an Introduction by
Geraldine Chaplin) is being published by Arcade Publishing in
November.

Stephen Weissman was in touch with me some time back, and also with
Bonnie and David I believe, and probably everyone else he could
contact. He's been
working on this project for many moons, so I thought it might be him.

When he contacted me he was trying to work through his ambivalence
about
his subject. I'll be interested to see how he resolves it.

Post by Feuillade
When in November I'm not sure.  Amazon says the 24th, but I've heard
it could be pushed up sooner.  Possibly even as much as November 1st.
Dr. Weissman was the guy who wrote that Chaplin's mother was a
prostitute and contracted syphilis (which Geraldine discusses in her
introduction).  That section is in Schickel's anthology "The Essential
Chaplin."

He's got a doctor's diagnosis, but given the fact that syphillis
mimics so many
other diseases, in the absence of a Wasserman test I don't consider
that
conclusive. She was obviously not particularly chaste, but the fact
that she
was deranged is more important than the possible physical basis of her
condition.

Post by Feuillade
I'm looking forward to reading it, and depending on the venue I may
review it somewhere or other.
Let's face it: after Kenneth Lynn and Joyce Milton there's nowhere to
go with a Chaplin biography but up.

True enough. Weissman has two easy acts to follow.

Connie K.

Post by Feuillade
As Sarah Vowell says: "Buy it while you still have money."
Tom Moran

[Feuillade]

Post by c***@ttu.edu

Post by Feuillade

Post by c***@ttu.edu
And just who is the author of this dubiously necessary new biography
of Chaplin? ;-)

"Chaplin: A Life in Film" by Stephen Weissman (with an Introduction by
Geraldine Chaplin) is being published by Arcade Publishing in
November.

Stephen Weissman was in touch with me some time back, and also with
Bonnie and David I believe, and probably everyone else he could
contact.  He's been
working on this project for many moons, so I thought it might be him.
When he contacted me he was trying to work through his ambivalence
about
his subject. I'll be interested to see how he resolves it.

Uh-oh.

Tom Moran

[c***@ttu.edu]

Post by Feuillade

Post by c***@ttu.edu

Post by Feuillade

Post by c***@ttu.edu
And just who is the author of this dubiously necessary new biography
of Chaplin? ;-)

"Chaplin: A Life in Film" by Stephen Weissman (with an Introduction by
Geraldine Chaplin) is being published by Arcade Publishing in
November.

Stephen Weissman was in touch with me some time back, and also with
Bonnie and David I believe, and probably everyone else he could
contact.  He's been
working on this project for many moons, so I thought it might be him.
When he contacted me he was trying to work through his ambivalence
about
his subject. I'll be interested to see how he resolves it.

Uh-oh.
Tom Moran- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

Yes, I agree that's an ominous sign. Bonnie had the impression that he
was just out
to dig dirt, and he was interested in material that tended toward the
sensational and/or
psychosexual, which I suppose is not surprising for a psychiatrist.

The tone of the two pieces he's published so far is pretty
businesslike, however, so
he may have come to terms with the fact that he's dealing with a
slippery subject who
was not as saintly as the mythical character he created.

Connie K.

[Feuillade]

On Oct 12, 1:10 pm, "***@ttu.edu"
<***@ttu.edu> wrote:

<snip>

Post by c***@ttu.edu
Pennsylvania, of course. It's even possible that Obama will carry
Texas, which hasn't always been in the red column. West Texas, where I
live, is less affected by the downturn than most areas, but we feel
the pinch. Obama won't win here, but he'll do well in Dallas and
Houston

I've been looking at the electoral map and trying to figure out a way
to get McCain to 270 and thinking that at this point it's pretty much
impossible, but even I don't see Obama carrying Texas.

But barring an Obama/Osama sex tape surfacing (which is a tad
unlikely), I stick by my prediction: Obama gets over 300 electoral
votes, McCain gets less than 200.

And the Reagan era is finally over.

Tom Moran

[c***@ttu.edu]

Post by Feuillade
<snip>

Post by c***@ttu.edu
Pennsylvania, of course. It's even possible that Obama will carry
Texas, which hasn't always been in the red column. West Texas, where I
live, is less affected by the downturn than most areas, but we feel
the pinch. Obama won't win here, but he'll do well in Dallas and
Houston

I've been looking at the electoral map and trying to figure out a way
to get McCain to 270 and thinking that at this point it's pretty much
impossible, but even I don't see Obama carrying Texas.

Texas is a more complex place than people who've never lived here
think. I just saw a picture in _Texas Monthly_ of a tombstome in a
state cemetery on which was inscribed: "I never voted for a
Republican,
or otherwise had much to do with one." This fellow must be grinning
in his grave today--more than usual, that is.

My thought for the week:

Americans built a powerful nation in a hundred and seventy years.
G.W. Bush wrecked it in a mere seven years.

That's not quite as impressive as making the world in seven days, but
for a mere mortal it's no mean feat.

Connie K.

Post by Feuillade
But barring an Obama/Osama sex tape surfacing (which is a tad
unlikely), I stick by my prediction: Obama gets over 300 electoral
votes, McCain gets less than 200.
And the Reagan era is finally over.
Tom Moran

[Feuillade]

Post by c***@ttu.edu

Post by Feuillade
<snip>

Post by c***@ttu.edu
Pennsylvania, of course. It's even possible that Obama will carry
Texas, which hasn't always been in the red column. West Texas, where I
live, is less affected by the downturn than most areas, but we feel
the pinch. Obama won't win here, but he'll do well in Dallas and
Houston

I've been looking at the electoral map and trying to figure out a way
to get McCain to 270 and thinking that at this point it's pretty much
impossible, but even I don't see Obama carrying Texas.

Texas is a more complex place than people who've never lived here
think. I just saw a picture in _Texas Monthly_ of a tombstome in a
state cemetery on which was inscribed: "I never voted for a
Republican, or otherwise had much to do with one." This fellow
must be grinning in his grave today--more than usual, that is.

Well, you know more about Texas than I do, but I would be
flabbergasted if Obama took Texas.

Tom Moran