Editor’s note: This marks the 22nd anniversary of “In Tune With June!”
My niece, Caroline, who lives in Washington, sends mail to me once a year. Actually, she doesn’t write – not one word. She sends me an Oscar ballot. Most folks she knows get this Oscar mailing. We mail it back to her with our choices and a five-dollar bill. Caroline grades the ballots after the Academy Awards are given, and the winners get a cash prize. For years I’ve been low man on the totem pole – the bottom of the list. In spite of my making poor predictions, I participate.I do enjoy going to the movies, and that enjoyment has been greatly enhanced since it takes minutes to get to our new movie theater.
This past year I’ve written about many of the Oscar-nominated films. Surprisingly, most are small films that deal with potent themes – films that address deep political and social themes. They range from gay romance to the abuse of government power to racial relations to the cycle of vengeance in the Middle East. They deal with issues and they ask questions. They don’t really give resolutions. Perhaps it’s all reflecting the nation at large.
As I’ve learned from Caroline’s ballot, I’m not good at guessing who the Best Picture winner will be.
Oops, the Academy reminds the presenters not say “winner.” Hollywood’s biggest stars (all looking incredibly gorgeous) are the presenters who are schooled to say, “The Oscar goes to…”
I’m bad at math, but I’ve read that the movie that has the most Oscar nominations usually wins Best Picture. According to ads, “Brokeback Mountain” has eight nominations. I guess, then, that it has “favorite” written all over it. Strangely – or not so – my two sons, Jim and Andy, and my son-in-law, Mike, were not interested in seeing “Brokeback Mountain” although their ladies did see and enjoy it.
My least favorite film this past year, “King Kong” grossed more than all the nominated films put together. Yikes!
But back to the Academy Awards that are being presented this Sunday. I enjoy the glamour and the excitement. And here’s a confession – a true one – (remember the magazine my mom wouldn’t let me read, True Confessions?!): I especially enjoy the red carpet show that precedes the presentations, and the next day I enjoy the dissections of the clothes even more.
At the Museum of Television and Radio on West 52nd Street in New York there’s an ongoing series called “Screenings/Listening.” “She Made It” celebrates the achievements of great women writers, directors, producers, sportscasters, journalists and, yes, executives (right on, girl!). At MT&R there are large portraits of the 50 2005 honorees. You probably could name many, and you would recognize them, too. To mention just a few, there’s Lucille Ball, Katie Couric, Diane Sawyer, Mary Tyler Moore, Sarah Jessica Parker, Barbara Walters and, of course, Oprah.
I didn’t realize that Sarah Jessica Parker (I wish she had a shorter name!) was not only the star of “Sex and the City” but also its executive producer. I didn’t realize that Mary Tyler Moore (I wish she had a shorter name!) not only starred in her series but also founded MTM Enterprises. Marlo Thomas (thank goodness – a short name!) starred in “That Girl” under the banner of her own company.
If you haven’t been to MT&R yet and if you are a television and/or radio person (and who isn’t?!) you’ll be delighted with this museum. Its rich and diverse collection has more than 110,000 programs and you can see anything you desire. There are screening rooms, listening rooms and a library where you can select a program from a computerized catalog. There are even tours of the museum.
The series “She Made It” is on through April 30.
Unknown to me, the event of the afternoon at the Winter Garden was a performance by the New York Baroque Dance Company. I had no idea what that would be about, but it turned out to be an unexpected treat.
In 18th century England, dance was instrumental to winning the heart of a lady. Frankly, I think it’s a great help today, too.
The New York Baroque Dance Company, I learned, is the leading company in historical dance today. The title of the program I was lucky enough to fall into was “Courting an English Lady, Proper and Improper.” As I ate my tuna/cranberry salad (aside to Betty – that’s the recipe I gave you) I watched ballroom and stage dances performed by costumed dancers to live music on period instruments. By performing dramatic, comedic and country dances of the 18th century, the proper and improper ways to woo a winsome heart was demonstrated.
But, wait, next came to my mind, dessert. The audience was invited to learn a country dance with the professionals. Of course I didn’t need coaxing. I do-si-doed happily along with the other extroverted audience members. What fun! And I owe it all to timing!
As a P.S., the printed program for the afternoon was an 18th century reprint from The School of Manners, London. It includes, following the title of the performance, “Courting an English Lady, Proper and Improper,” 10 manners “At table and in social intercourse.” Some are humorous; many could easily apply to today. See below:
1. Spit not, cough not, nor blow thy nose at the table, if it may be avoided: but, if there be necessity, do it aside and without much noise.
2. Lean not thy elbow on the table, or on the back of thy chair.
3. Blow not they meat, but with patience wait until it be cool.
4. Spit not forth anything that is not convenient to be swallowed, as the stones of plums, cherries or the like; but with thy left hand neatly move them to the side of thy plate.
5. Foul not the tablecloth.
6. Foul not the napkin all over, but at one corner.
7. Pick not thy teeth at the table unless holding up a napkin before thy mouth with thine other hand.
8. Find not fault with anything that is given thee.
9. Put not they hand in the presence of others to any part of thy body, not ordinarily discovered.
10. Let thy Countenance be moderately cheerful, neither laughing nor frowning.