Is This 007’s Sexist Bond Girl EVER?

007 has had some of the most beautiful Actresses in movie history featured as a “Bond girl”…including such modern-day Actresses as Halle Berry and Rosamund Pike -but in the beginning, it’s wasn’t that type of stunt casting. Here’s a look at one of the earliest Bond girls who moved from 007 to Giallo!

Meet Claudine Auger – born is France, she earned the title of “Miss France Monde” and was the first runner-up in the 1958 “Miss World” contest.

Claudine’s big break came in 1965 when she was cast in the fourth James Bond film. Auger is, to me, the most beautiful Bond girl of all – and she shares the poster with Sean Connery as Bond girl “Domino” in “Thunderball”:

Here is the classic trailer for one of the best Bond films ever:

Auger holds her against up against 007, and the film’s huge success made her a star – which she used to star in some of the best 1970’s sex shockers of all time!

A “Bond Girl” Triple Bill!

In 1971, she starred with two other Bond girls, Barbara Bach and Barbara Bouchet, in the classic Italian Giallo “Black Belly Of The Tarantula”!

Check out the intense trailer!

Here is the plot for this classic Italian thriller:

Inspector Tellini investigates serial crimes where victims are paralyzed while having their bellies ripped open with a sharp knife, much in the same way tarantulas are killed by the black wasp!

Claudine is terrific in the film, which is one of the best Italian “giallo” thrillers – more on this genre in a second, but first, time for some choice dialogue!

Paolo: “But, man isn’t an insect, my dear Simon. We have centuries of civilization behind us, you know.”
Simon: “No, I don’t know. I wasn’t there.”

Time For More Claudine!

Auger also starred in another great Italian “giallo” thriller, known as:

“Twitch Of The Death Nerve”!

First, check out this groovy, psychedelic trailer!

Or you can call it “Bay Of Blood” – it was known by both titles – and many others as well!

Here is the plot: Countess Federica, the elderly owner of a coveted piece of bayside property, is brutally slain by her husband–who is himself killed by a mysterious third person at the murder scene! Who is the killer? Director Mario Bava’s black comedy of human greed boasts 13 characters and 13 of the most shocking murders ever filmed!

This is considered by many cult film fans as Director Mario Bava’s most influential film and the Godfather of the “slasher” genre!

As I mentioned, this film was released in the US with a multitude of titles, including “The Last House on the Left Part II”, even though this film had nothing to do with Wes Craven’s cult shocker “The Last House on the Left”!

Here is more great trivia, thanks to IMDB: “Friday the 13th Part 2” takes two murders from this film, almost shot for shot!

Auger has had a long and successful career, but these movies are, without a doubt, some of her greatest work!

As I mentioned before, Auger co-starred with Barbara Bouchet, who was also a Bond girl!

Bouchet was in the spoof “Casino Royale”, along with a number of other great films – you can read all about her here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/04/29/classic-sex-kitten-james-bonds-sexy-co-star-barbara-bouchet/

And I mentioned Italian “giallo” films, which were sex shockers from the 70’s – great cult classics like this:

Read about the classic “Lizard In A Woman’s Skin” and more italian sex shockers by clicking on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2015/10/15/a-lizard-in-a-womans-skin-halloweens-controversial-giallo-on-trial-slithering-italian-sex-shockers/

And if you want to see one of the greatest titles in the italian “giallo” genre, what about this?

This is a perfect example of the genre, a great 70’s thriller from Italy – read all about it by clicking on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/07/09/time-to-strip-nude-four-flies-and-baba-yaga-to-you-yes-its-classic-italian-giallo/

Let me know what you think of the great Actress Claudine Auger!

Elevator Sex!

It is one of cinema’s most iconic erotic scenes – with Oscar winners!

Revenge!

And it is one of movie’s most shocking endings – a tale of revenge with one added bonus!

Boiling Bunnies!

Yes, it is true: that WAS a real bunny! Time to celebrate all that is the majesty of:

The “Oral” History Of “Fatal Attraction”!

First and foremost, remember this: “Fatal Attraction” was nominated for best picture of the year in 1987 – it was a pop culture phenomenon – that nobody wanted to make!

Empire magazine Writer Mark Salisbury did a great oral history of the film in the October issue of the magazine.

It’s a great story about a great movie that lives on decades later as one of Hollywood’s most explicit shockers!

Here are some of the highlights from the magazine article!

What A Credit!

The opening credits include this:

“Written by James Dearden based on his original screenplay”

That’s because Dearden’s short film “Diverson” told the story that became the first third of the film – his tale of a girlfriend who slits her wrists when her boyfriend tries to break up with her. That was the end of “Diverson”, but the inspiration for the rest of “Fatal Attraction.”

Producers saw the short film and asked Dearden to expand it into a feature length film…but as Producer Sherry Lansing said:

“Every studio passed on it at least twice. People would throw the script in my face and say, ‘i’m a happily married man, i would never cheat on my wife for absolutely no reason.’ They were really offended by it.”

For good reason! Some of the Oscar-nominated script included conversations like this, which began after Douglas has an affair with Close while his wife and daughter are out of town:

Dan Gallagher: You’re so sad. You know that, Alex? Lonely and very sad.
Alex Forrest: Don’t you ever pity me, you smug bastard.
Dan Gallagher: I’ll pity you… I’ll pity you. I’ll pity you because you’re sick.
Alex Forrest: Why? Because I won’t allow you treat me like some slut you can just bang a couple of times and throw in the garbage?

And that’s what was so controversial about the film – Douglas has almost NO regret for cheating on his wife, only for being caught up in a revenge tale from a woman spurned!

Brian DePalma Vs. Michael Douglas!

And then came the disasterous directorial dance with Brian DePalma, who had just made “The Untoucables” and wanted to take “Fatal Attraction” in a different direction – without Michael Douglas!

Luckily, The Producers said “no”, and DePalma left the project. Says Lansing:

“We never told Michael. He only found out many years later, after he was so hugely successful. He thought it was funny. At the time it would have really hurt him.”

And Douglass adds pointedly about Brian DePalma’s effort to replace him:

“I’ve always carried a grude with Bri. We didn’t get it resolved for like 20 years, when he came up to maat some party to try and explain. I just said, ‘Brian, it’s too late. Twenty years is too late.”

As for Glenn Close, she was told that she was too nice and earthy to be the vixen in the movie, so she showed up with her hair uncombed, frizzly and unmanageable…just like the character – and won them over immediately!

Director Adrien Lyne said after her audition: “I remember thinking her hair was a disaster, but that’s what people remember, that kind of medusa hair.”

As Michael Douglas admitted:

“I thought she was wrong before she came and in and absolutely right after she came in. She had that sexy, erotic, dangerous quality.”

And as for the sex scenes, Michael Douglas tells some funny stories about being goofy on set to take the tension out of the moment and Glenn Close was up for anything – IF she was kept awash in alcohol.

“I said, OK Tommy (the prop guy) you have to give me a pitcher of margaritas.”

Oh, and then there is this:

“The stench was unbearable!”

Yes, it was a REAL Rabbit used in that infamous scene…a dead one with the innards taken out but the fur left on, and it smelled horrible…because they really did boil it in a pot of hot water for the scene!

As For The Controversial Ending…

The film’s DVD and blu-ray releases have a lot of great stories about how the audience reacted to test screenings, including the original ending – and the magazine article goes into the controversy about that as well…

The film’s original ending was bleak, with Close committing suicide…but audiences wanted more, and so reluctantly, Glenn Close agreed to let her character show a more evil side at the end…

As she says now:

“The changes that were made with the ending, for better or fore worse for Alex, made it into the sensation that it became…I’m proud to be part of that movie. its part of our collective consciousness.”

If you want to see more, go to the Empire website – the magazine has a ton of great content every month:

And don’t forget that “Fatal Attraction” was part of the Michael Douglas “penis” trilogy…read the rest here!

http://johnrieber.com/2014/01/13/fatal-attractions-basic-instincts-full-disclosure-the-infamous-michael-douglas-penis-trilogy/

And if you are surprised that the film was Oscar-nominated, don’t be: Oscar has said “bravo” to X-rated films 13 times! Read about Oscar’s adult fixation by clicking on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/05/07/x-rated-butter-cowboys-droogs-oscars-x-flirtation/

And let me know what you think of “Fatal Attraction!”

Radiohead Does 007! And Gets Whacked!

As always, it began on social media – this announcement from Radiohead’s lead singer:

Thom Yorke ✔@thomyorke
“Last year we were asked to write a tune for Bond movie Spectre. Yes we were”

And with that tweet, another chapter in the “censored” James Bond theme songs is written!

Radiohead fans got the greatest Christmas present ever – the band released their “Spectre” theme song on SoundCloud – yes, Radiohead recorded a James Bond theme!

Lead singer Thom Yorke announced on Twitter that Radiohead did “write a tune” for the latest film in the James Bond series, but it didn’t end up “working out”, according to him.

Fans flooded the internet with their versions of the film’s opening titles – with the Radiohead song – take a look!

Sam Smith was ultimately chosen to record the movie’s theme song, “Writing on the Wall,” which in my opinion is an AWFUL Bond song – no sense of the history of the series at all – just a drab ballad that didn’t make a dent in the charts…

Radiohead, Meet Alice Cooper!

This isn’t he first time a James Bond theme song was censored…yes, the series has a history of rejecting theme songs…

Alice Cooper was one of the biggest bands of the mid-70’s, and the group also wrote a Bond theme, and it was rejected as well! Read all about Alice Cooper’s “Man With The Golden Gun” debacle by clicking on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/10/05/adele-skyfall-new-james-bond-theme-best-bond-themes-censored-bond-music/

It’s an honor to record a Bond theme song, but that doesn’t mean it gets used!

Leave a comment to let me know what you think of Radiohead’s effort!

Hungry?

Thanks to Antonio Ruiz and several others for sending me this picture…they naturally assumed it was EXACTLY the kind of burger I would like – and you know what? It IS!

And so is this!

Time For A Cheeseburger!

As we near the end of 2015, I got to thinking about something I love: burgers! And when I think about them – well, I think about this:

People share all sorts of wild burgers with me, and I eat some of them as well – as you are about to see!

I have chosen some of of my favorite burgers to share with you today – to honor those restaurants who have made 2015 a towering burger success!

One of Chicago’s best burgers was recently called America’s too – I will introduce you to this burger of beauty, as well as some of America’s other best burgers as well.

First however, I would like to honor myself with a burger I created many years ago…

Behold The French Fry Burger!

My favorite burger of all time – I created it in high school, when I worked at Herfy’s drive-in in Seattle. It combines all the things I love: it’s a cheeseburger burger topped with fries, then melted cheddar cheese and a dollop of tartar sauce!

When it comes to burgers, all taste combination bets are off!

And Elvis agrees!

So does Jimmy Page!

Elvis wasn’t the only superstar who liked to bite into a big burger…

Well, the Led Zeppelin Guitarist seems a bit “cautious” when it comes to his burgers, but with this kind of musical muscle behind it, the cheeseburger is the clearly the “food of the gods”!

And That Means Dick’s!

Growing up in Seattle, THIS was my favorite taste sensation:

Talk about all-american burgers! The GREAT Seattle burger stand known as Dick’s Drive-In serves up a burger that is simple – and delicious!

Dick’s Drive-In is fast, friendly, and a great Seattle institution – so the next time you are in the Emerald City, this is the place for you!

And if you need a BIGGER BURGER, but still want to honor Dick’s Drive-In, then try this!

Welcome To The Lunchbox Laboratory!

Seattle’s terrific burger bar “The Lunchbox Laboratory” serves up a “super-sized” homage to Dick’s “Deluxe” burger…

Read all about the Lab AND Dick’s by clicking here:

http://johnrieber.com/2015/03/12/classic-burger-joints-dicks-drive-in-lunchbox-laboratory-seattles-burger-magic/

I go to Dick’s every single time I go to Seattle…and when I’m in Chicago, I head to a place with their own unique homage:

The “Big Mack Daddy”!

Big ‘n’ Little’s serves up a huge homage to the Big Mac, and as you can see, they tower over the original! This relaxed eatery was featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives”, and they are always packed with fans of stuff like their deep-fried cheeseburger:

Big ‘n’ Little’s also makes an homage to the “Big Mac” that puts McDonald’s to shame – it’s a giant burger that packs a ton of flavor – fresh ingredients, secret sauce and delicious double patties:

They also offer great tacos, shrimp and chips, and so much more! Read more about it here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/10/22/big-n-littles-rocks-the-big-mack-daddy-chicagos-best-burger-bite-on/

And finally, time to get your “Slayer” on at Kuma’s!

My friend Chris is staring into the face of “The Slayer”, a monstrous plate of burger madness…Kuma’s in Chicago serves it up!

Kuma’s was just voted one of America’s best burgers! They all have a heavy metal theme, which is why I love them so much – because that attitude infuses everything at the restaurant!

Their burgers have aggressive, loud flavors and signs warn you NOT to ask for a change in music – it’s their choice!

As I said, a new national poll placed Kuma’s near the top of America’s best burgers…

Read all about how Kuma’s takes a burger to a whole new level by clicking on here!

http://johnrieber.com/2014/07/17/chicagos-burger-wars-heavy-metal-vs-mad-max-big-against-bag/

Let me know your favorite burger of the year!

“Listen, listen
Listen to the voice,
The voice is an illusion
Listen to the voice,
Don’t let the words confuse you
’cause you need something to concentrate on,
Concentrate on me
You need something to meditate on,
Meditate on me”

Time To Meditate Some “Healing!”

In 1981, Todd Rundgren released one of his most spiritual albums ever – the haunting masterpiece “Healing”.

After a decade of pop hits and rock experimentation, Todd was in a contemplative mood. Here is how Todd described the album:

“I did the record as an experiment. If the record could be therapeutic if you actually consciously try to make it so. And uh, while it was therapeutic for me creating a texture of sound that was amenable to that idea, after the album came out, some people told me they thought the record actually had therapeutic value. Now I’m wondering whether it was the quality of the music, or because there is some audio suggestion in there, when you call a record, “Healing”.”

“Healing”‘s “Therapeutic Value!”

As Todd said in the quote above, many people have found lots of therapeutic value in the album, especially the 3-part song “Healing” that takes up the entire second side of the album…

Here are the opening lines of “Healing Pt. 2”:

“Where you are going
You cannot take your body
You are on a journey,
The baggage is too heavy

You can leave your legs behind you,
You will learn to fly
You can leave your arms behind you,
You will touch the sky”

Here’s a terrific live version of “Healing Pt. 1 and 2”:

That was “Healing” Live At The Mayo Center For The Performing Arts, Morristown, N.J. September 14, 2010 – thanks to “HarryRunt dans” for sharing this on youtube…

The album also includes the great single “Compassion”, one of Todd’s most beautiful ballads – here is a great live performance from 1990:

“You want more, and still more, until you get more than you ever bargained for…”

“Compassion” is a beautiful song with compelling lyrics, and the album is full of great hooks and uplifting songs.

Here is how the album is described by Rhino Records, who re-released it:

“From a commercial standpoint, the singles from Healing didn’t exactly set the world on fire, but “Time Heals” was a top-20 hit on the Mainstream Rock chart, and “Compassion,” while not quite as successful, was a #48 MR hit. By coincidence, #48 is also what the album hit on the Billboard Top 200, so Rundgren clearly still had a fanbase.”

The back cover image of the album (artwork by Prairie Prince) shows the caduceus overlaid by a treble clef and a Qabalistic Tree of Life overlaid by a bass clef, reflecting Rundgren’s linking of his spirituality and music.

“Time Heals” MTV’s First Day On Air!

I own the original vinyl release of “Healing”, which included a bonus 7″ 33rpm single featuring the tracks “Time Heals” and “Tiny Demons” which were later included on the albums’ CD release.

Todd’s love of technology was clear at the time, as he made a music video for “Time Heals!”

Here is that original music video:

“Time Heals” was the eighth music video EVER to air on MTV during its launch on August 1, 1981. The first video of course was “Video Killed The Radio Star”, plus videos from Pat Benatar, Rod Stewart and The Who…but Todd was #8!

Todd Performs “Healing” Live!

Just as he did with “AWATS” and “Todd”, Rundgren performed the entire album live for a CD/DVD release!

In addition to the album in its entirety, Todd added a live version of “Sons of 1984”, which is a great uplifting way to end the concert.

Buy the live DVD performance to see Todd at his best!

As fans know, Todd is currently on the road doing “An Evening With Todd Rundgren.”

He’s performing all of his biggest hits, and the band never sounded better! You can read my review of his show in Beverly Hills, with some performance footage, by clicking on my story here:

Todd Rundgren Rocks Beverly Hills! Todd’s 2016 Tour Reviewed! Todd Goes “Virtual Reality!”

“Healing” was Todd’s first album of the 80’s, and I also took a look at the album that he released at the end of the decade:

You can read all about this masterpiece by clicking on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/08/26/todd-rundgren-is-nearly-human-todds-6-fingered-masterpiece/

Let me know what you think of Todd’s “Healing!”

Dustin Hoffman Gets Gritty!

You may know Dustin Hoffman for a lot of great movie roles, but I bet you don’t know him as a hardened ex-con trying to do his “Straight Time!

“Straight Time” is a neglected gem – this 1978 crime drama starred Hoffman alongside Harry Dean Stanton and Gary Busey.

Here is the gritty trailer from 1978:

The film begins with Hoffman being paroled after serving several years in prison. He attempts to go straight, get a regular job, and just go by the rules, but due in part to a corrupt Parole Officer, Hoffman ends up going back to his very rough ways.

A young Theresa Russell co-stars as a social worker who gets involved with Hoffman, and sees how his past is catching up to him once again. She is just one of many young faces to show up in the film…

Hello, Kathy Bates!

Yes, you may think of Kathy Bates from films like “Misery” and “Primary Colors”, but a very young Kathy Bates also stars in the film as Gary Busey’s wife, who fears that Hoffman’s return may spell trouble for her husband…

Dustin Hoffman Fires… Dustin Hoffman!

Here’s a great movie legend surrounding “Straight Time”: Dustin Hoffman was going to direct himself in the movie, but after the first day he fired himself!

Yes, Hoffman allegedly “fired” himself after the first day, giving the job to friend Ulu Grosbard so he could focus on acting the complex lead role of Max Denbo!

“Straight Time” is a great crime drama, with an amazingly intense performance by Hoffman, who spent time in prison to research his role. This is one of the last of the great 70’s films. Only a few years later, Hoffman would show his flair for comedy with the brilliant “Tootsie”!

Here’s a look at his performance in that film, along with a look at his co-star Bill Murray’s directorial debut:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/08/27/quick-change-bill-murrays-forgotten-classics-tootsies-and-clowns-welcome/

“Straight Time” was directed by Ulu Grosbard, who years earlier had directed Dustin Hoffman in one of the most obscure films of the 70’s:

“What A Title!”

“Who Is Harry Kellerman And Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?” is one of the wildest movies titles ever – and here are five more!

http://johnrieber.com/2015/11/30/cinemas-strangest-movie-titles-sex-witches-dustin-hoffman-slimeballs-too/

Of course, folks who were there in the early days of E! know that Dustin Hoffman made history when he came to the set of the iconic “Talk Soup!”

Yes, Hoffman appeared with his “Lawyer” Jon Lovitz, an amazing end to a wild stunt the show team pulled…read all about it here:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/01/18/dustin-hoffman-directs-quartet-dustins-best-one-liners-is-it-safe-hey-im-walkin-here/

Since it’s Oscar season, Hoffman also is part of the Academy Awards “X-rated Oscar” history:

Only one X-rated film has won Best Picture, and Hoffman was in it! Read all ALL 13 of Oscar’s X-rated nominations by clicking on my story here:

X-Rated Academy Awards! Obscure Oscar Trivia! Oscar’s Thirteen “X-Rated” Nominations!

As I mentioned, films like “Straight Time” and “Midnight Cowboy” were gritty action films, and here’s another 70’s classic of the genre:

Lee Marvin, Gene Hackman and a very naked Sissy Spacek star in this 70’s crime drama – you can read all about it here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/03/23/prime-cut-grindhouse-classic-gene-hackman-vs-lee-marvin/

And the 70’s had some unusual action heroes as well – like Walter Matthau!

Matthau starred in a number of gritty action classics like “The Laughing Policeman”, which you can read all about here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/02/07/bank-robbers-and-bus-massacres-charley-varrick-the-laughing-policeman-walter-matthau-action-star/

And finally, Roy Schneider starred in 70’s classics like “Jaws” and “Sorcerer”, but he was also in one of the early 70’s best crime thrillers!

“The Seven Ups” has one of the best car chases in movie history, all up the west side of Manhattan! Read all about this classic crime drama here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/09/07/new-yorks-gritty-movie-streets-taxi-drivers-subway-hijackings-cop-chases/

Leave a note and let me know which of these classic 70’s crime dramas you’ve seen!

“Rebel Yell” Indeed! “The Wedding Planner”! Why Billy Idol Matters!

It’s more than just the music – it’s the sneer, the swagger, the “Billy Idol-ness” of him – it’s time to remind you why Billy Idol matters!

Billy Idol. Photo by Walter P. Calahan, USA TODAY

Billy Idol has been a music icons for decades, with such smash hits as “Rebel Yell”, “White Wedding” and “Dancing With Myself” – but he is also so much more!

First, let’s get to this amazing piece of film trivia:

Billy Idol Starred As T-1000 in “Terminator 2!”

Well, he was supposed to! James Cameron hired Billy to play the legendary bad robot T-1000 in “Terminator 2”, but shortly before filming was to begin in 1990, Idol was in a motorcycle accident in Hollywood! His injuries were so bad he was unable to perform in the film. The role then went to Robert Patrick – who did an amazing job!

Cue The Bio!

Here’s some biographical information about Billy Idol, who was born William Michael Albert Broad in Stanmore, Middlesex, England. The name Billy Idol was inspired by a school teacher’s description of Broad as “idle”. In an interview in 1983, Idol said the name:

“was a bit of a goof, but also part of the old English school of rock. Billy Fury and all that. It was a ‘double thing’ not just a poke at the superstar-like people … It was fun, you know?”

Idol was a member of the 70’s punk rock band Generation X before launching his own solo career in the 80’s, hitting it big with hits like this:

Rebel Yell!

“Rebel Yell” showcased Idol’s swagger, arrogance and ability to command a stage.

Here is the “unbelievably a part of the 80’s” music video!

White Wedding!

Idol had a lot of great songs, from the ballad “Eyes Without A Face” to “Dancing With Myself” and this classic rocker.

Here is the hilariously entertaining 80’s video for “White Wedding”:

Billy Idol Rocks “The Wedding Singer!”

One of the best cameo appearances ever is when Billy Idol shows up at the end of the Adam Sandler / Drew Barrymore comedy “The Wedding Singer.”

First, here is the trailer:

This is Adam Sandler’s best film: a sweet, romantic and very funny comedy starring Sandler as a Wedding singer who is helps bride-to-be Drew Barrymore plan her wedding.

Of course, Drew’s husband-to-be in the film is a total dick, and at the end of the movie, Sandler enlists the help of Billy Idol in a hilarious way:

Idol steals his scenes, with just the right touch of “Billy Idol”, while also coming across as charming and sweet. And he writes well too!

“Dancing With Myself” Autobiography!

Idol did what many big stars do: as this terrific photo shows, he sat himself down at a typewriter and typed out the fiery story of his life!

The memoir was a smash hit, and the book reminded people about Billy Idol and his impact on pop culture. EVERYONE remembers those classic MTV music videos. So time has been good to Billy: he shows up on TV and in film, has a bestselling book, and still tours worldwide as well!

Billy Idol. Photo by Walter P. Calahan, USA TODAY

Billy Loves Siouxie!

Time for more great Billy Idol trivia!

Idol was briefly a member of “Siouxsie and the Banshees” in 1976!

Yes, Billy was briefly a member before co-founding the punk band “Generation X” with Tony James!

Thanks to Shea Magazine for these fun facts – click on the link to their site for 6 more!

http://sheamagazine.com/billy-idol-who-knew-8-fun-facts/

Billy Idol wasn’t the only British rocker shaking up MTV in the 80’s – there was this guy too:

Band: A Flock of Seagulls (Mike Score in the centre).
Bad eighties hair hairstyle

Yes, the hairstyles were SO 80’s at times weren’t they? Still, I loved “A Flock Of Seagulls” and other bands of the 80’s…read all about the “Animal music” of the 80’s here:

Classic 80’s Brit Pop “Animal-Style”! Flock Of Seagulls! Adam Ant! Bow Wow Wow!

And let me know your favorite Billy Idol song!

Tempura!

Tempura!!

TEMPURA!!!

Prepare To Have Your Pre-conceptions About Tempura Blown Away!

A new restaurant has opened in Beverly Hills, California – and has turned the world of tempura upside down!

Welcome To Tempura Endo Beverly Hills!

Tempura Endo recently opened in Beverly Hills, and reviews have been stellar! And when you see what I had to eat there, I hope you will agree! A beautiful new restaurant exterior only hints at what is in store. Inside, there are only a handful of seats – 8 total – all clustered along the sushi counter…

This is a high-end gourmet Tempura adventure. You have three options to choose from – 9 items, 11 items or the big 13 item menu. As they say on their website:

“Our Kyoto-style tempura feature the freshest seafood such as sea urchin wrapped with laver and prawn, and a variety of Kyoto vegetables.
The dinner course includes a seasonal appetizer, the choicest sashimi,
hashiyasume (palate-refreshment side dish), a special original salad, and a rice-dish.”

They hand you the menu that you choose before you arrive, and the menu has your name on it…with a full description of the menu inside.

We chose the “all-in” $280 option…but before you dig into your meal, you must put on your Tempura bib!

Alex put the bib on – my son Jeff went commando! Once bibbed, a plate is set before you with five different salts – you are given instructions when to use each one, including a rice salt, truffle salt, matcha salt and one with a yuzu flavor.

Here is our tasting menu at Tempera Endo, as laid out on our individual menu:

Cold Tempura Appetizer: Kyoto-Eggplant, minced shrimp and ginger dash glee

This is a light, refreshing way to begin – and then you are dropped right into the deep end of magic!

Amuse Tempura: Corn

So, to understand this dish, you have to know that it’s a deconstructed corn on the cob tempura, without the cob!

The corn was slightly crunchy, but full of creamy corn flavor – then, look at the restaurant’s logo on the next dish!

“Branded Shrimp Bread!”

yes, we were next served Shrimp bread – a crispy bite of toasty bread layered with whole shrimp! More fish follows:

Sashimi: three kinds of today’s fish and wagyu

Yes, next up were thick slices of fresh fish: yellowtail, abalone, fatty tuna – served in big fat chunks!

Bring On The Golden Wagyu!

The last beautiful slice on the plate is actually raw Wagyu beef – speckled with gold leaf!

The flavors on display so far have been phenomenal – a unique mix of dishes, and each time we are instructed by a Chef as to which salt or sauce to use – or none at all!

Time For An Incredible Tempura Display!

What you see if tempura shrimp – but this huge Scampi was living just moments before, and with a touch of salt, the delicate crust and incredible flavor just pops – and then you eat the fried head next!

Endo’s Tempura -style1-

That is how it is listed on the menu, and after Live Scampi comes King Crab – a big meaty chunk that is full of flavor – and all of this is amazingly fresh!

Now comes Sea Urchin wrapped in seaweed – probably the most luxurious taste of Urchin I have ever had!

Next, our Chef told us they created this dish just for the Beverly Hills restaurant, since Americans like something unique – and so it is:

A Truffle Stuffed Scallop With Caviar!

Yes, a huge meaty scallop is split in half and then a slice of black truffle is slid in!

Silage and Pea Croquette were next, and each was light, delicate and full of flavor….

Then Comes The Rare Abalone!

One of the more dangerous shellfish to harvest, a couple of wedges of Abalone are served: crunchy and refreshing…

Then, time for a “Refreshment Tempura: Flambee’d Sweet Potato with Zuzu Granite”

What makes this so much fun is the presentation – take a look:

By the way, the tempura batter is flour that is low in gluten – called “weak” flour on the menu – and only hard water is used, except when Chardonnay is added if frying seafood — and the oil is a blend of cotton seed, taebek sesame and safflower oil.

More of this delicate Tempura follows, including this unique Sesame tofu that comes in a paper cone that you mash up like a punching bag – a punching bag also filled with sliced black truffle:

Then, time for some “Wagyu Tempura” – that light batter surrounding a delicious chunk of prime Wagyu beef:

Finally, you are served a Tempura Bowl that is topped by a tempura’d egg, which you poke and unleash hot egg yolk into a bowl of miso soup:

After a refreshing dessert, you are treated to one last incredible show:

Matcha by Tea – Ceremony Style!

The specialty of the house is the special “tea” ceremony…it is actually made for you in an elaborate process they encourage you to film! Here it is:

This intense green tea is creamy, like hot chocolate, and as intensely flavored as any green tea I have ever had…a hot and satisfying end to an incredible meal!

Bravo to Tempura Endo – a memorable feast full of surprises and classic touches…and if you want to enjoy the world’s greatest food, then you must try this as well:

This incredible squid and chickpea dish was served to us in Barcelona…read about the world’s best food by clicking on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2015/10/03/bite-down-on-the-worlds-best-food-paris-napa-barcelona-provence-chicago-five-incredible-bites/

Let me know what you think of this amazing tempura!

Say Hello To The Face Of Exploitation Cinema!

Someone asked me to explain the phenomenon of exploitation cinema – an era from the late 60’s to the mid-80’s when movies pushed boundaries and broke taboos…and resulted in some of the most deranged and entertaining films of all time!

Welcome To Times Square!

It all began in New York’s Times Square, at a time when it was more dangerous to be IN THE THEATER than it was to be on the streets!

Time To Talk About All Forms Of Movie ‘Sploitation!

These movie theaters in Times Square were open 24 hours a day, showing some of the weirdest films ever made!

“Exploitation” films were also known as “Grindhouse” films, because they played New York’s 42nd street theaters all day and night…look at what a seedy scene it was at the time:

You can take a trip down memory lane with a story I posted about this unique time in cinema…just click here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/11/23/sex-violence-grindhouse-have-a-purient-holiday-an-exploitation-gift-guide/

Hard to imagine that this is what Times Square used to look like – but it’s a part of movie history that has disappeared…except on home video and on demand, where these films are having a re-birth!

A “David Hasselhoff” Moment!

Here’s a look at the kind of films that were shown in Times Square in the 70’s and early 80’s…from the subtle to the ridiculous – and with David Hasselhoff too!

“Hello, Boner”! Time For Classic “Exploitation”!

Yes, there were recognizable stars in some of the more “mainstream” exploitation films of the era, including David Hasselhoff who starred as “Boner” is one of the more hilarious examples – movies with lots of topless girls, subtle sexual situations, mostly “R”-rated, or soft “X” – nothing too controversial, just good clean naughty fun like this:

The “Cheerleader” genre was silly, good-natured fun, with just enough skin shown to keep teenage boys flocking to the movies…here’s a good primer of the genre:

http://johnrieber.com/2015/02/19/cheerleaders-pom-pom-girls-david-hasselhoff-as-boner-cult-classics-rah-rah-rah/

These films could play drive-in theaters all around the country…not too extreme for rural audiences…

In the 70’s, it was up to the Europeans to give us a “harder” look at the genre, “art” films that featured lots of sex and violence – films that proudly celebrated being called:

HOT HOT HOT “SEX-Sploitation!”

Grindhouse theaters were inundated in the early 70’s with films from Europe that blew the doors off the buildings they were shown in: sex kittens like Lina Romay showed off EVERYTHING in every movie!

Romay made a series of films with her husband, Director Jess Franco, that were provocative, explicitly sexual and eye-popping!

One of their most notorious is “The Hot Nights Of Linda”, with the censored “banana” scene….which you can now see on a newly released blu-ray edition of the film…read all about it here:

Linda’s Shocking “Hot” Nights! Lina Romay’s Classic Sexploitation!

Not all films of that era from Europe were this “shocking”…which leads to the next “s-ploitation” genre known as:

“ART-Sploitation”!

What exactly is this? “Sinner” is a perfect example – “artsploitation” films came from Europe, beginning with the shocking film that started it all:

“I Am Curious (Yellow)” was brought up on obscenity charges, but when they won their case, the floodgates were open to a lot of wild films from Europe – these
movies were chock full of sexual situations and full nudity – but with social issues of the day thrown in as well…making it supposedly a more “artistic” endeavor….like this:

Meet Christina Lindberg, The “Queen Of Artsploitation!”

I have written about all of Lindberg’s films – this Swedish Star made some of the best “Artsploitation” films of the 70’s, like these:

Christina Lindberg was a huge star in the 70’s – Her most provocative movie, which Quentin Tarantino used as an inspiration for “Kill Bill”, was the classic “Thriller: A Cruel Picture” AKA “They Call Her One-Eye!”

Read about all of her amazing films by clicking on my story here:

Christina Lindberg Speaks! The “Queen Of Artsploitation” Bares All!

While Christina was nude throughout all of her films, the movies themselves tried to tell compelling, intelligent stories…THIS “S-ploitation” genre, however, didn’t bother!

Welcome To The Wacky World Of “Dwarf-Sploitation”!

Well, you knew it had to lead to this: one of the most exploitive movies ever released, thanks of course to the Europeans! Time to meet The Sinful Dwarf!

This movie has NO redeeming social values, and isn’t that why we are watching?

And now, the terrific home video company Severin Films is bringing this “Dwarf” back on blu-ray!

The new blu-ray includes a ton of special features, including a look at the cast and crew!

Of course, one of my favortie stories of all is the disappearing starlet of “Sinful Dwarf”, Anne Sparrow. It was her only film, and then she disappeared from movie screens forever!

This beautiful Actress bares all in the film, but also gives a brave, professional performance – and then she disappeared forever!

Read all about the mystery of Anne Sparrow by clicking here:

http://johnrieber.com/2015/09/16/sinful-sex-kitten-anne-sparrow-the-mystery-of-a-disappearing-starlet/

These films in the 70’s made it to the US and helped open the door to a more explicit era in film…some wacky 70’s exploitation films, however, never left their country of origin – like these!

Time For Some “J-Sploitation!”

Welcome to wild and wacky Japan! The genre known as “J-Sploitation” dealt with Japanese sexploitation films – also called:

“Pink Films”!

These movies were about girls who got into trouble and had to fight their way out!

These films evoke a style like “Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!” and are definitely worth checking out!

Read all about them here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/08/18/wild-japan-cinema-pinky-violence-amazing-cult-exploitation-madness/

If you think only countries like Japan can release disturbing films that call their own culture into question, you are wrong!

Hick-sploitation!

Yes, right here in the heartland of the US of A, your “Country Cuzzins” are ready to party!

These movies are called “hick-Sploitation”, and they usually deal with country girls down on the farm who are ready to “get down”!

It’s a genre full of haystacks, “aw shucks” dialogue, and lots and lots of nudity! See what these “Country Cuzzins” are up to by clicking on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2015/12/12/gator-bait-country-lovin-hillbilly-brides-sex-action-missing-teeth-hicksploitation-lives/

These films evolved into more mainstream fare like “Gator Bait” and “White Lightning” with Burt Reynolds…just good old boys having some fun…back in Europe however, things just got darker and darker…

Shoot Up Some “Drug-Sploitation!”

This genre of “S-ploitation” had a short run in the US, with serious films like “The Panic In Needle Park” with Al Pacino:

Junkies on the streets of New York have movie stars attached, while in Europe, heroin addiction was just another plot point in films full of sex and violence like this:

See more about these rough and tumble descents into heroin madness by clicking on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/07/11/virgins-from-hell-plus-dead-virgins-too-oh-and-hannas-hooked-on-smack-exploitation-lives-on/

As you can see, Europeans dealt with social issues in one way, in the US it was a bit more humorous…like this genre:

Rev Up Some Classic “Hog-Sploitation”!

Yes, biker chicks was the rage in the 70’s – tough girls who could kick ass and take names!

Here is a list of some of the best:

http://johnrieber.com/2016/01/04/sexy-chopper-chicks-naked-cycle-sluts-sex-violence-hog-sploitation/

And there is one genre I could never support:

“Nun-Sploitation!”

This genre was touched upon a bit when Raquel Welch played the sexiest “cleave-flaunting” nun of all time:

Yes, Raquel dipped her breasts into the “euro-sleaze” genre in a big way!

“Euro-sleaze” is a type of movie made in Europe that didn’t even pretend to have any socially redeeming qualities – but big stars would make them because there was money to be made!

Raquel Welch was a sexy nun in the “euro-sleaze” classic “Bluebeard”.

Read more about this cult Ricahrd Burton classic – by clicking here:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/04/08/richard-burton-freezes-raquel-welch-bluebeards-classic-euro-sleaze/

So there’s a look at some of the wildest film genres ever produced – let me know your favorite!

Fishing With The Beatles!

Growing up in Seattle, I always heard the stories about how rock bands would fish out of their hotel room windows from the legendary Edgewater hotel!

As you can see the hotel is right on the water – and I always heard stories that The Beatles actually fished from their rooms when staying there – and it was true! Look at these amazing photos!

Yes, The Beatles enjoyed some down time when they visited Seattle in 1964 – and since the Edgewater Hotel is right on Puget Sound, they ALL really did go fishing!

These are just some of the fascinating pictures from “Beatlemania”, when the Fab Four would hold spirited press conferences in every city they visited!

The Beatles Know How To Throw A Punch!

Some of the most hilarious Beatles quotes came from these press conferences, like this one:

Reporter: “They think your haircuts are un-American.”
John: “Well, it was very observant of them because we aren’t American, actually.”

John’s acerbic wit wowed the press – along with Paul, George and Ringo as well…and they got to meet some of America’s greatest entertainers!

Yes, The Beatles Knew How To Take A Punch, Too!

According to a Facebook comment by Scott Mantz, this photo shoot was set up by Dezo Hoffman, the official photographer who joined The Beatles on their first US visit (when this photo was taken) — John in particular was SO humiliated by this, he didn’t speak to Hoffman for months!!

To me, the photos are hilarious, but if ANY ONE of The Beatles wouldn’t like this, it would have been John!

Ringo, on the other hand, didn’t seem to mind at all!

FILE – In this Feb. 18, 1964 file photo, boxer Cassius Clay lifts Beatles member Ringo Starr while the singers visited Clay’s camp in Miami Beach, Fla. Others from left are Paul McCartney, George Harrison and John Lennon. A few days earlier the British musicians had appeared for the first time on the Ed Sullivan Show. A week later, Clay would beat Sonny Liston and go on to even greater things as Muhammad Ali. (AP Photo)

These are pictures from 1964 when Ali was still known as Cassius Clay – and they are just amazing to me!

Great pics from The Beatles are always fun to see, perhaps none more so than the outtakes from the iconic “Abbey Road” shoot!

Yes, they still had fun, even when things weren’t going as well behind-the-scenes…all of their music videos and behind-the-scenes videos show sparks of camaraderies, all the way to the end…

If you want to see some incredible outtakes from the “Abbey Road” cover shoot, AND hear The White Album amp’ed up by a hundred, click on my story here:

The Beatles Remixed “White Album” X100! Beatles Abbey Road Greatest Outtakes!

One of the greatest documentaries ever is “Let It Be”, the story of the making of the album…

It was, of course, a disaster…John was sullen and alienated the others by bringing Yoko into the studio – at one point in a hospital bed! It created bad blood between them – but they rallied of course with their last live performance ver, from the roof of their office building in London:

I got my hands on an early VHS copy of the film, which was withdrawn from circulation…if you want to read more about this – and see some of the great live performances, click here:

Let It Be! The Beatles “Lost” Documentary! London’s “Live” Beatles Rooftop Concert!

And finally, some of their best songs were recorded during this time…and a couple are overlooked gems:

You can read some great trivia about John and Paul’s songs by clicking here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/01/26/the-beatles-forgotten-gems-john-lennons-monkey-mccartneys-primal-feeling/

Leave me a message and let me know if The Beatles did anything unique in your town!

Don Henley Scores His First Solo #1 Album!

Legendary Eagles lead singer – and drummer – Don Henley has released a great new country CD – a cause for musical celebration!

Welcome to “Cass County” – where Henley grew up in Texas. He returns to his country roots with this terrific 16-song CD.

Don Invites Some Country Legends To Join Him!

has a ton of great singers involved, including Merle Haggard, Trisha Yearwood, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, Lee Ann Womack – and Mick Jagger!

Here’s how Billboard magazine describes the way that Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger ended up on the first song on the album “Bramble Rose”:

“Of Jagger’s appearance, Henley said he thought to himself, “What’s the wackiest thing I could do?” on the country ballad, never expecting Jagger to say yes. Jagger recorded his verse in Los Angeles with Blue Note president/record producer Don Was, who was also in attendance.”

Miranda Lambert is also on the first track – a gorgeous country ballad.

More from the great Billboard article, in which Henley explains the idea behind the country CD:

“Henley, who reminisced about recording backing vocals for Bob Seger’s “Against the Wind” in Studio A in the ‘70s, called Cass County an album “about home” and “the circular nature of life.” Henley grew up in Linden, Texas, the county seat of Cass County, population 30,000.”

Duet-ing With The Iconic Dolly Parton!

Dolly Parton does an amazing duet with Henley on “When I Stop Dreaming,” originally a hit for The Louvin Bros. that she also performed with former singing partner, Porter Wagoner.

According to Billboard: “As she got ready to record, Parton mentioned to Henley that the key was too high for her, but instead of requesting a change, she declared, “I guess I’m going to rare back and get it done,” and proceeded to do just that.”

Don Henley And “The Eagles”!

In the Billboard article, Henley talk about the song “No, Thank You,” – which is easily the most raucous song on the CD – and Henley explained how the Eagles fit into his life currently.

“There’s a verse in the song that takes a little dig … You know, Rick Nelson put out a song called ‘Garden Party’ a long time ago about an experience he had at Madison Square Garden where he was trying to do some new material, and the audience started booing him because all they wanted to hear was what he had done in the past. And I love my career in the Eagles, and I really appreciate our fans, and God knows it’s a miracle we’ve been around this long. … I’ve got the best of both worlds, really. It’s wonderful to have the Eagles as the mother ship, and it’s wonderful to be able to go and do this other stuff.”

For me, the most beautiful song on the album is “Take A Picture Of This”, which is the story of a love affair gone bad…but I see some lyrics that could be speaking to a former member of the Eagles as well…

“A long long time ago
when we were young and pretty,
we ruled the world, we stopped the time, we knew it all, we owned this city
Running with the crowd, carefree and proud I heard somebody say

Take a picture of this – Take a picture of this”

While the song goes onto discuss a marriage that breaks up, these lyrics can also be directed at former Eagles band member Don Felder…

“Yeah that’s a suitcase; yeah that’s a ticket for a plane
There’s no one here to talk to, no reason to remain
When you spend all your time living in the past
With all those pictures that you took,
here’s one more for the book”

Here is the music video for the song:

I was struck by the song’s focus on a great relationship gone bad, “with all those picture that you took, here’s one more for the book…”

You see, former Guitarist Don Felder wrote a scathing book about how he was fired from the band:

Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974-2001) by Don Felder, with contributions by Wendy Holden – published in 2008

“Heaven and Hell” is a terrific insider’s look at life inside The Eagles – how they became superstars, broke up, re-formed for their “Hell Freezes Over” tour – and how Felder was ultimately forced out of the band…

March 1972 — The rock band The Eagles rest upon a rock. The Eagles were the most popular band of the seventies and their reunion tour in the nineties was also very successful. — Image by © Henry Diltz/CORBIS

In “Heaven and Hell”, Felder talks about his tempestuous years with the Eagles, revealing the greed, jealousy, and creative differences that ultimately tore them apart.

It’s ultimately a sad book, because Felder clearly LOVED being in the band…he was interviewed for the “History Of The Eagles” project as well…where he struggles to stay composed when discussing how he was fired from the band…

If you want to see more, check out the incredible documentary here:

http://johnrieber.com/2013/09/21/history-of-the-eagles-amazing-concert-old-friends-return/

Eagles Tribute To Glenn Frey!

The band re-formed and paid tribute to the late Glenn Frey at the Grammy Awards with the classic song “Take It Easy”, and Don Felder posted on social media that he would have liked to have been part of that tribute, but wasn’t asked…

The lead vocal was performed by songwriter and good friend Jackson Browne…

This terrific singer/songwriter also released a new album recently, which includes a sequel to “Take It Easy”:

The album includes a song “Leaving Winslow”, which continues the “standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona” lyrics from “Take It Easy”…you can read more about the album and see a live performance of “Leaving Winslow” by clicking on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/11/21/never-running-on-empty-brilliant-new-jackson-browne-music/

Lots of terrific new music from classic singer/songwriters – let me know if you’ve heard the new Don Henley!

Time To Take A Ride Into The World Of Hippies!

Hippies. Flower Power. Free Love. GROOVY. It was a unique time in our country’s history, with some wildly entertaining music to get groovy to!

Welcome To San Francisco – Circa 1968 – The Height Of Flower Power!

It was the intersection of free love and flower power: San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury district was THE place to express yourself in the 60’s – check out this classic video from 1968!

It was the “Summer Of Love” – 1967, when America’s youth was rebelling against authority, and heading to San Francisco, where all the girls had flowers in their hair….

Time To Celebrate “Flower Power!”

I was too young to experience this time, but there are many ways to enjoy this era – including some great music that captures this psychedelic era!

Meet The Groovy Synoptic Sounds Of “Fever Tree!”

My brother had this album, and it turned me on to psychedelic rock, thanks to “Fever Tree!”

The band had a minor hit with the song “San Francisco Girls (Return of the Native)”, which hit No. 91 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1968.

Here is a hippie-infused psychedelic music video!

Fever Tree’s debut album was released in 1968, landing at No. 156 on the Billboard 200 Chart. They offer a classic psychedelic sound, and I found some terrific psychedelic mashups on Youtube as well – fans who are keeping this special music alive….for example:

“60’s Garage, Surf, Freakbeat & Psychedelic Music – Vol. 1!” – by
GrimlyFormingPW

Groovy! Here’s a great primer on this style of music – presented as a great music video mashup by “GrimlyFormingPW” on Youtube!

Check it out!

There are a number of great documentaries that capture this time as well…including what many consider to be the greatest music documentary of all time:

The Music! The Nudity! The Brown Acid! Woodstock!

A half million hippies descend on Yasgur’s farm and hear some of the greatest hippie rock of the 60’s! See some incredible videos and behind-the-scenes pics here:

http://johnrieber.com/2015/11/01/celebrating-woodstock-3-days-of-pop-culture-magic-the-music-the-nudity-the-brown-acid/

If you want to see more of the classic 60’s sound, you have to begin here, with the greatest 60’s singer of them all:

Janis Joplin at Woodstock
no publication after December 31, 2009

Janis Joplin was one of the greatest singers of all time, and she died tragically, far too young….read about a new documentary that captures her wild wild life by clicking here:

Janis Joplin! “Little Girl Blue” Documentary! Rock’s Greatest Voice!

Finally, one of rock’s greatest Guitarists also performed at Woodstock:

Jim Hendrix electrified the audience at Woodstock, and there is a GREAT new documentary that also captured this virtuoso at the Atlanta Pop Festival:

Key Art for the SHOWTIME documentary Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church. PHOTO: Courtesy of SHOWTIME

You can see some clips from this documentary, and some great BTS pics, by clicking here:

http://johnrieber.com/2015/12/10/the-brilliance-of-jimi-hendrix-naked-hippies-racist-locals-the-amazing-documentary-of-electric-church/

And what happens to old hippies?

Here is a great story about older hippies who are still living the lifestyle:

https://i-d.vice.com/en_us/article/the-naked-ecstatic-world-of-americas-neo-hippies

Let me know if you are a fan of free love, hippies, and 60’s psychedelia!

Hollywood is such a funny place…critical and commercial acclaim one day can lead to direct-to-video films the next…the key is to keep working, no matter what the role is…there have been so many great movie stars – and virtually all have unique – and sometimes offbeat films – on their resumes…here’s a look at one such “True Hollywood Story: the talented Actress Olivia Hussey!

Olivia Rocks The Yellow Jumpsuit!

As I mentioned, everyone has a “strange choice, huh?” moment on their resume, and it’s no different for Actress Olivia Hussey. First, some background: she was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and first appeared on the London stage as Jenny in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie”, opposite Vanessa Redgrave. That’s where Italian film director Franco Zeffirelli first spotted her.

Cue Instant Stardom!

Hussey was chosen out of 500 actresses to star as Juliet in Zeffirelli’s smash hit 1968 film “Romeo and Juliet”.

Hollywood’s New Star Of The Year!

The film’s success led to her winning the Golden Globe Award for “New Star of the Year!”

This was the end of the 60’s, when Sinatra, Dean Martin and his gang still ruled. After the acclaim for her Shakespeare role, Hussey then married one of The Rat Pack’s sons, and was entering Hollywood royalty when tragedy struck.

In 1971, Hussey married actor Dean Paul Martin, son of the singer Dean Martin. They had a son before divorcing in 1978. Dean Paul Martin died in 1987 when his National Guard F-4 Phantom jet fighter crashed in California’s San Bernardino Mountains.

From Shakespeare To Shock!

Known for her classic Shakespeare role, it was one of Hollywood’s darkest horror films that exposed Hussey to a whole new generation of fans…

1974’s “Black Christmas”

This low-budget shocker, directed by Bob Clark, is now one of the most beloved horror films of the 70’s – in fact, “Black Christmas” set the stage for a new wave of horror film like “Halloween”.

The plot was simple: It’s time for Christmas break, and a group of sorority sisters make plans for the holiday – but then the horrifying anonymous phone calls begin.

Here is the extremely creepy trailer for this classic horror film:

Margot Kidder also stars as one of Olivia’s sorority sisters, and she’s got a wicked sense of humor and an acid tongue…

Even though the film is a dark thriller, Hussey says the movie set was a very light and happy between takes. She did admit that Margot Kidder was distant from cast/crew during the filming.

What A Cast!

In addition to Hussey and Kidder, Kier Dullea also stars in the movie – Dullea of course was in Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece, “2001: A Space Odyssey.”

Keir Dullea worked only for a week on this film, never meeting Margot Kidder and barely meeting John Saxon, but the film is edited in such a way that he appears to be present throughout the film…

During an interview with Bob Clark, the Director said Hussey’s decision to star in the film was based upon advice given to her by a psychic. According to Clark, Hussey said her psychic believed that the film would be successful and a wise career choice for her. She took the role.

Meeting Steve Martin!

Hussey continued to act in film and TV for the next decade. Around 1986, she met Steve Martin to discuss a role in his hit film “Roxanne”, and Martin said this to Olivia:

“Oh my God Olivia, you were in one of my all time favorite films”!

Hussey assumed it was for “Romeo and Juliet” – and was surprised to find out that Martin loved “Black Christmas”, claiming to have seen it over 20 times!

Talking Turkey!

Finally, here is that “why would she do this film?” role – one of Hussey’s most unique movies was this sci-fi cult classic:

1981’s “Turkey Shoot!”

This futuristic thriller involved prisoners who were set free so they could be hunted down by rich people! A very unique choice for Hussey:

As I said, when you are a working Actor in Hollywood, the key is to work. And this movie has become a cult classic. One of the most interesting aspects of the film was Hussey’s choice to do a nude shower scene in the film!

“Blu” Turkey!

The film is full of crazy action sequences – and Hussey does a great job in the film, along with Steve Railsback – “Turkey Shoot” has built up a great cult reputation – and now it’s been remastered on blu-ray! Read all about this thriller by clicking on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2015/09/23/shocking-turkey-shoot-sex-and-gore-down-under-wake-in-fright-new-exploitation-blu-rays/

As for Hussey, she is now a very successful voice over talent in “Batman Beyond”, and also voiced the character of Kasan Moor in the PC game, “Star Wars: Rogue Squadron”. She was also in “Star Wars: The Old Republic”.

So there’s a look at a “True Hollywood Star” who did Shakespeare, horror and sci-fi equally well!

As you can see from her credits, Hussey has had a very successful career in entertainment.

I am fascinated by Artists who have long and varied careers…and I am equally interested in Artists who appear once then disappear forever:

“One And Done!”

Anne Sparrow did just that! This Actress starred in the cult euro-sleaze film “The Sinful Dwarf”, then disappeared forever!

That’s right, Anne Sparrow has never been seen in a film again! Read all about this Actress and her notorious motion picture debut by clicking on my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2015/09/16/sinful-sex-kitten-anne-sparrow-the-mystery-of-a-disappearing-starlet/

And let me know if you’ve seen Olivia Hussey in this classic horror film!

Paul McCartney Meets Elvis Costello! “Flowers In The Dirt!” McCartney’s 80’s Collaborative Gem!

I have been looking back at Paul McCartney’s music – and every album is full of great musical surprises….like Elvis Costello!

Playing In “The Dirt!”

Here’s the musical road to “Flowers In The Dirt.” In the mid-80’s, McCartney was riding high with hit albums like “Tug Of War” and “Pipes Of Peace”…hit singles, acclaimed albums and big sales…but then came the release of one of his biggest flops:

McCartney’s “Press To Play” bombed – and for many, it’s one of his worst solo albums…I gave it a critical re-evaluation, which you can see here:

http://johnrieber.com/2015/10/24/paul-mccartneys-press-to-play-disaster-a-critical-re-examination/

After the critical and commercial failure of “Press To Play”, McCartney went back into the studio – with a new songwriting partner who looked like this!

Hello, Elvis!

Elvis Costello, one of the angriest songwriters of the late 70’s, had become one of the 80’s most acclaimed singer/songwriters….so when “Flowers In The Dirt” was released, Macca fans were surprised by the collaboration with Costello – let’s dive into “The Dirt!”

“I Been Hitting The Town And It Didn’t Hit Back!”

So begins the album – a great line from the power pop majesty of “My Brave Face” – this was McCartney’s last studio album of the 80’s, and it gets out of the gate in a big big way – with a big hit single!

Here’s the terrific music video:

The song is catchy with a great hook and strong lyrics:

“Ever Since You Left I Have Been Trying To
Compose A “Baby Will You Please Come Home” Note
Meant For You.
As I Clear Away Another
Untouched Tv Dinner
From The Table I Laid For Two.

Now That I’m Alone Again
I Can’t Stop Breaking Down Again,
The Simplest Things Set Me Off Again
And Take Me To That Place
Where I Can’t Find My Brave Face,
Where I Can’t Find My Brave Face,
My Brave, My Brave, My Brave Face”

After that great start, the album goes right into another gem:

“Rough Ride”

Here is a great live version of the song – after Paul says hello to crowds all around the world!

“You Want Her Too”

Next up is another of the McCartney/Costello songs, and you can really tell that Costello’s most caustic, cynical side shows up.

McCartney has said that Costello mirrored John Lennon in certain aspects of his personality. Costello sings on “You Want Her Too” with McCartney.

“Distractions” and “We Got Married” were next, and “Married” benefits from guitar work by McCartney’s friend, Pink Floyd Guitarist David Gilmour…here’s a live version of the song:

“Put It There”

Up next on the album is one of Paul’s great songs, a father’s love for his son:

“Put it there if it weighs a ton
That’s what the father said to his younger son
I don’t care if it weighs a ton
As long as you and I are here, put it there”

Here is the terrific music video:

Next up is another hit from the album:

“Figure Of Eight”

(Well) You’ve Got Me Dancing In A Figure Of Eight,
Don’t Know If I’m Coming Or Going, I’m Early Or Late.
Round And Round The Ring I Go,
I Want To Know, I Want To Know,
Why Can’t We Travel A Continuous Line?

Here is the music video:

“Figure Of Eight” is a great crowd-pleaser – and another hit single for Macca.

“This One” and “Don’t Be Careless Love” were next – “Careless” is another song co-written with Costello, as was the next song on the album:

“That Day Is Done”

In his 2015 autobiography, “Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink”, Costello described the track “That Day Is Done” as, “the unhappy sequel to ” Veronica””, which he had also written with McCartney.

As always, Linda was on the album as well…

Here is a great live version of the “That Day Is Done” with a twist – it’s performed by Costello – from a 1997 David Letterman show!

“How Many People”, “Motor Of Love” and “Ou est le soleil” round out “Flowers In The Dirt”, which was released to critical acclaim – and went to #1 around the world – another “return to form” for an artist who was always under the microscope.

Paul recorded additional songs with Elvis, which ended up here:

I love the “Off The Ground” album, which followed “Flowers In The Dirt”…you can see my review, with lots of great music videos, by clicking here:

http://johnrieber.com/2016/01/24/paul-mccartneys-submerged-off-the-ground-a-neglected-macca-gem/

To support “Flowers In The Dirt”, McCartney embarked on his first worldwide tour since Wings!

I remember how exciting it was to see McCartney live after all those years…and I was in the audience when McCartney and Wings were in Seattle in the mid-70’s!

You can read all about “Wings Across America” by clicking here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/07/12/paul-mccartney-wings-over-seattle-the-kingdome-implosion-seattle-sports-history/

Finally, two of the McCartney/Costello songs appeared on Costello’s album “Spike”.
The songs were “Pads, Paws and Claws” and the hit single ” Veronica”.

Let me know your thoughts on “Flowers In The Dirt!”

Grab Your Six Shooters! Time To Saddle Up For Some Western Action!

I love the western genre. As a kid, these classic movies were all over TV at all hours of the day and night…starring some of America’s heroes, like John Wayne!

John Wayne starred in some of the greatest westerns ever made, like “The Searchers” – and also some of the most entertaining, like “The Sons Of Katie Elder”….in fact, one of his best westerns was so good he made it twice!

El Dorado!

In 1966 James Caan was a rising young Actor – and got the chance to saddle up alongside The Duke – as a cocky young gambler who had a way with a knife – which was a good thing since he couldn’t shoot straight AND he wore a funny hat!

239157-017.psd

Add Robert Mitchum to the cast and you have a great cult western. Along with some great action, Caan got to provide a lot of comic relief next to The Duke. Caan’s character was memorably named “Mississippi.”

John Wayne: Don’t you know better than to follow a man that way?
Mississippi: Sorry… I didn’t know there was another way.

This movie is actually a remake of a film made a few years earlier, starring John Wayne in the same role, but switching out Mitchum for Dean Martin and Caan for Ricky Nelson!

Both are very entertaining – and if you want to see more of James Caan, here is my list of his ten best movie roles:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/02/05/the-wrath-of-caan-james-caans-greatest-hits/

Of course, it was in 1969 that Oscar thanked John Wayne for a career of great work by giving him an Oscar for the western “True Grit!”

This classic western was remade by an unlikely duo – Joel and Ethan Coen, best known for “The Big Lebowski” and “Fargo”…

True Grit Times Two!

This remake is a classic western, with Jeff Bridges stepping easily into John Wayne’s boots…

John Wayne is just one of the many classic Actors who have starred in great western movies…

Burt Lancaster starred in a number of great western movies like “Lawman” and “Valdez Is Coming”…you can read all about these films here:

Valdez Is Coming! Lawman! Gun-Blazing Burt Lancaster Western Revenge Double Bill!

These legendary Hollywood Actors were replaced in the saddle by one of America’s most popular stars…

Clint Eastwood Rides Tall!

The face says it all…Clint Eastwood starred in a series of great westerns that highlighted the dangerous, chaotic world of the wild wild west…

“Unforgiven” was Eastwood’s revisionist western that won the Best Picture Oscar in 1992.

It was the supporting acting of Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman that provided Clint with so much texture and depth to go along with his own lead acting performance. Hackman plays Sheriff Little Bill Daggett, a bad bad guy who runs his town the way he fits, until Eastwood shows up…Alex doesn’t like westerns, but she loved this movie!

This is one of Gene Hackman’s best roles…to see more of his great performances, click on my list here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/03/16/a-celebration-of-gene-hackman-an-amazing-actors-ten-greatest-roles/

And guess what? Hackman starred in a number of westerns, like “Bite The Bullet” and this obscurity from 1971:

The Hunting Party!

In 1971, Gene Hackman, Oliver Reed and Candace Bergen starred in this gritty western. Reed is the outlaw who wants to learn to read, and Candace Bergen is the school teacher he kidnaps to teach him…

But Bergen is not just a school teacher, she’s also the wife of cattle baron Gene Hackman – who wants his wife back…

Hackman rustles up a “Hunting Party” and begins to pick off the bad guys one by one. And what starts as a rescue mission turns into a grueling battle of survival…

This film was shocking for the amount of violence it showed…this was a time shortly after “The Wild Bunch” raised the stakes for violence in a film…

Lots of grindhouse violence here, but kind of interesting to watch a clear B-movie being acted out by some A-list Actors!

And speaking of “The Wild Bunch”, this is one of the greatest films ever made – a classic ode to a lost time in the American west…

Director Sam Peckinpah delivers his greatest film, the story of aging outlaws who want to pull off one last heist…the film stars William Holden, Ernest Bornine, Warren Oates and Robert Ryan…

If you want to find out more about this iconic western, as well as Peckinpah’s Bob Dylan western – yes, Bob Dylan! – read my post here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/08/05/the-wild-bunch-billy-the-kid-sam-packinpahs-soup-tossing/

“Pat Garret & Billy The Kid” is a misunderstood classic, and Bob Dylan co-starred and wrote the beautiful song “Knocking’ On Heaven’s Door” for the movie…

So there’s a look at some of the greatest westerns ever made…let me know your favorite!

Have you seen this Mick Jagger movie?

As a Studio Executive said when he saw the film:

“Even the bath water was dirty.”

Hey, Let’s All Get Naked With Mick Jagger In A Bathtub!

Imagine Mick Jagger naked in a bathtub with a number of different women – in a movie performance he made at the height of the Rolling Stones popularity – around the time of “Honky Tonk Woman” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”…a classic British gangster movie that is now out on Blu-Ray!

“This Film Is About Madness.”

The original film poster says it all…but equally “mad” is what was going on with Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones at the same time!

This is a classic movie tale: a film starring one of the world’s biggest rock stars, a film where he willing put himself naked in a bathtub – WITH KEITH RICHARD”S GIRLFRIEND! – is the stuff of movie legend!

Talk About Your Love Triangle!

Here are Mick and Keith with Keith’s girlfriend Anita Pallenberg – and Anita was about to star with Mick Jagger in a movie…you can only imagine the potential for trouble…

Jumping In The Tub With Mick!

The script was full of sex scenes, including several with Mick in a bathtub. Can you say…AWKWARD? Let’s get right to it – the movie that led to the Mick Jagger – Keith Richards feud!

Performance!

Warner Archive has a new Blu-Ray version of “Performance!” The film was a British gangster thriller starring Mick Jagger and James Fox – each playing dual roles! First, check out the trailer!

“Performance” is a 1968 British crime drama directed by Donald Cammell and Nicolas Roeg, starring James Fox and Mick Jagger, in his film acting debut.

The film was produced in 1968 but not released until 1970!

Why Two Years In The Vault?

So why was the film made in 1968, and released in 1970? First, let’s recap the plot of the movie….Chas is a violent and psychotic East London gangster – who needs a place to lie low after a hit that should never have been carried out. James Fox is terrific in the role of Chas…

Chas finds the perfect cover in the form of a guest house run by the mysterious Mr. Turner, a one-time rock superstar, who is looking for the right spark to rekindle his faded talent. That is, of course, Mick Jagger – again playing two different roles.

Mick is GREAT in the film – starring as a faded rock star with many decadent nights…oh, and as you know, he was starring with Keith’s GIRLFRIEND!

Trouble On The Set!

As you can imagine, Keith wasn’t happy with his girlfriend’s movie choice.

According to wikipedia: “It was intended that the Rolling Stones would write the soundtrack but due to the complicated nature of the various relationships both on and off-screen, this never happened. It was widely rumored that Anita Pallenberg, then in a relationship with Keith Richards, and Mick Jagger played out sexual scenes in the film ‘for real'”…

You can imagine that these scenes could cause trouble in the band, especially since Anita Pallenberg was a beautiful model…here she is with Keith…not a wallflower, that’s for sure…

Whether true or not, the rumors swirled all around this film – gossip that the sex was real, that it broke up Keith and Anita…who knows the real truth, although there are some published accounts that say Anita was involved with both Stones…we’ll get Keith’s POV on this in a moment…

A Great “Performance!”

But forget about the gossip, the affairs, forget it all and just focus on the movie: the film is an explosive, violent and very graphic film – an experimental gangster film very much in line with the “anything goes” attitude prevalent in the late 60’s – and bravo to Mick Jagger for doing the film. If you have any interest in the counter-culture movies of the late 60’s and early 70’s, this is for you.

Keith Takes His Guitar And Goes Home!

Now, back to the stories of Mick and Anita: when Keith Richards heard the rumors that were swirling around, he apparently took to sitting in his car outside the house where the film was being shot. Ultimately, he didn’t participate in a soundtrack album…

The Film’s Notoriety!

The content of “Performance” was a surprise to the studio. It has been reported that during a test screening, one Warner executive’s wife vomited in shock. James Fox notes in Richard Lester’s TV series “British Cinema of the Sixties” that a Warner exec said of the scene depicting Jagger in a bath with Pallenberg and Breton, “even the bath water was dirty.”

This “Dirty Bath Water” Got Shelved!

The response from the studio was to deny the film a cinematic release! It has been claimed that at one stage Warner Bros. wanted the negative to be destroyed. Instead, it sat on a shelf for two years before finally being released.

Luckily for us, the film exists, and is now available on a beautifully remastered Blu-Ray, thanks to Warner Archive – and it is a flawed masterpiece…whether it was one of the first wedges between Keith and Mick isn’t known…

Keith Richards – “Life”

The Jagger/Richards feud goes far beyond this movie. Keith did, in fact, write about the circumstances between Mick and Anita – click this link and check it all out here:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/04/02/a-wall-a-stone-and-groupies-groupies-groupies-the-best-music-books-pt-3/

Keith’s memoir is amazingly honest, acerbic, and fascinating to read…and the music is classic rock that has never aged…

For more on the Rolling Stones – 50 Years On! – check out this post:

http://johnrieber.com/2012/12/16/crossfire-hurricane-censored-c-blues-the-stones-turn-50/

And the story of Keith Richards continue to fascinate me…like the time he agreed to be interviewed on ABC-TV by legendary Writer Hunter S. Thompson!

You can read all about this madness – and see the interview in its entirety – by clicking on my story here:

Amazing Gonzo TV! The Legendary Hunter S. Thompson / Keith Richards Interview!

Let me know if you’ve seen “Performance”, and what you think of it!

“Is This The Real Life? Is This Just Fantasy?”

The opening line from one of the greatest rock songs of all time…from a band who was once hugely under appreciated and now is known as one of the greatest of all time!

God Save The Queen!

Who’s kidding who? One of music’s most wildly entertaining bands lives forever, thanks to great live performances like this – “We Are The Champions” from Live Aid in 1985 :

Freddie Mercury was one of the most unique – and beloved – singers in all rock history. Those of us who grew up in the US really don’t know the depth of this fanbase in the UK…here is another example – three different live versions of “Tie Your Mother Down” all tied together into one amazing video:

I have posted stories about Queen in the past, and wanted to look back at those musical moments that will last forever – beginning with perhaps their most famous work:

“Bohemian Rhapsody!”

Talk about a mini-opera! The brilliant song has been parodied – and honored – in many movies and TV shows. The album it came from was “A Night At The Opera”, a unique masterpiece that showed the amazing range of the band…

“Bohemian Rhapsody” was written by Freddie Mercury, written down “in blocks” (using note names instead of sheets) on a phone book. The other band members recorded their parts, with no idea how their tracks would be used. According to Wikipedia, the operatic section was originally intended to be only a short interlude of “Galileos” that connected the ballad and hard rock portions of the song!

In case you forget just how great the song – and the music video are – well, then feast your eyes on it again:

“A Night At The Opera” is a wildly entertaining album, and you can see my track-by-track breakdown here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/02/23/queens-brilliant-night-at-the-opera-freddie-mercurys-musical-madness/

Of course, Queen had a long and successful career full of hits like “We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions”, “Somebody To Love” and “Radio Gaga”, but I love one song in particular:

“Flash!”

The cult film “Flash Gordon” will also be remembered for the terrific theme song that was a pure a “Queen sound” as you can get…and did you know that this guy was behind the creation of “Star Wars”?

Yes, if there hadn’t been a “Flash Gordon” serialized movie from the “good old days”, George Lucas wouldn’t have created this movie!

How is that possible! Well, it is! Read how “Flash Gordon” led to “Star Wars” by reading my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/04/05/how-flash-gordon-created-star-wars-sam-jones-the-original-han-solo/

And of course, one of Queen’s greatest songs was co-written with this guy!

“Under Pressure!”

David Bowie’s collaboration with Queen on the classic hit “Under Pressure” was a story of wine-quelled madness, which you can read about here:

http://johnrieber.com/2016/01/16/david-bowie-meets-queen-the-brilliant-wine-fuelled-madness-of-under-pressure/

Leave me a message and tell me what your favorite Queen song is!

Step Into Paradise!

Welcome to paradise! To me, this picture captures perfectly what life would be like in a tropical paradise – a fantasy escape that most can only dream about…

Could I live here forever? Who knows – BUT I COULD TRY!

Even if you’ve had the chance to spend even a few days in paradise, it’s hard to imagine life there….

For a few amazing travel writers, life in paradise was not only considered, it was attempted – and paradise is – like everything else in life – “in the eye of the beholder.”

As beautiful and idyllic as this looks…you are also entering a world that is completely different – and in many cases, dangerous…I have three incredible travel memoirs that will immerse you in the South Seas life, beginning with Paul Theroux, who decided to see this part of the world in a very unique way:

The Happy Isles of Oceania: Paddling the Pacific!

Yes, he “paddled” across the South Pacific in a canoe! Paul Theroux is a legendary travel writer as well as Author of fiction like “The Mosquito Coast” – and quite the prickly traveler as well: Theroux spent 18 months in a one-man collapsible kayak exploring such exotic Pacific islands as New Zealand, Australia, the Soloman and Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, Easter Island, and Hawaii. His adventure makes for an amazingly entertaining book.

As one review states:

“Never a kind-hearted chronicler of place, he sets out on this voyage in an especially dour mood, leaving behind a failed marriage and expecting to be diagnosed with cancer at any moment. Soon after he escapes the crowded towns of Australia, however, he starts to lose some of his harsh edge and enjoy his travels, which ultimately heal him. A brilliant storyteller with an eye for the absurd, Theroux takes the reader to little-known places where time seems to have stood still and people lead simple lives totally unrelated to 20th-century America.”

This unique canoe trip is full of comedy, tragedy, politics and a touch of the mundane as well. The Author is a terrific writer, and you really feel you are there on the trip with him – and what a trip it is!

Another reviewer raved:

“Any perceptive reader with a sense of adventure couldn’t help but feel drawn to the islands as Theroux describes them – their idiosyncrasies, history, culture, beauty and repulsiveness in equal measure – which speckle the Pacific Ocean like stars in the night sky.”

Here is one short excerpt from the book:

“There were stars everywhere, above us, and reflected in the sea along with the sparkle of phosphorescence streaming from the bow wave. When I poked an oar in the ocean and stirred it, the sea glittered with twinkling sea-life. … It was as though we were in an old rickety rocket ship.

It was an image that afterwards often came to me when I was traveling in the Pacific, that this ocean was as vast as outer space, and being on this boat was like shooting from one star to another, the archipelagoes like galaxies, and the islands like isolated stars in an empty immensity of watery darkness, and this sailing was like going slowly from star to star, in vitreous night.”

Once you devour this book, try his journey around the Mediterranean, “The Pillars Of Hercules” – or his harrowing trip through Africa, which you read more about here:

http://johnrieber.com/2014/07/16/the-dark-heart-of-africa-paul-therouxs-last-train-to-zona-verde-his-personal-heart-of-darkness/

There are many ways to get to the South Pacific….for Lucy Irvine, her trip began when she answered this ad in a London newspaper:

Her life was never the same. After spending a year as a “wife” on a desert island north of Australia, she wrote a bestselling book about it!

Irvine’s “Castaway” is a fascinating book, and she’s an incredible writer:

“The sun is spread, hot and arched, above the reef like a woman in abandon, sky shimmering like glistening skin…”

Yet her greatest adventure happened a few years later…

“Only two hours ago I’d been living through some of the worst moments I’d ever experienced, during which an understanding of the precariousness of life had been borne in me with frightening force.”

Lucy Irvine Travels “Faraway!”

First of all, what a beautiful cover for a book. Welcome to Pigeon Island, surrounded by many other, smaller islands like the one on the cover. Lucy Irvine’s bestselling book “Castaway” documented her year on a deserted island, and after all of the acclaim, Irvine returned to a “regular” life, until the Author found herself with a unique opportunity for a sequel!

In 1999, Lucy Irvine took her three children to the farthest corner of the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific to live for a year on remote Pigeon Island…look at the center of the map above and notice the tiny mark for Pigeon island next to Reef Islands…

Irvine’s invitation to live in this isolated paradise came from an intrepid 80-year-old Pigeon Island resident, Diana Hepworth, who set sail from England years earlier with her family in their own search for a faraway paradise.

“Faraway” is not only Irvine’s story, it is the story of the Hepworth family and their amazing adventure years earlier…the two stories are intertwined, and both are fascinating…

“Faraway” tells the story of Irvine’s latest adventure – and what it was like to take her three boys with her, settling into a completely different life in the middle of the south seas…

“Faraway” also is the story of the Hepworths – an adventurous young couple who raised a family in a faraway land – and “Faraway” beautifully captures what life on a south seas island is like…because few islands are more isolated than this one…

“Faraway” is an amazing South Seas adventure, and if you want to read all of Irvine’s terrific work, see my story here:

http://johnrieber.com/2015/09/25/from-runaway-to-castaway-the-faraway-dramatic-life-of-writer-lucy-irvine/

As you can see, I fantasize about living in this tropical oasis, but as you will see from these books, it’s a difficult life as well…here’s a book that gets right to the crux of the matter:

Look at the title of this book! How can you not love it! Yes, there is a history of cannibalism in this part of the world as well!

Great travel writer J. Maarten Troost got to actually live in the South Seas when his wife was there as a official for the US government…and he found an interesting fact about the place:

“The man was eaten for his ‘mana’, that is the invisible power that resides in the head.”

Yes, it was home to cannibals! But that’s what makes the adventure so much fun, right? I mean, there has to be SOME price to pay for living here:

Time For Great Troost Travel!

Troost has written many travel books, all based on his personal experience of living in the South Pacific with his wife…here, for example is a short passage from the beginning of one book – the Author speaking to a french man about what makes the french the french:

“Dreams, he said, while pale and smelling of regurgitated chicken, do sometimes come true and this, he concluded, was how we endure the tragedy, the comedy, of life, and for a moment I was reminded of why I love the French – not even blowing chunks will ruin ‘la grande romance’ of it all.”

I love this Writer! J. Maarten Troost has written four terrific travel books – I will share his other work in a moment, but his most recent took him back to the South Seas:

“Headhunters On My Doorstep” is the story of Troost returning to the islands where he lived when he wrote his “Cannibals” book…

Roost returns to his old island home after several years away to see how his life changed since he lived there. Troost has changed as well – and the book is far more personal than any he has written before, but as always, beautifully written…

Here is an idea of Troost’s writing style, from page 159 of the book:

“Do you have some time?” Celine asked. Oh, I don’t know. I’m on an island in the middle of nowhere, without an ongoing ticket or a way off, amusing myself by going on desultory hikes to the set of ‘Survivor: Marquesas’ in the drenching rain. Yeah, I think I’ve got a couple of minutes to spare…

Yes, one of the areas explored by the Author is the location of the 4th season of the reality show “Survivor”…but Troost isn’t there to play a game – he brings to life a culture that is vibrant, proud, and nearly decimated by their interaction with white people.

As you can see, he’s got a way with words, which is why the book is so much fun to read, and full of fascinating information – about cannibalism, for example.

“The man was eaten for his ‘mana’, that is the invisible power that resides in the head.”

There is so much to love about this book, but it is a cautionary tale as well…as the world’s climate threatens to destroy an entire way of life…

In many ways, this is his most personal – and important – work. Of course, this should leave you breathless to read ALL of Troost’s books, so just click on my link below for my story about them all!

http://johnrieber.com/2012/09/09/cannibals-savages-sex-and-great-walls-too-troost-troost-troost-great-adventure-travel/

I recommend you read them in order!

So there you have it: three chances to explore the South Pacific from a comfortable “reading chair” – let me know what you think!