“SECONDS” (1966) – A Truly Forgotten Classic

ROCK HUDSON is The Star of JOHN FRANKENHEIMER’s 1966 Flick “SECONDS”

In MY Opinion, “SECONDS” is HUDSON’s BEST-EST-EST Flick, PERIOD. It’s A Rather Unique Blend of Sci-Fi, Horror, and Drama…

…That Truly Becomes An Even MORE-Unique THRILLER Because Of It All. Add In The Film is Directed By JOHN FRANKENHEIMER (“French Connection II”, “Black Sunday” & “Ronin”) and We’re Left With A TRUE-BLUE FORGOTTEN-CLASSIC!

What’s The Skinny On “SECONDS”?? Well… You Just Pay The Fee, And We’ll Fake Your Death, And You Can Get Out Of Your Current-Life, and Start Fresh & Anew Somewhere Else. Something MOST PEOPLE Have Thought About At-Least ONCE In Their Life…

…Only You’d Best Be Happy With The NEW-Life, Since All You Get Is ONE SECOND CHANCE. They Just Don’t Bother To Tell You That Part When You Sign-Up AND Go-Through-With-It The FIRST TIME!!!

“SECONDS“

A Truly UNIQUE Flick…

…And A Truly FORGOTTEN CLASSIC.

I Can TOTALLY RECOMMEND It To ANYONE…

…Who’s A Fan Of SCI-FI, HORROR, DRAMA, THRILLER Films.

ESPECIALLY With…

…JOHN FRANKENHEIMER In The Director’s Chair…

…And ROCK HUDSON Giving Us His BEST PERFORMANCE EVER!!!

CHECK IT OUT, My Peeps, Fo SHO!!!

😉

The Song Stuck In My Head: “CRYING” by ROY ORBISON (with k.d. lang (1987))

“…I Thought That I…

…Was Over You…

…But, It‘s True…

…So True…

…I Love You Even More…

…Than I Did Before…

…But, Darlin‘, What Can I Do…

…For You Don‘t Love Me…

…And, I‘ll Always Be…

…CRYING…

…Over You…

…CRYING…

…Over You…

…Yes…

…Now You‘re Gone…

…And From This Moment On…

…I‘ll Be CRYING…

…CRYING…

…CRYING…

…CRYING…

…CRYING…

…CRYING…

…Over You.”

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I Know What You’re Wondering, My Peeps, I Really Do.

Is Young Bradley Sad This Morning?

Bradley Only Busts-Out The ROY ORBISON When He’s In A Downer Mood.

And, In Thinking That, You’d Be (almost) Very VERY Correct.

I Am Sad, This Morning.

It Happens.

To All Of Us, It Happens.

After Having A Conversation Last Night With Someone, My Mood Has Been Sinking Further And Further.

Again, It Happens.

Every Single Day Can’t Be Bubblegum And Candy, Ya Know?!

And, While I Do Tend To Listen To ROY ORBISON When I’m Down…

…I Also Listen To Him When I’m Supremely Happy.

There’s No Rhyme, Nor Reason.

It Just Happens.

But, Today, I’m So Very VERY Sad.

Being Taken To Task About One’s Life (or lack thereof) Is Never A Conversation One Enjoys.

In That, I’m Very Human.

I Didn’t Like It One Bit.

And, I’d Be Lying If I Said It Didn’t Effect Me On All Levels…

…Mental…

…Emotional…

…Physical…

…You Name It.

Did I Cry?

Even A Little?

You Betcha.

Did I Feel Better Afterward?

No.

Not In The Slightest.

In Fact, I Felt Weak.

I Felt Disgusted With Myself, Honestly.

Why I Let Anyone/Anything Effect Me Like That Is Beyond Me.

But, It Happens.

To The Very Best (and very worst) Of Us, It Happens.

So, This Morning, I Felt It Was Time To Work A Bit.

I Had To Get This Out Of My Head, Even In Some Small Way.

“CRYING“

byROY ORBISON

((with k. d. lang))

…Is My All-Time Favorite Duet In Music History.

Period.

In My Book, It Doesn’t Get Any Better.

I Sincerely Hope Y’all Enjoy It.

… … …

…

QUESTION:

When YOU Are Sad, What Songs Do YOU Listen To, My Peeps???

Anything Specific, Or Special???

Let Me Know.

I’d Love To Know.

May I Know?

…

… … …

What’s On Now?! Gene Hackman in Francis Ford Coppola’s “THE CONVERSATION” (1974)

Filmed In 1974 In-Between…

“THE GODFATHER“

…And…

“THE GODFATHER Part II“

…It Has Always Been Easy To Consider This Flick…

“THE CONVERSATION“

…As An Almost Totally Forgotten Classic.

It Was Written, Produced AND Directed By…

FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA

…And I, Honestly, Don’t Know Too Many People Whom Have, Honestly, Seen It.

I Hadn’t Seen It In Many Years, Until Borrowing It From A BFF ((Whom I Sincerely Need To Be Hanging With More Often, Anyway)).

I Saw It There In His Movie Collection And Immediately Said To Him…

“I Need To Borrow THE CONVERSATION, Dude.”

To Which He Replied…

“THE CONVERSATION?! Sure, Sure!! It’s A Good One!!”

And Ya Know What, My Peeps?

It Is.

It’s A Good One.

It’s A Very VERY Good One, Indeed.

GENE HACKMAN

…Is Generally Known For Playing…

…Hmm…

…Rather Volatile Characters?

(((I.E. "Popeye Doyle", "Reverend Scott", "Lex Luthor", "Little Bill Daggett", "Captain Ramsey", etc etc etc)))

But, In This Flick, He Gives One Of The Most Quiet, Understated Performances You’re Likely To Ever Find.

And It’s Brilliant.

Quiet, Understated Brilliance.

Period.

His Performance Is So Spot On Perfect, It’s Almost Tooo Good.

I’ve Known People Like “HARRY CAUL”, The Reserved Wire-Tapper Character He Portrays.

You See, “HARRY CAUL” Is A Professional Surveillance Expert.

He’s Been Hired To Bug A Conversation Between Two People; A Possibly Unfaithful Woman And Her Possible Lover.

Sounds Simple Enough, Right?!

But, Now Those Whom Hired Him Want The Tapes, And It Appears They’re Willing To Kill For Them.

Now “HARRY” Is Listlessly Lost Within A Web Of Deceit, Mystery, Paranoia And Murder.

This Is Very Honest Acting, Writing, AND Directing, My Peeps.

It’s Very Nearly Priceless.

In Short?

I Loved It.

I Still Love It.

I’ve Now Watched “THE CONVERSATION” TWICE This Week, Just To Be Sure I’m Sure Sure Of What I’m Saying.

And NOW…

…Well…

…I Suppose I Should Get Crackin’ On Viewing Number THREE.

I’ve Gotta Make Sure Sure Sure, Ya Know?!

Right?!

RIGHT!!!

😉       🙂       😀

“Never Underestimate The Power Of The SCHWARTZ!” –YOGURT

-=YOGURT=-

(((aka MEL BROOKS)))

(((aka “THE EVERLASTING KNOW–IT–ALL“)))

{{From The Classic Motion Picture Epic, “SPACEBALLS” (1987)}}

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Dedicated To My Nephew.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ARI!!!!!!!!!!

😀          😀          😀          😀          😀

Tell Me What You Think: “Can You Feel A Little Love?…” –DEPECHE MODE’s “Dream On” (2001)

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“…As Your Bony Fingers Close Around Me…

…Long And Spindly…

…Death Becomes Me…

…Heaven Can You See What I See?…”

…

“…Hey, You Pale And Sickly Child…

…You‘re Death And Living Reconciled…

…Been Walking Home A Crooked Mile…”

…

“…Paying Debt To Karma…

…You Party For A Living…

…What You Take Won’t Kill You…

…But, Careful What You’re Giving…”

…

“…MMHMM…”

…

“…There‘s No Time For Hesitating…

…Pain Is Ready…

…Pain Is Waiting…

…Primed To Do It‘s Educating…”

…

“…Unwanted, Uninvited Kin…

…It Creeps Beneath Your Crawling Skin…

…It Lives Without…

…It Lives Within You…”

…

“…Feel The Fever Coming…

…You’re Shaking And Twitching…

…You Can Scratch All Over…

…But, That Won‘t Stop You Itching…”

…

“…Can You Feel A Little Love?…

…Can You Feel A Little Love?…

…DREAM ON…

…DREAM ON. …”

…

“DREAM ON“ Is, By Far, The Most Popular Jam From DEPECHE MODE‘s Amazing 2001 Album, “EXCITER” !!!

…

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This Is A Hard Jam To Beat, My Peeps.

“DREAM ON“

…Is One Of The Best Songs, Period, From My Ultra–Favorite Band…

DEPECHE MODE

!!! !!!! !!!

😀       😀

The Lyrics?

BRILLIANT.

The Backing Music And Overall Sound?

QUIRKY–Ass–BRILLIANT.

The Melody And Flow?

Did I Already Use QUIRKY–Ass–BRILLIANT?!

M‘Kay.

How About EVEN–MORE–QUIRKY–Ass–BRILLIANT‘er‘er?!

Awesome!!

I‘m Rollin‘ With It, Then!!!

Can Anyone Really Ask For More From Their Tunage?

NOT. AT. ALL.

Give It A Go, Kiddies.

Tell Me What YOU Think.

I‘m Damned Curious, To Say The Least.

DEPECHE MODE Are Known For Telling YOU To “ENJOY The SILENCE“…

…But, In This Instance, I‘m Honestly Hoping For YOUR Words!!!

ENJOY YOUR DAY, Fo SHO!!!

😀       😀       😀

Hey Vern, Lookin’ For An Alternative To Classics Like “It’s A Wonderful Life” And “A Christmas Story”?!?!?

JIM VARNEY Is Mr. Subtle–As–A–Sledge–Hammer ERNEST P. WORRELL In One–Of MY All–Time–Christmas–Flick–FAVES, “ERNEST SAVES CHRISTMAS“ (1988) !!!

😀       😀       😀       😀       😀       😀       😀       😀       😀       😀       😀

Eh?!

EH?!?!

That’s What I Thought.

‘Nuf ‘Ced!!!!!

Know‘What‘I‘Mean?!?!?!?

😉     🙂     😀

In What Way Is “FRENCH CONNECTION II” (1975) Superior To “THE FRENCH CONNECTION” (1971)???

Two Words, My Peeps:

GENE HACKMAN

.Period.

(((Period Does NOT Count Here, Dammit.)))

😐

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GENE HACKMAN

…Won The ACADEMY AWARD For BEST ACTOR Of 1971 For His Portrayal Of The Character Of “POPEYE” DOYLE In…

“THE FRENCH CONNECTION“

…And It Was Very VERY Much Deserved.

Based On This, If We Were Going By The Power And Drive Behind Said Portrayal…

…Yeah…

…The Math Says…

GENE HACKMAN

…Would/Should Have EASILY Walked Away With THREE (3) OSCARS In 1975, For…

“FRENCH CONNECTION II“

…Maybe More.

😉

He’s THAT GOOD, My Peeps.

In Fact, He’s Absolutely Brilliant.

Yet He Didn’t Even Pull A Nomination For The Second Film.

😦

So Much For Math, Eh?!

New York City Police Detective “POPEYE” DOYLE Is A Classic Character Among Classic-Classic Characters…

…But He Wouldn’t Be, If Not For The Efforts Of…

GENE HACKMAN

.Period Period.

Two More Words For Y’all, My Peeps:

“COLD TURKEY“

.Period Period Perod.

To Find-Out The Significance Of Those Two Words, You’ll Have To See The Second Film.

BUT…

…I Always Tell People The Same Thing:

“Watch BOTH Films, THEN Come Tell Me What YOU Think.“

And I Stick By That.

Seeing…

“THE FRENCH CONNECTION“

…Is A Really Special Treat.

Seeing…

“FRENCH CONNECTION II“

…To Me…

…Is Even More So.

The Key To This Is…

…Oh Yeah…

GENE HACKMAN

😀     😀

I Love The First Film, Though Have Always Considered It To Be A TAD Overrated.

I Love LOVE The Second Film, And Consider It To Be One Of THE MOST Underrated Films Of ALL-TIME.

I Suggest You Give Them Both A Go, Kiddies.

I Doubt You’ll Be Disappointed.

I’m Already Curious As To What You’ll Say!

😀

Here’s Hoping Y’all Have A Damned Decent Day, My Peeps.

Do What You Can, At The Least.

Hang In There.

Take Care.

Be Good.

😀

Need A Glimpse Into What I’m Doing Right Now?? Does THIS Help?!?!

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😀       😀       😀       😀       😀       😀       😀

😉

The Song Stuck In My Head That ALSO Makes Me Smile: “THE GREAT PRETENDER” by THE PLATTERS (1955)

“…Too Real…

…Is This Feeling…

…Of Make-Believe…

…Too Real…

…When I Feel…

…What My Heart…

…Can’t Conceal…”

“…Yes…

…I’m THE GREAT PRETENDER…

…Just Laughing…

…And Gay…

…Like A Clown…

…I Seem To Be…

…What I’m Not…

…You See…

…I’m Wearing…

…My Heart…

…Like A Crown…

…Pretending…

…That You’re…

…Still Around.”

<<<***>>>

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I Suppose I Was Just Feeling Very Nostalgic, My Peeps.

That’s My Best Almost Answer.

I Found, As I Sat Down To Write This, I Could Go In Many Different Directions With It.

At First…

…I Was Going To Talk About Past Loves…

…Their Impact Upon My Life…

…Past AND Present…

…But I Just Couldn’t Bring Myself To Do So.

I Didn’t See Any Way Of Doing That Without Rubbing-Raw Some Already Tender Feelings…

…Both Mine AND Other Peeps.

I’ve Been A Pretty Damned Decent Pretender Most Of My Life.

Especially In Matters Of Love.

So Why Be An Asshole About It And Upset The Sliver Of Balance I Cling Tenaciously To?

Exactly, My Peeps.

Why, Indeed.

So I Won’t Do That.

It’s Not Something That Has To Happen, Therefore It Won’t, Until It Does.

Sound Fair Enough?

Good.

Sounds That Way To Me, Also.

So Just What CAN I Say?!

Hmm.

Well…

…The Whole Reason This Song Is On Ye Ole MP3Player In The First Place Is Our Little Bond.

I Actually Have Had A Copy Of This Song Since The 1980s.

On Cassette-Tape First…

…Then Later On CD.

It Was On Those “TIME LIFE” Classic Oldies Collections.

My Mother Purchased Them For Her And I.

She Knew I Loved Listening To The Oldies Stations When We’d Ride Around In The Car.

I Enjoyed Singing-Along With Them, And Listening To Her Sing-Along In Kind.

She Didn’t Care Too Much For The Bulk Of The Music Of MY Youth…

…So We’d Listen To The Music Of HER Youth.

That’s How I Originally Heard The Music Of Peeps Like…

ROY ORBISON

BUDDY HOLLY

HERMAN’S HERMITS

THE BEATLES

THE DAVE CLARK FIVE

Etc Etc Etc

…And YES…

THE PLATTERS

!!! !!!

🙂

So I Had Many Different Types Of Memories Come Rushing To Me When I Heard This Song…

“THE GREAT PRETENDER“

…This Morning.

Some Good.

Some Great.

Some Not Good Nor Great.

But Many Memories, Nevertheless.

It’s Honestly A Great Little Number, Kiddies.

And Regardless Of Whether Thinking About Matters Of The Heart…

…Or Matters Of The Head…

…Or Matters Of A Mixed Nature…

…Good OR Bad…

…It Remains A Great Little Number.

It Has A Special Place In My Life…

…Past AND Present…

…And I’m Sure It Will Continue To Have That Place Well Into The Future.

This Song Has Been With Me The Bulk Of My Life…

…And It’s ALWAYS Been A Keeper.

Y’all Should Just Trust Me, Fo SHO!

😉

Hope Everyone Has A Good Day.

Y’all Know I’ll Be Doing What I Can To Make That Happen For Myself.

So Y’all Should Really Try Doing So For Yourselves, Or Anyone Else You Can.

So Long As We’re All Still Standing At The End…

…It’ll Be Just Jim Dandy.

Right?!

RIGHT!!

😀     😀