algernon4

My neice didn't want to watch "Waterloo Bridge," but I convinced her. After half an hour, she was hooked. This lovely film is on my top thirteen list, right along with "The Trip to Bountiful," "All About Eve," "Rain," "Gone with the Wind," "The Star," "Last of Mrs. Lincoln," "The Royal Family," (with Eva LeGelliane, Rosemary Harris),"Death on the Nile," "Auntie Mame," "The Old Settler," "Powder," "A Woman Called Moses" and "Calamity Jane."

Vivien Leigh's wonderful performance will always be with me. And, I thought that Robert Taylor had his finest hour here.

By the end of the film, both my neice and I were in tears. All she could muster to say was "beautiful, just beautiful."

I was studying acting with Stephen Strimpell at the HB Studio in New York City when he got the offer to fly to Hollywood to do MR. TERRIFIC. He was a wonderful instructor and told me, "you don't need to study anymore, really. You need to go out and ACT. That's the best way to become a good actor." I took his advice and struck out on my own. But, not before studying with William Hickey ("Prizzi's Honor" "Hat Full of Rain"). Mostly, he'd observe my classroom scenes and then start talking about HIMSELF! He was not in the same class as Strimpell.

Of course, since I knew Stephen, I watched MR. TERRIFIC religiously every week and thought it was cute, but a waste of good talent. Looking at Mr. Strimpell's film output surprised me. An actor THIS good, should have been used to better advantage by Hollywood.

As a result, I auditioned and got many parts on the New York stage. For that, I am eternally grateful to Stephen Strimpell. My experience on stage will live with me forever.

In 1978, the nominees for Best Supporting Actress were: Maggie Smith in "California Suite" (winner), Dyan Cannon in "Heaven Can Wait," Penelope Milford in "Coming Home," Maureen Stapleton in "Interiors," and Meryl Streep in "The Deer Hunter." I agree that Maggie was wonderful, of course, but Angela Lansbury deserved a nomination in this category as well, in truth, the win.

Perhaps, the reason Jack Warden wasn't nominated for "Nile" is that he was up for "Shampoo." But, John Hurt's performance in "Midnight Run" was not superior to David Niven's in "Nile."

I never understood Jill Clayburgh's nod for Best Actress in "An Unmarried Woman" in 1978. That spot should have been taken by Mia Farrow in "Death on the Nile." To be honest, Peter Ustinov deserved to be nominated for his incredible perfomance as Hercule Periot. When you watch it, he doesn't miss a trick. Just look at his "set up" as he accuses Angela Lansbury of killing Lois Chiles. Just watch the screen! If they had to add one name to the list, it should have been his.

In my opinion, "Death on the Nile" should have been up for best picture of the year. It was perfect.