John Zimmerman

Momentum 2: The Law Of Refraction
$7.92

Thunderbird 6 (International Rescue Edition)
$9.98
If 'Thunderbirds are go' is Gerry Anderson's 'Hard day's night', then 'Thunderbird 6' is his 'Help!' There's more exotic locations and elements of humour, but it's just not as good as the first. Thunderbird Completists will buy this anyway, as I did, but if you're new to the series and are looking for a movie-length feature to enjoy, you'll find more of the essence of the show in 'Thunderbirds are go'.

The Gift of the Magic
$25.98
Based on the classic O'Henry story, THE GIFT OF THE MAGI comes from the golden age of television musicals. Designed by composer/lyricist Richard Adler (THE PAJAMA GAME, DAMN YANKEES) as a showcase for the talents of his then-wife Sally Ann Howes (PAINT YOUR WAGON, MY FAIR LADY), the show co-starred other Broadway stars like Allen Case and Bibi Osterwald, with narration by Eli Wallach. It was broadcasted on NBC as part of the 'Hallmark Hall of Fame' in December of 1958, with the cast recording released shortly afterward.

The score as a whole is quite tuneful, highlights definitely include Ms Howes' main solo number "What to Do?"; other delights are to be had in "The Name's the Same", "Christmas in Your Heart" and "He's a Company Man". I don't know if Adler intended for GIFT OF THE MAGI to have an eventual life on the stage (he was also preparing the ill-fated KWAMINA! as a Broadway vehicle for Ms Howes during this period, as well as a never-produced musical version of OF HUMAN BONDAGE); though I can see Off-Broadway or smaller theatre groups putting this charming score back onto the boards.

In addition, Flare has filled the remainder of the disc with highlights from Sally Ann Howes' early West End musical hits. Tracks are pulled from the original London casts of BET YOUR LIFE ("I Love Him As He Is", "What Care I?"), ROMANCE IN CANDLELIGHT ("My Heart Says Yes"), SUMMER SONG ("Summer Song", "I'll Be Remembering"); as well as a TV special of BRIGADOON ("Waitin' for My Dearie").

[Flare Records SPEC1038]

Thunderbirds - Set 1 [VHS]
$19.95
This series bring back memories of my childhood, an epoch that lives in the past never to resurface again, an epoch of mindless fun, carelessness and true feelings and emotions. An era of innocence and purity. Sigh.... Sigh....