Two Words, One Answer.
Madeline Kahn
 High Anxiety $14.98 This is definitely one of Mel Brooks' best efforts, ranking up there alongside "The Producers", "Blazing Saddles" & "Young Frankenstein". As the film begins, Brooks dedicates it to "the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock"; and to Brooks' credit, he successfully (and affectionately) satirizes key scenes from Hitchcock classics like "Psycho", "Vertigo" & "The Birds". But "High Anxiety" is more than a mere parody: there's the familiar Brooks nuttiness, and a re-assembling of old favorites (Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman, Harvey Korman, Ron Carey) mixed in with newer faces (Howard Morris, Dick Van Patten). The late 70's look has dated the film slightly, but it hasn't affected the humor; it is still one of the best comedies around. And Leachman plays one of the scariest looking women in film history---that of the pointy brassiere, sinister Nurse Diesel. As the leading man---the distinguished psychiatrist Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke---Brooks is forced to play it mostly straight through the picture, although he's allowed to cut loose in a lounge singing scene and portraying an old Jewish man (with Kahn) to slip past airport security. Korman's at his weasally best as a disgruntled fellow doctor who's conspiring with Diesel, and Kahn is perfectly cast as the flaky "damsel in distress", one of those "mysterious" woman types who pop up in suspense films. But the entire cast is terrific. A terrific Brooks comedy that has a lot of laughs!  Broadway Divas $7.99 The highlights of this CD for me are Patti Lupone's "Being Alive"...simply stunning...such power and emotion in her voice. "Mean to me" by Nell Carter...this was really my first time to hear Ms. Carter perform...I wish she'd made more recordings! First of all, she has a marvelous instrument, capable of great power or intimate tenderness, and she sings with such soulfulness that makes my heart melt. "Children and Art"...as usual, Bernadette demonstrates that she is a force to be reckoned with in the dramatic world...this selection is not quite so "brassy" and over the top, but it is executed with such nuance and insight and characterization as only a true master is capable of. "Getting married today"...I love Madeline Kahn in everthing that she does...this particular piece, I would imagine, is very difficult to learn and perform...just listen and you'll see why...it's a joy to listen to. Those are just the highlights for ME, each and every track is worth listening to more than once...they are all masterful performances! |
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