farley house

Young Black Stallion #6: Hard Lessons: Both Raven and Danielle Have a Lot to Learn
$3.99
This was an uninteresting book. I loved reading about Alec Ramsey and the Black Stallion, but these books just don't cut it. The plot is predictable, the style is babyish. It's just not worth the [monry] I put into it. Most horse series these days are becoming dull and boring, and this is no exception. I realy wish authors would get creative instead of shooting off sub-series from the original ones! Mr. Farley, you could have done so much better than this!

O Henry's Full House
$19.98
This is a pot pourri of a film, with the first three episodes by far the best. It is always a delight to see Laughton hamming away when is is absolutely the right way to do it. My own favourite is the 3rd episode, with Jean Peters in a fiercely restrained mood, making for real sentiment. A pity she was never given more opportunity to show her strength.

William Bolcom: Songs
$8.99

Carole Farley and William Bolcom have recorded this landmark CD, and I can easily understand why this CD received a GRAMMY nomination in the "Best Vocal Recording of the Year" and a 2nd GRAMMY nomination in the "Best Engineered Recording of the Year" category. It's indeed one of the best vocal albums of contemporary songs ever made. Carole Farley, who made her MET debut in the MET's first LULU production, seems to be just at home with Puccini, Poulenc, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich and even Latin American popular songs (her Lecuona songs album is extremely beautiful).
William Bolcom's accompaniment is brilliant, and the songs are a revelation.
J.B. (Pittsburgh, Pa)

Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years, Volume 1 [VHS]
$9.94
I was just a kid when this TV movie originally aired but it made an enormous impression on me. The acting was absolutely first rate, the sets well done and the music unforgettable. For years I looked for it on VHS format and more recently, DVD. I'm overjoyed that this wonderfully underrated film is finally available on DVD. Hip Hip Hooray!

So many made-for-TV historical films are pure garbage in terms of accurate history. This movie does not make that mistake. The main characters are portrayed accurately, warts and all. Edward Herrman makes a great Roosevelt, perhaps the best fictional FDR we've ever experienced, including Ralph Bellamy. And Jane Alexander's Eleanor is flawless. She is cold, insecure and formal, yet possessing a hidden warmth and neediness exemplified by the actual Mrs. Roosevelt.

For anyone interested in Presidential history or the relationship between FDR and Eleanor, this is essential viewing. Thank God it's available again so everyone can see it.