The annual ASC Christmas Party was held last Saturday at the Clubhouse, and what a night it was!  Attended by well over a hundred people, the building was wrapped in the warmth of the season’s tidings.  Part of that was reflected in the price of admission, which was a donation of cash, canned goods … Continue reading “A WONDERFUL TIME WAS HAD BY ALL”

         Yesterday being Thanksgiving, we continued a long-standing tradition in my home of making The Godfather and The Godfather, Part Two part of our visual landscape.  And despite being distracted by cooking, drink-making, small-talk and the rest of my duties (I’m a gracious host!), every little piece I was able to catch reminded me of … Continue reading “TRADITION, TRADITION…”

         I was recently checking the web for a certain type of filter when I stumbled across this:          It sure is a strange one.  Part of the agreement made when accepting an Oscar is that it will not be sold on the open market unless it has been first offered for sale to the … Continue reading “INTRIGUING…”

         Mirage (1965; Edward Dmtryk) is a fair-to-middling, Hitchcock-like thriller starring Gregory Peck and Diane Baker.  It’s worth your time if you happen to catch it on TCM, as I did a week or two ago.          The film’s cinematographer, Joe MacDonald, ASC (1906-1968), was one of the greats of old Hollywood.  Among his many … Continue reading “EARLY INFLUENCER”

         There are many versions of this story; all of them make the same point.          It’s New York Yankees spring training in 1995 and their great first baseman Don Mattingly is running outfield sprints alongside rookie shortstop Derek Jeter.  The pre-season game had ended earlier and the ballpark was empty.  Veteran Mattingly seized on … Continue reading “WORDS TO LIVE BY”

         Last Saturday evening I had the great pleasure of attending the latest iteration of the ASC Photo Gallery at the Clubhouse in Hollywood.  If you’re not fully up to speed with it, here’s a little background from the ASC website:          Over 15 years ago, Francis Kenny, ASC, recognized the photography skills of ASC … Continue reading “THE ASC PHOTO GALLERY”