Just remember when socially distancing yourself…

I've been called a clean-freak, and I acknowledge being something of a germaphobe, so all this social distancing jazz is more or less just a normal thing for me.  But when I do break character and go outside, I'm always stunned by the the amount of disrespectful and inconsiderate behavior that exists out there, with scores of people ignoring or disregarding the personal space of others--namely me.  From reading the news online, especially the CNN feed, I always expect...well, something like "The World, the Flesh, and the Devil," with deserted streets, vacant storefronts, and old newspapers blowing around, maybe a tumbleweed or two.  

I've taken a certain amount of heat over the years for being anti-social, standoffish, reserved, maybe a little withdrawn, all of which I plead guilty to.  I'm a germaphobe, like I said.  But what were once faults are now assets, and even fairly desirable qualities.  Over the past couple of months especially I've often felt like telling people, "Hey, just act as obnoxious as me and we'll all be fine." 

Anyhoo, I'm like Mike, and most of the movies I'm watching are reviewed on the Saturday weekly thread.  But when I can't sleep I've been binge-watching "The West Wing" on Netflix.  On "The West Wing," President Bartlett's daughter Zoey was played by a very young Elisabeth Moss, who's now a big star.  I'm starting to develop a real appreciation for Bollywood and Indian pictures, particularly the epics like "Baahubali" Parts I and II and "Thugs of Hindostan."  I feel like I don't know enough about Indian cinema to write intelligently about these movies, and as a result the time I spend watching Indian pictures is sheer undiluted, and very relaxing, entertainment time.  I love that Indian pictures, no matter the context, always find a way to work into the narrative a big splashy Hollywood-style musical production number.

I also spend a surprising amount of time watching old television series on MeTV.  There's gold to be mined in those old TV shows.  The other night, Diane Keaton showed up in a 1971 episode of "Mannix," thirteen months before the release of "The Godfather."  This past Sunday Andy Warhol set sail on "The Love Boat," playing a sort of Cupid to Tom Bosley and Marion Ross, of all people.  Practically every big star from the Golden Age of Hollywood showed up sooner or later on "Wagon Train"...including Charles Laughton, for God's sake.  I thought I was hallucinating.  Recently John Wayne appeared, in silhouette only, as General Sherman in an episode directed by John Ford.  In the closing credits Wayne was billed as Michael Morrison.  And speaking of "Wagon Train," Robert Horton sure shows up a lot on "Alfred Hitchcock Presents."  

The other night, silent screen comedy legend Snub Pollard, a mainstay of the Hal Roach studios, turned up unexpectedly in a cameo role in a 1945 Three Stooges two-reeler.  Mrs. Mendelbright, Barney Fife's landlord on "The Andy Griffith Show" was played by Enid Markey, 44 years after her appearance as Jane Porter in the very first screen version of "Tarzan of the Apes" in 1918.  And did anybody know silent screen icon Louise Brooks' best friend during her childhood in Cherryvale, Kansas was none other than Vivian Vance?

mikef6

Being quarantined has not hurt ability to watch movies, so I cannot complain about the availability of too much free time. I mean, if there's any good to be made from this situation, I guess that's it.

You reminded me I never did get around to Veronica Mars season four, I need to wrap up a couple of things before I dive into a new thing, but I should get around to it soon.

A lot of those people back then were aware that they were providing escapist entertainment for audiences during a stressful time. I wonder if any of them suspected that audiences would still be enjoying their work for escapism nearly a century later.