Scene Stealers and Little Missy's Summer Reading Roundup
Cary Grant and Mae West, I'm No Angel, 1933
Ever see I'm No Angel with Cary Grant and Mae West? What did you notice? That Mae stole every scene from Cary? And what may we deduce from this? Do like Mae did and write your own lines. Mae got full writing credits on that picture. Good one, Mae! No one else ever stole Cary's scenes again! And what about these two:
Louis Armstrong and Barbra Streisand, Hello Dolly!, 1969
Ever see I'm No Angel with Cary Grant and Mae West? What did you notice? That Mae stole every scene from Cary? And what may we deduce from this? Do like Mae did and write your own lines. Mae got full writing credits on that picture. Good one, Mae! No one else ever stole Cary's scenes again! And what about these two:
These are also two legends, right? I might have just been a little kid but I could see when a scene was being stolen, and Louis was OWNING the above scene. Age before beauty, Miss Streisand!
Think about these shining examples if you ever want to steal a scene. It takes genius, of course (duh, a given), but it also takes SELF KNOWLEDGE! Knowing who you are so well you will just walk into a room and own that room if that's what you want to do. Stick to what you do best. Whether a singer, raconteur, comedian, philosopher, fashion plate or whatever you are, if you want to own that room, just walk in and be yourself. And if you're good, you will own that room, that scene, just like Mae and Louis. And if you don't, it's not the end of the day. I picked four genius performers at the top of their games to show you that ultimately only one can own the scene.
Now it's time for Little Missy's Summer Reading Roundup!
Audio Version but I recommend the book
Carole Radziwill's The Widow's Guide to Sex and Dating is one of the funniest books I have read in a long time. Claire is a plucky writer in her early 30's recently widowed from her older husband, a sexologist who overshadowed her. Of course she has friends out of Central Casting who want to to set her up with every stereotype out there. I would love to give a spoiler alert and blurt out the end because I think Claire makes a big mistake, but hey, I'm jaded, and winding up in Petaluma with my ex's (or in this case late husband's) "stiffest"critic is not my cup of tea! A lot of New York style chit chat and Hollywood scenes will keep you turning the pages of this chic little book.
If you're thinking what I was thinking you're thinking Not Another One! Why do we need so many books by these French women telling us like it is? We don't, but for the new generation who has not been hit with the onslaught Little Missy and others of her age group may have suffered, How to be Parisian Wherever You Are is different. First, it was written by four French women who are SELF DEPRECATING---an almost unheard of temperament in the City of Light. All those important things like a few good recipes (floating island, crepes, mayonnaise and vinaigrette) are given freely. How to kiss and how to spend as little time as possible with your kids are all offered up. And what you do for yourself! A bouquet of white lilies, "just because". A first edition of a classic. A dish of sea urchins. Over sized sunglasses. Massages. Sweet almond oil as the best and cheapest moisturiser. These French girls know they are crazy. They admit they going ballistic once in a while at work (just like in French movies!) but all is forgiven because they are French! How to cheat on your boyfriend, mais oui! What would a book on Parisian tips be without that? And best of all! To keep the romance going, keep Separate Apartments! Well, Little Missy might not be a Parisian (I guess they are keeping this gender neutral) but let me offer up this one tip. Take these French girls' advice on advice but listen to Missy: if you want to keep any relationship going, separate living spaces period....whether you are married, dating or whatever! You don't need to be French to know that!
Well, have a great summer and do steal some scenes and buy some white lilies "just because"---because you are my dear readers and you are worth it!
Carole Radziwill's The Widow's Guide to Sex and Dating is one of the funniest books I have read in a long time. Claire is a plucky writer in her early 30's recently widowed from her older husband, a sexologist who overshadowed her. Of course she has friends out of Central Casting who want to to set her up with every stereotype out there. I would love to give a spoiler alert and blurt out the end because I think Claire makes a big mistake, but hey, I'm jaded, and winding up in Petaluma with my ex's (or in this case late husband's) "stiffest"critic is not my cup of tea! A lot of New York style chit chat and Hollywood scenes will keep you turning the pages of this chic little book.
If you're thinking what I was thinking you're thinking Not Another One! Why do we need so many books by these French women telling us like it is? We don't, but for the new generation who has not been hit with the onslaught Little Missy and others of her age group may have suffered, How to be Parisian Wherever You Are is different. First, it was written by four French women who are SELF DEPRECATING---an almost unheard of temperament in the City of Light. All those important things like a few good recipes (floating island, crepes, mayonnaise and vinaigrette) are given freely. How to kiss and how to spend as little time as possible with your kids are all offered up. And what you do for yourself! A bouquet of white lilies, "just because". A first edition of a classic. A dish of sea urchins. Over sized sunglasses. Massages. Sweet almond oil as the best and cheapest moisturiser. These French girls know they are crazy. They admit they going ballistic once in a while at work (just like in French movies!) but all is forgiven because they are French! How to cheat on your boyfriend, mais oui! What would a book on Parisian tips be without that? And best of all! To keep the romance going, keep Separate Apartments! Well, Little Missy might not be a Parisian (I guess they are keeping this gender neutral) but let me offer up this one tip. Take these French girls' advice on advice but listen to Missy: if you want to keep any relationship going, separate living spaces period....whether you are married, dating or whatever! You don't need to be French to know that!
Well, have a great summer and do steal some scenes and buy some white lilies "just because"---because you are my dear readers and you are worth it!
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