DEC
2010
08

And Thy Name Shall Be Accursed

Manolo asks, do you have frenemies? If so, the Manolo has found the perfect Christmas gift for their children….

The Otamatone: Guaranteed to drive parents insane.

Available at the Amazon.

DEC
2010
07

Pearl Harbor, Redux…. The Otamatone!

Manolo says, from the peoples who brought you Pearl Harbor comes the latest Japanese aggression … the otamatone!

Music that shall live in infamy!

DEC
2010
02

The Perfect Gift for the Shoe Lover

New Shoes Book by Manolo Blahnik

Manolo says, what more needs to be said? It is the brand new book of drawings from our Maestro Manolo Blahnik, with commentary by Suzy Menkes.

What the Manolo is…

Manolo says, it is Tuesday, time to see what the Manolo is…

Reading…

Listening to…

Watching…

The Manolo, who last evening engaged in the spirited round of Twittering with his internet friends about the topic of My Fair Lady, has gone back and reviewed the evidence. In doing so, he has reached the twin conclusions:
My Fair Lady
Conclusion the First: Eliza Doolittle is the prostitute.

This is the unspoken subtext of both the Broadway play and the movie, one, which acknowledged, even in passing, gives more depth and richness to the story.

What is the Manolo’s evidence for this seemingly heterodox idea? The vending of fruits or flowers in Covent Gardens was long considered the pretextual occupation of the prostitutes. The most famous of such ladies of ill repute was Nell Gwyn, the mistress of Charles II, who began her career as the Covent Garden seller of oranges.

There is other evidence, not the least of which is that the father of Eliza, Alfie Doolittle, attempts to sell his daughter to Professor Higgins for the few pounds, with the little bit of luck…

And there is much more, if only one looks.

The acknowledgment of Eliza Doolittle’s scarlet past deepens and explains her reluctance to return the love of Freddy. It is not her low birth which makes for the problematic match, for indeed, low birth can be ignored if love is true.

It is that Eliza herself knows that she cannot be with Freddy, ever, for that even if she were to love him in return, her previous occupation renders her untouchable. (Only the kings, such as Charles II, have the power to render this stain socially nugatory.) If Eliza loves Freddy, she must protect him from her past by rejecting him. There is no other way.

Conclusion the Second: Audrey Hepburn is most horribly miscast as the Eliza Doolittle.

(more…)

OCT
2010
09

It is Saturday!

Manolo says, time to get up and boogie!

That’s Right!

JUL
2010
04

The Fourth of July!

Manolo says, perhaps the single most delightfully jingoistic scene ever to appear in any Hollywood movie, featuring Soldiers, Boy Scouts, Patriots, Cowboys, Uncle Sam, and Teddy Roosevelt armed with the sword!

JUN
2010
26

Athiests Don’t Have No Songs

Manolo says, it is funny because it is true!

P.S. The tip of the hat to Vanderleun

MAY
2010
07

In Jedem Klaren Bach

Manolo says, if you were to compile the list of things that make the Manolo exceedingly happy… Fritz Wunderlich singing Schubert’s Die schöne Müllerin would be very near the top.

One of the great tenor voices, so filled with robust vitality, singing one of the most beautiful songs ever written.

And Wilhelm Müller’s poem is heartfelt simplicity itself.

Ich hört ein Bächlein rauschen
Wohl aus dem Felsenquell,
Hinab zum Tale rauschen
So frisch und wunderhell.

Ich weiß nicht, wie mir wurde,
Nicht, wer den Rat mir gab,
Ich mußte auch hinunter
Mit meinem Wanderstab.

Hinunter und immer weiter
Und immer dem Bache nach,
Und immer frischer rauschte
Und immer heller der Bach.

Ist das denn meine Straße?
O Bächlein, sprich, wohin?
Du hast mit deinem Rauschen
Mir ganz berauscht den Sinn.

Was sag ich denn vom Rauschen?
Das kann kein Rauschen sein:
Es singen wohl die Nixen
Tief unten ihren Reihn.

Laß singen, Gesell, laß rauschen
Und wandre fröhlich nach!
Es gehn ja Mühlenräder
In jedem klaren Bach.

And Schubert’s music is so good here, that it is even enough to make the Manolo look fondly on…

(more…)

MAY
2010
04

Tonight on Glee…Not Lin Yu Chun

Lin Yu Chun as the Foreign Exchange Student on Glee

Manolo says, the Manolo reminds you that he is still on the crusade to convince the producers of Glee to cast the astoundingly amusing Lin Yu Chun as the Foreign Exchange Student.

To that end, the Manolo has started the Facebook group dedicated to that proposition. Please be so kind as to consider joining if you are at all concerned about increasing level of entertainment present on network television.

And now, for your viewing pleasure… Lin Yu Chun busts the move…

P.S. The Manolo has restated this case on the Celebrity Beehive.

Things That Make the Manolo Laugh Out Loud

Manolo says, Miss Plumcake taking ABC television to task for refusing to run the sexy, plus-sized Lane Bryant advertisement.

Lin Yu Chun Should Be on Glee

Lin Yu Chun as the Foreign Exchange Student on Glee

Manolo says, the Manolo has started the Facebook group dedicated to the proposition that the producers of Glee should cast Taiwanese singing sensation Lin Yu Chun as the Foreign Exchange Student.

Please be so kind as to consider joining this group, and suggesting to your friends that they should also join.

Together we can change the course of the musical television history!

Turn Around, Bright Eyes

Manolo says, what can the Manolo possibly say that would do full justice to the utter awesomeness of this?

Lin Yu Chun.  Amazing.

All the Manolo can do now is renew his call to the producers of Glee to cast Lin Yu Chun as the recurring Foreign Exchange Student character.

Here is more evidence to support the Manolo’s belief…

(more…)