beginnings Featured Jason Robards & Eugene O'Neill Lives intertwined, beyond the grave. I must talk about Eugene O'Neill now, before I go any further with movies. I'm sure I will revisit O'Neill many times, so consider this a "part one." Eugene O'Neill is the biggest figure in
moviesthatmatter Featured All the President's Men 1976 "Your daddy's FAY-mus! Your daddy's FAY-mus!" I can hear those singsong taunts so clearly even today. I had arrived at Mrs. Johnson's tiny kindergarten classroom in my kilt, long socks, and blue blazer, thinking it was just another day at this
Mom was right about everything...about coffee I'm at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Worcester, MA. A huge hotel, amidst many large buildings, many of which seem vacant, though there are a few people here in this lobby. This morning, despite the nearly deserted neighborhood, the sound of an occasional vehicle roars down Major
A Boy and His Dog 1975 I've never thought (or written) so much about a film I find both boring and abhorrent. Trigger warning: Rape, sexual abuse. And spoilers. Whenever A Boy and His Dog came up conversationally, Dad would say underhandedly, "Ahh...interesting movie." He never encouraged us to watch
family Divorce American Style 1967 An acerbic satire about the state of American marriage and divorce. Written by Norman Lear and Robert Kaufman, it tackles the at-the-time controversial topic of divorce with humor, and was nominated for Best Original Screenplay. Lear would go on to perfect this formula in television, creating numerous legendary sitcoms
childhood Where to begin? Where to begin? Simply, I suppose, with a picture of my dad as a little kid, held by his dad, Jason Robards, Sr. It looks like things were ok, maybe 1925, before his mother left the family. Jason Sr. was an attractive young matinee idol, making his way in Hollywood
