Double Feature Kitties: 'Kitty Cat Dance' and 'Fly Guy'

Morty's uncovered a new Simon's Cat cartoon and a performance art music video.

He has eclectic tastes beyond snapper.


Simon's Cat in "Fly Guy" via YouTube


"Kitty Cat Dance" via YouTube
More: Simon's Cat

Off the Wall

Saving Facebook: My Confessions

Can't believe how fast time passes. I remember when we all lived in the same apartment building, upstairs and down, like the Ricardos and the Mertzes.

I so miss those days. I got to be Lucy.

Working The Fab Fox [Theatre] this week. They let me wear a big hunk o' keys off a belt loop. How could I say "no"?

I'm getting into the new digital projector and its computers. Trying to figure out how to make my email show up on the big screen. That would give me something to do during WOODSTOCK.

Mike Durrett is exhausted after six straight days of prep and/or showing movies at The Fox. 76.25 hours, plus 4-hours or so daily commute. But, hey, I'm in show business.

Got four contractual bonus meals this time. It's like Vegas with Quiznos.

Probably today is the first time in 30 years I've uttered the term "Hasbro" -- and it came up in two entirely different scenarios.

I am afraid. Very afraid...

Anyone who truly knows me knows I act like I'm in my 20s, if not much younger when I'm being silly. I'm much older when I'm angry, though. I like to bonk idiots with my walker.

My mother probably saw BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S in original release (probably at the Fox), but she certainly saw Audrey [Hepburn]. She took to Holly Golightly's upswept hair look and that was Mom's style for years.

I was tackled and forced into crewcuts.

Upswept crewcuts.

Mikellaneous

My Recent Confessions and Observations on Twitter, Where Everything Must Be Said in 140 Characters or Less

My doctor told me to stay away from salt. So the ocean is out this summer.

Whenever I think about TRANSFORMERS, I turn myself into a nap.

Ho hum. TRANSFORMERS. ... Hasbro-beens.

Watching the wall-to-wall Walter Cronkite coverage on TV. I had forgotten his THRILLER video...

Spending too much time prepping screening of BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S. First hints: sleep deprivation & legal name change to Mikey Golightly.

GUNFIGHT AT THE SOMEWHAT LACKING CORRAL ... #failedwesterns

HAIR BALL IN THE SADDLE ... #failedwesterns

ALUMINUMFOILADO ... #failedwesterns

DUEL IN THE SUNGLASS HUT ... #failedwesterns

HOW THE WEST WAS TWOFERRED ... #failedwesterns

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Savoring 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'

During Blake Edwards' "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961) at the Fox the other night, I was struck by several details while performing my projection chores and, fate determined, munching Cracker Jack a la co-star Buddy Ebsen. The production encompasses a surprising array of personal pleasures: a favorite movie poster, moment, song, director, actress, and actor.

Although I've seen the romantic comedy on numerous television occasions, my Fox viewing was the first 35mm revisit since I was nine. I've long recognized Audrey Hepburn's remarkable, classic beauty, but the added jolt of her two-story high head on the theatre's large screen revealed even greater charms. In a film nearly one-half century of age, this lady looked as fresh and stylish as today, although the motion picture itself is firmly rooted in Kennedy-era hip, baby.

Below are several excerpts from "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Tops among them is the opening main title sequence, so simple and elegant and lovely and perfection. There's not much in cinema that fills me with warmth like the few minutes of the statuesque, bedazzling Miss Hepburn strolling up and peering into the famed jewelry store's windows on an early, peaceful New York morn, as the lush strains of Mercer and Mancini's "Moon River" enter our consciousness.

And she pecks a pastry.

I get tingly and contemplate puddles.

Next, I've posted sweet Audrey crooning that signature tune, written specifically for her, followed by the original "Breakfast at Tiffany's" theatrical trailer, curiously absent of "Moon River."

Oh, and that favorite actor of mine?

Kudos and kibble to Cat -- all nine of him, baby.



"Breakfast at Tiffany's" Main Title via YouTube


"Moon River" via YouTube


"Breakfast at Tiffany's" Trailer via YouTube

Big Weekend

I faced facts. It's time for another $20 haircut.


I go whenever I look like I should be on a twenty.

I Got Nuthin'

Okay, I'm back to blogging.

Okay.

I am back.

Right here.

Right now.

Back.





Um, I got nuthin'.


"JK Wedding Entrance Dance" via YouTube
Thanks to Randy Stewart

Hey, Kids,

I'm prisoner in another no-sleep hell week at work, so I'll be a bit scarce here until the weekend, maybe. Check out the archives and catch up on all my sordid details. Morty's, too.

Mike

Big Weekend

Minoxidil Side Effects


Saturday, 9:12 a.m.


Saturday, 3:23 p.m.


Saturday, 10:24 p.m.


Sunday, 7:46 a.m.


Sunday, 5:51 p.m.


Sunday, 11:02 p.m.

Trailer Reel

IFC.com is presenting a swell list of "The 50 Greatest Trailers of All-Time," devoted to the fine art of previews of coming attractions, as seen on the big movie screen in a theatre or drive-in near you.

Here are three of mine which made the list: "Psycho" (my all-time fave), "The Bishop's Wife," and "Real Life" in 3-D! And to make things even better, I truly love and recommend the full-length motion pictures these promos are hyping.

Watch and enjoy the trailers. I'll be in the bahhhhhthroom....




Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" (1960) via YouTube


"The Bishop's Wife" (1947) via YouTube


"Real Life" (1979) via YouTube

I Got Nuthin'

"Food Court Musical" via CollegeHumor
Thanks to Jeremy West

What the Heck Was I Thinking?

Actual Messages I Wrote, Forgot, Then Found While Cleaning Out My Email Folders

09/26/06

Is there any more goo mix?

04/25/09

Thanks. Needs tightening and Miss Welenmelon as Moneypenny.

04/24/09

I do not remember your big booger. That is exactly something I would remember, too. I love the classics.

Mike's Video: 'Scenes From a Drive-in Movie'

My earliest memories include watching John Ford's "The Wings of Eagles" (1957) with John Wayne at a drive-in theatre in Washington, DC.

Yeah, that's right. Duke was in the car with me, pilgrim, drinking this toddler under the Buick.

I've been fascinated and drawn to the outdoor cinematic havens ever since, as a viewer, champion, and employee. During my projectionist career, I managed to show films in eight Atlanta area ozoners. That's a lot of late nights and bugs flying into the light.

Here's a visit to one of my favorite places. (I've saved the corn dogs for the sequel.)


"Scenes From a Drive-in Movie" via YouTube

Big Weekend

My pal won $77,777.77 in the lottery.


Yeah. So?

I ate my first ever Nutter Butter.

I Got Nuthin'

"Ringo Remembers Goldfinger" via YouTube
Thanks to Randy Stewart

I Got Nuthin'

"Web Site Story" via CollegeHumor
Thanks to Willam Colquitt

Big Weekend

Oh, certainly, the celebration of America's independence and the live fireworks were important activities, but they pale in comparison to my discovering Family Napkins. I might even qualify for a medal.

These sweet finds work for the entire family! The whining tots, brothers with lip pelts, the wife and her girly gnaws, and, of course, me -- and, hey, maybe even the cat. Morty is fambly. Now, he can napkin, too!

I tell ya, with the technological advances of this youngster century, it is hard to keep up with all of the different and ever-changing napkin formats. I'm confident everyone will be served.

Thank you, Family Napkins!

Video: 'Stuff I'm Too Lazy to Go Type Up #2: Small Town Fireworks'

This video fell out of the sky and I'm glad it did.

Perhaps the social highlight of the year in a small town is the Independence Day fireworks display, if not the display of Pall Malls over at the Walmart.

Last night, we had 11 minutes of colorful explosions in our faces and I managed to catch them with the camera, rather than 11 minutes of my nose. I have a lousy sense of direction.

Instead of me writing about it, here's the 9½ minute finale. All that would fit.

See plenty o' fireworks a-poppin' on the Fourth of July, as we celebrate America, watching the up with a cool breeze, no gnats, and lotsa yummy oatmeal cookies.

"Stuff I'm Too Lazy to Go Type Up #2: Small Town Fireworks" via YouTube

Fourth of July Cartoon Carnival

"Patriotic Popeye" (I. Sparber, 1957) via YouTube 
Interesting, in this cartoon, there's no Olive Oyl celebrating the holiday and only two of Popeye's nephews (Peepeye, Pupeye, Pipeye, and Poopeye) appear.

Fireworks accident? Contract disputes? Budget cuts?



"Draftee Daffy" (Robert Clampett, 1945) via YouTube 



"Make Mine Freedom" (Joseph Barbera, William Hanna, 1948) via YouTube 
Plus! Porky Pig in "Old Glory" (Chuck Jones, 1939)

Epilogue: The Lost Fawn and the Broken Bird

Continued From: "I Don't Care to Laugh Today"


On Sunday, Donna and I partially exhumed the remains of the fawn that has touched us so. I sliced into the sealed bag containing the baby, allowing nature to continue its process unobstructed.

Minutes after burying the deer again, we were back inside our kitchen when Donna was surprised, looking through the window.

"There's a coyote coming down the driveway," she said. "His nose is in the air. He smells something."

I was amazed. Ten years we've lived in this forest and never seen a coyote nor received reports of any in the vicinity. Sure, we've heard them howling from distant locations, but why choose this hour to appear mere footsteps away from the doomed deer?

The animal vanished and I went to the computer. Research shows sobering statistics, including one study touting 70% of fawn fatalities are at the jaws of coyotes. Their favorite snack food treats, I'm guessing.

Our hunch, due to the seemingly surreal materialization in the yard, is a coyote destroyed the fawn. The neighbors suspect a dog and our veterinarian confirmed a heavy canine fancy for the newborns.

While I had the good doctor on the telephone, I inquired of the injured bird found alongside our cabin Saturday evening, probably as a result of flying into the very same window. We had protected and nursed the erratic cardinal to an improved condition, but, after two days, we transferred her care to the local animal hospital, for the little one was fading.

It was determined the patient had suffered a neurological trauma from which recovery was not possible. Mercy brought euthanasia.

I've been melancholy since the weekend. I both love and abhor nature. Why does it have to be so cruel? Obviously, it works, but so did the Edsel.

Writing to a niece earlier, I mentioned, "I was heartened this morning, first thing, to see a doe and smallish fawn strolling in the sunshine at the end of our driveway."

I released my grip of the cord to the blinds in the kitchen window and went into the day.