A few comments on recent reads/viewings. Please forgive me if
I veer wildly off-then-back-on topic, like a wounded getaway
driver.
I noticed a mention of Bernard Herrmann. This reminds me that
he cites "On Dangerous Ground" as his personal fave of his
many fine scores.
Speaking of fines scores(& Robert Ryan flics), I just saw
"Odds Against Tomorrow" and it was great. One of the finest
scores I've heard in years from MJQ. I have yet to actually
read a McGivern novel, but all the adaptations I've seen so
far are classics, with OAT being up there with "The Big Heat"
as the best.
Also viewed another two adaptations: "Nightmare Alley"
(William Lindsay Gresham source) & "The 3rd Voice"(Based
on ALL THE WAY by Charles Williams.) I haven't read
either(though my ALL THE WAY Dell 1st Edition is one of the
jewels of my PB collection), but I can recommend both films
without reservation. I caught half of "They Won't Believe
Me"(Scripted by Jonathan "From the way her buttocks looked
under the black silk dress, I knew she'd be good in bed"
Latimer), but the tape cut out before I could get into it.
I'm not a big Robert Young fan, but the presence of Jane
Greer and Susan Hayward sure helps.
The recent reads:
I finally decided it was time to tackle the Parker novels.
With a combination of library holds & on-line purchases,
I have made my way from THE HUNTER to DEADLY EDGE in about a
month. I read the 1st novel(long after viewing "Point Blank",
but that didn't really matter) and then was stuck waiting for
THE MAN WITH THE GETAWAY FACE to arrive in the mail. To
appease the beast within, I read a few stray Willeford's(THE
SHARK INFESTED CUSTARD & I WAS LOOKING FOR A STREET)
& short story collections from Edward D. Hoch(THE THEFTS
OF NICK VELVET) & Michael Collins(CRIME, PUNISHMENT AND
RESURRECTION.) All were great, though the end of TSIC kinda
bothered me. But my Parker thirst was/is insatiable, so they
barely kept me at bay.
Once the 2nd Parker novel arrived, my free time was claimed.
I found myself finishing one book and starting the next
before the last one had hit the shelf. I'm one of those
people who likes to read the adventures of a series character
in order and I was pleased to see that the Parker series
rewards this. While I have yet to devour the Grofield
books(I'd love to hear some opinions), I would liked to have
read them in sequence with the Parkers.
The problem I have is this: PLUNDER SQUAD & BUTCHER'S
MOON. Where in the hell can you get these w/o paying an arm
and a leg? The inter-library loan route was a no go and I
can't see myself paying the king's ransom they currently
demand. I fear my only hope is that someone will post them on
eBay, misspell Stark's name(Don't laugh, I bought THE HANDLE
by Richard Strak for a song!) & overlook the Westlake
ties.
Anyone interested in Parker should check out the excellent
site @
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Nook/5171
Oh yeah, one more thing. Anyone with a spare copy of Richard
Sratk's BUTCHER'S MOON shouldn't hesitate to e-mail me.
ambrosehunter
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