Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rae Billett on April 8, 2010 at 7:54pm

And wasn't the gorgeous Rock Hudson in Giant with James Dean. My dream (The Little Prince) who died before his time and should have at least made another three movies. Who knew about gay then and who would have given a rats. Actually coming from Balmain back they, I did know about the gay community. No problem then, more now I think.

Oh you girls, dam, what about Rebel Without a Cause. I cried!! The total... you know....you just wanted to wrap your arms around him and cuddle him.... oh those days. Wait until some of the guys see this. Bet they don't know who James Dean is.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Brendan Michael on April 9, 2010 at 11:07am

Course I know who Jimmy Dean is Rae,

Watch this, for a reference.


Here are the Lyrics so you can sing along:

Hey kid, rock and roll
Rock on, ooh, my soul
Hey kid, boogey too, did ya

Hey shout, summertime blues
Jump up and down in my blue suede shoes
Hey kid, rock and roll, rock on

And where do we go from here
Which is the way that's clear

Still looking for that blue jean, baby queen
Prettiest girl I ever seen
See her shake on the movie screen, Jimmy Dean
(James Dean)

And where do we go from here
Which is the way that's clear

Still looking for that blue jean, baby queen
Prettiest girl I ever seen
See her shake on the movie screen, Jimmy Dean
Jimmy Dean
Rock on
Rock on
Rock on

Hey, hey
Rock and roll
Rock on

Rock on
Hey, hey
Rock and roll
Rock on

Rock on
Hey, hey
Rock and roll
Rock on

Rock on
Hey, hey
Rock and roll
Rock on........

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Leal on April 9, 2010 at 3:31pm

James Dean was as camp as a row of tents, so was another good actor in westerns, Randoph Scott!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rae Billett on April 9, 2010 at 5:00pm

Brendan that was brilliant. I listened then sang the next, then listened again and danced that time. Love it, what a brilliant version with the stereo happening it was excellent. I'm gonna download that.

The rock guitar is way out there. Mate, should be more of it.

Thanks for that I forgot how good it was.
Rae

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rae Billett on April 9, 2010 at 5:05pm

Really John, was James Dean gay too? I knew about Rock later and Randolph Scott too, that man made so many ordinary movies, he couldn't act his way out of a paper bag. Don't they say Burt Lancaster was gay as well. I know he was found to be more than a little bit strange to work with. Struth, sounds like everyone in Hollywood was gay, and probably still are.
Rae

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Stephen Cox on September 21, 2011 at 11:58pm

Thanks for this discussion Rae and everyone else.

First and foremost must be Isacc Asimov,famous more for his Science Fiction works,he also translated the Bible into over 200 languages and wrote thousands of scientific papers as well.

What I have found unique with Asimov is when you read all his books it takes a while but you then realise he has woven all his books together in such a subtle fashion.

Many seem at initial reading unrelated but netherless a good read,then it dawns on you all his books fit together like some huge jigsaw puzzle and when you put it all together it becomes an epic adventure covering thousands of years of Future Galactic history.Amazing really when the writing of these volumes covers almost three quarters of a century and he still managed to fit the pieces together over all those years.

I am sure Asimov's books were the true inspiration for the Star Wars saga but so much more depth and the minutae of detail simply exquisite,His writing can only truly be appreciated when you have read at least a dozen of his works.

Others include A Bastard of a Place by Peter Brune,Kokoda by Paul ham,Kokoda by Peter Fitzsimons,all three are required reading to gain a full perspective.

Other classics of the WW2 era include HMAS Perth,The Coastwatchers by Patrick Lindsay,The Silent Seventh by Mark Johnston,Patton by Charles Whiting,the Classic Compass Rose by Alastair Maclean and run Silent Run Deep by Edward L Beach,silence on Monte Sole by Jack Olsen.

Charles Bud tingwell has some great stuff as well ,the story of Douglas Bader is also truly inspirational when you talk about overcoming adversity.

Of my own era of Vietnam, Trackers by Peter Haran is truly outstanding as is ChickenHawk by Robert Mason a 1st cav slick pilot whose Vietnam story blends so seamlessly with the movie We Were Soldiers Once and Young By  then Colonel Hal Moore and Joe Galloway also a great book. Add in Bernard Falls Street without Joy for the French Experience of Vietnam.

Long Tan by Lex McAuley is a must read along with Shockwave by Peter haran once more.then to add perspective mix in The Vietnam Years by Michael Caulfield.

Blending in a perspective of the world we live in and how we got here then add Bir Hacheim by Richard holmes about the French Foreign Legion,Soldier A,B,C.D.E.f etc a series about the british SAS over half a century all over the world.

Then add the Mossad by Dennis Eisenberg Uri Dan and Eli Landau.

Secret Soldier by Colonel Mosche 'Muki' Betser with Robert Rosenberg, Spice up with America's Secret War by George Friedman the Founder of the Well respected Stratfor group specialsit anti terrorism advisors.

Adding a lighter less Historical note to finish off this list though by far not covering it in depth who can forget Born Free and Living free about Elsa the Lioness and her cubs,both the books and movies are a must see in my estimation.

The Last one is a rather special one and that is Carve Her Name With Pride the Story of Violette Szabo also made into a movie.

Violette was executed by the Gestapo who also had imprisoned with her Churchills Niece also a Resistance fighter whose name was the thing responsible for her reprieve from the firing squad.

Her courage was exemplified  for the rare award she received for it is one thing to act in the heat of battle and another to endure days weeks and more of torture not betraying your fellow resistance fighters.

In this she reminds me of Flight Sergeant Middleton an Australian VC winner whose inscription reads Unsurpassed courage in the annals of the award.

His story is worth looking up and his is one of the many rest stops on remembrance drive from Sydney to Canberra,Such incredible strength and Raw Courage thinking only of others flying all the way from Turin Italy back to England Severly wounded determined to get his crew home,the type of person who instills pride in being an Australian.

King George awarded posthumously the George Cross the civilian version of the Victoria cross for resistance fighters were civilian volunteers and therefore not eligible for military Awards under our system.

The award of the George Cross was made to Violette's Parents and her Orphaned daughter Tanya was also present,My Parents were friends with them after the war and an Autographed copy of the book holds pride of place in My collection.

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Stephen Fuller on December 5, 2011 at 8:38am

Hello Rae, thought I would contribute, but you may banish me to JOpinions.

Animal Farm: A Fairy Story by George Orwell.

A sensational read that all should read, IMO; still included within the NSW High School curriculum I believe; read, enjoyed and analysed by many since 1945.

The story of a power vacuum being filled with the same ugly outcomes the oppressed sought to be relieved. Included, is a moment when the suffering endured and the rebellion could have changed the animals’ lives for the better, but, was missed due to the naivety and non-edification of the animals.

It was written with the knowledge of how Joseph Stalin rose to power in Russia and maintained it.

The Mafia, C.I.A and George W. Bush by Pete Brewton

Put simply; this book describes how the United States of America has a hidden world of drug trafficking by the criminal elements of society and the devastating financial terrorism it wreaks upon its citizens. The criminal elements having control of the Savings and Loans (S&L) banks involved, aided by politicians have set in motion the business model (in my opinion) that will cause the collapse of the current financial system worldwide.

An incredible incite beyond the average person’s comprehension and belief.

Crossing the Rubicon by Michael C. Ruppert

This book is a continuation from where the Mafia, CIA and George W. Bush by Pete Brewton stops.

Now that the financial corporate raiders; with the aid of certain banks and government policy have consolidated enormous wealth and power; the criminal elements extend their influence abroad to usurp other countries natural resources. This includes sponsoring local terrorism to justify passing legislative bills to pre-emptively act nationally and internationally against terrorism.

The question that posed itself to me after reading was: Are those responsible for the alleged acts the ultimate patriots or mass murderers?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rae Billett on September 29, 2012 at 11:12am

I haven't been here for a long while...and I have read many many books since. I average about one a week.

 

I highly recommend all the Joanne Harris books, for the ladies. She wrote Chocolat. The book is far better than the movies, quite different. Five Quarters of the Orange was my favorite but I loved them all.

 

For the guys, if you like 'who done its' I recommend the Scottish wit of Stuart MacBride's crime writing.. I give fair warning about the language.  

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Stephen Cox on September 29, 2012 at 11:24pm

http://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2012/08/madeleine-...

This one sounds facinating as Madeline Albright former US Secretary of State and the First Woman ever to hold the position thought she knew all about her family till she found the facts at the age of 59 which turned all her preconceptions out the window,facinating Bio from what I have read so far.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rae Billett on September 30, 2012 at 2:43pm

Sounds like a recommendation for the Book Corner.

 

Vivienne skeen said:

Hi tony I am reading the book by Donna Laframboise 'The Delinquent Teenager' I recommend that book to everyone. It shows the absolute manipulation of world governments,by the United Nation and it's Backers.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joanne Rea on October 4, 2012 at 9:53am

Rae,

Your mention of Joanne Harris made me think of a cookbook I have-"The French Kichen" by Joanne Harris and Fran Warde.

Mostly French classics, she gives a recipe for preserved cherries but she makes the point that they are not as good as the ones her great-grandmother made, which she still eats on special occasions and they are forty years old!!!

So much for use-by dates.

There is also a selection of chocolate recipes.
 
Rae Billett said:

I haven't been here for a long while...and I have read many many books since. I average about one a week.

 

I highly recommend all the Joanne Harris books, for the ladies. She wrote Chocolat. The book is far better than the movies, quite different. Five Quarters of the Orange was my favorite but I loved them all.

 

For the guys, if you like 'who done its' I recommend the Scottish wit of Stuart MacBride's crime writing.. I give fair warning about the language.  

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rae Billett on October 4, 2012 at 5:03pm

Yes she has written cook books. All of her fictional books include references to French cooking and most particularly chocolate and that is one of the things I like about her books. She is a great writer and story teller. I didn't like the Blue-Eyed Boy as much as the others.  
 
Joanne Rea said:

Rae,

Your mention of Joanne Harris made me think of a cookbook I have-"The French Kichen" by Joanne Harris and Fran Warde.

Mostly French classics, she gives a recipe for preserved cherries but she makes the point that they are not as good as the ones her great-grandmother made, which she still eats on special occasions and they are forty years old!!!

So much for use-by dates.

There is also a selection of chocolate recipes.
 
Rae Billett said:

I haven't been here for a long while...and I have read many many books since. I average about one a week.

 

I highly recommend all the Joanne Harris books, for the ladies. She wrote Chocolat. The book is far better than the movies, quite different. Five Quarters of the Orange was my favorite but I loved them all.

 

For the guys, if you like 'who done its' I recommend the Scottish wit of Stuart MacBride's crime writing.. I give fair warning about the language.  

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• Next ›
• Page