Curse You, Demon of the Night!

According to film lore, director Jacques Tourneur didn't want the actual demon in "Night of the Demon" (or "Curse of the Demon" in the U.S.) because he thought it was too obvious. What's obvious is the man, who admittedly had a way with the spooky, clearly didn't realize the importance of a giant fanged monster with great big claws to the audience. Especially the audience at the drive-in. These people were easily distracted — by the speaker falling off the car door, by the soda spilling on the front seat, and by the young woman's breasts in the tight sweater.

Dana Andrews is Dr. Holden, a no-nonsense psychologist who goes over to England to help sort out some bushwa about a devil cult. Unfortunately, the evil Dr. Karswell (Niall MacGinnis) is no phony, and soon Dr. Holden gets the parchment and has only a couple days to live, which he spends getting blown around Karswell's house and gazing at Peggy Cummins and her sweater.

The "Curse" version is the U.S. release and is about 10 minutes shorter, from what I can gather. I watched "Curse" but not the slightly longer "Night" because what got cut was plot that could only have gotten in the way of the story. Some excellent creepiness. Take the cheesy demon out and this is straight film noir. Dana Andrews looks like my friend and fellow CACA member Thos. Good stuff. Three honest coils.

What season is it again?

Last night — clear, cold. Flannel pajamas and I shut the window I usually leave cracked. This morning — clear and sunny, 50s. Hmm. Had to roll out early to interview an 8th grader. I don't remember school starting at such a ghastly hour, but that's probably just old age kicking in. Then off to get an oil change. So — classic LL Bean Norwegian over a Bean flannel shirt, and lined LL Bean jeans. SmartWool socks and LL Bean boat shoes. (Hmm II — lots of Leon in there.) This is on Long Pond Road in Salisbury, Conn., looking toward Sharon. Mudge Pond in distance. Very trouty-looking stream in that valley, too. Might have to go bushwacking later.

Fall 2012 Style

After a summer of not giving a damn about clothes or much of anything else I snapped out of it when the weather did. Harder to do "don't give as shit" when it's cold and rainy out. I also did an enormous purge of the closet(s). I'm talking 50 suits and sportcoats, with shirts, chinos, jeans, shoes, ties and odds and ends to go with them. It went to a local church's fall festival sale, to aid a food bank. What was left over went to a thrift shop that helps people pay medical bills. Those worthy outfits get some cash, I get some breathing space, everybody wins.