''Have You Heard The One About....'' Part 2

Hollywood, being Hollywood, attracts the glamour and excitement of dreams coming true. That is why we, as a public, foster our attention on Tinseltown. We have unfulfilled dreams of being a big-shot, of everybody knowing us, and, having fabulous wealth and power. If we cannot achieve this dream, we follow the stars whom seem to have the most in common with us. Also, the stars we lust after. There are different configurations about following the goings on about show business. We are interested. Therefore, we should also be interested in Hollywood gossip and lore. Here are a few famous stories about the original Sin City. As always, I must state these stories are rumor, not fact. So, the words ''apparently'' and ''allegedly'' must always be around the following tales...... Rod Stewart likes bachelor parties. Yes, this story has been making the rounds since the 70's. It seems like Rod, a known ladies man, was attending a party thrown in someone's honor. A bachelor party. Now, as we all know, bachelor parties are attended by men, with an occasional visit or two by some strippers and, in some cases, women of a ''scarlet nature''. Ok. Dirty dealings abound. No surprise there. But, in this story it seems like more happened and Ole Rodney Stewart was the center of attention. What happened? Well, according to legend, Rod ''serviced'' most of the males at this party orally. Or, in street slang, he sucked off the whole crowd. Yes, not only are you in Mr. Stewart's heart and soul, but, also his stomach. The story continued with him being rushed to the emergency room and having his stomach pumped, where the huge amount of semen was said to be found. Now, Rod has always denied this story for years, since it has become almost a Rock and Roll Royalty Tale. He has joked and addressed it as a bullshit rumor. It probably is not true. He is a notorious ladies man who has had a penchant for stunning blonde woman. But, anything is possible. As a side note, this story about blowing guys at bachelor parties seems generational. Whomever is the hot male star music star in a decade seems to have this story sticking to him, so to speak. I have also heard this about Elton John [ which may have happened because of his notorious lust for men in the 70's], Jon Bon Jovi, and David Bowie. One last thing, a female has not-too-long-ago entered the ranks of the alleged stomach pumpers: Britney Spears. With her inclusion, the story is now shooting down the throat of the fairer sex. Its nice that we are growing in society that we can slander both sexes........ Speaking of David Bowie. A story about him is just as popular as the bachelor story. In the 1970's David was married to a stunning model named Angela Bowie. In show business language, the word ''stunning'' usually means that no one in the outside world finds this person attractive except for the fashion industry. At this time, David, also, was a bisexual. He publicly stated his preference for both males and females. And, he was very loose with his ass, sleeping with anyone, male or female, that came in his eyesight. So, as the story goes, Angela, or Angie, comes home to the house she shared with David. And, whom does she find curled up in bed naked with him? Why, Mick Jagger!!! Apparently, these two friends were more than friends, according to her. However long this may or may not have gone on is unknown, but, according to Angela, when she and David divorced, they had it in their divorce decree that for ten years she would not tell any tales about their life together, nor would he. Both sides went along with this silence for the ten years. As soon as the gag order was lifted, Angela spilled the beans about Jumpin Jack Flash and Major Tom. The strange thing is both Mick and David have never laughed off the story or denied it. Its possible it may be true. Angela Bowie claims the famous Stones song, ''Angie'' is about her and Mick's longing for her....... Tom Cruise loves auditions. Now, its almost too easy to write about the weird antics of this weasel. A cottage industry seems to have developed about Mr. Top Gun and his sexual leanings and bizarre behavior. A few years ago, he ''married'' the very cute Katie Holmes, a young, naïve girl many years his junior. Nothing new there, Hollywood loves to play the age thing. In a refreshing twist of switching, older women are jumping all over younger man [ I am a VERY BIG fan of cougars!]. Anyway, back to Tommy, because of his notorious bizarre behavior--- and the endless stories about his closet gay lifestyle--- his handlers have been scrambling for years to cover his escapades with pairing him up with various women. The marriages of Mimi Rogers and Nicole Kidman have been open debate for the gossip industry. Both seemed to sign on the dotted line with his management to go along with the charade of marriage with him so they could advance their careers. So, after these two marriages came to a shocking ending of divorce, Mr. Save The World went after another wife. Apparently, because the public is not being fooled by all of this, Tom Cruise found this mission impossible to find another actress to take his hand in matrimony. What does he do? Well, he turns to the Church of Scientology to help him audition actresses to play Mrs. Tom Cruise. Yes, just like when you audition for a play or movie role, actresses, young and naïve, were sent to the Church and met with the heads of this organization. When they passed muster with these refugees from the cast of ''Rosemary's Baby'', they were sent to Tom, where he interviewed them and weeded out the bad candidates [ these must have been the women with dignity and minds of their own to think]. Among the actresses brought in were: Jennifer Garner, Scarlett Johanson, Jessica Alba, and Katie Holmes. Finally, he selected Katie to fall in love with and live in a blissful state. They even ''conceived'' a child, which further gives credence to the Rosemary's Baby analogy. After a few years of the perfect couple, alas, this third trip down the aisle did not last. The public was not fooled, of course. But, it became a bitter divorce, which must have stunned Tom and his Cult Of The Damned. Katie went on her way and is raising the child pretty much on her own, a wise move. But, this story about the auditioning seems to have the most legs in terms of currency.......... Natalie Wood was a star we remember quite fondly. From her career as a child star to her adult roles, and, finally, to her mysterious [and, still unsolved] death in 1981 at the age of 42, Natalie still has a lot of people who still follow the flame of her memory. Her private life was quite active, with many men in and out of her life. But, there is a story, a horrible story, about how she lost her virginity at the age of 16. She was raped by an older man. A famous actor. One of the biggest actors in movie history. This man, apparently, seduced her against her wishes as a teenager, getting her drunk and finally, well, it is stated above what happened. Because this actor was so famous--- and powerful-- he was able to skate any kind of prosecution for his dastardly deeds. Natalie's account seems to be strong in reality. She did not make the story up, by most accounts. The name of the famous actor is well-known throughout the years in the Hollywood culture. Natalie never publicly announced whom he is but most insiders there are aware of his identity. Lana Wood, Natalie's sister, has said she will announce his name when the veteran actor dies. He is still among the living. The actor is believed to be Kirk Douglas...... So, those a few more stories about Hollywood. I posted one blog about a year ago with different stories. I will post more in the months ahead. Perhaps, you have heard some of these tales, maybe, in other forms with other names attached to them. Let me state again that these are rumors, not fact. Well, some are but I have to say this to be fair and to save my ass in court. Rumors, folks......... Perhaps........

Great Movie: ''Brian's Song''

The key moment in the movie, ''Brian's Song'' comes in the closing moments. It is the death scene, the final exchange between its two lead characters, Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo. Piccolo, as we know, is dying of his cancer. Sayers, leaning over his bed, is saying goodbye to him without uttering the words. They are holding hands, as two teammates, and, most importantly, two friends will do. Suddenly, Piccolo is gripped by pain. His face contorts and his grip on his friend's hand locks into a plea to hold him for support. Gale Sayers grips him tighter, giving him the support that a friend gives when needed the most. This one moment conveys the backbone of their friendship. Brian Piccolo soon dies after....... ''Brian's Song'' is on the list of every filmgoer who wants to cry for a movie. It was a TV Movie Of The Week in November, 1971, on ABC. From its first airing, it has attained a love by the public, one of those movies one must see over and over again. It tells the story of a friendship between two football players from the Chicago Bears, Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo. One was a great football player, perhaps, the best open field running back in NFL history. The other, a hard-working, but, mediocre player, who had he lived, would not have gone down in NFL history in anything other than his supreme good character. Truth be told by their many mutual friends, they were close friends, but, not the best of friends that the film depicts. Hollywood, being Hollywood, embellished the closeness of their friendship for dramatic purposes. The film is by no means factually accurate at points of the story. But, it doesn't matter. A film is designed to entertain and hopefully, teach and inspire. This movie succeeds greatly in this aspect. We know from the beginning of the film that Piccolo will die, the narration over the opening credits tells us it will end in tragedy. If anything, though, knowing this adds to the poignancy in the story. We know, even in the movie's funny scenes, that there is a dark cloud hovering over, waiting to drop down. And, when the story does take that sad turn, the filmmakers have us firmly in their grasp. We are willing accomplices in the arc of the tragedy story......... They meet in training camp in the year 1965. Sayers, a star at the University of Kansas, was the Bears Number 1 draft pick that year, one of the most sought-after college prospects in the nation. Gale Sayers had star written all over him. He was a painfully shy man, one of those guys that just mumbled more than talked. His talking was done on the football through his playing. He was fast, very fast, with the ability to break a tackle and run into the open field. And here, when he did break loose, his beauty came to full fruition. He had the misfortune of playing at the same time as Jim Brown, who garnered all the media and fan attention. Sayers, because of his shyness, would always be in the shadow of the great Brown. Perhaps, if he had blown his own horn a little he might have been the legend Brown, and, later on, Walter Payton, would become. But, that wasn't in his nature to brag. He did his job on the field, made friends on the team, and, quietly lived his life....... In that same first training camp was also another running back named Brian Piccolo. Piccolo went to Wake Forest, where, through hard work, he led the nation in rushing and scoring in his senior year. Nobody would confuse the talent of Piccolo's and Sayers'. Sayers was a gifted athlete. Piccolo succeeded because he wasn't given the gifts others had been given by God. Through his tenacity, he made a name for himself in college. Still, when the NFL draft happened, no team selected him. He was a free agent trying to make the team. In personality and demeanor, Piccolo was an all-star. He was funny, friendly, everyone's pal. Meeting Sayers that first day in training camp, he sized his rival [remember, they were both going for the same running back spot on the team] up and decided to have a little fun at Gale's expense. Sayers had yet to meet the legendary coach of the Bears, George Halas, so Piccolo told Sayers to always talk in the left ear of Halas, since that was his good ear. This was nonsense, of course, but Sayers did as suggested, and there is an amusing scene at the beginning of the movie where Gale is hopping around the room trying to talk into Halas' ''good ear''. Soon, Sayers realizes he has been duped by the prankster Piccolo. A few scenes later, Gale gets his revenge when he slides mashed potatoes on Piccolo's chair while he is singing. Naturally, Brian sits down on the potatoes. They look at each other. They are now even........ Gale Sayers makes the team easily, for he is the star running back the Bears have been waiting for. Brian Piccolo, barely survives the cut. What he does to make the team is work like a dog beyond his lack of pure natural talent. This appeals to Old Man Halas. They keep Brian around but do not hold up much hope for him. He will play backup and play on the return team. However, his importance will soon come because the Bears have a radical notion for the times. This was the mid-Sixties, with the white-hot Civil Rights movement going strong and tempers and emotions running high. The Bears want to get with the times and have the first black-white roommate arrangement in the NFL. This pairing, stunning in today's world, is revolutionary for its time. Both Piccolo and Sayers think nothing of the arrangement --- the fact they are roomies is proof Piccolo made the team--- but, they are warned of how explosive this will be in the outside world. They will receive hate mail from both sides of the aisle. And, they do. Both sides gets their licks in. In time, it will be accepted, but, the first year is rough for them. They treat the racism with dignity. Also, with humor. There is a loud laugh in the movie when Piccolo is asked by a reporter about the roommate controversy. Piccolo replies, with his great humor, '' There isn't much problem as long as he doesn't use the bathroom.'' The reporters laugh........ With being roommates comes the natural bonding between the men. They meet each others wives and the four all become close friends. It is hard to tell whom brings more to the friendship. The movie tilts towards Piccolo with bringing Sayers out of his shell and helping him with his rehab when Sayers breaks his leg during a game. The important thing is they are bonding, forming a friendship that is beyond football. There are confidences shared and good times taken. In time, they will also share the backfield together during a short span of the season. Then, illness comes into the story..... Brian Piccolo was born with the cancer gene in him. That is what the doctors all say. He has a tumor taken out of him, and, later part of his left lung and breast. Clearly, the cancer has spread all over his body, attacking all of his organs. Finally, on June 16, 1970, Brian Piccolo will die of his cancer at the appallingly young age of 27. The movie tells us over the closing credits that he had three daughters and many friends. The final words on the narration are, ''When his friends think of him its not about how he died, but how he lived. How he did live!!'' And, the haunting swell of the sad music [you have the theme playing in your head right now, I know] comes up. With these final moments, most of the movie's viewers will have tears in their eyes. If you do not, then, you missed the whole point of the movie and its message...... James Caan and Billy Dee Williams play their roles very well. Neither of them can ever be considered a great actor, but, they are two, solid journeymen performers, who, through hard work and diligence, bring the real-life exploits of these two friends to the screen successfully...... Hard work and diligence. Brian Piccolo would be proud........ The legacy of this movie is that, for pure entertainment, it rings the bell. There are laughs and smiles, but, there are also the deep emotional wells of sorrow. This movie earns them, through the solid storytelling and the fine acting. Death, in any story, always presents a built-in sympathy for its characters. Many movies exploit this tactic and it becomes shoddy and self-serving for the filmmakers. It is easy to shoot a dog in the movie and get a rise out of the audience. But, a well-made movie earns the right to get that rise. The backstory of the dog before the shooting is the key part. If you know about the trials and tribulations of the dog and have real affection for it, then, its shooting becomes more personal. And, that is what ''Brian's Song'' does, it earns it merits through the very real story surrounding the tragedy. You care for these men and their friendship. Even though there is that sorrow cloud above them, somehow, on repeated viewings of the movie, you want that cloud to go away and the men continue their friendship for years to come. It doesn't happen, of course, but the feeling of wanting good for these men never leaves....... There is that final image of them holding hands on the deathbed. Two friends saying goodbye. Two men coming from different worlds and backgrounds. Two men with different personalities and views of life. And, two men doing what all of humanity should do. Caring for each other and accepting each other for whom they are. Unity of the human spirit........ Not a bad message......

When Jim Met Pat: Forever In Love

The old man was lying in the casket, his journey in life had ended. His name and background are now lost to history. He must have known love, though. His wake gathered the many who knew him, approved of him as a person. Young and old came out for the final salute. It was the final tribute to a life ended. But, somewhere in that vast crowd, two young and extraordinary people were about to meet their fate. They would meet in this unlikely arena. The love affair that would blossom on this night would have long-term ramifications, forging a union and a family that flourishes today. And, creating a son who is writing these words for you to read....... James Martin Scoleri liked to work the room. He had the natural ability to do so. With his good-looks and sweet demeanor came the remarkable ability to meet someone and be instantly liked by that person. James, well, Jim or Jimmy by those who know him, had a legion of friends and admirers. They saw his good heart and spirit shining through that warm personality. Jim was the type of person who you went out with for a good time, but, also, the type whom you told your problems to. He was a terrific listener who gave sound advice. And, he had that great smile!!! All teeth that proclaimed his goodness. You just wanted to be around him. He was twenty-three in 1951. His childhood had been marred by sadness and tragedy at times. His beloved father had died in 1943 at a very young age. Jim's mother, Mary, had recently given birth to Jim's brother, Tom. So, at the age of fifteen, he became the man of the family. He grew into the role like fitting into a pair of comfortable shoes. His natural ability to be liked and take charge suited this time, for Jim had a mother that could be very controlling and unstable. She was old-fashioned Italian, from the old country where Italian sons took care of their mothers. Jim loved his mother and was the good son, but, it was never enough for her. He had to be her whole life [ a practice her sisters used on their children ]. Throughout his childhood, Jim tried to please his parents. While his father was still alive, he witnessed the intense fights between them. They ran the gamut from the typical marital squabbles, to his father, at one point, chasing his mother around the home brandishing a gun. Jim knew his father would never use the gun, for he was a peaceful man. But, the moods of Mary would bring dark forces into the family. While she would be a terrific grandmother in the future, she never stopped the mind games with the people around her. When his father passed, Jim became the center core of the little family. He had dreams of being a musician. He loved music and wanted to follow the natural creative instincts that surged through him to become a professional musician. However, when death came to his father, Jim put his dreams and ambitions in the drawer and starting working to support his family. He finished school early [ he could have gone to a fine college had circumstances been rosier ] and got a job working in a factory. Now, his family on his father's side where, ah, not afraid to be on the other side of the law. This was Chicago, mid-forties, where the ''Outfit'' ran everything. The Scoleri family was not afraid to get their hands dirty. But, they never wanted this for their kids. The elders did what they had to and never let the kids in the family into the family business. Jim was always encouraged to stay away from the garbage and be clean. It was obvious, also, that he would never would have what it took to be a gangster, his persona was of a kind and honest man. So, he worked the good work, honest and proud. He kept his eyes on the family and took care of his mother and his younger brother. His dreams of music would come later. And, Jim also kept a busy social life. He loved to dance and be the life of any party. Naturally, this charisma would draw in the ladies. From what I have heard, Jim was quite the ladies man. Women were obsessed with him. According to family lore, one woman was threatening to kill any woman who would marry him. By 1951, when he went to that wake, Jim was leading the average life of someone his age. He wondered what his future would bring, and whom he would share it with......... Patricia Elizabeth Grimmer was a pampered child. The youngest of two girls born on the North Side of Chicago, she grew up, not rich, but, with the comfort of a few bucks in the bank. She was a beautiful child, with a shy and warm smile. She and her older sister, Gloria, grew up in the shadow of Wrigley Field. They became rabid Cubs fans [ unusual for girls in the thirties and forties ]. Patricia, whom everyone called Pat, idolized her father. He was an architect who very much doted on his daughters, It would be fair to say that the girls were somewhat spoiled in their youths. This was Depression time, when men and women were roaming the streets begging for work and food. Pat's family always gave where they could, but, they never felt the pangs of the Depression. The girls, who were always very close, went through their childhood like children should: unaware of the horrors of the world. They lived in the bubble of innocence and good times. Pat was introverted. She was shy in class and with strangers. Never rude, mind you, but, if a group of people were gathered, she tended to play the quiet onlooker. She lived in her own quiet world of her own thoughts and feelings. She never minded being alone. Growing up, because of her shyness, she had only a few close friends. But, she exhibited then the ability she never lost in life: strength of character. Underneath that shy girl was a strong emotional system. She was the rock for her friends [ and later, for her family ] who always calmed a tense and volatile situation with her sweet goodness. She had that soothing way that all mother's have even then. The world was going crazy and everything seemed to be going helter skelter, but, there was sweet Pat, a calm oasis in the storm. She would need that strength in time, starting with the death of her father when she was 19. He died suddenly of a heart attack. Pat never got over the loss of him. He was the family idol, the person she most admired in life. Now he was gone, creating a void in her life that was never filled. Her mother, sister and her grew even closer. But, the financial situation was gone and she came face to face with the reality of the world. Her shyness kept away from the world but now she had to join it. Pat had grown into a beautiful blond young woman. She was proudly Irish.She had the wholesome looks of the Land Of The Green, which, of course, attracted the opposite sex. But, Pat, despite her shyness, exhibited that strong sense of character, and was very picky on whom she dated. She did not date much and certainly did not sleep around [ she proudly always stated that she was a virgin on her wedding night ] and while she had many suitors who wanted to court her, she dated sparingly. Her life by the age of twenty one, when she went to that wake, was of a young girl working in a bank. She was wondering what was in store for her in life and if her Prince Charming was out there....... Now, here comes the gap in the story: no one, including Jim and Pat, can remember the exact moment of introduction. It must have happened the typical way with someone saying, '' Jim, this is Pat.'' However the exact exchange went, sparks flew immediately between the young people. It is easy to imagine the feeling in the air. Jim charmed her, like he charmed everyone. Pat listened and was shy, like with everyone. But, something happened. It was that instant sparking between two people that destiny brought together. They must have felt embarrassment because they were hitting it off between each other while some guy was dead a few feet away. At some point in the evening, Jim asked Pat for her number. She was a little hesitant because of her shyness, and also, she was a good girl who did not give out her number to strange men. But, Jim was persistent, in a way that a man is when he hears the bell ringing in his soul of a woman who interests him. Finally, Pat gave him the number. Jim wanted to call her right away but, Pat, always independent, was already drawing the lines in the sand. He would have to wait........ A few weeks later, the date came. They went out to dinner. It is the sign of the times back then in the year of 1951, but, he took her to an Italian restaurant to have pizza. Pat had never had pizza before. Pizza was only confined in that world of Italian people. The Irish had their own food. Pat gamely went along with trying this foreign food. She picked up a knife and fork to cut into it. Jim smiled that beautiful smile of his and gently admonished her, ''Pat, you do not use a knife and fork on pizza.'' She smiled back at him. And, it was in that moment, that small moment, that they became one. A look and feeling passed between them. It was the seed of affection that was starting to sprout into love. The eyes of these two grew warm and loving. If there was that one moment that they fell in love, it was here, over, of all things, how to eat pizza. The love affair had begun for the next forty years. And, Pat always ate pizza the proper way with her hands...... They were married in 1953. They were gloriously in love. Jim was embraced by Pat's small family. They loved him, as the rest of the world did. Pat was also loved by the Scoleri family, with one notable exception. Jim's mother, Mary, did not approve. The fact that her son now had someone else that was number one did not sit well with Mary. Plus, Pat had the added insult to be Irish. Anyone who was not Italian was thought of as not existing in the world. Pat tried always to get along with her mother-in-law. It was always an uphill battle. In time, Mary would accept Pat, but, never with any real affection and feeling. Throughout the marriage, Pat would always be on guard and defensive towards Mary, awaiting the knife in the back. Jim tried to play peacemaker, but, it was an uphill battle. Finally, Pat would demand he make some kind of decision since Mary was destroying their marriage. Firmly, Jim told his mother that this was the woman he loved and wanted to spend his life with. If Mary would not treat her better, then, he would cut off all contact with his mother. Pat was his life. He loved her furiously. Mary retreated but never surrendered the battle. While a terrific woman in many way, Mary was fighting her demons. A fragile truce would mark the years ahead........ Lisa was born in 1956. Tom came along in 1962. And, James Patrick [ a marvelous union of the names of his parents ] would arrive in 1965. Jim and Pat had the normal marriage. They knew joy and pain, success and setbacks, tremendous love and unbelievable heartbreak, like any couple. But, throughout it all they never stopped being a team. They never grew tired of being with each other. His friends became her friends. He took her on business trips  and never wanted her away from his side. As Jim made his way in the world, Pat managed the home front, with raising the kids and taking care of the domestic situation. There was always great joy when he came home, the house would be bustling with energy and laughs. They both wanted that. While they would go out socially and throw parties at their house, the prime feeling between them was being with the kids in the house. They passed their love and caring down in the bloodlines of the children. When you walked into the house, you were greeted with the feeling that you did not want to be anywhere else in life. It was the kind of house where people ate pizza with their hands....... Jim developed cancer in 1991. Bladder and colon. There was a feeling for a few horrible weeks that he would not survive. But, he fought the battle and survived. However, he was never the same person again. His body betrayed him and grew steadily weaker. Pat was by his side always, the steady rock she had always been. The next few years there was the unspoken feeling between them. It was the feeling that he would leave her soon....... Then came the horror of horrors in 1995. A call in the middle of the night from Ohio. The youngest son took it and heard the terrible news. Tommy, the second child, was dead. The police said it was suicide [ that is debatable] . Jimmy, the youngest, told his parents that their son was gone. The shock and grief was overwhelming for Jim and Pat. Pat broke down but Jim held up. He comforted her as only the love of someone's life could. While they held each other and wept their grief, the youngest child saw the shadow of grief settle over them, never to leave....... Six months later, Jim and Pat had their last night together. After the calamity of their son's death, Jim went down in spirit. This once vital and proud man, who embraced life and all that it gave him, suffered the overwhelming grief of losing a child. It sapped his spirit and he gave up. That final night together, March 21, 1996, his body and mind were leaving him. He sat in his chair. Pat was sitting on the couch nearby. Suddenly, Jim asked Pat to come hold him. He felt like he was dying. He wanted to be held by her one last time. And, she held him. There was no suffering. He was leaving her and wanted her close....... That night, in his sleep, Jim passed...... Pat discovered him the next morning. Before the tears came, she saw his expression. He was smiling....... Pat would be alone. Her son and daughter were there always but she was alone. Gone was her husband, partner, companion, lover, father of her children, and her inspiration. And, six months after he left Pat began her own health issues. A quadruple bypass would go wrong in the recovery room, stopping her heart three times and destroying one kidney and damaging her other one. Dialysis kept her alive for the next year and a half. Pat exhibited that Irish strength through it all. But, she needed Jim. She always talked about him as if he was still around, just in the next room. Despite the medical treatment she was getting, it did not help her much. Her youngest son found her dead, after she woke up and got dressed, curled up in the fetal position. A little angel lying in no pain....... So, they are now together again in Heaven. I picture them always together, as in this life. They have my brother with them and their parents and relatives and friends. There is always a grand party happening around them. Good times. And, there are two people, forever in love with each other, smiling and holding each other..... And, eating pizza...... With their hands, of course......