Monday – Zents Music Studio

On the Tube: Oxford, Morse, and Lewis

Published on July 18, 2022July 18, 2022 by Zents Music StudioLeave a comment

I have to say that the late John Thaw has always been a favourite actor of mine.

His Inspector Morse series was always interesting to me.

The spin off on PBS regarding Inspector Lewis is also a lot of fun!

Oxford situated in the City of Dreaming Spires holds a special place in my heart!

I do love England and what is more English than Oxford University?

So many wonderful writers came out of there, including C.S. Lewis and Tolkien!

It’s also a great research University as well.

You get a lot of Oxford in your eyeballs when you watch Inspector Morse and inspector Lewis.

If you love opera, Inspector Morse is right up your alley!

Apparently, the interest in Inspector Morse has not died, what with the new seasons and episodes of “Endeavour.”

I like watching Endeavour too!

Mark Twain got an honorary degree from Oxford University and he was always wearing his robes even to his daughter’s wedding!

Yes! There are many fine universities you can go to throughout the world, but everybody has heard of Oxford University!

On the Tube: A Novel Character

Published on June 27, 2022June 27, 2022 by Zents Music StudioLeave a comment

Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries are always a fun escape into a lush world of an Australian aristocrat.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phryne_Fisher

Sometimes I find her a little too unnaturally daring, and the circumstances surrounding her plots, a little unreal.

But the whole idea is she is some sort of woman superhero, who always gets her criminal!

There is a back story too, regarding her sister who was murdered as well, adding to the suspense and seriousness of the story.

However there is a lot of humor injected into each mystery as well, making it somewhat campy at times.

Overall, I enjoy the series and I’m revisiting it after a few years.

I also like the sequel they created called, “Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries.”

Not as popular or as long-running as the original TV series.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ms_Fisher%27s_Modern_Murder_Mysteries

Overall, I like Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries as well as it’s spin-off.

On the Tube: Hattie McDaniel

Published on May 30, 2022May 30, 2022 by Zents Music StudioLeave a comment

We pay money for streaming services, but yet again I spent last night watching old programs on YouTube.

In particular, I enjoyed this documentary about the life of the multi-talented Hattie McDaniel.

https://youtu.be/xtUO0n08k4A

Unfortunately, they really didn’t mention she had 5 husbands, but just focused on her final marriage and divorce to Larry Williams, a shiftless layabout.

More details about Ms. McDaniel’s personal life are revealed on her Wikipedia page.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hattie_McDaniel

Poor Hattie died at age 59 after being a target of protests against her subservient “house-maid” stereotype.

https://hollywoodforever.com/story/hattie-mcdaniel/

In retrospect, most startling to me was the relatively short lives of the leads of “Gone with the wind.”

Clark Gable died at age 59, Vivian Leigh died at age 53, and Leslie Howard was 50 years old when he died in 1943.

However, only Olivia De Haviland lived a long, lengthy life. She made it to age 104!

I just noticed her first name has the word “live” in it!

Also, she noted years later although she lost the Academy award to her rival Hattie, she felt it was a far better, and much bigger thing for the world.

Strangely, whereas Olivia de Haviland’s character Melanie dies in the movie, “Gone with the wind,” the actress Olivia out-lived all her co-stars in real life, while the other stars survived in the film.

P.S. In Georgia there is a “Gone with the wind” museum.

https://youtu.be/7YySgAr2_AE