Spitball Army

[V-mail addressed to Mrs. Richard N., Berwyn, Illinois. Return addressed to Richard N., c/o Fleet Post Off. Envelope postmarked 30 June 1944 at 10 p.m.]

June 25, 1944

If you think it a big funny joke that I have everybody sleeping with my wife – I don’t!!!! For your information, I am really mad and am not kidding in any way whatso-ever! Now don’t say that I am jealous because you know better than that! and what makes it worse, there were two other women there to witness it! Don’t tell me that he hadn’t any place to sleep that night, either – because I know that’s not true! What the hell is the truth, hon?? I may as well tell you now; if I read or hear anything like that again; [you won’t have to worry about how and when I am coming home and neither will I]!!!! because it will be better if I don’t. To be sure I am straightened out, hon, I am going to [stop writing you until I receive a good answer] that will straighten me out if I am twisted. In the time I am waiting for your answer [I hope you send it the fastest mode], I will be preparing you a letter of apology for this letter, so I will have it if I need it. Good-by now, hon, I will love you and do not think you did any thing wrong while in bed with him!

All my love
Richard

I live in the Crestwood neighborhood of Birmingham. There is a movie theatre down the street from me called The Edge 12. I can walk there from my home, if I so desire. This theatre has twelve screens. They frequently show films of great merit. They also show films for everyone else. We all get to choose.

(photo: spitballarmy.com)

Two new films open at The Edge 12 today:

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Directed by Joe Johnston.
Starring Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones, Dominic Cooper, Stanley Tucci, Hayley Atwell, Derek Luke, Samuel L. Jackson and Toby Jones.
Rated PG-13.

It’s the mid-20th century, and 90-pound-weakling-with-the-heart-of-a-lion Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) enlists to fight in the global conflict. After being deemed unfit for service, he volunteers for a clandestine program that turns him – with the aid of an experimental serum – into the Super Soldier known as Captain America. As Captain America, Rogers joins forces with U.S. allies to wage war on the evil HYDRA organization (a.k.a. Nazis), led by the villainous Red Skull (Hugo Weaving). He is also aided by an indestructible shield that can be thrown as a weapon, a la Oddjob‘s bowler hat in Goldfinger.

The character of Captain America is based on the Marvel Comics figure that made its debut in 1941. He ranks sixth in IGN Entertainment’s 2011 poll of the Top 100 Comic Book Heroes (behind – from #1 through #5 – Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, Wolverine and Wonder Woman).

Though Captain America was filmed in 2D, it will be screened in both a 2D and a converted 3D version nationally, including at The Edge 12.

Friends with Benefits (2011)
Directed by Will Gluck.
Starring Mila Kunis, Justin Timberlake, Patricia Clarkson, Jenna Elfman, Bryan Greenberg, Woody Harrelson, Richard Jenkins, and Andy Samberg.
Rated R.

Dylan (Justin Timberlake) and Jamie (Mila Kunis) think that it’s going to be easy to add the simple act of sex to their friendship. Simple?!! For people like Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis, maybe. But their two fictional characters soon discover that getting physical really does always lead to complications. Let the unconvincing attempts at genuine romantic screwball comedy begin!

The following nine films have been extended for another week:
• Bad Teacher
• Cars 2
• Cave of Forgotten Dreams
• Delhi Belly
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2D and 3D)
• Horrible Bosses
• Transformers: Dark of the Moon (3D)
• Winnie the Pooh
• Zookeeper

The following three films ended their current run this week:
• Green Lantern
• Larry Crowne
• Super 8

The Edge 12 has some ongoing promotions. Tuesdays have been dubbed “$5.00 Tuesdays”: most films can be seen for just a $5.00 admission ticket. And, on Fridays, The Edge 12 offers free popcorn at all shows.

The Edge 12 Theatre is located at 7001 Crestwood Boulevard. A recording detailing all movie times can be accessed by telephoning (205) 795-3500; a real live human answers the phone at (205) 795-3595. Showtimes can also be found on the MovieTickets website. The theatre has a Facebook page under the name The Edge 12 Birmingham and tweets under the handle @Edge12Bhm.

Information in the capsule summaries above might have been provided, in varying degrees, by IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes and Wikipedia.

Jerry Lee Lewis. Married a 12 year old first cousin . Pissed off the Europeans. Even in the U.K., where they do that anyway.

[V-mail addressed to Mrs. Richard N., Berwyn, Illinois. Return addressed to Richard N., c/o Fleet Post Off. Envelope postmarked 30 June 1944 at 10 p.m.]

June 25, 1944

My Darling,

How are you sweet, good here, too. As I suspected, there was no mail to-day but we foiled them, huh, we have a big reserve for just such a purpose, so hang on for your June 15 Hrump er let me get this right, hon. This is the letter where you told me all about Nadine’s birthday party, remember? I want to get this straight now. I have read it over and over, hon, and I don’t think I have read it wrong, but I certainly hope so! In it, I read your writing and it looks to me like you wrote that there was “a girlfriend, cousin Martha, Fritz and you,” right? “You went for cokes,” right? “The cousin went home,” right? “Nadine slept on the davenport,” right? “Martha on Nadine’s single bed,” right? “Fritz and you on Nadine’s folks’ bed,” right? Well, hon, [yes or no]? I don’t understand, hon – I can’t seem to get it. Even if that happened for a joke, I can’t laugh at it, I absolutely fail to see the humor in it! I can’t see a man sleeping with another man’s wife – it just isn’t done under any circumstances.

[End of this V-mail. It is continued in the following V-mail, also of 25 June 1944.]

This poignant short film was directed by Ramin Bahrani, and features the captivating voice of Werner Herzog.

Card is titled: “Pikes Peak from Platte Ave., Colorado Springs, Colorado.”

Printed on back of post card:

PIKES PEAK from Platte Ave., Colorado Springs, Colorado.  A beautiful view of Pikes Peak is to be had from Platte Avenue, one of Colorado Springs’ beautiful tree lined, boulevards.  The Peak seems to tower at west end of the boulevard.

Publishing information:

Pub. by Elmer C. Clark, 739 Marion St., Denver, Colo.

Have you tried either the new pretzel M&Ms, or the coconut ones? Delicious, both.

Approximate playing time: 62 minutes.

1. Patty Griffin  “Mad Mission”  (1996)
2. Elvis Costello  “Motel Matches”  (1980)
3. The Blakes  “Modern Man”  (2007)
4. Tommy James & the Shondells  “Mony Mony”  (1968)
5. The Human League  “Mirror Man”  (1982)
6. Carl Perkins  “Movie Magg”  (1955)
7. The Beatles  “Mr. Moonlight”  (1964)
8. Air  “Mike Mills”  (2004)
9. ABBA  “Mamma Mia”  (1975)
10. Dr. Samuel J. Hoffman  “Moon Moods”  (1947)
11. Eliades Ochoa  “Mi Magdalena”  (1999)
12. The Rolling Stones  “Moonlight Mile”  (1971)
13. The Sailcats  “Motorcycle Mama”  (1972)
14. T. Rex  “Main Man”  (1972)
15. The Mamas & the Papas  “Monday, Monday”  (1966)
16. James Taylor  “Money Machine”  (1976)
17. BJ Thomas  “Mr. Mailman”  (1969)
18. The Kingbees  “My Mistake”  (1980)
19. Dr. John  “Mississippi Mud”  (1982)

The Kingbees’ “My Mistake” re-appears in this installment of the M&M playlist series (yes, there will be more), because it is a really good song and I didn’t realize its inclusion – again – until the file had been uploaded. I hope you enjoy listening to it. Again.

[V-mail addressed to Mrs. Richard N., Berwyn, Illinois. Return addressed to Richard N., c/o Fleet Post Off. Envelope postmarked 30 June 1944 at 10 p.m.]

June 23, 1944

My Darling,

I forgot to thank you much for the clippings. How are you, sweet, good me I’m too also. The mail man, him make me heap much glad to-day, him bring me your June 9th air mail and June 14th & 15th V-mails. I’m going to answer your June 9th first, ho kay hon? Say, those pictures of Marie A. and Jimmy S. were very good – I sure had to laugh at that one with Jimmy. Is he at Hines Hospital hon, boy it sure is swell if he is – he deserves it. No hon, I didn’t get my “Blurple Heart” yet – I will probably die of old age before I do get it too at the rate things are going for me. I am actually afraid the CG has forgot all about me and I think I have been lost again – well, I am used to the fact that they lose me often, though. Hon, I have sent the pictures of Chuck Levy to him. He has been transferred from here and I haven’t talked to him lately and I don’t know if he knows anything about it or not so I sent them to him. However, I noticed that Chuck goes in for sporting campaign bars that he doesn’t deserve, you see how silly that is; boy, is he going to take a razzing on that. However, I thought it was very nice that you thought of sending them to me, sweet, as I said over and over again, you are always so very thoughtful, honey, and I love you so much and miss you so.

More to-morrow, all my love
Dick

I live in the Crestwood neighborhood of Birmingham. There is a movie theatre down the street from me called The Edge 12. I can walk there from my home, if I so desire. This theatre has twelve screens. They frequently show films of great merit. They also show films for everyone else. We all get to choose.

(photo: spitballarmy.com)

Four new films open at The Edge 12 today:

Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010)
Directed by Werner Herzog.
Rated G.

Cave of Forgotten Dreams follows an exclusive expedition into the nearly inaccessible Chauvet Cave in France, home to the most ancient visual art known to have been created by man. It’s an unforgettable cinematic experience that provides a unique glimpse of the pristine artwork dating back to human hands over 30,000 years ago – almost twice as old as any previous discovery.

Cave currently has an astonishing 96% critics rating at Rotten Tomatoes. This film was shot in 3D but The Edge 12 is screening it in a 2D version which Movie Brit describes as losing “nothing within the confines of the dark cave, where images leap out from the scratched rock walls with every movement of the crew’s light panels.”

I recommend buying a ticket to this fascinating documentary while waiting for the crowds at the new Harry Potter film to subside. Cave of Forgotten Dreams will likely be at The Edge 12 for just one week.

Delhi Belly (2011)
Directed by Abhinay Deo.
Unrated.

Three struggling room-mates unknowingly become potential prey of a ruthless gangster. Hmm…Does this sound like a Bollywood version of The Hangover? It does to me. And I’m certain of it, after watching the trailer (below). To its credit, this film has been discussed in various comment threads on the web as breaking many Indian cinematic taboos, primarily those against tasteless scatological humor (the film’s poster contains the tagline, “Shit Happens.”). As a result, it is being hailed by some as groundbreaking. Knock yourselves out.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (2011)
Directed by David Yates.
Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Gambon, John Hurt.
Shown in 3D and 2D.
Rated PG-13.

The final chapter in the Harry Potter series begins as Harry, Ron and Hermione continue their quest of finding and destroying the Dark Lord’s three remaining Horcruxes, the magical items responsible for his immortality. But as the mystical Deathly Hallows are uncovered, and Voldemort finds out about their mission, the biggest battle begins and life as the young wizards know it will never be the same again.

Clearly, this is the must-see film of the week. In his review, Roger Ebert says: “This movie is impressively staged, the dialogue is given proper weight and not hurried through, there are surprises which, in hindsight, seem fair enough, and “Harry Potter” now possesses an end that befits the most profitable series in movie history. These films will be around for a long time.”

Winnie the Pooh (2011)
Directed by Steven J. Anderson and Don Hall.
Voice talents include Craig Ferguson and John Cleese.
Rated G.

Oh, bother. It’s a typical day in the Hundred Acre Wood, and Winnie the Pooh – that bumbling, but lovable, bear with the protruding tummy – sets out to find some honey. Misinterpreting a note left by Christopher Robin, Pooh convinces Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Owl, Kanga, Roo and Eeyore that their young friend has been captured by a creature named “Backson” and they set out to save him.

This film is based on three stories from the classic A.A. Milne book, but also pays homage to the possibly more classic Disney shorts from the 1960s and ’70s. This is the first big-screen appearance by Winnie the Pooh in 34 years.

The following eight films have been extended for another week:
• Bad Teacher
• Cars 2
• The Green Lantern (3D)
• Horrible Bosses
• Larry Crowne
• Super 8
• Transformers: Dark of the Moon (3D)
• Zookeeper

The following three films ended their current run this week:
• The Hangover, Part II
• Midnight in Paris
• Monte Carlo

The Edge 12 has some ongoing promotions. Tuesdays have been dubbed “$5.00 Tuesdays”: most films can be seen for just a $5.00 admission ticket. And, on Fridays, The Edge 12 offers free popcorn at all shows.

The Edge 12 Theatre is located at 7001 Crestwood Boulevard. A recording detailing all movie times can be accessed by telephoning (205) 795-3500; a real live human answers the phone at (205) 795-3595. Showtimes can also be found on the MovieTickets website. The theatre has a Facebook page under the name The Edge 12 Birmingham and tweets under the handle @Edge12Bhm.

Information in the capsule summaries above might have been provided, in varying degrees, by IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes and Wikipedia.

I was contacted by Oceanside resident Janene Shepherd a few months back, after she stumbled upon my blog post about a Moreton Bay Fig tree I had dubbed “Old Man Tree.” She was producing a segment for Oceanside’s public access television station about the tree, and had been researching it on the ‘web. Below is the finished segment, with the final section using text from my blog post, read by a KOCT staffer.