The Phantom Tollbooth Turns 50

Officer Officer Short Shrift to Milo: “Not doing anything, eh? You’ll have to admit at your aOfficer Short Shrift to Milo: “Not doing anything, eh? You’ll have to admit at your age that’s a crime.”

Milo and Tock, Norton and Jules, Officer Short Shrift and the Spelling Bee–the gang is together again thanks to a new documentary film celebrating the 50th anniversary of Norton Juster’s classic book, The Phantom Tollbooth (also known as the Only Book I’ve Read More Than Once). Get the details on Kickstarter.

Also, be sure to check out these brain-bending infographics from Brooklyn artist Jan Avendano.

Banff Mountain Film Fest

Looking forward to checking out the Banff Mountain Festival this Sunday and Monday at Symphony Space on 95th Street.

In doing research on the Banff event, I came across complete collections of Summit and Climbing magazines, both of which were/are pretty much the handbooks for early climbers like Yvon Chouinard, Glen Denny, and Royal Robbins, as well as for the generations of climbers and mountaineering types who followed. I posted a gallery of some of the most captivating covers from Summit over at Southern in the City, my other blog for Garden & Gun magazine (click here if you’re interested). On Monday, I’ll post some shots from Climbing magazine, as well (in keeping with the whole mountain-climbing, adventure-sport theme).

 

 

Baby the Rain Must Fall

Photographs by William Claxton.

Around this time in 1965, Robert Mulligan, the director of To Kill A Mockingbird, released another Southern-set movie starring Steve McQueen. Baby the Rain Must Fall is set in the backwoods of Columbus and Wharton, Texas and features McQueen as a hot-headed, golden-voiced parolee. McQueen couldn’t carry a tune, so the music is clearly dubbed; the style, however, is genuine authentic.

Just a man, a guitar, and a bathtub.

 

Texas tuxedo.

 

Rehearsing, naturally.

 

Co-star Lee Remick.

A New Film on Peter Beard

From a 1990's French magazine whose title I can't pronounce or translate.

Last night the Chelsea Room hosted a screening of Beard at Work, a short documentary directed by a couple of NYU film-school seniors (obviously) and produced by Brett Ratner. Since the film documents one of Beard’s photo shoots, it features models like Lydia Hearst and Doutzen Kroes, who were no doubt in attendance last night with lots of their model-pretty friends. Why am I mentioning this? Because Peter Beard, who grew up in New York City, Long Island, and Alabama, is a true adventurer and one of the only people to rock a blazer-kikoy combo and still manage to look distinguished.

More Love for Grey Gardens

Image from A Maysles Scrapbook

The Edies would be so thrilled to know that their stars continue to shine 25+ years after they let the Maysles brothers film their lives, fabulousness, squalor, and all. The documentary was recently selected for inclusion in the 2010 National Film Registry, alongside classics like The Exorcist and The Empire Strikes Back. Whereas the Beales’ family and community shunned their eccentricities, any self-respecting Southern town would have embraced such ever-loving-craziness with open arms. As for Albert Maysles (the only surviving brother), anyone who can rock seersucker atop Mt. Ararat has my respect.

Inside Albert Maysles' library. Photo by Todd Selby for theselby.com.

Al at home. Photo by Todd Selby for theselby.com.

Another awesome look inside Albert's apartment. Photo by Todd Selby for theselby.com.

Funny Southern People

It’s no secret that I love Southern comedians. Just look at the post I did for Southern in the City yesterday. But Zach Galifianakis is one of my absolute favorites. I love his stand-up. I love his movies. I love him in the white wine homage that is Bored to Death.  I even love his twin brother Seth. He’s a true gem. Just listen to this NPR interview and I’m sure you’ll agree.

Winter’s Bone=Summer Smash

I haven’t been this excited/bothered by the Ozark Mountains since Where the Red Fern Grows. The New Yorker calls Winter’s Bone, the Sundance Award–winning film (Best Picture, 2010) based on Daniel Woodrell’s 2006 book about drugs, crime and family secrets in the Missouri Ozarks, “something new in movies: a ‘country-noir’ thriller.” It’s high-brow indy meets low-brow backwoodsy South meets the Angelika. I like it.

Summer of Camp

Looking all January Jones on the set of Mad Men. Photo: Just Jared

Anna Camp may have debuted on the B-List (Broadway, that is), but a rundown of her recent and upcoming performances prove the South Carolina–born actor is quickly making a Capital N Name for herself in Hollywood. She stole season 3 of True Blood as philandering-proselyte Sarah Newlin (she actually auditioned to play Sookie!), and made appearances in both Glee and The Office. This summer, she’ll tempt Don Draper in multiple episodes of Mad Men and log face time alongside Piper Perabo (a.k.a. the girl from Coyote Ugly) in USA’s new show, Covert Affairs. But what I’m most excited about are her movies. The DVD of Pretty Bird, co-starring Paul Giamatti and Kristin Wiig, drops this Tuesday. AND I have it on good authority that Anna scored a part in the movie version of The Help (you know, Kathryn Stockett’s set-in-the-South bestseller that should ruffle everyone’s racist feathers–Law have mercy!–but somehow doesn’t). To misparaphrase Katie “Song of the Summer” Perry, “Car-o-lina girls, they’ll melt your popsicle!”

Summer Is Officially Here

Photo: dadsinshortshorts.blogspot.com

Despite what the calendar police say, the passing of Memorial Day marks the start of summer–if not officially, then at least mentally. And you know what that means: steamy sidewalks, egregious toe exposure and, most importantly, lots of southern-made excuses to get out and about. Here are a few events to look forward to this month.

THIS WEEKEND

Saturday: Mississippi Picnic, East Meadow, Central Park (5th Avenue at 97th Street). On the menu: catfish, sun and sweet tea.

Saturday: The Belmont Stakes, Belmont Park, Elmont, NY. Gates open at 8:30am.

Saturday: Rusty Knot Fishing Expedition with chef Sue Torres. Trip begins and ends at 425 West Street (nr. 11th). $100 includes snacks on board and at the restaurant, dishes made from the day’s catch, and an open bar. Click here to reserve tickets.

Saturday: David Allan Coe Concert, Williamsburg Music Hall. Doors open at 8PM. Show starts at 9PM. $25 advance/$25 door.

Sunday: Crawfish Festival, the Redhead (349 E. 13th St.). 1PM-10PM, $30.

Sunday: MTV Movie Awards 9pm. Hosted by Florence, South Carolina native Aziz Ansari.

BEYOND

June 12-13: 8th Annual Big Apple BBQ Block Party, Madison Square Park.

June 23: Punch Brothers Concert, Williamsburg Music Hall. Doors open at 7:30PM. Show starts at 8:30PM. $30 advance/$30 door.

June 27: Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Governors Island. Tickets start at $250 (steep, yes, but you get to spend the afternoon with Prince Harry).

TBD (but happening sometime in June) Palmetto Society Summer Kick-off Party.

If you know of any southern happenings in the city or surrounding area, please let us know by emailing southernontheinside@gmail.com.

The Return of Jesco White

Less straight-from-the-Army-Elvis handsome, but Jessie still cuts a trim figure--probably thanks to all that dancing. Photo: movie still

Julien Nitzberg and Johnny Knoxville‘s 2009 film, The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia, about everyone’s favorite clogging/gas-huffing/philandering/sloppy-egg-hating rebel clan, will premiere on Tribeca Film‘s on-demand service tomorrow night. Not quite sure of the price and order details, but it seems like you should just be able to order it through Time Warner (or your local provider) like any other on-demand movie. Because nothing says dinner and a movie like Jesco White.