This song, “Spring Will be a Little Late This Year” by the great Frank Loesser was in the noir film (1944) Christmas Holiday. Another great standard by Irving Berlin was also in that film: “Always.” The actress Deanna Durbin starred in the movie and got to sing both these famous songs.
“As if to say spring will be a little slow to start
A little slow reviving that music it made in my heart
Yes, time heals all things so I needn’t cling to this fear
It’s merely that spring will be a little late, a little late this year.”
AARON WEINSTEIN (violin) and JOHN PIZZARELLI (vocal and guitar). From the album “A Handful of Stars.” This song, “Let’s Get Lost,” was in a 1943 movie “Happy Go Lucky” and then in a 1988 Oscar nominated documentary about the jazz trumpet player/singer Chet Baker. John Pizzarelli sounds a lot like the late Chet Baker.
Viewing the big picture, it is clear that there is no certain set of rules that encompasses how all things work in this town. There are many holes in the fabric that keeps the town functioning, and those holes, as in “nature abhors a vacuum,” are where the most interesting aspects can be found.
Consider a current headline which we have been covering: “South End flooding persists intermittently despite completion of a two year water drainage remediation project by Neptune Township.”
At first it wasn’t clear if the Township was willing to do anything more, except for Band-Aids such as clearing the storm drains during a heavy rain. But a group of neighbors led by Connie Ogden complained to the Township Committee (over 25 people went to the microphone) resulting in the Township’s plan to so some further research into the matter, consult with their engineers, and then come up with an analysis and solutions, which we will hear about at a meeting on Dec. 1, 7:00 pm, at Thornley Chapel.
After the neighborhood group blew some whistles, the Home Owners Association decided to jump into the act, so they produced a questionnaire (requested by the Township) to survey about 35 South End neighbors regarding such things as sump pumps in their basements. The results of that survey have not been made public.
Now, Vito Gadaleta, Township Administrator, has called for that promised meeting to be held in the promised land of Ocean Grove. He was seeking a small venue because he was expecting a small crowd of South End citizens. The HOA sent out an announcement of the meeting which said that Gadaleta “will meet with residents of Broadway” regarding flood issues.
The Thornley Chapel was selected because the Community Room was busy. It holds about 70 people. Gadaleta was unwilling to call this a “public meeting,” but he didn’t think that any citizen who wanted to attend would be told to leave. He did say that no one would be permitted to bring up any subjects other than the flood issues. He also said that the press was welcome.
So, what is this meeting? It’s not private, but it’s not exactly public. If he’s presiding, would he really refuse to answer an unrelated question from the audience?
And what is the role of the Home Owners Association here? This is a Neptune Township meeting being arranged and presented by the Township Administrator. Perhaps a Neptune Committee person or two will show up. (Really, doubtful , or fuhgetaboutit? Let’s do a poll.)
In addition, why wasn’t a larger venue chosen? Why make the assumption that only South End residents care about this flooding problem? J.P. Gradone, COO of the OGCMA said that if a larger crowd were to show up, the meeting could be segued into the Thornley Annex or even the Youth Temple.
As far as the Thornley Chapel is concerned, it seems that a public meeting can be held in that church, giving it the feel of rural town hall meetings which are often held in churches—- something very American. Is this a precedent setting event at the Thornley Chapel, or have there been such meetings before? Gradone said that other secular meetings might be held there in the future, but only if the content of such events pass muster.
I’m sure that some of you, including my wife, who reached this sentence are wondering, “What’s the big deal?” Well, it’s not a big deal——small town news is often just small town talk. I find it interesting.
And finally, Vito Gadaleta of Neptune Township, the OGCMA, the HOA and the citizen activists of the South End all should be congratulated for finding ways to solve one of Ocean Grove’s problems together and to close some openings in that fabric.
To use an expression which I find both annoying and helpful, “Just saying….”
Link to the last Blogfinger article about the flooding problem (September, 2014): flood link BF
What if you just landed from Mars and you saw this landscape? You would wonder if there is life on earth and if there is, what do they do with the funny house, the poles, and the thing with wheels?
You would say, “Let’s leave this odd and boring place and get back home where the ice cream has a high butterfat content and there are dancing girls.” Or perhaps you’ll say to the driver, “Let’s try the moon next.”
SOUNDTRACK. By “Daves True Story” from the movie Jack Goes Boating:
This movie was made in 1984 by the great Italian director Sergio Leone. It owes a lot to the 1972 film The Godfather, but it is wonderful in its own right.
The soundtrack is by Ennio Morricone whose association with Leone is well known. (As in “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly”)
Here is a link to my still portrait of Elizabeth McGovern in black and white:
The video below shows the wonder of movie-making as done by a master, even if viewed as still images. The acting is great, especially with the stunning Elizabeth McGovern (the adult Deborah), DiNiro (Noodles) and James Woods (Max.).
“Deborah’s Theme” is magical and plays in the background of this video and, during the movie, when the beautiful Deborah glides across the screen.
Jennifer Connelly as Deborah
Here is our description of the ballet scene from our previous article about this film:
“There is an early scene where the teen-aged Deborah (played by Jennifer Connelly) is practicing her ballet moves while wearing a tutu. Noodles (later played by Robert DiNiro) is watching her through a small portal in the wall. It is shot in a storage area behind her parents store.
The whole scene is done as if in slow motion, and the music playing then is the song “Amapola.” The clarinet carries the solo while a violin plays the counter melody. A lone guitar provides the rhythm. The total effect is exquisitely beautiful.
Jennifer Connelly plays the young Deborah in this marvelous movie. The ballet scene is filmed in a dusty storehouse. Paul Goldfinger still photo 10/6, 2021 from the streaming movie.
Ballet scene in Once Upon a Time in America. Paul Goldfinger photo from the movie. Oct 6, 2021. M-9 Leica digital camera.
This version of “Amapola” is done in a nearly identical tempo and effect as in the movie, although this cut, by Stuart Matthewman, is from the soundtrack of another film called Twin Falls, Idaho.
ART FARMER (1928-1999) made an album in 1958 with the great pianist Bill Evans. It is called “Modern Art.” The group consists of Art Farmer on trumpet, Bill Evans on piano, Benny Golson on tenor sax, Addison Farmer on bass and Dave Bailey on drums.
The song “Like Someone in Love” was written in 1944 for a film called “Belle of the Yukon.” Jimmy Van Heusen wrote the music, and Johnny Burke—the lyrics. This is one of the great love songs of all time, but you won’t hear the lyrics on this version. Being an old saxman, I love the interplay between the sax and the trumpet early in the song. Listen for it.
—-Paul Goldfinger (reposted from August 2013 on Blogfinger)
Colts Neck, New Jersey. By Paul Goldfinger. 2013 ©
