Update: January 20, 2020 -- Apologies to anyone leaving comments. Blogger is not allowing me to respond any longer, for some reason, and I can't figure out how to fix it. Just know your thoughts are very much appreciated. If you like, you can always reach me at my email address, jstoskop@gmail.com
Happy Holidays! We've finally come to the 'final' issue of Scarlet Street (#55) that was published in 2006, with the hope that there would be future issues, but unfortunately it was not to be. I still don't plan on abandoning this blog after today. For the final 6 posts I'd like to add some of the 'extras' that I was doing for all the previous ones and hope to get to that as time goes by.
Things are going slowly and I'm not as far along as I wished I would be at this time. I won't get into it but just to say dealing with organizations is rough because no one seems to be accountable for not doing their jobs, which winds up causing heartache and frustration for the person who is at their mercy. That's where I'm at once more.
We'll keep plugging away, however, and hoping both mine and my dog's patience tolerates it all. Pal, my lucky dog, has been a wonderful travel companion for sure, and we're still looking forward to the holiday festivities and end of this year, which hasn't exactly been a happy one for neither of us, but you all have helped make it survivable.
So wherever we're at on the day(s), we'll have the music playing and remain grateful for what we have and not dwell on what is not working out. As I learned the other day from a guy who helped save my sanity, a Dr. Peter Breggin on the Progressive Radio Network, "Never give into helplessness." It's what he calls "cognitive stupidity". It's a state where you are surrendering your ability to control your destiny and that's a place no one should ever allow themselves to be. That's one for me to remember! We got access to all the tools, let's use them!
Have a very Happy Christmas and here's to a fantastic 2020 next year!
*I was blessed with the opportunity to not only repeat the previous year's experience of enjoying Forry's 88th Birthday Bash, but to exceed it in celebrating his 89th Birthday Bash! Here he is [top] with none other than longtime friend, Ray Bradbury who gave me such a wonderful, 'Hello!' [above].
*Forry opening presents for his 89th Birthday Bash
*Relaxing with SS publisher, Richard Valley at home with Forry.
[Photos by John C Stoskopf]
*[Top L2R] Richard Valley, Tom Amorosi, producer & director Alan Skinner, who I understand passed away in 2023 & Curtis Harrington.
Unfortunately I didn't get a decent photo of Curtis Harrington [also shown above], however, he gave me an unforgettable memory. Curtis needed someone to drive him to a private screening of director friend Dan Ireland's "Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont", which I did, and as a 'thank you' he took me out to a local FAB Thai restaurant where we really enjoyed the rest of the evening together.
Unfortunately I didn't get a decent photo of Curtis Harrington [also shown above], however, he gave me an unforgettable memory. Curtis needed someone to drive him to a private screening of director friend Dan Ireland's "Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont", which I did, and as a 'thank you' he took me out to a local FAB Thai restaurant where we really enjoyed the rest of the evening together.
Director James Whale may have passed away well before I was born, but here I was, speaking to someone who really personally knew him. We all have Curtis to thank for locating for us, James Whale's "The Old Dark House" [1932] and saving it from being truly lost.
We kept in touch until Curtis's passing with phone calls and Christmas cards. I'm forever thankful for our very short but memorable friendship!
*Joe Moe [3rd from top on the right] had an extra ticket and invited me...ME!...to go with him, Rich and Tommy to see "Equus" starring George Takei.
Here we are [above] out front of the theatre before going inside.
[Photos by John C Stoskopf]
*[L2R] Richard Valley, George Takei, Joe Moe together after seeing George's wonderful performance on stage in "Equus".
*Forry during his 89th Birthday Bash with friends Estafan Bravo and Ann Robinson.
*Tom Amorosi and Estefan Bravo enjoying The Bash!
*Ann Robinson stunned me one day by giving me a call asking if she could use this photo of her, as if I'd ever say 'no'! Ann said she liked it enough she wanted to let TCM use it as a head-shot to go with her bio to be used for a film screening festival in 2016 they were having which she was asked to be a part of.
What a thrill for me!
[Photos by John C Stoskopf]
*Forry's hand was cast and became an FJA Award he liked to give out during his Bash.
*Forry Ackerman and one of his many fans!
*Outside the Acker-Mini-Mansion, where I had the honor of staying those few days celebrating Forry.
As I was leaving, on that porch I was able to give Forry a big hug which I can still feel to this day. Forry's response, "Whenever I may be feeling blue; I'll always remember to think of you." 🧡
[Photos by John C Stoskopf]
*I was invited to attend Forry's 90th Birthday Bash in 2006 but, unfortunately for me, I wasn't able to make it. Neither were Richard Valley or Tom Amorosi due to Rich's health issues. I think it would have been a bit of a drag for me to be there without them. That made 2005 the last time I saw Forry but would visit with Forry Friends one more time at Forry's Tribute early 2009.
