Escape And Inspiration

 Best Actor 1956 Lust For Life

Kirk Douglas Born 1916 Will Be 98 December 9, 2014

A Remarkable Portrayal Of A Modern Master

Inspiration From The Countryside

WHERE DO WE TURN AMIDST THE CHAOS AND DESOLATION OF A GONE INSANE? ONE OF MY FAVORITE ESCAPES IS TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES. TONIGHT THEY'RE AIRING "LUST FOR LIFE" BASED ON THE BIOGRAPHICAL NOVEL OF THE SAME NAME BY IRVING STONE.

I RECALL READING THE ENTIRE BOOK IN ONE NIGHT FINALLY LAYING IT DOWN AT 8AM - A 12 HOUR READ, ALL IN ONE SHOT. I NEVER SAW THE MOVIE UNTIL ABOUT 15 YEARS LATER, THEN THE WHOLE NOVEL CAME TO LIFE FOR ME. STONE WROTE THE NOVEL WHEN HE WAS 29 AND IT TOOK 3 YEARS TO FIND A PUBLISHER. NOW IT IS CONSIDERED A LITERARY CLASSIC.

KIRK DOUGLAS IS PHENOMENAL. JOHN WAYNE COMMENTED THAT HE COULDN'T BELIEVE HE WOULD PLAY A "SISSY ARTIST" AND DISSED DOUGLAS FOR TAKING THE ROLE, BUT WAYNE NEVER WON AN ACADEMY AWARD AND THE TOUGH TALKING AMERICAN COWBOY DIED OF LUNG CANCER FROM HIS CIGARETTE HABIT ALA THE, "MARLBORO MAN". MORE ON THIS LATER...,