A Touch of Evil Blues: Tuesday, December 2nd!

A belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness. -Joseph Conrad, novelist (1857-1924) 

Touch of Evil

"The noirest of the noir and the last extravaganza that Orson Welles directed for a Hollywood studio, Touch of Evil is considered to be one of the greatest movies of Orson Welles, who is both its director and lead actor. There is a lot of plot, but it's more of a character story about the grunting, wheezing detective Hank Quinlan (Orson Welles), a man who is truly in hell. 

The tawdry Mexican-American border town with its nocturnal life of thieves, losers, cops and a shapely American blonde (Janet Leigh in the role that led her to Psycho) is the backdrop for those who slither in and out of the law. The concept of borders and "crossing the line" is essential to Touch of Evil as many taboo topics are addressed in this baroque nightmare of a south-of-the-border mystery."Based on the novel of the same name by Whit Masterson, Orson Welles’ cynical noir is a film with a notoriously rocky history. In 1957, Welles turned in a rough cut of what was supposed to be his comeback film as a Hollywood director and left the country to begin work on his next project. Universal supposedly approached him to make revisions, but that never happened, so the film was subsequently re-edited by the studio and producer Albert Zugsmith, with additional footage shot by director Harry Keller. Welles screened the bastardized version and wrote an infamous 58-page memo to Edward Muhl, Universal’s head of production, with instructions on how to fix it. Most of this feedback was ignored, and the truncated, 93-minute cut was eventually dumped in theatres on the second half of a double bill in 1958."

Scientific parallel parking instructions: Parking science-print it if you need it!

Hi Big Al! Thanks for the parking help! Only problem is that I really needed a magnifying glass to read instructions and then a GPS to line up wheels. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Patrice, Thanks for the wonderful accounts of your outings of late.Looks like I missed some grand riding despite the terrible din you experienced around the park. I have to ask what you meant by your remark:

“I thought back to your wonderfully descriptive, evocative passage, sitting on the bench, listening to the "cry of a curlew" as Stanley Park was anything but quiet! Either I am losing my memory or your were referring to someone else so please let me know!. We have had a rather lazy weekend around here, Jacob’s soccer game was cancelled on Saturday so we took advantage and lazed around in the morning. I wound up working in the garage on a couple of personal projects while colleen studied for her last school assignment of the year. 

Last night we drove down to Sue and Heraldo’s and had a drink and short visit before heading to North Vancouver to a dinner party that one of their friends Ingelora ( who lives in San Miguel half the time ) Things got interesting as apparently Ingelora was out for dinner when we arrived, not actually surprising though if you know her as she is a bit of a free spirit. even more interesting was the fact that the host and hostess Daniel and Diane are a married couple but Daniel recently decided he wanted to explore his gay side and has been having relations with men which not surprisingly has put a strain on their marriage. Despite this they are keeping it together and managed to have a very nice spread going and some very interesting people attending. 

Daniel is an artist who has had a number of works in galleries on Granville island etc. and they have also done a massive renovation on their house in North Vancouver so I spent some time talking to him about that. They also have a place in Greece that Dianne spends a lot of time at which I guess is part of the reason they are able to keep together but at a distance so to speak. During the evening I was near the door as another couple of women came in and I happened to be near them having some appetizers at the dining table. I smiled and said hi after the host had taken their jackets and they made their way in . We exchanged names and pleasantries and they asked me where Ingelora was, when I told them she was out for dinner their jaws dropped and we all kind of looked at each other and rolled our eyes and laughed. We agreed that that was not really a surprise at all and kept chatting.
 

More time passed and many hors de oeuvres were consumed as we mingled . Daniel introduced me to a couple of film people, one of them Richard a production designer and Owen a gaffer with 40 years in the local business. we had lot’s to talk about and did for probably 15 minutes before Ingelora finally showed up. No apologies were forthcoming but it didn’t matter as we were having a nice time and it was good to see her. the last time I had seen her was at a little restaurant on the main plaza in San Miguel in January of 2010 where we had breakfast before departing to Mexico city for several days. We had also attended a dinner party at her place in San Miguel the night before and met a lot of her friends who were mostly local artists and coincidentally another Production designer named Ricardo who happens to be very good friends with Richard the other production designer I spoke of.

Shortly thereafter we decided to get going and we drove ( I had had one beer and half a glass of wine ) Gerry and Sue home and them home ourselves. All in all a very pleasant and interesting evening. I have some more to report but must get going for now but will touch base soon. Take care for now. Cheers and fondestos, Al

Hi Proof Reader! Certainly glad you "discovered" the curlew reference as it was intentionally dropped into the text to determine whether you read the message in its entirety! Congratulations, you passed the test!

Quite enjoyed your description of the dinner/cocktail party in North Vancouver. Interestingly enough, we've actually been to Ingelora's place in San Miguel, with Heraldo and Sukey, on the same trip you stayed with us in Guayabitos! Quite a few of her friends, local artists as you mention, as well. I think her daughter was there too but I may be wrong on that account. Also an artist, if I remember correctly. However, we'd been to one of Herardo's favourite restaurants, a steak place, I believe, and we were pretty well lubricated even before we trundled ourselves to Ingelora's apartmento!

Sounds as if you should be writing a script for Daniel and Diane since you already have all the production and technical people lined up! We'll join you when you shoot, on location, in Greece! Cora lee will certainly be up for that. Cheers to both of you, Patrizzio!

Hi Glasgow! I'm planning to see Touch of Evil tonight, at 7:30 pm, at VanCity. Same drill as last few times if you are interested. Let me know and we can plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio!

thanks patrick. actually catherine and i are going to that movie whose trailer was on at the manilla movie. 4;45 .welcome to join us. saw sarge at costco looks well but obviously the vision regarding reading labels on wine bottles is giving him trouble as he was at the optical counter! take care matt

Hi Glasgow! How was Force Majeure? I might well have joined you but I went to FCCC, shortly after i sent message, to use the elliptical. Had a pretty good workout for two hours and forty minutes. Haven't girded my loins to brave the latest temperatures on the bike but hope to do so tomorrow.  

On another mater, I'm volunteering at Aunt Leah's Tree Lot in Coquitlam on Thursday, from 12-4:00 pm. Cora Lee has meetings so I'm wondering if you might be interested. Not a big deal if you are busy or otherwise not inclined. Let me know and we'll plan accordingly. Off to catch Aquabus shortly. Cheers, Patrizzio!

P, Sounds like you need something to do. Your social calendar is really spotty along with your exercise program. I have some wood out here that needs splitting. Priceless that Elaine gets her bridge prize back.

Could I bother you to pay my legal fees while my lawyer is in Murphy's bed? I owe him a good bottle of malt. I will repay you in burning scarves. The budget: somewhere in the Port Charlotte to Lagavulin range. I am hoping you know what he might like. By the by I live on treed lot here and have yet to sell a tree. Could it be location? Amira is out here with Luna and the light dusting of snow is yet another wondrous beauty. W

Hello Your Excellency! I must admit that I liked you better before you moved across The Salish Sea, barking out orders, right and left, to your mainland minions! Perhaps I'll be able to squeeze in a trip to Legacy, or elsewhere, in between seeing Dino, my Greek butcher, oops, I meant barber, and volunteering out in Coquitlam, this Thursday, at Aunt Leah's Tree Lot there. I've asked Sarge and Matt if they could help. [Mme Coriandre has too, too meetings and lunches and receptions and she's still thawing out from last Saturday anyway!] Haven't heard back yet but if no go from them I assume you will forgo the wondrous beauty of your navel gazing compound and find out what life is really like on the mean streets! Might help with both your lacklustre, to non-existent, tree sales and your rather patronizing attitude., my Liege Lord!

With respect to your legal fees, I plan to buy one of the most expensive malts but will keep it for myself, and pull a switcheroo, giving Murphy the anaemic chain cleaner the Swedish Twins gave me last year, while submitting bill for heavy duty caskology! How do you like them Galiano apples, boy?

Must away as I'm off to see Touch of Evil to pick up a few tips on how to deal with people who are too high and mighty to do their own shopping! Cheers, Pistol Patrizzio!

Hello Parents, I was wondering what your plans were this Thursday the 4th from 12-4 pm? Could I ask you to go to the Coquitlam Lot????? If you need to do anything shopping wise there is a Target there and a Canadian Superstore!! Let me know, thank you!!! I Love you!!!

Hi Pushy Tree Lot Photo Contest Person! I will be there. I might need address but I think I can find it. I've asked Sarge and Matt if they could help. [Your Darling Nana has meetings and lunches and receptions and she's still thawing out from last Saturday anyway!] Haven't heard back yet but I'll let you know as soon as I know. Off to see Touch of Evil shortly. Love and Cheers, Dad! 

 Hey D call me please. Your phone is busy. Check this out!! That’s my tree in the contest photo as well as your pic!!! Hi Pushy Photo Person! I'd like to enter my own picture, that is choose it myself, if you don't mind! Thanks, Ms Bossy Pants!

"Gregory K. Dreicer is an interpretive strategist, curator, and historian known for explorations of cities, technology, and society. He is Director of Curatorial and Engagement at the Museum of Vancouver. Dreicer has developed more than 20 exhibitions, including Chicago Model City (2009), which featured a large-scale 3-D-printed model of Chicago’s downtown. Dreicer received his Ph.D. from Cornell University’s Department of Science and Technology Studies. He holds an M.S. in Historic Preservation and a B.A. from Columbia University. Dreicer was a Senior Fellow at the Smithsonian, a Loeb Fellow at Harvard, and a fellow at the Center for Scholars and Writers at the New York Public Library."

you did not miss much. average. sorry patrick but i am working tomorrow therefore cannot make that shift. but keep me in the loop; take care, matt

Hi Glasgow! Thanks for letting me know about Aunt Leah's. In fact, I was just going to phone to tell you that Sarge is going to come with me tomorrow so all is well. I will keep you in mind, however, so don't put away your mittens!

Sorry to hear that film wasn't all that worthwhile. Must say that Touch of Evil was another stunner. I was unaware that this was part of Cinema Salon: "Once a month, Melanie Friesen invites a distinguished guest to present his/her favourite film. After the screening, audiences and guests have the opportunity to discuss the film over drinks and snacks in the lounge." Again, I had no idea who Melanie was but she provided a very, very informative, impressive introduction to Welles himself, and the film itself, before actual screening. Can understand why, having looked her up:

"Melanie Friesen began her career in London, England as a literary agent for film and television writers and directors. She was then appointed Creative Director of MGM/UA in the UK, finding material and talent for the studio, headed by Alan Ladd Jr. at the time.

After two years in Los Angeles as Creative Director for Cineplex Odeon Films, she met Martin Scorsese who offered her the position of Head of Development with his company, Scorsese Productions, in New York.

Melanie returned to Vancouver in 1994 to produce the Trade Forum at the Vancouver International Film Festival. She is also on the board of the Harold Greenberg Fund and has conducted pitching workshops in Luxembourg, Hungary, Wales, Mexico, and The Republic of Georgia and in Vancouver at Praxis and the Vancouver Film School. She is producer and presenter of Cinema Salon at the Vancity Theatre."
 

She then introduced Gregory Dreicer, [He selected film.], and he was another terrifically informed speaker, as you can well imagine, reading his credentials.:

I've always liked Orson Welles and his work but really didn't know all that much about him. The two sterling presentations certainly filled in many gaps and in a most entertaining way. Could go on and on about film, [the first ever filming with hand held cameras], and script, (Welles completely rewrote Universal Studios' script he was given, to change Heston's role from being an American without much of a role in both book, (Badge of Evil), and original script, to being an educated Mexican, honest narcotics cop. Extremely controversial, not to say revolutionary, given racist depiction of Mexicans at the time, ultra-conservative political climate in US. 

One of main reasons Universal refused to release cut Welles directed. Version we saw was re-edited, in the late 1990's I believe, based on a  58 page memo Welles wrote, pleading for his version to be restored. To no avail! Smash hit in Europe but a dud in the States. Released with no publicity, as second in a double bill featuring Hedy Lamar in Female Animal! Welles never worked in Hollywood again!!], to acting. Latter was extraordinary from cameos/secondary roles, (Zsa Zsa Gabor, Marlene Dietrich), to Leigh, (Apparently Hitchcock saw her and two years later cast her in Psycho!), to Welles himself. At the time he was not as heavy as he eventually became so had to wear all sorts of padding and make-up to create the "giant" of the corrupt cop, Hank Quinlan, he plays so masterfully. Want to see Citizen Kane, (again), and The Third Man, (never seen), now!
 

Quite a lovely reception afterwards with delicious cheeses, grapes, bread, mini-pizzas and short-bread cookies. Had a chance to chat, if fairly briefly, with Mel and Greg, (Notice how I'm on first name terms already!), to thank them for such a wonderful evening. Both are very, very pleasant, friendly, unpretentious people so it was more than a delight to make their aquaintance. Certainly will try to attend future screenings at Cinema Salon, (first Tuesday of every month, apparently), if can do so. Cheers, Patrizzio!

sounds like a great evening. all we had was left over pop corn. Hi Glasgow! You are lucky Cora Lee and Flamin' weren't along as you wouldn't even have had that! The only reason they go to movies, I truly beleive, is so that they can buy huge bags of popcorn! No leftovers, kernels or otherwise, either! Cheers, Patrizzio! 

"In 1976 Universal released a newly discovered 108-minute preview cut that included more of Welles’ missing scenes (and more of Keller’s, as well). Finally, in 1998, producer Rick Schmidlin and editor Walter Murch undertook a full reconstruction of the film, using Welles’ memo as a guideline. (Welles had died in 1985.) That is the version that was re-released in theaters, on DVD in 2000, and remains in circulation today, at a running time of 111 minutes.

 Sadly, this new restoration does not include any material that was missing from the 1998 cut, but it will preserve and improve that reconstruction with a new digital scan “painstakingly restored” from the original negative, using techniques not available to restorationists 15 years ago. Either way, I think Welles would take perverse pleasure in knowing that, 56 years later, people are still trying to get TOUCH OF EVIL back to they way he originally wanted it."