Search found 21 matches

by buzzbbiographer
August 23rd, 2015, 6:23 pm
Forum: Archived Guest Stars
Topic: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley
Replies: 41
Views: 68524

Re: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley

Hello, Mr. Spivak and welcome to the Oasis. No doubt that Mr. Berkeley was an outstanding musical choreographer but the alcohol related car accident made me sick. The circus at his trial with his sympathetic mother was a fiasco. Did he eventually ever offer his condolences to the family for their t...
by buzzbbiographer
August 23rd, 2015, 6:16 pm
Forum: Archived Guest Stars
Topic: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley
Replies: 41
Views: 68524

Re: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley

There isn't any negative press that spoke to any caustic relationship between Dolores Del Rio and Buzz. She was already a star in her native Mexico by the time she worked at Warner Bros., and so had a wide exposure to different directors and their methods. But all who worked with Busby Berkeley whe...
by buzzbbiographer
August 23rd, 2015, 3:50 pm
Forum: Archived Guest Stars
Topic: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley
Replies: 41
Views: 68524

Re: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley

I hope that Busby Berkeley finally gets his deserved Walk of Fame star on Hollywood Blvd. I still can't believe he hasn't been honored. There's an empty space next to Ruby Keeler just waiting for him. I would also like to see Gertrude Berkeley get her full due in the story of her son's life. I agre...
by buzzbbiographer
August 23rd, 2015, 3:50 pm
Forum: Archived Guest Stars
Topic: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley
Replies: 41
Views: 68524

Re: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley

1.) While reading your book I realized that Berkeley's involvement with the pre-code Bird of Paradise (1932), the racy Wonder Bar (1934) and occasionally erotic In Caliente (1935) was responsible for introducing me to another, unexpectedly sultry side of Dolores del Rio , an actress whose only work...
by buzzbbiographer
August 23rd, 2015, 3:44 pm
Forum: Archived Guest Stars
Topic: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley
Replies: 41
Views: 68524

Re: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley

1.) While reading your book I realized that Berkeley's involvement with the pre-code Bird of Paradise (1932), the racy Wonder Bar (1934) and occasionally erotic In Caliente (1935) was responsible for introducing me to another, unexpectedly sultry side of Dolores del Rio , an actress whose only work...
by buzzbbiographer
August 23rd, 2015, 1:32 pm
Forum: Archived Guest Stars
Topic: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley
Replies: 41
Views: 68524

Re: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley

Buzz was tough on Judy Garland, no doubt about it. So much so, that Judy couldn't conceive of working with the man on "Annie Get Your Gun". From the few snippets of test footage that remain, the production looked doomed. Buzz yelled at Judy during some takes during their many films togethe...
by buzzbbiographer
August 23rd, 2015, 12:43 pm
Forum: Archived Guest Stars
Topic: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley
Replies: 41
Views: 68524

Re: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley

Thanks so much for meeting with us. Earlier this year I got to see a restoration of THE GANG'S ALL HERE on the big screen in all its Technicolor glory. What fun that was. I'm interested in your saying that Berkeley wasn't particularly influenced by the art or psychology of the time. That fits with ...
by buzzbbiographer
August 23rd, 2015, 10:59 am
Forum: Archived Guest Stars
Topic: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley
Replies: 41
Views: 68524

Re: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley

knitwit45 wrote:No questions, just a warm thank you for sharing so much about one of the stars of Hollywood. Your book is now a must read for me. Again, thanks for being here!
And a warm "you're welcome" in return.
by buzzbbiographer
August 23rd, 2015, 10:58 am
Forum: Archived Guest Stars
Topic: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley
Replies: 41
Views: 68524

Re: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley

Your mention of Gertrude Berkeley makes me wonder--do you think her effect on her son was largely positive or negative? Was she the ballast and inspiration in her son's life or was she a hindrance to his growth as a person, especially in his many marriages? http://i.imgur.com/AdOeBau.jpg?1 Above: G...
by buzzbbiographer
August 23rd, 2015, 10:48 am
Forum: Archived Guest Stars
Topic: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley
Replies: 41
Views: 68524

Re: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley

Esther Williams was almost crippled for life when shooting the "fountain" number for "Million Dollar Mermaid". She dove into a studio swimming pool from 50 feet up. Halfway down she realized the crown she wore was exceedingly heavy. She snapped her neck upon impact and broke 3 v...
by buzzbbiographer
August 23rd, 2015, 9:53 am
Forum: Archived Guest Stars
Topic: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley
Replies: 41
Views: 68524

Re: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley

We love Lomm's banners! http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee485/suesueapplegate/9407599d-3752-4796-8e07-7edb925d5f13_zpsfoousutv.jpg I adored all the choreographed synchronized swimming sequences in Million Dollar Mermaid. Do you have any special stories you can share with us about Busby Berkeley...
by buzzbbiographer
August 23rd, 2015, 9:31 am
Forum: Archived Guest Stars
Topic: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley
Replies: 41
Views: 68524

Re: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley

I'm a fan of Mr. Berkeley's movies and look forward to reading your book. Though I'm daunted, as my impression is that the bright spots of his life is reflected only in the end product of his work; behind the celluloid it seems a dark tale of alcohol, tragedy and tyranny. Yes? I'm curious about Bus...
by buzzbbiographer
August 23rd, 2015, 9:15 am
Forum: Archived Guest Stars
Topic: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley
Replies: 41
Views: 68524

Re: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley

Thanks for coming to SSO and talking about Busby Berkeley, Mr. Spivak. I too had a copy of The Busby Berkeley Book when it was first published, and I read it to pieces. I'll probably do the same with your book! My first question is about Busby Berkeley and his working relationship with musical arra...
by buzzbbiographer
August 22nd, 2015, 8:48 pm
Forum: Archived Guest Stars
Topic: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley
Replies: 41
Views: 68524

Re: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley

Let me take a moment to applaud this wonderful site and its beautiful graphic at the top of the page. It is, of course, taken from "The Shadow Waltz" in "Gold Diggers of 1933". The inspiration for the number came from Berkeley's memory. One night, many years before, Buzz saw a la...
by buzzbbiographer
August 22nd, 2015, 7:17 pm
Forum: Archived Guest Stars
Topic: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley
Replies: 41
Views: 68524

Re: Q & A with Jeffrey Spivak about Buzz: The Life & Art of Busby Berkeley

Buzz was an alcoholic at a time when many in the film industry were. It wasn't a secret to his friends and colleagues. After a studio party in which alcohol was served, Buzz was in a terrible auto accident in which lives were lost. Because of a blown front tire, his roadster crossed the highway divi...