Amsterdam, The Netherlands —In this wonderful city full of the richest art, sights and sounds, is the gifted actress and singer Carice van Houten.   First, I must confes s, I love ever ything this European siren does.  I first heard van Houten sing in the great Paul Verhoeven film, Black Book (2006).    She was the masterful leading lady of that thrilling film in every respect.   If you’ve not seen it, you must! She swims, sings, dances and acts in three languages. If you saw the film Valkyrie , van Houten played Nina Von Stauffenberg opposite Tom Cruise .   She also has a role in the successful HBO series Game of Thrones . This charming lady speaks, sings and acts in Dutch, German and English.   She again caught my attention in a wonderful duet with Kane called, No Surrender .   Finally van Houten has brought her talent to the recording studio and cut an album titled, See You On The Ice .   The songs are modern and...

Barbara Graham in Court at her 1953 trial Burbank, CA — Mabel Monahan a former pro-roller skater who had been disabled but was living out her retirement in a nice Burbank home located at 1718 West Parkside Avenue in Burbank, CA. 30 year-old Barbara Graham was a very pretty but troubled gal who came from Oakland, CA.   Graham was raised in really crappy conditions and often often by strangers.   Her education was somewhat marginal. Back then being homeless was a crime called Vagrancy.   That was her first offense and Graham was jailed at the Ventura State School for Girls.   Graham’s own mother also once did some time there.     Later Graham also did a prison stretch over a perjury beef while trying to help a friend in trouble. Back in those days there were no birth control pills and abortion was a serious felony.   Graham unwisely married three men, had a child by each.     Everyone treated single mothers of that sad...

Los Angeles, CA —Where better than in the City of Angels could it be to see a film about LAPD cops? I have to warn you that this film is very violent and may give sensitive types, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder .   The title says it all.   End of Watch or EOW , is standard police jargon to signify an officer’s sudden death on the job. The film is gritty and from the point of view of cops armed with various high definition video cameras and well as their sidearms.   Most of the video is shot with handheld cameras rather than using tripods.   It’s like the TV series COPS but on steroids. This story centers around two young cops in the very busy Southwest Division of the LAPD.   These two lads are just starting families and their spouses are no small part of the film. This was written and directed by, David Ayer .   The writing, directing, acting and casting are as good as it gets.   You will immediately fall in love with the te...

Chicago, IL —In the Windy City live theater is legendary. Tonight and for the next month theatergoers are in for a treat.  My talented friend, Jack Fry brought his show there.  Take from me this will be a night out to remember.  The show is, They   Call Me Mr. Fry .  It's playing for the next four weekends at Stage 773 on Belmont Ave.  http://www.stage773.com/Now-Playing Jack Fry is a real Los Angeles, inner-city, substitute, fifth grade school teacher.  This is about his first year in what would best be described as somewhat of a combat zone.  In fact the teachers get paid extra for the challenges there. What Jack Fry does in his production is relive the culture shock, fears, hopes, and dreams along with the lives involved in his teaching experience for the audience. Fry delivers a commanding performance as he takes you through school district’s bureaucratic political correctness gone bonkers.   Fry enters a world ...

Los Angeles, CA —Back when the mainstream media had money the sensational hidden camera story was all the rage.   Ambiguous privacy laws, deep pockets and lawyers changed the game, at least for well-healed broadcasters. The days of big broadcasters using hidden cameras has ended because of the omnipresent specter of expensive litigation. The landmark case that changed everything was in 1992 when ABC News, PrimeTime Live did a revealing hidden video exposé of the Food Lion supermarket chain’s really disgusting meat marketing deeds. Food Lion was selling outdated meat to unsuspecting shoppers.   ABC claimed the practice was a health hazard but allowed six months to pass before airing their story for the industry sweeps time.   I guess it wasn’t that serious of a health threat after all. It’s a safe bet that Food Lion would never have let ABC News come unannounced in with cameras, inspectors and reporters to show the public what they were actually buy...