Micheaux, Dryer and more

Well, February has come and gone, and my best intentions to keep writing were snowed under (sometimes literally when we lost power for a while) but there's been a lot of action this winter. The Film Society of Lincoln Center presented a series on black film, beginning with Oscar Micheaux's BODY AND SOUL, for which I was joined by the magnificent bass Kevin Maynor, who compiled a stunning collection of spirituals and art songs to complement the film. He entered from the rear of the Walter Reade Theatre, singing a rousing spiritual, walked up onstage to his stand by the Steinway grand where I was seated, and the film began to roll. Only...it was BODY AND SOUL starring Humphrey Bogart, Charles Farrell and Myrna Loy (1931). You can imagine our confusion. I stopped playing and said to the audience, "Well, this is interesting." A few moments later, it was sorted out and a DVD projection, not at all bad quality, filled the screen and we continued without further mishap. Kevin got a standing ovation and many people said it was a tremendous performance.

The series also included the NY premiere of THE FLYING ACE, a wonderful action pic with director Richard Norman's grandson introducing the film, along with representatives from the silent film museum being created in Jacksonville.

Next week it's off to Syracuse for the Cinefest, a new experience for me. Joanna will come along, and I'm sure lots of friends we haven't seen in a while will be there. More from the road...