More revealing books dish on Marilyn and Madonna
WHILE Madonna fans wait for the second edition of Matthew Rettenmund’s delicious, fact-filled and funny “Encyclopedia Madonnica” they will have to content themselves with author Michelle Morgan’s “Mammoth Book of Madonna,” which is available now.
Morgan is best known for her books on another famous blonde, Marilyn Monroe. And Morgan hasn’t given up on the inexhaustible subject of Monroe. She has another Monroe book on the way, titled “Before Marilyn.” This will focus on Marilyn, aka Norma Jeane’s extremely successful modeling career, before the movies beckoned. (She was snapped up by a modeling agency the moment she walked in the door, straight from a factory line.)
Unlike stars such as Bett y Grable, Rita Hayworth and Dorothy Lamour, who became “pinup” girls after their film careers took off, Marilyn was a real pin-up girl who then became a movie star. This probably didn’t help her with stuffy Hollywood types, many of whom would always think of her as “that girl who posed for pictures,” including the nude calendar. This beautiful photo solidified Marilyn as the sex symbol of her generation. But in 1952, it was a shocking thing to see a movie star naked. And, despite her efforts, the industry and much of the public would always see the naked Monroe beneath her clothes and loft y aspirations.
“DON’T call it a comeback. I hate that word. It’s a ‘return!’ ” So said deluded movie queen Norma Desmond in Billy Wilder’s cynical Hollywood classic, “Sunset Boulevard.”
Speaking of returns, there’s big doin’s in the ruins of the old Studio 54. Well, not ruins, exactly. The fabled disco, scene of so much 1970s debauchery, has been elegantly refurbished into a smart cabaret, 54 Below. Most everybody who can sing or even warble pleasantly, has appeared. (And then there’s Charles Busch, who often brings his hilarious brand of intelligent, edgy camp to the place.)
On June 10, which would have been Judy Garland’s 93rd birthday, handsome Seth Sikes returns to 54, performing his marvelous show “Seth Sikes Sings Judy Garland.” His last three appearances were sellouts and critically acclaimed. Seth will no doubt change up his act a bit, to mark Judy’s natal day. (You don’t need to be a Garland fan to enjoy this show. All you need is an appreciation of a fine voice and a lot of charm.)
And on June 18, chanteuse Yanna Avis returns to 54 Below with her “Make Some Magic” revue. Yanna, all European pizzazz, sings in French, Spanish, Italian, German and English. Yanna put aside her career — she was wellknown in France — after she met and married car-rental mogul Warren Avis in 1981. Warren died in 2007 and Yanna resurrected her professional self. (She says she has added to her French repertoire.) For ticket info on Sikes and Avis, go to www.54Below.com.
DON’T know about you, but I miss David Letterman already — and I never thought I’d say that. Live and learn. The This week’s Patio Page crossword puzzle can be found on Page D4. only tiny “good” thing about losing Letterman is that the theater will be warmer. (Letterman wanted it kept ice-cold!)
REGARDLESS of who voted for the Iraq War or not — the one thing that matters is we should learn that it is better to leave dictators alone because you never know when a revolt or revolution will result in chaos and make matters worse.
The May 4 issue of the New Yorker was a miracle of too-much-too-soon writing. “The Engineer’s Lament” by Malcolm Gladwell, about how automotive recalls really work, or don’t, appeared just moments too early for the latest airbag disasters.
Likewise, Ryan Lizza’s examination of Sen. Elizabeth Warren beat her dynamic speech to the Democratic Party to the punch, being a little early. Its subhead went like this: “Elizabeth Warren isn’t running, but she’s Hillary Clinton’s biggest Democratic threat.”
Dr. Michael Fox
Question: I am a regular reader of your column and a couple of dog magazines, and I’ve noticed that over the past few years, more veterinarians are prescribing drugs to treat anxiet y and other behavioral problems in dogs.
With my own dogs, I always asked for a dog trainer or behaviorist when I had issues, and never needed to resort to these mind-altering drugs, which can have some side effects. When my sister’s dog was put on medication for separation anxiet y, she turned into a zombie.
What is your opinion? — J.V., Alexandria, Virginia
Answer: First, let me say that some psycho-