GEORGE BERNARD SHAW’S CAESAR AND CLEOPATRA

 

I cheated yesterday. Took time off in the afternoon to watch the movie adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s Caesar and Cleopatra.

Normally, tuesdays are spent preparing for my podcast Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou in the evening. I became engrossed with the movie. Meant I had to work my ass off afterwards to make sure everything was in order for the podcast.

The movie outstanding! Claude Rains as Caesar and Vivien Leigh as Cleopatra. Rains short of stature to play Caesar. Leigh the best Cleopatra I have seen

The movie a fictionalized account of Caesar and Cleopatra’s relationship. Humorous. Very much so.

Shaw wrote Caesar and Cleopatra as a play in 1898. The movie was shot in 1945. Shaw still alive. He collaborated closely on the production.

I recall two other Caesar/Cleopatra movies. One earlier starring Claudette Colbert. The mega production in later years starring Elizabeth Taylor. The two were not Shaw’s work reproduced. They were written for the screen by others based on historical accounts.

I always loved Colbert. Unfortunately, she runs a distant third to Leigh and Taylor as Cleopatra. Taylor the beauty! An outstanding actress! Lovely in the film! Never the less runs second to Leigh in my opinion.

Vivien Leigh the star of the earlier Gone With The Wind. A serious performance. Caesar and Cleopatra comedic. She fit the part. Also, her natural beauty more apparent in the film.

One problem. The film was an economic failure. Lost $3 million. A tidy sum in 1945.

I watched the show on Turner Classic Movies. If you get the chance, watch it. You will not be disappointed.

My podcast went well later in the evening. I was prepared. Hit on several current matters. A total of ten topics. Trump a part of four.

Speaking of Trump, he had a busy day yesterday. His first day back since a 10 day family vacation. His plate had to be full. Much requiring his attention.

He jumped right in. Obviously worked hard. Sent out 16-18 tweets. Pissed off half the world. Aggravated the White House staff.

I have a busy evening. Sloan at 5:30. Syracuse/Wake Forest at 7. Wake Forest a one point favorite.

My afternoon today busy also. At least 2 hours work preparing for Sloan’s visit at 5:30.

I will not leave the house again today. There is always tomorrow.

You have to admire Iceland. They are always a step ahead.

Following the bank debacle of 2008, they prosecuted and jailed bankers. Those at the top. Something I have been recommending for years we do in the U.S.

They elect women big time. Almost 50 percent of their Parliament is female. They elected a woman Prime Minister in November.

Iceland recently passed a law that allows companies who pay women less than men to be punished. Fined. No jail. A step forward, however.

Equal pay laws have no teeth. They tell the companies females must be paid equal to men. Enforcement lacking. Iceland recognized the problem and moved the step ahead.

It is generally acknowledged the law would not have come into being were it not for the large number of women in Parliament.

Enjoy your day!