Richard Carpenter: 33 years after Karen's death

Karen and Richard Carpenter were quite a sister/brother act during the 1970s.  Sadly, Karen died on February 4, 1983 of complications from anorexia nervosa .  She was only 32 years old at the time of her passing.  The story of Karen's tragic death is well documented, but her brother Richard has battled his own demons.

The Carpenters' hectic concert schedule took its toll on both siblings. In his 2010 book Rock Obituaries - Knocking on Heaven's Door (2010), author Nick Talevski wrote:"Constantly on the road since 1970 with their Vegas-style act, both Karen and Richard Carpenter were in ill health by late 1975. With Karen's weight down to 80 pounds (36.3 kilograms), sold-out tours to Japan and the United Kingdom had to be cancelled.  Richard, meanwhile, had become addicted to a prescription drug, Quaalude."

The pressure on the duo was overwhelming.  Something had to give and it did.  Karen became obsessed with her weight and Richard suffered from depression and insomnia.  He turned to Quaaludes (a sedative) for relief.  In January of 1979, while in a semi-comatose state, he fell down a flight of stairs backstage.  Finally, in an effort to deal with his dependency on the drug, Richard checked himself in to a treatment program at the Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas.  He also decided to take the rest of 1979 off for the sake of his health and well being.

Richard Lynn Carpenter was born on October 15, 1946 in New Haven, Connecticut.  His father, Harold Bertram Carpenter (November 8, 1908 – October 15, 1988), worked in the printing business. His mother, Agnes Reuwer (née Tatum) (March 5, 1915 – November 10, 1996), was a housewife. Richard's only sibling, Karen Anne Carpenter, was also born in New Haven, on March 2, 1950.  In 1963, the family moved to Downey, California, a suburb of Los Angeles.

Karen and Richard with their parents

Richard Carpenter developed an interest in music early in life.  As a child, he listened to the 78s in his father's extensive record collection.  He listened to everything from the classics to big band music. Soon he began asking his parents to buy him some of the records he had heard on the radio.  Among his favourites were Nat King Cole and Perry Como.

Not surprisingly, Richard started to play music himself.  His first instrument was the accordion, but he soon gravitated toward the piano.  As a youngster, he began studying classical piano and eventually pursued his studies at Yale University's Music School. While a teenager, he  performed with a jazz trio at various nightclubs in the New Haven area.

When the Carpenter family moved to southern California, Richard attended Downey High School. During his senior year, he studied music at the University of Southern California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and later at California State College at Long Beach (USCLB).  In 1965, he formed an instrumental group, the Richard Carpenter Trio, with his sister Karen on the drums and a friend, Wes Jacobs, on tuba and bass.  In 1966, the group won the "Battle of the Bands" contest at the Hollywood Bowl after performing "Iced "The Girl from Ipanema" and "Iced Tea," (a jazz waltz written by Richard Carpenter).

Following the Hollywood Bowl competition, the Richard Carpenter Trio signed with RCA and cut 11 tracks at RCA Studios, including the Beatles' "Every Little Thing," "Strangers in the Night," and "Flat Baroque," an original.  The record company decided that the jazz trio did not have commercial potential and decided not to release their recordings.  This lack of confidence prompted Richard, Karen and Wes to accept RCA,s offer to buy out their contract.

In early 1968,Wes Jacobs left the band. After his departure, Karen and Richard formed a new group called Spectrum, a sextet which included Richard's college friend John Bettis, three other students from Calfornia State University at Long Beach and Karen.  Spectrum was short-lived, but the Carpenters continued performing and recording demos. It was Herb Alpert, then head of A&M Records, who signed them to a contract in early April of 1969.  The Carpenters' first album, Offering, was released in November of that year.  The time was all wrong.  Offering made little impact during an era when psychedelic rock predominated. However, the album's accompanying single, a cover of the Beatles' "Ticket to Ride," was well-received by critics.  It also impressed songwriter Burt Bacharach who was to provide Richard and Karen with their first blockbuster hit.

In 1970, the Capenters released a second studio album  "Close to You."  The title track, "(They Long to Be) Close to You," written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, became the duo's breakthrough song. Originally released as a single by actor Richard Chamberlain of  Dr. Kildare fame in 1963, "Close to You," had also been recorded by Dionne Warwick and released on her 1964 album Make Way for Dionne Warwick.  Bacharch himself released his own version in 1968.  However, it was the Carpenters' version that became a huge hit single, climbing to number one on the Billboard Top 100 and remaining there for four weeks. Richard and Karen followed the success of (They Long to Be) Close to you with another big hit single, "We've Only Just Begun."

"We've Only Just Begun" was originally composed by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols for a Crocker Bank television commercial.  The ad for the San Francisco bank, featured a montage of a couple getting married set to the jingle.  Its tag line was "You've got a long way to go.  We'd like to help you get there."  In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Williams said that "Roger and I expanded it as a complete song and never in our wildest dreams imagined it would be a hit.  And then an angel sang it. When Karen Carpenter sings your songs, you are blessed."

The Carpenters went on to become one of the most successful bands of the early 1970s with Karen on the drums and lead vocals.  Richard played the piano and sang backup vocals.  For five years, they released hit after hit, including "Rainy Days and Mondays," "Superstar," "Hurting Each Other," "Goodbye to Love," "Yesterday Once More,"  "Top of the World" and "Only Yesterday." During that time, they were one of the most popular recording artists in the world.  By 1976, however, their popularity had declined, as had their record sales.  They were plagued with health problems and their singles were not even reaching the Top 40.

On December 3, 1978, the Carpenters delivered their final public performance. It was a Winter Festival benefit concert at the Pacific Terrace Theatre at California State University in Long Beach.
In 1979 and early 1980, while Richard was taking time off to overcome his dependency on Quaaludes, Karen recorded a solo album in New York with producer Phil Ramone and she was back by Billy Joel's band.  Simply titled Karen Carpenter, the album was shelved until its release on CD by A&M Records in 1996.

On August 31, 1980, Karen Carpenter married real estate developer Thomas James Burris in the Crystal Room of the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.   During the ceremony, "Because We're in Love," an original song sung by Karen, was played.  Unfortunately, however, the union was not a happy one and the couple separated after 14 months.

In June of 1981, the Carpenters released Made in America, their last album together.  The album included "Touch Me When We're Dancing,"the last of the Carpenters' singles to reach the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Karen and Richard promoted Made in America on TV shows such as Good Morning America and The Merv Griffin Show, performing "(Want You) "Back in My Life Again," another song from the album.  In 1985, Richard told talk show host Larry King that Made in America was Karen's favourite album and is mine, out of all our projects."

In January of 1982, Karen went to New York City to undergo treatment for her eating disorder.  She spent most of the next 11 months in the Big Apple, returning to Los Angeles briefly in April to record some rhythm tracks. After many therapy sessions and a hospital procedure, she returned to L.A, in November, hoping to move forward with her life and her career.  On the morning of February 4, 1983, the day she had planned to finalize her divorce, Karen collapsed at her parents' home in Downey. She was rushed to hospital, but her heart had gone into full cardiac arrest and she died.

Although Karen Carpenter was a talented percussionist, she will always be remembered for her distinctive vocals.  She was a contralto and her voice was rich and hauntingly beautiful.  Carnie Wilson, daughter of the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson, wrote the following tribute to Karen and Richard in her book Gut Feelings: From Fear and Despair to Health and Hope: “I knew I wanted to be a singer when I heard voices like Barbara Streisand and Karen Carpenter. My parents loved the Carpenters, and we played their records all the time at home. It didn’t matter whether you liked that style of music or not. It was the magic in Karen’s voice that was so soothing, and the lushness of the layered harmonies that were like soft clouds of sound.”

While Karen Carpenter was indeed a superb vocalist, her brother Richard displayed a genius for arranging and producing music. He made the most of Karen's unique voice.  The siblings were a team and they complimented each other.

On May 19, 1984, more than a year after Karen's passing, Richard Carpenter married Mary Rudolph, in Downey, California. Mary is Richard's first cousin, the daughter of his mother's sister, Bernice. There have been reports that Mary is Bernice's adopted daughter and not biologically related to Richard.  However, some maintain that this is story is not true and was used to cover up the truth..  Mary's brother, Mark Rudolph, was the Carpenters' road manager.  According to an October 26, 1987 article by Jim Calio in People magazine, the couple met in 1975 when Mark brought Mary backstage in Las Vegas.  According to the article, she and Richard hit it off at their first meeting, so she decided to move from her home in Baltimore to Downey, where he lived.

"I got a job in a bank," Mary old People, "and we stayed together. He wanted to get married when we first met, but I didn't because I was only 18, and I wasn't ready. Then when I was ready, he wasn't. We went back and forth like that for quite a while."  Nine years passed.  When Mary eventually returned to Baltimore to live with her parents, Richard visited at Christmastime and proposed.

At the age of 40, Richard Carpenter became a father for the first time.  He and Mary are the parents of five children (four daughters and a son): Kristi Lynn Carpenter (born August 17, 1987), Traci Tatum Carpenter (born July 25, 1989), Mindi Karen Carpenter (born July 7, 1992), Colin Paul Carpenter (Born 1998) and Taylor Mary Carpenter.(born 2000).  Richard and his offspring perform at various events.

Richard and his wife Mary

Richard and Mary with son, Colin Paul Carpenter and daughter Mindi

Mindi Carpener singing, accompanied by Richard

Editor's Note: the photo below was tagged "Mindi Carpenter." (I can't remove the tag). However, some readers have claimed that it is in fact a photo of Kristi Carpenter.

After Karen's death, a heartbroken Richard worked diligently to preserve the Carpenters' legacy.  He focused on production work and putting together compilations of the Carpenters' recordings.  In 1987, A&M Records released his first solo album.  The album, entitled Time, also featured Dionne Warwick and British soul legend Dusty Springfield.  A single from the album, "Something In Your Eyes," with Springfield on vocals, reached the Top 40 on Adult Contemporary charts.

It was difficult for Richard to record without Karen for the first time.  He explained to People magazine how much his sister's absence upset him.   "Here I was," he said, "working alone when we had always been a team, working with the same engineer, the same musicians and in the same studios, and no Karen."

In 1997, ten years after his solo debut with Time, Richard released a second solo album.  Entitled Pianist, Arranger, Composer, Conductor, the album is a compilation of instrumental music.  It contains a variety of the Carpenters' best-loved songs ("Yesterday Once More," "Bless the Beasts and Children," "Top of the World," "We've Only Just Begun") and some new material too, including "Karen's Theme," Richard's tribute to his late sister.

On October 15, 2008, the day he turned 62 years old, Richard Carpenter announced the relaunch of his music career at a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Tokyo, Japan.  It was called "Richard Carpenter Strikes Back."  His plans included re-release of a Carpenters Christmas album and a tribute album featuring cover versions of Carpenters songs."


END NOTES

* In 1971, the Carpenters had a hit song with a cover of "For All We Know," from the 1970 film Lovers and Other Strangers. The song, originally performed by Larry Meredith, won an Oscar for Best Original Song.  British singer Petuala Clark, rather than the Carpenters, was chosen to sing the tune at the Academy Awards ceremony in 1971 because the Academy preferred to spotlight people associated with film.  On February 6, 1983, three days after Karen Carpenter's death, Clark performed the song in concert as a tribute to Karen.

* The Carpenters met twice with Richard Nixon at the White House, once in 1972 and again in 1973. On May 1, 1973, at Nixon's request, Karen and Richard performed for visiting West German Chancellor Willy Brandt.  The former U.S. president introduced Karen and Richard to the White House audience as "young America at its very best."  When Karen died, Nixon sent a letter to the family expressing his condolences.

The Carpenters with former U.S. president Richard Nixon in 1972

* On December 8, 1976, The Carpenters Very First Television Special aired on the ABC network. The special, featuring John Denver and Victor Borge, received high ratings.  By 1980, Richard and Karen had completed five specials for ABC.

* John Bettis, Richard's good friend and former Spectrum member, wrote the lyrics for several of the Carpenters' hit songs, including "Yesterday Once More" and "Goodbye to Love."

* In 1994, the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center was built on the campus of California State University, Long Beach, where the duo performed their last public concert.  The Carpenter Center has a 1,074-seat capacity.  It accommodates concerts, special events, conferences and the screening of films.  It also contains the Richard and Karen Carpenter Exhibit, a permanent display of the Carpenters' awards and memorabilia.  The centre's website states that Richard Carpenter is a benefactor but is not involved in the facility's day-to-day activity.

* Richard Carpenter and his family currently reside in Thousand Oaks, California.  He and Mary do philanthropic work in Thousand Oaks and are recognized as "Distinguished Grand Patrons of the Arts."

- Joanne  

Wayne Manor vs. Fortress of Solitude: The Homes of Batman and Superman

Who has the best home, Batman or Superman?  Is it stately Wayne Manor, the home of Batman whose secret identity is millionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne?  Is it Fortress of Solitude, Superman's occasional headquarters, the place where he finds solace.  The inforgraphic shows you the features of each home.

- Joanne






Wayne Manor vs Fortress of Solitude by Cast Iron Radiators 4u.

Easter Musings: What happened to Pontius Pilate? How did he die?

We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.

- Romans 6:9


This Easter, I found myself wondering about the fate of Pontius Pilate, the man who, according to the gospels, presided over the trial of Jesus.  To satisfy my curiosity, I did some research.  This is what I discovered:

Pontius Pilate was the fifth governor or prefect of the Roman province of Judeaa from about 26 A.D. to 36 A.D., during the reign of the emperor Tiberius.  The date off Pilate's birth is not known, but he is believed to have come from the Samnium region of central Italy.  He was not popular with the Jewish population because he hung idolatrous images of the emperor all over Jerusalem,  He also minted coins with pagan symbols on them.

In his capacity as Roman prefect.  Pontius Pilate was responsible for the collection of taxes and overseeing construction activity.  His most important duty, however, was to uphold the law.  Pilate was the supreme judge of the province of Judea.  As such, he was given the sole authority to approve the execution of a criminal.  It was he, according to the scriptures, who convicted Jesus of treason and declared that Jesus considered himself "King of the Jews." (In the Roman Empire, it was seditious to claim to be a king).

According to the Gospel of John, when Pilate questions Jesus as to whether he is a king, Jesus tells him that he born  "to testify to the ."  Pilate replies famously. "What is truth" or "Quid est veritas?" in Latin.

Therefore Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice." Pilate asked him, "What is 'truth'?" and then he went out to the Jewish leaders again and told them, "I find no basis for a charge against him.  (John 18: 37-38)

In the end, Pilate orders Christ's crucifixion, albeit reluctantly.  According to the Gospel of Matthew, he literally washes his hands of Jesus.  The four canonical gospels relate how there was a Passover tradition in Jerusalem that permitted or obligated the governor of Judea to a death sentence by popular approval.  The crowd is offered a choice between a rebel named Barabbas and Jesus. The people loudly insist upon releasing Barabbas and they demand that Jesus be crucified.  Pilate complies with their wishes.

Pilate saw that he wasn't getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood. The 
responsibility is yours. (Matthew 27:24)

Jesus before Pilate

Pilate washing his hands of responsibility for the death of Jesus

According to Josephus, a first-century Romano-Jewish historian and scholar, Pilate was ordered to return to Rome following the death of Tiberius in 37 A.D., after he brutally suppressed a Samaritan uprising.  Encyclopaedia Britannica states that "Josephus’s references appear to be consistent. They seem to picture a headstrong strict authoritarian Roman leader who, although both rational and practical, never knew how far he should go in a given case.  He provoked both Jews and Samaritans to riot."

Josephus wrote that "in order to abolish Jewish laws,"and with the intent of reducing the  privileges Jews had enjoyed, Pilate ordered his troops to camp out in Jerusalem.  They entered the city with images of the emperor bound to their ensigns.  The Jews protested in Caesara, Pilate's place of residence.  He threatened them with death, but they steadfastly demonstrated their willingness to die. In the end, according to Josephus, Pilate relented and removed the images because he was profoundly moved by their steadfast determination to retain their laws.  Below is a passage from the writings of Josephus:

But now Pilate, the procurator of Judea, removed the army from Cesarea to Jerusalem, to take their winter quarters there, in order to abolish the Jewish laws. So he introduced Caesar’s effigies, which were upon the ensigns, and brought them into the city; whereas our law forbids us the very making of images; on which account the former procurators were wont to make their entry into the city with such ensigns as had not those ornaments. Pilate was the first who brought those images to Jerusalem, and set them up there; which was done without the knowledge of the people, because it was done in the nighttime; but as soon as they knew it, they came in multitudes to Cesarea, and interceded with Pilate many days, that he would remove the images; and when he would not grant their requests, because it would tend to the injury of Caesar, while yet they persevered in their request, on the sixth day he ordered his soldiers to have their weapons privately, while he came and sat upon his judgment seat, which seat was so prepared in the open place of the city, that it concealed the army that lay ready to oppress them: and when the Jews petitioned him again, he gave a signal to the soldiers to encompass them round, and threatened that their punishment should be no less than immediate death, unless they would leave off disturbing him, and go their ways home. But they threw themselves upon the ground, and laid their necks bare, and said they would take their death very willingly, rather than the wisdom of their laws should be transgressed; upon which Pilate was deeply affected with their firm resolution to keep their laws inviolable, and presently commanded the images to be carried back from Jerusalem to Cesarea.

What do we know about Ponious Pilate's personal life?  Well, according to the Gospel of Matthew, he had a wife.  (Matthew 27:19). Tradition holds that her name was Claudia Procula.  In Matthew's account, she warns her husband to disassociate himself from Jesus because of his innocence.

While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."

In the Christian Bible, there is no information about Ponriua Pilate's parents and no mention of any children.  Pilate died circa 39 A.D. under mysterious circumstances.  According to some accounts, he was sent into exile and committed suicide of his own volition.  However, Eusebius of Caesara's Ecclesiastical History states that Pilate killed himself under orders from Caiss (Emperor Caligula, who succeeded Tiberius as Roman emperor in 37 A.D).  Eusebus, referring to earlier apocryphal accounts, wrote the following:

It is worthy of note that Pilate himself, who was governor in the time of our Saviour, is reported to have fallen into such misfortune under Caius, whose times we are recording, that he was forced to become his own murderer and executioner, and thus divine vengeance, as it seems, was not long in overtaking him.  This is stated by those Greek historians who have recorded the Olympiads, together with the respective events which have taken place in each period.



END NOTES

* Some Christian churches continue  to uphold an early church tradition that looked favourably upon Pontius Pilate.  The Eastern Orthodox church believes that Pilate and his wife eventually converted to Christianity.  The couple are actually venerated in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewhedo Church and their feast day falls on June 25th.

* The Pilate Stone, an artifact discovered in 1961 by Italian archaeologist, Dr. Antonio Frova, bears the name of Pontius Pilate in Latin. The partially damaged block of limestone also contains an inscription that links Pilate  to the reign of Tiberius.  It was uncovered at the archaeological site of Caesarea Maritima, believed to be where Pilate was headquartered.  He likely only journeyed to Jerusalem, the heart of the province's Jewish population,when necessary.

The Pilate Stone is evidence of Pontius Pilate's historical existence.  It is presently located at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Below is a photo of a replica of the stone that can be found at Caesarea Maritima.

                                             Photo Attribution: Marion Doss


* It's difficult to know what to make of Pontius Pilate, although he is an intriguing figure.  Was he a tyrant who ruthlessly suppressed rebellions.  Was he weak and vacillating, as he is portrayed in the gospels, or was he just trying to do his job as governor of Judea?  There are more questions than answers.

EDITORS UPDATE (December 1, 2018):  The name of Pontius Pilate has been identified on a 2,000- year-old copper alloy ring.  The ring was actually found in the late 1960s, one of numerous artifacts discovered in an excavation of Herodium, an ancient fortress or palace, south of Bethlehem, on the West Bank.  It wasn't until recently that researchers were able to decipher the inscription on the ring, using advanced photo technology.  The words read "of Pilates"  in Greek letters, set around  a photo of a wine container known as a krater, a popular motif among Jews in Judea at the time.

According to a November 30, 2018 article in The New York Times by Palko Karasz, the findings were published last week in the Israel Exploration Journal, an Israeli archaeological review.  Researchers believe it is unlikely that the ring belonged to Pilate himself, since it is not elaborate enough for someone of his position and his wealth.  Such simple rings were usually owned by soldiers and lesser officials.  The name "Pilate" was not common in the area at that time.  Archaeologists consider this copper ring to be the second artifact bearing Pilate's name ever to be discovered, after the Pilate Stone.

- Joanne

Batman vs. Superman decor

Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice is coming to movie theatres soon.  The infographic below provides ideas on how to makeover your room in a superhero motif.

- Joanne

Pura Vida!: Photos of Costa Rica

I recently visited beautiful Costa Rica ("rich coast" in Spanish).  Here is what I learned, followed by some photos taken during my travels to this amazing Central American country:

*  Costa Rica was under Spanish rule in the 16th century.  It achieved independence as part of the First Mexican Empire and later became a member of the United Provinces of Central America.  In 1847, it became a sovereign republic.

*  After a brief civil war, Costa Rica abolished its army in 1949.  It remains one of the few nations in the world without a standing army.

* A common greeting in Costa Rica is "pura vita," which means "simple life" or "pure life."  It's an expression of the Costa Rican attitude toward living.  Although the phrase is used to say "hello," "goodbye," "everything's fine"  or "it's cool with me," "pura vida" is much more than just a salutation among Costa Ricans.  It is a reflection of a more relaxing and less stressful way of life.

* Costa Rica has a small population.  It is inhabited by about 4.5 million people.  Nearly a quarter of the population lives in the metropolitan area of San Jose, the country's largest city and its capital.

* Recreational hunting is illegal in Costa Rica.  In 2012, it became the first country in the Americas to ban the activity.  

* Costa Rica is renowned for its progressive environmental policies and its people are very close to nature.  In 2006 and 2012, Costa Rica was ranked the best performing nation in the New Economics Foundation's (NEF) Happy Planet Index, which measures environmental sustainability.  The country is scheduled to be the first carbon-neutral country by the year 2021.



Here are some photos from my visit to Costa Rica:

This is a capuchin  or cappuccino monkey, also known as a "white-faced monkey" or "organ grinder monkey."  Found in Cental and South America, these simians are omnivores and eat a variety of food types.  The above photo was taken at the National Park of Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.  The photos below are from the National Park too

sloth

The photos below were taken from a boat off the coast Manuel Antonio,

- Joanne

2016 Oscars Quiz

The 88th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 28, 2016 and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California.  As you prepare for the big night, why not challenge yourself and try Number 16's sixth annual Oscars quiz.  There are 10 questions.  Good luck!


NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ 2016

1.  Sylvester Stallone's highly successful 1976 boxing film, Rocky, was nominated for 10 Academy Awards.  How many did Oscars did the original Rocky win?

Stallone as Rocky

A.  Rocky swept the 1977 Oscars, winning all 10 of the Academy Awards for which it was nominated.

B.  It won five Oscars.

C.  I won seven Oscars.

D.  It won three Oscars.

E.  It failed to win any of the ten Academy Awards for which it was nominated.



2.  Leonardo DiCaprio has received six Academy Award nominations, but has never won an Oscar. This year, he is nominated in the Best Actor category for his role in The Revenant.  For which movie did Leo win his first Oscar nomination?

A.  The Aviator

B.  What's Eating Gilbert Grape

C.  Blood Diamond

D.  Titanic

E.  Romeo and Juliet



3,  The late Audrey Hepburn was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role five times.  She won once.  For which film did Audrey Hepburn win the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role?

A.  Roman Holiday (1953)

B.  Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

C,  The Nun's Story (1959)

D.  Sabrina (1954)

E.  Wait Until Dark (1968)



4.  Marilyn Monroe never won an Academy Award, but did she ever receive an Oscar nomination?

A.  Yes, Marilyn was nominated for her performance in Bus Stop (1956).

B.  Yes, she was nominated for Niagara (1953) .

C.  Yes, she was nominated for The Prince and the Showgirl. (1957)

D.  Yes, she was nominated for Some Like it Hot (1959).

E.  No, she never received an Oscar nomination.




5.  What was the first colour film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture?

A.  The Wizard of Oz

B.  Ben-Hur

C.  Gone with the Wind

D.  Rebecca

E.  The Grapes of Wrath



6.  Which of these nominated films won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1941?

A.  How Green Was My Valley

B.  Citizen Kane

C.  The Maltese Falcon

D.  Here Comes Mr. Jordan

E.  Suspicion



7.  Has any foreign language film won the Academy Award for Best Picture?

A.  Yes, Italian actor, director and screenwriter Roberto Benigni's Life is Beautiful (1997) won the Best Picture Oscar at the 1999 ceremony.

B.   Yes, the 1938 French language film Grand Illusion won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

C.   Yes, the 1960 Italian film Two Women, starring Sophia Loren, won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1961.

D.  Yes, the 1987 Danish film, Babette's Feast, won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

E.  No.  To date, no foreign language film has won Best Picture.



8.  Who won the Oscar for Best Actor at the 12th Academy Awards, held on February 29, 1940?

A,  James Stewart for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

B.  Robert Donat for Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939)

C.  Clark Gable for Gone with the Wind (1939)

D.  Laurence Olivier for Wuthering Heights (1939)

E.  Mickey Rooney for Babes in Arms (1939)




9.  Has Warren Beatty has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role four times.  Has he ever won?

A.  Yes, he won the Best Actor Award for the movie Reds.

B.  Yes, he won for Bonnie and Clyde.

C.  Yes, he won for Heaven Can Wait.

D.  Yes, he won for Bugsy.

E.  No, Warren Beatty has never won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role.



10.   Who was the first woman to host the Oscars?

A.  Celeste Holme

B.  Shirley MacLaine

C.  Claudette Colbert

D.  Liza Minnelli

E.  Whoopi Goldberg

ANSWERS

1.  D

The original Rocky won three Oscars in 1977.  It won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Director and Editing.  Sylvester Stallone was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role, but did not win. Peter Finch was awarded the Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar posthumously for his performance in Network.


2.  B

Leonardo DiCaprio received his first Oscar nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category for his performance in What's Eating Gilbert Grape.  DiCaprio played Arnie Grape, a boy with developmental handicap, alongside Johnny Depp, who portrayed Arnie's brother, Gilbert Grape.


3,  A

Hepburn and Peck in Roman Holiday

Audrey Hepburn with Oscar for Roman Holiday

In 1954, Audrey Hepburn received the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in the 1953 film Roman Holiday.  She won for her portrayal of a bored and overprotected princess who runs off to Rome and falls in love with an American journalist (Gregory Peck).

Hepburn was nominated for Best Actress in Leading Role for Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Nun's Story, Sabrina and Wait Until Dark, but did not win.  At the Oscar ceremony on March 29, 1993, she was given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award posthumously (she died in January, 1993).  The award was accepted by her son, Sean H. Ferrer,


4.  E

Marilyn Monroe never received an Oscar nomination.  In 1957, she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actress-Comedy/Musical for Bus Stop, but did not win.  She did, however, win a Golden Globe in 1960 for Best Motion Picture Actress-Comedy/Musical for her performance in Some Like it Hot.  Marilyn was also nominated for two British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards - Best Foreign Actress for The Seven Year Itch in 1956 and Best Foreign Actress for Best Foreign Actress for The Prince and the Showgirl in 1958.


5.  C

Gone with the Wind (1939) was the first colour film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.


6,  A

How Green Was My Valley won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1941. Although Orson Welles' classic Citizen Kane was nominated for Best Picture, it was not selected in that category. Surprisingly, Citizen Kane only received one Oscar, for Best Original Screenplay.


7.  E.

No.  To date, no foreign language film has won Best Picture.  Life is Beautiful, Grand Illusion, and Babette's Feast were chosen as Best Foreign Language Film, but not Best Picture.  Two Women was not even nominated for Best Foreign Language Film.  However, Sophia Loren won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1961 for her performance in the film.  She was the first person to win the Best Actress Award for a foreign language film.  Roberto Benigni was the second to win for a non-English speaking role (and the first male).  He received an Oscar for Best Actor in Leading Role for Life is Beautiful in 1999.


8,  B

Robert Donat

British actor Robert Donat received the 1939 Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Goodbye, Mr. Chips.  Donat, who did not attend the ceremony, was awarded the Oscar over Clark Gable's portrayal of Rhett Butler in the hugely successful Gone with the Wind.  With the exception of Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, Gone with the Wind swept all the major Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director (Victor Fleming), Best Actress (Vivien Leigh), Best Supporting Actress (Hattie McDaniel) and Best Screenplay (Sidney Howard).


9.  E.

No.  Warren Beatty has never won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role.  He was nominated for Best Actor in a Lead Role for his performances in   Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Heaven Can Wait (1978), Reds (1981) and Bugsy (1991), but did not win.  However, received an Academy Award in the category of Best Director for Reds.  In addition, Beatty was honoured with the Irving C. Thalberg M Thalberg Memorial Award at the Oscars in the year 2000.



10.  C

Claudette Colbert and Paddy Chayefsky at the Oscars in 1956

Actress Claudette Colbert was the first woman to host the Oscars.  She hosted the 28th Academy Awards in 1956 with co-hosts.  Shirley MacLaine co-hosted the 47th Academy Awards in 1975. Celeste Holm co-hosted the 29th Academy Awards in 1957.  Liza Minnelli co-hosted the 55th Academy Awards in 1983.  Whoopi Goldberg has hosted the Oscars four times (1994, 1996, 1999 and 2002), more than any other woman..  She also has the distinction of being the first woman and the first African-American to host the Oscars solo.



- Joanne

The Product Placement Oscars

The Product Placement Oscars by Watches2U.

Throw the Perfect Oscars Party

If you are planning an Oscars party for Sunday, February 28th, here is an infographic with some great suggestions for you.

- Joanne

How to throw the perfect Oscars party infographic by The Rug Seller

For Valentines's Day - More great quotes on love

On Valentine's Day, I enjoy sharing some quotes and reflections about love with you.  Since it's that time of year again, here are some more thoughts about romance just for you.  The first quote I want to share with you is from Bob Marley (1945-1981), famed Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter and musician.  The words are beautiful, but I have to take issue with the first and last lines.  With regard to the first line, I think that people can fall in love again if their soulmate dies.  It may not be exactly the same, but it is a shared intimacy that does not diminish of nullify the previous relationship.  With regard to the last line, no one should regard another human being as his or her "only hope and security." No matter how strongly we love someone, it is unhealthy to be so emotionally dependent on someone else.


Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you've never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.

- Bob Marley






The course of true love never did run smooth.

- William Shakespeare (1564-1616), English playwright, poet
From A Midsummer Night's Dream
Act I, Scene l






Love is like the wind, you can't see it but you can feel it.

- Nicholas Sparks, (1965- ), American writer
From A Walk to Remember

You don't love someone because they're perfect, you love them in spite of the fact they're not.

- Jodi Picoult (1966- ), American author
From My Sister's Keeper




love is the voice under all silences, 
the hope which has no opposite in fear, 
the strength so strong mere force is feebleness: 
the truth more first than the sun, more last than star

- E,E, Cummings (189 -1962), American poet, writer
From being to timelessness as it's to time




Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.

- Robert Frost (1874-1963), American poet
As quoted in a review of A Swinger of Birches (1957) by Sydney Cox in Vermont History, Vol. 25 (1957), page 355



Love never dies a natural death.  It dies because we don't know how to replenish its source.  It dies of blindness and errors and betrayals.  It dies of illness and wounds; it dies of weariness, of witherings, of tarnishings.

- Anaïs Nin (1903-1977), author, born in France to Cuban parents
From Cities of the Ineriors

The Rose

Some say love, it is a river
That drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger,
An endless aching need.
I say love, it is a flower,
And you its only seed.

It's the heart afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance.
It's the dream afraid of waking
That never takes the chance.
It's the one who won't be taken,
Who cannot seem to give,
And the soul afraid of dyin'
That never learns to live.

When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long,
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong,
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed that with the sun's love
In the spring becomes the rose.

- Lyrics by Bette Midler (1945- ), American singer, songwriter, actrees

- Joanne