Monthly Archives: April 2017

Island of Lost Souls

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From 1932 comes this pre-code (meaning it’s somewhat racier than the typical fare of the period, but innocuous by today’s standards) strange & weird film Island of Lost Souls featuring a hammy Charles Laughton in the role of Dr. Moreau, a “mad” scientist who conducts horrible, painful experiments on animals, turning them into human like beasts.  His masterpiece is the Panther Woman (featured in the lobby card below).  Needless to say, shit goes bad, and it doesn’t end well for Dr. Moreau.  Atmospheric cinematography by the great Karl Struss.

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Gould, Bernstein & Bach

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Here’s a great little gem of a video featuring famously eccentric Canadian pianist Glenn Gould performing Bach’s Keyboard Concerto #1 in D minor along with Leonard Bernstein conducting the orchestra.  Bernstein introduces the performance with a brief talk about interpretation in musical performance, quite instructive and fascinating in itself.  Gould performs with precision and clarity in this 1960 television broadcast.

Hill 88, GGNRA

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The Golden Gate National Recreation Area includes many scenic areas which used to be controlled by the military.  From Fort Cronkhite, located in Marin County, you can hike to the summit of Hill 88.  This hike will reward you with spectacular views in all directions, and a healthy workout (5-6 miles, 1000′ elevation gain).  The abandoned, dilapidated & graffitied structures which reside at summit were once part of a radar station for the former Nike Missile Base which is located nearby.