tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post4971509926445116207..comments2024-03-29T04:16:43.389-04:00Comments on Reggie Darling: Reggie Recommends: Little MeReggie Darlinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-33246992265176269052013-03-09T21:14:34.394-05:002013-03-09T21:14:34.394-05:00I purchased this little gem at a bookshop in Chica...I purchased this little gem at a bookshop in Chicago's Fine Arts Building. I didn't imagine that anyone had ever read it other than me. Loved it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-59036225522138304932011-01-08T12:26:05.859-05:002011-01-08T12:26:05.859-05:00I read the book in an italian translation and lost...I read the book in an italian translation and lost most of the fun, though the translator did an excellent work. The pictures that illustrate the book are a real visual journey. Does anybody know who played as Morris Buchsbaum, the Hollywood producer who, malgré lui, married Belle? He is portrayed reading a newspaper barechested. Needles to say, I like him a lot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-85412217262236453772010-03-10T09:20:36.316-05:002010-03-10T09:20:36.316-05:00Patrick tried to repeat the success of "Littl...Patrick tried to repeat the success of "Little Me" with a identically constructed book a few years later entitled "First Lady: My Thirty Days Upstairs At The White House" wherein a similarly clueless and utterly self unaware "autobiographer" recounts her brief stint as America's First Lady before her husband is run out of office for having stolen the election. It's actually quite amusing, and only falls flat when compared to the truly gut splitting "Little Me". And, by the way, I think you will very much enjoy "Diary of a Provincial Lady". There were at least two follow ons, "Diary of a Provincial Lady In London" (not bad) and "Diary of a Provincial Lady In Russia" (skippable). While we're at it, try to get a copy of Molly Keane's "Time After Time". It's a hilariously told tale of a decaying upper class Anglo Irish family of eccentrics. Light a fire, curl up with Pompey and I dare you to try to put it down.magnushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09181183756484194127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-70984646995210181822010-02-24T05:58:42.240-05:002010-02-24T05:58:42.240-05:00Anon 3:28: I was aware of what became of Patrick D...Anon 3:28: I was aware of what became of Patrick Dennis, but to read about it in your comment made it quite vivid. Loved your story, redolent of "what might have happened" under different circumstances. Imagine having PD as one's major domo. Too bad he didn't write another book, as it would be interesting, to say the least. Thanks for your comment, please come back and visit from time to time.<br /><br />DED: Thank goodness it isn't possible to ban a book retroactively!<br /><br />Lynne Rutter: It is always a good idea to go to sleep laughing, I think.Reggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-85243977473070212232010-02-24T01:33:04.397-05:002010-02-24T01:33:04.397-05:00i adore that book and used to read it as a bedtime...i adore that book and used to read it as a bedtime story to my first husband. ((i know how that sounds but it's true.))Lynne Rutterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-29755846210493610372010-02-23T21:25:42.944-05:002010-02-23T21:25:42.944-05:00So, it's unanimous: Any number of we 'conf...So, it's unanimous: Any number of we 'confirmed bachelors' were influenced by Patrick Dennis, and "Little Me' in particular. Wait til the conservatives get hold of this and discover the real cause! A woman named Belle Poitine!The Down East Dilettantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13950254669198151850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-83942281062902539862010-02-23T15:28:22.523-05:002010-02-23T15:28:22.523-05:00A BRUSH WITH PATRICK DENNIS
When I was a teenager...A BRUSH WITH PATRICK DENNIS<br /><br />When I was a teenager in the 1970s Patrick Dennis was living clandestinely in the town where I grew up- Lake Forest Illinois. Apparently unbeknownst to all the grown-ups at the time the creator of Auntie Mame and Little Me was living in their midst as the majordomo for their friend Mrs. Clive Runnells. He had lost his fortune, fallen on very hard times and was then living in the Mary Runnells' coach house as a member of her staff. At that time I didn't know who Patrick Dennis was nor had I read Auntie Mame or Little Me. But now after being told the whole sad story I know exactly who he was and I met him!<br /> <br />I think it was the summer of 1970--I was dreamily riding my new Schwinn brown Collegiate 10 speed bicycle "no hands" (as I always did) in the middle of Mayflower Road past the Runnells' coach house (where I know he was living) on my way to the beach and PD spoke to me. He was standing just outside the coach house by the entrance to the drive smoking a cigarette, and as I passed him he said something like "Well hello Mr. Acrobat!". I didn't stop, I was much too scared, but kept going all the while looking back and smiling at him. He gave me back a smiling knowing smirk, pitched his cigarette and disappeared down the drive. <br /><br />Oddly, a few summers later, much wiser and more tuned into the affected world of glamour, style and men (by then having seen the movie Auntie Mame) I spent some time with a friend at a swimming pool (now made famous in much published Slim Aaron's picture) directly next door to the Runnells house and I distinctly remember hoping that I might see that man again but I never did.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-42160554390773075972010-02-22T23:58:48.382-05:002010-02-22T23:58:48.382-05:00Sister Darling: How delightful! I look forward to ...Sister Darling: How delightful! I look forward to reading it. Thank you for posting it.Reggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-80300413433453400452010-02-22T22:20:28.287-05:002010-02-22T22:20:28.287-05:00Reggie dear, I have "Diary of a Provincial La...Reggie dear, I have "Diary of a Provincial Lady" and will post it to you this weekend. No need to return it.<br /><br />SisterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-9101783630906245352010-02-22T18:45:57.887-05:002010-02-22T18:45:57.887-05:00Mr Worthington, Patrick Dennis has a lot to answer...Mr Worthington, Patrick Dennis has a lot to answer for. <br /><br />Also, Mr Darling, Lady Addle Remembers. Should give you a chortle or two!Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07652670896513329236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-72279505553029329612010-02-22T18:30:05.161-05:002010-02-22T18:30:05.161-05:00Arabella:
That would be "luncheoning" --...Arabella:<br />That would be "luncheoning" -- drat these clumsy fingersReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-64064531139162083432010-02-22T18:29:16.243-05:002010-02-22T18:29:16.243-05:00Arabella: Thank you for your comment, "Lunche...Arabella: Thank you for your comment, "Luncheonig with Roz" is a favorite of mine, too.<br /><br />Blue: I haven't, but now that you mention it I must look in to it, I am sure...Reggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-84516516765571742272010-02-22T14:03:17.942-05:002010-02-22T14:03:17.942-05:00Mr Darling,have you read E M Delafield's Diary...Mr Darling,have you read E M Delafield's Diary of a Provincial Lady?Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07652670896513329236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-12613001090136899422010-02-22T14:02:34.204-05:002010-02-22T14:02:34.204-05:00Not sure I ought to admit this publicly but Little...Not sure I ought to admit this publicly but Little Me was the first<br />Broadway show I ever saw (Music by Cy Coleman) and midway through the 1st act a wonderful dancer called Swen Swenson jumped on top of a table and undressed for the benefit of Belle Poitrine, whilst singing the<br />song I've Got Your Number. My adolescent self was shaken to the core, and it had something to do with an inkling, the merest suspicion, of becominga lifelong bachelor, as Blue so nicely phrased it.Toby Worthingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05887066048372484464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-61427868482069677872010-02-21T23:55:01.526-05:002010-02-21T23:55:01.526-05:00I found an old copy several years ago, anything Pa...I found an old copy several years ago, anything Patrick Dennis did is so funny and amazing. I love the photos of her daughter "baby dear" and the one of her "Luncheoning with Roz".Arabellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02116599322803890238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-69504080632110875012010-02-21T22:01:48.347-05:002010-02-21T22:01:48.347-05:00Blue: You are in for a treat! I hope you enjoy LM,...Blue: You are in for a treat! I hope you enjoy LM, as I am sure you will. Please let me know what you think of it...<br />ReggieReggie Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044215790585354363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-91364276363091339902010-02-21T20:18:19.779-05:002010-02-21T20:18:19.779-05:00Mr Darling, I ordered the book this evening on you...Mr Darling, I ordered the book this evening on your recommendation. I'm looking forward to reading it. I suspect it was Auntie Mame, the movie, that turned me .... ahem, into a lifelong bachelor.Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07652670896513329236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-34657413895591093832010-02-21T15:04:46.041-05:002010-02-21T15:04:46.041-05:00Oh my, I haven't read Little Me since I was mu...Oh my, I haven't read Little Me since I was much too young to catch most of the innuendo. Thanks for the reminder.<br /><br />SisterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044541580633294348.post-23116435943672181472010-02-21T13:57:22.669-05:002010-02-21T13:57:22.669-05:00When I was about 11, 'Little Me' showed up...When I was about 11, 'Little Me' showed up on the shelves of our local library (with a label pasted inside indicating that it had been donated by Samuel Taylor, the author of Sabrina, who lived nearby) The staid librarian's usual sense of decorum and appropriateness was short circuited by the donor's fame, thank goodness, and needless to say, it was a revelatory experience and influence to my young eyes. When the library discarded said copy at a book sale 20 years later, I was right there to catch it.The Down East Dilettantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13950254669198151850noreply@blogger.com