I'm Mortal Impact

Leaving a legacy is no small performance for those who once lived. I only when I got to university, read the L. Frank Baum novel, and saw the play, did I fully understand the nuance, metaphor, milieu and true marvel of The Wizard of Oz. As a child, not even Dorothy's sparkling ruby red kicks nor her lush vocal chops could hold my attention.

Safe in my metropolitan 'Kansas', I was not searching for a wizard. Nor did I require an escape from my place in this world. There was no place like my home. Full of glory and excitement, having two loving parents, tons of sisters and brothers, a house of love falling upon me each day, and occasionally a family pooch to keep me moving gaily forward.

Today, I learned Jerry Maren, the last surviving munchkin from The Wizard of Oz passed away. Maren will surely ease on down the road and find Hollywood immortality and beyond. On screen, he represented the Lollipop Guild and famously gifted Dorothy (Judy Garland) the large, red and white swirled lollipop just before she and her pup, Toto, headed onto the yellow brick road to self-discovery before encountering the Wizard.

Released in the cinematic landmark year of 1939 by MGM, The Wizard of Oz won two Oscars, both for music, Original Song and Original Score and remains a favorite all across the globe.

There remains and shall always be, that and those, never to be clicked away.

Mildred Pierce - The Original

As HBO's mini-series of the same title begins to air, it's only appropriate to recognize the original 1945 Warner Brothers Studio classic Mildred Pierce, starring one of Hollywood's all time greats, Miss Joan Crawford. Mildred Pierce brought Crawford her only Oscar, resuscitated her career, solidified her as an actress and legend of Hollywood's Golden Age.

Mildred Pierce is about so many things. The endless American desire to possess things. The human quest to achieve. The need to survive. The want of living the good life. The challenges of parenting. The complexities of social class. And how greed is so deeply rooted and intertwined within.

Mildred Pierce (Joan Crawford) is a strong willed housewife who leaves her husband after his infidelity finding herself without a real career with two young children to provide for, including an avaricious teenager daughter, Veda played brilliantly evil by Ann Blyth. Mildred goes on to become a very successful, rich and hardworking restauranteur providing her Veda with all she can, but this is never good enough for Veda and others.

Although Mildred builds a successful business, she would never have the pedigree that Americans are also seemingly obsessed with, although the nation fought to separate itself from the monarchy and ideals of European aristocracy. This bring me to the wardrobe, a sort of glamorous coats and armor that wealth can provide even without the heritage. The furs, the hats, the clutches, the heels, the sartorial women's suitings, dazzling gowns and slinky dresses are mere draping.

In the end, we learn being a good stern mother is a very challenging position, especially for a single woman in black & white or color no matter what the income bracket and Mildred Pierce crossed all American classes and dreams.

See the original - Mildred Pierce.