Happy 70th Birthday, Cher, from Buddy B!

"Stars never die, they just fade away." Pop singer/ superstar Cher certainly refuted that adage by her sheer longevity.

It's been said that after an atomic blast, there'd be nothing left but roaches and Cher. Such is her legend as a survivor.

Today, May 20th, 2016, Cher -- a fellow Taurus -- turns 70. What a wonderful milestone for a timeless icon.

Cher started in show business as half of Sonny and Cher. She was a shy teen at the time but somewhere that all changed.

It was when Cher was appearing on the tv variety series, The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour. Cher was sick of her husband's overly controlling behavior and decided to take her career and her life back into her own control.

Cher has won an Oscar,, a Grammy, an Emmy among other prestigious awards.

She has a transgender son, Chaz, and has long been a big supporter of the LGBT community throughout the world.

They say black don't crack. Neither does white -- if you can afford all the work Cher's had done to her face over the years.

Some people think Cher is a vocal lightweight but she is not I assure you, after seeing her many times live in concert. Her voice is strong, throaty but powerful.

Like Joan Crawford, Cher's incredible career spanning six decades has depended upon her reinventing and adapting of her image for the public.

Happy 70th birthday, Cheilyn Sarkisian!

Video Beaverhausen: Diana Ross in Lady Sings the Blues

I remember going to see Lady Sings the Blues when it just opened at theaters. I was attending University of Colorado in 1972 when my friend, Lynne, and I went to a theater on the edge of town. I remember it was windy and the tumbleweed was sweeping all over the ground that night, making our walk to the movies cumbersome at best.

I also recall Diana Ross giving a powerful, star-worthy performance she received an Academy Award nomination for her tour-de-force acting.

Lady Sings the Blues is very old-school Hollywood biopic. It was even upon its release. And that's what everyone loved about it. It was a box-office smash. It was also critically praised, generally,

This was Miss Ross' first and best screen acting job. She shimmered like a legendary superstar. Unfortunately, after her debut on the silver screen, the quality of the films she did suffered.

Lady Sings the Blues is the sugar-coated true story of Billie Holiday. The drug and rehab scenes, however, are harrowing and haunting. Lady Day's life was much more troubled. Also, I'm not sure the film makes clear what a huge success Holiday was in her time.

The movie was directed by Sidney J, Furie. Hunky Billie Dee Williams plays Diana's love interest (a fictional character since Holiday was basically a lesbian), and Richard Pryor is wonderful as the character only known as Piano Man, a tragi-comic part.

The film was a real breakthrough for black talent.

Still, this is a wonderful film to curl up with on video. The best-selling soundtrack is still available as well. Music orchestrated by Michel Legrand. Co-produced by Berry Gordy. A Paramount release.

Kiki & Herb Seeking Asylum at Joe's Pub

Kiki & Herb returned to Joe's Pub this week, so I went with a friend to celebrate my birthday, just two days afterwards. As par usual, they were side-splittingly funny and very entertaining generally.

Kiki & Herb: Seeking Asylum is a wonderful addiion to their body of work. Over the years, they've lost none of their edge. In fact, they've gotten edgier.

Justin Vivian Bond is Kiki and Kenny Mellman is her pianist and comic straight man Herb. They work  well together, very well indeed.

Kiki & Herb have released a few albums though there's nothing like seeing them live. They've toured in the USA and in Europe.

I first caught their act, Kiki & Herb Will Die for You, at Carnegie Hall many years ago and immediately became a fan. However, there is nothing better than seeing them in the relative intimacy of a club like Joe's Pub in the East Village. What a great way to celebrate my birthday! Welcome back, Kiki & Herb!

Buddy Beaverhausen's Random Thoughts: Donovan Turns 70

Donovan turns 70 today! He is, of course, the iconic '60s pop-folk singer who sang of love, peace, happiness and his wardrobe.

Donovan's songs are eternal/. I have long enjoyed his lovely pop tunes and still give them a listen now and then. They gently transport me back in time.

Born Donovan Phillips Leitch, he was a major star. Radio, concert performances, tv.

It's difficult for me to grasp how old my idols are getting, as well as I.

Here's a song I love that was used in an old GAP ad:



This was probably Donovan's greatest hit:



Happy birthday to my fellow Taurus, born just three days ahead of me, though not in the same year. I've always shared a special affinity with the Scots singer and now I know why!

Video Beaverhausen: F/X Channel to Present Feud with Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon

This is perfect news arriving, as it does, just days before the anniversary of Joan Crawford's death.

Thanks to producer Brad Pitt bringing this property to the F/X cable channel, this tele-film is expected to come to us later this year.

Susan Sarandon will play Bette because she has Bette Davis eyes and Jessica Lange (hot off American Horror Story) will portray Joan. The mini-series will be a behind-the-scenes expose of the feud between the two stars on and off the set of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane in 1961.

Inspired by the Henry Farrell novella, this is anticipated to be powerhouse tv entertainment. This is turning into a divine year for the entertainment, entertainment industry and cable.

Pitt is producer and put his considerable muscle behind this effort. Stanley Tucci, Alfred Molina and  Judy Davis among others.

This has the potential to blow the roof off the house. Not to be missed. Alert to the film's legion of gay fans.

Video Beaverhausen: Joan Crawford as Sadie Thompson in Rain

What do you do on a rainy day at home, with rain predicted all week, but watch Joan Crawford in Rain and be grateful that you're not stuck in Pago Pago during rainy season.

There's a monsoon going on reflecting all the turmoil going on inside the characters and their enacted drama.

While Crawford was always critical of her performance in this 1932 film, it has stood the test of time beautifully. It's an early talkie but there are remastered videos available.

Rain is a pre-code melodrama based on a Broadway play that was, in turn, adapted from a W. Somerset Maugham story.

The film is still relevant with its tale of false Christian values and religious hypocrisy. Walter Huston plays a missionary who moves to Pago Pago with his wife. He meets Sadie and hopes to reform her. And seduce her.

Sadie, you see, is what's politely referred to as a "good time girl." She likes the sailors -- and they like her

Joan, who started her career in silents, knew all her life how to make great use of her eyes and lips to steal scenes. She consistently put that technique to good use.

This is a marvelous movie classic that's not to be missed.

Video Beaverhausen: Joan Crawford Gets Axe Happy in Strait-Jacket!

The poster at right hangs in my living room. I love this William Castle suspense/ horror flick from 1964.

Strait-Jacket is the movie that Joan Crawford made after being fired from Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte. People tell me they think nothing's scarier than Joan yielding a large axe.

Crawford portrays Lucy Harbin, a woman who comes home one night, finds her hubby in bed with another woman, stumbles upon an axe and impulsively hacks them into pieces.

She is put away in a mental asylum and returns decades later to society, only to be haunted by her past. The story was written by Robert Bloch, the author of Psycho.

Diane Baker plays Joan's daughter. Joan liked Diane; they bonded after performing together in the 1959 soaper The Best of Everything.

Baker went on to co-star with Crawford in this film and, later, the tv-movie Della.

Strait-Jacket is good for thrills and chilla and maybe a few laughs. A must-see.

Video Beaverhausen: Cloris Leachman Is Crazy Mama

Just before she appeared as Phyllis on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Cloris Leachman starred in this Roger Corman produced film directed by a young Jonathan Demme (Married to the Mob, Silence of the Lambs).

Sure, it was a long fall from her Oscar-winning dramatic performance in The Last Picture Show but a girl needs to work.

In any event, this is a fun frolic for the star. Stuart Whitman is in this film as is Linda Purl, Ann Sothern, Jim Backus and Sally Kirkland. It's a great cast.

While based on the factual story of Ma Barker, whose gang robbed banks during the Great Depression, Dirty Mama is set in the affluent 1950s. It has plenty of kitschy 1950s atmosphere and a great 1950s soundtrack.

This made for very entertaining, campy viewing last night. I recommend this film, now on video. It's a whole lot of pistol-packin' fun!

R.I.P., PRINCE!

Party over, oops, out of time! Ironically, today brought us the 90th birthday of a queen and the death of a Prince.

Another star has left to the house this year.

Prince Rogers Nelson was born in 1958. He was only 57 when he died.

I have such happy memories of his music, especially driving around in my little red Honda listening to "Little Red Corvette" and dancing to "Party Like It's 1999" at a house party. It was 1982, so this sounded very cutting edge at the time.

With his pompadoured hair and flair on-stage, he seemed inspired by Little Richard.

Prince apparently died of flu-like symptoms in his Paisley Park home and music studio.. I suspect more details will be forthcoming.

RIP, Prince.

Remembering Elizabeth Montgomery on Her Birthday

Actress Elizabeth Montgomery would have been 83 today had she not left us in 1995 due to rectal cancer. She co-starred in several high-profile studio feature films including The Court Martial of Billy Mitchell, Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed, as well as guest starring on many top tv series of the '60s. She is the daughter of actor Robert Montgomery.

Of course, she is best known and loved for her starring role on the hit tv series Bewitched. The sitcom ran for eight years from 1964 - 1972. It was ABC-tv's biggest hit at the time. It seems to have been loosely inspired by the 1942 film classic, I Married a Witch starring Veronica Lake and Fredric March.

The show had an impressive line-up of co-stars and recurring guest roles, first and foremost Agnes Moorehead as Samantha's mischievous mother, Endora.

Paul Lynde, Marion Lorne, Maurice Evans among others popped up on the show from time to time. There were two Darrens (Dick York, then Richard Sargent)  and two Gladys Kravitzes (Aice Pearce and, after her death, Sandra Gould).

My whole family enjoyed tuning into Bewitched every week almost without fail.

After Bewitched, Elizabeth made some great tv-filmms, especially The Legend of Lizzie Bordon and A Case of Rape.

Montgomery was also a tireless political advocate. A liberal Democrat, she was a great friend of the gay community with her work championing equal rights for the LGBT community and being an early AIDS activist. In fact, she and 2nd Darren, the openly gay Dick Sargent, were grand marshals at the L.A. gay pride parade.

Happy birthday in Heaven, Elizabeth Montgomery!

Audio Beaverhausen: Ronnie Spector's English Heart

Ronnie Spector returns with her first new album in years. Its title is English Heart and it displays Ronnie's affinity with the British people and theirs with her.

The album has its hits and misses. It wallows in its conceit as well as in occasional self-pity but fails to ever congeal into a satisfactory whole.

The album's 11 tracks have different producers and arrangers for one thing,  Although it opens with a cover of Lulu's "Oh Me, Oh My, I'm a Fool for You, Baby," a soft ballad that Ronnie does beautifully, many of the productions seem too spare to suit her voice.

Ronnie, still sounding sultry, a mixture of toughness and vulnerability, suits most songs on this album of covers very well. "I'd Much Rather Be with the Girls," a song by The Rolling Stones, is a stand-out. It was written by Spector's long-time pal and Connecticut neighbor, Keith Richards.

While past producers would usually harken back, imitating Phil Spector's Wall of Sound, the 11 producers of English Heart scrupulously avoid it. The problem is that the tension between Ronnie's voice and the music brings out the best in her. Still, almost undiminished by age (Ronnie is now 72), she's in fine form vocally on this new effort.

For that reason alone, give it a listen!

Rubbing Elbows. Brushes with Celebrities and How I Became Buddy Beaverhausen, Celebrity Blogger: a Memoir (chapter 2 preview)

I always say I never met a diva I didn't like in my club-going and blogging experience. But I make a single exception. And that privilege belongs to Esther Phillips.

She started her career as Baby Esther in 1950. In fact, she did have a rather Baby Jane air about her, believing everyone remembered her past glory. We did not.

It was 1975 and I was working at The Bottom Line as a host (seating people). I had just moved to New York City and I lived near the iconic club in those days.

In '75, there was buzz amongst the managers and co-workers that Esther had a drug problem due to her tech rehearsals. She seemed itchy, twitchy and bitchy! And not at all comfortable in her own skin.

She was verbally abusive to the staff, management and to me personally. It was my job then to help set up tables before the performance. She pointed at me and yelled, "You there! Stop moving around, you're distracting me!" My manager, Alan Pepper was present and stood up in my defense ~ literally and figuratively..

"He's doing his job! You do yours," is what Alan said to her. Great guy!

Esther went on that night like a pro and belted out her disco cover of the Dinah Washington classic that everybody wanted to hear then.

So, here we have her: the one and only celebrity or diva I met whom didn't like.

Esther Phillips died less than a decade later of liver failure due to drug abuse. She was only 55.

RIP, Esther. What a sad end. You're through with this world and we're through with you.

Buddy Beaverhausen's Random Thoughts on the Passing of Tom Jones' Wife

It was confirmed today that Tom Jones' wife left this mortal coil today.

She died of cancer. The couple had been married since 1957! It was an intense, mostly happy marriage, though it's been largely mentioned in the press that his spouse, Linda, sometimes beat him because of his philandering and his affair with long-time Mary Wilson of The Supremes. Elvira (CassandraPeterson) says Mr Jones is the man who popped her cherry! Lucky Lady!

Still, it's a sad end to a long-time companion. Another celebrity gone too soon this year.

Tom has, of course, cancelled his concert tour for now. That irrepressible hunk o' burnin' love is in mourning, and we wish him well.

A Tom Jones musical just opened in the UK. I wonder how this development will affect that production.

The couple had one soon together.

RIP,  Melinda Rose/ Lady Woodward.

Underwear anyone?

Buddy Beaverhausen's Random Thoughts: Greg Louganis' Breakfast of Champions

Buddy Beaverhausen congratulates Greg Louganis on being the first openly gay man to grace the breakfast of champions Wheaties box.

Greg was tested as HIV positive after diving and hitting his head on the board when he became dizzy. He is still, to this day, a great Olympian hero and award-winning athlete.

I always thought Louganis was a hottie. Of Samoan and Swedish descent, it's a fine mix. He can call me any time! What a hunk of steamin' love he must be, and only 4 inches taller than I am.

Greg is an LGBT rights activist and a professional sports trainer and coach. Last year, he carried the torch at the Olympics games.

Wheaties, the "Breakfast of Champions," prominently features great athletes on its boxes. But Louganis has broken new ground after his coming out. I intend to buy a few for my breakfasts now. Please, won't you join me and salute this athletic and political hero in his groundbreaking victory!

Happy Birthday, Bette Davis!

Bette Davis would be 108 years old today had she lived. In fact, she died in 1981, outliving her famed rival Joan Crawford by four years, after suffering a stroke that left her ~ in her final years ~ looking a bit like Vincent Price in House of Wax.

But she was never really known, especially, for her beauty but for her fiery talent.

Often impersonated, she seemed to never be without a cigarette, on-screen or off.



My friend Tracey's late husband Tom told me that, when he was growing up in Westport CT, he was friends with her children and she would bring the kids milk and cookies. She was a good mom by all accounts, except for her daughter BD Sherry Hyman who, in her 1985 book My Mother's Keeper hoped to have written the next Mommie Dearest. Bette had, at that point, just had her massive stroke and the born-again BD wrote about ma's smoking, drinking and cussing. The public didn't buy it, the bio flopped, the tell-all told nothing and Bette recovered and replied, starting her open letter to her daughter with "Dear Hyman...." then immediately cut her daughter from her will.

But Bette will always be known for her classic roles in Hollywood classics and her line deliveries. "I'd love to kiss ya, but I just washed my hair." "But cha are in that chair, Blanche, ya are!"

When Bette co-starred with Lillian Gish as sisters in The Whales of August, an interviewer commented that Gish looked great in her close-ups,  "She should," Davis snapped, "She goddamned invented them!" As for Miss Lillian, she was frail herself and was frightened that, when Bette latched onto her, she'd pull her down into the sand dunes.

So, have a happy birthday, fiery lady until the very end!

Video Beaverhausen: The Boyfriend starring Twiggy, Glenda Jackson & Tommy Tune

Ken Russell, director of such films as Women in Love, The Music Lovers and The Devils showed his lighter touch in the 1971 British film musical, The Boy Friend.

This is a Technicolor extravaganza with a campy, over-the-top Busby Berkley panache. I never knew before seeing this film that Twiggy could sing and dance, I previously believed she could only strike a pose and give good face.

The dance numbers trip the light fantastic, especially when none other than Tommy Tune shows up to dance with our ingenue, Miss Twiggy!

Russell's muse, Glenda Jackson appears, uncredited, in a small but memorable role in this film. When I originally saw this with a friend in Boulder, Colorado (where I went to college), we found this a giddy delight.

See The Boy Friend! Twiggy and actor Christopher Gable make a charming pair. With this under his belt, Russell went on to direct Tommy. Suggested viewing.

Video Beaverhausen Goes on a Holiday with Pee-wee Herman

Pee-wee Herman returns in Netflix's Pee-wee's Big Holiday.

Incredibly, it's been 32 years since Pee-wee's Big Adventure hit the big screens and became an international hit. I guess you could say Pee-wee's "got legs," though his cross-country trek across America in this tele-film has him traveling via various modes of transportation.

Although Big Adventure opened to tepid-to-mixed reviews, I knew, back in '85, that it was a future classic.

The big news is that Pee-wee seems to have found himself a boyfriend in the big, hunky Joe Manganiello (Magic Mike, Magic Mike XXL), playing himself. The scenes of them together are priceless. Pee-wee (Paul Ruebens) looks so puny in comparison to his hulking 6'6" co-star.  Manganiello could be the leader of my pack any time!

Ruebens appears almost ageless in this movie that will be released theatrically overseas. Should be a big treat for kids and for gay audiences especially.

The supporting cast is wonderful. Loads of great character performances in this feature, which is smartly designed and produced.

I only wish it didn't have to end. Oh, well, I can always watch it again... and again... and again! Viva el Pee-wee!

Random Thoughts: Jim Nabors Gets Married!

Well, go-olly! Jim Nabors got married to a man he's been involved with for over 38 years!

At 82, he joins Barry Manilow as gay men who come out and marry late in life.

Better late than never I say. I guess there's a glimmer of hope for me.

Nabors was a star on the old Andy Griffin show and then went on to star in its spin-off, Gomer Pyle USMC.

Congratulations on tying the knot, guys. Lots of love from Buddy B and my readers!

Buddy Beaverhausen's Random Thoughts: Policeman Files Sexual Assault Suit Against Elton John

Say what?! When I first read the news articles, I thought: That's odd, a suspect patting down an officer.  It takes a lot of Philadelphia Freedom to say the least.

Turns out the officer in question, Jeffrey Wenninger, is a former bodyguard of Sir Elton's who claims he was sexually assaulted and  touched in an "unwelcome manner." I never realized Elton was such a big, strong guy that he could force himself on a bodyguard this way.

Elton's lawyer is, of course, calling the charges "baseless" and a waste of the court's time. Basically, it boils down to a shakedown operation.

The suit focuses on three specific incidents between March and April 2014, all on their way to or from the airport there. I'm trying to imagine how it's possible, as the passenger, to sexually assault your driver. Though it has been of fantasy of mine with a few hunky drivers I've had out to LaGuardia. Maybe Elton can give me some tips. Then again, maybe not.

I think it odd that Wenninger waited three years to place this lawsuit and I must say he appears pretty chipper with Elton in the photo at left, prominently sporting a big basket as John makes an unfortunate appearance in an Adidas sports outfit. Think I might file a lawsuit with the fashion police.

Remembering Patty Duke

Unfortunately, another celebrity has left us early this year. Patty Duke, born in Queens, NYC, died today after suffering from a ruptured intestine. So many things to look out for as we grow older.

Ms Duke detailed her struggle with bipolar disorder in two autobiographies, Call Me Anna and Brilliant Madness.

Patty was only 69.

Fans best remember Ms Duke as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker opposite Ann Bancroft. Patty played deaf, dumb and blind with great zest. The show was a hit on Broadway from 1959-62. It then became a hit movie that immortalized her immediately. Being bipolar may be a drawback in real life but it can sure feed into a fabulous performance, looks like.

The Patty Duke Show was a hit ABC tv series from 1963-66. Designed by hit producer Sidney Sheldon for its star, it unintentionally externalized her schizophrenia by having Patty play identical cousins (an improbable likelihood). It was set in Brooklyn Heights. Growing up in Paterson, Nj, only 25 miles away, I thought it sounded like the most exotic place in the USA and I wanted to move there.



"A hot dog makes her lose control." Me too!

Duke did a lot of admirable work in the movies and on tv.  But she became a camp icon when she assayed the role of Neely O'Hara in the 1967 film Valley of the Dolls, her first role as an adult actress.



Rest in peace, Patty. We love and miss you!

"Mel? God? It's me! NEELY O'HARA!!!