the person has all 3 of pleasure, engagement, and meaning. At this point in my life, I have a veritable surfeit of all three. In answer to the question, “Can one actually be happier in retirement or past 60?”, I can only speak for myself with a resounding, enthusiastic “Yes”.
(Fourth Estate, London: 1997; this contains more rare Wilde photos than any previous collection)
(Fourth Estate: 2004–a complete uncensored transcript of the trial with comments by Merlin; Merlin was the son of Vyvyan–the youngest Wilde son who advised on the film that follows.)
Finally released on widescreen, starring Peter Finch as a reasonable facsimile of Wilde, John Fraser as a believable Lord Alfred Douglas, James Mason as a sneaky prosecutor, and Nigel Patrick as the loyal defence lawyer. The movie advisors included Lord Cecil Douglas (son of Lord Alfred’s brother) and Vyvyan Holland (the younger son of Wilde). The main focus is on the trials in the second half of the film. the film sticks to the facts more than any other Wilde film.
Although I know the subject well, I found many previously unknown facts such as Wilde’s defence lawyer staying on for the three trials because he didn’t think it fair that the courts enthusiastically approved testimonies by corrupt, questionable young men. Wilde’s name was covered up on all posters advertising The Importance of Being Earnest which ran during the trials. The Marquis of Queensberry tormented Wilde after the trials as well, showing up at an auction of Wilde’s belongings.
The piece is well-acted by all and there are many famous Wilde quotations in the script throughout. Ironically, this film was released the same year as Oscar Wilde, starring Robert Morley as a strong Wilde with Ralph Richardson and John Neville, who was later the first significant director at the Citadel Theatre.
(Don’s incredible mixed media collage, inspired by William Carlos Williams’ “The Red Wheelbarrow”, which hangs in our front hall. In my daughter’s front hall is another mixed media collage based on E.E. Cummings’ poem “In just springtime”. We bought these in the early ’90s when Don was featured in a show at an 124 St. gallery.)
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Don Pimm of Edmonton, who was the closest person to a “man for all seasons” I’ve ever personally known, passed away Friday. His obituary appeared in the Journal today. Don taught English, was a dept. head, supervised the arts program at the old Vic Comp, was a fine artist, loved music and attended concerts in Europe, was involved with the local theatre scene, taught at Concordia, etc. He was a true gentleman and a genuine nice guy. The best of Old School–sadly for this impoverished modern world, we’ll not see his like again. More on him by me in the online obit
I was watching the Frame channel on cable, which was featuring Elk Island National Park and the bison there, in particular. Thought of how many women would respond to the young bison in an instinctive, automatic oxytocin way: “Aw, cute”.
Conversely, how many males would respond and have historically responded to the distinctive horns and hides, thinking “I’d sure like one of those”, imagining a wasteful trophy killing. No wonder buffalo were shot from 1800s trains, an easy-pickens practice that nearly decimated the once-great herds.
(You can see this killing instinct in young boys from bugs to small animals. An often instinctive urge to kill–something that has made it possible for millions of men to kill others in wars and, globally, throughout history. In this irrational urge to destroy, too, can be glimpsed man’s violence toward women.)
Two basic, recurring, timeless, genetically-programmed, gender responses: “Aw, cute” and “Kill it.” Explains a lot, I thought.
This is a different movie about the war that was a prelude for WWII and is essential viewing on ‘the people’s army’/Republican side. George Eastman House has released a nice b & w print just screened on TCM. The movie was directed by Joris Ivens, text was simply and effectively written by Ernest Hemingway who was a correspondent in Spain at the time, and was narrated empathically by the equally-legendary Orson Welles.
Basically, the movie is made of images of war and the people involved supported by choral and tinny instrumental music with sound effects and some speeches by prominent Republican fighters added. About half of the movie shows the farming town of Valencia irrigating their valley to supply food for the people’s army and Madrid as well showing their men training for and returning from battle. The other half shows life in Madrid at the time complete with dead citizens and downed dead Fascist soldiers on the streets and in shops. There are also scenes of evacuation, long food-lines, and besieged citizens trying to make sense of the war that has come to their city. Throughout, the tone and agenda is pro-Spanish ordinary folk.
If you know nothing of this war or want to know how the Republicans viewed their cause, this is the nonfiction film to watch; it gives many insights into the conflicts and rationales of the Republicans, and shows the many typical sides of civil war. Highly recommended.
‘SK’ oranges from the States
Classic line by Basil Fawlty (John Cleese) to the annoyingly ‘deaf’ Mrs. Richards on Fawlty Towers, spoken as he picks up something from the floor.
A desk calendar of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Every few days a new chapter. Relatively pleasurable way to read a classic and savour at the same time. Wonder what next year’s calendar would be. Probably another Austen, I’d predict.
Each passing and close friend’s or family member’s life-story helps give purpose and direction for the living/survivors.
Nothing new for me, but a confirmation, no less, that what life is or should be mainly about is Fun, Play, Pleasure, and the expressiveness of one’s own Inner Child.
Ron (see 2 entries earlier) enjoyed life and focused on having fun, even in his job. He loved to play and music was his chief pleasure–the medium and context in which he mostly lived freely and happily. His passion for the 60s UK groups and anything to do with him fueled his collection, leisure time, and travels. This was his great Inner Child realization of his spirit. In his fun activities with his last family, eating a big container of butter popcorn with his kids and grandkids at the movies would be a perfect example of how his Inner Childness was expressed into his later years.
No, you can’t go wrong anytime in your life with Fun, Play, Pleasure, and the expression of one’s Innermost Child, even in a relatively brief, but rich, full life like Ron’s (60)
“MORAL”: The above is one of the great Truths of Life which often escapes the materialistic, money-obsessed, work-obsessed minds, and terribly serious-minded people who take themselves and others way too seriously. They are as boring as most accountants and bean-counters alike everywhere. And, no, Life is not just about owning the latest iPhone, SUV, biggest house, latest e-gadgets, going on cruises, travelling out of the country, and being terrified to spend money on yourself or others. (e.g., “Does this cost anything?” “Oh, that’s too much!”–2 of the deadliest phrases in the English language)
