51 YEARS AGO TODAY...

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September 30, 1955

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Highway 41 at Highway 466 Cholame, California Today

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James Dean 1931-1955

EAST OF EDEN!

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Before I was born, (to hear my Mother tell it) the death of Buddy Holly, the "Big Bopper" (J.P. Richardson of "Chantilly Lace" fame) and Richie Valens ("La Bamba") in a February, 1959 airplane crash in Clear Lake, Iowa sent shock waves throughout America and, indeed, the globe! People of that generation can recall exactly where they were "the day the music died", as Singer/Songwriter Don McClean so beautifully captured within the lyrics of his hit song "American Pie". Books I've read suggest that people really and truly felt that this particular tragedy would spell the end for "Rock and Roll". Dick Clark's comments in various books on "Rock and Roll" are most insightful. But four years earlier, American youth became heavily involved in the painful process of grasping for some relevance amid untold feelings of alienation. "Beat Writers" like Alan Ginsburg and Jack Kerouac became a "voice in the wilderness" for an impassioned, albeit, repressed youth that defined the 1950's. So, the shocking death of idol James Dean in a late afternoon automobile collision on a California highway shook American culture in a devastating way. While GIANT would be released posthumously, EAST OF EDEN was a film that brought Dean tremendous pride! James Dean's role was a stretch, reminiscent of what one of my ex-acting teachers, Lisa, hammered away at---interrupting acting scenes in a Columbus, Ohio classroom with the question: "What are you fighting for? What is it that you want? [" Well, truth be told, I knew what I wanted back then: A word to the wise for the men in the BLOG audience; NEVER fall for a girl who is one of your acting teachers! ]--Yeah I know, go ahead and laugh..."Bwhahahaaa!" Or at the very least try re-reading this and not cracking so much as a smile. And yes, I can hear you laughing even in Cincinnati! "Caveat Emptor", guys. You'll learn. Boy I did!. But I digress...

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The Scoop: During World War I, Cal Trask's agony involves a deeply ingrained feeling that he internalizes. He feels that he must compete with his brother Aron for the love of their father Adam. Cal is stonewalled at every turn, from his reaction to the war, to how to get ahead in business and moreover how to make some sort of sense of his life. As if he needs more turmoil, Cal has the tremendous burden of attempting to relate to his estranged mother. In this author's view, "East of Eden" is more, much more than a current-day version of The Biblical story of Abel and Caine. Raymond Massey had his difficulties with Dean's maverick "Method Acting". They were two entirely different actors from different generations. This film in many ways eclipses "Giant" in the depth of character development that Dean was forced to dig down deep and unearth with his own tortured past. This "Method Actor" achieved a wonderful performance as a honor to his craft. In fact, it is well documented that Dean would dress shabbily and attend a New York Theater premier and stand outside with a hat and sunglasses on as a disguise along with director Elia Kazan just to overhear the comments of patrons exiting the theater. So, taken back was Dean that in a rare moment of contentment he stated to Kazan under his breath, "We did it! We DID it!!" On September 30th, 2006--51 years will have passed since the young actor, who lived life on the edge died in a senseless highway collision. With only three films to his credit, dead at 24, James Dean to this day is studied closely by serious acting students and lovers of film alike. By the end of this film, you will see why. "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" salutes a great Actor, a Maverick, a Pioneer, a complex man who was still coming to terms with his own identity within a life that ended all too soon. Here are the players:

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Cast: Directed by: Elia Kazan; Writing credits: John Steinbeck, (novel); Paul Osborn: (screenplay); Julie Harris....Abra; James Dean....Cal Trask; Raymond Massey....Adam Trask; Burl Ives....Sam the Sheriff; Richard Davalos....Aron Trask; Jo Van Fleet....Kate; Albert Dekker....Will Hamilton; Lois Smith....Anne; Harold Gordon....Gustav Albrecht; Nick Dennis....Rantani; and an interesting note: Carolyn Jones....(uncredited); Carnival Townsman (uncredited); Produced by: Elia Kazan; Original Music by: Leonard Rosenman; Cinematography by: Ted D. McCord; Film Editing by: Owen Marks; Art Direction by: James Basevi.

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Awards: WINNER: 1956 Academy Awards: Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Jo Van Fleet; NOMINATED: Best Actor in a Leading Role (Posthumously) : James Dean (This was the first posthumous acting nomination in Academy Awards history). Best Director: Elia Kazan; Best Writing, Screenplay: Paul Osborn. Golden Globes, USA: WINNER: Best Motion Picture - Drama.

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Enough said:

ENJOY!

CITIZEN KANE!

It was inevitable and now here we are together for a film I could no longer avoid and whose timing here on "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" is so appropriate. If you are here for the first time, "Welcome!" Each Thursday, at Midnight I post a Movie that has been planned for more than a year in advance. For example, our 2007 season is already planned out. This feature is a source of genuine joy for me and I spend a great deal of time researching a wide variety of films from "The Golden Age", to Opera, Rock Concerts, Drama, Comedy and so much more. From the sublime to the ridiculous, FMSN began as a small feature. Then to my astonishment, a couple from England and another from Australia asked me if I could post on Thursday nights. This request, I later learned was driven by the subscriptions so many have to "NetFlix", while others yet simply needed a little extra time to visit a video store to rent (or better yet if available, visit a Library where VHS and of late, more and more DVD's are becoming available for FREE on loan). In either event, it's nice to present this next masterpeice. Stay tuned! You won't believe our wind-down of 2006! And a robust 2007 will take us to new heights!!

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Considered by millions the world-over to be "the best film ever made" by a brash 24-year old named Orson Welles, this movie was also very controversial. William Randolph Hearst (yes that would be Patty Hearst's Grandfather) legally fought to stop Welles from making what he had been told by hired "informers" would reveal his "virtual-biography" regarding how Hearst made his fortune in the media and influenced endless political pursuits. This is a bit of a stretch but imagine Donald Trump in 1941: ("Nice newspaper. Wanna sell it?") Hearst and the fictional Charles Foster Kane both constitute one of the most controversial multimillionaire sagas ever. The film, Co-Written by Welles and Herman Mankiewitz, uses what was at the time, truly revolutionary camera angles with sensibilities never before dared by traditional moguls of the film industry. Today, of course we have all of this and much more from present-era filmmakers such as George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Peter Bogdonovich (a real-life friend of Welles) and others too numerous to mention. From the ominous opening with a long-shot of "Xanadu"--the private estate (that may have well been the "Hearst Castle") of one of the world's richest men, we are privy to a dying man intensely examining a crystal ball that contains a Winter Season scene. As Kane drops the glass piece and it shatters onto the floor his final uttered word, "Rosebud" leads newspaper writers scrambling to figure out the meaning of his final word.

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From this scene, Welles, "works backwards" telling the story of the tycoon in a series of ingenious "flashbacks" with reporters tracking down people who were employed by Kane, lived with Kane and competed with Kane. Much is revealed and the rest...well, I refuse to ruin it for you!

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If you go back and read my previous BLOG post and also re-read the testimonial of the late Ingrid Bergman ("Casablanca") about Orson at the American Film Institute's coveted "Life Achievement Award" (and the brilliant speech that followed), you will have a fuller sense of how this wonderful Actor, Producer, Director, Choreographer, Set Designer, Casting Director, Writer, Film Editor and true "Renaissance Man" was unfairly trapped by the enormous success of this--his first film! He was perhaps too much of a Maverick much as Juan Trippe, the founder of Pan American World Airways had been as the amazing genius he was (for the Washington bi-partisan establishment). But this aspect is for you to glean from Barbara Leaming's excellent biography. There are others by protege Henry Jaglom and the aforementioned effort by Peter Bogdonovich, both interesting present-day men!

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Cast: Directed by Orson Welles; Writing credits Herman J. Mankiewicz (screenplay) and Orson Welles (screenplay); Joseph Cotten: ....Jedediah Leland; Dorothy Comingore: ....Susan Alexander Kane; Agnes Moorehead: ....Mary Kane; Ruth Warrick .... Emily Monroe Norton Kane; Ray Collins....James W. Gettys.

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ENJOY!

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"Friday Movie Suggestion Night" wishes to acknowledge the passing of Oscar-Winning filmmaker Sven Nykvist, who worked alongside director Ingmar Bergman. Sven won Academy Awards for Cinematography for Bergman's "Cries and Whispers" in 1973 and "Fanny and Alexander" in 1982. Though best known for his work as a collaborator with Bergman, Sven's long resume includes: "Sleepless in Seattle", "Pretty Baby", and projects with Woody Allen ("Crimes and Misdemeanors") and fellow Swede Lasse Hallstrom ("What's Eating Gilbert Grape?").

SOMEONE TO LOVE!

The Final Movie Appearance of Orson Welles

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I am taking a big risk by posting this movie for "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" owing to some demanding circumstances that have led to an announcement tomorrow. This announcement of mine reminded me of some commentary Orson Welles makes while he is seated in The Mayfair Music Hall in Santa Monica, California. The Hall is now torn down. But just prior to the demolition, the brilliant and unconventional director, Henry Jaglom, a close friend of Orson's created this unique film that turned out to be the final screen performance of Orson Welles.

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Jaglom's excellent method of actor improvisation results in a moving tour de force of romantic sensibility. The Plot: A gathering of single entertainment types meets by Jaglom's invitation at the theater on Valentine's Day. They share perceptions of relationship success and failure as the director's powerful sense of angst rises to the surface. It plays out and we are aware that he is tortured about something. He is using the camera as his investigative companion. Actress Sally Kellerman's performance explores most deeply of all present, her self-awareness of vulnerability and emotional need. Then there's Andrea Marcovicci, who plays a part as Jaglom's current love, and who sings beautifully too. Jaglom, like his mentor, Welles is remarkable in his determination to create genuinely independent cinema and SOMEONE TO LOVE is beautiful celebration of the art form. What I hope you will watch and listen for is the short appearance of Orson Welles. He takes a seat at the back of the theater and patiently listens to each character's views on relationships. He is also hip to Jaglom's axe-to-grind about his own relationship. At that point, Welles has the rapt attention of each of the actors as he makes commentary of what is really taking place. He puts Jaglom's angst to the test and with great care and sensitivity reaches out to recognize what each girl and guy are attempting to express. Orson tragically died just before the film was completed. Jaglom in a loving bow to his true life teacher turns the camera to the seat occupied earlier by Welles. It is empty, symbolizing to the audience that he has, in fact, really died. But do not let this startle you or keep you away from an Independent film I find thoughtful and very provocative.

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CAST: Orson Welles....Danny's Friend; Henry Jaglom....Danny Sapir; Andrea Marcovicci....Helen Eugene; Michael Emil....Mickey Sapir; Sally Kellerman....Edith Helm; Oja Kodar....Yelena; Stephen Bishop....Blue; David Frishberg....Harry; Directed and Written by: Henry Jaglom; Produced by: Michael Jaglom: Executive Producer; M.H. Simonson: Producer; Judith Wolinsky: Associate Producer; Hanania Baer: Cinematography; Original Music by; Diana B (main title song); Film Editing by Ruth Wald; Costume Design by: Dina Ousley: (as Dina Carone).

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ENJOY!

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY!

Clint Eastwood & Meryl Streep

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This is a movie I welcome seeing again, although invariably it carries the "Chick Flick" banner, (primarily by men too bashful to open themselves up to this atypical Clint Eastwood movie); it strays as far from Sergio Leone Westerns and the gritty San Francisco Detective character "Dirty Harry" than any project available to ones imagination.

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Meryl Streep is Francesca Johnson whose husband and children are away at the Iowa State Fair when destiny brings freelance photographer Robert Kincaid (Eastwood) into her life. Kincaid happens upon the Johnson farm and asks Francesca for directions to Rosamunde Bridge after explaining that he is on assignment from National Geographic magazine to photograph the bridges of Madison County. Francesca agrees to show him to the bridges and within the remarkable span of four days, a slowly-evolving love story develops that is bittersweet...and all-too-brief.

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To cope with the savage pain of separation from her secret lover and the stark isolation she feels as the details of her life consume her, she writes down the story of this four-day love affair in a 3-volume diary. Where she questioned little about her existence prior to meeting Kincaid, the relationship has Johnson questioning literally everything she believes in during the summer of 1965. The 3-volume diary is found by her children among her possessions alongside Robert Kincaid's after he and Francesca have died. The message the children take from the diaries is one of HOPE that they will do whatever is necessary to find happiness in their lives -- whatever is necessary. After learning that Robert Kincaid's cremated remains were scattered off Rosamunde Bridge and that their mother requested a similar disposition for her own ashes, the children must decide whether to honor their mother's final wishes or bury her alongside their father as the family had planned. This film was adapted from the novel by Robert Waller. What makes it powerful is the fact that this is the story of love that happens just once in a lifetime -- if we're lucky.

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I have watched Streep interviewed about working with Clint Eastwood. The final scene in the kitchen where both have to come to terms with the people presently in their lives has Eastwood's back turned toward Streep. When Eastwood, as Director, called "Cut!", he turned around and Streep was shocked to see tears rolling down his face. She immediately asked him why he didn't reveal that to the camera? Eastwood replied, "Nobody wants to see'Dirty Harry' cry". That he knew his audience so well, was a character trait that Streep found admirable. Both actors worked extremely well together in this movie.

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Main Cast and Crew for: "The Bridges of Madison County" :Directed by Clint Eastwood; Writing credits (WGA) Robert James Waller (novel); Richard LaGravenese: (screenplay); Clint Eastwood....Robert Kincaid; Meryl Streep....Francesca Johnson; Annie Corley....Caroline Johnson; Victor Slezak....Michael Johnson; Jim Haynie....Richard Johnson; Sarah Kathryn Schmitt; ....Young Carolyn; Christopher Kroon....Young Michael; Phyllis Lyons....Betty; Debra Monk....Madge Richard Lage....Lawyer Peterson; Michelle Benes....Lucy Redfield.

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Allow me to close with some fascinating trivia that I only recently discovered. By the way, I had re-scheduled this film three times this year for "Friday Movie Suggestion Night", and felt that since Summer isn't officially over until September 21st, now might be a good time.

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In 1993, Sydney Pollack was the front-runner for the director's chair for this film and it was expected that Robert Redford would star! At the time, other contenders for the female lead included Susan Sarandon, Jessica Lange, Barbara Hershey and Anjelica Huston. All excellent choices! The film was produced in 1995. Can 11 years really have passed so quickly?

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The Cedar Bridge, where Francesca meets Robert, was sadly destroyed in a fire on September 3rd, 2002. Francesca's House was burned in an arson fire on October 6, 2003, almost a year after the Cedar Bridge was destroyed.

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The farmhouse used in the film had been abandoned for over 30 years and was completely restored by production designer Jeannine Claudia Oppewall and her art directors Charles Breen and William Arnold.

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Meryl Streep allegedly put on 15-20 pounds of weight for her role in this film as a middle-aged housewife. Bruce Beresford was chosen as the director before Clint Eastwood but wanted to make Francesca Johnson an English woman. When this was not accepted by the studio he left the project.

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Lastly, would you believe this? Robert James Waller finished his manuscript in eleven days, intending it to be simply a gift for various friends and family. One of his friends was so impressed with the manuscript, he asked if he could try to interest a literary agent in the work. Waller later received a life-changing call from a New York agent who asked, "...Robert, where have you been all my life?"

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In her autobiography Catherine Deneuve mentions how she traveled to London to audition for the lead role. This film is special. It is yet another departure for "Friday Movie Suggestion Night"---always room to grow! I do hope you will enjoy the story and the acting. Like a handful of movies I've featured since I began writing this feature on September 15, 2005, this film will "stay" with your heart for days. Oscar Nominated: in 1996: (Best Actress in a Lading Role: Meryl Streep) and Nominated for a Golden Globe Award: (Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama Meryl Streep). My Best to All of You!

--Michael

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I return from Naples, Florida to Ohio later today.

THE INTERVIEW: ACTRESS AND TELEVISION PERSONALITY FLORETTE VASSALL: (PART 5 OF 5)

MM: Let's talk Television for a moment. You are so photogenic. And that beautiful voice over the telephone is unmistakable. You and I both have had to deal with the changes in television. With a few exceptions like "Oprah" and "Charlie Rose", so-called "originating TV" disappeared between 1985 and 1987. What are your views on what Television needs today?

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FV: WHAT TELEVISION NEEDS TODAY ARE FACES AND MINDS LIKE YOURS AND MINE! BACK IN THE EARLY SIXTIES, MY LATE HUSBAND ONCE MADE A COMMENT THAT "IT TOOK FORTY YEARS TO KILL RADIO AND NOW IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S ONLY GOING TO TAKE 20 TO KILL TELEVISION." HE WAS TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE NEW PROGRAMS THAT WERE BEING PLANNED. I THINK THAT MANY PEOPLE WHO THINK AS I DO ALWAYS HOPE TO LEARN SOMETHING FROM WHATEVER IT IS THAT THEY SEE ON TELEVISION. I HAVE A CABLEVISION SERVICE WITH OVER 1000 CHANNELS. YET, I HAVE TO REALLY SEARCH TO FIND A PROGRAM THAT WILL EITHER ENTERTAIN ME OR THAT I CAN LEARN OR BE INFORMED BY. I DO FIND MANY NICE LEARNING PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN THOUGH. TELETUBBIES, SESAME STREET AND DORA LA EXPLORADORA ARE GOOD. THIS EVENING "THE BELTWAY BOYS" DID TRY TO COME UP WITH A WAY TO EDUCATE THE UNKNOWING PUBLIC ON THE NAMES OF THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT AFTER IT WAS REVEALED THAT A POLL SHOWED THAT MORE KNEW THE NAMES OF THE THREE STOOGES THEN KNEW THE NAMES OF THE LEGISLATIVE, EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIAL BRANCHES.

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MM: Many of my bloggers are parents, and that includes "step-parents"--I've never liked that term, but there it is. And single parents have so much to deal with. You can certainly relate to being a widow. How did you manage afterwards, Flo?

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FV: IT'S ALL ABOUT EFFORT. I JUST KEEP PLUGGING AWAY. I DO MY BEST TO TRY TO PRESENT SOMETHING THAT I THINK PEOPLE WILL ENJOY ENOUGH TO WANT TO SEE MORE OF. I TRY TO APPEAL TO THE PERSONAL TASTES OF THE VIEWERS AS WELL AS THEIR VISIBLE PLEASURES AND TO THEIR SENSES OF ENTERTAINMENT. EACH PROGRAM SHOULD END LEAVING THE VIEWERS WITH A FEELING OF SATISFACTION, INFORMATION AND PLEASURE. I WASN'T A YOUNG WIDOW. SIDNEY DIED IN 1989. MY DAUGHTER WAS FULL GROWN AND WE WERE AT HIS BEDSIDE.

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MM: I'm so sorry. I've heard so many fine things about your late husband, Sid Vassall. For the benefit of our readers, Sid was a renowned Producer. Tell us about Sid?

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FV: REGARDING SID, "TO KNOW HIM WAS TO LOVE HIM." THAT WAS A COMMENT MADE TO ME ABOUT HIM BY AN NBC CO WORKER. LIKE ME, SID WAS THE FIRST BORN OF IMMIGRANT PARENTS. HIS WERE ALSO BORN IN JAMAICA. SIDNEY CAME FROM A FAMILY OF PROFESSIONALS. HIS FATHER AND HIS GRANDFATHER WERE TEACHERS IN JAMAICA. THREE OF HIS AUNTS WERE NURSES AND ONE WAS A DOCTOR WHO MAINTAINED A VERY LARGE PRACTICE IN BROOKLYN. WHEN I MET SID HE WAS THE CAPTAIN OF THE USHERS AT THE NEW YORK PARAMOUNT THEATRE ON BROADWAY AND WEST 43RD STREET. EVEN THEN, HE WAS A PRINCE AMONG MEN. EVERYONE LOVED HIM. AS AN ACTOR, HE SIMULTANEOUSLY RECEIVED A CONTRACT WITH 20TH CENTURY FOX AND AT THE SAME TIME HAD GOTTEN HIRED BY NBC RADIO. A FEW DAYS LATER HE RECEIVED HIS DRAFT NOTICE AND LATER SERVED OVERSEAS IN HAWAII. IT WAS DURING HIS SERVICE IN HAWAII THAT WE BECAME ENGAGED. AT OUR WEDDING, ONE OF MY AUNTS NEVER STOPPED BRAGGING TO THE GUESTS HOW HE FLEW MY ENGAGEMENT RING TO ME ACROSS THE OCEAN ON A JET. WHEN SID RETURNED FROM THE SERVICE, HE WAS REHIRED BY NBC AS A MAIL CLERK. THESE WERE SOME VERY FRUSTRATING DAYS FOR HIM, BUT SHORTLY AFTER WE WERE MARRIED, HE RECEIVED A TRANSFER TO THE TODAY SHOW WITH DAVE GARROWAY. LATER ON HE WAS DIRECTING "THE TONIGHT SHOW" WITH STEVE ALLEN. SHORTLY AFTER THE BIRTH OF OUR DAUGHTER, HE WORKED THE SHOW, "CONCENTRATION" WITH HUGH DOWNS AND GENE RAYBURN. HE ALSO DID THE HUNTLEY-BRINKLEY REPORT WITH CHET HUNTLEY AND DAVE BRINKLEY. IN THE LATE SIXTIES, HE WAS WORKING "THE TODAY SHOW" WITH BARBARA WALTERS. SID ENJOYED A POSITIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH ALL WHO KNEW HIM AT NBC. SID VASSALL WAS A GOOD HUSBAND AND A GOOD FATHER AND A VERY GOOD FRIEND.

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MM: We've talked a lot about your past and in a wonderful way, your life and career have come full-circle today. So, please tell us what you are currently up to and where you see the next stage of your life going?

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FV: AT PRESENT I AM TRYING TO COMPLETE THE INTERNATIONAL "EVVY" CULTURAL INTERCHANGE BETWEEN NEW YORK 2007, MEXICO 2008 AND CANADA 2009. IT IS A LOT OF WORK AND I NEED PLENTY OF MONEY, TIME AND HELP. ONCE I COMPLETE THIS, I HOPE TO FINISH MY BOOKS THAT I HAVE BEEN WRITING OVER THE DECADES. THEN I HOPE TO REALLY BE ABLE TO RETIRE AND CELEBRATE MY 50TH YEAR IN ACAPULCO WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN AND MY FAMILIES FROM BOTH COUNTRIES.

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MM: Flo, I know you're on a tight schedule today and I can't thank you enough for this wonderful visit! One of the things I enjoy doing is to encourage my Guests here on "THE INTERVIEW" to open up and expound on whatever you'd like. As I'm fond of saying, 'The floor is yours', my dear friend.

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FV: I WISH MORE PEOPLE WOULD BE LIKE YOU.

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MM: Thank you.

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FV: UNDERSTANDING IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT CONCEPT. I WISH PEOPLE WOULD TRY HARDER TO COMMUNICATE AND UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER. SOMETIMES, EVEN IF WE DON'T ALWAYS UNDERSTAND, IT DOESN'T HURT TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND.

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I want to thank my Guest of this past week, a beautiful lady with a beautiful heart and soul. The multi-talented Florette Vassall. Main stream Television Producers take note! You are missing out on a fabulous personality here. One that I'm sure we will be seeing much more of. I certainly hope so. It's been my joy!

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THE INTERVIEW: ACTRESS AND TELEVISION PERSONALITY FLORETTE VASSALL (PART 4 OF 5)

HEY EVERYBODY: I KNOW YOU'RE JUST DYING FOR THE ANSWER, SO HERE IT IS: FLO HAS JUST FILMED ANOTHER TV COMMERCIAL AND IS APPEARING SOON IN A MILLER LITE SPOT ON ESPN. WATCH FOR HER AND SAY, "HEY THAT'S THE LADY MICHAEL MANNING INTERVIEWED!" OKAY, SO NOW YOU KNOW. THIS LADY IS TOPS! NOW BACK TO WINDING DOWN OUR LAST TWO INTERVIEW INSTALLMENTS:

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MM: You not only mentor children, but I happen to know for a fact that were it not for you, God knows how many of these boys and girls in New York City would have skipped school altogether and wound up either dead or behind bars. So many have finished high school and went on to college because of Florette Vassall. How did this come about?
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FV: I WAS A TEACHER FOR A VERY LONG TIME AND MY CHILDREN STILL COME BACK TO ME FROM AS FAR BACK AS 1955 WHEN I WAS TEACHING DOWN ON NEW YORK'S LOWER EAST SIDE. ONE IS THE DEAN OF A COLLEGE IN NEW JERSEY. SOME COME TO ME WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR GRAND CHILDREN. MANY INVITE ME TO ATTEND THEIR WEDDINGS OR THEIR GRADUATIONS FROM COLLEGE. MY STUDENTS WHOM I TAUGHT IN MEXICO ARE EMPLOYED IN THE TOP HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS IN ACAPULCO. ANYTIME I ENCOUNTER ONE OF THEM ON THE JOB THEY ARE ALWAYS HAPPY TO SEE ME AND NEVER STOP THANKING ME FOR TEACHING THEM TO SPEAK SUCH GOOD ENGLISH. THEY TOO COME TO ME WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND GRAND CHILDREN AND INVITE ME TO THEIR WEDDINGS AND GRADUATIONS. ______

MM: My God, that has to be unbelievably rewarding, Flo.

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FV: IT IS A GREAT FEELING!

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MM: I don't think I'm speaking out of turn here when I share with our audience that you have weathered so many challenges in your own life. But two years ago, you completed your Bachelors Degree from Fordham University. Can you tell us what this was like for you? How do you balance hosting a cable Television show, producing, editing the video, modeling, acting in television commercials and teaching children in addition to running EVVY in Acapulco?

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FV: I RECEIVED MY DEGREE FROM FORDHAM IN 1998. WHEN I WAS TEACHING AT ST. JEROME SCHOOL, THE PRINCIPAL, MS. LINDA MELE, ENCOURAGED ME TO FINISH MY EDUCATION. SHE GOT ME TO LET HER SEE MY 1954-1957 TRANSCRIPT FROM ST. JOHNS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE AND ENCOURAGED ME TO ENROLL IN THE ADULT PROGRAM THAT EXISTED AT FORDHAM UNIVERSITY COLLEGE AT LINCOLN CENTER. GETTING ADMITTED WAS NOT A PROBLEM. GETTING THROUGH IT ALL WAS NOT EASY AT THAT AGE AND WITH MY DISABILITIES COMPLICATING THINGS... ...BUT, I ALWAYS LOVED LEARNING AND EVEN THOUGH I WORKED UNBELIEVABLY HARD, I REMEMBERED THAT MY HIGH SCHOOL DREAM HAD ALWAYS BEEN TO GRADUATE FROM FORDHAM. TO ME, IT WAS THE COLLEGE OF MY DREAMS! I WAS SO IMPRESSED BY ITS LEGACY. AFTER I RECEIVED MY B.A. IN ENGLISH, I REALIZED THAT DREAMS DO COME TRUE. IN THE CASE OF GRADUATING FROM FORDHAM, MINE SURE DID! I DON'T BALANCE, I JUGGLE AND I'M SURPRISED THAT I DON'T LOSE WEIGHT FASTER WITH ALL OF THIS ACTIVITY. IT IS SOMEWHAT CRAZY LIVING IN TWO COUNTRIES, BUT I'VE DONE IT FOR FORTY-FOUR YEARS. I GUESS THE BEST THING I CAN SAY ABOUT IT IS THAT I MAY BE ABLE TO HAVE A PARTY CELEBRATING A 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN ACAPULCO. THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

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Note: We finish our visit with Florette Vassall tomorrow! Join us!!