52 YEARS AGO TODAY!

Last Refueling Stop

1931-1955

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Films of James Dean:

"EAST OF EDEN" (1955)

"REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE" (1955)

"GIANT" (1956--Posthumously released)

THE ASCENT OF MAN!

Jacob Bronowski, Ph.D (1908-1974)

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Ordinarily, I don't devote much space here to books on my bedside mantle. But "The Ascent of Man" by the late Dr. Jacob Bronowski has been gathering dust along with "King of the Night: The Life of Johnny Carson", by Lawrence Leamer. (Biographies are a favorite of mine). But this blog is about an extraordinary chess player and human being who wrote a book about our society that is really a pleasant way to spend an afternoon escape from lifes trivial worries.

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If you are reading about this for the first time, "The Ascent of Man" is a highly regarded series that appeared on PBS Television in the United States and The BBC in England. Born in Lodz, Congress Poland in 1908, Dr. Jacob Bronowski moved his family moved to Germany during World War I, and then on to England. Despite a limited grasp of the English language, he nevertheless gained admission to the Central Foundation School in London to study Mathematics before continuing graduate studies at the University of Cambridge, where he earned his Ph.D. His dissertation was on the subject of Algebraic Geometry. BUT WAIT! Before you write this off--no pun intended--as boring, humor me. Bronowski brought together both the worlds of Math and Literature, and taught at the former University College of Hull. During World War II, Bronowski tragically lost many of his family members in Hitler's Auschwitz death camp. He worked in Operations Research and later became Director of Research for the National Coal Board in the U.K. It was the after-effects of the Nagasaki and Hiroshima bombings that led him to study Biology to better understand the nature of human violence. Bronowski later became Associate Director of the Salk Institute in 1964. He became well known to British television viewers with a BBC program called "The Brain's Trust". But he is best known for his incredible series called "The Ascent of Man". This 13 part series inspired Carl Sagan to make "Cosmos" in 1980. Sagan's research was the basis for the Robert Zemeckis film starring Jodie Foster, "Contact" in 1997. Bottom Line: What Dr. Bronowski did was to travel the world in order to trace the development of human society through its understanding of science rather than art. The title of the series alludes to Charles Darwin's "The Descent of Man". The television series stood on its own merit without disparaging Kenneth Clark's "Civilisation", where Clark emphasized the role of art in society. The two men were worlds apart in their work. I gave my late Uncle (who orchestrated bringing my family to America from Bulgaria) a copy of the book, "The Ascent of Man". Before he died, I'll never forget. I was about to leave my Uncle's house after a visit, and he yelled across the room excitedly, "Hey, Michael! I read that book cover-to-cover. That Professor is brilliant!" Jacob Bronowski died in 1974 shortly after filming was complete on "The Ascent of Man". Some said his death was caused by the strain of the work required to produce the series and the book. Dr. Bronowski left behind his wife Rita and their four daughters. The eldest daughter became the British academic Lisa Jardine. I highly recommend this book or the DVD series. Of course you can purchase the DVD's, but see if you can borrow them from your library. It is absolutely fascinating!

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for my late Uncle...

FRIDAY MOVIE SUGGESTION NIGHT PRESENTS: "COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER"!

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A little over three weeks ago, I watched the very attractive and talented country singer Shelby Lynne bounce onto the stage in Los Angeles as a Guest performer at a Lucinda Williams concert that I had recently blogged about. As I'm prone to do, I did a lot of thinking about that night. And it took me back to the Legendary "Queen of Country Music", Loretta Lynn. Arguably more than Elvis Presley or any living entertainer still actively touring today, Loretta Lynn's true life story goes beyond the so-called "ken of human imagining". The film opens with circumstances of poverty in the hills of Butcher Holler, Kentucky that is as painful to comprehend as it must have been for Loretta to endure on a daily basis. The daughter of Ted Webb (Levon Helm) and Clara Webb (Phyllis Boyens), Loretta (Sissy Spacek) seemed destined to live her life as so many others had. Namely, marrying (and eventually burying) a husband who works as a coal miner earning the barest of essentials for living. Among her sisters and parents, Loretta encounters a wily character in "Mooney" Lynn (Tommy Lee Jones) who has just returned home from the service. Lynn convinces the 13 year Loretta that they are in love and need to be married. After convincing Ted and Clara to give their blessing, Director Michael Apted uses candor to reveal the events that occur in Loretta's life. "Mooney" manipulates just about everyone, albeit, he succeeds in extricating his young wife out of a meaningless existence. Sissy Spacek consulted throughout the filming with Loretta Lynn and manages to incredibly channel her speaking voice, her singing voice, and her mannerisms from an unbelievably naive thirteen year old girl to adult woman who suffers through many painful events that test her humanity. They also became wonderful friends after the filming was complete. Tommy Lee Jones in his "break through film role" brings to life the late "Mooney" with flaws intact. Musician and actor Levon Helm (of "The Band" fame) delivers a powerful and convincing hard-edged supporting performance as Lynn's coal miner father. Beverly D'Angelo plays the late and tragic Legend Patsy Cline, who befriends Loretta and helps to teach her the ways of the modern world. This is one of the finest biographical films I've ever seen about a figure who is as endearing in real life as she is portrayed on film. The film is an affirmation of having a dream and being willing to see it through. Here's The Cast: Sissy Spacek as Loretta Lynn;Tommy Lee Jones as Doolittle "Mooney" Lynn; Levon Helm as Ted Webb; Phyllis Boens as Clara Webb; Beverly D'Angelo as Patsy Cline; Bob Hannah as Charlie Dick; Ernest Tubb as himself. ACADEMY AWARD WINNERS: Best Actress in a Leading Role: Sissy Spacek; NOMINATIONS: Best Art Direction-Set Decoration: John W. Corso, Hohn M. Dwyer; Best Cinematography: Ralf D. Bode; Best Film Editing: Arthur Schmidt; Best Picture: Bernard Schwartz; Best Sound: Richard Portmen, Roger Herman Jr., James R. Alexander; Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: Thomas Rickman. Based on the autobiography by Loretta Lynn with George Vecsey. One of the promises I have made to myself is to see Loretta Lynn live in concert. I've already missed her locally once this year. This is a film about overcoming obstacles and Loretta Lynn is living proof that there is more than one path to achieving our dreams!

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My Very Best!

GOIN' HOME WITH FATS DOMINO!

One of my brothers recently asked me if I knew whatever became of Rock and Roll Legend Fats Domino. I'm sure most, if not all of you remember the CNN Headline News reports that Fats was listed as missing and presumed dead in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in his home town of New Orleans. Thank God he survived and at 79, Fats is still performing. He has a modest home in the New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward' that was flooded both by Hurricane Rita and later Katrina. He lost substantially all of his personal possessions (although I was heartened to learn that Capitol Records replaced his many Gold Records that were stolen by looters). Nearly all of us who Blog were not even born when Fats helped usher in Rock music in the 1950's (see second photo from the top). His first "crossover" R&B hit was 1955's "Ain't That a Shame", followed by "Blueberry Hill", "Blue Monday" and "I'm Walkin'". Of the latter, I own a computer disc CD of the late Rick Nelson's concert filmed at the Universal Amphitheatre here in Los Angeles. Rick also struck Gold with "I'm Walkin' " and on the video, when he invites Fats Domino out on stage you can see the warmth these guys shared as tight friends. Rick would tragically lose his life just a few months later. In the 60's Fats, decided to retreat a bit. Today, he watches TV and cooking is his passion. He was among the first group of Legends inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. And yes, there is a new 30-track double CD entitled "Goin' Home" that was just released this week with Domino classics performed by fellow New Orleans buddies Allen Toussaint and Dr. John, plus his admirers including Norah Jones, Elton John, Tom Petty, and Randy Newman. There's not enough space in this Blog post to list all of Fat's hit records. But as the top photo reveals, Fats is as timeless as his music!

FRIDAY MOVIE SUGGESTION NIGHT PRESENTS: "THAT'S LIFE!"

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(With my last hectic 72 hours in Los Angeles I've posted this early)

In December of 2005, (the first year of "Friday Movie Suggestion Night") I featured one of the funniest films ever with Jack Lemmon and Julie Andrews turning in great performances. This Blake Edwards directed comedy/drama was filmed entirely out here in Los Angeles at the actual home of Blake Edwards and Julie Andrews (they are married for those of you who may not know it) in Malibu. The plot: Lemmon is Harvey Fairchild, a brilliant Architect who is about to celebrate turning 60--if he survives a series of panic attacks, a ride home in a VW bus full of dope-smoking kids after his Mercedes Benz breaks down, and a full-blown life crisis. Andrews plays a successful singer, Gillian Fairchild who is his long-suffering wife throughout this crisis. Anyone familiar with the Catholic faith may have to arrange for paramedics to be "on-call" for resuscitation caused by hysterical laughter during the performance given by Robert Loggia as Father Tony Baragone--an old college chum of Fairchild from Notre Dame who entered the priesthood. Not to be missed is the "confessional scene" and the "surprise" Harvey Fairchild receives as he is unexpectedly summoned to read a passage from The Bible during church services (watch the Altar Boy's reactions--hysterical!). One of the most hilarious motion pictures Blake Edwards has ever produced, it was nominated for an Academy Award despite the fact that it was re-released to the public, after the filmmakers were sincerely bewildered as to why audiences weren't filling the theaters in droves. I saw it three times after it's release and it has remained one of my favorite over-the-top comedies! I have chosen to repeat it here because this time of year seems better suited to it's presentation and I hope you just love it. Written by: Milton Wexler and Blake Edwards; The Cast: Jack Lemmon is Harvey Fairchild; Julie Andrews is Gillian Fairchild; Sally Kellerman is kooky neighbor Holly Parrish; Robert Loggia is Father Baragone; Jennifer Edwards is Megan Fairchild-Bartlet; Robert Knepper is Steve Larwin; Matt Latanzi is Larry Bartlet; Chris Lemmon is Josh Fairchild, Cynthia Sikes is Janice Kern; Dana Sparks is Fanny Ward; Emma Walton is Kate Fairchild; Lemmon's real-life wife Felicia Farr plays Madame Carrie; Teddy Wilson is Corey; Nicky Blair is Andre and Jordan Christopher is Dr. Keith Romanis. Oscar Nomination: Best Music, Original Song: Henry Mancini (music) and Leslie Bricusse (lyrics) for the song "Life in a Looking Glass". I hope this film brings a funny end to your Summer and the beginning of Fall.

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ENJOY!

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for Jack Lemmon...

A SONGBIRD ON HIATUS!

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Of all the distinctive voices on the American music scene today, it's impossible not to identify the silvery-voiced Emmylou Harris. She has decided to take the advice proffered by the late Johnny Cash who once told her, "Sometimes just changing your routine is the same as taking a sabbatical". Harris' career has amazingly enough been a part of records--most recently with Mark Knoffler (of Dire Straits) Neil Young, and Elvis Costello just over the past year. I found out that she has an October 10th concert booked at L. A.'s Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. She is credited for allowing rock to infiltrate country without horrendous protest. In the 70's, she was playing 4 sets a night in Washington, D.C. clubs when former member of The Byrds' Chris Hillman mentioned to fellow musician Graham Parsons of "The Byrds" and "The Flying Burrito Brothers" that Harris just might be "the girl singer" he was seeking for his solo recording project. Harris and Parsons teamed up in Los Angeles, where the mercurial Parsons (who died soon after of a drug overdose) in fact, recorded his 1972 album and the song "Grievous Angel". Their last telephone conversation was about Emmylou's favorite song, "Angels Rejoiced' ", which appears on her new 4 CD box set called "Songbird: Rare Tracks & Forgotten Gems". Parsons told Harris over the telephone that "Grievious Angel" didn't fit the album they were working on, but it would go on the next album. After Parsons' death, Harris returned to Washington's folk/bluegrass music scene. Long before her trio CD's with Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton, or the terrific Daniel Lanois projects, she influenced writers from Rodney Crowell, Ricky Skaggs and Lucinda Williams (whom I recently saw in concert and blogged about). What I admire about Emmylou is the fact she is a maverick. Texan Rodney Crowell, who appeared with the late Elvis Presley's "TCB" road band renamed "Hot Band" sums up Emmylou this way. "Emmy inspires such loyalty because she has so much integrity", he says. "She's a poet--even before she started writing songs---and that's what we all respond to. Even more than that voice and the passion is the poetry, the timeliness, choosing the heart over commerce". On the heels of the albums "Blue Kentucky Girl" and the bluegrass "Roses in the Snow", came the commercially disappointing "Ballad of Sally Rose" (inspired partly by Bruce Springsteen's "Nebraska"). A move to the Asylum record label still couldn't get Harris (nor Guy Clark--whom I saw in concert last year) on the radio. Closed doors followed and the financial strain hit Harris badly. Reflecting on this chapter of hard knocks she makes this observation. "There comes a time when you're no longer invited to the party. It happens to other people too. But if this is what you do, who knows what it'll be". Then she teamed up with the bluegrass group The Nash Ramblers to critical acclaim. Next, "Wrecking Ball" won a Grammy Award (she has 12 Grammy Awards now), but in a weird contradictory scenario it sold poorly. "Red Dirt Girl" finally brought her huge success. I'll have to hunt down "Songbird" because Chrissie Hynde and Beck appear on the song "Immigrant Eyes" (a 60th birthday present to Guy Clark--who performed it in the Cincinnati concert I attended). "I am 60 years old and have been doing this for a long time, and it's harder and harder to get inspired in some ways, and in others, well, all it takes is one song", says Harris. Rough years and all, it's very hard for me to fathom that Harris is really 60. I've loved every "Austin City Limits" appearance she has made for television. And she's on my list of concerts I eagerly look forward to attending. The 78 song boxed set hits the stores tomorrow, but sabbatical notwithstanding, she has a Cd project for 2008 and more planned for the future. And while Martha Stewart may or may not be a fan, to borrow her famous line about the road ahead for this great artist: "THAT is a good thing".

IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON!

Above: In 1961, President John F. Kennedy declared that the United States would land a man on the Moon by the end of the decade. Below: Apollo 17 commander Eugene Cernan salutes the flag the Moon in December 1972 in the new documentary debut at The Sundance Film Festival "In the Shadow of the Moon".

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This weekend at the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington, New York after an enthusiastic review upon it's initial release in Los Angeles and other select cities, "In the Shadow of the Moon" features interviews with 10 of the 12 surviving members of the NASA Apollo Moon mission program. Missing is a man whom I consider a mentor and friend, Lt. Col. Frank Borman, Commander of Apollo 8 and the notoriously media-shy Neil Armstrong--the first man to walk on the Moon. From all accounts, however, the film documentary opens with President John F. Kennedy's stirring February 1961 speech, where he declares that by the end of the 1960's the United States fledgling NASA space program would land a man on the Moon. It is absolutely tragic that President Kennedy's life was taken before he had a chance to see the successful outcome of his dream. British filmmaker David Sington's archival footage of President Kennedy's address is important to instill context because roughly half of the world's 6 billion people were not born when the "Project Apollo" program (deploying 3 Astronauts) was launched. Apollo followed "Project Gemini" (a 2 Astronaut Spacecraft) and before that, NASA's inception program "Project Mercury" (carrying a single Astronaut). Present in sit-down interviews are the now-white-haired Astronauts who once sported crew cuts and the patriotic dedication to "the mission" during one of the most turbulent and chaotic social periods our country has ever experienced--the 1960's. The Astronauts featured in the film include: Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Gene Cernan, Mike Collins, Charlie Duke, Jim Lovell, Edgar Mitchell, Harrison Schmitt, Dave Scott, and John Young. From desegregation, the Vietnam War, the assassination of President Kennedy (1963), passage of The Voting Rights Act (1965), the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King (April, 1968) and President Kennedy's brother and U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy (June, 1968), mass rioting across America, and Woodstock (1969), this film sounds like a "must-see" for everyone. But particularly for those of us who need to "catch up" and see where we once were as a country. "For some, it's a nostalgia trip," said 48-year-old Director Sington. "They love it because it takes them back to their childhoods. And then there's a whole new generation who've been raised solely on fictional space adventure like 'Star Wars' who see real spacecraft for the first time orbiting the moon and they're just blown away." If you catch this film, ENJOY!

FRIDAY MOVIE SUGGESTION NIGHT PRESENTS: "REAR WINDOW"!

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Another movie we studied in my high school Film Class, REAR WINDOW was filmed in 1954 and was Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Many Hitchcock fans consider it his finest work. It is based on Cornell Woolrich's 1942 short story It Had To Be Murder. This film stars James Stewart as a photo journalist named L.B. Jefferies, and Grace Kelly as his fashion model girlfriend Lisa Carol Fremont, along with Raymond Burr as the suspected killer, Lars Thorwald. The film combines its main theme of a murder mystery with a critical examination of the ethics of marriage and voyeurism. Confined to his Greenwich Village apartment after an accident has left him with his leg in a cast, Stewart's character suffers from severe boredom and begins spying on his neighbors through the rear window of his apartment. Suddenly, Stewart's L.B. Jeffries comes to believe a murder has taken place in the building across the courtyard. His nurse Stella (Thelma Ritter), and his girlfriend, Lisa initially think this is bizarre. Nearly all of the movie is cleverly shot from Jeffrie's point of view (POV) inside his bedroom. The tension builds until the true outcome of what Jeffries thinks he has witnessed becomes clear and the ending arrives to leave you on the edge of your seats at home! The Cast: James Stewart as L.B. Jeffries; Grace Kelly as Lisa Carol Freemont; Wendell Corey as Detective Lt. Thomas J. Doyle; Thelma Ritter is Stella and Raymond Burr is Lars Thorwald. 1955 Academy Award NOMINATIONS: Best Cinematography, Color: Robert Burks; Best Director: Alfred Hitchcock; Best Sound, Recording: Loren L. Ryder; Best Writing, Screenplay: John Michael Hayes. This is one intriguing film!

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ENJOY!

SUNRISE IN L.A.

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My best to all who stop by here today!

LUCIANO PAVAROTTI--A TRIBUTE!

1935-2007

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While I have been away from the Classical music format for some time now, nevertheless, I can't help but go back and recall at least two promotional campaigns I created in Texas for two lucky winners to attend a concert of "The Three Tenors" (Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras) at New York's Giants' Stadium. Our radio station syndicated the Metropolitan Opera broadcasts and a few of us would impersonate the animated Host Peter Alan speaking enthusiastically only to interrupt himself when a curtain call came. In 1972, at the New York Met, Luciano Pavarotti received an incredible 17 curtain calls after one performance. His signature Nessun dorma delivered last at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy ended with the epic line (translated) "At dawn, I shall win!" caused NBC Olympic commentator Brian Williams to proclaim "And the master brings the house down." This aria, by the way, is from the final act of Giacomo Puccini's opera "Turandot". The aria, translated from Italian reads as "No one will sleep", followed by the proclamation of Princess Turandot that no one shall sleep: They shall all spend the night attempting to find out the name of the unknown prince, Calàf, who has set the challenge that if his name cannot be found out, the cold Princess Turandot will marry him. Calàf sings, indicating his certainty that their efforts to discover his name will be in vain. Nessun dorma will appeal to even the most intimidated music listener (who mistakenly believes Classical music of Opera is either boring or for the elite--not true) who will love Nessun dorma: Arias & Duets available at your favorite music store. His philanthropy and appearances with Bono, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Mariah Carey, Sheryl Crow and Eric Clapton revealed a playful side of a personality with a sincere sense of humor. He had a beautiful career and this weekend, I just wanted to pause and remember "the King of the High C's". He left an indelible impression of a fun loving, yet full throttle man for whom "Carpe Diem" in his professional life was met. He will be forever missed.

"FRIDAY MOVIE SUGGESTION NIGHT" PRESENTS: "DRIVING MISS DAISY"!

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This week, I wanted to bring you a movie synonymous with the summer season, as I recall first seeing this wonderful and warm story in the summer when it was released. Viewing it now reminds me how much I miss seeing the late Jessica Tandy on the big screen. I guess, a summary of the film would be: "If this movie doesn't touch your heart, check immediately for a pulse!" Our pick for "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" --"DRIVING MISS DAISY" is more, much more than two separate paths that intertwine--between a black man (Morgan Freeman) who takes the job of a chauffeur and a stubborn and proud elderly Jewish woman. For each of these seasoned actors, I find this film to be among the best performances of their careers. The story is set in the early 1950's in Atlanta in the midst of the civil rights movement, and how the passing years lends itself to a lengthy friendship that eventually grows with the stubborn Miss Daisy (Tandy), and the patient if not amused character of Hoke (Freeman). When Daisy reaches the point where she can no longer drive safely, her son, Boolie (Dan Aykroyd) a successful textile mill owner, steps in to hire a professional driver for his gracefully aging mother. This role is beautifully carried off by Aykroyd, whom American audiences have for too long associated with merely comedy roles. The film is directed by Bruce Beresford. The story, written by Alfred Uhry actually had its humble beginnings in a small theatre, then onto a larger stage long before it was developed into a motion picture in 1989. The director allows us to see history literally through the lenses of the times, and to sense closely the prejudices and potentially incendiary attitudes of a nation on the brink of evolution and violent revolt from the 1950's through Vietnam and into the early 1970's. The late Esther Rolle (of TV's "Good Times" and "Maude") has a small role as Miss Daisy's maid. When this movie came out in late 1989 it was guaranteed many Oscar nominations. The sheer humanity of Love and Patience and Truth is borne out in a way very few scripts are capable of delivering. "Driving Miss Daisy" swept the Oscar's in February, 1990. WINNERS: Best Actress in a Leading Role: Jessica Tandy (Jessica became the oldest winner of a competitive Oscar, at nearly 81, surpassing the late George Burns); Best Makeup: Manilo Rocchetti, Lynn Barber and Kevin Haney, Best Picture: Richard Zanuck and Lili Fini Zanuck; Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: Alfred Uhry. NOMINATIONS: Best Actor in a Leading Role: Morgan Freeman; Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Dan Aykroyd; Best Art Direction-Set Decoration: Bruno Rubeo and Crispin Sallis; Best Costume Design: Elizabeth McBride; Best Film Editing: Mark Warner. Many wondered in hushed tones why Bruce Beresford was overlooked as Best Director. Nevertheless, here's another film of the heart that will stick with you for some time, I would think!

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ENJOY!

LOOK WHAT'S COMING BACK!

John Z. DeLorean's Dream is Back!

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John DeLorean was in many ways the Sir Richard Branson of three decades--the mid 1960's through the early 1980's. He passed away in Summit, New Jersey on May 19, 2005 from a stroke at age 80. But the car he created 30 years ago that was made famous in the Michael J. Fox movie "Back to the Future" is being resurrected by enthusiasts who purchased a sizable inventory of parts left over from the collapse of the car company in Belfast, Ireland. Tony Ierardi and Stephen Wynne have started building new cars in Humble, Texas to the exact specification of the 30-year old design. While an estimated 2/3 of the 9,000 cars sold are said to still be on the road, the new DMC-12's will cost $57,500 and will be hand assembled at a rate of 9 per year. The car was quite a mix of parts. The engine, for instance, was a Douvrin V-6 made by Renault, Peugeot and Volvo, while Lotus designed the chassis and bodywork details. The factory started manufacturing cars in early 1981, but the company landed in receivership by February 1982. After 21 months, the British government ordered its closure in November 1982. A highly publicized cocaine sting operation preceded the company (and John's) fall from the heights of enormous success.

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Born in the same poverty-ridden area of Detroit where my Grandmother lived, John had a Romanian father and Hungarian mother. After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering, John's talents at Packard Motor Car Company ultimately led him to become the head of GM's Pontiac Motor Car Division. A corporate "maverick", John was an engineering and designing genius who is perhaps most famous for "taking the bull by the horns" at Pontiac and creating the high performance GTO in 1964, the Camaro, the Firebird and the Grand Prix before retiring at age 48. "I want to do things in the social area", he said at his retirement. "I have to do them, and unfortunately, the nature of our business didn't permit me to do as much as I wanted." He owned equity positions in the New York Yankees and his social circles included Johnny Carson (and attractive women). Married four times, including his 1969 marriage to model Kelly Harmon and later Christina Ferrare, his latter marriage and personal problems came to a head in 1985. He remarried but was forced by former creditors still pursuing John to file bankruptcy in 1999. When the film "Back to the Future" came out in 1985, featuring De Lorean's namesake car, De Lorean wrote a letter to one of the movie's producers and writers, Bob Gale, thanking him for immortalizing the car in the film. (The letter can be seen in the special features of the Back to the Future DVD release).

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I've read John's biography, and while many questioned his innocence in a government sting operation, John won the case and proved that he was the victim of government entrapment. As recently as 2003, he had on file a patent for a Metro train design, and he was said to be experimenting with both a watch design and one last hurrah. An all-composite body high performance sports car that could reach 0-60 in just 6 seconds and sell for $18,000.00. His last car was a Canary Yellow Acura NSX. Like others before him, the conspirators behind the demise of the original DeLorean Motor Car Company (on both sides of the Atlantic) failed to stem the order books for thousands of cars that were never built. The old saying of "Oh, what a complicated web we weave" may characterize Johns book in the minds of some. But I believed him to be innocent. Yes, there were mechanical and performance complications with the car with its all-stainless steel body and gull-wing doors. You be the judge on the book, simply called "DeLorean". I for one would have loved to spend an afternoon interviewing John. He was an automobile enthusiast's ideal of a true "visionary". And this piece of news made me smile today.