Now re-reading, an attempt to make my way through the entire quartet.

I am currently watching a rough video bootleg of the '87 "Silver Wilburys" affair. George Harrison, Dylan, Taj Mahal (with Jesse Ed Davis, who would die the next year), John Fogerty. What began as a Taj Mahal concert would morph into an endless infectious oldies medley.

2025... this tracks.

Tonight, finally got my hands on the earliest transmitted items to be directed by Richard Franklin, his first two eps of Crawford Production’s HOMICIDE. Post USC film school, aged 21, back in Australia, and tasked with handling the rather stylized filmed exteriors.

Movie #2 for '26: I'M CHEVY CHASE AND YOU'RE NOT (Marina Zenovich, 2026). Not as great as Zenovich's Pryor doc (OMIT THE LOGIC), but worthwhile.

Movie #1 for 2026: MASSACRE AT CENTRAL HIGH (Rene Daalder, 1976). Seen (maybe) twice before, but never via @synapsefilms.bsky.social's pristine blu-ray.

Closing shot / reverse shot in The Donna Reed Show (Oscar Rudolph, 1958), with Buster Keaton as hospital staff tasked with masquerading as Santa Claus.

THE RUNNING MAN (2025) spoiler: exemplary Rich Hall cameo.

Last images, Tobe Hooper: TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE (1974) / DJINN (director's cut) (2013).

Sunday morning listen: Lou Reed at Pickwick Records '64-'65, #3 in Light in the Attic's series. Comprehensive liner notes by Richie Unterberger. "The Ostrich" is the highlight, an attempt at a frivolous dance craze. The rest depict a sincere dedication to the craft and the art of pop songwriting.

RIP - Joseph Wambaugh. www.armoredcarrobbery.com/post/wambaug...

John Ford on the set of what was his apparently his favourite television series - "Adam-12".

Odd thrift find of the week is this Italian VHS of "C'e un Fantasma nel mio Letto" - aka: THERE'S A GHOST IN MY BED, starring Lilli Carati, 1981. No subtitles of course.

Book #1 for 2025: 1971 Pan edition of a political thriller first published in '66. A gruff ex-RAF pilot involved with the FBI, a Central American dictatorship, and a movie shoot whose director is inspired by author Lyall's time with John Wayne on the set of H. Hathaway's LEGEND OF THE LOST (1957).

Magnetic Video Corp VHS for Michael Mann's THIEF, its first home video release in 1982. Sound is incredible. And the top right image on the back of the box (from the "Beach Scene") does not appear in the film (or any later Director's Versions).

The beginning of a Canadian dinner theatre glasses collection: Victor Buono (touring in "Dracula") and Donny Most (in "I Love My Wife").

December/the holidays: When I basically mainline biographies. So far this month --

Viewed last night: This Melody Maker music video and live footage VHS compilation. Sales intended to aid the homeless. From 1987, with opening missive by John Peel. Highlights: The Dragsters, Laugh, the Close Lobsters and, of course, Television Personalities.

A trashy speculative work of fiction that somehow includes two unlikely high profile blurbs: from Richard Donner (just post SUPERMAN) and Melvin Van Peebles.

Recent book sale haul, with exceptional Richard Stark paperback art work. It's my second copy of the "The Black Ice Score" edition.