21 May, 2010

Men of Parts

There was a period of time in 2010 when I lived with Tyne Daly.
I know.
I know what that sentence sounds like and—just to anticipate all of your questions—yes, it was everything you thought and imagined and hoped it would be. There were late night musings, strong drinks, records of Olivier's Hamlet, trips down memory lane, chandeliers given by June Horvath, hours and hours (and hours) of shared poetry, and crucially: hot pink bed-sheets; all in an apartment that once belonged to Lotte Lenya. She’s both a classy broad and a true lady, an old soul who can play like a child with a sharp-as-cheddar mind and the sexiest legs I’ve ever seen.
I love her.
We’re family.
I’d give her a kidney.

Tyne does not have a television set, but someone, (I am thinking either the Emmy Voting committee or her television-loving friend Rosie O'Donnell?) bought her a small screen DVD-only player. I am not going to lie here, I really love television. In fact, I'm pretty passionate about it. I am not someone who casually watches or just has it on all the time, no. Televisual consumption is an active thing, I sit down with a box set and dive. in.

Having never had Sky Plus or Tivo, I have never been able to record TV, so I have been perhaaaaaps known to schedule stuff around programming. (Tuesday nights in Glasgow when I was in college and should have been partying or studying or doing something suitably youthful? I said this sentence more than once, "Tuesday? Ooo I can't I have plans so sorry." Which roughly translates to: "Sorry dude, back-to-back CSI is on. I have crime to fight.") So living in a flat/apartment without one was... a true test. So thank goodness for Emmy voting season and Tyne's ‘For Your Consideration’ box sets and my still-clinging on Region 1 DVD collection.


Tonight? I watched Shakespeare in Love.

And I have to say, I do not feel that I have ever truly watched this film. When it came out in 1998, I was 15-- already a great lover of the theatre, but unfamiliar with so many of the British actors who grace the screen (and many who would become my friends and colleagues), with so much of the factual nods, the inside jokes, the delightful word-play that peppers the incredible screenplay, nor was I as appreciative about the natures of both creativity and love itself as I would eventually grow to become. I was still a teenager. I enjoyed the film, it was about everything I enjoyed but I did not 'get' it.

I did not get it until tonight.

My Dad really loved this film, he watched it over and over again, sometimes all by himself. Dad was a certified genius and it took a lot to get him to focus on television for an extended period without his mind wandering to the thousands of calculations and ideas that constantly flooded his brilliant mind. But this film? He adored. And tonight I profoundly understood why. I don't want to go into the why too much, but I will say that it had a great deal to do with this quote:

"The Master of the Revels despises us all for vagrants and peddlers of bombast. But my father, James Burbage, had the first license to make a company of players from Her Majesty, and he drew from poets the literature of the age. We must show them that we are men of parts. Will Shakespeare has a play. I have a theatre. The Curtain is yours."

I think we all experience moments such as these, but how curious: adult Al profoundly connecting with adult Dad. And so absolute was the understanding, so acute was this moment of connection, I actually picked up the phone to call him and share...

... I know what you are thinking. But you know what? It wasn't sad. Rather, it felt that for a brief moment he was still here. In fact, this experience is proof that in so many ways, he still is. Alone in a beautiful apartment on the island of Manhattan I looked briefly out at the sky and put my phone down. I smiled.

Love keeps going.

Al & Dad - 1998

30 comments:

  1. Much love to you my sweet! I loved your dad dearly. And just knowing he loved that movie makes me want to watch it again! Now everytime I do I will think about our wonderful memories of you, your mom and dad, and me spending many a precious moments together! Love you!

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  2. Of course he is still here, i find myself trying to make that call all the time, it's a good thing, it's comforting I think that he feels so nearby that you can speak ti him, lots of love xxxx

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  3. oh I talk to my mom all the time - in my head, out loud. how I'd love to pick up the phone too. I am with you love.....

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  4. The love and the bond between a parent and child never dies, and even though our parents have or will someday pass, the connection between those individuals remains forever.

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  5. I think of him often. He was such a dignified, sweet and kind man. He is with you always.

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  6. Yes, such a wonderful man and he'll always have his hand on you shoulder! x

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  7. I wish I could have known him, Al. Shakespeare in Love is one of my all time faves. And so are you.

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  8. Mikey is smiling at you right now and always!

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  9. Oh yes ... and, now I'm tearing ... but tears of happiness for both of you that you had THIS love, and you still do.

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  10. i love you so much. x

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  11. What a great post buddy-boy. xox

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  12. that is my favorite line... I still have my Shakespeare in Love poster that I got from the Interlochen video rental store down the road from camp. thanks for sharing this lovely moment Al...

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  13. Thank you everyone for your incredible responses! x

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  14. I lovey you, Sbibler.

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  15. Al, thank you so much for sharing this with me. You are truly beautiful inside and out and so is your father. My father and I share a love for Shakespeare in Love as well, our favorite line being, "the show must...go on". (Conversation piece #1 for you)...he can't remember where he left his keys but you crazy cats can have a "movie quote" off...have fun! xoxo-Neels

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  16. I so fondly remember my conversations with your father. He was an incredible man, unforgivingly dedicated to all things he loved most in the world. I think of him and his passion often. I'm touched that you shared this note with me. love you, al

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  17. Your Dad was super, and I always enjoyed talking with him when he came to Interlochen to visit. Nice picture, too.

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  18. Okay, totally didn't know your Da, but I know his daughter a little. He must have been a mighty oak, cuz his acorn is a great lady. Your post made me cry - in a good way. Love the picture and I need to watch the film again. :)
    Love, Your Carousel pal - Mr. Bascombe.

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  19. I think about your Dad all of the time! Walking around the kitchen whistling, as if it is perfectly normal to run a singing and dancing hootinanny out of your home 24/7 ;c) Such a great man.

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  20. And THIS is why I admire you...the love you have for your dad, the way you continue to have him as a part of your life and how you share him with the rest of us

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  21. Mike Silber...one of the BEST Dads I have ever known. XOXO Al.

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  22. Love you my sweet Al x

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  23. Your dad walked the talk and you are an honor to him! Such warmth! x

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  24. Wow! What a beautiful tribute - warm and gentle. A special man and a special daughter.

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  25. stilln remember him, waiting outside in the driveway for you

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  26. He was a special guy. I was lucky to meet him.

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