The Volley of the Roles



Birthdays today for actors, singers, composers

Peter Nero and Bernie Taupin are the closest ...

In the latter ability ... for they both deal with music

But whilst the first does notes, the other proves it



By writing lyrics ... mostly for singer Elton John

Who then puts the piano notes where they belong

Whilst Nero focuses more on the overall composition

They both do it well ... having great musical intuition



Then there are the singers, led by Charles Aznavour

Who does romantic ballads which appeal evermore

And birthday candles will also be blown out today

By Judith Crist ... who's never been too shy to say



What she thinks of performances by the others ...

Folks such as the following actors who cover ... 

The gamut from comedy through to serious drama

One of whom has also directed films (without armor)



Richard Benjamin ... the versatile actor and director

Michael Sarrazin ... who still looks as young as ever

Michael Constantine, Frank Converse, Paul Winfield 

And Barbara Parkins, one of whose films did deal ...



With the prescription drugs which seem to pervade

Evoked in a story by Jacqueline Suzanne which made

A great deal of money for her and her publisher ...

And then also the film producers who pushed her



To allow them to film the story and star Parkins ...

As well as Sharon Tate ... who'd become marked in

The slayings carried out by the maniacal followers 

Of a fellow named Manson ... (no soul's hollower)



Anyway ... The Valley of the Dolls was well-received

Even though - at that time - it was hard to believe ...

But then ... so were the slayings ... a horrible crime

Even tho thirty years ago ... an unforgotten time ....

 

- Tristram



© Christopher W. Thomas

6:27pm Sat. May 22nd, 1999