Word: benchley
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...firmly earthbound in this 1943 effort. Granted, the writing is usually abominable ("Remember the boatman's song at twilight at Amalfi, the scent of orange blossoms on the road to Damascus," etc., etc.), but the absence of a light touch accentuates triteness and makes the melodrama ludicrous. Although Robert Benchley amusingly bridges the three tales, Duvivier seems to take the stories themselves far too seriously. In fact, you can never be quite sure at what effect he is striving. If it's simply entertainment, he is only partially successful...
...Blot's eyes wandered to the wall, where John Updike's picture had already been hung between Benchley and Gluyas Williams. Some of his stuff fell flat this issue, he thought. You really can't blame the Chief--he's so overworked. But the Chinese birthday party cartoon ("Happy Birthday, Tu Yu") was great. The lead poem on Spring was smooth and sensitive. And the Schism in the Church story--about the Pennsylvania Germans (Blot's eyes filled with tears as he thought of how well the Chief knew and loved them.) The way he wriggles the poor minister...
...restaurant started off modestly. The two largest sponsors -Jock Whitney and the late Bob Benchley, whom Mike had known during his New York nightlife era-subscribed only $350 apiece; Darryl Zanuck and Joseph Schenck, only $300 each. The total take was $7,200, $1,800 short of what Mike had hoped...
...Robert Benchley once said that "Romanoff's is the only place I know where the customer isn't always right." Chronic bores, cut-raters and devotees of the club sandwich have sometimes been asked to take their custom elsewhere, and more than once a letter of complaint has been tacked on the wall of the men's room...
This guy is terrific. Benchley can now rest in peace-he has found his successor...