In the” mouth” of the Universal Studio acting confessional, Archie Leach(Cary Grant) Tony Curtis (Bernie Schwartz) Piper Laurie, her dream of being a journalist still viable, Gia Scala, a blue eyed starlet from Italy, living with her chaperone motheron Bluffside Drive (the studio’s back lot in North Hollywood),Dorothy Dandridge,( on loan from M GM) and theSheik of Araby, Bernie Madoff, shedding his moneyedmarketplace skin, for a place in the sun.
II
The lights go dim for a minute, 60 ticks in the life of 46 year old Philip Seymour Hoffman, a larger than life actor, who in losing himself to find himself, passed way three days ago in the Big Apple’s West Village ……as though the Universal Studioschool of dramatic acting was tuned in…
The melodies from a once Hebrew Cantor’s son, whoconverted, was like a recapture of “The tales of Hoffman”, hismost famous the’ Barcarole’, a touching score, full of melody and genius” wrote Olin Downs, the NY Times critic.
“It is a Venetian boat song, sung by the gondoliers in thosesurreal canals. Beneath its surface, the Barcarolle playing out….a “symbol of man’s dreams fears frustrations and tragedies”: apilgrimage in the search for love.”
III
The actors into their séance, sitting in their yogi positions. Theircomputer model tone, taking its toll.
John Barrymore, alcohol (“The Great Profile”), Spencer Tracy (liquor).The angst includes the Aussie Heath Ledge… …morphing, shedding their skins.
“How can you beat it,” said Tony Curtis, his own soul generating that kind of fever that only a grown up fan of 90’ish old Mickey Rooney could relish.
“Aren’t we all motivated, grasping for the heroic? A “Duke” Wayne John Ford heroism,” chimed in Piper Laurie, her own“Let’s Pretend” struggle, identifying with the likes of Claire Trevor, hard boiled Ida Lupino, who lived down the Vinelandpike into Burbank.
. IV
Meanwhile the harmonies and melodies of Jacques Offenbachcontinued, the Italian gondoliers, driving the Barcarole…..
Whence the Academy at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland,announced that Oscar winning night for the late Philip (“Phil”) Seymour Hoffman . He becoming “Capote”.
The former New Yorker magazine office boy, who sought notoriety, becoming a novelist , settling in penthouse digs: thepipeline into the rich and famous… dueling tongues with Norman Mailer on television’s talk shows.(Jack Parr).
V
“Look ma, I’m at the party,” said “Phil”, holding up the Oscar for his morphing as “Capote”
To the pulsating rhythms from the surreal gondoliers at the Universal Studio school for actors and role players , searching for a mantra that justifies their existence. The growing up puttyto Reality: those role playing pretensions .. “Let’s Pretend”.
Cary Grant, Gia Scala, Dorothy Dandridge, into their LSDcocaine mescaline peyote high…he losing his Cockney( Hove waterfront ) twang, avoiding the Hoffman heroin overdose, the actor’s high, the needle into his arm’s vein.
Gia Scala sobbing as she stood up. “Archie, cease and desist.”.
“We can’t strive for status in our drug culture.. I tried rehab. But in the parking lot, the attend ant talked me into a high on “coke”
“I couldn’t resist. The high arrests, handcuffs your free will.”
“To lose yourself, to find yourself. Yes mum, I hear,” said Archie Leach becoming himself after all those 100 or moreroles.”I’m ready for my close up, Mister De Mille,” mimicking Gloria Swanson.
The Barcarole waves savoring the confessional, on this day across the Continent, the private funeral for Philip SeymourHoffman, a star storied life, failing to dominate his demons.
“For you, Ma. We’re at the party”, said Phil, holding up the Oscar for viewers around our planet.
“For you, Ma”
The funeral , Loyola Church. The City that never sleeps. February 7, 2014.
