Palate Cleanser – What’s Up Doc? (1972)

There is no way that this should be as great as it is.  Director Peter Bogdanovich was coming off The Last Picture Show — great, but no yuks.  I can’t name one other Ryan O’Neal movie that I can sit through (OK, Paper Moon).  And having Barbra Streisand as the star does not bode well.

But not only does it work, it is easily a top 10 of all time comedy despite the AFI’s absurdly ranking it at #61.  O’Neal is perfect as a befuddled Cary Grant knock-off completely out of his element, Streisand is not only funny but actually kind of hot and Madeline Kahn takes a thankless role and elevates it to perfection.  Much of the supporting cast is recognizable to anyone who has seen a lot of 1970s TV or movies.

At its most basic level, it is the story of 4 travel bags that get mixed up, and Barbra Streisand as a free spirit who takes a liking to stuffy Ryan O’Neal.  I am not capable of explaining how that simple story explodes on the screen.  Just about any random 4 minute clip would be great.

Sadly, the clip stops just before the attack of the garbage cans, but anywhere it stopped would have left out something great in the next minute.

Palate Cleanser – Haircut 100

This phenomenal album is great to put on in almost any setting — at home, at work, riding a bike.  One of the benefits for listening at work is that you won’t be distracted by the lyrics — I have listened to this album a thousand times and know NONE of the lyrics.  Also good for that reason — Talking Heads.  Not good for that reason — Bob Dylan.

Maybe I should listen to the lyrics.  Other than the parenthetical  “Boy Meets Girl,” this seems like the gayest track listing ever.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)
Love Plus One
Lemon Firebrigade
Marine Boy
Milk Film
Kingsize (You’re My Little Steam Whistle)
Fantastic Day
Baked Bean
Snow Girl
Love’s Got Me in Triangles
Surprise Me Again
Calling Captain Autumn

Pelican West Plus bonus tracks:

Boat Party
Ski Club
Nobody’s Fool (12″ version)
October Is Orange (day 1 and 2)
Favourite Shirts (12″ version)