Monday, September 12, 2016

A Documentary That Keeps on Giving

The New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles decided to program MANSON the award winning documentary by Robert Hendrickson on August 9, 2016, the Anniversary of these terrible murders that we all desperately study for answers. While seemingly an obvious idea, this was the first time anyone had done this and it was quite the event. The Col and his supermodel wife decided to attend and support Robert and his amazing wife Tobyann, having not seen their lovely faces in all that time. Max Frost, that astounding scholar of Mansonalia, also joined in the evening's events.

The Theatre owner, superstar director Quentin Tarantino had done the programming and it was kind of ingenious. Thanks to the, ahem, foibles of Robert, this film is almost never revived and is only available on homemade DVDS direct from the Hendrickson Estate. It was Tarantino's idea to book on that date. He intended to double feature it with a piece of shit film known as THE HELTER SKELTER MURDERS (bootlegs always available from Jon Aes-Nihil Enterprises for $24.99) but Robert was smart enough to hold out and say hell to the no. This let to MANSON being shown twice that evening- and selling out BOTH times. The primarily young and hipster audience lined up around the block for both showings and it was joyful to watch them embrace Robert as the talented filmmaker he is.

Tarantino sent a car for the Hendricksons to bring them to LA and we met them at El Coyote, where legend has it the Tate victims had their last meal (unlikely), where Matt and crew met Hendrickson lo these many years ago and where the food is meh and the margaritas too small. Col, Supermodel Wife and Max Frost were so happy to see Tobyann and Robert and it was nice to catch up and exchange war stories from the last few years. Several ideas were bandied about that IF They lead somewhere could be amazing.

Tobyann and Col's Wife. Robert holds court


Then it was over to the Theatre. The Marquee was a lovely touch

We arrived with 12 minutes left on the film. The Family was singing "Always is Always Forever" and walking down the dirt road at Spahn. Amazing to watch with a sold out crowd riveted at the screen. Even more impressive, since the 35 mm print (Tarantino is obsessed with "film") was faded and pink. Seriously, the DVD Robert sells is 100 times better quality. Then the man of the hour took the stage.


Robert is a great chat in person, a bit scattered on the blog but he was a fucking ROCK STAR in front of the crowd. He did a great job with about 30 minutes of questions. Some of the questions were even interesting. Tarantino asked a very smart question about Manson's culpability for the main 7 murders. Robert talked about Black Muslims and Merrick and there were a LOT more questions that went unaddressed. Leave them wanting more indeed.

Listen  to the Q&A session:



I checked out the audience and it was mostly young hipsters like I said. When we left the 10:30 show was the same type of audience. Quentin and the Col were probably the oldest people there after the Hendricksons. The usual crowd of experts like Adam Parfrey, counter culture groupies like Brian Butler and authors writing books for 17 years like Tom O'Neill were no where to be seen. (To be fair, O'Neill is in the middle of setting up a nationwide chain of Karate schools with Karate Dave using the teachings of Manson and Bruce Lee combined)



All in all an amazing evening a great event. All Hail ROBERT HENDRICKSON!!1


(apologies to all for the delay in this report, been busy blowing shit up)






78 comments:

Robert C said...

In the first pic --- is Bobby-o hallucinating again ? And which one is his wife ? I like his formal wear ... I'm a pocket t-shirt person myself for all occasions. But many kudos to RH for 'being there' and capturing the Family in their natural habitat for one brief historical moment.

Manson Mythos said...

Adam Parfrey was there? That would have ruined my night.

Unknown said...

Thanks Col for doing this :)

First of all- Manson and Inside the Manson Gang are the Gold Standard of movies/Documentaries on this case. I have originals and also ordered signed copies of the DVD ( Which I have shared over the years with other bloggers less fortunate)

Second- I just knew Mr H. was an articulate guy. Where is this clear speaking, focused thoughtful man when I try to get answers lol :)

Third- Absolutely, Mr.H please do something with the five hour min-series!! YES some of us would watch all of the tape.

Finally, As a person who is very interested in the case and a serious fan of Mr. H and his movies, I literally beg you to please give more notice if you ever do this again. This would have been a night I would have gone through some trouble to participate in. This looks like it was a really amazing time and experience.

Congratulations on a terrific event and an amazing accomplishment!!

Robert Hendrickson said...

What can I say? I'm flattered to say the least. AND of course, a big THANK YOU to "The COL and his most wonderful wife OR should I say "Susan and her thoughtful husband."

I realize that I actually get much more (stimulation) from events like this than probably the good folks that attend (it's my connection to a new generation) and I am FOREVER grateful.

I woke up this morning and realized MY true calling may actually be to "interview" people who have a historical connection to the events WE are so interested in. This because YESTERDAY I talked with George Hamilton for hours about HIS life and the people HE knew and connected with. This man is so much more than just a famous ACTOR. He even has a photo of himself being groomed by the Jay Sebring.

He actually made me feel like I was a part of HIS life history. HE even showed me photos of HIM and the "LBJ" (He was rumored to be a suitor for Lynda Johnson.)

Once LBJ took HIM to meet J. Edgar Hoover where George asked the F.B.I director to let him see HIS file. So there is now a photo of George and Hoover together where Edgar signed the Photo "To George Hamilton IV..." BUT the "director" of the U.S. government's FORMOST "investigation" agency got George (the actor) mixed-up with George Hamilton IV (a Country and Western music legend).

So like I mention in "Death to Pigs" Charles Manson OR Charles Watson? That is a relevant question.

Matt said...

We were lucky enough to meet Robert and Toby Hendrickson at the Silent Theatre during our 2013 Tour. That too, was a magical night.

If any of the readers don't own copies of the two documentaries I highly recommend you use the link in the sidebar and order yourself a set. It's the only way to see the Family in motion back during the trial.


Unknown said...

Mr H. If you will commit to a private Q/A on one of the upcoming Manson Tours...

I Will buy you all the small Margaritas and shitty food at El Coyote your heart desires... Send a car for you too!!

If you screen the movie with us, Ill throw in a few cases of Coors-lights as well lol ( I will even help you drink them if you want)

I would so love to meet and talk to you. Again, I am really jealous I didn't get to do this.

Shorty's pistols said...

Firstly, Thx to the Col for that tardy, but excellent book report.

I really wanted to see info from this presentation.

Was worried that the audience would need a CAPS LOCK reader and the famous RH decoder ring to get the gist of what Hendrickson was talking about. No worries. RH's presentation was incisive and well spoken all the way. Maybe Robert should use a microphone when he makes his posts. This came across perfectly.

I'd like to hear more about Merrick and RG's interaction with the family.

A great job by all involved in this post.

Patty is Dead said...

Thanks Colonel Patty hopes you're not still pissed at her.

prefeteria said...

Mr H, for all of his riddle-me-this typing on the blog is undoubtedly a major source of information on TLB history. But ever since I first noticed The Legend of Charles Manson online, two things stood out to me that have never been addressed publicly. The Mark Ross connection (protecting a friend's privacy) and the Jacques Hondorus connection (not sure why). I'd make it a point to be in LA for an off the record discussion if one were to take place!

Zelda Formaldehyde said...

Thanks to The Col.
I'm feeling the glamor of the festivities. So Hollywood.

AustinAnn74 said...

Absolutely love the photo of Robert holding court!

David said...

Mr. H, what would it take to bring out those five hours?

And I second Saint: could you give us a little more warning next go around. If I could have managed to get an opposing to be reasonable and a judge to stop talking I might have made this.

Sime's World said...

The film is undoubtedly the finest of its genre. I watch it once a year and am still blown away by its power. Couple of questions for Robert if he is around. Is there room for a "Director's Cut" combining elements from both "Manson" and "Inside The Manson Gang" (and maybe some unseen material)? Secondly, is there scope for a soundtrack album at some point?

Best from the UK

Simon Wells

ColScott said...

Patty- Col hates everyone it isn't personal

Yesterday at one of my regular BBQs I seated Robert with George Hamilton (that guy has seen some shit) and Max Frost. Everything from Sebring haircuts to LBJ's daughter. Good times. I could hear the universe listen for a few minutes

Patty is Dead said...

Damn. If Patty could have been a fly on your wall!

Fiddy 8 said...

So, nobody has a problem with this? Tarentino has made mega millions $ by depicting fictional gruesome violent death in hip movies, and somehow celebrating RH's movie on August 9th is hipster too?

Just sayin.

Fiddy 8 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
orwhut said...

ColScott said...

The Family was singing "Always is Always Forever" and walking down the dirt road at Spahn.

That's the scene where Squeak showed off her abs. She had some mighty fine abs.

Fiddy 8 said...

IMHO: Dennis, Trent, and Axel admire the music, Quintin admires the violence.

Fiddy 8 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Fiddy 8 said...

I never bought into the idea that Dennis was in it just for the girls...seems to me that Dennis could have/afford any girl he wanted - any night of the week.

Robert Hendrickson said...

I thank you ALL for the kind and considerate words and I'll let this SLIP.

For all this time, I knew something was "missing" from the Manson Case films, but not knowing what it was, I have been afraid to finish the 5 hour series. It was like, what's the point.

Then, against all odds, because I was so close to NOT "being there" YESTERDAY, I met George Hamilton and it seems we both KNEW there was a reason for our paths to meet.

I know it sounds crazy, but I finally discovered what was missing.

AND George, if you are reading this, after YOU left and later we all left, I grabbed the empty Mountain Valley Water Bottle you drank from, cause YOU made my day.

Robert Hendrickson said...

YES, YES & YES Simon. In fact the newly found "missing" element would even fit right in with a "combination" as you describe. Might even be the easiest to do and then the 5 or more mini-series could always be completed later IF the "combination" is successful.

The only problem with that is, after seeing "MANSON" again, I don't know if I would edit ANYTHING out. I realize "MANSON" has become it's own THING and AFTER seeing "The Thing" (long ago) I don't know whether it's ever a good thing to mess with "the THING.

Robert Hendrickson said...

FIDDY: I think YOU have raised a profound issue, BUT I also think YOU know the answer.

AND the ANSWER, of course, lies within the QUESTION, as does ANY "answer/question" issue, because IT relates all the way back to the beginning of the creation of language. By using the word "celebrate" (which has the emotional feeling of "Happy Birthday" ice-cream and cup-cakes) to apply to violent events, YOU "create" an issue that can be easily solved by the CREATION of a NEW word that actually would apply to ONLY violent events, such as WAR in a politically CORRECT manner.

How about "violebrate"

As in: the mansonblog is a violebration directed to the understanding of violence. Of course, soccer mommy would complain that "I didn't bring a son into this world to "violebrate," BUT have HIM make ME proud in HIS smartly pressed UNIFORM.

Robert C said...

Orwhut -- after watching my RH bought Manson dvds too many times, my stomach gets sick when I hear anything singing "Always is Always Forever".

Fiddy 8 -- agree about the Dennis-girls thing. It's motivating but there must have been others things going on. I can only guess.

RH -- agree don't mess with something that works. However, if you have any more footage, throw that into a third dvd along with interviews of all the players still around, movie stars, Stimson, our noble quad-umverate here (Matt-Patty-Deb-Ann), even surviving Family and Manson himself. Call it something like "Manson Revisited".

Hell ... not only provide another service but make bucks, get you into that mansion with swimming pools and movie stars ! ;-)

What's not to like ?

grimtraveller said...

ColScott said...

at El Coyote, where legend has it the Tate victims had their last meal (unlikely)

Poor Stevie P. Rarely even an afterthought these days !
But the fact that we know so little about him may have turned out to be a good thing......for his family.

Robert Hendrickson said...

So there is now a photo of George and Hoover together where Edgar signed the Photo "To George Hamilton IV..." BUT the "director" of the U.S. government's FORMOST "investigation" agency got George (the actor) mixed-up with George Hamilton IV (a Country and Western music legend)

An easy mistake to make and across the Atlantic too. 29 years ago I went to a church meeting where there had been great fanfare made about George Hamilton coming. This particular church used to have a coterie of international believers passing through and a few of them were "famous." The idea I guess being that all the fame and riches in the world couldn't satisfy endlessly or fill the void in so many peoples' hearts. Anyway, the only George Hamilton I knew was the one that appeared in "Columbo" and I thought it was going to be him......but it was the C&W one ! To be honest, I only really went because I had a car and some friends needed a lift.
The same thing used to happen with Sharon Stone. People used to get all excited when they'd hear of the famous actress' conversion and how she cared for the downtrodden but it was a totally different Sharon Stone !
Ringo Starr never had that trouble.

Sime's World said...

Robert H. Thanks for your affirmative response. I've monitored the work that Criterion DVDs have done over the years, and they appear very respectful of classic works such as yours. Just a thought.. https://www.criterion.com/

I believe that a soundtrack album would hit many spots - while Brooks and Paul W's music is exceptional, the incidental pieces are very moving throughout. With the burgeoning vinyl revival, I think a release exclusively on disc would prove a very collectible item.

Best again

Simon Wells

ColScott said...

Simon Wells, pop culture warrior at your service

Unknown said...

The Col. Simon Wells. Mr H. Max Frost

I am going to cross the line into total ass-kissing here. It is amazing to me to see the people who participate in this Blog, or have been personally involved with this blog. Alisa Statman, George Stimson, Dostie and Buster, Emmett Harder, John Ussery, John Aes- Nihil

My congratulations to Matt and the team for taking a very fun website and turning it into the most relevant place existing in regards to TLB. The emails and requests that this site gets for information from places I am not sure Matt would want me to mention- it is incredible what this place has become and who participates in it.

Mr. H- you certainly were and are a difference maker, as is the Col of course.

But Matt has driven the boat for a very long time and deserves a world of credit.

Deb has brought a level of research that is unmatched anywhere period!

Patty brings a tenderness and sensibility which refreshes us all.

Ann has the job of being the Anti- Family crusader and voice of reason- plus has the avatar that drives men crazy :)

You all have made this a must read blog. Its like the morning news. you check in every day to see whats up and who is saying what...

Congrats :) All of you!!

Sime's World said...

Cheers St Circumstance! I'm happy to be aboard I've even updated a profile pic for you all!

Patty is Dead said...

Patty has been called many things in her lifetime but never sensible! Haha

Unknown said...

I should have also mentioned your pretty smile- but wanted to be respectful to Stoner ;)

ColScott said...

Saint

Thanks for the ass wipe. Little Known Tidbit, AesNihil did in fact have close ties to TLB he was one of the drug dealers selling acid to naked Debra Tate at Cielo in early 1969. He forgot (acid casualty) and had to change his name from Dawson. FACT

Unknown said...

Interesting fact at that :)

David said...

If.......

orwhut said...

Robert C said... Orwhut -- after watching my RH bought Manson dvds too many times, my stomach gets sick when I hear anything singing "Always is Always Forever".

Robert C.,
Beauty is in the eye/ear of the beholder. Like you, I watched the DVDs so much that I got an overdose of certain music. In my case it was the music of Little Paul and Brooks, the guys getting rave reviews in these comments. When people listed their favorite Manson songs a while back, I was surprised that no one listed, Always is Always Forever. I think it's the prettiest one.

Fiddy 8 said...

Violebration time / c'mon!

Robert Hendrickson said...

I think the REAL beauty of this website is that IT is still "relevant." As George H. told me the other day: A friend of his recently said to HIM that everyone remembers where THEY were when Sharon Tate was murdered. Of course, he meant 'everyone' in the film industry, but I'm sure that holds true for many others also.

That Matt seems to have a knack for running this desert island in a sea of asphalt makes one think: Where would Charles Manson be today without ALL the current attention. Just yesterday ABC pick-up the MANSON non-story concerning Reet Jurvetson / LAPD and made it a "current" event.

And for ME (just another flawed individual), I am constantly LEARNING more about a subject that apparently has NO boundries.

Long LIVE the Mansonblog.

Robert Hendrickson said...

YOU know FIDDY, this issue of "celebrating" WAR and even tragedies (like Hilary Clinton just did at a 9/ 11 memorial in order to boost HER popularity,) has been going on for THOUSANDS of years. So does that make it ALRIGHT? Of course NOT.

When "MANSON" the movie opened in Los Angeles, California in 1975, another film "The Rocky Horror Show" opened also AND all I have been trying to do is make "MANSON" into another "Rocky." Eventually, the song lyrics will be sub-titled onto the MANSON movie, just like in "Rocky."

Nobody is "celebrating" the day Sharon Tate died, although that is the day HER name actually came to light, BUT I am celebrating the day a movie called "The Rocky Horror Show" made a STAR out of a MAN dressed in woman's under-ware, because that is the day a NEW generation really said "FUCK-YOU" to the "greatest" generation for igniting the Vietnam Yellow and White RACE War.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Robert C said...

Orwhut -- it's not the tune itself, it's association with those losers who sang it. If it was so-called hippies that sang it .. it would be ok. But not slippies. I think I've also associated it with Scott Michaels' "Six Degrees of Helter Skelter" documentary where he plays that sing-song while gunshots punctuate the night at Cielo during the murders. Chilling.

RH - said '(like Hilary Clinton just did at a 9/ 11 memorial in order to boost HER popularity,)'

You mean D. tRump don't you ?

Fiddy 8 said...

Robert H, A few months ago I went to a new documentary film screening/premier at the Nuart in L.A., the filmmaker was there and did the Q&A thing too. It is a film about mountaineering in the Himalayas. The climbers themselves made the film. The film is titled *Meru*.

It was exhibited on a Saturday night, on the way out the Rocky Horror cultists were lined up down Santa Monica Blvd for the midnight show.

Culture shock to the max.

Unknown said...

I have been reading up on the Beverly Cinema, and it sounds like a very unique and cool place. Apparently they sell White Castle burgers there lol I thought that was a Jersey thing lol

I read a bunch of reviews of the place in Yelp and places like that and the below one isn't a great review in comparison with many of the others I read, but it did have one interesting mention lol


My boyfriend likes to come see movies here a lot & I always get a laugh at how many lonely guys are in the audience on any given night seeing old classics // I'm often the only lady in the theater or there are like 2 others and we kind of give each other these looks like "yeah" while passing each other in the bathroom. My friend once snuck a whole large pizza in here and usually Quentin Tarantino is in the audience cause he owns the place. My favorite time here was seeing the Charles Manson documentary on the anniversary of Sharon Tate's death. One of my least favorite things about this place is the guy who holds the door open.. like I can open the door myself & I'd rather not have to rub my body against you while trying to come inside... but I guess that just the charm of the place ??

Robert Hendrickson said...

OMG FIDDY - the Rocky Horror show is STILL rock'in it? That's what I'm talk'n about. In the late 70's we started the midnight runs with MANSON and it was actually working, but then the US "government" took away the "Movie" TAX shelter law and literally destroyed the "independent" film business. Of course, that's a STORY in itself - how a "democracy" can CONTROL the masses, just like a dictatorship and any other form of communism.

I'm sure you ALL realize by now (with the "WHO really wants Hilary OR Trump situation") that the TWO party system is just a joke away from ANY other game show. I even THINK that, as troublesome as "celebrating" the anniversary of someone's DEATH may be, it can also be a subconscious form of "rebellion" against an "establishment" GONE totally mad with the INTENT to suck every penny out of its YOUTH. The average college graduate student is NOW $29,000 in debt to the US GOVERNMENT.

THANK you SAINT for that tip, but I think the "lonely" tag may be MORE associated with a 'common cause' get-together. For a few hours THEY can mentally take a TRIP down Memory Lane to a time when the idea of "GUNS and Roses were for making love, NOT war, was trying to take hold.

It has always been a stigma for women to attend a movie alone, but even that situation will eventually change. About 40 percent of our MANSON DVD sales are to women, but many of those are gifting to THEIR men.

PLEASE keep the comments a coming, I really do pay serious attention to THEM.

Unknown said...

Funny but true Mr. H...

My ex wife who cruelly dumped me bought me your signed DVD set as a birthday gift one year lol.... I say repeatedly that I bought them, but truth be told- they were a gift from a woman who knew I wanted them :)


by the way many more reviews of that place were very positive. I just pasted that one because it mentioned you. From the Col's pic up top it looks like there was a fairly even ratio of males to females on that night at least...

David said...

A counterpoint to Saint.

When this post appeared I kicked myself for not getting to LA. I then decided the next best thing was to watch RH's movie. My wife, who I truly love, was at the beach with her sister and mother and that meant....I was alone.

I proceeded to my basement (notice the location) and thumbed through the DVDs located there. I found several Grateful Dead DVDs, Ian Hunter (in Norway- Strings Attached- great), the Stones, Gimme Shelter, Hyde Park etc. Melanie and a variety of documentaries on various subjects ranging from the Civil War (Ken Burns) to WWI and beyond.....

But no Manson.

I went back upstairs and looked through the 'normal' DVDs and finding nothing probably watched a rerun of Law and Order SUV or Criminal Minds. Or perhaps I read one of Grim's comments and then finding it to be after midnight went to bed.

Later while getting coffee with my wife I happen to ask: 'Do you know what happened to my Manson DVD?"

"Why?" she replied. Followed by "YOU and I sold a lot of DVDs at the last [neighborhood] garage sale".

No further discussion was necessary.

I ordered a replacement together with the Manson Gang later that day.

They should be here later this week.

Fiddy 8 said...

I am confused. Col says it was first ever such 9th event at the cinema, but St. now posts a review about it happening before.

Unknown said...

She was talking about this event. It happened a few weeks ago this review was a couple days old.

Robert Hendrickson said...

SAINT: A woman buys YOU the MANSON DVD "set" and then SHE dumps YOU! We're talk'in Heaven AND Hell all in one DRINK.

DREATH: NOW the question is: Was it YOU or YOUR wife who actually ORDERED the DVD to be sold at the "garage sale"? OR we can simply BLAME the "garage sale." I bet you didn't SELL your car at the garage sale - that would have made more sense to ME.

BTW (1): The good folks that attended the showing I attended were the most respectful, intelligent people you will ever meet (as a group) in Los Angeles - and NOT one cell phone RANG in the theater.

BTW (2): Quinten T. keeps the ticket price down to $8 so EVERYONE can attend his theater events, thus I doubt HE made ANY real money off MY violent film. AND if you look carefully at the last photo of the attending "generation" they are VICTIMS of a savage "establishment" hell-bent on sucking every last penny out of "thirsty for an education" young folks.

AND Charlie Manson is the "really" BAD guy?

Unknown said...

You ain't kidding lol

David said...

RH: I originally bought the DVDs. My wife sold them in the garage sale.

I bought them again Wednesday.

Saint's wife buys them for him and leaves him. My wife throws them away and stays.

Unknown said...

There were a few years in between to be fair ;)

orwhut said...

Dreath said... RH: I originally bought the DVDs. My wife sold them in the garage sale.


I'll bet somebody got a good deal at that garage sale.

David said...

Orwhut said: I'll bet somebody got a good deal at that garage sale.

Yes, I can see it now, sitting in one of those damn wicker baskets, surrounded by Land Before Time #1-56 or some God awful 1998 remake of Godzilla or maybe if it was lucky it sat with there with My Little Pony movie. There is was with its bright orange sticker on it that said.....

$1.50....

Then one of you clowns snagged it and brought it to her shaking your head: "I can give you 50 cents for this". And she responded "I can't go less then 75".

I prefer to view this in a positive light as a second contribution to Robert's retirement account.

But you go ahead Orwhut and rub it in.

orwhut said...

Dreath,
I didn't mean to rub it in. To make you feel better, I bought my first copy of Manson off Ebay. It was a well worn, and I think LEGAL former video store VHS with the video store case. I think I paid around $40.00 for that one. Afraid it was nearing the end of it's life, I jumped on the package that Robert made available to members of this group. I guess you know what I paid for that. I also have a yellowed paperback copy of Little Paul's book that cost another $40.00 or so. Now, I'm thinking about buying Schrecks new book. I hope that's as far as it goes.

Fiddy 8 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
David said...

Goodness , Orwhut, I was being funny....my bad

orwhut said...

Dreath.
I'm glad I didn't get you mad at me. Oh, and I might have paid as much as $60.00 for Little Paul's book. It's difficult to remember.

Robert Hendrickson said...

Is a "Garage Sale" NOT a significant clue that could have prevented the NEED for the TLB massacre and some kind of Battle of Armageden.

When the chips are down, the cookie jar is empty of spare change and there is NO "work" in sight - what do you do - hold a "Garage Sale."

With ALL those at the Spahn Ranch (including a 'mastermind') how come nobody THOUGHT of having a "We need money to go to the desert - Garage Sale."

BTW: With "Hinkley" now released from prison, WE should ALL realize just how dangerous it could be NOW if the Manson Family got away with an "insanity" defense.

mamapoohbear16 said...

When are you coming to the East Coast to show your film? In return I promise you the best crabcake you've ever had. That is not a sexual innuendo. Its really a crabcake.

Unknown said...

Coincidence off topic lol

My favorite south Florida band "The Heavy Pets" who I have mentioned many times on this blog and who were playing in Key West the weekend I wrote my Blurred Lines post- happened to be playing a show last night on the Jersey shore where I grew up and just spent a week attending a wedding a couple weeks ago

The coincidence ? The bar they played was called....

The Saint. Lol. Have a great weekend !!

Robert Hendrickson said...

YESTERDAY it was my birthday and I became 72 or 73 (not sure which). Besides a 24 pack of Pabst BLUE Ribbon beer, I got "closure" to a very important issue. Before that I NEVER realized just how stressful "NOT knowing" really is. BUT now I know that the "answer" to ANY question that effects your life can be the greatest GIFT you will ever receive.

Because for ME the "answer" had to be the TRUE answer, supported by iron clad evidence and I finally got it, a very heavy mental load has been lifted. AND it doesn't matter WHAT the issue or answer is, except that the ISSUE of "closure" relates directly to WHY we all are interested in this STILL very "questionable" Manson Case.

So IF "closure" (TRUTH of the matter) is so important WHY do we accept the opinion of a "government" employee for such a life altering answer ? OR by any person educated by a "government" institution ?

I think that may be WHY there is such a renewed interest in the whole Manson Case mystique.
Deep down in OUR inner selves we KNOW there has NOT been real "closure."

Unknown said...

A Very Happy Birthday MR.H!!

DebS said...

Happy Birthday, Robert!!!

MHN said...

You will never discover the truth, nobody ever does. It's not there. Whether you know it or not, you'll merely make a decision. You'll come across the story that you decide is the truth. It will satisfy something in you. You won't think about it. You won't even know it was a decision, and you can never work out why you have decided in favor of one idea and against another.

Truth is like beauty in that way. You know what you venerate and what you don't, but you can never explain why, why this and not that. And because it's inexplicable, you might even deny that it's merely your choice. You might call it 'truth', or something equally fluid. But it's as though someone is pulling the strings: why do you choose to believe this, and not that? Why does your mind find Thing A heart-rendingly beautiful but Thing B plain and nondescript? You don't know. It's not that governments are dishonest, it's just that they have to choose one thing over another, (else, why have governments?) and you choose the other, out of habit, because you've decided on that path.

I believe nothing I've just written. Especially that last sentence.

Happy birthday dear Robert - here's to many more years of striving and searching.

Lovely post, Col.

David said...

Happy Birthday Robert! May you have many more to come.

Anonymous said...

Belated Happy Birthday Robert - just 24 beers - a quiet celebration :)

Loved this post from the Col. - great photos and brilliant audio clip of the post-movie question time. Well done - your movie is a masterpiece.

Sime's World said...

Happy Birthday Robert, wishing you every good wish from the UK.

MHN - fine words - one of my favourite quotes from Mr Keats: '”Beauty is truth, truth beauty, that is all/Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.

orwhut said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ROBERT.

Matt said...

Happy Birthday, old friend. You are indeed an asset to this forum. Many more, we all hope!

Welcome back, Michael!


MHN said...

Simon, what a loss Mr Keats was. I recently visited the little house on the Piazza Spagna in Rome and saw the tiny bedroom in which he died. I left deeply moved, he had such a precious gift but was taken so young.

But perhaps of more interest to you, whenever I am about to begin a portrait commission I hear in my head an interviewer asking "And how do you mix your paints?", and the artist Anthony Hancock answering, "In a bucket, with a big stick". Now there is truth and beauty. I watch it at least twice a year. Are we perhaps the only two Manson afficianados with a deep love for Hancock?

Matt, hope you're well. I'm not back! Couldn't very well not give dear Robert best wishes, that's all.

Transatlantic fistbumps to all.

brownrice said...

Happy Birthday, Mr Hendrickson... and many more to come.

Robert Hendrickson said...

Holy Moley BATMAN: It's really Happy Birthday time AGAIN.

Many return thank-yous to ALL. Greatly appreciated !

AND the other important clue to LIFE, I just fully realized is: EVERY morning really is the beginning of a NEW and improved LIFE - if YOU want it to be.

Last night I saw most of the Jon Bonnet Ramsey murder CASE rehashed on TV, BUT this time they actually had forensic EXPERTS involved. And I could NOT help but THINK: where were the EXPERTS in the Manson Murders Case? Of course, if Bugliosi really KNEW the DEFENSE would "rest" as soon as the Prosecution presented it's CASE, why would ANY professional witnesses be necessary?

And WHY would any JUROR be interested in ANY explanation of WHERE did Charles Manson get the IDEA concerning an impending Helter Skelter (Final Conflict.)?

Is it possible that ALL these young Hipsters (NOW going to SEE MANSON) are actually interested in some kind of real TRUTH ? Now that's actually SCARY. Also makes you wonder - are they going to VOTE for America to have a KING or a QUEEN ?

mamapoohbear16 said...

Happy Birthday. Just an FYI..its also my late father's 102nd birthday.

Fiddy 8 said...

Happy BIRTHDAY Robert.

Fiddy 8 said...

Robert, maybe that golden glow in the Pulp Fiction briefcase was some kind of real TRUTH.

lostgirl said...

Happy Birthday Mr. Hendrickson!

Sime's World said...

MHN - Hancock and Manson! What a connection - but yes, I am as absorbed into the world of Mr. A. A. Hancock as I am of this saga. PM me off board at simoncatweazle@aol.com where we can communicate on all things Hancock in Paris.