How many times have you had a conversation with someone who talks at you rather than actually engaging in a meaningful two, or three way dialogue? These people usually spend their time talking about themselves and their likes and dislikes but rarely allow any other contributions other than the cursory "yes, I know" or a nod of the head in agreement. When the time comes for the other party to attempt to contribute to the one way dialogue that is normally the cue for the monopoliser of the conversation to depart.

 

There are many who cannot hold an intelligent conversation that allows all opinions and arguments to be contirbuted. It is surprising that medical science has never been able to identify or diagnose this "condition" bearing in mind that it would be fairly easy to establish.

 

You would simply need to randomly record various conversations to verify the "condition".

 

If you conducted a simple word count of how many words were utterred by all parties in the conversation I would have no doubt that the people who suffer from "onversationitis" would score overwhelmingly high - possibly as much as a four or five to one ratio. Of course, some people are able to express themselves more succinctly than others but those who have the "onversationitis" affliction always seem to need more words to express a simple concept than others.

 

This blog may sound a little flippant or sarcastic but the fact is that the perfect conversationalist is one who allows all parties to the conversation equal time. If the conversation is one sided it becomes a "oneversation" and that is of little or no value to anyone.

Tony Abbott was elected new leader of the Liberal Party in Australia a few days ago largely based on his stand against passing the Emissions Trading Bill.

 

He has had a long career in politics and has served as a minister in the previous government but his public speaking style could certainly be improved.

 

Tony Abbott prefaces nearly every phrase with "um" or "ah". There are many examples of this  including Tony Abbott interview I stopped counting at 100 "ums" and "ahs".

 

If he is going to become a leader of any significance, he will obviously need to improve his skills as a speaker when enunciating the policies of his party.

 

My challenge to Tony Abbott is to complete one sentence without using an "um" or an "ah".

 

It wont be easy.

 

www.moviemem.com

 

 New Zealand has a proud history both in film making and in their wonderful and historic cinemas. Over the years there has been a select group of dedicated, and sometimes eccentric, theatre managers whose passion has been devoted to preserving historic cinemas that have often only been marginally profitable. It is disappointing that some of these wonderful cinemas have sadly gone by the wayside over the years to make way for modern redevelopment.

 

I have spent a great deal of time in New Zealand and have met some of the unique characters who have contributed so much to the history. Many have talked about compiling a history of New Zealand cinema.

 

Wayne Brittenden has now done that and his new book "The Celluloid Circus" is an absolutely fascinating chronicle of the history of many of the great cinemas in New Zealand and the people who manage them.

 

 

The book is packed with some superb photos that truly demonstrate how big a part cinema played in the life of New Zealanders. It also includes stories and anecdotes from some of the participants.

 

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has even just a passing interest in film or the cinema. If you are interested in purchasing a copy send me an email

 Film review broadcast on Jazz Radio 94.1fm by John Reid for All About Eve (1950) Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. With Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders. 

 

 

 

 I would like to hear from anyone who purchased a D'Arcy Doyle or Ramon Ward-Thompson painting at an Exhibition and Sale of Australian art at Jupiters Casino at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast in January 2008.

 

If you purchased any work of art at this sale please email me

 

I would also like to hear from Jennifer or Jennefer Doyle who purportedly provided the paintings for this sale.

 

d'Arcy W. Doyle was born in Ipswich in 1932 and was a self-taught painter of Australian landscapes and historical scenes.

 

From an early age he had a keen interest in drawing and wished to be a designer or to be involved in the graphic industry. 

 

He joined the Royal Australian Navy and served seven years, after which he took up full-time painting in 1961.

 

Doyle has a deep affinity with the Australian bush and his work focuses on horses, sheep, drovers and other farm activities as well as children's games.
 
Influenced by Norman Rockwell, the well-known American illustrator, Doyle gives us a nostalgic impression of post-war Brisbane and Ipswich as he recalls it.

 

Ronald Coles Investment Galleries

 

Ronald Coles Investment Gallery 1 Porters Road, Kenthurst.

 

Ron Coles' website stated:

 "Art available We feature many of Australia's greatest artists. Sir Arthur Streeton, Tom Roberts, Frederick McCubbin, Eugene von Guerard, Sidney Nolan, Arthur Boyd, Hans Heysen, Albert Namatjira. We also specialise in Norman Lindsay and D'Arcy W. Doyle. With a price range from $2000 to $1,800,000 we can cater for all needs."

 

 

 

 

 A record of the highest prices paid for Australian movie posters should realistically be divided into two lists. The first would include the published prices at auctions using records from Christies, Heritage, Bruce Hershenson and a recent sale on eBay.

 

The second is probably impossible to compile but would probably dwarf the published prices. This list would have to include a record of private sales and would probably be a surprise to many people.

 

The story goes that a Frankenstein daybill was sold for $20,000 - $30,000.00 plus many years ago and there have been a few other significant prices for classic Australian daybills that can never really be confirmed. I have sold a few in the past that would make the list but the sales have been private so the prices should not be disclosed.

 

Here is a list of the published Top Ten highest prices paid for Australian posters. Let me know if you know of any that should be added but they must be documented.

 

 

 

 

 I recently interviewed Ray Barrett who starred in the classic Australian film Don's Party. The film was directed by Bruce Beresford and written by David Williamson. It also featured Clare Binney, Pat Bishop, Graeme Blundell, Jeanie Drynan, John Hargreaves, Harold Hopkins, Graham Kennedy, Veronica Lang, Candy Raymond, Kit Taylor and John Grey Gorton the former Prime Minister. Ray Barrett provided an interesting insight into what it was like to work on the film.