The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) is in some ways the cinematic equivalent of Byron's diaries. Of course the analogy is not too exact, as not all of the film was consigned to the flames, and we do have a remaining movie which might be described as a semi-masterpiece. But what the film would be like had Welles been …
Month: October 2010
Early October Miscellany (2010)
I have decided to start posting my Miscellanies as and when they are of sufficient length, rather than waiting to the end of the month; the latter practice has resulted in some absurdly long entries. A very interesting article by John Sutherland in The Times on October 2nd. Formerly I would merely have directed readers …
Reeves on Mill: Chapter 9
In Chapter 9 Reeves is mainly concerned with the Principles of Political Economy (1848), Mill's relationship with Harriet, and the delineation of Mill's shifting position with regard to socialism. Principles of Political Economy gives a classical laissez-faire account of the economics of production, largely based on the work of David Ricardo (although Mill dedicated it privately to …
A Terrible Habit of Art
The touring National Theatre production of The Habit of Art (2009) by Alan Bennett was a massive disappointment. The play takes as its subject a meeting between Auden and Britten at the former's Oxford residence in 1972. This is a subject which fascinates me, partly for the personal reason that I went to the same school …
September Miscellany (2010)
September has been a very good month. A score of 7.07 on the Depression Scale which is the second highest ever and by far the best September. This may be partly because I am now marking more generously. It may also be partly because there is always something of a positive reaction when I emerge …
