freakboy on film: IF I’M LUCKY (1946)

When Rebecca of Taking Up Room announced The Vivian Blaine Blogathon for October 2-4, 2026, my first thought was, naturally, Perry Como.  Before my Andy Milligan obsession, my ears were tuned in and turned on to the ultra-smooth, uber-mellow musical stylings of The Como!  Since I already blogged a bit about DOLL FACE (1945), and I’m not touching SOMETHING FOR THE BOYS (1944), my only remaining choice for a Blaine/Como vehicle was IF I’M LUCKY (1946). 

The plot is pure joyful musical nonsense wrapped around a political satire of sorts.  Wally (Phil Silvers) is getting the band back together for a gig with Titan Tires.  The main members of the band include his girlfriend/harp player/singer Michelle (Carmen Miranda), trumpeter Earl (Harry James) and, last but not least, singer Linda (Vivian Blaine).  There are several other members but they aren’t important to the plot. 

When the Titan Tires gig falls flat, the band is on the street and hungry.  Salvation for an empty stomach is found in the most unlikely place, a political rally.  While devouring free hot dogs, the band notices nobody is listening to the candidate running for governor.  Thankful for full bellies, the band puts on a show, which keeps butts in seats and makes the candidate happy and popular.  The candidate thanks the band by hiring them for all of his political rallies.  It’s during one of these events that Allen (Perry Como) shows up with a song and a desire to break into the business of show.  

Please stop singing into my eye!

Allen’s song is a hit, so he joins the band and catches the eye of Linda.  Things seem to be coming up aces for everyone.  The band has a steady gig, Allen and Linda are singing duets, and the candidate is more popular than ever! That is until a political committee blackmails the candidate so the current governor will win the election.  Before you know it, Allen goes from crooner to candidate, and the constituents love him!  Will Allen become the next governor?  Will Linda lose her duet partner?  Will Michelle run out of quirky hats to wear?  Will Wally throw his back out lugging around Michelle’s harp?  Will the political committee use Allen for their own nefarious purposes?  I’ll just say that a musical from the 1940’s, even a black & white one, will probably end happily. 

The bus driver is ready to drive off a cliff.

I could go on about how amusing it is to watch Perry Como acting like an ingénue when he was already a crooning chart-topper.  I could lament the Technicolor tragedy of the vibrantly dressed Carmen Miranda being relegated to black and white.  However, we are here to celebrate Vivian Blaine!  

Betty White?

According to IMDb, Vivian Blaine was born Vivian Sarah Stapleton on November 21, 1921.  It sounds like Blaine was a Broadway star, originating many roles, including Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls and would later appear in the 1955 film.  As Linda in IF I’M LUCKY, Vivian Blaine is humorous, charming and appears to be having fun.  Though maybe not as much fun as she was having in the “Pet Me Poppa” number in Guys and Dolls, which is literally the only thing I remember about that movie.  

Sadly, this singer-dancer-actor triple threat died on December 9, 1995.  Her last appearance was in a 1985 episode of Murder, She Wrote, so at least Vivian Blaine took her final bow in style.  

Thanks for the song and dance!

In conclusion…
IF I’M LUCKY may not be the best film in Blaine’s decades-spanning career, but I enjoy the innocent humor and the general ridiculousness of the whole thing.  If you’re a Vivian Blaine completist or a Carmen Miranda fan or obsessed with Perry Como, then put on a quirky hat, slip on your dancing shoes and “follow the band” to IF I’M LUCKY! 

SIDE NOTE: During my research, I learned IF I’M LUCKY is a remake of THANKS A MILLION (1935).  Just more proof that Hollywood has always been about remakes. 

Freak Out, 
JLH 

P.S.  I’m not going to stop going on and on and on about surviving the poetry happening that happened in Chadron, Nebraska! 
📜 
https://freakboyzone.blogspot.com/2026/09/i-survived-homegrown-poetry-event-in.html
📜 

An open letter to the residents of Broken Bow, Nebraska.

Dear Broken Bow, Nebraska...

🏠 

STOP obsessing over my LAWN and START obsessing over my BOOKS! 

📚 

Sincerely,

John L. Harmon  

freakboy on film: TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA (2026)

I was searching for a soundtrack to some other film when I noticed a soundtrack to a film with a long and unusual title.  My first thought was, Is that a real movie?

After doing research, I realized it is a real film, obvi.  The trailer hypnotized me!  Gillian Anderson of X-Files fame stars!  Jane Schoenbrun (I SAW THE TV GLOW) is the writer/director!  I felt an overwhelming need (yes, need) to see TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA! 

I so badly wanted to grab my Mad Scientist Glasses and catch a showing in a theater, but I live in the center of Nebraska.  The closest theater showing it was 2 and a half hours away.  If I could drive, I would’ve been there in a heartbeat.  I even checked public transportation, which is about an hour away, and departures were at 2 in the morning!  It SUCKS to be visually impaired in the middle of nowhere! 

Anyhoo…since a theater screening was not going to happen, I purchased a digital copy from Apple TV the moment I could.  I convinced myself doing this was no different than purchasing an unknown Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome.  Ultimately, purchasing the digital version was perhaps better for my half-blind eyes than seeing it in the theater because of the extraordinarily helpful Descriptive Audio language option. 

You might be asking, “What is TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA about?”  

Well…

Is it about rebooting a problematic film franchise from a queer perspective? 

Is it about the stress of being a young filmmaker?

Is it about the emotional toll of being an actor? 

Is it about how films can positively and negatively alter us? 

Is it about the blurring of lines between reality and film?

Is it about the female orgasm? 

I will just say Gillian Anderson and Hannah Einbinder better receive acting nods as the two leads!  As for Jane Schoenbrun, if they aren’t nominated for original screenplay and director, then the Academy Awards can sink to the bottom of Lake Miasma! 

In conclusion…
TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA was everything I expected, but also so much more.  I actually can’t stop thinking about it.  So if you’re a horror fan who enjoys a smart, unique take on the genre, grab some fried chicken, dipping sauce and loads of candy to better prepare yourself for meeting Little Death! 

Freak Out, 
JLH 

P.S.  Don’t forget to check out my post all about the recent poetry event I survived…
📜 
https://freakboyzone.blogspot.com/2026/09/i-survived-homegrown-poetry-event-in.html
📜 

I survived the Homegrown poetry event in Chadron, Nebraska!

It was fantastic!  It was amazing!  It was, dare I say, magical! 

Those are some of the statements I exclaimed to those who asked how the poetry event went.  It was a breath of fresh air to step into the creative atmosphere of Chadron Open Art.  The proprietors, poets and people I met there were warm and inviting.  Honestly, I felt a bit loud and artless among such thoughtful, artistic souls in such an artistic place. 

Thankfully, the 2 Daniels of Chadron Open Art and the other poets, Jewel Rodgers, Stephanie E. Glass and Robert McEwen accepted me for whichever me was present that evening.  I know I was feeling super excited and enthusiastic for the event, so I can only imagine how tactless and uncool I was being.  Dork be dorking, but that’s ok. 

Robert, John, Stephanie and Jewel!

I was a bundle of nerves as the event kicked off, but watching and listening to Jewel and Stephanie perform their moving, thought-provoking words helped me to relax.  When Jewel introduced me, I was ready, but more about that later.  After my moment, Bob transfixed the audience with his poetry and humor.  I felt a distinct impression the majority of the room knew Bob in one way or another.  I definitely won’t forget him now that I’ve met him.  The incredible evening wrapped up perfectly with a few volunteers from the crowd sharing their poetry.  One piece about loving yourself, by a poet named Bailey (spelling?), was beautiful and relatable. 

As for my moment in the spotlight, I feel I did well.  My sister claimed I did a great job.  A few friends from home and elsewhere expressed similar opinions after watching the YouTube video my sister shot and I uploaded that very night.  I’ll let you judge for yourself… 

I must give a shout-out to Jeanne and The Olde Main Street Inn!  This historic hotel, located in downtown Chadron, Nebraska is like stepping back in time.  Jeanne greeted my sister and I with a refresher drink and we all had a delightful chat for almost an hour.  Our room, The Cowboy Room, was wonderfully unique.  So much more atmosphere than a chain hotel.  The next morning, over our choice of caffeine, we chatted with Jeanne about this, that and everything.  She made us feel at home and we will definitely stay at The Olde Main Street Inn the next time we visit the city of Chadron! 

Another shout-out goes to Chadron Public Library at its temporary location!  My sister and I found its usual home, but it is being remodeled.  Thankfully, the rather groovy temporary location is not too far away from The Olde Main Street Inn and was easy to find.  I donated copies of Vision Bent, Dark Excursions and Sturgeons for possible inclusion into their collection.  It would be awesome to see my books at a second Nebraska library, but we shall see if they are accepted. 

Overall, the weekend of September 5 & 6 was fantastic, amazing and, yes, even magical.  I got up in front of a crowd and performed my poetry and the audience seemed to enjoy and maybe related to my words.  I feel a sense of pride for having done what I could’ve scarcely imagined a few years ago, but the sound of the applause still embarrasses me.  So, even if nothing else comes from this event, at least I can say, “I did it!” 

Freak Out, 
JLH 

P.S.  On the way home, we swung by Carhenge in Alliance, Nebraska.  Think Stonehenge made out of cars.  It was interesting and thankfully free. 

The poetry happening is happening soon!

Readings by Jewel Rodgers, Stephanie E. Glass, Robert McEwen and John L. Harmon

HOMEGROWN 

A Traveling Series 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th, 2026 @ 6PM 

Organized by Nebraska State Poet, Jewel Rodgers, Homegrown is a traveling community arts series where everyone is welcome to listen, connect, or share original work. Enjoy a popcorn-style community reading. 

Performances by Jewel and other notable poets, and an open share featuring poetry, stories, music, visual art, and more. 

Prefer to just listen? Come as you are. Snacks and light refreshments provided. Free and open to all.

MADE POSSIBLE BY THE ACADEMY OF AMERICAN POETS

CHADRON OPEN ART

223 MAIN STREET, CHADRON NE 69332 

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I’ll probably make a damn fool of myself, but if I can do karaoke in Broken Bow, Nebraska, I can read some poetry in Chadron! 

😎

Freak Out, 

JLH

The Sleepless Night of Imposter Syndrome

Who the hell do I think I am
A writer, so called 
Because I don’t know
What else to be 
An indie author 
Who hasn’t authored 
Something truly new 
In more years 
Than I’d care to count 
A blogger 
Chock full of nonsense 
Obscure film reviews 
Rarely a short story 
Between a smattering of poems   
A poet 
One collection 
Almost a decade old 
Dust covered half-blind words 
Shaken off 
Blown clean 
For fresh ears 
New eyes 
Different minds 
Deciding my fate 
Don’t say they’ll love me 
Stroking my ego 
So it won’t crack 
Splintering 
Shattering 
Into dark reflections 
Of self doubt and hate 
I need to refract 
Redirect 
Swirling thoughts 
Forming them 
Reshaping them 
With a spoonful of delusion 
A survival technique 
So I may step 
Center stage 
Metaphorical spotlight 
Temporarily 
Blinding and enhancing 
My remaining sight 

~~~~~~~~~~~~
2026, John L. Harmon 

______________
Woke up way too early and I couldn’t fall back asleep.  Wild and terrified thoughts running rampant, so I had to rein them in.

Freak Out, 
JLH 

P.S. I’m excited, and obviously, a bit nervous about the upcoming Homegrown Traveling Series poetry event, happening on September 5th in Chadron, Nebraska.  I’ll be reading a few selections from VISION BENT (half-blind poems)…

freakboy on film: KISS ME, KISS ME, KISS ME! (1968)

Here we are, months later, and I’m FINALLY blogging about the other recently unearthed lost Andy Milligan film.  When I first researched his films, out of all of the lost titles, KISS ME, KISS ME, KISS ME! interested me the least because Andy didn’t write the screenplay.  That honor goes to infamous exploitation producer extraordinaire William Mishkin (story by) and Josef Bush (screenplay).  As time went by, and I came to understand Mishkin and Bush in relation to Milligan, I realized KISS ME, KISS ME, KISS ME! would be worth watching.  I mean, William Mishkin was a shrewd businessman, so he must have known his story would be in perfect directorial hands with Andy Milligan, despite the shocking lack of incest in the plot.

KISS ME, KISS ME, KISS ME! (1968) 

Jean Novack is a modern day woman with needs.  Her hobbies include neglecting her son Jimmy, placating her husband Stan through sex, cheating on Stan with his friend Eddie and day-drinking.  Oh, and night-drinking and drinking between drinking.  What else is a bored, 1960’s New York City housewife supposed to do?  

What to do before watching a Milligan film!

After Stan’s New Jersey stepmother dies, and his brother Ray flees to California, he invites his sister Ellen to move in.  Jean balks at first, but comes around to the idea when it means moving to a bigger apartment.  The one thing Jean is not happy about is Eddie has started blowing off her advances.  To bring Eddie back into her seductive orbit, Jean suggests to Stan that he should set Eddie up with Ellen. 

Marriage, Milligan style!

Andy may not have wrote KISS ME, KISS ME, KISS ME! but if you’ve read any of my other Milligan reviews, you know Jean’s plan is going to majorly backfire with dire and deadly consequences.  I almost ache to tell you how it all ends, but I won’t since the film is currently streaming on Fawesome.  Let’s just say that I actually gasped at the key climactic scene and hoped I didn’t just watch a snuff film.  Don’t panic!  The two actors in the scene thankfully show up in later Milligan films.  As for the surviving characters, they live traumatically ever after.  

The fear of spoilers!

All the performances initially seemed more controlled than usual, for a Milligan film, but everything and everyone steadily becomes way out of control by the end.  Natalie Rogers as Jean is the one to watch.  She is always on and ready to emotionally turn on a dime if it suits her character’s needs.  I must also give a shout-out to Gerald Jacuzzo as Stan’s brother Ray.  He always magnetizes a scene and as Ray, he vibrates with tortured queer artist nerd vibes.   

Not a selfie!

KISS ME, KISS ME, KISS ME! is not the first time Andy Milligan directed someone else’s words.  His first film VAPORS proved the melding of fractured minds can create something special and the same can be said here.  Within the familial melodrama, Milligan infused KISS ME, KISS ME, KISS ME! with visual chaos, growing more and more visceral as it reaches the gasp-worthy climax.  He even got to throw in some of his standards, such as Swirl Camera, an endless staircase to climb, uncomfortable sex scenes and unsettling close-ups.  In other words, make no mistake, this is an Andy Milligan film! 

Me, daydreaming about finding other lost Milligan films!

In conclusion…
Despite my early, judgmental misgivings, KISS ME, KISS ME, KISS ME! won me over.  Much like THE DEGENERATES, I have found myself enjoying the off-kilter mix of love, sex and death more and more with each viewing.  Though it will probably not break into my Top 5 Milligan Films.  So, if you’re in the mood for a trip you’ll never forget, grab a cocktail (or mocktail) of your choice and cozy up to KISS ME, KISS ME, KISS ME! 

You know you want to!

NOTE: 
THE DEGENERATES is also streaming on Fawesome!  

Freak Out, 
JLH 

P.S.  click DINAH EAST to learn the truth about a Hollywood legend! 

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A Poetic Happening is happening soon!  📜 

Projectile Words

I want to scream 
Verbally explode 
Ejecting my thoughts 
My feelings 
Into the atmosphere 
Fiery and furious  
Repressing nothing 
Then I pause 
Knowing futility 
I’ve pulled this trigger 
Too many times 
Always failing 
To hit the mark 
Rage falling 
Upon deaf ears 
Or they make excuses  
Making me feel stupid 
Feel crazy 
Feel like my voice 
Doesn’t matter 
This time I bite 
My tongue 
Almost in half 
Next time though 
I’ll set the world 
Ablaze 
Calling out 
Hypocrisy
Even if I do so 
In vain 

~~~~~~~~~~~~
2026, John L. Harmon 

Freak Out, 
JLH 

P.S.  poetry can be repetitive, so click the pic for a similarly themed one… ⤵️ 

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A Poetic Happening is happening soon!