Melville Shavelson (1917–2007)

It's a sixties style American movie about two widowed people, each with a large family, who fall in love and decide - after much indecision - to get married. Trying to blend the two families together (eighteen children in all, aged eighteen down to about two) produces significant difficulties.

There's some humour, and some touching moments, with a fairly predictable resolution. Nothing too deep, so it makes a pleasant evening's viewing for a couple or family, without any great mental strain.… (more)

A book written by a comedian was one of the categories for the 2016 Reading Challenge. And I expected it to be funny, since it was written by one of my favorite funny guys. However, it is a history of the US and his experiences from 1938 - 1990. It did make me laugh, but it also made me cry. It's especially poignant since I've finished reading it on July 4th, the day we celebrate our country's birth. It underscores what I've believed since military 'advisers' were sent to Vietnam: hatred in it's many forms is the enemy to freedom. If you hate someone because of their beliefs, background, religion, color, etc. you are taking away your own freedom as well as theirs. From 1938 - 1990, Hope and his Gypsies visited people in the military engaged in wars, both declared and undeclared. He brought them a bit of home and the reminder that they were supported even if that particular military action was not. Each year he wanted his Christmas with the troops to be the last performance for the military because there was peace in the world. Peace still hasn't arrived; it's that Christmas present we're all hoping to receive.… (more)