Soundtrack of the Day: Always There by Joe Magnarelli

I watched Woody Allen’s 1987 film “Radio Days” last night for the first time. It was such a sweet movie. Whereas all of Woody Allen’s films are semi-autobiographical, or stem from some long-time fantasy of his, this one seemed to be the most rooted in his youth. The film does not have a strong central story. Rather, it is a number of anecdotes, situations and ideas centered around radio broadcasts in the 1940s.
For me the most touching part of the entire thing was the series of anecdotes wherein the main character (voiced over by Woody) described what each popular song at the time reminded him of. Songs, for me, have a particular associative power. A song latches itself onto a memory and acts as one of the more efficient triggers (along with smell). This segment, although only a few minutes long, really unlocked the true meaning of the film for me. It was a sort of sonic memoir, lamenting the decline of radio, and celebrating impoverished Brooklyn family life.
Also, it was really funny. The very opening bit was great! And Julie Cavner was really great casting– it’s odd to see Marge Simpson in person.
Woody Allen films always make me feel peaceful- either I’m glad whatever’s happening is not happening to me, or I’m glad to be let in on a world where it’s happening at all. “Radio Days” was the latter situation.

So now what? Well, naturally, I go nuts and add every Woody Allen film that Netflix has to my queue. (Which looks like it should be pronounced “quay-wee.”)
If anyone wants to come over and watch “Zelig” I think it’s on the way.

And now I leave you with another nugget of Bulockian wisdom:

Willy Shoe,

How many playground balls are there?

Imagine a calculus professor with no eyes. This would be a horrible way to learn. Additionally, how would he be able to teach the proper notation to students? Why did you hire him? He has tenure now, and there’s nothing we can do. I suppose it’s because you have no eyes, and you felt some sort of bond. Well, Shoe, this is an awful mess we’re in.

From the Office of
Dean Kiki

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