Don Siegel’s great 1973 bank heist thriller, CHARLEY VARRICK, starring Walter Matthau, is on Prime. A brilliant Matthau is surrounded by a dream cast of character actors. It’s all about storytelling and the joy in the telling. I envy anyone seeing it for the first time.
Out today, the final novel by the great mystery and thriller writer Thomas Perry, a conclusion, fittingly, to his wonderful Jane Whitefield series.
The Tree of Light and Flowers (Jane Whitefield) a.co/d/077JbgkS
The week of February 25, Disney’s El Capitan Theater in Hollywood is have a Flashback Fun festival. One day each for: The Aristocats, Dumbo, The Rescuers, Bolt and Oliver & Company.
Novels Michael Silverblatt Loved:
Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko
Edwin Mulhouse: The Life and Death of an American Writer - a novel by Steven Milhauser
The Hair of Harold Roux by Thomas Williams
The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
Miss MacIntosh, My Darling by Marguerite Young
Michael Silverblatt, Radio ‘Bookworm’ Who Interviewed Authors, Dies at 73 www.nytimes.com/2026/02/20/b...
Michael thought Alice McDermott a genius and we both loved "That Night" but I told him I was confused by an apparent time change in the last chapter. "Me too!" he exclaimed. "Let's read it together." And so we did. Aloud, to each other. Bookworm magic, in the middle of the day.
Michael Silverblatt, host of KCRW’s “Bookworm, died yesterday at the age of 73. He has been my friend since 1984. We read the opening of DeLillo’s “Underworld” aloud to each other and the closing of Alice McDermott’s “That Night”. He took me to dinner with Ann Beattie. He was a friend like no other.
“But it is just two lovers, holding hands and in a hurry to reach their car, their locked hands a starfish leaping through the dark.”
John Updike, "Rabbit Run"
from ENDLESS LOVE (1979) by Scott Spencer
The Library of America volume celebrating Peter Straub’s first three novels is being published on October 6, the same day as “Other Worlds Than These” the third Straub-Stephen King “Talisman” novel. Peter Straub: Three Novels of the 1970s Julia / If You Could See Me Now / Ghost Story a.co/d/0isgtLvG
Spike Lee is appearing at Atlanta’s beautiful Fox Theater next week to help celebrate the 38th anniversary of SCHOOL DAZE. Lee was born in Atlanta and made the film there.
When you visit a friend a Cedars-Sinai Hospital, always switch to Channel 55.
Portrait of Teyana Taylor, wearing a tuxedo, adjusting her collar and looking up and to the left. Photographed by Matt Harbicht
Portrait of Teyana Taylor in the Biltmore Hotel’s Emerald Ballroom, wearing a black and white tuxedo. Photographed by Matt Harbicht
Teyana Taylor, winner of the 2025 L.A. Film Critics’ Best Supporting Performance Award for her portrayal of Perfidia Beverly Hills in Paul Thomas Anderson’s ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER — and now, Academy Award nominee — photographed at the 51st Los Angeles Film Critics Awards.
📸 Matt Harbicht
Oh wow, here is a wonderful thing. In October, The Library of America is publishing a volume with the late Peter Straub’s first three novels, including his terrifying masterpiece, GHOST STORY. He would be so pleased. Peter Straub: Three Novels of the 1970s a.co/d/dtLA6XW
I remember driving on my motorcycle to the Academy at 3 in the morning to be there (they locked us in) when they announced the Oscar nominees and then racing home with a floppy disc of the complete list—my editor was waiting. I sped home like a war correspondent with a world-changing scoop.
In June, a new novel by Maggie O’Farrell, author of HAMNET. Land: A Novel a.co/d/a2xMwwz
Happy Birthday, Betty White
Viola Davis has written a mystery, set in Alabama, with novelist James Patterson. Due March 9.
Judge Stone: A Novel a.co/d/gD8pjcY
Rob Reiner’s film of William Goldman’s THE PRINCESS BRIDE (1987) is on Disney + and will also air this Sunday night on the CW (opposite the Golden Globes). On cable, Freeform (which is Disney) has it On Demand.
Oh, I did not know that the great Thomas Perry died in September. I’ve been so excited that there is a new Jane Whitfield thriller coming in March. Perry was never famous but he belongs in the pantheon. I will miss the happy wait for his book a year.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/b...
from “Winter’s Tale” by Mark Helprin
Peppermint Patty: "Any New Year's resolutions, Chuck?"
Charlie Brown: "Yes. You know how I always dread the whole year? This year I'm going to dread it one day at a time."
HBO MAX had added Rob Reiner’s MISERY and THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT.
Martin Scorsese: ‘Rob Reiner Was My Friend’ www.nytimes.com/2025/12/25/o...
Rob Reiner’s STAND BY ME is available on Netflix.
Stephen King: Why I Hugged Rob Reiner After Watching ‘Stand by Me’ www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/o...
