A Night To Remember (1958): The Unsinkable Titanic (100 Years Later)

     April 14, 1912, one hundred years ago, was the last time the Titanic saw daylight. On this important anniversary, there is sure to be many events, television programs, book readings and documentary screenings... all testifying to the lasting interest in the ill-fated ship. If any lesson can be learned from that tragedy a century ago, it is that nothing is certain, anything is possible. No ship is unsinkable. At least that is what the characters in A Night To Remember (1958) take away from it. This film is unique on the list of Titanic films in that it doesn't have a tedious subplot running through it. If it has a main character, it is the 2nd captain, whose experiences on the ship sandwich the bulk of the story. Historical inaccuracies are unavoidable here, particularly when the ship sinks in one piece. The wreckage was not discovered until 30 years after the film was made, so some aspects had to be imagined. As the events are well known, a summary isn't necessary, so here are some stills which relay the events better than words....

A Night To Remember- movie trailer

CLOSE UP: David Massengill

David Massengill, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

David Massengill- My Name Joe

David Massengill and Travis Simpkins

For more info, visit: http://www.davidmassengill.com/

Ron Hansen: Profiles from the Illustrations

Ron Hansen, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

     Ron Hansen was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1947. He attended Creighton University and Stanford University, and currently is an Arts and Humanities Professor at Santa Clara University. He has published nine novels, a collection of short stories and a book of essays.

     Talented in multiple fields of writing, he has mastered fiction (Atticus, Isn't It Romantic) and religious themed works (Mariette in Ecstasy, Exiles), but his true love in writing seems to be in the field in which he remains unrivaled... historical fiction. Particularly interested in the Old West, Hansen's first two novels featured outlaw stories with historical characters and imagined dialogue, which added a human aspect that truly brought the fatal events to life. The first, Desperadoes (1979) told the tale of the Dalton Gang. 

     His second, and most acclaimed novel, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford  (1983) told the tale of the who's, whys and hows of the outlaw's murder. It has since been turned into a feature film starring Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford- movie trailer

     Hitler's Niece (1999) speaks of the love affair the dictator had with his own niece, and her mysterious death. 

     His most recent novel, A Wild Surge of Guilty Passion (2011) details the true crime, trial and execution of Ruth Snyder and her lover, Judd Gray in 1920s New York, in which the couple murdered Snyder's husband for insurance money.

Ron, talking about his new novel, A Wild Surge of Guilty Passion

Ron Hansen Reading at Cornell University

Purchase books by Ron Hansen on amazon.com here

CLOSE UP: Bigg Nez

Bigg Nez, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Bigg Nez performing stand-up at The Comedy Studio

For more info, visit: http://therealbiggnez.webs.com/

Currently Accepting Portrait Commissions...

 If you are interested in commissioning me to do a portrait, send me a message with a general idea of what you'd like to have done (with a reference photo attached*) at email: travisliam@aol.com

    I will be able to estimate a price based on the info and photo provided

(simple, single subjects are very affordable, starting as low as $50, prices increase relative to quantity and complexity).

* it is integral that the photos be clear, with decent lighting (no bright flash)

Hank Williams III, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Quiet Desperation #8, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

John McCauley, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Tom Rush, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Golden Bloom, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

New Portrait Illustration: Elizabeth Ziman (Elizabeth & the Catapult)

Elizabeth Ziman, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

     I met Elizabeth Ziman about five or six years ago. As the front woman and creative force of Elizabeth & the Catapult, she is impressive to say the least. With a beautiful, soaring voice and huge ambition that belie her small stature, her songs convey a full plethora of emotions that give an honest look into who she truly is. Elizabeth & the Catapult is easily one of the best live acts I've ever seen. Her musicianship is amazing and her songwriting is impeccable. Quite simply, she is a fun, cute, cool gal with loads of talent.

Elizabeth & the Catapult- "Race You"

Elizabeth Ziman, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Elizabeth & the Catapult- "Mama's Boy"

Elizabeth Ziman, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

Elizabeth & the Catapult- "Taller Children"

Interview with Elizabeth & the Catapult

Elizabeth Ziman, 2012. By Travis Simpkins

For more info, visit: http://www.elizabethandthecatapult.com/

Harold and Maude (1971): Classic Cult Films

      Although it received lackluster reception upon it's release, Harold and Maude (1971) has since come to be cited as one of the greatest love films ever made... all the more surprising considering the unorthodox pairing of an 18 year old male and an 80 year old female. The film invites the viewer to to enjoy life, and the company we choose, despite outward appearances. It also has, in my opinion, one of the greatest soundtracks ever recorded, composed by Cat Stevens.

     Harold is a morose loner... 

     With no friends, no girlfriend and a mother who dictates his existence, he feels impelled to lash out in the form of theatrical fake suicides, designed to horrify his mother... 

     One of Harold's sole enjoyments is in attending the funerals of people he doesn't know. At one such service, he meets Maude, an 80 year old woman who shares that particular interest... 

     Harold and Maude become instant friends... 

     She teaches him interesting new tricks and vices, and shows him the value of enjoying life before it's too late... 

     Meanwhile, Harold's mother does not approve of his new relationship, and is determined to find Harold a mate more his own age. Harold's reaction is priceless... 

     Harold and Maude have become soul mates, but how long can it possibly last?

Harold and Maude- with Cat Stevens' "If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out"

Dick Tracy (1990): Classic Films from Comic Strips

     Any shortcomings Dick Tracy (1990) might have in terms of storyline are more than made up for with style. With it's use of bright primary colors, the film is, if nothing else, visually stunning and at some points, beautiful. Snagging an Oscar for the startling transformations brought about through the creative use of make-up, the film truly brings the original cartoon characters to life on the screen. The all-star cast helps as well (Al Pacino, Warren Beatty, Dustin Hoffman, Mandy Patinkin, Paul Sorvino, Dick Van Dyke, Madonna...)

     Dick Tracy is up to his usual routine. Battling bad guys and always perpetually hesitating on popping the question to Tess, he is in a constant dilemma. 

     Faint glimpses of a normal life appear and seem plausible when he and Tess half-adopt a guttersnipe kid.

      Tess and the kid take a back seat however, when Big Boy Caprice (Al Pacino) eliminates his competition and decides to take the helm of organized crime in the City. Dick Tracy, the consummate Cop, needs to stop him. 

     Tracy must not only take on Big Boy's henchmen... 

     But added tension comes from the advances of Breathless Mahoney (Madonna, in a surprisingly good performance) 

     She is night club performer who seems smitten with him, and has knowledge that Dick Tracy believes will put Big Boy behind bars... 

     The usual shoot-outs and frame-ups occur as Dick Tracy builds his case and does his damnedest to bring the bad guys down...

Dick Tracy- movie trailer

CLOSE UP: Ira Proctor

Ira Proctor, 2011. By Travis Simpkins

Ira Proctor- Stand-up Comedy Reel

For more info, visit: http://iraproctor.com/home.cfm

Double Indemnity (1944): Classic Film Noir

     Directed by Billy Wilder, Double Indemnity (1944) is routinely placed on lists of the greatest films ever made. It certainly has earned a spot at the top in the Film Noir genre, at least. Loosely inspired by the 1920s case of Ruth Snyder and Judd Gray, it's wild story seems plausible given the factual basis.

     An insurance salesman (Fred MacMurray) on a routine run, finds himself smitten and drawn to the beautiful wife of a client (Barbara Stanwyck)...

      Despite an initial turn-off based on her forwardness in the insinuation that she no longer desired her husband's continued existence, the salesman cannot resist her and falls victim to her alluring seduction...

     Not only does he help her plan to kill her husband, he fraudulently arranges the purchase of an accident insurance policy for the prospective victim with a double indemnity clause, allowing for a substantial monetary payoff after the crime...

     The crime goes off without a hitch, except for the ever-inquisitive claims investigator (Edward G. Robinson), who senses something is amiss...

     Secret meetings brought on by paranoia force the couple to dwell on their actions...

     and mistrust forms between the two...

     It is only a matter of time before the case is all figured out, and their roles in the crime are made apparent...

Double Indemnity- movie trailer