The other evening, intent on avoiding the repetition and depression of news reports on the 24/.7 media

"not-so-merry-go-round", I took a trip back in time via the DVD of the last musical that Astaire and Rogers

made and found myself enjoying the additional presence of Oscar Levant.  He appeared, invariably as the

disenchanted, sharp-tongued pal - reflecting much of his own personality.  He was a polymath in

entertainment: a concert pianist, a songwriter, a talk-show host and author,..perhaps best remembered for

his mordant humour.  We couid do with him now.

On politics:

A politician will double-cross the bridge that he comes to.

The difference between Republicans and Democrats is that the Democrats let the poor be corrupt, too,

On a much-loved star (recalling his role with her before she became popular with audiences for her chosen ingenue characters in films)..

I knew Doris Day before she was a virgin.

On himself:

They discharged me from a mental hospital because I was depressing the other patients...

When I get up in the morning I brush my teeth and sharpen my tongue.

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