Swingers (1996)

Every so often a small budget film explodes onto the scene. Careers are made, catchphrases are created, a new style of music, dance or clothing is invented (or an old style is re-invented) and lots and lots of money is made. Yeeha!

Swingers came out and did all of the above. With a budget of approximately $200,000, it went on to gross twenty times that amount domestically. It brought back swing music, swing dancing and those stylish cat clothes. We were introduced to the phrases "you're so money!" and "beautiful babies" while "wingman" was first used to describe a male friend who helps you pick up a woman. Jon Favreau wrote the screenplay and went on to direct Elf, Iron Man and Iron Man 2. Vince Vaughn came out of nowhere and became a huge hit with movies such as Old School, Wedding Crashers and The Break-Up. Doug Liman, the director, went on to helm The Bourne Identity and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

If you're not familiar with the movie, the first thing you have to do is check it out. It's that good. Completely lives up to the hype. As a sneak preview, the movie is about two friends who try to navigate the choppy waters of dating in Los Angeles. One is definitely a player (Vince Vaughn) and one is lovesick over the break-up of his last girlfriend (Jon Favreau). Even though the movie is contemporary, the vibe is all retro-swing; the music, the clothes, the drinks and of course, the dancing.

One of the bars that they frequent is an actual lounge called The Dresden Room. It's located in the Los Feliz neighborhood of L.A. and is almost exactly as it appears in the movie.

I recently went there on a Wednesday night. There was no cover. You just walk in and find a seat. It's best to go early because even on a weeknight, the place filled up quickly.

I got there around 9 and didn't have any trouble getting a corner booth. The place was all vintage; faux rock walls, naugahyde booths and lighting fixtures that were straight out of the 50s. I've heard that the crowd is generally described as "hipster" and I suppose on this particular night, it wasn't any different. There were quite a few people who had a sense of style but I'm sure that if you wanted to show up with bedhead and wear a hoodie, you probably wouldn't have felt out of place.

Of course, the bar was very dark and so taking photos was a bit of a challenge. I was also trying to look cool (which can be a difficult task for me) so flashing my camera around was not what I wanted to do.

Mistake me for a tourist? I think not!

Okay, here is my Swingers photo. I am holding my cocktail of choice (a vodka tonic) and showing off my big Daddy-O smile.

In the movie, our group of guys entered The Dresden and a lounge act was playing. This act is none other than Marty and Elayne and this duo has been at the Dresden since 1982. You can still hear their music from Tuesday through Saturday from 9pm till 1:15am.

The night I was there, they were there just like they were in the movie. I didn't recognize all the songs they played but I did know the standards such as Volare, New York, New York, The Girl from Ipanema and Fly Me to the Moon. The volume was perfect; not so loud that you couldn't talk but not so soft that it faded into the background.

The drinks were of average size and quite frankly, I've had better. We also had some calamari which was decent but not exceptional. For two beers, two cocktails and a plate of calamari, the total was $36.22. Not bad for L.A. especially with live entertainment.

HOW TO GET THERE: The Dresden Room is located at 1760 N. Vermont Avenue in the Los Feliz district of L.A.

WORTH THE TREK: 8/10 if you're in the neighborhood and want a cool oasis where you can catch some mellow tunes. For me, it was a trek over the hill and I can find cheaper places with an equally smooth vibe in my own neighborhood. With that in mind, I take it down to a 6/10.

Related articles

• 9 Movies That Are Randomly Getting Sequels In 2011 (thefrisky.com)
• Sequels Coming for ROUNDERS, SWINGERS & SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (geektyrant.com)

MacArthur Park (1978)

You know you're having a bad day when you spend a long time baking a cake and then someone goes and leaves it out in the rain.   And you can't find the recipe so you'll never be able to bake the damned thing  again. 

Argh, don't you just hate that? 

MacArthur Park is a song that was written by Jimmy Webb in 1968 and describes the frustrations of leaving baked goods out in bad weather.  It is one of those songs that after you listen to the lyrics, you think "eh?" but then you find out it was written in the 60s and everything makes sense.  (sorta) 

Here are the lyrics in case you don't know 'em. 

Spring was never waiting for us, girl

it ran one step ahead

as we followed in the dance.

Between the parted pages

we were pressed,

in love's hot, fevered iron

like a striped pair of pants.

Mac Arthur's Park is melting in the dark

all the sweet green icing flowing down

someone left the cake out in the rain

I don't think that I can take it

cause it took so long to bake it

and I'll never have that recipe again

Oh, nooo!

I recall the yellow cotton dress

foaming like a wave

on the ground beneath your knees

birds like tender babies in your hands

and the old men playing

Chinese checkers

by the trees

(chorus)

There'll be another song for me

and I will sing it

there'll be another dream for me

someone will bring it

I will drink the wine while it is warm

and never let you catch me

looking at the sun, oh yeah

and after all the loves of my life

after all loves in my life

you'll be the one

I will take my life into my hands

and I will use it

I will win the worship in their eyes

and I will lose it

I will have the things that I desire

and my passion flow

like rivers through the sky

oh and after all the loves in my life

after all the loves in my life

you'll still be the one

and I'll ask myself why.

(chorus)

Clearly, the song is about a lost love affair.  That one true love that got away that you'll never be able to experience again. 

I'm okay with the strange cake metaphor but the line that really cracks me up is:

Between the parted pages

we were pressed,

in love's hot, fevered iron

like a striped pair of pants.

Like a striped pair of pants?  Uh huh.  Go back and have another toke there, Jimmy. 

My favorite recording (and probably the best known) is by Donna Summer.  It was first recorded by Richard Harris (yep, that's the original Dumbledore to you Harry Potter fans) back in 1968. 

MacArthur Park is a real park located in the heart of Los Angeles.  Although its early history can be fondly remembered (and Jimmy Webb apparently spent some romantic time there with his girlfriend), the 80s were not kind to this area and the park became known as a haven for criminals, drugs, killings and drownings.  Although the area has been cleaned up considerably, the reputation still lingers; when I told people that I was going to check out MacArthur park, the first thing I was told was to not get shot. 

To get there, I took the L.A. metro.  Yup, it does exist and is not a bad way of getting around the city, at least some of the city.

The L.A. metro is surprisingly clean and you're not allowed to eat, drink or play loud music.  Looking creepy and homeless is apparently quite acceptable. 

To be completely honest, I was a little freaked out while riding the train.  I kept on thinking what would happen if an earthquake happened while I was down there.  I suppose there really is only one thing that you could do; put your head between your legs and kiss your ass goodbye!  Yahoo! 

While the song talks about inclement weather, the day I went was bright and sunny.  It was funny to read the rules at the entrance to the park.  It didn't say you couldn't shoot, kill or maim.  I guess those things are implied.   

MacArthur park was actually a very pretty park ... from a distance.  There was a large lake, a tall fountain, ducks and a great view of downtown L.A. 

There were jungle gyms and a soccer field ... 

And even some interesting artwork.  The quote "crazy as a pair of waltzing mice" is from a Raymond Chandler novel Farewell, My Lovely.  I'm not sure why there were two humans dancing and not two mice but that's MacArthur park for you; a little strange but with a certain degree of charm. 

But not everything was so pretty; the lake water was polluted green, the sidewalks were covered with seagull crap, the war monuments were in a state of decay and I saw a rather large condom floating lazily by the water's edge.   I got asked a couple of times if I wanted to buy fake IDs and I'm pretty sure I could've bought some good drugs if I had wanted them. 

There were also plenty of people passed out on the grass.  It was really difficult to tell if they were homeless or just on a lunch break. 

Note to self:  probably okay to walk here during the day but if you're coming here at night, you're just asking for it.  And "it" is probably pretty bad.   

But the police were there.  Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do?  Whatcha gonna do when they come for you? 

HOW TO GET THERE:  If you're anywhere near a metro station, it's very easy.  Just take the redline to the Westlake/MacArthur Park stop.  If you're using your own gas, then it's below the 101 and to the west of the 110. 

WORTH THE TREK?  3/9.  Hmmm, probably not.  It was fun to see a different side of L.A. but the park is a little too sketchy, even during the day.  It's best to listen to the song instead. 

Fantasy Island (1978 to 1984)

Fantasy Island is one of those tv shows that should never be recreated today.  The world has lost the magical touch of Aaron Spelling, not to mention the indelible Ricardo Montalban and Herve Villechaize.  That sort of creative lightning does not strike twice.

So, just like one of Mr. Roarke's fantasies, we have to take a step back in time and enjoy the original series when it was first made in the late seventies and early eighties.  With DVDs and syndication, it's an easy step and those dinner jackets look as white as the day when they were first worn.  Of course, if you're planning on watching this show after a long absence, I must warn you about the cheese factor; the outrageous storylines, the polyester clothes, and the hairy chests (among other things) can cause serious nostalgic heartburn if you're not careful. 

Perhaps the most recognizable of all the Fantasy Island filming locations was the house which was featured during the opening credits.  Tattoo ran up its stairs to ring a bell in the tower and yell "Ze plane!  Ze plane!" thus announcing the arrival of the guests who were going to get their fantasies fulfilled.  This house, formally called the Queen Anne Cottage is located in the Arboretum of Los Angeles County.   
          

The Arboretum is in Arcadia.  For those people who have never visited the land of smog and shallow people, Arcadia is about thirteen miles northeast of downtown L.A sitting in the San Gabriel Valley.

I toured it during the end of March when a lot of the flowers and plants were dormant.  It was windy and cold but at least there were very few people. 

With the map provided, it was a quick ten minute walk to find the Fantasy Island house. 

As you can see from the plaque, this beautiful example of Victorian architecture was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.  I guess they won't be bulldozing it anytime soon. 

The cottage is in pristine condition and the bell tower where Tattoo made his announcement is clearly visible. 

I wondered how many people have thought about yelling out "Ze plane!  Ze plane!" while standing in this very spot. 

Herve has passed away but his catch phrase will live on forever! 

Here's the downside:  you can tour the grounds and peek inside but you can't actually GO inside the cottage.  Sadly, I was not able to climb the stairs and ring the bell and fulfill one of my fantasies. 

This is the lagoon where the plane arrived.  You can see why the tv series was filmed here; it's very exotic looking and was probably much cheaper than hauling the crew to Hawaii. 

We're not talking the budget of LOST here. 

HOW TO GET THERE:  Arcadia is located on the 210 just east of Pasadena.  You can't miss the Arboretum; it is easily accessible from the Baldwin exit. 

WORTH THE TREK:  9/10 If you live in LA, you look for ways to escape the craziness of everyday life and a trip to this manicured nature park will make you forget all about TRAFFIC.  The Queen Anne Cottage is the bonus in this neat little trip.