April in Autonomia
More New Features, Robert Redford and Baseball’s Back
April in Autonomia will introduce a new, revolving series about another favorite movie star, Thursday with Robert Redford. April’s theme is baseball.
Do you know that Redford attended the University of Colorado on a baseball scholarship and that he debuted on stage as a baseball player? Look for an all-new review of Robert Redford in his element in Barry Levinson’s baseball-themed epic The Natural (1984), which I recently watched with a friend who’s my former writing boot camp student. I plan to review a television documentary on Jackie Robinson (who was mentioned in last month’s article on Sidney Poitier). This week, in time for opening day, you can also read my review of the only major biography of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ legendary number 21, Roberto Clemente (Clemente by David Maraniss).
I’m enjoying writing for Autonomia. It’s a lot of work, so I’m doubling (in some cases, tripling) my productiveness. For example, I’m writing about books I read—and movies I watch—for various research. March’s book review of Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition originated with a research visit to a Smithsonian Institution exhibit. When I learned that a book was the basis for the Prohibition exhibit, which I visited a few years ago at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh’s Strip district, I wanted to read it. I write continuing work for hire by industrialists, the press and intellectuals, so, I’m motivated and often enthused to read, learn and know more.
Are you enjoying reading the articles? If so, let me know. If not, I want to know that, too; Autonomia’s a new enterprise with a focus on the present and past to understand how to make one’s future. It’s not for every reader. In either case, I want to know why. If it’s not a sacrifice, consider paying to subscribe. If you already pay, know that I’m available to discuss articles. Comment upon and recommend Autonomia’s articles. I appreciate those of you who do and I know that efforts to reach those who choose to think, read and live free can succeed with team cohesion. I’m grateful for help.
Friday with Fred Astaire and Tie-In Tuesday debuted this month for paid subscribers. Tie-In Tuesday stems from a contest segment by philosopher, author and former talk radio host Leonard Peikoff (whom I mentioned in my Rush Limbaugh obituary). The goal is to figure out a theme (or themes), if any, uniting seemingly disparate topics, which I did in the first installment with two films (The Hunger Games and The Lives of Others), ObamaCare and the Frost-Nixon interviews (with an antidote tied in at the end of the article). The first article in Autonomia’s new series, Friday with Fred Astaire, summarizes, details and reviews the delightful film The Broadway Melody of 1940.
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Read details here. Springtime means baseball and more of the good in play. Enjoy April in Autonomia.
—Scott Holleran
Editor & Publisher, Autonomia