Sunday in the Park with a Lynx rufus

October 1, 2026 ~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good afternoon. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here to introduce this week’s blog. Crispin contacted Bebe, the bobcat, and invited her to join us neighborhood pets for a tete-e-tete in the park. We agreed to meet with her on one side of the playground and us on the other for safety’s sake. The cats have been less than enthused about giving up a portion of their food to appease her. But I tell them that we must negotiate trust between our domestic selves and local predators that live in the wild.

“I think it is unfair to make us give this wildcat part of our food,” Edison the Manx said as we stood waiting for the creature to emerge from the woods.

“The coyotes have been most cooperative with us Canis lupus familiaris,” I said, “after we agreed to provide them with a portion of our dog food.”

“I agree with Edison,” Madeline the British Shorthair said. “I am sensitive about sharing my food with others.”

“It’s not that big of deal,” Ruffles the bulldog said.

“That’s easy for you to say,” Edison said. “Your owner gives you ample amounts of grub.”

“You’re just saying that because I’m bigger than you and need more to eat.”

“I detest the idea of giving this creature payola,” Artemus the Persian said. “Especially after dealing with black market criminals who kidnaped my sister.”

“Here, here,” Demeter her sister said.

“The rest of us Canis lupus familiaris have not complained about providing the coyotes sustenance,” Charlotte the chow said.

“Not even me,” Bruiser the Jack Russell said. “And I like my food. I like it a lot. I must jump now.”

We all turned and watched Bruiser jump up and down for a moment before returning to our conversation.

“When is she coming?” Titus and Tyler, the dachshund twins simultaneously asked as they chased each other around in a circle. “When is she coming?”

“She will be here soon,” I assured them. “It is almost twilight.”

Suddenly, from out of the foliage a creature emerged. She was sleek, swanky and intimidating. She moved in a way that was both luxurious and menacing. She was larger and more muscular than expected and I quickly regretted bringing myself and my cohorts to this meeting. The creature sat down on her haunches and licked her paw. Then she stared at us with looming amber eyes and said, “Well, I’m here. Talk.”

I cleared my throat and said, “Greetings, madam bobcat. My name is Gigi the parti poodle and I welcome you to our meeting.”

“Yeah, and?”

“And we would like to discuss the possibility of you accepting a portion of our neighborhood cats’ food in exchange for not attacking us or our bunnies and squirrels.”

“Hmm,” she said, swatting at moth that flitted near her. “How good is this cat food?”

“The best. Many of the Felis catus in this neighborhood get Smalls or Just for Cats, or The Honest Kitchen.”

“Interesting. I could go for making that deal with the felines and leaving the dogs alone as well. But I see no reason for you to negotiate for the bunnies and squirrels.”

“The bunnies and squirrels have asked me to speak for them on this matter.”

“I don’t know. I think I would get darned hungry living on left-over cat food alone.”

“With all respect, I believe you are being most obdurate in your assessment of our offer.”

The beast rolled her amber orbs. “A poodle using big words. Who would have seen that coming?”

“And quick to insult I see. To prove your misguided indignance, we are sticking to our offer of a fair and substantial amount of high-end cat food. And might I add, obstinate Lynx rufus, if you try to harm any single hair on any bunny or squirrel in our neighborhood, you will pay and pay dearly. Good day.”

Until next week, I bid you adieu.

MY BOOKS

You can check out my books Chicane and all five installments of the Musicology book series Musicology: Volume One, Baby!, Musicology: Volume Two, Kid!, Musicology: Volume Three, Twist!, Musicology: Volume Four, Sweetie! and Musicology: The Epiquad on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback editions. You can also check out Musicology’s web site at www.musicologyrocks.com and vote for who you think will win Musicology!

**STREAM OF THE WEEK: THE KILLING OF A CHINESE BOOKIE (1976)-HBO MAX, & GLORIA (1980) ROKU**

This week in continuing with literary cinema, I thought I would feature two films from legendary independent writer director John Casseveties. Both films are about people who find themselves in dire straits, one due to their choices and the other due to choices which have been put upon them. Each of them is forced to use their own special set of skills to deal with their deadly situations. The films have a raw gritty feel and remain riveting from beginning to end.

In The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, we meet shady burlesque club owner Cosmo Vittelli (Ben Gazzara) who’s place is called Crazy Horse West located on the sunset strip in LA. Underneath the seedy exterior, Cosmo is a bit of an artist who writes and directs all the performances on stage. Unfortunately, he is aware patrons watch the show not for his efforts but for the nude women.

He has just paid off a gambling debt he’s had for several years to a mobster named Marty (Al Ruban) and decides to take three of his female workers out for a night on the town with his three favorite dancers Sherry (Alice Friedland), Margo (Donna Marie Gordon) and his girlfriend Rachel (Azizi Johari). They head out to Marty and his partner’s gambling establishment where Cosmo racks up a debt of $23,000. He and the three ladies are held at the establishment overnight where Cosmo says he’s good for the money. But Marty and his partners are not convinced. They tell him he must sign over the Crazy Horse West as collateral. Reluctantly he does and he and the three women are finally allowed to go home.

But the next night one of the partners Mort Weil (Seymour Cassel) and his “associates” head to Cosmo’s club and take him out to a restaurant. There they discuss his debt and tell him he can lower it substantially if he does one thing: kill a Chinese bookie named Harold Ling.

In Gloria, we meet the Dawn family. Jack Dawn (Buck Henry), a mild-mannered family man who works as an accountant for the mob. Jack has been acting as an informant for the FBI. When his wife Jeri (Julie Carmen), a beautiful Puerto Rican woman comes home from shopping and notices sinister men in the building she finds out they have figured out what’s going on. The couple rushes to get her mother Margarita (Lupe Garnica), their daughter Joan (Jessica Castillo) and their young son Phil (John Adames) out of the apartment to safety.

As they are getting ready to flee their neighbor Gloria Swensen (Gena Rowlands in her iconic Oscar nominated performance) stops by to borrow some coffee. Gloria, who is good friends with Jeri, understands the situation but wants no part of it. But Jack and Jeri convince Gloria to take the kids and hide them. However, their daughter Joan refuses to go. So, Jack gives Phil his small book he’s been keeping information in about the mob, tells him he is now the man of the family and Gloria takes him back to her apartment just before the thugs get to the Dawn’s apartment and shoot up the place.

Gloria reluctantly realizes they need to get out of there. She’s a frugal woman who has saved money her whole life and now must use it and her wily survival skills to protect Phil’s and her own life and get away from the mob and the people in it she is connected to. This is no small matter as Gloria doesn’t like kids and Phil is a bit of a handful. But after escaping from the apartment building and rescuing Phil from a carload of gangsters preparing to take out Phil, the two start to form a bond that will either lead them to survival or doom.

Summit with Crispin

September 24, 2026 ~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good morning. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here to introduce this week’s blog. As you may remember, last week I considered holding a summit involving a bobcat sighting in our neighborhood. I had posted the warning on Nextdoor and all the cats and dogs in the neighborhood stayed inside and waited for the danger to pass. This week, considering the terrifying incident Belle and Bernard D. Bunny experienced, I decided to call a neighborhood summit to discuss the matter. I even invited Crispin Z. Coyote to the meeting. I thought he might be able to bring some insight into the matter.

“Oh,” he said. “You mean Bebe.”

“Bebe,” Edison the Manx said. “This thing has a name?”

“You have a name. I have a name. So, of course this bobcat has a name. Bebe.”

I cocked my head. “Have you had a run in with Bebe?”

“I would not call it a run in. I would call it a civil discussion.”

“You had a civil discussion with a bobcat,” Charlotte the Chow said.

“Yes. More than once.”

“How is that possible?”

“Bobcats and Coyotes coexist. We don’t necessarily go after the same prey, and we don’t necessarily hunt at the same time in the same place. But, yes, we have had some heated but civil conversations.”

Edison the Manx stopped licking his paw. “About what?”

“Hunting for one. We Canis latrans like to hunt in the open where Bebe and the other Lynx rufus like to hunt in the woods. I kept telling her hunting in the open is so much better. No roots to trip over, no thorns getting into your paws. But can I convince her of this? Not a chance.”

“The point at hand,” I said, “is why did she wander into our neighborhood?”

“I believe she often wanders into neighborhoods. Especially if there are a lot of rabbits around. No offence, Bernard.”

“None taken,” Bernard said stiffly.

“They like to hunt in neighborhoods like yours.”

“That is most unsettling,” Madeline the British Shorthair said.

Crispin shrugged. “It is the way of the carnivore.”

“You really should try grass,” Belle Bunny said.

“Yuck.”

“Well, I like it.”

“To each his own, little bunny.”

“The point,” I said, “is for you to instruct us on how to avoid being the prey of Bebe.”

“Well, Bebe hunts in neighborhoods when the wildlife is scarce. My guess is that is why she showed up.”

“You live around here. Is the wildlife scarce?”

“I wouldn’t know. You and your friends have provided my friends with dog food in an agreement that I won’t hunt the neighborhood pets or your bunnies and squirrels.”

“Here, here,” Sergio the squirrel said.

“Are you saying we should make a similar deal with Bebe?”

“I think she might be up for a cat food alliance,” Crispin said.

“And how would we arrange a meeting with her?”

“I could give her a call.”

“And how would we know we would be safe?” Ruffles the Bulldog said.

“I would have your meeting in a non-wooded area.”

“We could meet her at the playground at the park, I suppose.”

“Excellent. I’ll let her know about the matter and give her a ring. Or a text. Maybe an email.”

Until next week, I bid you adieu.

MY BOOKS

JEANNE DIELMAN, 23, QUAI du COMMERCE, 1080 BRUXELLES (1975)-HBO MAX

For the past week or two I have been searching for films that would be considered cinema as opposed to motion pictures designed to merely entertain. Movies that stand out and what I would call literary films. This one was named the greatest film of all time by the Sight and Sound poll. The members of the Sight and Sound poll are a mix of esteemed film critics, industry professionals, and filmmakers held every ten years to re-evaluate the very best of the artform. Each member submits a list of their top ten films of all time to determine the top position. I personally would not call it the movie the greatest film of all time. But I would call it one of the greatest films of all time. Cinematic masterpieces that have held the title in the past are Citizen Kane, Bicycle Thieves, 2001 A Space Odessey, Tokyo Story and Vertigo. Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles marks the first time a female director has taken the title. Her name is Chantal Akerman, and she was only twenty-five years old when she wrote and directed the film. She also made sure that her crew was 80% female, something that was unheard of at the time.

A note here: Jeanne Dielman will likely play better to a female audience than a male one, much like I think The Godfather plays better to a male audience than a female one. The reason for this is for a female audience, the story hits at a visceral level. A level that drives one to be both mesmerized and filled with fury. Women will find the film highly relatable today even though it takes place in the last quarter of last century because of the oppression it represents and the way women are, even to this day to some degree, considered second class citizens.

The story represents the grueling reality of what it has meant to be a woman for millennia. The boring, day-to-day nightmare of doing mundane yet necessary tasks the world takes for granted. And doing them mostly for indifferent thankless men. At times Jeanne is seen as a joke, in others an annoyance, yet others sexually objectified and worst of all being dismissed as irrelevant, unappreciated, and a mere shadow on the wall, out of sight. What Akerman does here is put the mundane on the screen like a horror story and quietly force the audience not to watch but to become immersed for no less than three hours and twenty-two minutes in Jeanne’s domestic prison like a ticking time bomb on the verge of explosion.

There is very little dialogue in the film. Mostly what we see is Jeanne doing her daily chores. The scenes in the apartment have a tight, claustrophobic effect. Usually there is some small item in the frame that is red like a thermos or a small glass bowl in the hutch, foreshadowing perhaps. We watch Jeanne (brilliantly played by Delphine Seyrig) get up out of bed, fix coffee and breakfast for her self-absorbed teenage son (not a daughter), Sylvain (Jan Decorte) polish his shoes, help him with his coat, and get him off to school. She then does housework, babysits a baby boy (not a baby girl) for a neighbor (voiced by Chantal Akerman herself) for free. She then goes shopping, not for herself per say but for food or a button her son needs for a sweater she’s knitting him. I might add she always wears a silk scarf when she leaves the apartment and it is also red, albeit a softer shade. When Jeanne goes out, she is always doing business with women who are shopkeepers, salesclerks, and waitresses. Except for one place: the bank. That worker is a young man. It is a man who stands between her and money. She deposits cash she keeps in a decorative ceramic pot on the dining room table.

Then she comes home and spends time preparing dinner. Right after she starts to cook the food, the doorbell rings. A man enters. She takes his coat and hat; they greet each other politely and then they go down the hall to Jeanne and her late husband’s bedroom and proceed to have sex. The hall changes from daylight to evening light quickly and the two emerge from the bedroom. Jeanne helps the man with his coat and hat, and he politely pays her and says he’ll see her next week. Every day brings a different steady client. Her oblivious son comes home from school where she serves him dinner and helps him with his schoolwork. During the rare moments when they do have a conversation, he often dismisses her or criticizes her offhandedly, like telling her there is a button undone on her housecoat. After dinner they go out for a walk, then they return home, pull out the couch bed, he goes to sleep, she goes to her bedroom and she goes to sleep. They get up the next day and do it all over again. And that drudgery is Jeanne’s hell. We follow her for three days through her unsatisfying life, moment to moment until …

Bobcat

September 17, 2026 ~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good afternoon. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here to introduce this week’s blog. I spent most of the week deeply concerned. After the bobcat, or rather the Lynx rufus sighting, I had not heard from either Bernard or his little sister Belle. I began to fear the worst. I went to meet them for tea every day, and they were not at home. I lay awake at night listening, trying to hear them moving about as poodles have exquisite hearing abilities. But it was all in vain. I could hear nothing but the breeze and occasional midnight rain.

My novelist noticed I was moping about and asked me what the matter was. I told her I was worried the bobcat might have harmed Bernard and his little sister Belle. My novelist told me brown bunnies are fast. Very fast. They can run at speeds of 30-45 miles per hour if necessary. Also, their fur helps them camouflage themselves, they have a keen sense of smell, 100 million scent receptors in their noses to be exact and have almost 360° vision. They also have a keen sense of hearing, up to around 20,000 hertz. And most importantly, they often have tunnels that they can hide in that a bobcat cannot crawl into. Also, if Bernard and Belle kept their nails well maintained, they can use them as a weapon.

Still, I was concerned that bobcats, being stealthy hunters, could also camouflage themselves so that Bernard and Belle might not see them. Bobcats can also leap ten feet if necessary and have terrifyingly sharp retractable claws. I imagined poor little Belle being snatched up by the cruel beast. What also concerned me was the fact that bunnies are crepuscular animals just like bobcats and are both out and about at dawn and dusk. Not to mention, bunnies are such high stress creatures if unexpectedly confronted with a predator, they can go into cardiac arrest. Hopefully neither of them saw the bobcat unannounced.

Then, yesterday morning, after the sun had risen, I saw them. Bernard and Belle came out from under a patch of ivy and greeted me. I was so excited I started jumping up and down in the air barking with utter delight. I asked them what happened and they told me, much like my novelist told me, they had hidden in their warren as the light was leaving that evening I ran into the bobcat. Bobcats don’t come around here too often, Bernard said, but Belle happened to catch the scent of one coming from about a quarter of a mile away and they ran and hid immediately. I was so delighted upon their return that I fixed up some Hibiscus tea and French butter cookies, and we sat and chatted until noon. Still, the concern of a bobcat around has made many of the animals in the neighborhood nervous and I am considering calling a summit. Until next week, I bid you adieu.

MY BOOKS

**STREAM OF THE WEEK: STAR WARS: THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU (2026)-DISNEY+**

This week’s pick is a fun little ride for those of you out there who have watched and completed the Star Wars television series The Mandalorian. One of the fun parts about this installment is there is a long sequence of just Grogu and his exploits which you do not get much in the regular show. The movie is very watchable, very likable and has great pacing. I think kids and adults will both enjoy this next chapter in the life of a Mandalorian and his gifted little adopted child. The script was co-written by Dave Filoni, Noah Kloor and creator Jon Favreau who also directed and produced the film.

The story starts with Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), better known as Mando, and Grogu working for the New Republic. They report to Ward (Sigourney Weaver) a colonel and leader of the New Republic’s Adelphi Rangers. After finishing a job well, albeit unconventionally, Ward wants to send Mando on a new mission: to rescue Jabba the Hutt’s son and heir Rotta (voiced by Jeremy Allen White). Rotta has been kidnapped by the elusive Commander Coin (Jonny Coyne). Mando is reluctant at first, not being a big fan of Hutts. But after Ward offers him a new Razor Crest ship as forward payment for his assignment, he and Grogu agree to go to Shakari to rescue Rotta.

After landing on Shakari, they meet an Ardennian fry-cook street vendor, named Hugo Durant (voiced by Martin Scorsese). Hugo is most reluctant to provide them with information at first but with some persuasion he points them in the right direction to find Rotta who is working as a highly touted gladiator. Mando and Grogu slip into the prison and locate Rotta in his cell. But they are surprised when Rotta tells them he has no intention of quitting his new-found career, that he likes his independence, and that his Hutt siblings, the ones who enlisted the New Republic to find him, only did so to bring him in and kill him.

Stop Making Stupid Shows

September 10, 2026 ~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good afternoon. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here to introduce this week’s blog. I must say it has been an adventurous week. Firstly, I made a dreadful mistake. Whilst outside for our morning sun I happened to wander about and go under a deck. My novelist saw me come out with cobwebs and pine needles threaded through my white and black curls. She was most displeased and claimed I smelled odorous. I was whisked back into our home where my beloved collar was unbuckled, and I was placed into a tub for a proper bath. It was, as always, most dreadful. Afterwards, when I’d had a good toweling, I was left damp and shivering for most of the day.

When nightfall came, I had a good supper and at the end of the evening, I went outside. Much to my surprise I nearly came face to face with a bobcat. A big scarry bobcat. It turned, noticed my presence and began sauntering towards me. …Him, who happened to be out there with me noticed it and quickly ushered me back inside.

I spent the last day typing up a warning for all the other neighborhood cats and dogs. I cannot let them be victims of this large and destructive beast. I posted my cautionary notice on Nextdoor with the hope that all the local Canis lupis familiaris and all the local Felis catus as well as the local squirrels and bunnies read it.

I also did a bit of research and found out that bobcats like to hunt twice a day. They go out hunting at dawn for three hours. Then they rest. Then at dusk until around midnight they hunt again before taking a second rest. This makes them crepuscular creatures. They are also quite flexible and, in the winter, if food is scarce, they will come out during the daytime to hunt.

My novelist and I watched a recent news report with…Him, where a 91-year-old lady had left a window open, and a bobcat chased her cats up a tree beside her house and into an open window. The woman heard something banging on her bedroom door and called 911. The police came, called the Department of Fish and Wildlife who came and sedated the beast, put it in a carrier and released it back into the wild. My novelist is keeping a close eye on me, monitoring all my outside time, and all the windows are closed for now.

On a sad note, we also found out this week Amazon Prime cancelled Spider-Noir. We are most displeased with this news. We believe it is one of the best and smartest new shows on television and Amazon Prime made a great error in dismissing it. Our hope is another streamer will pick it up. However, there is not one that has stepped up to do that right now. It is a shame with all the wasteland of mediocre television shows on all the streamers they decided to get rid of one of the best. Until next week, I bid you adieu.

MY BOOKS

**STREAM OF THE WEEK: IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT (2025)-HULU**

This week’s pick won the Palme d’Or in 2025 at the 78th Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for two Oscars this year for Best International Feature Film and Best Original Screenplay for Jafar Panahi who also directed and co-produced.

The film starts out with a man (Ebrahim Azizi) who has a prosthetic leg driving a small car through Iran with his wife (Afssaneh Najmabadi) and young daughter (Delnaz Najafi). The daughter wants to listen to modern music, but there is danger in doing so. While out in the desert they perchance hit a dog and must stop at a garage to have the car looked at.

When they do, a mechanic named Vahid (Vahid Mobasseri) thinks the man has an eerily familiar walk, due to the man’s prosthetic leg. He believes he may be Eghbal, the sadistic jailer they nicknamed “peg leg” who tortured him when he was a political prisoner. He follows the man and kidnaps him and takes him out to the desert to bury him alive. However, he finds himself unsure if he has kidnapped the right man.

He renders the man unconscious and goes to find some of his fellow political prisoners to see if they can identify the man who tortured them. He goes to Salar (Georges Hashemzadeh) who runs a bookshop, but he tells Vahid he is going down a dangerous path. However, Salar sends him to talk to a female photographer named Shiva (Mariam Afshari) who is taking wedding pictures of a bride Goli (Hadis Pakbaten) who was also tortured by Eghbal and her groom Ali (Majid Panahi). Shiva is reluctant but Goli is determined to see if this is the right man. Ali reluctantly goes along. The two women look at the man in the back of Vahid’s van but because they were blindfolded so much of the time during their incarceration, they too are not entirely sure.

Shiva says they must get in touch with her former partner Hamid (Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr) a hotheaded loose cannon who is more than happy to kill the man in the back of the van.

Beep Beep Zip Bang

September 3, 2026 ~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good afternoon. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here to introduce this week’s blog. Last week my novelist and I did something we have never done before. We went to the famous Twede’s Café in Snoqualmie Falls. The café is famously known as the RR Diner featured in the television show Twin Peaks. The show used both the interior and the exterior for scenes. I do not know how they got a film crew in there as it is narrow, but they indeed managed it. The booths, however, are large and comfortable.

We did have to get on a waiting list even though we went mid-week. So, we do recommend if you visit the place to plan accordingly. Our wait time was about twenty minutes. My novelist ordered a Garden Salad which is generous and a coffee with cream and sugar. I ordered a side of bacon. For dessert, we both enjoyed a slice of their famous Cherry pie. We both agree the pie is outstanding. We took pictures so you could get an idea of what the restaruant looks like. The place is very much like a mid-twentieth century diner. And they do sell magnets and stickers if you would like souvenirs. Unfortunatley, we were so excited about the pie we ate it before we could take a picture.

However, we purchased our Twin Peaks souvenirs from a couple of stores down at DT Vintage & More. We strongly recommend stopping here as well. They have a section of the store dedicated to Twin Peaks merchandise done by local artists. They have pins, earrings, metal signs, coasters, mugs, T-shirts, tote bags and more. My novelist and I were impressed, and the prices were very reasonable. So, if you do visit the restaurant, make sure you also visit that store as well. There is also a great looking little bakery next to DT Vintage and More.

We also took in a matinee of Coyote Vs Acme early this week. If you watch the trailers for the other animated movies out there (the new Shaun, the Sheep movie excluded) this one is a breath of fresh air. Most of the new films look like a hot mess. We believe Coyote Vs Acme, though part animation and part live action should be eligible for an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Film despite not having the film be 75% animation. This is a stupid rule. Not only should it be eligible for the nomination for being a smart entertaining movie, but also because of the ridiculous journey it had to take to get to the big screen.

Warner Bros. might just be the stupidest Hollywood studio on the planet. How can you own Looney Tunes and not figure out how to make money with them? Warner Bros. even had their own brick and mortar stores at one time which were outstanding and successful. Better designed than the Disney Stores. And yet AOL, run by mentally inept turnips, could not figure out how valuable they were and sold them all off.

Paramount, who now unfortunately owns Warner Bros., also run by mentally compromised cabbage heads, did not think that they should merchandise the film. If you go to Warner Bros. store online, there is no Coyote vs Acme merchandise you can purchase. None. Zilch. Nada. When we attended the theatre, my novelist wore a Tweety shirt, Roadrunner Earrings, and a Wile E. Coyote necklace. All of whom are in the film. We saw someone else in a Wile E. Coyote T-shirt. But none of this licensed merchandise came from the now Warner Bros. online store because they did not sell any. What a bunch of maroons! If a small town with a restaurant that was in a once popular television show can figure out how to merchandise, how come a big corporation is too stupid to figure out how to do the same thing?

The only intelligent party here is Ketchup Entertainment who bought the movie for fifty million dollars and released it. They should receive an Oscar for merely having common sense, sadly a rare trait these days in Hollywood and quite frankly everywhere else as well. If you get a chance, go see Coyote vs Acme. It is worth the ticket. Until next week, I bid you adieu.

MY BOOKS

**STREAM OF THE WEEK: 9 TO 5 (1980)-AMAZON PRIME, NETFLIX, HULU**

In honor of Dolly Parton, our Stream of the Week is this terrific women’s liberation comedy for which she received an Academy Award Nomination for Best Original Song. The film was directed by Colin Higgins who co-wrote the smart and funny WGA nominated original script with Patricia Resnick. The movie was later made into a 2009 Broadway Musical for which Dolly Parton wrote several new songs, and AFI rightly named the movie one of the 100 Best Comedies of All Time.

The story takes place in an unnamed city in California, where recently divorced Judy Bernly (well-played by Jane Fonda) who has spent most of her adult life as a homemaker, gets her first job as a secretary for the company Consolidated Companies. There she meets the smart and witty senior supervisor Violet Newstead (wryly played by Lilly Tomlin) who shows her around the rat race. They both work for sexist, bigoted all-around narcissist, Vice President Franklin Hart (Dabney Coleman who drolly steals just about every scene). Violet warns Judy about Hart’s bootlicker mole Roz (Elizabeth Wilson), and Hart’s cheery sexy secretary Doralee Rhodes (Dolly Parton in her breakout performance) whom the whole office believes is having an affair with Hart.

Hart often calls on Violet to do his bidding when Doralee is out of the office, a job which Violet tolerates because she is up for a promotion after working at the company for twelve years. But when Hart gives the promotion to the less-qualified Bob Enright, things begin to unravel. Hart viciously chews Judy out for a mishap with the copier and Violet and Judy find Doralee has not been having an affair with Hart but instead has been the victim of his constant sexual harassment. The three women meet at the nearby Charlie’s Bar and gleefully share their Hart revenge fantasies. But their seemingly innocent conversation takes an unexpected turn when Violet is asked to do one too many errands for her unappreciative boss.

Rounding out the cast is Sterling Hayden as board member Tinsworthy and Marian Mercer as Harts unsuspecting wife Missy Hart.

Epidog

August 27, 2026 ~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good afternoon. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here to introduce this week’s blog. Much has gone back to normal since last week’s apex. Artemis is delighted to be reunited with her sister Demeter. The two Persian cats have celebrated their reunion by cozying up on their climbing apparatus, each on their own tier. The twin Dachshunds Titus and Tyler have been chasing each other around in their front lawn, Charlotte has settled into reading the complete works of Shakespeare, Madeline and Edison meet at each other’s houses for a rousing game of checkers, Ruffles is working on getting his official driver’s license, and Bernard, Belle and I have gone back to having tea in the afternoons.

I had no idea how exhausted I was after all that kafuffle. But I am delighted to have everything back to normal before the summer is over. We are planning an Afternoon Tea celebration and in addition to our usual motley crew we are also inviting Sergio the Squirrel for his brave exploits in getting us the blueprints for the evil man’s house. And of course, our villain turned hero Crispin the Coyote and his coyote friends. They have promised to only eat cucumber sandwiches, scones and cakes and not the guests.

Unfortunately, my novelist took me in for a grooming and although I once again look spectacular the experience was torturous. But the result is stunning and I will look amazing at the soiree. I may even wear ribbons on my ears and my rhinestone collar around my neck. Not the diamond one I dream of, mind you, but a sparkly piece just the same. I was also delighted that yesterday was International Dog Day. The cats were sweet enough to gift me with a brand-new SPOT Skinneeez Dog Toy. These are of course my favorites. They said it was the least they could do since I spearheaded their rescues.

My novelist is glad to have me back to my usual self. She was quite concerned about my comings and goings during the whole ordeal. She wants me to return my focus to writing stories. I tried to tell her my adventure was indeed a story, but she dismissed the whole matter. She is, however, being gracious enough to take me to the Coyote vs Acme movie next week. And I do adore popcorn.

I think we have all learned to be a bit more vigilant in the neighborhood because of the kidnappings and have all promised to go out in pairs from now on. Apparently, one can never be too cautious. We have all had our owners (and novelists) purchase us whistles to take with us should we ever find ourselves in the company of nefarious creatures be they human or animal.

I do believe that wraps up the whole saga. But you never know when another rousing adventure might take place. I thank you all for being patient with me during this tense and tumultuous time. And thus, until next time, I bid you adieu.

MY BOOKS

BEST OF THE EMMY NOMINATIONS

PLURIBUS (2026)-APPLE TV+

Of all the shows nominated for the Emmy this year, this one is the crème de la crème. And this best of breed sci-fi drama comes from none other than the best guy working in the television industry today, Vince Gilligan. When I saw the first episode, I was a bit iffy. My thought was, yet another end of the world story. But on further watch, Pluribus is anything but ordinary and easily the most original show on television right now.

Oddly, the most fascinating part of Pluribus is how some audience members cannot tell who the villain is until the last episode of the season…if they can even do it by then. To me, the identity of the villain was quite clear from the beginning but to others apparently it was not so cut and dry. Maybe this is a sly societal statement from our resident INFP about the present state of our world. Or perhaps it is merely an observation about the way people have always been.

The show is like a Milgram Obedience Experiment and a Stanford Prison Experiment rolled into one. I’m not certain if it is personality type, generational placement or exactly what it is that causes confusion around what is sinister and what is not in the show’s world. But it’s concerning to me that this confusion exists. Regardless, I am not going to give away any clues so that if you have never watched this mini masterpiece before, you can decide for yourself.

Pluribus received a whopping eighteen Emmy nominations including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series, Outstanding Cinematography for a Series (One Hour), Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music, Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score), Outstanding Music Supervision, Outstanding Picture Editing for a Drama Series, Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Contemporary Program, Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour), Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

Carol Sturka (Rhea Seahorn in a brilliant Emmy nominated best of the year performance) is a highly successful misanthropic, alcoholic romance fantasy writer. Helen (Emmy nominee Miriam Shor) is her beloved spouse and manager. Carol dreams of writing the great American novel one day and give up her day job for good. After flying home from Houston to Albuquerque, the two women head out that evening to Silver Jack’s Saloon. Because of Carol’s drinking their SUV has a breathalyzer that must be blown into to start the car. As Helen doesn’t drink, she drives them to the bar and has a Coke while Carol sips on a Manhattan. After Carol finishes her drink, they go outside to smoke and look at the responses of the fans to Carol’s new book. While outside, Carol gazes up to see a group of planes

Gigi’s Seasonal Post: Back to School Preview Part 4

August 23, 2026 ~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Usually, Gigi and I only post on Thursdays. But we have started doing an Annual Back to School shopping post in July and August which we have touched on in the past couple of years. First, a few things:

We believe financial literacy should be taught in schools so that everyone can make the best decisions on their purchases and investments.

We are not influencers. We are writers.

We do not receive money or any other compensation for our selections.

We ourselves have purchased multiple items from the establishments we list.

We see the value in purchasing quality clothes and accessories that will last and not fall apart and are made of natural materials with a few occasional non-natural exceptions.

We hate seeing students getting ripped off.

We believe in getting the best possible deal for the best possible items.

For this special post Gigi and I wanted to feature another sale which started this week we think is one of the best of the summer and it is France Luxe’s Sale on Sale. This is a fantastic site that sells high-quality hair accessories made in France and the L. Erickson line with some of their items made in Germany, especially the Swarovski® Crystal pieces.

This sale takes another 50% off France Luxe and L. Erickson sale items (discount automatically applied at checkout) and it usually happens twice a year: once in August and once in December. The selection is generous including hair bands, hair ties, barrettes, head bands, hair pins, hair spinners, combs, and even some jewelry. There is also a variety of colors to choose from. The sale just started this week and if you need hair accessories this is the very best time to pick some up. Please note for every 3 items you buy, you recieve one free mystery item. So, for instance, if you purchase 3 items you get a free item. If you purchase six items, you get a second mystery free item and so on. Gigi and I received a variety of different free items over time when we shopped there. Shipping is free if you purchase $50 or more.

France Luxe recently won a 2026 Cosmopolitan Magazine Holy Grail Beauty Award for their L. Erickson Grab & Go Pony Holders which are superb.

The Coyote Makes a Phone Call

August 20, 2026 ~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good afternoon. Gigi the Parti poodle here to introduce this week’s blog. Crispin and his cohorts had pounced upon the original catnapper who had kidnapped our beloved Demeter, and later Madeline and Edison. The woman in the silk camo dress and the woman in the olive trench coat stood stunned and terrified as two of the coyotes turned towards them and advanced.

“Gigi,” Bernard D. Bunny said hopping up to me, “I think the man in the Hummer might be getting out.”

“That evil dung beetle,” I cursed. “We must stop him.”

“I think he might have a baseball bat as well.”

“But of course he does. Ruffles, back up the van.”

“Back up the van,” Ruffles said. “Back up the van.”

Ruffles began backing up the van as the man with tattoos stepped out of his monstrosity and began tromping towards the coyotes. The man was stunned to see the van backing up towards him and he jumped back.

One of the coyotes pounced on the woman in the silk dress and another pounced on the woman in the olive trench coat knocking them both to the ground.

“Get off me, cur,” the woman in the olive trench coat yelled

The woman in the silk camo dress screamed and appeared most displeased to have a coyote standing on her chest. At that exact moment I realized I had forgotten to lock the passenger’s side door, because the man with the tattoos flung it open and grabbed me.

“Gigi!” I heard everyone in the van scream as the brutal beast began hauling me over to the Hummer.

“Gigi, Gigi!” I heard the twin dachshunds howling in unison.

Terror coursed through my arteries as the villain’s wretched breath heaved down upon my beautiful curls. My heart palpitated as it never has before. I despise being held and to be held by such a dreadful ghoul as this was enough to make me bite…which I did.

The tattooed man was most displeased by my behavior. He pulled his wounded hand away, stunned. It would have been a great moment of glory for me, had he not swatted me on the nose. I did not take kindly to this. I snarled and went to bite him again, when he pulled out a squirt gun and sprayed me in the face. I was shocked, wet, and upset. I tried to bite him again and water went up my nose. I snorted and wheezed. Suddenly, I was being shoved into a dreaded dog carrier. Or in this case a cat carrier. I flung my paws out and pressed them against the sides of the entrance to stop myself from being pushed inside. I barked a shrill ear-piercing bark, but it was to no avail. The man plucked my paws off the sides of the carrier, pushed me into the cavernous trap, and locked the door.

In the distance, I heard police sirens going off. I could tell they were getting nearer. Tattoo man climbed into his vehicle and started the engine. I barked wildly and chewed on the plastic bars of my cage. The man backed up the Hummer. I could still hear the desperate mews and barks of my beloved friends crying out for me. The man whipped the Hummer backwards, threw the vehicle into drive when all at once he was blocked in by police cars in front of him and in back.

Officers disembarked their prowlers, pointed guns at him and shouted, “Get out of the car with your hands up!”

Tattoo man turned off the engine and shook his head. He climbed out of the Hummer, dropped to his knees and held his hands up. Within moments, the police had zip ties around his wrists. Crispin’s fellow coyotes stepped off the two women, and they too had zip ties swiftly applied to their wrists. Crispin stepped off the original catnapper, trotted past the officers and over to the Hummer where I was still incarcerated in the cat carrier.

“See,” he said as he peered into the wretched cage at me with a smug grin, “I was right. I called the police.”

Until next week, I bid you adieu.

MY BOOKS

BEST OF THE EMMY NOMINATIONS

SPIDER-NOIR (2026)-AMAZON PRIME

For the second week of the best of the Emmy Nominations, I’ve selected this fantastic entertaining spin on Spiderman. The show has received a total of eleven nominations for Outstanding Production Design, Outstanding Cinematography for a Series (One Hour), Outstanding Title Design, Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score), Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics, Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour), Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour), Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Single Episode, Outstanding Stunt Coordination for Comedy Programming, and Outstanding Stunt Performance. One unique element of the show is it can be watched either in color or black and white. I chose black and white, which looks fantastic.

The show is based on the Spider-Man Noir comic book series which was originally released in February 2009. The story, set in the 1930’s in Manhattan, follows a middle-aged WWI veteran, now private detective, named Ben Reilly (Nicholas Cage who should have received an Outstanding Actor in a Drama Emmy nod). Ben has a drinking problem intensified by the fact that he believes himself responsible for the death of his beloved fiancée Ruby Williams (Amanda Schull) five years prior. He used to be The Spider, the city’s hero but after Ruby’s death he put his mask away. He now works with his long-time secretary Janet Ruiz (Karen Rodriguez who also deserved a Supporting Actress nomination) and occasionally relies on the assistance of his buddy Joseph “Robbie” Robertson (Lamorne Morris) a hard-working freelance journalist.

One day, Ben is hired by a man named Carmedy to investigate his wife, a nightclub singer named Cat Hardy (well-acted by Li Jun Li) for infidelity. But upon digging deeper, Ben finds Cat is not married to Carmedy, and she has some strange involvement with the mayor of Manhattan. He takes pictures of her and the mayor and decides to go to her with the negatives.

In addition, he’s been hired by a man named Winston (Lucas Haas) to hunt down a man named Addison (Jack Mikesell) whom Winston believes burned down the house of his employer, the highly powerful crime boss Silvermane (Brendan Gleeson who also deserved an Emmy nomination). Ben finds out Winston also hired another private eye named Donegal (Cameron Britton) to locate Addison.

One night both Ben and Donegal trail Addison to the Standard Oil Company. Donegal gets there first and Ben hangs back in the shadows. When Donegal tries to approach Addison, Addison shows he can self-ignite himself into flames. He tries to burn up Donegal, but Donegal shoots and kills him causing the highly flammable Standard Oil location to catch fire. Donegal and Ben both get out on time. Ben later goes to the nightclub where Cat performs in hopes of blackmailing her for the negatives only to find out there may be more men like Addison and him self with special powers.

Rounding out the cast are Cary Christopher as Frankie, a wisecracking orphan and Joe Massigal, Scott MacArthur and Jack Huston as Silvermane’s henchmen.

Five Growling Coyotes

August 14, 2026 ~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good evening. It is I Gigi the parti poodle here to introduce this week’s blog. Charlotte and Ruffles opened the pod bay doors, and rolled the woman in the silk camo dress and the woman in the olive trench coat out of the van.

“Hurry, Ruffles,” I said. “You must take over driving the van!”

Bernard D. Bunny hopped off the driver’s seat, and his little sister Belle and Bruiser, the Jack Russel Terrier hopped off the peddles. Ruffles slid back into the driver’s seat ready for action. I hopped over to the passenger side and watched as Crispin Z. Coyote prowled forwards.

“Block the Hummer!” I told Ruffles.

“But he might hit my owner’s van.”

“Block him!”

The Hummer’s engine revved and as it tried to lurch, Ruffles inched the van forwards and parked in front of him. Crispin continued towards the two horrible women. A light went on in the yellow house of the original catnapper.

“Help!” the woman in the olive trench coat screamed at the house.

The porch light went on and the original catnapper came tromping out onto the porch sporting a sleeveless t-shirt and brandishing a baseball bat.

I put my paw on the button and lowered the passenger window. “Crispin, he’s got a bat!”

Suddenly, four other coyotes emerged from behind Crispin, ears lowered, teeth bared. The catnapper in the sleeveless t-shirt who had just begun advancing on Crispin halted in his tracks. The woman in the silk camo who struggled to her feet weaved as if she were about to faint.

“What do we do?” Ruffles asked. “What do we do?”

“Tattoo man is going to ram us with his Hummer,” Charlotte said, terror in her voice.

“This is a job for the cats,” I said. “Artemis, Demeter, Madeline, Edison, you know what to do.”

The cats all licked their paws and nodded. “Charlotte, open the pod bay doors again!”

Charlotte pulled open the van door and the cats strutted out in a line. They all marched over to the Hummer, and each sat beside one of the wheels. They all clawed, poke, and scratched the tires with their claws as rapidly as if they were knife-wielding fiends. Satisfied with their work, they all strutted back to the van; Charlotte slid open the door and they all hopped inside.

“Ruffles, hold your ground,” I told him.

Ruffles looked at the Hummer panting and shivering as the owner of the oversized garish vehicle revved the engine. He attempted to lurch into us…and then the tires sunk to the ground with a whump, planting him in place.

“Crispin,” I called out the window. “All is clear. Go to work on these evil monsters!”

The five coyotes arose from their haunches and advanced towards the catnapper with the bat, the woman in the silk camo dress and the woman in the olive trench coat. The woman in the olive trench coat let out a wild scream as two of the coyotes pounced upon the catnapper with the bat, knocking him down sending his weapon rolling across the asphalt and down the hill.

Until next week, I bid you adieu.

MY BOOKS

BEST OF THE EMMY NOMINATIONS

**STREAM OF THE WEEK: MARGO’S GOT MONEY TROUBLES (2026)-APPLE TV**

For the next three weeks I thought I would point out some of the cream of the crop of the shows nominated for Emmys. First up is this raunchy dramady from producer David E. Kelly. And I do mean raunchy. This comedy/drama receives an MA rating and is not for kids.

The show is based on the novel of the same name by Rufi Thorpe starring an all-star cast who deliver fantastic performances. Most notably is Elle Fanning who literally puts everything out there for the role. The show is nominated for a total of 8 Prime Time Emmys which include Outstanding Contemporary Costumes for a Series, Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling, Outstanding Contemporary Makeup (Non-Prosthetic), Outstanding Cinematography for a Series (One Hour) for Tari Segal, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Michelle Pfeiffer, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Nick Offerman, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Elle Fanning, and Outstanding Comedy Series.

The story is about a college freshman named Margo Millet (Elle Fanning), an English major hopeful who dreams of becoming a great novelist. Into her life enters youngish English professor Mark Gable (Michael Angarano). He tells her how much he adores her writing and talent and soon woos her into an affair, despite being a married man with two young children. Not long after the affair begins, Margo realizes she is pregnant. She tells her other three female roommates and after the baby is born, two of them decide they cannot take having a newborn around. This leaves only one roommate, the plucky Susie (Thaddea Graham) who loves professional wrestling, is into cosplay, and creates her own costumes. The exit of the other two roommates doubles their rent, and Margo is forced to raise money.

Margo’s mother Shyanne Millet (Michelle Pfeiffer) is livid to find out her promising young daughter has wound up in the same situation she did when she was Margo’s age. Not to mention it puts a huge damper on her upcoming marriage to a kind-hearted pastor named Kenny (Greg Kinnear).

Elsewhere, Margo’s biological father Jinx Millet (Nick Offerman), an ex-professional wrestler who has just got out of rehab finally receives a letter from his daughter she sent when she was still pregnant telling him about her plight. Stunned and wanting to repair his horrible job as a father, he finds himself a motorcycle and heads on route to help raise his new grandchild.

Rounding out the cast are Nichole Kidman as Lace, a professional wrestler turned attorney and Marcia Gay Harden as Elizabeth Gable, Professor Mark Gables manipulative and overbearing mother.

Open the Pod Bay Doors

August 7, 2026 ~ gigicatchesair ~ Leave a comment

Good afternoon. Gigi the Parti poodle here to introduce this week’s blog. Bernard D. Bunny pulled the van up to Chrispin’s abode, which was essentially the wooded area by the curb of the cul de sac where the van was parked before.

He calmly strolled up to the passenger’s side of the van where I was sitting. As he approached, I cautiously rolled down the window. He sat on his haunches and asked, “Where are the catnappers?”

“In the van”, I barked.

“You going to open the door?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Perhaps.” I turned to Bernard and said, “Crispin wants us to open the door.”

“Not a chance,” Bernard said. “He’s a bloodthirsty predator.”

“Which is why we drove the catnappers here to be delt with.”

“How are we going to get the catnappers out of the van if we don’t open the door?”

“A fair question.”

Bernard pointed his paw forward. “We could tell Crispin to stand way over there at the edge of the cul de sac and then we could have Charlotte and Ruffles slide open the side door, push the catnappers out and then slam the door back shut.”

“Good idea. Let me tell Charlotte and Ruffles the plan.” I hurried back to Charlotte and whispered the idea to her.

“I will be ready when you are,” she said.

Then I hopped over to Ruffles and told him the plan as well. “I can do that,” he said. “I can do that.”

“Fantastic,” I said and then hurried back to Bernard. “Let’s tell Crispin to move back to the edge of the cul de sac and we’ll open the door and roll them out and shut the door.”

“What are you doing?” the woman in the olive raincoat said.

“We’ve taken you back to where you started,” I said.

“This isn’t the parking lot.”

I ignored her and ran back to the passenger seat. “Crispin?”

“Yes,” Crispin said.

“I need you to go over to the opposite side of the cul de sac and we’ll open the door and roll them out.”

“Why should I do that?”

“You’re a blood thirsty predator.”

“I take offence to that.”

“I apologize but you need to see it from our point of view.”

He shrugged, lifted his paw and studied his claws. “Where’s my toy?”

“Don’t worry, I have your toy. My novelist got me a new one and I will bring it to you. And just remember, we don’t want you to attack we just want you to terrify.”

“Terrifying is my thing.”

“Great.”

“Which stuffed toy is it?”

“What?”

“Which stuffed toy is it?”

“A leopard.”

“Awesome.”

Crispin rose and began walking over to the other side of the cul de sac when a pair of headlights pulled in behind the van. Bernard looked in the rearview mirror and motioned for me to come back to the front. “It’s the man with the shaved head and tattoos,” he told me.

I looked up in the rearview mirror. The man turned off his headlights and started to dismount the garish orange Hummer. “Our plan remains the same. Let’s do it.”

“What about Crispin? He can’t take on all three of them.”

“I thought you said he was a blood thirsty predator.”

“He is but he’s still on our side.”

“You have a point. Let’s stick with the plan but not leave. If Crispin needs help, we still have the van.”

“Can’t the man just hop back in the Hummer and mow us over?”

“Belle, I have a job for you.”

“Okay,” Belle said meekly.

“I want you to hop up here on the dash and watch the man with the shaved head and tattoos. If he heads back to the Hummer, I need you to jump on the horn.”

“I can do that.”

“Good. Now we have an alarm system. Bernard, get ready.”

“Okay,” Bernard said.

“Charlotte, Ruffles, open the Pod Bay doors!”

Until next week, I bid you adieu.

MY BOOKS

STREAM OF THE WEEK: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY (1966)-AMAZON PRIME, PLUTO, ROKU, TUBI

It’s hard to believe that one of the greatest westerns ever made was not nominated for a single Oscar. To be fair, it was a tough year with In the Heat of the Night, Bonnie and Clyde, The Graduate, Cool Hand Luke and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner all nominated in the same year. Yet, there was still plenty of room for this incredible never a dull moment classic to take its place at the table.

If you ask your parents, or maybe grandparents, they will tell you before video, DVD, Tivo, and the Internet, every May for five days straight was Clint Eastwood Week. This meant every night, Monday thru Friday at 8:00 pm sharp you needed to be in your chair in front of the television ready to watch one of five great films starring a thirtysomething man who would become a movie star, composer, and four-time Oscar winner twice for director and twice for producer. And the zenith of all the cinema for that short run was this timeless western classic about three anti-heroes in search of buried gold.

The film was directed by the incredibly talented Sergio Leoni who is the mind behind the first two films about the Man with No Name. The story takes place during the Civil War where two outlaw drifters run a scam to collect bounty money. Tuco (Eli Wallach who should have been nominated for an Oscar for his landmark performance) is wanted…for a lot of crimes: murder, armed robbery, theft of sacred objects, kidnapping, rape, statutory rape, counterfeiting and passing counterfeit money, bigamy, desertion, inciting prostitution, receiving and selling stolen goods, using marked cards and loaded dice, highway robbery, cattle rustling, derailing a train to rob passengers, hiring himself out as a wagon train guide and deserting, misrepresenting himself as a Mexican general, intention to sell fugitive slaves, illegal postal pickup, assaulting a Justice of the Peace, and vandalism and arson in places of high authority.

Tuco (the ugly) is captured by the Man with No Name (the good) which Tuco refers to as Blondie (Clint Eastwood in his iconic role) and drug into the nearest town. The town then pays Blondie the bounty, and Tuco is put on a horse with his hands tied behind his back and a noose around his neck. When they are about to set the horse free, Blondie, an excellent marksman, shoots the rope sending the horse running with Tuco free on its back. These two have been pulling this con for a while.

In the meantime, a man dressed all in black (the bad) named Sentenza aka Angel Eyes (played with gleeful villainy by Lee Van Cleef), a gun for hire, hunts down a man family man named Stevens (Antonio Casas). Stevens, a former Confederate soldier knows the whereabouts of a man named Bill Carson (Antonio Casale) who knows where $200,000 is hidden. As Angel Eyes hunts for Bill Carson, Tuco and Blondie find themselves at odds with each other and in a moment of sheer luck stumble into knowledge about where the $200,000 might be.