Rick's Café American

Tuesday, 10 June 2008

Dalida

HINE MA TOV

Hine ma tov
uma nayim
shevet achim gam yachad.
Hine ma tov
uma nayim
shevet achim gam yachad.

Lai, lai lai lai, lai lai lai lai lai
lai lai lai, lai lai lai lai.

Lai, lai lai, lai, lai lai lai lai lai
lai lai lai, lai lai lai lai.

Hine ma tov
uma nayim
shevet achim gam yachad.
Hine ma tov
uma nayim
shevet achim gam yachad.

(repeat)
shevet achim gam yachad........

Lord of the Rings- For My Lady

THIS IS A SPECIAL DAY

Yes this day is a very special day. You know,Paula (my wife) and I got married 14 years ago today.

And there's nothing better to describe our relation than this:

-PAULA, I'M STILL CRAZY FOR YOU, AFTER ALL THIS YEARS !!!

THE ODESSA FILE

The ODESSA File is a thriller novel by Frederick Forsyth, first published in 1972, about the adventures of a young German reporter tracing an SS concentration-camp commander. ODESSA is an organization for ex-Nazis of the SS.

Plot

In 1963, Peter Miller, a German freelance crime reporter, follows an ambulance to the apartment of Salomon Tauber, a Jewish Holocaust-survivor who has committed suicide. Miller is given the dead man's diary by a friend in the police. He reads Tauber's life story and learns that Tauber was in Riga concentration camp commanded by Eduard Roschmann, "The Butcher of Riga". He also learns that Tauber witnessed Roschmann shooting a German Army captain. Miller resolves to hunt down Roschmann.

He pursues the story and visits the State Attorney General's office and other offices where he learns that no-one is prepared to search for or prosecute former Nazis. But his investigations take him to the famed war-criminal investigator Simon Wiesenthal, who tells him about the ODESSA.

Miller is approached by a group of concentration-camp survivors who have vowed to hunt down German war criminals and kill them. He is asked to infiltrate ODESSA. Miller agrees and is trained to pass for a former SS sergeant. Miller visits the "Werwolf", a lawyer working for ODESSA and after passing a severe scrutiny, is sent to meet a passport forger who supplies those members who wish to escape.

But Miller's guise has been penetrated. He barely survives a bomb installed in his car. Eventually, he confronts Roschmann at gunpoint and forces him to read from Tauber's diary. Roschmann admits to killing the German Army captain, now revealed to have been Miller's father, and attempts to justify his actions. Miller, momentarily off guard, is disarmed and Roschmann manages to escape, eventually flying to Argentina (in the film version, he is shot dead). His assailant is then shot to death before he can kill Miller.

While Miller is recovering in hospital, he is told what happened while he was unconscious. Josef, his contact, warns him not to tell anyone the story. He does disclose that with Roschmann (code-named "Vulkan") in Argentina, West German authorities (at the urging of the Israelis) will close the radio factory where a rocket guidance system is being secretly developed for the Egyptian army. ODESSA's plan to oblierate the State of Israel by combining their technological know-how with Egyptian biological weapons has been thwarted.

Josef, in reality Uri ben Shaul, an Israeli army officer, returns to Israel to be debriefed. But there is one last job to do. He has taken Tauber's diary with him and as per the last request in the diary, Uri visits YadVashem and says Kaddish for the soul of Salomon Tauber.

Film adaptation

A movie adaptation of the same name was released in 1974 starring Jon Voight versus Maximillian Schell and directed by Ronald Neame with a score by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The story was simplified and somewhat changed.

SS Captain Eduard Roschmann

Although the movie was based rather loosely on the book, ironically, it was the movie which brought about another exposure of the real-life "Butcher of Riga", Eduard Roschmann. After the movie (which had Roschmann killed) came out, he was arrested by the Argentinian police, skipped bail, and fled to Asunción, Paraguay where he died on 10 August 1977. See List of SS personnel.

External links

The Odessa File at the Internet Movie Database
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_ODESSA_File"

MARATHON MAN

Marathon Man is a 1974 paranoid thriller novel by William Goldman. In 1976 it was made into a film of the same name starring Dustin Hoffman, Laurence Olivier, and Roy Scheider and directed by John Schlesinger.

Plot introduction

The story is about a former Nazi SS dentist from Auschwitz, Dr. Christian Szell (inspired by Josef Mengele, the last doctor in charge of Auschwitz II), now residing in Paraguay (changed to Uruguay for the movie), trying to smuggle a large quantity of diamonds out of the U.S. after the death of his brother. This involves an ultra-secret intelligence agency called "The Division." The plot revolves around Thomas "Babe" Levy, a history graduate student at Columbia University and runner who is haunted by the suicide of his father, which was caused by the witchhunts of McCarthyism decades earlier. Thomas also has a brother, who unbeknownst to him works for this secret governmental body.

Both the novel and the film contain a graphic depiction in which Szell tortures Babe by drilling into his teeth, without anesthetic, and repeatedly asking the question, "Is it safe?" Babe does not know what the question means nor the identity of his inquisitor. The dentist offers him oil of cloves as positive inducement to cooperate. The quote "Is it safe?" was ranked #70 on the "100 Years...100 Movie Quotes" list. The quote was humorously parodied near the end of the ZAZ spoof, Hot Shots!.

SIX DAY WAR - DAY SIX - JUNE 10

June 10: Marathon on the Heights

The Israelis were originally reluctant to invade the Golan Heights. It would be an uphill battle against a well-entrenched and fortified enemy, protected by an army of 75,000 Syrian troops. The Syrian troops and munitions were entrenched in deep bunkers which were immune from air attack. One noted Israeli general estimated that such a battle would cost the Israelis 30,000 lives. Incredibly, though, after only seven hours of heavy fighting on June 9th, IDF commanders established strongholds in the northern and central sectors of the Golan. The next morning dawned with the Israeli forces apprehensively awaiting another day of fierce fighting. The Syrians, however, had other plans. In a sudden panic, before the Israelis even approached their positions, they pulled out of the Golan and fled in total chaos, leaving most of their weaponry behind. The moutaintops that were strategically utilized to murder Jews in the Holy Land, were now in the hands of the Israelis.

The final offensive was completed and, on that day, a ceasefire was signed.

Today’s Highlights:

Israel captures the strategic Golan Heights and Massada. A ceasefire goes into effect at 6:30 p.m.

Jewish History: Israel Captures Golan Heights
The Rebbe on the Six Day War and its Aftermath

Monday, 9 June 2008

JUDITH - A DRAMA WITH SOPHIA LOREN

Judith is a 1966 drama film made by Command Productions, Cumulus Productions and Paramount Pictures. It was directed by Daniel Mann, produced by Kurt Unger from a screenplay by John Michael Hayes based on the story by Lawrence Durrell. The music score was by Sol Kaplan and the cinematography by John Wilcox.

The film stars Sophia Loren,Peter Finch and Jack Hawkins with Hans Verner, Frank Wolff, Shraga Friedman, André Morell, Zaharira Harifai, Terence Alexander and Daniel Ocko.

Plot

In Palestine shortly before the end of the British mandate, the Haganah has learnt that a former German tank commander, General Gustav Schiller (Hans Verner), is teaching the Arabs batle tactics, but they are unable to locate him. Then they learn of the existence of his Jewish former wife, Judith Auerbach Schiller (Sophia Loren), and arrange for her to be smuggled into Palestine via the port of Haifa. She is placed in the care of Aaron Stein (Peter Finch), a Haganah commander, at a Kibbutz.

Schiller abandoned his wife during the war and took away their son. She was then sent to the Dachau concentration camp, where she was forced to serve in an officers' brothel, but survived.
Judith does not take kindly to the rigours of kibbutz life, and is unable to tell them anything about Schiller, but Stein hopes that she can at least identify him. He "suggests" that she ask the local army commander, Major Lawton (Jack Hawkins), to help her. Judith travels to Haifa to see him and pleads with him to hand over the file on Schiller - which he eventually does. It turns out that Schiller was last known to be in Damascus, Syria.

Judith, Stein and a colleague are smuggled into Damascus and after days of searching, they find Schiller. As they are about to capture him, Judith shoots and wounds him. Schiller is smuggled back to Palestine and interrogated, but he refuses to give any information. Left alone with Judith, he pleads for mercy. But as the kibbutz comes under attack by Arab forces, he finally reveals the battle plans, and also tells Judith that he knows the whereabouts of their son. The room in which he is being kept is bombed and Schiller is killed.

External links

Judith at the Internet Movie Database

SHMUEL KATZ - PAINTINGS (1)

YITZHAK YAMIN - PAINTINGS (1)

CARLO LEVI (1902-1975) PAINTINGS (1)

SIX DAY WAR - DAY FIVE - JUNE 9

June 9: David and Goliath

After suffering significant casualties in the offensive to overtake the Golan Heights, Commander Musa Klein’s platoon had only twenty-five men at his disposal. But they continued upwards. When they reached Tel Fakhr, Klein ordered his men to charge the position, unaware that it was one of the most heavily fortified Syrian positions. It had bunkers, trenches and a double row of wire; an arsenal of antitank guns, machine guns and 82mm mortars. The handful of IDF soldiers were worse off than sitting ducks... Syrian Captain Ahmad Ibrahim Khalili gave his men instructions not to fire until the Israelis reached the wire. In no time at all, however, it was too late. In the Syrians' own words: “The Jews are already inside and we’ve taken heavy casualties.” Commander Klein and his men were victorious, and continued up the Heights.

Today’s Highlights:

Israel seizes the Straits of Tiran. Israel breaks through the Golan plateau.

Sunday, 8 June 2008

Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody ('Ghost' Soundtrack)

Whoa! My love, my darling,
I hunger for your touch,
Alone. Lonely time.
And time goes by, so slowly,
And time can do so much,
Are you still mine?
I need your love.
I need your love.
God speed your love to me.

Lonely rivers flow to the sea, to the sea,
To the open arms of the sea.
Lonely rivers sigh, wait for me, wait for me,
I'll be coming home, wait for me.

Whoa! My love, my darling,
I hunger, hunger!, for your love,
For love. Lonely time.
And time goes by, so slowly,
And time can do so much,
Are you still mine?
I need your love.
I need your love.
God speed your love to me.

AC DC Thunderstruck

I was caught
In the middle of a railroad track (Thunder)

And I knew there was no turning back (Thunder)
My mind raced
And I thought what could I do (Thunder)
And I knew
There was no help, no help from you (Thunder)

Sound of the drums
Beatin' in my heart
The thunder of guns
Tore me apart
You've been - thunderstruck

Went down the highway
Broke the limit, we hit the town
Went through to Texas, yeah Texas
And we had some fun
We met some girls
Some dancers who gave a good time
Broke all the rules, played all the fools
Yeah, yeah, they, they, they blew our minds

I was shakin' at the knees
Could I come again please?
Yeah the ladies were too kind
You've been - thunderstruck, thunderstruck
Yeah yeah yeah, thunderstruck

Oh, thunderstruck
Yeah

Now we're shaking at the knees
Could I come again please?

Thunderstruck, thunderstruck
Yeah yeah yeah, thunderstruck
Thunderstruck, yeah, yeah, yeah

Said yeah, it's alright
We're doing fine
Yeah, it's alright
We're doing fine
So fine

Thunderstruck, yeah, yeah, yeah,
Tunderstruck, thunderstruck, thunderstruck
Whoa baby, baby, thunderstruck
You've been thunderstruck, thunderstruck
Thunderstruck, thunderstruck
You've been thunderstruck

THE SIX DAY WAR - DAY FOUR - JUNE 8

June 8: White Sheets in Hebron

Hebron, a holy city that houses the resting place of our Patriarchs and Matriarchs. A city which in its recent past had boasted a sizable Jewish population and fifty-eight synagogues. But for some time now, Jews had been banned from living in this city, and its synagogues were destroyed. The IDF entering Hebron found white sheets hanging from the windows, and an Arab population surrendering peacefully. The war in the West Bank was concluded. Israel now had full control over the entire region.

Jewish History: Hebron Liberated
More on Hebron

June 8: The “Big Lie”

Arab countries were bombarded with Egyptian and Jordanian propaganda, claiming that American and English planes were assisting Israel in pounding their bases and country's forces. This canard caused much distress to American and English embassies and citizens across the Middle East. Embassies were shut down and innocent people driven from their homes. The “Big Lie” backfired on its perpetrators. On June 8th, King Hussein contacted the English, pleading for assistance, asking them to pressure Israel to stop its incessant attacks. England ignored the request, largely because of Hussein's backing of the lie.

Today’s Highlights:

Israel takes control of the holy city of Hebron, Al Qantarah El Sharqiyya in the Sinai Desert. This places most of Sinai in Israeli hands.

Jordanian bridges are destroyed.

Saturday, 7 June 2008

Simon and Garfunkel- America

AMERICA

let us be lovers well marry our fortunes together
Ive got some real estate here in my bag
So we bought a pack of cigarettes and mrs. wagner pies
And we walked off to look for america
kathy, I said as we boarded a greyhound in pittsburgh
michigan seems like a dream to me now
It took me four days to hitchhike from saginaw
Ive gone to look for america

Laughing on the bus
Playing games with the faces
She said the man in the gabardine suit was a spy
I said be careful his bowtie is really a camera

toss me a cigarette, I think theres one in my raincoat
we smoked the last one an hour ago
So I looked at the scenery, she read her magazine
And the moon rose over an open field

kathy, Im lost, I said, though I knew she was sleeping
Im empty and aching and I dont know why
Counting the cars on the new jersey turnpike
Theyve all gone to look for america
All gone to look for america
All gone to look for america

She's A Rainbow, The Rolling Stones 1967

SHE'S A RAINBOW

Jagger/Richards)

She comes in colors ev'rywhere;
when She combs her hair
She's like a rainbow
Coming, colors in the air
Oh, everywhere
She comes in colors

She comes in colors ev'rywhere;
when She combs her hair
She's like a rainbow
Coming, colors in the air
Oh, everywhere
She comes in colors

Have you seen her dressed in blue?
See the sky in front of you
And her face is like a sail
Speck of white so fair and pale
Have you seen a lady fairer?

She comes in colors ev'rywhere;
She combs her hair
She's like a rainbow
Coming, colors in the air
Oh, everywhere
She comes in colors

Have you seen her all in gold?
Like a queen in days of old
She shoots colors all around
Like a sunset going down
Have you seen a lady fairer?

She comes in colors ev'rywhere;
She combs her hair
She's like a rainbow
Coming, colors in the air
Oh, everywhere
She comes in colors

She's like a rainbow
Coming, colors in the air
Oh, everywhere
She comes in colors