The legend of Marvin Hamlisch

Today marks the 125th anniversary of the Brooklyn Bridge. It really is one of my favorite places in the US.

The tragic poet Hart Crane made of the bridge a potent symbol for some of his best work:

. . .
Out of some subway scuttle, cell or loft
A bedlamite speeds to thy parapets,
Tilting there momently, shrill shirt ballooning,
A jest falls from the speechless caravan.


Down Wall, from girder into street noon leaks,
A rip-tooth of the sky's acetylene;
All afternoon the cloud-flown derricks turn . . .
Thy cables breathe the North Atlantic still.

. . .

So, the city is celebrating 125 years of John and Washington Roebling's engineering wonder with a series of parties that began yesterday, featuring "pecial guest performances including the legendary Marvin Hamlisch, followed by a Grucci Fireworks extravaganza. A festive lighting ceremony will illuminate the entire Bridge, which will remain lit every evening from 9pm–11pm through Memorial Day."

I have to admit, having been somewhat disappointed by The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull last night, I am dying to have someone fill me in on the legend of Marvin Hamlisch. I guess that scoring The Sting and being named as the Anti-Christ isn't enough for one lifetime.