Don't you ever imagine things differently from what they are?

Yesterday MPF and I went to see the Coen brother’s remake of the Charles Portis novel (and John Wayne classic) True Grit. It was a very good film that we be both enjoyed very much. Having never read the novel or seen the original movie, though, I can’t say whether the remake does either justice.

I can say, however, that the new True Grit led to the following revelation: Hailee Steinfeld should be the next Anne of Green Gables.

Can't you just see this girl smashing a slate over Gilbert's head?

Many of you know that I am a great lover of all things Anne. While I adore the 1985 made for television version (which was just re-released in widescreen HD… my copy is on the way) I can’t help but imagine the wonders that modern day cinema could do with a story as classic as Anne’s.

Recently, literary delights such as Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre have made a comeback in Hollywood. In the case of P&P, the story was retold in a manner that allowed this timeless classic to reach new audiences.

Which begs the question: why not Anne of Green Gables?


The last time LM Montgomery’s story appeared on the silver screen was 1934. It was so successful it launched the career of a little known actress named Dawn Paris who later legally changed her name to that of the title character: Anne Shirley. Similarly, PBS routinely showcases a variety of timeless stories on its Masterpiece program. And yet what do you inevitably see nearly every year during public television pledge time? An Anne of Green Gables marathon featuring the previously mentioned 1980’s made-for TV movie.

It is, in fact, the Kevin Sullivan produced television version that could be causing all the trouble. The roll of Anne, played by Megan Follows, was so well cast that anyone who tries to take her place will have big shoes to fill.

Megan Follows:the classic Anne.

Well, maybe Hollywood doesn’t think there is an actress with enough spirit to play Anne Shirley but I disagree. Ms. Steinfeld, the 14-year-old actress who is nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of Mattie Ross in True Grit, has not only the pluck but the braids needed to make a successful Anne.

Carrots? Nobody calls me Carrots!

In the new version of True Grit, the character of Mattie Ross is much like Anne Shirley. A headstrong, willful young woman with grace and poise beyond her years (all of which Ms. Steinfield captured beautifully). She is also whip smart, has a fast tongue, and won’t take no for an answer.

And ok, Ms. Steinfeld doesn’t have red hair. But this is 2011; do we really need a natural red head to play Anne? It’s called hair dye and I bet Ms. Steinfeld knows how to use it.

I have no idea if there is even an ounce of interest in Hollywood to remake Anne of Green Gables. But if there is, I hope (pray) that the powers that be consider Ms. Steinfeld for the pivotal role of Anne.

As for the rest of the cast, I will leave that up to you: who do you think should star in an Anne of Green Gables remake?

Missed January

The month of January, in summary format: football, work, work, vacation, work. For those of you wondering why the blog has been quiet, now you know.

So two things for you tonight. First, some totally out of the blue MAC trivia. TM either heard this or pointed it out recently: In the past 10 years, seven head coaches from the MAC have been hired as head coaches at BCS conferences ... and none has* been fired (although two are no longer at that school). Can you name them?

* -- Occasional proper grammar use is at the sole discretion of the blog proprietor.

While you think about that, the other thing: I had some rare free time this weekend, so naturally I spent it idly wasting time on my computer. I ended up cleaning up and organizing the many photos scattered throughout multiple folders on my desktop. Some were too damn good to keep to myself:

Perfect juxtaposition of Catholicism and rock and roll that is The Hold Steady. Minneapolis, Minn., July 11, 2009.

My first vanity license plate, from the '59 Chevy I bought in 1961.

A few of you will get this. It was part of an April Fool's joke by ABC.

The most awesome Halloween costume of 2010: a guy in a costume ... wearing a costume. Ricky Stanzi must have cried.

And some were just too damn random:

Efficiency ... or laziness?

This photo is titled "Quigley's friend." I did not take it nor know any context.

Proof that I once did, in fact, vote for Quigley.

Okay, done thinking? Here are the answers:

(year listed is first season at new school)

• Brian Kelly, Central Michigan to Cincinnati in 2007 (then to another BCS school in 2010)
• Butch Jones, Central Michigan to Cincinnati in 2010
• Turner Gill, Buffalo to Kansas in 2010
• Jim Grobe, Ohio to Wake Forest in 2001
• Gary Pinkel, Toledo to Missouri in 2001
• Jerry Kill, Northern Illinois to Minnesota in 2011
• Terry Hoeppner, Fake Miami to Indiana in 2005 (Hoeppner died of brain cancer in 2007.)

An aside: when TM and I were going through this question, we had Mark Dantonio listed. He of course went from Central Mitten to Mitten State...except for the fact that he came from Cincinnati, which despite its lackluster football reputation, is in fact a BCS-level school. Whoops.

Other close but wrong answers: Randy Walker went from Fake Miami to Northwestern in 1999. (He died of a heart attack in 2006.) Urban Meyer went from a MAC school (Bowling Green) to a BCS school (Florida) but there was a non-BCS school in between (Utah). Nick Saban went from Toledo to the Cleveland Browns as defensive coordinator, then to Michigan State. Of course, he has never stayed in one place long enough to get fired.

Ohhh you KNEW this was comin'!