Nope - I don’t mean the massive, intense attack of the Presidential Primaries on 2/5/08 (29 states on the same day) - I’m referring to the pre Lenten celebrations such as, Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Carnival!

I cannot think “carnival” without that terrific movie “Black Orpheus” flitting across my mind. The costumes, the music of Rio de Janeiro, the dancing, and all those pretty people being chased by a man in a skeleton mask - fabulous.

This is the 1959 film made in Brazil by French director Marcel Camus. It is the classic Greek romantic tragedy of Orpheus (Breno Mello) and Eurydice (Marpessa Dawn) set against the back drop of a high energy samba troupe.

Even if you haven’t seen “Black Orpheus”, you are probably familiar with its great music by Antonio Carlos Jobim, including “Manhã de Carnaval” (written by Luiz Bonfá).

Per WikiPedia: “Black Orpheus” won the Palme d’Or prize at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival as well as the 1960 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and the 1960 Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film.”