Author Archives: dcaligari

May 18, 1955 – The classic film noir that introduced Mike Hammer to cinema, Kiss Me Deadly, opened in Los Angeles on this date. Although Victor Saville is credited as Executive Producer and Director Robert Aldrich is credited only as Producer, in reality, Aldrich had it written into his contract that he had complete controlContinue reading “Kiss Me Deadly premiered”

May 15, 1940 – The Looney Tunes short, You Ought to Be in Pictures, directed by Friz Freleng, starring Porky Pig and Daffy Duck, debuted on this date. Friz Freleng’s first cartoon featuring Daffy Duck. It was a milestone in the character’s development, introducing him as a vain, devious rival of the lead character (PorkyContinue reading “You Ought to Be in Pictures premiered”

May 18, 1976 –Warren Zevon releases his self-titled album, produced by Jackson Browne, on this date. Warren Zevon’s eponymous second album came out six years after his first. In the years between, he took musical odd jobs like writing jingles, but he also performed and caught the attention of Jackson Browne, who helped him landContinue reading “On a small Missouri farm”

May 16, 1966 –The Beach Boys released their 11th studio album, Pet Sounds on this date. It has since been recognized as one of the most influential albums in the history of popular music and is widely regarded as one of the best albums of the 1960s. All that beautiful music and barking dogs, too.

May 16, 1957 – The Merrie Melodies short, Tweety and the Beanstalk, directed by Friz Freleng, starring Sylvester and Tweety, debuted on this date. Not only does Sylvester break the fourth wall, he refers to Tweety as a Tweety Bird.

May 16, 1936 –The Merrie Melodies short, I’d Love to Take Orders from You, directed by Tex Avery, debuted on this date. Among the agriculturally inspired home accessories seen in the scarecrow family dwelling are a cornstalk hat rack and a pumpkin based table lamp.

May 16, 1956 – Alfred Hitchcock’s remake of his 1934 film, The Man Who Knew Too Much, starring James Stewart and Doris Day, premiered in Hollywood on this date. Throughout the filming, Doris Day became increasingly concerned that Alfred Hitchcock paid more attention to camera set-ups, lighting, and technical matters than he did to herContinue reading “The Man Who Knew Too Much premiered (again)”

May 16, 1977 –The sequel to the TV movie, Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway, Alexander: The Other Side of Dawn, starring Leigh McCloskey, Eve Plumb, Juliet Mills, Jean Hagen, and Earl Holliman, premiered on NBC TV, on this date. This was Jean Hagen’s final performance.

Today is National Sea Monkey Day, (Mr. Teeny has told me countless times that it was his uncle in the video and he came to a very bitter end. Mr Teeny has retired to Palm Springs, California, we try to talk every weekend – thanks for asking.) So go out and enjoy the day thinkingContinue reading “Do people still buy these kits?”

Celebrate the day by enjoying the sweet morsels in every bite of a chocolate chip cookie. (Do not confuse today though with National Chip Cookie Day which is August 4th.) Go out and eat some raw cookie dough to celebrate (ignore the feelings of shame and worries of salmonella poisoning due to the raw cookieContinue reading “It should always be National Chocolate Chip Day –”