Author Archives: dcaligari

Acme would like to bring you, once again, this new Christmas classic, Dear Satan, from the folks at Anomaly London. It’s popularity may have something to do with the fact that Sir Patrick Stewart narrated their video. So kids, remember, two letters transposed and literally, Bob’s yer uncle.

It’s only two days away – please begin writing your list of family grievances, in earnest.

December 21, 1963 –The Doctor Who story arc The Daleks, the second story of Season One, first aired on the BBC on this date. The episodes mark the first appearance of the Doctor’s mortal enemies, the Daleks, a race of genetically engineered mutants who abhor all other races.

December 21, 1937 – The first feature-length color and sound cartoon, Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, premiered on this date. The animation took over two years and a then astronomical $1.5 million to create. Disney had to mortgage his house to pay for the film’s production.

December 21, 1940 –Another classic Porky Pig cartoon, The Timid Toreador, premiered on this date. Bob Clampett was briefly sick during this time period, leaving two Porky Pig cartoons (The Timid Toreador and Porky’s Snooze Reel) unfinished, Leon Schlesinger told Norman McCabe to complete the directorial duties—hence the co-director credit under their main titles.

December 21, 1970 –Paranoid, alcoholic President Richard Nixon met with prescription drug addict Elvis Presley at the White House to discuss The King’s becoming a special drug enforcement agent He presented Nixon with a pistol, and received a special DEA badge in return.

December 20, 1971 –The Rolling Stones’ first anthology album Hot Rocks 1964-1971 was released on this date. The album remains one of their all-time best sellers. While the emphasis is on the hits, Hot Rocks also includes several iconic album tracks such as Play With Fire, Under My Thumb, and Gimme Shelter.

December 20, 1939 –The Paramount Pictures animated version of Gulliver’s Travels directed by Dave Fleischer, premiered in NYC on this date. The film was the first American animated feature from a studio other than Disney. After viewing it, Walt Disney reportedly said, “We can do better than that with our second-string animators.“

December 20, 1950 – Henry Koster’s adaptation of Mary Chase’s Broadway play, Harvey, starring Jimmy Stewart premiered in NYC on this date. Though Jimmy Stewart’s character, Elwood P. Dowd, may certainly be referred to as an alcoholic, only at one time in the entire picture is he seen taking a drink. This is because theContinue reading “Well, thank you Harvey! I prefer you too”