Author Archives: dcaligari

March 11, 1950 – A very funny Bugs Bunny cartoon, directed by Chuck Jones, Homeless Hare, was released on this date. When Bugs falls into the rain water barrel and regains his senses after taking an I-beam to the head, he laments that “This isn’t Saturday night.” Bugs is referring to the common practice ofContinue reading “Homeless Hare premiered”

March 11, 1974 – The beloved Emmy and Peabody winning children’s TV special, Free To Be … You and Me, produced by Marlo Thomas premiered on ABC-TV on this date. The basic concept was to encourage post-1960s gender neutrality, saluting values such as individuality, tolerance, and comfort with one’s identity. A major thematic message isContinue reading “There’s a land that I see …”

March 11, 1968 – In the episode of The Monkees, Monkees Blow Their Minds that aired on this date, Frank Zappa appeared as Mike Nesmith and vice versa, debating qualities of each other’s music. Many a young mind was blown today. The song heard while Michael Nesmith and Frank Zappa play the car is MotherContinue reading “Monkees Blow Their Minds premiered”

March 11, 1970 –The first album by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Déjà Vu was released on this date. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it #148 on the 500 greatest albums of all time. It was certified 7-times platinum with over 8 million copies sold, and spent 88 weeks on the Billboard chart. It remains theContinue reading “A new day, a new way, and new eyes to see the dawn”

March 11, 1997 –Thirty years after being admitted as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), Paul McCartney was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to popular music and to British culture, and for his charity work. “Proud to be British, wonderful day and it’s a long way from aContinue reading “Arise, Sir Paul”

Every year March 10th is the Festival of Life in the Cracks Day, celebrating the first signs of spring weather, such as the green sprouts sprouting from cracks in the pavement. (Spring is in 10 days) It a nice way to honor the rebirth and renewal in life, and see beauty and life everywhere asContinue reading “You can not hold back nature”

March 10, 1938 – Bette Davis won her second Academy Award and re-ignited her sagging career when Jezebel, opened in New York City on this date. Following a quarrel with William Wyler, with whom she was having an affair, Bette Davis embarked on an affair with Henry Fonda that greatly increased tensions on the set.Continue reading “Jezebel premiered”

March 10, 1956 –The musical adaptation of the play High Tor, starring Bing Crosby, Nancy Olsen and Julie Andrews (in her TV debut) aired on the Ford Star Jubilee program on CBS, on this date. Stephen Sondheim also set a musical version of the play High Tor, but Maxwell Anderson refused permission, so the SondheimContinue reading “High Tor debuted”

March 10, 1983 –Despite the production value and Michael Jackson’s star quality, MTV didn’t play the video Billie Jean until the song was already a #1 hit. Les Garland, who ran the network at the time, claims that they loved the video and played it as soon as they could, but interviews with executives atContinue reading “How the King of Pop got his throne”

Dr. Caligari’s favorite sponsor, Raymond Burr’s Nipple Rouge, would like to honor a great American – and wish everyone a very happy and healthy Joe Franklin Day. Don’t forget that March 13th is the 30th annual Shabbat Across America/ Canada. Hopefully you won’t forget to have Streit’s Matzos at your family’s Shabbat dinner. Streit’s Matzos,Continue reading “It’s a magical day”