Author Archives: dcaligari

May 25, 1977 –In a time long ago and in a galaxy far, far away, George Lucas began legally printing money with the release of the first Star Wars movie, which for reasons only know to George was titled – Stars Wars IV: A New Hope. George realized that he did not have enough moneyContinue reading “You may take your light sabers out”

Today is Towel Day. Remember a towel is “about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitch hiker can have.” Towel Day is celebrated every May 25th as a tribute by fans of the late author Douglas Adams. On this day, fans carry a towel with them to demonstrate their love for the books andContinue reading “Celebrate as you see fit”

May 24, 1968 –The Rolling Stones released Jumping Jack Flash, in Britain, on this date. Bill Wyman wrote some of this song, but it was still credited only to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, which Wyman was never happy about. He explained: “We got to the studio early once and… in fact I think itContinue reading “It’s a gas, gas, gas”

May 24, 1964 –The Beatles performed You Can’t Do That from the set of A Hard Day’s Night in a taped segment on The Ed Sullivan Show on this date. Ironically, You Can’t Do That would be cut out of the finished film. May 24, 1969 –The Beatles with Billy Preston hit No. 1 withContinue reading “A double dose of Beatles”

May 23, 1966 –The Beatles released the single Paperback Writer on this date. At the time, The Beatles were about to cease touring and couldn’t make many TV appearances to perform the song. This made it very difficult to promote the single, so they commissioned a film clip that could be shown on these programs,Continue reading “Dear Sir or Madam, Did you read my book?”

May 23, 1969 –… A son! A son! A son! …. The Who released Tommy in the UK, the first rock opera on this date. Somehow this may or may not be connected with the fact, that The BBC gave the go-ahead for 13 episodes of Monty Python’s Flying Circus Truly a brief glorious refloweringContinue reading “Tommy, can you hear me?”

May 23, 1929 –Walt Disney released the ninth film in the Mickey Mouse film series, The Karnival Kid on this date This is first cartoon in which Mickey Mouse speaks. His first words are “Hot dogs!“

May 23, 1984 –Sergio Leone’s epic crime drama, Once Upon a Time in America starring Robert De Niro, James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern, Joe Pesci, Burt Young, Tuesday Weld, and Treat Williams premiered at the Cannes Film festive on this date. A few days before the film’s premiere in 1984, Treat Williams found out the two-hourContinue reading “Another cinematic masterpiece mangled”

May 23, 1980 –Stanley Kubrick’s classic horror thriller The Shining, opened on this date (I remember seeing it at the midnight showing on this date in Time Square.) There were so many changes to the script during shooting (a scene change was made almost daily) that Jack Nicholson claimed he stopped reading it. He wouldContinue reading “Red rum, Red rum”

Today is World Turtle Day. The purpose of World Turtle Day, sponsored yearly since 2000 by American Tortoise Rescue, is to bring attention to, and increase knowledge of and respect for, turtles and tortoises, and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive. It’s celebrated worldwide in a variety of ways, from dressing upContinue reading “In a fast-paced world, be the calm turtle.”