Author Archives: dcaligari

September 15, 1976 –The musical comedy film, Bugsy Malone, directed by Alan Parker (in his feature film directorial debut), and starring Jodie Foster, Scott Baio, and John Cassisi, went into general release in the US, on this date. Alan Parker admitted to having an ambivalent attitude to the film and for years did not includeContinue reading “Bugsy Malone premiered”

September 14, 1974 –Eric Clapton’s cover of the Bob Marley song, I Shot The Sheriff, went to the top of the Billboard Charts on this date. It is Clapton’s only top #1 hit, either as a solo artist or with one of his bands (Cream, The Yardbirds, Derek & the Dominos…)

September 14, 1968 –Yes kids, years before Riverdale, there was The Archies – The Archie Show, based on the comic book series, debuted on CBS-TV on this date. The success of this animated series with its musical numbers drew the attention of Hanna-Barbera Productions. Through the early 1970s, many of their series would have youngContinue reading “The Archie Show premiered”

September 14, 1957 – The Merrie Melodies short, Zoom and Bored, directed by Chuck Jones, and starring Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner, was released on this date. At the end of the film, Wile E. Coyote is exhausted and the Road Runner gets an opportunity to finish him off. The bird instead showsContinue reading “Zoom and Bored premiered”

September 14, 1946 –The Looney Tunes short, Racketeer Rabbit, directed by Friz Freleng and starring Bugs Bunny, was released on this date. Although this cartoon features caricatures of Edward G. Robinson (Rocky) and Peter Lorre (Hugo) as a gangster pair, the real actors never appeared together on screen.

September 14, 1940 – The Merrie Melodies short, Malibu Beach Party, directed by Friz Freleng, was released on this date. This cartoon seldom airs on American television due to the Rochester caricature being featured prominently.

September 14, 1965 –One of the more bizarre sitcoms, My Mother the Car starring Jerry Van Dyke and Ann Sothern (as the car), premiered on this date. Jerry Van Dyke agreed to star on the series after turning down the lead role on Gilligan’s Island and an offer to join the cast of The AndyContinue reading “We all come back sooner or later”

September 14, 1978 –The TV show that helped launch Robin Williams career, Mork & Mindy, premiered on this date. Many of the gags seen on the show were on-the-spot improvisations by Robin Williams, and later by Williams and Jonathan Winters. The improvisations proved to be so effective and popular that the series’ writers soon includedContinue reading “Who didn’t want to go to Ork”

Wombats are the only known animals in the world that produce distinctly cube-shaped poop. Wombats pass cubes so the droppings don’t roll away from the rock ledges and logs they use to mark their territory. So now you know

September 13, 1972 –The very dark comedy cult classic, The Ruling Class, directed by Peter Medak, and starring Peter O’Toole, Alastair Sim, William Mervyn, Coral Browne, Harry Andrews, Carolyn Seymour, James Villiers and Arthur Lowe, opened in New York City, on this date. Alastair Sim apparently cast himself in the role as the Bishop. HeContinue reading “The Ruling Class premiered”