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But February made me shiver

February 3, 1959 –The Day the Music Died: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper were on a tour called “Winter Dance Party” tour. The musicians were traveling from venue to venue on tour buses. A small plane carrying The Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson), Buddy Holly and Richie Valens crashed near Mason City, Iowa,Continue reading “But February made me shiver”

The One and Only premiered

February 3, 1978 –The comedy, The One and Only, starring Henry Winkler, and directed by Carl Reiner was released on this date. Henry Winkler first became aware of the script for this movie when he ran into actor Dustin Hoffman in a doorway of a New York building. Hoffman talked for about three minutes aboutContinue reading “The One and Only premiered”

It took more than one man to change my name to Shanghai Lily.

February 3, 1932 – Paramount Pictures released Josef von Sternberg’s Shanghai Express, starring Marlene Dietrich, Clive Brook and Anna Mae Wong in Los Angeles on this date. It was Josef von Sternberg’s intention to have the style of the film should reflect the rhythm of a train journey. This explains the film’s tight pace andContinue reading “It took more than one man to change my name to Shanghai Lily.”

Canned Feud debuted

February 3, 1951 – Another great Sylvester cartoon, Canned Feud, premiered on this date. This cartoon is particularly violent for the series and for a Sylvester cartoon in particular.

I remember when rock was young

February 3, 1973 –Elton John’ song Crocodile Rock became his first US Billboard Hot 100 hit on this date. Elton’s lyricist Bernie Taupin told Esquire in 2011 that this song is “a strange dichotomy because I don’t mind having created it, but it’s not something I would listen to.”.

Bunkies, this was well before MTV

February 2, 1973 –The regular run of the musical series, Burt Sugarman’s The Midnight Special premiered on NBC-TV on this date. Also among the acts that appears on that first show were The Byrds, Ike and Tina Turner Revue, Rare Earth and George Carlin.

Why so many versions?

February 2, 1971 –The animated special based on the Harry Nilsson album, The Point!, originally voiced by Dustin Hoffman, Paul Frees, June Foray, and Mike Lookinland premiered as an ABC Movie of the Week, on this date. Although that version was only licensed for the initial airing, a few different narrations followed, including Alan ThickeContinue reading “Why so many versions?”

Congestion Advisory:

In 1626, it is said that, Dutchman Peter Minuit bought the island of Manhattan for $24. People often joke about that, but twenty-four bucks wasn’t such an unreasonable price. It was a lot of money back then, and it’s not like Mr. Minuit just turned around and built Times Square. Manhattan was a big rockContinue reading “Congestion Advisory:”

For the diehard fans (I guess)

February 2, 1976 –The Honeymooners Second Honeymoon, starring Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Audrey Meadows, and Jane Keans, aired on CBS TV, on this date. This is the first time Audrey Meadows played the role of Alice Kramden since The Honeymooners: The Adoption. Jackie Gleason and Art Carney had continued to reprise their roles on TheContinue reading “For the diehard fans (I guess)”

What’s My Line first aired

February 2, 1950 –Produced by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman, the TV game show What’s My Line, premiered on CBS TV on this date. Although there are those who suspect John Daly was sending the panel signals, Moderator Daly insisted that there is only one signal he ever gave to the panel: When he pulledContinue reading “What’s My Line first aired”