Author Archives: dcaligari

November 18, 1928 – Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse (even though this is his third appearance in a cartoon.) There is an ancient buddhist saying, ‘ never argue with a corporation that has Darth Vader as a board member.’ Steamboat Willie, the first fully synchronized sound cartoon, directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, was releasedContinue reading “Celebrating Mickey Mouse: The Birth of Sound Cartoons”

November 18, 1972 –Steely Dan’s first single Do It Again was released on this date. This was the breakout hit from Steely Dan’s first album. Like many of their songs, it’s hard to make sense of the lyrics, which seem to be about some combination of addiction, second chances and the inevitability of fate. It’sContinue reading “In the mornin’ you go gunnin’ for the man who stole your water …”

November 18, 1985 –Cartoon strips approached their zenith on this date. The comic strip Calvin and Hobbes, created by Bill Watterson, was first published on this date. We first learn of Hobbes‘ love for tuna fish.

November 17, 2003 –A stripped-down version of The Beatles‘ Let It Be album, Let It Be… Naked, was released on this date. Phil Spector produced the original, and the new release removed his lavish strings and other accoutrements. Rather than being a straightforward remixing project, Let It Be… Naked contained a number of significant differencesContinue reading “Let It Be… Naked: A Reimagined Classic”

November 17, 1980 –John Lennon’s seventh studio album, Double Fantasy,(the final album released during his lifetime) was issued on this date. Double Fantasy was released on David Geffen’s record label, DGC. Many labels were competing for the album, but Geffen impressed Lennon when he wrote directly to Yoko and agreed to release it without hearingContinue reading “Double Fantasy: Lennon’s Final Studio Album”

November 17, 1968 –NBC preempted the final 1:05 from a very close Jets-Raiders NFL football game with the TV movie Heidi. Two touchdowns were scored during this missing time. Sports fans everywhere applaud and understand the network’s decision. Oops!

November 17, 1951 –… Hey, put down that comedy relief! I’m the hero of this picture! Carry ME on your shoulders! Give me the cheers! Give me… Give me… Give me one dozen roses.. Another in the series of Daffy and Porky buddy flicks, Drip-Along Daffy, opened on this date. The cartoon includes an originalContinue reading “Drip-Along Daffy premiered”

November 17, 1978 –The two-hour Star Wars Holiday Special aired for the first and only time on CBS on this date. (I must strongly warn readers not to attempt to watch the entire special in one seating – stronger men have been driven to drink and drugs for less.) George Lucas famously tried (and failed)Continue reading “Star Wars Holiday Special: A One-Time Wonder”

November 17, 1942 –Academy Award-winning American film director, writer, producer, actor, film historian, former drug addict and asthmatic, Martin Scorsese, was born on this date. Go watch a movie (any movie) in his honor. He won’t mind (his latest documentary, Beatles ‘64, premieres November 29 and his latest series, The Saints premiered tonight.)