Author Archives: dcaligari

May 25, 1946 – The Merrie Melodies short, Hair-Raising Hare, directed by Chuck Jones,and starring Bugs Bunny and Gossamer, debuted on this date. Bugs Bunny’s hunched-over walk and eyebrow-wagging are imitations of Groucho Marx. The evil scientist is a caricature of long-time character actor Peter Lorre.

May 23, 1957 – The Looney Tunes short, Piker’s Peak, directed by Friz Freleng, starring Bugs Bunny and Yosemate Sam, debuted on this date. The rescue dog (a send up of the St. Bernard with its cask of warming liquor for stranded travelers) makes what appears to be a shaken (not stirred) martini, five yearsContinue reading “Piker’s Peak premiered”

May 25, 1985 –Wham!’s single, Everything She Wants, hits the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Charts in the US, on this date. The single made them the first group since the Bee Gees to have three #1 hits from the same album. While George Michael dismissed much of Wham’s material once he began hisContinue reading “Everything She Wants topped the charts”

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, 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 “I was born in a crossfire hurricane”

May 22, 1952 – The Merrie Melodies short, Beep, Beep, directed by Chuck Jones, starring Wile E, Coyote and the Road Runner, debuted on this date. Those eagle eyed bunkers will probably have noticed the subtle product placement of Acme brand rocket roller skates, aspirins and matches in this short.

May 24, 1941 – The Merrie Melodies short, Hollywood Steps Out, directed by Tex Avery, debuted on this date. The ending scene where Clark Gable finally caught the blonde girl whom he had continually followed was originally longer. When Gable attempted to kiss the “girl” only to realize it was Groucho Marx in drag, heContinue reading “Hollywood Steps Out premiered”

May 24, 1819 –Today is International Tiara Day in honor of Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria was born as Princess Alexandria Victoria at Kensington Palace, London on this date. Through a series of accidents, debauched living and bad planning on the part of her uncles, she became Queen. She reigned for 64 years, and lent herContinue reading “All you need is love… and a tiara.”

May 24, 1991 – Alek Keshishian documentary film covering the Blond Ambition World Tour, Madonna: Truth or Dare, starring, Madonna (surprise,) went into general release in the US on this date. Madonna and Warren Beatty were no longer an item by the time this premiered. Some of the phone conversations Madonna recorded for inclusion inContinue reading “Madonna: Truth or Dare opened”

May 24, 1991 –MGM released Ridley Scott’s controversial (at the time) take on the ‘buddy movie‘, Thelma & Louise, starring Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, on this date. Michelle Pfeiffer and Jodie Foster were originally chosen for the leads and accepted the roles, but preproduction took too long and both actresses had to drop outContinue reading “Thelma & Louise roared into theatres”