Author Archives: dcaligari

August 9, 1930 –A forerunner of the cartoon character Betty Boop made her debut in Max Fleischer’s animated short Dizzy Dishes on this date. In later films she loses the dog ears and becomes the familiar human character we know today.

August 9, 1944 –Another brilliant war-time effort by Preston Sturges, Hail the Conquering Hero, once again starring Eddie Bracken premiered on this date. As the marines are leaving the Oakridge station, a billboard behind them is advertising The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek, another film by Preston Sturges.

August 9, 1963 –The first ever edition of Ready Steady Go! was shown on UK TV. Introduced by Keith Fordyce and 19 year-old Cathy McGowan. The first show featured The Searchers, Jet Harris, Pat Boone, Billy Fury and Brian Poole and The Tremeloes. The final show was in December 1966 after 175 episodes. Originally 30Continue reading “Ready Steady Go premiered”

Or, if they never grows up, vice president. Today is National Vice President’s Day – It’s the day to consider the succession plan of the President of the United States. The day also acknowledges the one president who was neither elected vice president nor president – Gerald Ford.

August 8, 1969 –At a ‘zebra crossing’ in London, four bitterly fractious friends are forced to take a picture on this date. Photographer Iain Macmillan took one of the most famous photographs of all time – the cover of the Beatles album, Abbey Road.

August 8, 2017 –After a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, Glen Campbell 81, died on this date. Campbell released more than 70 studio albums and sold 45 million records worldwide. His hits include: By the Time I Get to Phoenix, Wichita Lineman, Galveston and Rhinestone Cowboy. His guitar playing can be heard on Strangers inContinue reading “Glen Campbell”

August 8, 1968 – Someone should have said “beware the 8th of August” to Richard Nixon! Richard M. Nixon was nominated for president at the Republican National Convention in Miami Beach. Later that day, Nixon chose Maryland Gov. Spiro T. Agnew to be his running mate. (Read on, if you dare.) August 8, 1973 –VPContinue reading “This wasn’t a lucky day for Tricky Dick”

For reasons unknown, today is Sneak Some Zucchini on Your Neighbor’s Porch Day: You know thinking about it, somehow it seems somewhat dirty. (BTW, today is International Female Orgasm Day. Only you can figure out the connection between the two for yourself.)

August 8, 1963 –John Sturges’ adventure film, The Great Escape, starring Steve McQueen, opened on this date. In the film, several Americans were amongst the escapees. In real-life, American officers assisted with the construction of the escape tunnel, but weren’t amongst the escapees, because the Germans moved them to a remote compound just before theContinue reading “The Great Escape premiered”

August 8, 1980 –The fantasy musical Xanadu, starring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly, debuts to scathing reviews (“In a word, Xana-don’t.“) on this date, and inspires the Golden Raspberry Awards for the worst films of the year. The film was meant to launch Olivia Newton-John’s career as a solo star. Due to its complete failureContinue reading “Xanadu unfortunately premiered”