Author Archives: dcaligari

May 23, 1430 –The French, they are a strange race. A little french shepherdess goes out into a field for a picnic. And instead of getting food poisoning, which was common, heard the voice of God, which is not. Joan, heeding God’s command, heads the army of France to rout the English and help crownContinue reading “No moon to keep her armour bright”

May 23, 1966 –The Beatles released the single Paperback Writer on this date At the time, The Beatles were about to cease touring and couldn’t make many TV appearances to perform the song. This made it very difficult to promote the single, so they commissioned a film clip that could be shown on these programs,Continue reading “Dear sir or madam …”

May 23, 1969 –The Who released Tommy in the UK, the first rock opera on this date. Somehow this may or may not be connected with the fact, that The BBC gave the go-ahead for 13 episodes of Monty Python’s Flying Circus– Truly a brief glorious reflowering of the British Empire occurred on this day

May 23, 1929 –Walt Disney released the ninth film in the Mickey Mouse film series, The Karnival Kid on this date This is first cartoon in which Mickey Mouse speaks. His first words are “Hot dogs!“

May 23, 1959 – The Looney Tunes short, A Mutt in a Rut, directed by Bob McKimson, starring Elmer Fudd, debuted on this date. This is one of two Looney Tunes shorts that include the Acme Wild Cat. In both cartoons, the box the cat is in is set behind the intended target, a ropeContinue reading “A Mutt in a Rut premiered”

May 23, 1942 – The Merrie Melodies short, Lights Fantastic, directed by Friz Freleng, debuted on this date. The squirrel breaks the fourth wall, but only with its expression. So does the coconut!.

May 23, 1942 – The Merrie Melodies short, Lights Fantastic, directed by Friz Freleng, debuted on this date. The scene involving the tomato can-can dancers was re-used animation from Bob Clampett’s Goofy Groceries produced the previous year.

May 23, 1942 –The Looney Tunes short, Nutty News, directed by Bob Clampett, narrated by Elmer Fudd, debuted on this date. Due to his narration in this short, this is the first appearance of Elmer Fudd, at least vocally, in the Looney Tunes series.

May 23, 1936 – The Looney Tunes short, Fish Tales, directed by Jack King, starring Porky Pig, debuted on this date. Porky wears Disney-like white gloves in this short, as did many of his fellow castmates at the time, a likely wink at the rival studio.

May 23, 1973 – Sam Peckinpah’s Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid, starring James Coburn, Kris Kristofferson, James Coburn and in his film debut, Bob Dylan, premiered in New York City, on this date. (While his acting as a knife-wielding stranger named Alias is derided, Dylan scores a hit with the Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.)Continue reading “Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid premiered”