Author Archives: dcaligari

April 12, 1984 –The short-lived MTM Enterprises series, The Duck Factory, starring Jim Carrey, Julie Payne, Nancy Lane, Jay Tarses, Don Messick, Teresa Ganzel, and Jack Gilford, premiered on NBC TV, on this date. The series only lasted 13 episodes. Jim Carrey did his first appearance on David Letterman’s Late Night right after the showContinue reading “I did see this one”

Passover starts tonight – please bone up on those four questions. Remember you will not be graded on a curve! While it’s not as bad as not finding the missing easter egg, by all means, please find the Afikoman, (no one wants to accidentally eat a piece of exceptionally stale cracker.)

Happy Walk On The Wild Side Day. Created by Thomas and Ruth Roy on their website Wellcat.com. It was created to recognize that “what others would think” is the dumbest reason not to do something, and rather denotes a lack of courage. This song provided Lou Reed his biggest hit, and it was his onlyContinue reading “Doo, do-doo, do-doo, do-do-doo”

April 12, 1974 –Elton John song Bennie and the Jets (Penny on the desk) hit No. #1 in the US on this date. Elton wrote the music to this song as an homage to glam rock. This style was defined by outrageous costumes. It was popular in the early ‘70s, especially in the UK. ArtistsContinue reading “Elton and Bernie really like this date”

April 11, 1983 –R.E.M. release their debut album, Murmur, on this date. Radio Free Europe was R.E.M.’s first single, released in 1981 before they signed to a major label. A better-produced version was included on Murmur, the band’s first full-length album, in 1983.

April 11, 1942 – Bob Clampett was the first to tackle an adaption of a Dr. Seuss book when Merrie Melodies released Horton Hatches the Egg, on this date. Peter Lorre was a favorite characterization for the famed Warner Bros. cartoonists, as he tangled several times with Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.

April 11, 1955 – The Paddy Chayefsky drama, Marty, premiered in New York City on this date. It stars Ernest Borgnine (the man who taught Ethel Merman the lessons of love) and Betsy Blair. The film was directed by Delbert Mann. Film historians have credited this film for demonstrating the viability of low budget filmsContinue reading “… you become a professor of pain.”

April 11, 1947 –Charlie Chaplin’s very dark comedy, Monsieur Verdoux, opened on this date in NYC. The film was a colossal box-office flop on its 1947 release. This was despite being ardently championed by writer-critic James Agee. He considered Charles Chaplin’s acting performance the greatest male performance he had ever seen in films.

April 11, 1954 –According to a team of Cambridge University scientists, this date in history was the most boring day during the entire 20th Century. It appears to have been so boring that it had to be named National Cheese Fondue Day (and 8-track Tape Day) just so those people living through it didn’t killContinue reading “Today was a yawn fest”

April 10, 1953 – Warner Bros.‘ first 3-D movie, House of Wax, starring Vincent Price, opened on this date. The director Andre DeToth was unable to see in 3D himself, having lost an eye at an early age. (The film revived Vincent Price’s career, positioning him as the go-to guy when you needed a madContinue reading “The House of Wax premiered”