Author Archives: dcaligari

July 27, 1978 –National Lampoon’s Animal House, the grandfather of all gross-out comedies, opened in New York City on this date. The hole John Belushi makes in the wall with the guitar was the only physical damage incurred to the house during the entire production. Instead of repairing it, the fraternity placed a frame aroundContinue reading “Toga party, anyone?”

July 27, 1586 –Sir Walter Raleigh and some of his men returned to England and disembarked at Plymouth smoking tobacco from pipes, which caused a sensation, on this date. William Camden, a contemporary witness, reports that “These men who were thus brought back were the first that I know of that brought into England thatContinue reading “You could finally smoke ’em if you got ’em”

July 26, 1980 –The Rolling Stones started a seven week run at No.1 (the group’s eighth US No.1,) on the US album chart with Emotional Rescue, on this date. Mick Jagger sang much of the title track in a falsetto, which was the thing to do with disco songs. The Bee Gees did the sameContinue reading “Emotional Rescue topped the charts”

July 26, 1991 –One of Mel Brooks non-film parody movies, Life Stinks, starring Mel, Leslie Ann Warren, Howard Morris, and Jeffrey Tambor opened on this date. (This was one of my father-in-law’s favorite movies.) The film’s original title, Life Sucks, was changed at the studio’s insistence.

July 26, 1951 –Walt Disney’s 13th animated feature, Alice in Wonderland, premiered in the UK and New York City on this date. Continuing the pattern of film versions of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland not being commercially successful, this movie was a huge box office failure. However, it did become something of a cult film duringContinue reading “You got to ask the animated Alice”

July 26, 1943 –Michael Philip Jagger, Golden Globe and Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter, occasional film producer and actor, was born on this date. Ponder this: Deveraux Octavian Basil Jagger, Mick’s eighth child (who is almost eight years old) is the grand uncle to his half sister Jade Jagger Fillary’s first granddaughter, Ezra Key, whoContinue reading “Happy Birthday Mick”

and the way I live once is enough.. — Frank Sinatra For some reason, today is All or Nothing Day. All or Nothing Day is a time to take risks and live on the edge. Live like today is your last day on earth and let your inner daredevil shine, especially if you are lookingContinue reading “You only live once,”

July 25, 1989 –After leaving Def Jam, Beastie Boys release their second album, Paul’s Boutique, on Capitol Records, on this date. Paul’s Boutique was a very big deal because it determined the whether the Beastie Boys were going to be a short-lived novelty act (not a stretch considering their big hit (You Gotta) Fight forContinue reading “Shopping at Paul’s Boutique began”

July 25, 1953 – The Merrie Melodies cartoon, Duck Dodgers in the 24 1/2th Century, starring Daffy Duck as space hero Duck Dodgers, Porky Pig as his assistant and Marvin the Martian as his opponent, was released on this date. Considering the period in which the cartoon was produced (the Second Red Scare was inContinue reading “The world’s supply of Alludium Phosdex, … is alarmingly low.”

July 25, 1986 –Paramount Pictures released the Mike Nichols version of the Nora Ephron novel, Heartburn, starring Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson and Kevin Spacey (in his film debut) on this date. Jack Nicholson replaced Mandy Patinkin as Mark Forman. Patinkin was originally cast as the male lead but was suddenly replaced by Nicholson after twoContinue reading “Heartburn premiered”