Author Archives: dcaligari

Supposedly, there is a very old Christmas eve tradition in Germany was to hide a pickle [ornament] deep in the branches of the family Christmas Tree. The parents hung the pickle last after all the other ornaments were in place. In the morning, the child who first spots the ornament would receive an extra giftContinue reading “Do you put your pickle in the tree?”

December 5, 1932 – Rev. Richard Wayne Penniman, (Little Richard) singer, songwriter, pianist and one of the seminal influences in Rock and Roll first graced this earth on this date. To experience his true healing powers, as with St. Elvis, remove all your clothes, including your undergarments, dance with wild abandon, frequently touching the screenContinue reading “Little Richard”

December 5, 1974 – The last episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Party Political Broadcast, was shown on BBC on this date. The sketch about the doctor making his patient fill in a form while bleeding to death was co-written by Douglas Adams, creator of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

December 5, 1952 –The local New York City affiliate of CBS-TV, WCBS begin carrying The Abbott and Costello Show on this date. During filming, one camera was always kept on Lou Costello because he was constantly improvising. The funniest bits of business were then edited into the episode whether they had anything to do withContinue reading “We heard ‘Hey Abbott’ for the first time on NYC TV”

December 5, 1876 –Daniel Chapman Stillson patented the Stillson wrench (U.S. Patent #184,993), on this date. The device was the first practical pipe wrench, the design is still in use today.

December 5, 1973 –50 years ago, Paul McCarthy and Wings released their third studio album Band on the Run in the US on this date. Shortly after the Band On The Run album was released, Paul McCartney was asked if the album was a reference to Wings escaping from The Beatles, he replied: “Sort ofContinue reading “Wings first discussed charitable contributions”

December 4, 1971 –During a Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention concert in Montreux, Switzerland, someone shoots off a flare gun which hits the wooden roof and quickly spreads. It eventually reaches the building’s heating system, causing an explosion. Luckily, everyone escapes. The incident is later immortalized in the Deep Purple song Smoke On The Water.Continue reading “The 1971 fire at Montreux Casino”

Our old friend, Francisco Franco was born 131 years ago today. Franco graduated from the Spanish military academy at Toledo and became the youngest major in the Spanish army at the age of 23. By the age of 34 he was a general, and by 41 he was Commander of the Spanish Army. Eager forContinue reading “Francisco Franco Bahamonde”

December 4, 1937 – Another great early Bob Clampett/ Chuck Jones (rarely seen) B & W Looney Tunes, Porky’s Hero Agency, opened on this date. The line of people turned to stone include many of the Looney Tunes/ Merry Melodies animators including Bob Clampett and Chuck Jones.

December 4, 1981 –Falcon Crest debuted on CBS-TV on this date. Jane Wyman and Lorenzo Lamas were the only actors that were part of the main cast through out the entire series. Lorenzo Lamas was the only actor who appeared in all 227 episodes.