Author Archives: dcaligari

June 30, 1989 –The quasi-biographical drama film about Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire! directed by Jim McBride and starring Dennis Quaid, Winona Ryder, John Doe, Alec Baldwin, and Mojo Nixon premiered in the US on this date. Jerry Lee Lewis hates the film and the book from which the film was based, butContinue reading “Great Balls of Fire! premiered”

June 30, 1995 – Ron Howards‘ film about the ill-fated 13th Apollo mission bound for the moon, Apollo 13, opened on this date. Ron Howard stated that, after the first test preview of the film, one of the comment cards indicated “total disdain“; the audience member had written that it was a “typical Hollywood” endingContinue reading “Apollo 13 premiered”

Today is the NYC 54th annual Gay Pride parade, (rain or shine) making it’s way in some direction (they’ve changed the route yet again) this afternoon, actually commemorates the Stonewall riots, which launched the gay-rights movement. The official theme for 2024 is “Reflect. Empower. Unite,” focusing on individuals, community leaders, advocates and allies coming togetherContinue reading “Hopefully the weather will cooperates today”

June 29, 1984 –After a failed attempt shooting a studio video for Dancing In The Dark, Bruce Springsteen performs the song live at his concert in St. Paul, Minnesota, on this date. Directed by Brian DePalma, the video was filmed during Springsteen’s concert at the St. Paul Civic Center in Minnesota on June 29, 1984.Continue reading “Everyone got to meet Courteney Cox”

June 29, 1995 –Ringo Starr appeared in his first-ever TV commercial (in the US), for Pizza Hut, (featuring the newly reformed Monkees, on this date. It seems like a strange product for Ringo to hawk; the rocker has been a vegetarian since 1965, and has allergies to onions, garlic, and several spices, which have preventedContinue reading “I guess Ringo needed the money”

June 28, 1975 –David Bowie released the song, Fame, featuring John Lennon on backing vocals, on this date. It become Bowie’s first #1 hit in the US. John Lennon helped write this song – he came up with the title and also sang the background Fame parts in the high voice. They started working onContinue reading “Bowie’s song Fame burst out on the scene”

June 28, 1985 –Hard to believe now but Hollywood employed some of the Brat Pack again when Joel Schumacher’s St. Elmo’s Fire, starring Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, and Mare Winningham, premiered on this date. According to director Joel Schumacher, he had to fight hard to cast DemiContinue reading “St. Elmo’s Fire opened”

June 28, 1951 –A TV version of the popular radio program Amos ‘N’ Andy premiered on CBS on this date. Although criticized for racial stereotyping, it was the first network TV series to feature an all-black cast. I’m ambivalent about embedded the episode, but it’s out there on the internet. If you have the time,Continue reading “A VERY controversial program”

It’s Paul Bunyan Day. Paul Bunyan is a larger-than-life folk hero who embodies frontier vitality. He is a symbol of might, the willingness to work hard, and the resolve to overcome all obstacles. He was popularized by newspapermen across the country in 1910 and has been a part of the American culture ever since.

Happy Birthday Mel Brooks I’m so happy to once again note that it’s always a good day to know that Mel is still around.