Author Archives: dcaligari

October 26, 1965 –Queen Elizabeth decorated The Beatles with the Order of the British Empire, at Buckingham Palace, on this date. The Beatles, ever polite, allowed Her Majesty to add chintz curtains and tufted sofas in their living rooms. (According to an account by John Lennon the group smoked dope in one of the palaceContinue reading “The Beatles went to London to visit the Queen”

October 26, 1970 –Elton John released his first hit single Your Song, on this date. This was one of the first songs John wrote with Bernie Taupin. They met after a record company gave John some of Taupin’s lyrics to work with. Eventually, they both moved into John’s parents’ house, where they started working together.

Not that we’re counting: but there are 6 days until Halloween. Make sure youo have enough apples and razor blades, and 60 days until Christmas. If you care about the whole naughty /nice list, maybe you want to forget about the apples and razor blades.

October 25, 1931 –In every home there is a heartbreak This story is truly not for the faint of heart. Elena Hoyos, a pretty and vivacious 21 year old Cuban-American girl died from tuberculosis in Florida on this date. While this is sad, it wouldn’t be noteworthy other than for her middle aged neighbor withContinue reading “An ACME approved Halloween tale”

October 25, 1928 –Carl Theodor Dreyer silent masterpiece The Passion of Joan of Arc starring the amazing Marie Falconetti, debuted in Paris on this date.< Much of the project’s budget was reserved for the expensive sets, although Carl Theodor Dreyer used so many close-ups that very little of the actual sets are seen.

October 25, 1975 –Quite arguably the funniest episode ever broadcast on network TV, The Mary Tyler Moore Show – Chuckles Bites the Dust first aired on this date. Influential comedy writer Danny Simon used to read this script to his classes as an example of excellent writing.

It’s Saints Crispin and Crispinian Day. They are the patron saints of cobblers, tanners and leather workers. So remember, if you’re walking through the West Village this morning and come upon a gimlet-eyed Leather Daddy walking home, wish him a Happy St. Crispin’s Day! So in 1415, as it has been often said, times wereContinue reading “So now you understand the reference”

October 25, 1975 –Paul Simon released his fourth solo album, Still Crazy After All These Years on this date. On the second episode of Saturday Night Live, Simon hosted the show, which he opened by singing Still Crazy alone on stage. This was the song’s debut, as the album was released a week later. WhenContinue reading “We first found out Paul Simon was still crazy”

October 24, 1601 –Tycho Brahe, nobleman, astronomer and alchemist, died from politeness on this date. He was fabulously wealthy and had a dwarf court jester sit under the table at dinner to amuse him. Tycho lost his nose in a duel and had a metal one made which he famously wore for the rest ofContinue reading “Remember to go when you have to go”

October 24, 1969 –The original version of Brokeback Mountain, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford and Katharine Ross, debuted on this date. Paul Newman’s charity for children with serious medical conditions is named Hole in the Wall Camp after Butch’s gang.