Author Archives: dcaligari

June 27, 1949 –Guardian of the Safety of the World, private citizen-scientist Captain Video and his Video Rangers, premiered on the Dumont Network on this date. During the Vietnam War, American soldiers who were taken as Prisoners of War by the North Vietnamese were often interrogated and asked whom the American military leaders were. Reportedly,Continue reading “Hello, Captain Video!”

June 26, 1819 –W.K. Clarkson of New York received a patent for what was then called a velocipede (even though Denis Johnson of London had patented his velocipede in December 1818.) Unfortunately, the patent record was destroyed by fire, so the actual design is not known.

June 26, 1964 –The Beatles third studio album, A Hard Day’s Night was first released in the United States by United Artists Records on this date and on July 10, 1964 in the UK by Parlophone. In contrast to the band’s first two albums, all thirteen tracks were written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney,Continue reading “A Hard Day’s Night album went on sale”

June 26, 1981 –The Columbia Pictures’ comedy, Stripes, directed by Ivan Reitman and starring Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Warren Oates, P. J. Soles, Sean Young, and John Candy opened in the US on this date. According to Ivan Reitman, during the scene where the recruits receive their basic training haircuts he did not tell theContinue reading “Stripes premiered”

June 26, 1987 –The truly silly yet likeable Mel Brooks film, Spaceballs, starring Mel Brooks, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, Dick Van Patten, and Joan Rivers went into general release on this date. The Millennium Falcon from the Star Wars saga makes a cameo appearance in this movie. Take a close lookContinue reading “Spaceballs opened”

LEON is NOEL spelled backwards. Christmas is but a mere six months away. Kids, now that most of you are out of school and are once again allowed to freely roam in polite society, you had better take a quick check of the whole naughty/ nice thing and see how you haven been doing.

Today is the NYC 53rd 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 2023 is “Strength in Solidarity,” announced amidst a backdrop of increased attacks against members ofContinue reading “Remember the first one was not a parade but a protest”

June 25, 1949 –That’s the nice fat opera singer … One of Chuck Jones famous Bugs Bunny opera parodies, Long Haired Hare, opened on this date. Giovanni Jones’ singing voice remained uncredited and unknown for many years. It was since revealed to have been provided by opera singer Nicolai Shutorov. Mel Blanc voices Jones when,Continue reading “Long Haired Hare premiered”

June 25, 1993 –David Letterman’s series Late Night with David Letterman aired for the last time on NBC-TV on this date. Letterman began hosting Late Show with David Letterman on CBS in August 30, 1993. Letterman left Late Night in 1993 for Late Show with David Letterman on CBS when NBC give the Tonight ShowContinue reading “The finale of Late Show with David Letterman”

June 25, 1951 –The first commercial color telecast took place as CBS transmitted a one-hour special, called Premiere, from New York to four other cities, (including: Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C.,)on this date. Appearing on the debut show were Arthur Godfrey, Faye Emerson, Sam Levenson, Ed Sullivan, Gary Moore, Robert Alda, Isabel Bigley, BilContinue reading “The first color TV show was broadcast”