Author Archives: dcaligari

November 26, 1922 –The Toll of the Sea, starring Anna Mae Wong, the second two-strip Technicolor feature (it was the first one able to be projected through a normal movie projector and consequently the first to be given a wide release) was released on this date. The film was believed to have been lost inContinue reading “The Toll of the Sea premiered”

November 25, 1987 –The now classic John Hughes’ Thanksgiving film, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, starring Steve Martin and John Candy, premiered in the US on this date. On instruction from John Hughes, Edie McClurg’s role as the St. Louis rental car agent was partially improvised. Hughes told her to simply riff a fake phone conversationContinue reading “Planes, Trains and Automobiles premiered”

November 25, 1940 –Walter Lantz’s introduced Woody Woodpecker with the release of Knock Knock on this date. Although Woody made his first appearance in this film, he doesn’t have a name until his next film, Woody Woodpecker.

November 24, 1966 –Captain Pike has an illusion, and you have reality. May you find your way as pleasant. The Star Trek episode The Menagerie, Part II first aired. (I’ve found an unaltered episode on dailymotion.) This episode incorporate most of the unseen (at the time) pilot episode of Star Trek, The Cage, featuring JeffreyContinue reading “The Menagerie, Part II premiered”

November 24, 1965 – NBC aired the Frank Sinatra: A Man And His Music to honor Sinatra, on this date. According to the April 1966 Esquire article Frank Sinatra Has a Cold by Gay Talese, Sinatra was suffering from a cold, when he started recording this special. If you pay close attention, you can seeContinue reading “Another Sinatra special premiered”

November 24, 1958 –A precursor episode to the science fiction television series The Twilight Zone, The Time Element aired on this date as part of the Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse anthology series on CBS-TV. Though not the pilot episode of Rod Serling’s series, The Twilight Zone, it was Rod Serling’s production that lead to The TwilightContinue reading “The Time Element premiered”

Remember, it’s about 20 minutes per pound for a frozen frozen turkey and 15 minute for a fresh one. While you’re sitting around the table with your family this Thanksgiving, opine this – Americans sometimes eat as much as 5,100 calories today! The average person eats enough each Thanksgiving to gain 1.3 pounds. That wouldContinue reading “Thought for today –”

Turkey day is nigh. Hopefully you’ve begun thawing your behemoths (my was frozen harder that Walt Disney.) Also here’s a tip for all cooks – begin drinking today – you will develop a wonderful drunken haze that will get you through any emergency. Do you know that a “frozen” turkey is fresher than a so-calledContinue reading “Turkey Roasting Hints and Tips”

Before you go – Some of you have a love/hate relationship with Potatoes (or carbs, in general). You might love ’em and you find them the essential part of your feast. You might hate ’em because you think they are so caloric. I think you should find them a convenient delivery device for delicious gravyContinue reading “Do you have enough folding chairs?”

Big Bird from Seasame Street is, of course, covered in feathers. Those feathers are from real life turkey feathers. Each feather is dyed yellow and carefully glued onto the suit. The American Plume & Fancy Feather company is responsible for making Big Bird’s suit which includes 4,000 turkey feathers. Bonus talking point – Big Bird isContinue reading “Should you run out of safe Thanksgiving dinner conversation”