Author Archives: dcaligari

October 21, 1964 –Possibly the most fully realized movie musical, My Fair Lady premiered at the Criterion Theater in New York, on this date. Audrey Hepburn apparently believed that Julie Andrews should have played Eliza Doolittle in this movie but was told by producer Jack L. Warner that she wouldn’t be cast even if HepburnContinue reading “My Fair Lady premiered”

October 21, 1954 –The episode of Climax!, an anthology series – broadcast live, on this evening was the first time James Bond (Barry Nelson) appeared on-screen in Casino Royale, and more than half a century later Bond is still making movies. The program was thought to be lost for decades until it resurfaced in 1981Continue reading “Casino Royale premiered”

October 20, 1973 –The Saturday Night Massacre: Richard Nixon fired Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus when they each refuse to fire special Watergate prosecutor Archibald Cox on this date. Who was the man who finally fired Cox: Robert Bork – it’s that evil beard. And so it goes

October 20, 1818 – Canada and the United States in the “Convention of 1818“, established the 49th Parallel as their mutual boundary (known as the International Border) for most of its length from the Lake of the Woods to the Rocky mountains. The International Boundary is commonly referred to as the world’s longest undefended border,Continue reading “Remember to Blame Canada”

October 20, 1980 –U2 released their debut album, Boy, produced by Steve Lillywhite, on this date. When the time came for U2 to release their debut album, young Peter Rowen, the younger brother of Derek Rowen aka Guggi, an Dublin artist and member of The Virgin Prunes, a band who were friends and collaborators withContinue reading “Boy dropped”

October 20, 1985 –The first of two reunion films, I Dream of Jeannie: 15 Years Later, starring Barbara Eden, Wayne Rogers, and Bill Daly aired on NBC on this date. Larry Hagman was unavailable to reprise his role as Tony Nelson reportedly because he was too busy filming his CBS series Dallas at the time.Continue reading “I Dream Of Jeannie reunion films premiered”

October 20, 1957 –Walter Cronkite’s documentary series, The Twentieth Century, premiered on CBS-TV on this date, with Churchill, Man of the Century. The program presented filmed reports on news and cultural events that were important for the development of the 20th century.

Several sources, including the eponymously named Facebook page, lists today as International Gin and Tonic Day. Some cite April 9th as the date, although that is usually seen as National Gin and Tonic Day. I’m up for celebrating on both dates. (But don’t confuse it with World Gin Day which always falls on the secondContinue reading “It’s never too early for Gin O’Clock”

In the midst of the First World War, Salvation Army volunteers in France found themselves stymied by inadequate supplies and ovens for baking. Unable to prepare the cakes and and pies they so badly wanted to bake for the troops, they came up with the novel idea of frying rather than baking the dough. TwoContinue reading “Three cheers for Donuts!”

October 19, 1953 –After Julius La Rosa had finished singing Manhattan on Arthur Godfrey Time, the host (and general scum bag) Arthur Godfrey fired him on the air, announcing, “that was Julie’s swan song with us.” Unaware the firing was coming (or what the phrase “swan song” meant), La Rosa tearfully met with Godfrey afterContinue reading “Julius La Rosa fired on TV”