Author Archives: dcaligari

August 27, 1966 –The Beach Boys’ single, God Only Knows peaked at No.2 on the UK singles chart. Surprisingly, it only managed to scrape the Top 40 in the United States. That’s because it was released as a B-side, partly because of fear that radio stations would refuse to play a song with “God” inContinue reading “… But long as there are stars above you …”

August 26, 1972 –Looking Glass‘ single Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl) hit No. 1 on this date. This was not typical of the band’s sound, which caused a problem at concerts. While audiences expected pop songs like this one, the Looking Glass played rock, which left the crowds disappointed. The band broke up less thanContinue reading “Brandy topped the charts”

August 26, 1968 –Warner Bros.-Seven Arts released Paul Newman’s directorial debut, Rachel, Rachel, starring Joanne Woodward, Estelle Parsons, James Olson, and Geraldine Fitzgerald on ths date. The production was a small-scale one, with a small budget (reportedly only $700,000) but it eventually emerged as quite a big moneymaker, as well as being one of theContinue reading “Rachel, Rachel premiered”

August 26, 1972 –The romantic drama directed by Elia Kazan and produced by Sam Spiegel, based on Harold Pinter’s screenplay adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s unfinished novel The Last Tycoon on this date. It stars Robert De Niro, Tony Curtis, Robert Mitchum, Jack Nicholson, Donald Pleasence, Jeanne Moreau, Theresa Russell and Ingrid Boulting. Mike NicholsContinue reading “The Last Tycoon premiered”

August 26, 1930 –Philo Farnsworth at 24, was finally granted a patent (US Patent No 1,773,980) for a television system on this date. The patent was has been repeatedly delayed by RCA legal action. This is his first patent, with a description of his image dissector tube, which will be his most important contribution toContinue reading “Finally, off the the races with the TV set”

Today is the Feast of the Transverberation of St. Teresa of Ávila (and this time, I’m not sure even an old lady saying her rosary in church could explain it to you). If you find yourself in Rome, run – do not walk – to Santa Maria della Vittoria. The church houses one of theContinue reading “Truth suffers, but never dies.”

August 25, 1975 –Bruce Springsteen’s third album Born to Run was released on this date. The stunning success of Born To Run was tempered by the fine print on Springsteen’s contract with his manager, Mike Appel, which gave Appel a degree of control over who Bruce worked with. They sued each other in 1976, andContinue reading “The screen door slams, Mary’s dress sways …”

August 25, 1988 – Miramax released one of the best documentary films ever produced, The Thin Blue Line, directed by Errol Morris, on this date. This film was released the very same year the National Film Registry was first established. The film was selected to be preserved at the Registry 13 years later, making itContinue reading “The Thin Blue Line premiered”

August 25, 1979 –The TV pilot movie for the series Hart to Hart, starring Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers premiered on ABC-TV on this date. The initial choice for the role of Jonathan Hart was Cary Grant. However, Grant (who was seventy-five years old at the time) had retired from acting in 1966. Actresses consideredContinue reading “Hart to Hart premiered”

It’s the birthday of Declan Patrick MacManus, one of the most prolific musicians of the late 20th Century. In addition to recordings as “Elvis Costello” (often backed by The Attractions), he has recorded music as “Declan MacManus“, “Napoleon Dynamite and The Royal Guard“, “The Coward Brothers” (with T-Bone Burnett), “Nick Lowe and His Sound“, “TheContinue reading “Elvis Costello”