May 14, 1998 –The world lost one of its smoothest voices and sharpest suits: Francis Albert Sinatra, better known as Ol’ Blue Eyes, bowed out at the age of 82. If you believe in poetic exits, perhaps the last voice he heard really was his own, crooning from a record player, whispering, “May you liveContinue reading “The Chairman of the Board”
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Werewolf of London premiered
May 13, 1935 – The classic Universal Pictures horror film, Werewolf of London, directed by Stuart Walker and starring Henry Hull, Warner Oland, Valerie Hobson, Lester Matthews, and Spring Byington, opened on this date. This film made up much of its werewolf mythology out of whole cloth. The ideas that being bitten by a werewolfContinue reading “Werewolf of London premiered”
Let It Be premiered
May 13, 1970 – The Beatles‘ final movie, Let It Be, opened in New York City theaters on this date. John Lennon believed that Michael Lindsay-Hogg deliberately avoided including shots of him and Yoko Ono in favor of more shots of Paul McCartney. Lennon said he felt that “the camera work was set up toContinue reading “Let It Be premiered”
I see a red door
May 13, 1966 –The Rolling Stones released Paint it Black, in the UK on this date. Keith Richards explained how this song came together: “We were in Fiji for about three days. They make sitars and all sorts of Indian stuff. Sitars are made out of watermelons or pumpkins or something smashed so they goContinue reading “I see a red door”
Kristopher Kolumbus Jr. premiered
May 13, 1939 – The Looney Tunes short, Kristopher Kolumbus Jr., directed by Bob Clampett, starring Porky Pig, debuted on this date. This short has seldom aired on TV due to prominent Native American stereotypes. This is one of only two Warner Bros. shorts released between Porky and Teabiscuit and Hare-um Scare-um to not featureContinue reading “Kristopher Kolumbus Jr. premiered”
The last appearance of Carson
May 13, 1994 –Nearly two years to the day after his farewell, Johnny Carson made a surprise cameo on the Late Show With David Letterman, which turned out to be his last-ever TV appearance before his death in January 2005, on this date. Just before Carson’s death in 2005, CBS executive Peter Lassally, who hadContinue reading “The last appearance of Carson”
Frasier sign off from KACL for the last time
May 13, 2004 –The last episode of Frasier aired on TV following an 11-year run on NBC-TV on this date. The series holds the record for the most Emmy wins for a TV series of any kind (comedy or drama) with 37 wins.
I hear you talking when I’m on the street
May 12, 1972 –Although initially receiving mixed reviews, the Rolling Stones released one of Rock’s greatest double albums, Exile on Main St., on this date. Mick Jagger once complained though, the album was not his favorite Rolling Stones albums. He described it as sounding “lousy” with “no concerted effort of intention“, adding “at the time,Continue reading “I hear you talking when I’m on the street”
Early to Bet premiered
May 11, 1951 – The Merrie Melodies short, Early to Bet, directed by Bob McKimson, debuted on this date. The cartoon is a sequel to the 1950 short It’s Hummer Time, which featured the same bulldog giving the same cat elaborate punishments.
Earth Girls Are Easy premiered
May 12, 1989 –The very silly sci-fi comedy Earth Girls Are Easy, directed by Julien Temple and starrings Geena Davis, Jeff Goldblum, Jim Carrey, Damon Wayans, Julie Brown, Charles Rocket and Michael McKean, opened on this date. Jeff Goldblum taught acting at the time, and inexperienced actors Jim Carrey and Damon Wayans would often goContinue reading “Earth Girls Are Easy premiered”
