December 17, 1843 (there is some controversy concerning this actual date, some sources place it on the 19th of December.) – Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol on this date. Dickens wrote the novel after his first commercial failure. His previous novel, Martin Chuzzlewit had flopped, and he was suddenly strapped for cash. Martin ChuzzlewitContinue reading “… Buried with a stake of holly through his heart …”
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A long, long time ago …
December 16, 1971 –Don McLean’s eight-minute-plus version of American Pie was released and became one of the longest songs to ever hit the pop charts. If you prefer the clip with Don singing in it, here you go. Kids, use the song as the Cliff Notes (Shmoop, if you prefer) for what happened during theContinue reading “A long, long time ago …”
Oh you can tell by way I use my walk …
December 16, 1977 –Saturday Night Fever, starring John Travolta, Karen Lynn Gorney, Donna Pescow, Barry Miller, and Fran Drescher went into general release on this date. Oh John, what a long strange trip it’s been since that polyester shirt. When Tony’s dad hits him in the back of the head during dinner, his retort ofContinue reading “Oh you can tell by way I use my walk …”
Night Gallery premiered
December 16, 1970 – The horror anthology series Night Gallery, which was a follow-up to The Twilight Zone, hosted by creator Rod Serling, first aired on the NBC TV, on this date. Sterling will not be afforded the same creative control over the series as he had over The Twilight Zone and, by the endContinue reading “Night Gallery premiered”
The them song is know as ‘Danger Ahead’
NBC-TV debuted Dragnet in a special preview on Chesterfield Sound Off Time on this date. (The show began officially on January 3, 1952.) The series opener ran in real time, and it contained several clock-on-the-wall shots to keep track of time. The story starts with the police frantically trying to meet a 26-minute deadline toContinue reading “The them song is know as ‘Danger Ahead’”
Don’t think about that during your next kiss.
The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe started in ancient Rome, during the festival of Saturnalia and later in marriage ceremonies, because of the plant’s association with fertility. Mistletoe, (Viscum album), means “dung on a twig” in the Anglo-Saxon. According to the National Wildlife Federation, it spreads through bird droppings.
The Who Sell Out
December 15, 1967 ->The Who release their third album, The Who Sell Out, on this date. There are fake radio jingles between songs, including one for the deodorant Odorono.
Santa had it rough in Philly
December 15, 1968 –Philadelphia Eagles fans, and for that matter, all Philadelphia sports fans, have a long reputation for being exceptionally hostile, with plenty of individual instances to show for it. Philadelphia Eagles fans pelted Santa Claus with snowballs on this date. The “real” Santa Claus who was supposed to appear was stuck in aContinue reading “Santa had it rough in Philly”
One, Two Three premiered
December 15, 1961 – An underrated Billy Wilder film, One, Two Three, opened in the US on this date. Pamela Tiffin was reportedly having trouble acting with such experienced performers. Legend has it that James Cagney helped her by giving her the famous advice about acting: “Walk into a room. Plant yourself. Look the otherContinue reading “One, Two Three premiered”
GWTW premiered
December 15, 1939 – The motion picture Gone With The Wind, starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, had its world premiere in Atlanta on this date. It was the first movie premiere ceremony to be televised. The governor of Georgia proclaimed the day a state holiday in commemoration of the event and the holiday celebrationsContinue reading “GWTW premiered”
The Haus of Dcaligari 