Now 100% Tinsel Free!

Festivus for the rest of us As not to embarrass yourself tonight at your Festivus family gathering, here are the four tenets of the holiday: The Festivus Pole: During Festivus, an unadorned aluminum pole is displayed. The pole was chosen apparently in opposition to the commercialization of highly decorated Christmas trees, because it is “veryContinue reading “Now 100% Tinsel Free!”

Wonder if there was a tie-in with Mrs. Paul’s

December 23, 1954 –Walt Disney’s live-action film, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, premiered on this date. In 1969, Captain Nemo’s pipe organ, which had been on display in Disneyland, was redressed and now resides in the ballroom of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion. A duplicate was constructed for the ballroom of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom HauntedContinue reading “Wonder if there was a tie-in with Mrs. Paul’s”

… And to all, a good night

December 23, 1823 –The famous poem A Visit From St. Nicholas was first published on this date. It begins, Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house / Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse …. Fourteen years after its first publication, an editor attributed the poem to a wealthy professorContinue reading “… And to all, a good night”

You don’t have to ask the old ladies in church about this

December 23, 1972 –Franco Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers grabbed a deflected pass from quarterback Terry Bradshaw to score a touchdown, winning the game for the Steelers 13-7 over the Oakland Raiders, on this date. The NFL’s Immaculate Reception, as it has become to be known, is one of the most famous plays in theContinue reading “You don’t have to ask the old ladies in church about this”

Another Day In Paradise topped the charts

December 23, 1989 –Phil Collins single Another Day In Paradise started a four week run at No. 1 on the US singles, on this date. Taken from his No. 1 album …But Seriously, the song was written to bring attention to the problem of homelessness. Collins told The New York Times how the song cameContinue reading “Another Day In Paradise topped the charts”

Dr Zhivago premiered

December 22, 1965 – David Lean’s Russian epic, Dr Zhivago, starring Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin, Tom Courtenay, Rod Steiger, Alec Guinness, Ralph Richardson, Siobhán McKenna, and Rita Tushingham, opened in the US, on this date. Critics tore the film apart upon release. Newsweek commented about “hack-job sets” and “pallid photography“. Director David LeanContinue reading “Dr Zhivago premiered”