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July 18, 1939 –Hunter Stockton Thompson was born on this date. He was once considered, armed, and dangerous. Now he is no more than soot on the window sills of his and his neighbors homes. Dr. Thompson founded the Gonzo school of journalism in the 1970s; graduates from that school can today be seen everyContinue reading “The father of Gonzo Journalism”

Today is National Caviar Day. Although it is high in sodium and cholesterol, caviar is rich in calcium and phosphorus, as well as protein, selenium, iron, magnesium, and Vitamins B12 and B6. While it’s normal to wash down the briny fish roe with champagne or iced vodka; why not down shots of iced Bombay Sapphire.Continue reading “It’s good to have caviar but not when you have it at every meal”

July 17, 1968 – The opening of the drug-induced, Big Blue Meanie-infested cartoon Beatles film Yellow Submarine, was held at the London Pavilion on this date. The Beatles hated The Beatles, the television cartoon show of them, which was also produced by Al Brodax and George Dunning. When the producers approached them about this movie,Continue reading “Yellow Submarine premiered”

July 17, 1943 – Originally released in B & W (re-release as a color version in 1968 and 1990,) Porky Pig’s Feat premiered on this date. This is the first time the Raymond Scott composition Powerhouse is used in a Warner Bros. cartoon. A rare appearance for Porky Pig (his last appearance in a blackContinue reading “A very special Looney Tunes”

July 17, 1956 –The musical version of The Philadelphia Story, High Society, starring Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra, opened on this date. The song True Love, written by Cole Porter especially for the movie, was a million seller and both Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby were awarded platinum records for the song. ThisContinue reading “High Society premiered”

July 17, 1959 – Alfred Hitchcock’s superlative North By Northwest, starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint, opened on this date. This movie has been referred to as “the first James Bond film” due to its similarities with splashily colorful settings, secret agents, and an elegant, daring, wisecracking leading man opposite a sinister yet strangelyContinue reading “North By Northwest premiered”

July 17, 1999 – The series, Spongebob Squarepants, created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg, started regularly airing on Nickelodeon on this date. (It’s actually the second episode. The pilot episode had premiered in May of 1999) Frequently, a French accented-voice comes on to note a passage of time. It’s an homage to Jacques-YvesContinue reading “The Spongebob Squarepants series premiered”

July 16, 1966 –Tommy James and the Shondells‘ single Hanky Panky goes to No. #1 of the Billboard Charts on this date. Tommy James & the Shondells initially formed in 1959 as Tom and the Tornadoes, with the then 12-year-old Tommy Jackson as lead singer. In 1963, he renamed the band The Shondells, after oneContinue reading “Hanky Panky topped the charts”

July 16, 1951 –The Catcher in the Rye was published 73 years ago today. The book contained secret code words by means of which its author, J.D. Salinger, was able to communicate diabolical commands to his evil minions. Draw your own conclusions. Salinger was a one-hit wonder. (He did write several other books, but theseContinue reading “Holden Caulfield would be about 90 by now”

July 16, 1958 –The classic Vincent Price Sci-Fi film, The Fly, opened in San Francisco on this date. David Hedison suggested that his character wear progressive makeup effects that showed him in a mixed part human/part fly state when his face is finally revealed, instead of just a fully formed Fly mask as depicted inContinue reading “Help me, Help me!!!”