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October 21, 1977 –Meat Loaf released the landmark album Bat Out Of Hell, on this date. The album, written by Jim Steinman and produced by Todd Rundgren, became one of the most popular albums of the ‘70s, eventually selling over 14 million copies in America.

Although much of the world’s situation is rather dire, I feel I should urge readers to begin purchasing those candies filled with poison. (If you find yourself in a pinch though, a few Canadian pennies will do in a pinch. Loose change is at a premium nowadays.)

In 1943, Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya, the maître d’ of the Victory Club in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, prepared the first plate of crunchy, spicy nachos for Texas women who were on a shopping trip on this date. To honor his ingenious creation, we celebrate by eating his delicious gut busting cheesy dish on this date.

October 20, 1939 –The ninth Marx Brothers film, At the Circus, debuted on this date. The Marx Brothers had been out of favor at MGM since the sudden death in 1936 of their producer and benefactor Irving Thalberg during the production of A Day at the Races. So in the middle of the production ofContinue reading “At the Circus premiered”

Today is Global Champagne Awareness Day (or International Champagne Day) – the third Friday in October. Most champagne-lovers will already know that, in order for the sparkling nectar to be classified as “champagne“, the wine must come from the Champagne province in France. You may not know that to be termed “champagne” it must alsoContinue reading “Champagne is one of the elegant extras in life.”

October 20, 1955 –Harry Belafonte, advocate for civil rights and humanitarian causes, recorded the famous Day-O (Banana Boat Song) on this date. This song was first recorded in 1952 by Edric Conner, a musician from Trinidad who sang it with his band The Carribeans as Day De Light. The song re-emerged in 1956 when theContinue reading “Come Mr. Tallyman, tally me bananas”

October 20, 1985 –The first of two reunion films, I Dream of Jeannie: 15 Years Later, starring Barbara Eden, Wayne Rogers, and Bill Daly aired on NBC on this date. Larry Hagman was unavailable to reprise his role as Tony Nelson reportedly because he was too busy filming his CBS series Dallas at the time.Continue reading “A plethora of Jeannies”

October 20, 1957 –Walter Cronkite’s documentary series, The Twentieth Century, first aired on CBS-TV on this date, with Churchill, Man of the Century. The program presented filmed reports on news and cultural events that were important for the development of the 20th century.

October 19, 1974 –Billy Preston’s single, Nothing from Nothing went to No. #1 on the Billboard Charts, on this date. The B-side of the single was another song Preston wrote with his songwriting partner Bruce Fisher: You Are So Beautiful, which was later a hit for Joe Cocker.

October 19, 1990 –Kevin Costner’s directorial debut, Dances with Wolves, starring himself, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, and Rodney Grant, premiered in Washington D.C. on this date. Kevin Costner’s daughter Annie Costner, playing Stands With A Fist as a child, is seen running away from the Pawnee party that killed her family in the dream sequence.Continue reading “Dances with Wolves opened”