December 15, 1974 –Mel Brooks’ send up of the Universal horror films, Young Frankenstein, opened on this date. Gene Hackman learned about the film through his frequent tennis partner Gene Wilder and requested a role, because he wanted to try comedy. He volunteered to play the Blind Hermit for free. It was four days ofContinue reading “You found out where that brain came from”
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We all saw it in the window and had to have it
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 “We all saw it in the window and had to have it”
A Special Word of the Day
Halcyon The Halcyon Days of yore, begin today, a week before the winter solstice and end a week after. According to legend, this two-week period is associated with unusually calm seas; hence the common meanings of halcyon as ‘quiet‘ or ‘peaceful‘ and by extension, ‘prosperous.’
First time you need directions at the market
December 14, 1979 –The Clash released their third studio album, London Calling, an album mix of punk, reggae, rockabilly, ska, New Orleans R&B, pop, lounge jazz, and hard rock, on this date. London Calling was produced by Guy Stevens, best known at that point for his work with Mott the Hoople and the Faces. TheContinue reading “First time you need directions at the market”
Some things were built to last
Brenda Lee was just 13 years old when she recorded Rockin around the Christmas Tree back in 1958. The record mostly flopped upon its initial release, selling just 5,000 copies. The next year, they released the song a second time and it again flopped, selling just over what it did on its initial release. ItContinue reading “Some things were built to last”
The Jackson 5’s first appearance with Sullivan
December 14, 1969 –Michael Jackson and the rest of The Jackson 5 made their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on this date. The Jackson Five performed Sly and the Family Stone’s Stand, Smokey Robinson’s Who’s Loving You, and their first hit single I Want You Back.
Born To Boogie premiered
December 14, 1972 –A very obscure (and not particularly good) Ringo Starr directed concert film, Born To Boogie starring Marc Bolan and T. Rex, Ringo Starr, and Elton John was released on The Beatles Apple Films label in the UK, on this date. Much of the 8mm footage used in the closing credits was shotContinue reading “Born To Boogie premiered”
Jerry Maguire premiered
December 13, 1996 –Cameron Crowe’s romantic comedy, Jerry Maguire, starring Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Bonnie Hunt, and Renée Zellweger opened on this date. Jonathan Lipnicki showed up on the set one day telling everyone that “the human head weighs eight pounds“. Writer, producer, and director Cameron Crowe liked it so much he wrote itContinue reading “Jerry Maguire premiered”
I don’t believe Network TV would air comedy like this again
December 13, 1975 –Richard Pryor hosted NBC-TV’s Saturday Night Live on this date. Fearing Pryor would say things that were too offensive for television at the time, the show was placed on seven-second delay for the very first time As mentioned in the opening sketch, Pryor requested that Garrett Morris say “Live from New York,Continue reading “I don’t believe Network TV would air comedy like this again”
Single Ladies topped the charts
December 13, 2008 –Beyonce’s song, Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) hit #1 on the Billboard charts on this date. The video has become an internet phenomenon with thousands of homemade versions posted on YouTube. Beyoncé explained to The Sunday Times May 10, 2009 that the idea for the promo was a 1960s filmContinue reading “Single Ladies topped the charts”
