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August 13, 1961 –The city of Berlin split itself right down the middle on this date. The Cold War was running pretty hot back then. The Russians were just nasty. They were so evil they convinced East Germany to shut West Germany out. East Germany locked the Brandenburg gate and threw away the key. Then,Continue reading “Karma does appear to bite one in the ass.”

August 13, 1942 –Walt Disney’s Bambi premiered at Radio City Music Hall in New York on this date. Unusual for the time, Walt Disney insisted on children providing the voices for the animals when they were young, instead of using adults mimicking youngsters.

August 12, 1869 –In San Francisco on this date, Emperor Norton I issued a stern edict outlawing both the Republican and Democratic political parties. Violators face a prison term of five-to-ten years. Oh, for that wise man today! Not familiar with Norton I ? Read the amazing tale of Emperor Joshua Norton. (Also, please checkContinue reading “All Hail Emperor Norton!”

August 12, 1988 –Universal Pictures released Martin Scorsese’s controversial film The Last Temptation of Christ, starting Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, David Bowie, and Barbara Hershey on this date. Director Martin Scorsese first read Nikos Kazantzakis’s novel The Last Temptation of Christ, after being given a copy by Barbara Hershey, while he was directing her inContinue reading “The Last Temptation of Christ”

In what other city would a harmless madman who supposed himself emperor of the two Americas have been so fostered and encouraged? Where else would even the people of the streets have respected the poor soul’s illusion? Where else would bankers and merchants have received his visits, cashed his cheques, and submitted to his smallContinue reading “Long live the emperor!”

August 11, 1995 –The Hollywood Picture film, Dangerous Minds, starring Michelle Pfeiffer, and Courtney B. Vance, premiered in US theaters on this date. The movie’s soundtrack tops the Billboard albums chart thanks to its lead single, Coolio’s Gangsta’s Paradise. Michelle Pfeiffer was pregnant during production. Although shot out of sequence like most films, it becomesContinue reading “Dangerous Minds”

St. Clare of Assisi (or Clair or Claire – spelling wasn’t a major issue back then. Living past 29 years old was considered miraculous) didn’t want to marry the rich young man her parents picked out for her and ran away from home to become the biggest Francis of Assisi groupie in the world. StContinue reading “It’s the Feast of St. Clare today.”

August 10, 1962 –While not the worst film ever made – it is the sickest. The Brain That Wouldn’t Die, premiered on this date. (Watch it now.) This was the first movie watched by Michael J. Nelson after Joel Hodgson had left in the previous episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000.

August 10, 1950 –Billy Wilder’s caustic, black-hearted masterpiece, Sunset Boulevard premiered in New York City, on this date. When Gloria Swanson finished Norma’s final scene, the mad staircase descent, she burst into tears and the crew applauded. Even though it wasn’t the last scene filmed, Billy Wilder threw a party for her as soon asContinue reading “Sunset Boulevard”

The most popular campfire treat is recognized each year on August 10th. In 1927, Girl Scouts troop leader Loretta Scott Crew wrote a recipe for “Some Mores,” and published it in Tramping and Trailing With the Girl Scouts, an official Girl Scouts publication, though the exact origin of S’mores is unknown. x This delicious, gooeyContinue reading “For your burning coals give me refreshment.”