Maybe everyone was just a little too high

October 12, 1996 –Though they’ve refused to release it on video for 27 years, largely due to dissatisfaction over their own performance, The Rolling Stones finally release their landmark 1968 all-star BBC television special, The Rolling Stones’ Rock And Roll Circus, on this date. This is Brian Jones’s last live performance with The Rolling Stones.Continue reading “Maybe everyone was just a little too high”

Remember what we’ve said about Germans and beer halls

October 12, 1810 – The first Oktoberfest began on this date as a festival celebrating the marriage of Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen and Prince Louis of Bavaria (later King Ludwig I) in Munich, Germany. The festival was such a success, the locals decided to hold it annually. (a great little known fact – Albert Einstein,Continue reading “Remember what we’ve said about Germans and beer halls”

We got to say goodnight to Gracie

October 12, 1950 –One of the first comedy series to make the successful transition from radio to television The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, premiered on CBS-TV on this date. George Burns is regarded as being the first entertainer to step out of character and “break the fourth wall” by directly addressing the televisionContinue reading “We got to say goodnight to Gracie”

Laura is the face in the misty light …

October 11, 1944 – The romantic Noir classic, Laura, starring Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb and Vincent Price, premiered in NYC on this date. After two weeks worth of work, Twentieth Century Fox studio head Darryl F. Zanuck was unhappy with the results and fired director Rouben Mamoulian. Producer Otto Preminger took over theContinue reading “Laura is the face in the misty light …”

We got to visit Taratupa for the first time

October 11, 1962 –We all got to follow the wacky adventures of the crew of PT-73 when McHale’s Navy set sail for the first time on this date on ABC-TV. The entire Pacific Ocean naval base of Taratupa was built on the back lot of Universal Studios. For many years after the show went offContinue reading “We got to visit Taratupa for the first time”

It’s hard to believe it’s been on for so long

October 11, 1975 –The long running (some say too long running) comedy variety show started at 11:30 PM, on this date, with George Carlin as its host. It was called NBC’s Saturday Night, because ABC featured a program at the same time titled Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell. After ABC canceled the Cosell programContinue reading “It’s hard to believe it’s been on for so long”