Archive for April, 2006
Logos, Logos, Logos
April 30th, 200688 retro logos on YouTube. Remember these from the ends of certain TV shows? They’re all here: Screen Gems S From Hell, Lorimar Line Of Doom, and the notorious Paramount ID with “Closet Killer” music. The latter would pop up after being lulled into submission with a Brady Bunch episode, and then it was all […]
The Literate Cinéaste
April 27th, 2006Film critic Jim Emerson’s list of 101 102 essential films serves as a handy guide to the greats, or at least what the consensus has decided is great (via Kottke). Looking over the list, I find that I’ve seen 79 of the 102 films. Many I haven’t seen in decades, and many other I’ve just […]
Reaching for the Stars
April 26th, 2006The San Francisco Chronicle salutes the 25th anniversary of Journey’s Escape album (via Waxy.org). Although I never cared much for Journey, I can remember loving the airbrushed art on that album cover — especially the type treament where the letterforms were rotated and stylized so that they looked like some sort of weird alien […]
Cold Chop Suey on a Paper Plate
April 26th, 2006A fascintating showbiz tale from the past: Mark Evanier’s recollections of writing a cheesy Gold Key Comics adaptation of the Hanna-Barbera cartoon The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan. Evanier’s on a roll — check his entries on the odd movie watching and eating habits of crazy old Howard Hughes.
Meanwhile, in Seattle: glamorous weblogger/ersthwhile game […]
Gruesome Twosome: Foster Children Edition
April 25th, 2006David Foster: “Love Theme from ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’”
LPs: St. Elmo’s Fire soundtrack, 1985, and David Foster, 1986 | BUY
Paul Anka: “Hold Me ‘Til The Morning Comes”
LP: Walk A Fine Line, 1983 | BUY
Mega-successful ’80s producer David Foster might be the least likely person on earth to undergo an ironic hipster resurgence — admiring his work […]
Zip A Dee Diddly Squat
April 22nd, 2006An item at the fun My Name Is Earl Kress weblog give a little bit of info on Disney’s ongoing Song of the South saga. Apparently Disney prez Bob Iger has decided to bow to stockholders’ concerns and pull it from the schedule. That’s a pisser. I can remember seeing this film during its 1980 […]
Small In Japan
April 17th, 2006Hi … I’m running into a busy spot this week, so posting here will be sporadic. In the meantime, enjoy these cartoon animals interacting with household appliances. It comes from an incredible early ’60s Japanese childrens magazine that I bought last year in Bisbee. I’ve scanned the entire thing and will hopefully have it uploaded […]
Summer Camp
April 13th, 2006After five years of DVD watching, I’m inclined to think that commentaries are at their most interesting when the commentator has nothing to do with the film he’s commenting on. Directors and/or actors handing out heaps of self-congratulatory B.S. to even the worst of films are the usual commentary fare (a trend that the A.V. […]
Ray Conniff’s Got It Going On
April 12th, 2006A mid-’70s album of Ray Conniff TV themes for download at XTabays World. Recommended for those with a high tolerance for cheese.
You know what I’d love to download? Those synthesized 70s/80s game show music cues by Edd Kalehoff and Score Productions. I’d especially love to hear some undiluted Price Is Right music without the announcer’s […]
Gruesome Twosome: Mama’s Faux Pearl Edition
April 11th, 2006Honey Cone: “Stick-Up”
LP: Soulful Tapestry, 1971 | BUY
The Newcomers: “Pin the Tail on the Donkey”
Stax Records single, 1971 | BUY
The Jackson 5 were probably the hottest act in showbiz in 1971, so it makes sense that their success would inspire many imitators. I’m presenting two of the more entertaining knockoffs today. The Honey Cone paid […]
Dress for Tiki-ness
April 10th, 2006Too cool — Disney is selling reproductions of the original Enchanted Tiki Room shirt and dress worn by Disneyland Cast Members in the sixties! Love that custom fabric pattern (I just wish they had a better view of it). Read the fascinating two part story on how the dress came to be remade (thanks to […]
Housecleaning
April 9th, 2006
Last week I added a “Buy My Crap at eBay” button to the front page sidebar. This is part of our ongoing Stuff Reduction Program to prepare me and Christopher for our someday move to Northern California.
Right now I’m liquidating several lots of Russel Wright dinnerware up at the low, low starting price of 99 […]
Glorious Technicolor and Stereophonic Sound
April 7th, 2006Film critic Jonathan Rosenbaum offers his ten favorite offbeat musicals (via Something Old, Nothing New). Thanks to his list, I put Red Garters on my Netflix queue and will have another opportunity to marvel at the underrated comic appeal of Jack Carson. And it’s nice to see some love for That’s Entertainment! III, the ignored […]
Gonna Be Strong
April 6th, 2006Like many others, I was sorry to hear of the death of singer Gene Pitney at age 65. Pitney was a true original who has unfairly been lumped in with other, less substantial “teen idol” singers of the early ’60s. Unlike all those Bobbys and Fabians, however, he was also a talented songwriter in his […]
Smile and a Ribbon
April 4th, 2006Keen! Check out this unique animated commercial for the British Lottery which uses Patience & Prudence’s 1950s hit “A Smile and a Ribbon” to excellent effect. (via the Sound Scavengers list)
