Hollywood Passing Parade of 2020

Adding to an already dreadful year, the loss of many great Hollywood stars. A few remembered here.

Grandma vrs the Reindeer

Love it or loathe it, "Grandma got Run Over by a Reindeer" hits the radio playlists this time of the year. Elmo Shropshire, who sang the song, talks about the now classic Christmas ditty, right here.

When Nursery Rhyme Characters Sue

Updated: We wish to report on the current class-action lawsuit brought by many well-known nursery rhyme characters against various companies and individuals. These beloved literary figures are seeking compensation for injuries incurred fulfilling their roles in promoting children’s poetic literature. Read here. 

Remembering Malaprop Master, Norm Crosby

I’d hoped it was just a pigment of my imagination but no, comedian Norm Crosby passed away this weekend. So, a standing ovulation to the malaprop master often seen on the 70s/80s Dean Martin roasts. Make Norm proud: name your favorite malaprop. Be Pacific.

Trump and the Wall from 1950

I first wrote about a bizarre political Hollywood connection back in 2017 when I stumbled on an unexpectedly entertaining episode of the little-remembered but well-written Western series “Trackdown” broadcast on cable TV Jan. 7 that year. A character in the episode was named Trump who planned to build a wall. If you never heard the story, it's quite surprising. Link.

The Worst Class President

Lately, my thoughts keep drifting back to high school and the most contentious class president election in our school’s history. Aspiring to the position was a student named Clint.... more

Boo!

Halloween is always a special time for actress Judith O’Dea as she remembers “Night of the Living Dead.” Story here

Why did the chicken cross the road?

I'm reduced to this, writing about chickens.
Cluck on this link.

World Food Day

In recognition of World Food Day coming up this week on October 16, I unearthed some lesser-known moments in food history – such as the lone survivor of the Mt. Vesuvius eruption in AD 79 who went on the create the lava cake. More here, but try not to reguritate.

John Wayne on The Big Trail

Ninety years ago on Oct. 2, “The Big Trail” premiered in Los Angeles at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (as it was then known). While Wayne had appeared in some 20 prior films, “The Big Trail” was the first motion picture in which the actor received top billing. No doubt about it, that's Duke. Story here.