Monday, January 20, 2025

Born on this day – George Burns:


George Burns


Actor

Comedian

Writer

Singer

January 20, 1896 – March 9, 1996

Credits:

100% Service (1931); 18 Again! (1988); A Damsel in Distress (1937); Alice (1978); Bob Hope's Love Affair with Lucy (1989); College Holiday (1936); College Humor (1933); College Swing (1938); Ellery Queen (1975); Fame (1983); Fit to Be Tied (1930); General Electric Theater (1959); George Burns - His Wit and Wisdom (1989); George Burns' 100th Birthday Party (1979); George Burns' 90th Birthday Party: A Very Special Special (1986); George Burns Celebrates 80 Years in Show Business (1983); George Burns How to Live to Be 100 (1984); George Burns in George Burns in Nashville??? (1980); Going in Style (1979); Happy Birthday, Bob! (1983); Here Comes Cookie (1935); Here's Lucy (1970); Honolulu (1939); International House (1933); Just You and Me, Kid (1979); Lambchops (1929); Let's Dance (1933); Love in Bloom (1935); Many Happy Returns (1934); McNab's Lab (1966); Mister Ed (1961–1963); Mona McCluskey (1965–1966); Mwah! The Best of the Dinah Shore Show (2003); No Time for Sergeants (1964); Oh, God! (1977); Oh, God! Book II (1980); Oh, God! You Devil (1984); Oh, My Operation (1931); Once Over, Light (1931); Parade of Stars (1983); Patents Pending (1932); Phenom (1994); Pulling a Bone (1931); Radioland Murders (1994); Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978); Six of a Kind (1934); Stars in the Eye (1952); Startime (1959); Steve Martin: A Wild and Crazy Guy (1978); Summer Fun (1966); Svengoolie (2017); Swing Out, Sweet Land (1970); That's Entertainment! (1975); That's Life (1968); The Antique Shop (1931); The Babbling Book (1932); The Big Broadcast (1932); The Big Broadcast of 1936 (1935); The Big Broadcast of 1937 (1936); The Bob Cummings Show (1955–1959); The Captain and Tennille (1977); The Danny Kaye Show (1967); The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1961); The George Burns (Early) Early, Early Christmas Special (1981); The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1950–1958); The George Burns Show (1958–1960); The George Burns Special (1976–1977); The Golden Palace (1993); The Hollywood Palace (1965); The Jack Benny Program (1952–1963); The Jackie Gleason Show (1957); The Lucy Show (1966); The Many Faces of Comedy (1973); The Muppet Show (1977); The Solid Gold Cadillac (1956); The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour (1972); The Sunshine Boys (1975); Two of a Kind (1982); Walking the Baby (1933); Wendy and Me (1964–1965); We're Not Dressing (1934); Young at Heart (1987); Your Hat (1932).

Born on this day – Lead Belly:


Lead Belly

Blues singer

Guitarist

January 20, 1888 – December 6, 1949

Recommended reading: Stick by Elmore Leonard (1983):


Stick

By Elmore Leonard.

Published by Arbor House.
First published 1983.
Hardcover.
ISBN-10: 0877954364
ISBN-13: 978-0877954361

Description:

After serving time for armed robbery, Ernest "Stick" Stickley is back on the outside and trying to stay legit. But it's tough staying straight in a crooked town -- and Miami is a pirate's paradise, where investment fat cats and lowlife drug dealers hold hands and dance. And when a crazed player chooses Stick at random to die for another man's sins, the struggling ex-con is left with no choice but to dive right back into the game. Besides, Stick knows a good thing when he sees it -- and a golden opportunity to run a very profitable sweet revenge scam seems much too tasty to pass up.

Robert Henri, on art:


A work of art is the trace of a magnificent struggle.

- Robert Henri.

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Born on this day – Jean Adamson:


Jean Adamson


Writer

Illustrator

February 29, 1928 – December 15, 2024

Credits:

Books:

ABC: A Picture Alphabet (1962); Animal bounce (1969); Busy Builders (1997); Chestnut Tree (1974); Family Tree (1968); Hop Like Me (1972); Neighbours in the Park (1962); People who Help Us Stories (1999); Red Boots, Yellow Boots (1997); Surprises for Topsy & Tim (1971); Topsy & Tim Have Their Hair Cut (1989); Topsy & Tim's Safety Book (1973); Topsy + Tim Meet the Ambulance Crew (1996); Topsy and Tim and the Bully (1994); Topsy and Tim and the New Puppy (1992); Topsy and Tim at Granny and Grandpa's (1996); Topsy and Tim at School (1968); Topsy and Tim at the Bank (1985); Topsy and Tim at the Farm (1970); Topsy and Tim at the Seaside (1965); Topsy and Tim at the Supermarket (1996); Topsy and Tim Can Play Party Games (1981); Topsy and Tim Go for Gold (1977); Topsy and Tim Go Shopping (1977); Topsy And Tim Go Swimming (1973); Topsy and Tim Go to London (2014); Topsy and Tim go to the Hospital (1971); Topsy and Tim go to the zoo (1968); Topsy and Tim move house (1979); Topsy and Tim Stay with a Friend (1987); Topsy and Tim Visit the Tower of London (1976); Topsy and Tim: First Sleepover (2016); Topsy and Tim: Go Camping (1977); Topsy and Tim: Go on a Train (1990); Topsy and Tim: Go on an Aeroplane (1979); Topsy and Tim: Go to the Doctor (1982); Topsy and Tim: Halloween Party; Topsy and Tim: Have a Birthday Party (1971 / 2010); Topsy and Tim: Have Itchy Heads (1996); Topsy and Tim: Have Their Eyes Tested (1982); Topsy and Tim: Help a Friend (2005); Topsy and Tim: Learn to Swim (1973); Topsy and Tim: Meet Father Christmas (2013); Topsy and Tim: Meet the Firefighters (1989); Topsy and Tim: Meet the Police (1989); Topsy and Tim: Our Day Clock Book; Topsy and Tim: Play Football (1991); Topsy and Tim: Start School (2003); Topsy and Tim: the Complete Audio Collection (2017); Topsy and Tim: Visit London (2012); Topsy and Tim's ABC (1982); Topsy and Tim's Big Fun Book; Topsy and Tim's Friday Book (1961); Village Green (1972).

Television:

Topsy and Tim / 64-episode TV series (2013–2015).

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

On this day in music history - The album American II: Unchained, by Johnny Cash (1996):


American II: Unchained

Album by Johnny Cash,
released on November 5, 1996.

Track list:

Rowboat; Sea of Heartbreak; Rusty Cage; The One Rose (That’s Left in My Heart); Country Boy; Memories Are Made of This; Spiritual; The Kneeling Drunkard’s Plea; Southern Accents; Mean Eyed Cat; Meet Me in Heaven; I Never Picked Cotton; Unchained; I’ve Been Everywhere.

Monday, August 12, 2024

Recommended reading: The Ninth Configuration (1999):


The Ninth Configuration

By William Peter Blatty.
Commentary by Mark Kermode.

Published by Screenpress Books.
Published in 1999.
Paperback.
Screenplay.

ISBN-10: 1901680207
ISBN-13: 978-1901680201

Description:

“The finest large scale American surrealist film ever made” – People Magazine.

Towards the end of the war in Vietnam, an unusually high percentage of American servicemen suddenly manifested symptoms of psychosis. To investigate this mystery, the US government established a network of covert study centers.

They send the crazies to Center Eighteen. Men who think they can walk through walls. Men who want to stage the complete works of Shakespeare using dogs. Hudson Kane is plagued by nightmares and memories not his own. Only Hudson Kane is not an inmate. Hudson Kane is in charge…

William Peter Blatty – the creator of The Exorcist – directed this self penned script that quickly became a cult classic for its brave philosophic tone, remarkable visuals and endlessly quotable dialogue.

This is the first time that Blatty’s originally screenplay has been published. Fully annotated by acclaimed writer and critic Mark Kermode and illustrated with many previously unpublished stills.

This is the definitive edition of the script that its creator believes to be the true sequel to The Exorcist.

Winner – Best Screenplay Golden Globe Awards.