Matinee Monday - Phibian Frolics

     I had to great pleasure (or torture to some) of some cheesy horror awesomeness starring the amazing Vincent Price.  From the cheesetastic minds of American International, I viewed the epic Dr. Phibes pictures - The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971) and the sequel, Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972).  I'm usually not a post-1960's horror fan unless it's so bad it's funny, so I was nervous about the serious looking films.  Most are just too gruesome and gross for me, focusing mostly on gore and not so much on an interesting or intelligent reason for the fear.  While these films may not have had a very intelligent reason for the fear, the story was interesting.  And frankly, I have yet to see a Vincent Price film where I don't at least enjoy his performance.

Homes of the Stars - Tony Curtis

Tony Curtis's home from the 1971 Guide to Stars Homes, page 26

Homes of the Stars - Rita Hayworth

Rita Hayworth's home from the 1971 Guide to Stars Homes, page 26

Homes of the Stars - Edward G Robinson

Edward G. Robinson's home from the 1971 Guide to Stars Homes, page 26

Homes of the Stars - Danny Thomas

Danny Thomas's home from the 1971 Guide to Stars Homes, page 26

Homes of the Stars - Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe's last home from the 1971 Guide to Stars Homes, page 25

Homes of the Stars - Rosemary Clooney

Rosemary Clooney's home from the 1971 Guide to Stars Homes, page 21

Homes of the Stars - Lucille Ball

Lucille Ball's home from the 1971 Guide to Stars Homes, page 21

Homes of the Stars - Jimmy Stewart

Jimmy Stewart's home from the 1971 Guide to Stars Homes, page 21

Homes of the Stars - George Hamilton

George Hamilton's home from the 1971 Guide to Stars Homes, page 21

Homes of the Stars - Jayne Mansfield

Jayne Mansfield's last home from the 1971 Guide to Stars Homes, page 19

Homes of the Stars - Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley's home from the 1971 Guide to Stars Homes, page 19

Homes of the Stars - Burt Lancaster

Burt Lancaster's home from the 1971 Guide to Stars Homes, page 19

Paintings of the Stars - Charlton Heston and Nathanial Benchley

Charlton Heston; 1963

I think everyone still knows who Charlton Heston is, and I can't think of anything new to add to that conversation.  I do love this photograph.  Chuck obviously had no problem showing how cool he was.

Nathaniel Benchley

Frankly, I had no idea when I saved this photo of Nathaniel Benchley who he was, but when I researched him, I found about a million reasons I adore him and didn't know it:

A Ghost Named Fred

He wrote some fabulous kids books like A Ghost Named Fred and Oscar Otter

Robert Benchley

His dad was Robert Benchley, noted humorist, actor, and about a dozen other things.  He was a great comedian and definitely fun in any film appearance.  Benchley's "How to" shorts are classics.

Jaws

His son, Peter Benchley, wrote Jaws, which is a pop culture icon.  Freaky as all get out, but some great acting.

Muppet Rugs and RIP Jerry Nelson

Muppet Latch Hook Kits; McCall's; 1980

I simply adore the Muppets, the 1970s/1980s Muppets.  While the recent film was decent, as a whole, the past decade has seen them become quite lame.  I have enjoyed their recent resurgence into popular culture: from award shows to wrestling events, the Muppets have been everywhere.  

Count von Count and Jerry Nelson

Unfortunately with Jerry Nelson's August 23rd, 2012 passing, we will again be faced with a set of wrong-sounding Muppets.  Ever since Jim Henson's passing, the Muppets just haven't been the same.  Kermit still sounds odd to me.  RIP Jerry.  You brought me and many others hours and hours of joy.  Even though his parts have been recast, I will miss Jerry's genius when performing Count von Count, Floyd Petter, Robin the Frog, Gobo Fraggle, Crazy Harry, Camilla the Chicken, Lew Zealand, and Statler.

Ramona, Bluing, and Powder People

As part of my reading adventure this year, I'm trying to read 12 books published in the year of my birth.  So far I have been pretty disappointed, as I was with this book.  I guess I just must be too much of a Beezus or something, but I did not enjoy Beverly Cleary books as a child, and I still do not find them enjoyable as an adult.  It seemed like a combination of fighting parents and trouble-making.  Since I remembered my parents fighting before they divorced, when I read Cleary books as a child I found the parental arguing to be distressing.  And as to Ramona's shenanigans, I was and still am a rule stickler, so I never found Ramona's antics humorous.  I imagine some children enjoy it and feel a kinship with Ramona, but all I felt was frustration.

I did find two instances in the book humorous:  the Kleenex incident and the bluing incident.  How many people use bluing anymore?  I have used it before but I haven't used any in my laundry lately.  I need to restock at Vermont Country Store or at a store you can pick up Mrs. Stewart's Bluing.

I can definitely sympathize with Wanda running around the house throwing Kleenexes everywhere.  It reminds me of one of few times I acted up as a child.  It would be the infamous 'Powder People' episode.  When I was about five years old, my three year old sister and I had a brilliant idea.  

The 'brilliance' of 'Powder People' was us running through the house puffing baby powder above our heads.  My mother was just thrilled to find the entire upper floor of our grandparent's home caked in a thick layer of fine, white powder.  Our dance of joy did not last long, for we spent the entire day dusting, vacuuming, and washing the walls.  Both the joy, and the punishment from the 'Powder People' incident, are some of the strongest memories of my childhood.  

Recent Items for Sale on Etsy and Amazon

Recent Items for Sale on my Etsy and Amazon sites.

Card with a piece of Mae West clothing on Etsy

5 Vintage 1930s Newspaper Inserts of Irene Dunne, Robert Montgomery, Jean Arthur, Fred MacMurray, and Bette Davis on Etsy

Some reproduction Godeys watercolor prints on Etsy

How to Draw the Muppets on Amazon

Some Laugh-In DVDs on Amazon

Or try some fun gambling on a Vintage Slot Machine on Etsy

Or a Vintage Black Jack Machine on Etsy

Stanwyck helps George Gobel

Barbara Stanwyck
Noted for her help to newcomers in Hollywood, has climbed right on the bandwagon for a guy who has never appeared in pictures – he’s George Gobel of television. Right now he’s the most talked about new personality in town and everyone seems to have discovered him at the same time. Finding a movie vehicle for his particular brand of comedy talent might prove to be a difficult task.





George Geobel (May 20, 1919 - Feb 24, 1991) was a hilarious comedian and actor. He started out as a child star on the radio. This only child initially intended to be a country music star, but that didn't quite work out, so he opted for comedy and excelled at it. During WWII he was a flight instructor which he famously made fun of in the fantastic Johnny Carson clip above. It makes me long for the days when late night comedians were actually funny. This clip feels like one big party.



Many people are most familiar with George Gobel's appearances on Hollywood Squares, where he made over 200 appearances. In 1954, he had his own show, The George Gobel Show, which is quite hilarious. The company he helped found, Gomalco, produced the first four years of the beloved TV show, Leave It to Beaver. Unfortunately, his talent did not translate to the movies as Barbara Stanwyck and many others wished. George had a wife, Alice, whom he was married to from December 13, 1942 until his death. They had three children together. Alice was often used as a topic of George's humor, as you can see in the clip from The George Gobel Show below.







Although I didn't realize it, I first encountered George Gobel in the Rankin Bass 1974 classic, Twas The Night Before Christmas. He voiced the lovable Father Mouse in the Christmas classic. Some people might also remember him as Mayor Harper in the 1981 TV series Harper Valley PTA.






A great George Gobel quote: "I've never been drunk, but I've often been overserved"




A bit of trivia, the "Lonesome George" is named after him (Gobel's nickname was "Lonesome George"). There is only 1 of this subspecies of Galapagos Tortoise. The tortoise is anywhere from 60 - 90 years old. There is a $10,000 reward for anyone who can find a female of the same species, so keep your eyes open!

What 100 Stars Want Most in 1956 - Aldo Ray

Aldo Ray (September 25, 1926 - March 27, 1991) is quite a character. Known for his build and gruff voice, he accidentally fell into acting. After serving in WWII as a Frogman, he was taking his brother Mario to an audition, when the director decided to hire Aldo instead. His best work was during the 1950s, but he worked up until his death in 1991 of throat cancer

Some Aldo Ray Trivia:

• Born Aldo DaRe
• Went to school at UC Berkeley
• Served in the Pacific Theater in World War II
• Aldo was married 3 times
• His best known films include: The Green Berets, Battle Cry, Miss Sadie Thompson, and Pat and Mike
• Aldo was the first choice for Montgomery Clift's Pvt. Prewitt in From Here to Eternity
• Aldo had his SAG card revoked in the 1980s for working in non-union films (the only roles he could get). It was the only way he could pay his health insurance. Kind of sad.
• Brad Pitt's character, Lt. Aldo Raine, in Inglorious Bastards (one of my all time favs) was inspired by Aldo Ray.

What were Aldo's 1956 wishes?

"Personally, I'd like to see my Alma Mater, California, go to the Rose Bowl"

Total guy answer, but refreshingly, not a PR sounding answer

"Professionally, I want to play in a western and I want to travel. Maybe I could do both. In Three Stripes in the Sun, I went to Japan. I wouldn't mind seeing the world while I worked."

"It is my personal belief that every citizen should take a much more active interest in his local and national politics."