Week in Review

Films I've Watched

• Sports Scope Ski-Flying (1956) - Fun short about ski jumping
• Jimmy Fund at Home with Joan Crawford (1953) - As a disabled kid, I wish more stars would come out to help children.  Thank goodness for Marlo Thomas and St. Judes!
• Let's Ask Nostradamus (1953) - Gotta love those prediction shorts.  Nostradamus has fascinated people for ages.  I'm not sure why, but when reading his stanzas, I feel like the vagueness of his predictions could be twisted to whatever meaning you wish.  Hindsight can always change things.

Links of the Week

A wonderful post from Go Retro! why Rankin/Bass Specials are amazing.  I adore them, and clearly others do too.  I just wish they wouldn't have had Rudolph on TV before Thanksgiving.  There is a rule in my house to have nothing to do with Christmas music, specials, etc. before Thanksgiving is over.  The pessimist part of me thinks they hoped people wouldn't watch so they have an excuse to take it off the air.  It's one of the few times I find myself watching network TV is during December when the specials are on.

Go Retro!  also has some amazing advice from lifestyle superstar Jack LaLanne.  I adore him, and his advice on happiness still has a place in these modern times.  Part of me thinks it much more relevant today then it was when first given.

Gene and Ina at Home

Gene Autry and wife Ina Mae at home

Known for her grace and intelligence, Ina Mae was married to Gene from 1932 until 1980.  Ina is the reason Gene recorded the much-loved holiday classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.  Gene didn't like it, but Ina thought kids would love it.  It seemed like the perfect updated "ugly duckling" tale.  Ina was right of course, since we still listen to this holiday classic today.