Thursday, October 07, 2010

In a Twitter Trend Far Far Away...

What if they made "Star Wars: The Musical"? That's the question we're asking ourselves today. The answers are appearing today on our Twitter page. So far, we have:

Act 1, Scene 3: The jawas break in to "It's a Hard Knock Life."

Act 2, Scene 24: Luke sings, "You can take my hand and my pride, but I still won't join the Dark Side."

Act 2, Scene 12: Stormtroopers dance in background while Darth Vader sings "I'm Evil with a Cape (reprise)."

Act 1, Scene 27: Obi-wan does jazz hands right before being slain by Darth Vader.

Visit our Twitter page and follow us to see more!

Update:
Well, we didn't start a worldwide Twitter trend of #starwarsthemusical, but we had a lot of fun at least! Here were the rest of the posts in case you missed them:

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Wednesday's This & That

Happy Windsday! While I deal with this unusual weather, here's what's happening around the internet...

Slater, Missouri's fourth annual Steve McQueen Days begin April 24! Slater is the childhood home of actor Steve McQueen, and the annual event last two days. The schedule includes a Happy 80th Birthday Dinner Buffet, a car show and bike show, wine tasting, bike rodeo, and a Steve McQueen Memorial Highway Dedication. Learn more at www.cityofslater.com.

And eerily timed with the recent findings of what is believed to be Sean Flynn's remains, a movie based on Errol Flynn's son Sean will premiere at the Cannes Festival, entitled "The Road to Freedom." The remains found in Cambodia, where Sean last was seen, are still being verified by scientists.

And pictures have surfaced of Kate Winslet shooting the HBO remake "Mildred Pierce," the role originated by Joan Crawford.

Hopefully these news items send a chill up your skirt!

Friday, April 16, 2010

A Whole New World...of Wine


It's good to maintain your childlike innocence while drinking a sophisticated cab...

Prince's Childhood Kitchen?

Housewives: it's always best to match your outfit to your cupboards. Then you can literally just blend right in.[Retrocrush]

Friday, April 09, 2010

"Va Va Voom" Star of the Day

Carole Landis
Carole Landis had a difficult life, starting from her childhood. But her determination -- and a major change in her identity -- helped her rise to fame in the 1940's. Unfortunately, the tragic beginning would foresee an even more tragic end.

She was born Frances Lillian Mary Ridste in Fairchild, Wisconsin. Her father abandoned the family at an early age, two of her brothers died in childhood, and several sources claimed that her older brother molested her. By the age of 15, Landis quit high school, left the family, and married. But the marriage didn’t last long; it was annulled and she finally set her sights on making it in Hollywood.

She dyed her hair blonde and changed her name to "Carole Landis" after her favorite actress, Carole Lombard. She appeared in bit parts until she signed a contract in 1940 with 20th Century Fox, partly due to her relationship with Darryl F. Zanuck. She did many movies with unmemorable roles, but was honored with a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

Landis became a popular pin-up with servicemen during World War II and toured with a USO troupe. Carole would spend more times visiting troops than any other actress, and nearly died from diseases she contracted while traveling. Landis' career seemed to disappear by 1948: she was plagued with health problems, she had four divorces and several failed romances behind her. Finally she entered into a doomed affair with actor Rex Harrison who was married to actress Lilli Palmer at the time.

Landis became increasingly depressed when Harrison refused to divorce his wife. Crushed by this latest failure, she committed suicide by taking an overdose of Seconal. Her final night alive had been spent with Harrison and it was he who found her body the next morning. She was only 29 years old.

Thursday, April 08, 2010

Lost: One Ham on Rye

That's right, boys. Don't help her with the ham. Just keep staring at her gams.
I guess this is before chivalry made a comeback. I mean...why does the entire bus find this hysterical? Even the female passenger is tickled by the misfortune. ...And doesn't this seem like a huge nod to Art Frahm?

Monday, April 05, 2010

Cocktail Recipe Du Jour: The Hanky Panky

Hanky-Panky

In to a shaker, add:
2/3 Dry Gin
1/3 Sweet Vermouth
2 Dashes Fernet Branca (or alternate)

Stir (do not shake) well with ice and strain into a glass. 
Garnish with a twist of orange peel.

(Thanks to Disgruntled Housewife.)

Thursday, April 01, 2010

April Fool's!!

Hopefully we were able to get a couple of ya with a classic Rick Roll...

Have a safe April 1st, you pranksters!

Must-See Video!

If this doesn't make you want to invest in a second oven, I don't know what will!

Watch it here.

The look on the wife's face is priceless!

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Submarine Service

So that's what the kids are calling it these days...
I would think getting volunteers for this type of service
wouldn't be too difficult...

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Tuesday's This 'n' That, Ya'll!

We're saddling up for a special edition of This & That! Today's post features our favorite King of Cool, Steve McQueen... Because of his recent birthday (March 24), there's a lot floating around on the internet about the actor.

...He is featured in these never-before-seen photos on the Life magazine website -- some racier than others (one almost NSFW). You also get a peek at his personal life with first wife Neile Adams. I can't imagine any celebrity today allowing such carte blanche.

...Check out the Steve McQueen Blog-a-thon featured at The Cooler...a great blog for movie info and trivia, especially centered around Steve McQueen.

...And don't forget to check out the post I put up yesterday on SorryIGotDrunk, about a bar inspired by McQueen's film Bullitt. Better yet, check it out daily (or two or three times a day), because, not only do I post there often, but the site just rocks!

Yee-haw!!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Monday's This & That

As I enjoy the nice Spring weather, let's take a peek at what's around the 'net.

HBO is casting for their mini-series Mildred Pierce, that will star Kate Winslet in the role that won Joan Crawford a Best Actress Oscar. HBO did really well with the 're-imagining' of Grey Gardens starring Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore. Let's hope this one does Ms Crawford justice, as well. Not familiar with Mildred Pierce? See a (hilarious) dubbed over part of the film featured in a previous post.

And speaking of unnecessary remakes, Dermot Mulroney is in talks to star in a 'reboot' of The Rockford Files TV series, taking over James Garner's famous role. Also to star is Beau Bridges. House creator David Shore will be a part of the 70s remake, and Steve Carell will executive produce.

Apparently Disney is making their newest fairytale flick "less princessy." They've changed the title from the classic "Rapunzel" to Tangled in an attempt to attract more boys to theaters. We'll see if it works. Critics speculate that its animation will be the real test, as the film is being done using traditional hand-drawn style animation, and critics say the style is of something that this generation of kids may not be accustomed. A teaser trailer is appearing on The Princess and the Frog DVD for the Fall release, but you can see it here, as well.

And the role previously thought to be taken by Keira Knightley may now be going to Carey Mulligan. The role? In another remake, of course. This one being My Fair Lady. The role Mulligan is close to signing was originally perfected by Julie Andrews on stage and Audrey Hepburn on film.

Got any NEW ideas, Hollywood?

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Room Design by M.C. Escher

...and Harpo Marx, who contributed his trademark horn. I've always wondered what walking down an xylophone staircase sounded like.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Happy Birthday, Steve McQueen!

Steve would have been 80 years old today!

Must-See Movie: Support Your Local Sheriff!

Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969)
Jason McCullough (James Garner) is allegedly "on his way to Australia" when he comes to the raucous town of Calendar to do a little mining. He discovers that he needs to get a job, as things are rapidly getting more and more expensive with the gold rush. He checks the HELP WANTED postings and sees the town needs a sheriff, and the town's mayor and council eagerly hire him.

Jason soon learns why the job came so easily, as a family of outlaws named Danby seem to run the town. While in the saloon, Jason witnesses Joe Danby (Bruce Dern) gunning a man down, and as his first duty as sheriff, hires a deputy (Jack Elam) and arrests Danby. He takes the gunman to a newly refurbished jail, only to see that the bars for the cells haven't been put in yet.

This is just one subplot of this great comedy. James Garner's portrayal as calm and confident Jason is very similar to his role as TV's "Maverick," and his coolness pairs well amidst the chaos and violence surrounding him. The supporting cast of Joan Hackett, Harry Morgan, Henry Jones, and Walter Brennan makes this a western unlike any other. But Bruce Dern's portrayal as whiny and spoiled (yet dim-witted) Joe Danby, makes this movie a classic.

They tried to recreate the magic again in 1971's "Support Your Local Gunfighter," using much of the same cast and the same director, but it just doesn't add up. Not to say that it isn't funny or great to watch. After all, it's still James Garner.

Friday, March 19, 2010

"Va Va Voom" Star of the Day

June Lang
Hollywood in the 30’s brought this vivacious blonde to B-level stardom. Unfortunately her star burned out quickly: after appearing in over 30 films, her personal life was rocked with scandal, and the offers stopped coming.

Winifred June Vlasek was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 5, 1917. She was thrust in to show business almost immediately, dancing from age five. To encourage her talent, her family moved to Hollywood when she was around seven. She performed in a variety of vaudville shows. She matured quickly, especially when she worked in various chorus lines. At thirteen years of age, she was even cast in the show "Temptations of 1930" after lying to the dance director that she was 18.

June worked as an extra through 1930-1932. Fox Studios took an interest in her after a director saw her perform a swimming routine. Her first speaking role was in the 1932 film Chandu the Magician. The roles came slowly, and through 1933 to 1939 she had a steady stream of jobs. Even though she was effervescent and photogenic, June never received primary roles in the "B" films in which she was cast.

In 1938, Fox sent June to England to film So This is London but due to the threat of war, she abandoned the set and fled home. Fox punished her by canceling her contract. To compound her downfall, her 1939 marriage to Chicago mobster Johnny Roselli stained her Hollywood reputation permanently.

Although June denied knowledge of her husband's mob-related activities and the couple did eventually divorce, her career never recovered from the bad press. The film roles diminished, and she tried some television appearances in the 1950s and early 1960s, but never fully reached the A list of celebrity. June died in 2005 and was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetary in Los Angeles, almost an unknown to this generation.

Monday, March 15, 2010

The Perfect Day

Well, since today is my $#@!&-th birthday, I thought I'd put together my best day. A day where everything went perfectly, and I got to do whatever I wanted.

First of all, I'd wake up next to Dyno. (Or maybe a young James Garner, if we're really wishing here.) He'd bring me a Starbucks café mocha, nice and hot, and we'd watch television in bed. Perhaps "Snapped" on Oxygen, or "Dog Whisperer" on NatGeo.

Then after a couple hours Dyno and I would finally get up and take my dog on a nice walk along the beach. (The dog wouldn't poop the entire time -- it'd be a miracle.) And it'd be a beautiful, sunny, and clear day, too. Oh yeah, and I'd be tan and weigh about 20 pounds less.

I come home and all the laundry is done, the house is clean, the dishes are out of the dishwasher, and a nice lunch of grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and pickles have been made. And a nice Manhattan to go with it all. I turn on the television to relax and eat, and the newest episode of "Survivor" is starting -- yes, even though it's Monday, and not Thursday.

Dean Martin, Joan Crawford, Errol Flynn, and Esther Williams call during the day to wish me a happy birthday and to ask what my plans are. I speak briefly with them, but really I just want to spend the day on the couch with Dyno. I fall asleep and end up napping until it's time for dinner, preempted by a few cocktails.

For dinner, Dyno takes me to the Playboy Club circa 1965, and I'm like Doris Day, wearing a beautiful gown with a matching coat, hat, and gloves. We sit and watch Bob Newhart do a stand-up routine, and then Mel Tormé comes out and croons to us. Dinner is a thick prime rib steak, lobster mashed potatoes, and a bold red wine.

I'm not going to go in to what happens after dinner. But let's just say (as they do in the old movies), the curtains flap in the wind and the camera pans left and then we fade out.

...And that's my perfect day!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

For Modern Mothers

Goodness knows that no woman should be carrying a bulky lighter. Especially when wearing a pillbox hat and gloves. Heavens to Betsy!

Friday, January 15, 2010

"Va Va Voom" Star of the Day

Joan Blondell
A winning combination of cute, blonde, and perky made Joan Blondell a big star in Hollywood in the 30's. She was born to a Vaudevillian comic in New York City, and was already on stage with her parents by the age of three.

She hit it big in Sinner's Holiday in 1930, captivating audiences against James Cagney; she would be teamed with Cagney in many more films. She drove audiences wild in 1930's The Office Wife, when she was shown dressing for work. It was an extremely sexy scene in the 30's, but is mild by today's standards.

However, while the films of Warner Brothers made Cagney a celebrity, Joan never reached star status. She would often be paired with Dick Powell; they were actually married to each other for ten years. She generally played airheads, gold-diggers, and naïve girlfriends. By 1939, Joan had left Warner Brothers to become an independent actress. The move helped her career, and she received an Academy Award nomination for The Blue Veil in 1951.

Movie appearances grew slim, but she made a big impact in the TV series, The Real McCoys in 1957 and as Lottie Hatfield in Here Come the Brides from 1968-1970. She is most recognized by the current generation for her appearance in the 1978 film musical Grease as the sympathetic waitress. Her last movie was The Woman Inside which wasn't released until 1981. She had been in 102 productions by the time she died in Santa Monica, California of leukemia on Christmas Day in 1979. The good time gal with the wide smile and big blue eyes was 73.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Um, Yes...Yes it is....

Good to know the people at Ditney-Bowes think postage meters are reason enough.
[source]