Reeling: "Comes a Horseman" (1978)

We enjoyed "Comes a Horseman," a World War II era western I chose to revisit after 30+ years and share with The Sweetie^®.

This is the tale of a ruthless cattle rancher / oil-baron-in-waiting (Jason Robards), matching wits and determination against underdog cowpokes (Jane Fonda, James Caan).

The film is entertaining, engrossing, and inadvertently puzzling. Our minds are engulfed in the mystery surrounding the numerous similarities of this screenplay to the television series "Dallas," which debuted in 1978, too. Neither production appears to be officially related to the other in strict plotting or behind-the-cameras lineage or source material, but one can't miss the coincidences, among them:

• Robards' villain is named Jacob Ewing, phonetically close to Dallas patriarch Jock Ewing. Introducing Robards alternately as J.W. Ewing, as he is, can't help but suggest Jock's given name, John Ross Ewing, Sr. or J.R. Ewing.


• Fonda's character is Ella, Ewing's desirable land owner prize. The "Dallas'" counterpart is Ellie, Ewing's desirable land owner prize.


• Crusty Relatives: "Comes a Horseman" has beloved "Dodger." TV has beloved "Digger."


• Actor Jim Davis, Jacob Ewing's evil henchman, was subsequently cast as Jock Ewing -- whom, I might add, looks EXACTLY the same!

What are the chances of that happening?

Big Weekend

Big weekend, anticipating "Hatfields & McCoys."

Spent hours in the chair having my hillbilly beard fleaed.

Big Weekend

Big weekend, watching SUMMERTIME (1955) to entice summertime 2012.

"Summertime" (1955) Movie Trailer via YouTube
We liked this movie, but I was creeped the show was written for Shirley Booth. Director David Lean hired Katharine Hepburn instead.

Makes me ache for Kate as Hazel, chasing Mr. B. and Bobby Buntrock with a spatula.



 "Hazel" (1961-65) Opening Titles via YouTube

I Got Nuthin'

Consolation video: "Jimmy Kimmel Live: I Gave My Kids a Terrible Present" via YouTube

'Monster Chiller Horror Theatre: Dr. Tongue's Evil House of Pancakes'

Oo, scary, kids.



"SCTV: Dr. Tongue's Evil House of Pancakes" via Count Floyd and YouTube

I Got Nuthin'

Consolation Video: Frank Sinatra: "High Hopes" via YouTube

Movies in the Movies: 'The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis' (1962)

A recurring gag on the iconic "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis" television series (1959-63) involves lovable beatnik Maynard G. Krebs (Bob Denver) referencing the flick "The Monster Who Devoured Cleveland." In a third season episode, "The Truth Session," he attends a must-see triple feature Maynard-thon devoted to his idol and hungry kin.

Among the stars of this horrible fun fest are, coincidentally(?), "Dobie Gillis" Production Executive Norman Henry as The Monster Who Devoured Cleveland, Lottie Cagle, Secretary to "Dobie Gillis" Producer-Director-Writer Rod Amateau, as Bride of the Monster Who Devoured Cleveland, and "Dobie Gillis" Assistant Director Ad Shaumer, Jr. as Son of the Monster Who Devoured Cleveland.

I must admit Maynard, shown here with his teacher, Mr. Pomfritt (William Schallert), is one of my heroes. He's seen Cleveland devoured three times!

A boy can dream, can't he?

Separated at Birth: Jerry Lewis and...

Peter Griffin.



Jerry Lewis: "The Errand Boy" (1961) and Peter Griffin: "Family Guy" (2010) via YouTube

Slackjaw Dumbstruck: The Ladybugs: 'I Saw Him Standing There'

The "Petticoat Junction" Girls as The Ladybugs: "I Saw Him Standing There" via "The Ed Sullivan Show" and YouTube
Source annotation:

Airdate March 22, 1964. The Ladybugs were Jeannine Riley, Pat Woodell and Linda Kaye Henning (from "Petticoat Junction") & Sheila James (formerly of "Dobie Gillis").

Zelda?!

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Thanks to Charlie Flashbacks.

Separated at Birth: Buddy Hackett and...

Peter Griffin. 



Buddy Hackett: "Shipoopi" from "The Music Man" (1962) via YouTube



Peter Griffin: "Shipoopi" from "Family Guy" (2005) via YouTube

Cock Tails for Two

Continued From: "101 Things About Me #183: A Boy of Color" | "On Loving Color: The NBC Peacock"

With the blessings of the National Broadcasting Company, color television's NBC Peacock logo was turned over to a pair of irreverent animators, John Kricfalusi, creator of "The Ren and Stimpy Show," and Nathan Love, inspired by the aforementioned Mr. K.

Watch the birdies.



Spümcø - NBC "Peacock 1" (1993) by John K. via YouTube


Spümcø - NBC "Peacock 2" (1993) by John K. via YouTube


The Origins of The 'NBC Peacock" (2010) by Nathan Love and NBC Artworks via YouTube


"NBC Peacock Thanksgiving" (2010) by Nathan Love and NBC Artworks via YouTube

On Loving Color: The NBC Peacock

Continued From: "100 Things About Me #183: A Boy of Color"



"NBC Peacock" (1957) via YouTube
Color television broadcasts eventually transmitted on an irregular basis in America during the 1950s, increasing until full-color production morphed onto all channels, circa 1966-67. NBC positioned itself as the "in living color" network, branded with incessant appearances of an iconic peacock, fanning vibrant tailfeathers at our faces before each program.

While color television may not seem like a huge deal generations later, NBC continues to trot out the trusty rainbow fowl on occasion. It's nice to see the bird getting work, considering parent company RCA has plucked a few dollars from color TV manufacturing since 1954, with, I hope, infinite gratitude to its dandy corporate spokesbottom.

Here's a batch of The NBC Peacock appearance videos, starting with a late '50s incarnation (above), followed by a 1968 surprise from "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" and a 2010 salute by the motion picture stars of "Despicable Me."



"The Sneezing NBC Peacock" via YouTube


"'Despicable Me' Peacock" via YouTube
More to come...

100 Things About Me #183

A Boy of Color 

I made a conscious decision as a teenager that I would not grow up to be The Old Man. You know, the coot who spews on about how life was much better when he was a lad. Cats' pajamas, poodle skirts, salt water taffy, muskets, Buddy Ebsen, and all that junk.

So, I'm not doing it here. I'm being delightfully informational in a happ'nin' gnarly bebop sort of Fizzies Party.

Kids today don't have any idea of what hell is.

Hell is watching "color presentation" logos, like the NBC Peacock below, in front of every television show on a black-and-white set for years and years until Mom sees a need to upgrade to the new technology.

"Michael, color TV? Reds and blues and yellows? You don't need reds and blues and yellows. Have you done your homework? Take out the garbage. Have you done your homework? Eat this orange. It's orange...."

NBC Peacock Logo (1960s) via YouTube
I was monochrome 'til age 16, when we got color and I had begun to gray.

I am scarred.

I'm mooning the peacock and these kids today....


100 Things: #1 | Previous | Next

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Thanks to Yowp

Barney Fife and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution

Attaboy, Barney. 

"The Andy Griffith Show: Barney Fife and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution" via YouTube and Flashbacks.com

I Got Nuthin'

Consolation Video: Phyllis Diller: "The Pruitts of Southampton" (1966) Opening Theme via YouTube

I Got Nuthin'

Consolation Video: "Family Guy: Lois Mom Mum Mommy" via YouTube

Breaking News: 'Suspicious Package Found Outside Weiner's DC Office'

Is it wearing grey snuggy undies?

'The Flintstones: On the Rocks'

Television animation mogul Seth MacFarlane ("Family Guy," "American Dad," "The Cleveland Show") has closed a deal to reboot "The Flintstones," Hanna-Barbera's 50-year-old franchise. New TV episodes go into production this fall for broadcast on FOX beginning in 2013.

What's been lost in the news is Cartoon Network's 2001 reboot by way of a one-shot TV film, "The Flintstones: On the Rocks."

Poster jiggerfool writes on YouTube:

In format, the movie was intended to emulate the first season of the series, which was distinctly more mature and aimed at older audiences than the later seasons, and therefore chose to focus more on the relationships between the original core cast of Fred, Barney, Wilma, and Betty.

As an early adopter of "The Flintstones" in 1960, I can say this movie is a fascinating, funny, 21st-century twist from an alternate universe.

Here is the video in five sections. I'll go power up the monkeys and woolly mammoths in the generator room....



"The Flintstones: On the Rocks" Part 1 via YouTube



"The Flintstones: On the Rocks" Part 2 via YouTube



"The Flintstones: On the Rocks" Part 3 via YouTube



"The Flintstones: On the Rocks" Part 4 via YouTube



"The Flintstones: On the Rocks" Part 5 via YouTube

Double Feature Mommies: 'That's My Mommy' and Mr. T's 'Treat Your Mother Right'

I've been thinking about my mom today. 

There were two obsessions that woman adored: pre-Yakky Doodle impostor ducks and Mr. T talkin' the luv, foo! 



Tom and Jerry in "That's My Mommy" (William Hanna, Joseph Barbera, 1955) via YouTube



"Mr. T's "Treat Your Mother Right"" via YouTube
Thanks to GoldenAgeCartoons.com and Charlie Flashbacks

Remembering Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor: "What's My Line?" Mystery Guest (1954) via YouTube 
My favorite Elizabeth Taylor movies are the early ones, starting with, in a small role, the wonderful "Lassie Come Home" (1943) and, in full a-star-is-born mode, "National Velvet" (1944). The others I like are "Little Women" (1949), "Father of the Bride" (1950), "Father's Little Dividend" (1951), "A Place in the Sun" (1951), and "Giant" (1956).

Elizabeth Taylor is connected to two milestones in my life, working at the Emory Theatre in Atlanta, GA. When I wasn't selling popcorn, I was in training to become a professional motion picture machine operator, a dream for this boy, age 11-12.

• I accomplished my first big deal reel-to-reel change-over from one projector to the next during our showings of her movie "The V.I.P.s" (1963).
• Throughout the weeks of "Cleopatra" (1963), I was taught how to thread the 35mm film into the machines with precision.

Image via WikipediaI have clear, fond memories of those days and I especially recall the final footage of "Cleopatra" reel #2. Cleo undergoes a nude body massage, exposing heretofore uncharted-by-Mikey bosom.

Although the scene doesn't last long, I never missed observing the end of reel #2 each time we ran the epic. I didn't know exactly why I was fascinated with her flesh. I just knew I was fascinated. Exactly.

Plus, I wondered, "Is 48 B.C. her bra size?" They said she was in 48 B.C.

I grasped nothing of ancient history, nor ancient lingerie.

Nevertheless, my training with Elizabeth Taylor was not only professional, but also enlightening!