Tahitian Dancing at Disneyland

This was going to be Thin Man Week, but since I'm in a such Tiki mood lately, I'm going to save that for another time. So welcome to Tiki Week! To kick things off, here is a nifty clip from Disneyland back in the days of The Tahitian Terrace, which sadly seems to have closed in 1993. Keep your eyes peeled for the fellow in the audience gnawing on the rib, it looks like he is having the best time ever.

Enjoy!

Sylvester Cartoon

One of my favorite WB characters is Sylvester, who in most of his cartoons was the straight man but here he is at his madcap, zaniest taking a cue from Bugs and Daffy, and doing his best to keep poor Elmer Fudd fwom getting a decent night's west. This is "Back Alley Oproar" and for those of you who are of the eagle eyed persuasion, it even features a subtle Thin Man gag.

-Enjoy!

Foghorn Leghorn Cartoon

Just feel like doing something lighthearted, so its a good ol' Foghorn Leghorn cartoon, A Fractured Leghorn.

Ah say, ah say, ah say what's the idea you chasin' mah worm?

-Enjoy!

And That's The Way It Is

You've probably already heard that journalism legend, Walter Cronkite died last week at the age of 92. He earned his title of the Most Trusted Man in America, with his kindly manner and professional integrity, tempered with humanity and humility.

In honor of Mr. Cronkite's life and career here are a couple of clips. In the first he explains how he came up with his famous nightly sign off: and that's the way it is. The second clip features him reporting on the assassination of President Kennedy. This is a great example of both his humanity and his professionalism, in the way he nearly loses his composure for a moment, but regains it almost instantly. They don't make 'em like this anymore.

The Andy Griffith Show Opening

I just want to wrap up the Old TV Show Opening Credits Theme with one of my all time favorite programs, The Andy Griffith Show. This is a cool little clip, because it blends the original black & white version, and then the later when color version, as well as how the area looks today, or how it looked in April of 2009 when it was uploaded to Youtube. So, that's it for this week, have a great weekend.

Enjoy!

Perry Mason Opening

Continuing with the old TV show opening credits theme, here is a the opening for the Perry Mason television program starring Raymond Burr. Oh, and here is a little tidbit that not everyone knows, Barbara Hale, who played Mason's super efficient secretary, Della Street, was in real life the sister of Alan Hale Jr., who played the Skipper on Gilligan's Island. I know of at least one episode in which he guest starred, although I can't remember the name of the episode.
This show brings back some very fond, albeit vague, memories from my childhood. Every Friday afternoon my mom and I would take my grandma shopping in Mom's 1957 Cadillac, Ol' Betsey. The point is that when we got to Grandma's house, we had to wait until Perry Mason was over before we could go shopping. As another point of interest, Perry Mason has been playing continuously on channel 12 KPTV here in Portland for longer than I have been alive. It really is a local institution, and I think it is safe to say, that if TV shows were comfort foods, Perry Mason would be macaroni & cheese.

Enjoy!

Gilligan's Island Opening

Bewitched Intro

Movie Trailer: When the Boys Meet the Girls

Hey cats and kittens, check this out! It is the original trailer for the movie "When the Boys Meet the Girls" from 1965. I have to be honest with you, I'd never heard of it before, and basically just stumbled on it via an obituary for Harve Presnell, who you may remember as the father-in-law of William H. Macy's character in "Fargo". Anyway, this looks like the quintessential rolicking, madcap 60's musical movie. Starring alongside Mr. Presnell, is the delovely, Miss Connie Francis, singing a charming little ditty about mail call, which very well may be the name of the song. Oh, but that's not all, it also features Liberace, Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, Herman's Hermits, and the great Louie Armstrong. Take a look, kids, its way out!

Farrah Fawcett: R.I.P.

As you probably know by now, Farrah Fawcett died last week after a long battle with cancer. In the mid 70's, I was one of many adolescent boys with a huge crush on her, and of course I had "The Poster" tacked to my bedroom wall. I even kept it up after the plant in my bedroom window got over watered and dribbled down the entire length of the poster, giving her loveliness a slightly wrinkled, waterlogged look. This was back when she was known as Farrah Fawcett-Majors, because she was, of course, married to The Six Million Dollar Man, Lee Majors. As I'm sure you know, she got her start with Charlie's Angels, which aired on Wednesday nights at 9 as I recall. As a tribute, I offer this clip, which is the version of the opening credits for the pilot episode from 1976, it is a little longer than the version used for the regular season. Rest In Peace, Ms. Fawcett.

-Cheers!