Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Shemp Howard - The “Magical” Stooge?
When we think of The Three Stooges®, usually the names “Curly, Larry & Moe” come to mind. But as most fans know, Shemp Howard spent many years as part of the comedy team. In fact, after his sudden passing in 1955, he managed to make four more movies he was under contract for at Columbia Studios. Pretty incredible—how did he pull it off? Was it magic? A bit of movie magic, maybe…
These days, we think nothing of special effects like this—remember President Kennedy shaking hands with Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump, three decades after his death? But back in 1955, this was pretty tricky stuff. The film makers at Columbia Studios devised a way to make it appear as though Shemp was still part of the comedy trio, even though he was deceased.
To do this, they used old Three Stooges film shorts and inserted old film clips into the new movies. Any new footage of Moe & Larry was edited together with the stock footage of Shemp. When it was absolutely necessary for Shemp to appear in the new scenes, they used a body double for him, filming him from behind or with his face obscured.
Not long after comedian Joe Besser joined the act to replace Shemp, Columbia replaced him by bringing back Shemp! Thus, the studio kept the series going well into the 60s, and Shemp Howard remained a “working” movie actor for more than a decade after his death!
And, thanks to the “magic” of DVD, we’re able to enjoy all of The Three Stooges today!
posted by Betty at
9:23 AM
Friday, February 26, 2010
Martin And Lewis – Together Forever On DVD
It was the long-awaited reunion that millions of fans had hoped for—on March 1, 1960, the comedy duo of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, estranged since 1956, reunited on the stage of the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas! Both were there performing separate acts. Can you imagine the audience excitement when, at the end of Martin’s closing act, he brought his former partner on stage and introduced him? For 15 minutes, the pair joked a bit then sang a duet. But sadly, the brief reunion did not signal a permanent reteaming of their talents.
In the late 40s and early 50s, Martin and Lewis were the hottest act in America, but ultimately, their friendship would not survive the pace and pressure of the business. While critics praised Lewis as the real talent of the team, Martin found himself playing second fiddle to Lewis’ antics. Martin reached his breaking point when Look Magazine gave the team a cover photo but cropped him completely out of the picture. Offended, Martin finished out his contract and left the act in 1956.
After the split, Martin and Lewis enjoyed separate successes. Dean Martin had a singing career, the Matt Helm movie series, and an immensely popular variety show; and we’re all familiar with Jerry Lewis’ roles in comedies, and as long-time host of the annual MDA Telethon. After their 1960 reunion on the stage of The Sands, the two crossed paths publicly just briefly in 1976 and again in 1987. Finally, in 1989, the two appeared together on-stage for the last time at Bally’s Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Dean’s 72nd birthday. Jerry honored him with a birthday cake and a shower of praise, and quipped “Why we broke up, I’ll never know.”
Their partnership brought us some of the most memorable comedy ever. Although the days of a Martin & Lewis reunion are long since passed, you can relive the best moments from their heyday through these two compilations.
posted by Betty at
8:46 AM
Friday, February 19, 2010
A KISS Is Still A KISS… Going Strong Since 1973
It was 1973 in New York City. The crowd was on its feet, in awe of the four figures prancing around in elaborate makeup, studded leather outfits, high-heeled boots, flamboyant hairstyles… The runway during Fashion Week? Actually, it was one of rock & roll’s most unique groups: KISS—the likes of which, up until then, the world had not seen.
In their mid-to-late 70's heyday, the music of KISS was overshadowed by their live shows which featured state-of-the-art lighting and thrilling pyrotechnics. Fans were hungry for everything they offered, more than willing to “rock & roll all night, and party every day!” By 1980, the band had released their 8th studio album, Unmasked, the last album that would feature the original lineup of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss, until Psycho Circus in 1998. Even though the band has seen many personnel changes over the past 3 decades and even abandoned their trademark makeup for a few years, they’ve managed to retain a devoted core fan base, while garnering new generations of fans as well. As evidence of their continued appeal, KISS is still touring, and is currently in the middle of their 2009-2010 Sonic Boom tour across North American and Europe.
To date, the band has been awarded 24 gold albums in the USA, and their worldwide sales have exceeded 100 million in DVD sales alone. Late last year, KISS was nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a tribute to their staying power in the often-fickle music industry. Being huge fans ourselves, we’ve collected some really great items that we know you’ll love, with more on the way!
posted by Betty at
8:38 AM
Friday, February 5, 2010
You’re Never Too Old For Tinker Bell’s Magic!
On February 5, 1953, Disney’s® Peter Pan opened at the Roxy Theater in New York. An adaptation of a well-loved book and stage play by J.M. Barrie, it’s the quintessential childhood fantasy of never having to grow up and join the harsh adult world. Naturally this sounds great to kids, but it appeals to many adults too—case in point: Walt Disney himself, a grown man who managed to never let adulthood steal away his sense of child-like wonder.
My favorite character from the movie was, and still is, Tinker Bell®, the tiny sprite with bells for a voice, known for flitting about and leaving a trail of pixie dust in her wake. I like that she wasn’t one dimensional, all sweetness and shimmering light—in fact, I love that she was a bit naughty and prone to pouting in order to get her way! But upon her debut, a few movie critics didn’t share my opinion. They complained that the pixie’s sassy attitude and exaggerated hourglass figure were “too suggestive and a bit vulgar!”
Nevertheless, Tinker Bell went on to become an icon, as the Disney animators and writers made sure she evolved into a very lovable little fairy, still a bit mischievous, but full of whimsy and charm. As a result, she and her ever-present pixie dust have been the symbol of “the magic of Disney” for over half a century.
As far as growing up goes, well, it did happen, but we can still find plenty of our favorite memories of childhood right here in Betty’s Attic!
posted by Betty at
9:05 AM
Monday, January 25, 2010
Why We Still Love Lucy!
In “Lucy Goes To The Hospital,” Episode #56 of I Love Lucy™, the Ricardos become parents. When the episode aired on January 19, 1953, it was the most watched television program ever, beating out Queen Elizabeth’s coronation and President Eisenhower’s inauguration. The hilarious events leading up to Little Ricky’s birth are the kind of laughs that made I Love Lucy such a memorable program then, and one of our favorite television memories today.
Who could forget Lucy and Ethel’s foray into the working world in Episode #39, “Job Switching?” Or when Lucy played pitchwoman in Episode #31 and got tipsy on Vitameatavegamin? And no matter what the foursome bickered about, we always knew they would patch things up at the end.
The last original episode of I Love Lucy was broadcast on May 6, 1957. Fifty-three years later, Lucy is never far from our hearts. We never tire of watching the kooky redhead worm her herself in and out of every preposterous situation and improbable predicament imaginable, time and time again. The enduring appeal of her shows is why she’ll always be the Queen of Comedy here at Betty’s Attic. Long may she reign!
posted by Betty at
10:42 AM
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Reality Shows? No Thanks—Give Me Variety Shows!
Flipping channels the other day, one thing became abundantly clear—there are too many reality TV shows out there! People trying to survive living on island jungles; people vying to be the next big restaurant chef, runway model, clothing designer, home decorator, singer or entertainer; people trying to catch cheating spouses, kick drug addictions, lose weight, find their perfect mate, plan their perfect wedding…and the list goes on!
When I watch TV, I don’t want to be caught up in anyone else’s real-life drama; I don’t want to be sucked into anyone else’s real-life problems--I want escapism!
The variety shows I remember transported me right out of reality and directly into fantasy and fun. Didn’t you love Jack Benny’s exasperated “Well!” and Ed Sullivan’s fabulous Broadway guests? Red Skelton’s Clem Kadiddlehopper and Freddy the Freeloader? Martin & Lewis’ slapstick comedy, and the over-the-top antics of British scamp Benny Hill? Goldie Hawn’s painted sock-it-to-me girl and Cher’s leopard-clad laundro-mat diva Laverne? Every week, we tuned in to see our favorite hosts and the characters we loved, and we didn’t have to worry that they’d been voted off or eliminated!
You can keep those reality shows; I’ll take the good, old-fashioned entertainment of variety shows any day!
posted by Betty at
8:36 AM
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
The Radio City Rockettes—A Timeless Tradition
On December 28, 1932, Radio City Music Hall opened its doors in Rockefeller Center. Since then, more than 300 million people have enjoyed stage shows, concerts, movies, and other special events at this world-famous venue, the largest indoor theater in the world.
The Music Hall is perhaps best known as the home to the legendary precision dance company, The Rockettes. They have been performing to sell-out crowds since their debut in 1933. Along with being famous for their high-kicking chorus line, their 8-week Christmas spectacular has become a magnificent tradition, performed in five shows a day, seven days a week, for over 75 years! This year’s breath-taking show includes “The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,” first performed in 1933; “The Nutcracker,” and a living Nativity. With its extravaganza of snowflakes and streamers, carols and hymns, and a live orchestra that magically appears from beneath the stage, the Rockettes provide grand entertainment with timeless appeal.
If you are one of the lucky (crazy?) people who celebrate New Year’s Eve in New York City, catching a Rockettes performance is a great way to ring in the new year! If you can’t make it to the Big Apple, we suggest enjoying a version of the show at home with our Radio City Christmas Spectacular on DVD. Or, usher in 2010 by piecing together a 4D version of “the city that never sleeps!”
posted by Betty at
9:13 AM
