Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Roots Of The Cramps-Hasil Adkins
I just found this incredible documentary on Hasil Adkins, the crazy Rockabilly wild man who was a seminal influence on The Cramps. If you dig Rockin' White Trash Americana, this is a definite must see!
Vintage Space Toy # 5
1950's Japan Bandai CO's Super Scarce Space Patrol Super Cycle with Equally Scarce Original Box & Pilot ! Just a stunning space toy with Incredibly Original Style that has spawned countless copy cat toys mimicking the "deco"-futurstic vision of a space motorcycle. Beautiful colors & lithographed space details . Friction drive with sparking effect behind the red gels at the tail & side fins. Because of the fragile nature of the driver it is believed only a handful of examples in the world survived with the pilot intact & perhaps only 3 or 4 Original boxes exist for this toy ! This example has his original Antenna & Both inside nubs to his ankles which could quite possibly be the only one in existence with this feature ! A pinnacle of any serious space toy collection .
From Ozzie’s Robots Toys & Collectibles
1959 Scimitar Station Wagon
Famed auto designer Brooks Stevens created three Scimitar models for dispay at the 1959 Geneva Auto. The other two models were a hard-top convertible and a Town Car Phaeton. All three cars were built on a 1959 Chrysler New Yorker Chassis. The cars received great attention and acclaim.
The cars were financed by Olin Aluminum and extensive use of the lightweight metal was used to construct the car. The silver-appearing areas are anodized, brushed aluminum. The car’s name is derived from the Scimitar shape, clearly evident in the upward sweep from the lower front fender to the top of the rear fender.
The cars were never produced or offered for sale. This car is on display at the National Automobile Museum in Reno, NV.
Via jaylenosgarage.com
Frankie “Musclehead” Manning R.I.P.
Frankie "Musclehead" Manning, a Harlem dancer and Tony Award-winning choreographer widely celebrated as one of the pioneers of the Lindy Hop, a breathlessly acrobatic swing dance style of the 1930s and '40s, died April 27 at New York City's Lenox Hill Hospital of pneumonia. He was 94.
The effortlessly nimble Manning was a star attraction of Harlem's Savoy ballroom and brought to swing dance a flair for the theatrical that helped catapult the Lindy Hop from ballrooms to stage and screen (Adam Bernstein-L.A. Times).
View Full Article
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Happy Birthday Carolyn Jones 4-28-1930
Carolyn Jones, who is probably best remembered for her role as Morticia Addams, was born on April 28,1930.
Happy Birthday Anouk Aimee 4-27-1932
French actress Anouk Aimee (Fellini's 8 1/2, La Dolce Vita, A Man & A Woman)
was born on April 27, 1932.
1955 Alfa Romeo BAT 9 Concept Car
The famed Alfa Romeo BAT series cars were concepts created through a collaboration between Alfa, Italdesign, and Bertone. BAT stands for "Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica", and these vehicles were far more than just stylistic exercises. They were intended to explore the aerodynamic effects of fins on automobiles, and one of the advantages that emerged was enhanced stability at high speed. The drag coefficient is a still remarkable 0.19 Cd, which is impressive by any standard. Although powered by a modest 90 hp motor, the BATs could do over 125 mph thanks to the advanced aerodynamics. The exciting finned design reflected the world's growing obsession with outer space and speed.
(via corbis.com)
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Bea Arthur R.I.P.
(Associated Press) LOS ANGELES - Beatrice Arthur, the tall, deep-voiced actress whose razor-sharp delivery of comedy lines made her a TV star in the hit shows "Maude" and "The Golden Girls" and who won a Tony Award for the musical "Mame," died Saturday. She was 86.
View Full Article
Thursday, April 23, 2009
New Smigly Episode By Allen Mez
Once again, cutting edge animator/humorist Allen Mez has created a Smigly episode that skewers the ongoing delemna of living in corporate hell. I'm happy to have contributed to this piece as the voice of Smigly, and also the musical background.
Please have a look at the other episodes on Allen Mez' YouTube Page-Enjoy!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Mr. Hulot's Pipe Censored By Paris Metro
PARIS (Reuters) – The pipe favored by one of French cinema's most enduring comic characters has fallen victim to advertisers who were worried about breaking an anti-smoking law -- but have earned mockery and ridicule instead.
Jacques Tati's Mr Hulot, whose pipe was as much a trademark as his hat and beige raincoat, is seen riding his Velosolex motor scooter in a poster advertising a retrospective at the Cinematheque de Paris.
But the pipe has been replaced by a small colored whirligig by Metrobus, the group that manages advertising on Paris public transport, because of fears the pipe could break a law forbidding it from "direct or indirect" tobacco and alcohol advertising.
Mr Hulot, the accident-prone hero who stumbled benevolently through a series of films between 1953 and 1971, is one of the most immediately recognizable figures in French cinema and the affair of his pipe has sparked a minor uproar.
The Liberation daily was among many newspapers mocking the cover-up, pointing out that Mr Hulot is not wearing a helmet, is riding an old-fashioned, polluting vehicle and that the small boy riding behind him is not seated securely.
"Why not go all the way with this legislative zeal?" it asked.
Even Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot has been worried. "We're getting pretty ridiculous with this," she said.
A Metrobus spokesman appeared unperturbed, reacting with the kind of assurance in adversity that would have done Mr Hulot proud.
"I really don't understand what all the fuss is about," he said.
(Writing by James Mackenzie, editing by Tim Pearce)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Phil Spector Is Guilty Of More Than Just Murder
Phil Spector Is Guilty Of More Than Just Murder-just take a look at the hairdos (or more appropo, "hairdon'ts). Some people just never know when to move on, or how to slip into old age gracefully.
Monday, April 13, 2009
How To Avoid Getting Laid # 6
First of all, Who's Policing Photobucket???
Some asshole who has nothing better to do with his time?
Is the photo too pornographic or in violation of copyright???
I just re-uploaded this image. What sort of violation of terms is this exactly?
And why is it that they didn't take down the pic of Marilyn Chambers???
I'm guessing that this guy is on his way to the laundry mat and the only clean clothes he has are his Sunday best. Maybe he spent the week at Burning Man??? I've seen this photo before around the net but have no idea of it's origins. Does anyone out there have any more info?
Marilyn Chambers R.I.P.
LOS ANGELES – A friend of adult film star Marilyn Chambers says the actress has been found dead at her home in northern Los Angeles County.
Peggy McGinn says the 56-year-old Chambers was found by her 17-year-old daughter Sunday night and the cause of death has not been determined.
Chambers starred in the 1972 film "Behind the Green Door," which was more widely distributed and attracted a more mainstream audience than the usual adult fare.
Chambers, whose given name was Marilyn Briggs, was once a model for Ivory Snow. She was among the first porn superstars when the stag films of the 1940s through 1960s gave way to the more polished sex films of the 1970s.
(Via Associated Press)
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Vintage Downbeats # 3
This issue of Down Beat from April 8, 1953, features Stan Kenton. I’m not sure who the singer replacing June Christy is, but my first guess is Chris Connor (?)
Can anyone set the record straight?
Sylvana Mangano-Icon Of Italian Cinema
The above clip is from the film “Anna”, starring Sylvana Mangano. The song “El Negra Zumbon” was a million selling hit record on the MGM label (1953). It ’s unfortunate that the tune is hacked up, but still, an iconic scene of Italian Cinema. I grew up hearing this song in my house since early childhood and still have yet to see the complete film. Sylvana Mangano was originally a dancer and at 16 won the Miss Rome Beauty pageant. Soon thereafter she was romantically linked with Marcello Mastroianni, which led her to a film career that spanned several decades. I was delighted to find her film Mambo (co-starring Shelly Winters) uploaded to YouTube (split into 14 parts).
Order Mambo DVD From Amazon
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Roberto Chojniak Mosaic
A decade ago, artist Roberto Chojniak created Mosaic Store, a studio dedicated to the art of mosaics. Roberto designs, fabricates, and installs custom residential and commercial mosaics nationwide for projects ranging in scale and scope. Trained in Architecture and Fine Arts, Roberto keeps the process both practical and creative as he collaborates with designers, architects, landscapers, engineers and the clients themselves. Depending on the project, Roberto often works with a team of highly qualified artisan assistants, although he is always one hundred percent hands-on throughout the entire process. His mosaic murals have been described as "paintings made with tiny little tiles." No matter what the project - from kitchens, bathrooms and fireplaces to swimming pools, fountains and spas, or from retail spaces and restaurants to public art projects - Mosaic Store delivers unique, custom mosaic pieces.
John Fante Centennial 4-08-1909
John Fante is a literary hero to many, including myself; a man who never quite got the recognition he rightfully deserved until the end of his life, when Charles Bukowski championed his talents, resulting in the reprinting of his work (Ask The Dust being his most famous novel).
Showgirls Of The Golden Age # 4
Show girls (L-R) Dawn McInerney, Thana Barclay and Joy Skylar in costume wearing ornate hats at Latin Quarter, NYC. (photo by Gjon Mili, 1947)
Vintage Space Toys # 4
1950's USA Baranger CO's RARE Honeymoon Motion Rocket- As seen in Kitahra's Book Yesterdays Toys. This is one of perhaps 6 or 7 Surviving rare Baranger Motion Display Rockets . Moon Rotates as rocket pitches & Yaws up & down. Honeymoon couple turn towards each other & pilots turns head to look at the couple. Amazing Electric Powered action. Probably the 1st or 2nd most coveted of all the baranger displays. Buck Rogers inspired rocket design with beautiful Art Deco period touches.
From Ozzie’s Robots Toys & Collectibles
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
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