The 1964/1965 New York World's Fair!

Ever since I saw this special souvenir issue of THE FLINTSTONES AT THE NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR, more than 50 years ago, I've always wanted to visit the location.
The 1964/1965 New York World's Fair held over 140 pavilions, 110 restaurants, for 80 nations (hosted by 37), 24 US states, and over 45 corporations to build exhibits or attractions at Flushing Meadows Park in Queens, NY. The immense fair covered 646 acres on half the park, with numerous pools or fountains, and an amusement park with rides near the lake.
Finally, this past Summer, my dream came true and I walked around the big signature Earth Globe.
The site is no longer anything like it was back when the Fair opened. No dinosaurs or amusement park rides nor any pavilions and no sign of the Flintstones anywhere!
 Today the grounds are occupied by the Arthur Ashe Stadium, site of the U.S. Open. 
But the iconic globe is still there and it was just as exciting to be there simply trying to imagine what the fair had been like.

Happy 87th Birthday, Sir Sean Connery!

Born August 25th, 1930 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
After more than 50 years, Sean Connery is still the James Bond all later actors try to become on-screen! He starred as 007 in seven films and his career soared after he left the role in 1983. Films like DARBY O'GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE, MARNIE, THE HILL, A FINE MADNESS, THE ANDERSON TAPES, THE OFFENCE, THE WIND AND THE LION, THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING, THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY, OUTLAND, THE NAME OF THE ROSE, HIGHLANDER, THE UNTOUCHABLES (for which he won the Best Supporting Actor Academy Award in 1987), INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE, THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER, JUST CAUSE, THE ROCK, RISING SUN, ENTRAPMENT, and FINDING FORRESTER, were among his greatest hits but he will always be remembered mainly for his seven classic outings as secret agent 007, which are regarded by many fans as the best Bond films ever!

For the record, his Bond films were:

DR. NO, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, GOLDFINGER, THUNDERBALL, YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER and NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN!

Long Live Sir Sean Connery!

GOODBYE, JERRY LEWIS!

                           "I've had great success being a total idiot!" - Jerry Lewis quote.

Jerry Lewis, the comedian and filmmaker who was adored by many, disdained by others, but unquestionably a defining figure of American entertainment in the 20th century, died on Sunday morning at his home in Las Vegas. He was 91.

So read the news reports when Jerry Lewis passed on. His unique comedic talent  was not everybody's cup of tea but he earned a great following during his peak years.

Lewis burst literally into the spotlight as the crazy half of  the comedy team of Martin & Lewis. Singer Dean Martin was the straight man and Jerry stole the  show with his way out, over-the-top antics.

The pair split in 1956 and Jerry went on to gain even greater success in films like THE DELICATE DELINQUENT, THE LADIES MAN, THE BELLBOY, THE PATSY, THE DISORDERLY ORDERLY and THE NUTTY PROFESOR, which was his biggest success and the film he is mostly remembered for.

He hosted the annual Labor Day weekend telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association beginning in 1966 up until 2010, when some disagreements with the association's president, led to his resignation from the event.

In 2009 he was the recipient of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his charitable activity.

Jerry was also the subject of a series of comic books published by DC Comics (first with Dean Martin and then as a single), in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

An animated cartoon series called "WILL THE REAL JERRY LEWIS PLEASE SIT DOWN?" by Filmation, ran on ABC from 1970 to 1972.

Thank you, Jerry, for all the joy, fun and laughter you gave me and millions of people all over the world!

SEINFELD!

One of my all-time favorite TV shows is comedian Jerry Seinfeld's SEINFELD which originally ran on NBC from 1989 to 1998, created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld himself. I recently had the chance to swing by and visit the actual location of the celebrated diner where Seinfeld and his three friends, George Costanza, Elaine Benes and Cosmo Kramer used to hang around. The interior of the restaurant is nothing like the one depicted in the series but the atmosphere is very nice, the prices are reasonable and the surrounding neighborhood is quite pleasant.  Jerry and George were nowhere to be seen during my visit but all in all, it was a memorable experience!

Eduardo del Rio, celebrated political cartoonist known as Rius, dies.

Eduardo del Rio, Mexico's celebrated political cartoonist known as Rius, died yesterday at 83 in Tepoztlan, Mexico.

Rius was one of the first people who helped me get into the cartooning business. I began publishing my cartoons in Mexico's long gone La Garrapata satirical magazine back in 1970 thanks to his recommendation and later on, we both contributed to the children's magazine CUCURUCHO Y TIO RIUS which ran 20 issues. Gone now but always remembered and admired by thousands!

In Memoriam : Oliver Hardy - (January 18, 1892 - August 7, 1957)

Oliver Norvell Hardy, who was one half of Laurel and Hardy, the unforgettable comic team that began in 1927 and lasted until 1951, passed away on August 7th, 1957. His humor, legacy and enormous talent as a comedian shall keep bringing joy and laughter to all of those lucky enough to watch any of his many, many films. 

FACING 66 ...AND BEYOND!

IF TRUMP CAN DO IT, SO CAN I!

Look for it at your local newsstand, on the Fake News section!

FACEBOOK QUIZZES...NOT SERIOUS AT ALL?

Adam West, TV’s ‘Batman,’ Dies at 88.

Illustration by Bob Bentovoja.

MURPHY'S LAW

That important phone call you're expecting will come as soon as you get into the shower!

Sir Roger Moore, actor, dies aged 89.

Sir Roger George Moore KBE,  (14 October 1927 – 23 May 2017) was an English actor. He played the British secret agent James Bond in seven feature films between 1973 and 1985. He was also known for playing Simon Templar in the television series The Saint between 1962 and 1969. He was the star of other TV series, like Ivanhoe, The Alaskans, Maverick and The Persuaders. His filmography includes several notable titles: The Man Who Haunted Himself, Gold, Shout At The Devil, Sherlock Holmes In New York, The Wild Geese, Escape To Athena, ffolkes : North Sea Hijack, The Sea Wolves, Cannonball Run, The Naked Face, Bed & Breakfast and The Quest.
In 1999, Moore was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), and advanced to Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) on 14 June 2003.  The citation on the knighthood was for Moore's charity work, which dominated his public life for more than a decade.

"Live and Let Die" was the first Roger Moore-James Bond film I saw. I was 22 years old and a hard-core Connery fan (still am) so naturally I wanted to see how Moore would handle the task. I knew he was going to incorporate his Simon Templar characterization into it as they were quite similar in so many ways and I was absolutely right. He was The Saint with a larger budget. I enjoyed the Moore- Bond films very much, though! To me, he's the second best Bond ever! Just my opinion.

GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR MOTHER'S DAY...OR ANY DAY!

My Mobster Nick designs are now available as collectible merchandise from VIDA Design Studio.

https://shopvida.com/collections/ferllera1951

GENERATION GAP!

REMEMBERING HAROLD LLOYD

Harold Clayton Lloyd was born April 20, 1893 in Burchard, Nebraska. He was an actor, comedian, film producer, director, screenwriter and stunt performer who became famous for his "thrill" comedies in the silent film era.  Harold Lloyd died aged 77 on March 8, 1971 in Beverly Hills, California. His best known films  are SAFETY LAST (1923), WHY WORRY? (1923), THE FRESHMAN (1924), FEET FIRST (1930) and MOVIE CRAZY (1932).

Hooray for Harold Lloyd : "A pair of glasses and a smile!"