MESSAGE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE!

And now, here's a brief sound bite from my morning conference at the White House. (Not the actual White House in Washington, D.C., but just a white house).

Thank you, very much!

The Mental Spinning Wheel!

I've found it is an inescapable truth:  your memory decreases as your age increases.

But, on the other hand, your memory decreases as your age increases, although your memory decreases as your age increases. 

The Truth About Puppies!

The defunct Mexicana Airlines makes an appearance in a 1945 Laurel & Hardy movie!

THE BULLFIGHTERS

Directed by Mal St. Clair

THE 1969 MILITARY SERVICE!

50 years ago, I complied with Mexico's mandatory military service which was a one year long basic training every Sunday.  I never could get a picture of me taken during my service, but I can recreate it as best I can here!

The year was 1969, and my battalion was summoned to serve as barrier between the crowds and the Military Parade which is held every September 16th, to commemorate Mexico's independence from Spanish domination. We all stood there stoically for hours until the last section of the long parade passed by. 

Ah! The Military Service! 

And now,  50 years later, I can look back at those days...and still hate them immensely!

TEXTING

THE PINK PANTHER SHOW

On September 6, 1969, Friz Freleng and David H. DePatie produced THE PINK PANTHER SHOW, which was a half-hour compilation of the Pink Panther theatrical cartoons and later became a showcase for subsequent made-for-TV cartoons.

It ran on NBC until September 2, 1978 when it changed networks and became THE ALL NEW PINK PANTHER SHOW.  Today, we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the series' debut.

I enjoyed this first series a lot and, since I began doing the PINK PANTHER comic books for overseas distribution in Spanish, I felt I had a special bond with the character.

In celebration of THE PINK PANTHER SHOW's 50th Anniversary, I'd like to remember some of my Pink Panther covers during that period.

 .                         

You can read all about the Pink Panther story in this excellent book by Mark Arnold:

https://www.amazon.com/Think-Pink-DePatie-Freleng-Mark-Arnold/dp/1593931697

And here's the very first PINK PANTHER cartoon, released December 18, 1964.

LABOR DAY, LAUREL & HARDY STYLE!

THE FINISHING TOUCH - Released February 25, 1928.

IMDb synopsis:

Laurel and Hardy are contracted to build a house in one day but the house collapses  and mayhem ensues.

LESSONS IN LIFE # 1

A CONNERY CELEBRATION!

Sean Connery was born August 25, 1930 in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, in Scotland.

He shot to world fame when he was signed to portray Secret Agent James Bond 007 in the first official James Bond movie adventure, DR. NO (1962).

He had an illustrious career up until 2003 when he retired after completing THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN, which remains his last film appearance.

To date, he is the only screen James Bond who's received an Academy Award (for 1987's THE UNTOUCHABLES). 

I first saw him in Walt Disney's DARBY O'GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE (1959) but I became one of his numerous loyal fans when I saw him in his debut as Bond.

 I still think he's the best James Bond ever, in spite of the many illustrious actors who have portrayed Ian Fleming's character over the long series of films.

                                       

He's raked in 94 film credits in IMDb, many of which are true classics, like THE HILL, THE ANDERSON TAPES, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING, THE WIND AND THE LION, THE NAME OF THE ROSE, THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY, OUTLAND, HIGHLANDER, INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE, THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER, and FINDING FORRESTER.

                                         

THUNDERBALL (1965), is my favorite Bond adventure.

                                                           Long Live Sir Sean Connery!

 

FRANK SINATRA's first recording!

I am currently a guest in Hoboken, N.J., so I think it's fitting I share this historical recording:

Our Love is the first ever song to be recorded by Frank Sinatra. It is a stock arrangement based on part of Tchaikovsky's Romeo & Juliet. It was recorded with Frank Mane's band, March 18, 1939, at Harry Smith Studio, 3 46th East Street Manhattan

JERRY LEWIS!

                          Two years ago, on August 20, 2017, we lost Jerry Lewis.
I leave to the critics any comments on the quality of his films. His biographical details have also been amply dissected by his biographers. My memory of Lewis begins and ends with all his better comedies as I've always believed any artist should only be judged by his finest work.

So...Jerry Lewis, I salute you wherever you may be!

 
                                     
                                                      You made our world a happier place!

The classic typewriter bit from "WHO'S MINDING THE STORE?" (1963)