A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS:

As 2021 slowly but surely steps in, and in the aftermath of the sad and shameful events that transpired on January 6th at Capitol Hill, I feel the need to review some of the things that, for me, make life worth living. These favorite things still bring a smile to my face and give me a sense that, in spite of all the idiocy and brutality in the world, there will always be a reason to be thankful and keep my hopes high!

Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy

Buster Keaton

 

Harold Lloyd

Sean Connery

Cary Grant

Frank Sinatra

Marilyn Monroe

Steve McQueen

Barbara Feldon & Don Adams in GET SMART

Benny Goodman                                            THE PINK PANTHER

 

HUCKLEBERRY HOUND and YOGI BEAR

Mort Drucker

The first 40 years of MAD Magazine

THE DIGITAL MAGIC

In an effort to convert my comic book covers from the 70s and 80s into digital files, I've tried a number of apps and Photoshop has been the one that works better for me. I am not going to attempt digitizing my entire output from those years but a few samples of selected issues will have to do for now!

You will appreciate below the difference between the original source material and the cleaned-up version.

                                             BEFORE                                                  AFTER

            BEFORE                                                     AFTER              

Beginning 2021

But in the meantime, before a verdict is reached...

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021!

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New Year's Wishes by Harry Harrison:

You can listen to Harry here:

2021 Is A-Coming!

 Nothing to do today but sit and wait!

THE OVERLOOK HOTEL, 1921

I just realized that the year 2021 will mark the 100th anniversary of the July 4th Ball at the Overlook Hotel, seen at the ending of Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining". 

 I hope I never see a photograph like this one here:

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The original photo from 1980's THE SHINING.

And you can watch the ending from the film here:

THE CLOSING OF THE YEAR

Just a few more days until we say goodbye and good riddance to this pandemic year!

 

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS UNDER THE TREE?

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2020!

Luckily for me, cartoon characters don't have to keep social distancing due to the COVID pandemic, and I can safely enjoy dancing on the chorus line with a bevy of beauties!

HAVE A MERRY LAUREL & HARDY CHRISTMAS!

 Many years ago I had these Xmas cards printed and sent out to members of the Sons of the Desert, the International Laurel & Hardy Appreciation Society to which I belong. As the 21st century rolled along, I digitally colorized them and now every L & h fan around the world can get my best holiday wishes online!

The Major Award Leg Lamp!

Of course, if you haven't seen 1983's "A CHRISTMAS STORY", you may not know what's going on here.

 

Winter is here!

 

MY ELF ON THE SHELF!

 

CHRISTMAS MUSIC!

 

The 2020 Christmas Tree

The COVID pandemic has forced everyone in the world to celebrate Christmas in a completely different way this year...and the Christmas tree decorations are ample proof of that.

 

THE IMMORTAL CHRISTMAS SPECIALS!

MR. MAGOO'S CHRISTMAS CAROL was first shown on NBC, on December, 1962, starring the voice of Jim Backus as Mr. Magoo

 RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER  was released on NBC on December, 1964

 starring the voice of Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman.

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS  premiered on CBS on December, 1965.

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS  was shown on CBS on December, 1966 starring the voice of Boris Karloff.

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN premiered  on CBS on December, 1969, narrated by Jimmy Durante.

And for me, that was the last of the Great Christmas Specials from the Golden Age of Television.