MAN INTO SPACE!

 

"LEAVING ON A JET PLANE" as sung by Frank Sinatra.

Frank Sinatra released SINATRA & COMPANY on the Reprise label in 1971. The album features several bossa nova styled songs recorded for a planned second album with Antonio Carlos Jobim but were used instead as part of this new production. Here, Sinatra sings several hits from new composers such as John Denver, who penned "Leaving On A Jet Plane", a nice tune which was incidentally used briefly on the1996 film THE ROCK where Sean Connery sings to it while taking a shower!

You can listen to the song here:

The song is one of several where Frank makes references to flying and air travel.

OLIVER HARDY remembered on his birthday.

OLD AGE, NEW FRIENDS

 As you get older, you find out you can still enjoy the company of new friends!

My Updated Press Conference at the White House.

 

As always, I must clarify that my press conference at the White House is held just at a white house and not the actual White House in Washington, D.C.

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!