Rosebud, Valentino, Jerry Lewis and the Army?

Behind the scenes… the elves who work at LikeTelevision are working like crazy… as we just added a bunch of terrific movies to the library. The first in a long list is just about ready, though i am not sure it will ready by the weekend… that said, we’ll still try. But as always, we’d rather do a great job, than rush and do a mediocre effort.

Next up… Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin in - At War With the Army. Made in 1950, Lewis plays a lowly grunt named Alvin Corwin, usual moron who is a sweet guy. Meanwhile, Dean Martin plays 1st Sgt. Vic Puccinelli - who is doing his best to avoid a woman named Helen Palmer, played by Polly Bergen. Helen is raising cain around the base looking for a particular soldier (Vic)… and Vic is hiding around every corner he can to avoid her. Why? Vic thinks that he got her pregnant from a night of carousing and arousing. Nope… i am not going to spoil it… you will have to see it for yourself. This is one of the better Dean Martin / Jerry Lewis movies though it isn’t shown much anymore, since it was made in B&W, and no one has time for that anymore. You can also check out Deano as a guest on Johnny Carson - which is currently running as clip 2 on the Carson page.

Also of note- May 6th is Orson Welles‘ Birthday, Raymond Bailey’s birthday (he was Mr. Drysdale), and Rudolph Valentino‘ s birthday too. See the calendar for details… Also on this day - Roger Bannister, an Oxford medical student - broke a record everyone thought was impossible - on May 6, 1952, Bannister broke the 4 minute mile, running the course in just 3:59.4

Cinco de Mayo - Ozzie Flies to Mexico

Happy Cinco de Mayo to everyone out there in web land. Cinco de mayo celebrates a Mexican victory over the French in 1862 at the Battle of Puebla. For most Americans - it means - time for Corona and a lime, margaritas, salsa & chips, or Dos Equis. So please enjoy some of those, and sit back, relax and watch a real classic - Ozzie & Harriet episode called Flying Down to Lunch. Ozzie decides to venture off with a pilot and fly down to Mexico for some lunch. … Sure we’ll be back in no time… is not what happens. Stars Ozzie & Harriet Nelson, Lyle Talbot, Mary Jane Croft, and Pedro Gonzalez as Pancho.

You might also try searching for Mexico - and see what comes up.

Happy Birthday Audrey Hepburn

On May 4, 1929 - in Brussells, Belgium - Kathleen van Heemstra Hepburn-Ruston was born. But you knew her as Audrey Hepburn, one of the most elegant actresses Hollywood has ever produced. Audrey Hepburn had a lovely and gentle charm that endeared her to countless men and women who loved her work as an actress. Probably best know for her role as Holly Golightly in Blake Edwards‘ Breakfast at Tiffany’s, or in George Cukor’s My Fair Lady as Elisa Doolittle, my personal favorite is Wait Until Dark, where she played Susy Hendrix, a blind woman who outfoxes a crazy criminal played by Alan Arkin…. but when it becomes dark, she as a blind woman, actually has the upper hand in some respects. Hepburn’s performance is nothing short of spectacular!

We also loved her role as Reggie Lampert in Charade - starring Cary Grant, Walter Matthau, James Coburn, and George Kennedy - who is over the top as Herman Scobie, a thug with one arm.

On January 20, 1993 Audrey Hepburn died after succombing to colon cancer in Switzerland.

Pia Zadora (who plays the girl in Santa Claus conquers the Martians, was also born on May 4 (1954) in somewhat more humble surroundings - like Hoboken, New Jersey.

May 3, 1941 - Capra Meet John Doe is Released

On May 3, 1941 - one of the greatest political dramas, Meet John Doe is released theatrically in the United States. While many might prefer Capra’s Christmas classic, It’s a Wonderful Life starring Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart, for me, Meet John Doe is my favorite. Starring Barbara Stanwyck (best known as the matriarch of The Big Valley, also starring Gig Young) as an amibitious reporter who loses her moral compass and ends up doing the bidding of the big political honchos who hang out behind the scenes and pull the strings. Meanwhile, Gary Cooper is a down on his luck, average Joe - who is so filled with despair he is ready to take his life. (like Jimmy Stewart in Wonderful Life, right?). Meet John Doe also stars Walter Brennan, best known as Grandpa on The Real McCoys as Cooper’s companion.

When the film is viewed today, during a time of remarkable political polarization - one can’t help but wonder if today’s political machines have gotten very skilled at marketing to our lowest common denominators, and basically… selling hate in a wide variety of fragrances and flavors. Watching this film will make you reconsider your own political dogmas, and hopefully - take a step back from it after realizing you have been fed of spoonful of bad medicine, designed to make you dig your feet in, and become shrill - whether you are a Republican or a Democrat… after all, snake oil, is still snake oil.

Also of interest - the Johnny Carson page (a free sample for guests) currently features a great moment with the late great Jimmy Stewart who shares a poem with Johnny.