Anthony Perkins & Julie Harris

Our next movie for streaming and download is called How Awful About Allan, starring Anthony Perkins, Julie Harris, and Joan Hackett (another Aaron Spelling made for TV production - the last one was Boy in the Plastic Bubble) Yep Perkins plays Allan, a disturbed young man who is blinded by a fire that killed his father and scarred his sisters’s face for life. (free preview) Make no mistake - by 1970 - Anthony Perkins has got that creepy, quiet psychotic character down to a nuanced art form and his performance is nothing short of terrific. Julie Harris plays his sister Katherine who seems really sweet and kind but… maybe not so nice. Joan Hackett plays Olive, the girlfriend who waited around why Allan was in the asylum getting better… but perhaps not fully recovered. If you were looking for a dysfunctional family psychodrama - you’ve hit paydirt!

Like most people, my first encounter with Anthony Perkins as an actor came from his ultra creepy performance as Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. Later on, I learned that the Bates character was modeled after a real serial killer who lived near Plainsville, Wisconsin named Ed Gein. Growing up in Milwaukee Wisconsin, we of course knew who Ed Gein was and in middle school, a really disgusting book was sometimes passed around that contained photos of Ed’s sickness made manifest. (The book was banned and ordered destroyed a few days after it was sold, but images from the book are still floating around thanks to the internet). It still gives me the chills. Let’s just say, Ed was into taxidermy and had some serious issues with women.

Also related… somehow, is a Peter Shaffer play called Equus. Equus was a big Broadway hit in the late 1970s, and starred Tony Perkins - who was replacing… ready for this weirdness, Anthony Hopkins, best known as super creepy whacko Hannibal Lecter. But - both these guys were playing the role of Martin Dysert, the psychiatrist. In another weird twist - the Buffalo Bill character in Silence of the Lambs was modeled after… yep - Ed Gein. In Equus- Perkins plays the shrink - who is helping a teenager with some issues (related to women) - and tries to learn why six horses get blinded by a massive spike.

But once again, i am wondering off the topic - we hope to have How Awful About Allan ready for the weekend. Till then - watch the trailer and prepare your mind.

Eric Clapton is 60 today

On March 30, 1945 - Eric Patrick Clapton was born in Surrey England. Which means - today, March 30, 2005 - EC turns 60 years old. AARP! He was the illegitimate son of Patricia Molly Clapton and a Canadian soldier named Edward Fryer. In an effort to protect him, he was raised believing his grandparents were his parents and his mom was a sister. After getting kicked out of Kingston College of Art - he would pursue his musical interests with determined resolve. I could go on and on about all the fascinating events of his life, but someone has already done that. Why some folks even thought EC was God is beyond me but there was a time in the UK when many walls were spray painted with it - though i suspect many others share the dog’s eye view of this claim. But this is sounding a lot like a rudiment.

Happy Birthday Eric - congratulations on reaching the ripe age of 60. Check out this funny video tribute for Cream’s Farewell Concert in 1968 - or sample an interview with Eric Clapton where he elaborates on the Woman Tone. We also offer interviews with Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce. (and LikeTelevision is even linked from the great Jack Bruce’s official web site (more) - WOW, we thought that was so cool. Especially when my daughter M’elle was learning guitar - and of course worked on the licks from Sunshine of Your Love to begin her musical journey.

And - RATS - you are too late. Cream’s Farewell Concert circa 2005 … is SOLD OUT…. But - you can check out the preview of the one from 1968 if you like.

And in case you were wondering - the Urban Legend regarding White Room’s misguided lyrics - that Jack Bruce would predict the peer to peer music revolution, and the US Supreme Court musings on the issue just before Clapton would turn 60 were initiated right here. REALLY. Here’s the fake lyrics - “At the party, she put kindness in the hard drive”… began here at LikeTelevision in 1999 with this classic blast from the past. You of course need to know the next line to fully contemplate the rest of the story. The real lyrics i think are:

At the party she was kindness in the hard crowd
Consolation for the old wound now forgotten
And speaking of old - did you know Eric Clapton turned 60 today. Old, but not forgotten. Happy Birthday Slow Hand!

Master Kan, not Chaka or Aga Khan

Yes… grasshopper - today we honor the life Master Kan, known by his real world friends as Philip Ahn or Pil Lip Ahn. He was born March 29, 1905 in Los Angeles and we celebrate his life which began 100 years ago. (and ended in 1978 after surgery). But perhaps you are confused… grasshopper would be David Carradine, who starred in a cool TV show called Kung Fu. Grasshopper, or Kwai Chang Cain was Holy man, a Shaolin priest - and was very different from his character in this movie with nun once called Sister Betrille. (She stops flying when he kicks the habit - HA!). But i digress…

Philip Ahn played Master Kan - who will forever be remembered for his fast hands which bested grasshopper for decades. Each Kung Fu episode began when Kan would say.. “When you snatch the pebble from my hand, then it will be time for you to leave.” Oddly enough, grasshopper never replied - “Best two out of Three???”. But before Philip Ahn got that cheesecake part as Master Kan - (not to be confused with Aga Khan or Chaka), he had a ton of bit parts with an Asian flavor - such as this one from Bonanza in Fear Merchants - or as Prince Tallon in Planet Outlaws with Buster Crabbe. There was always a quiet and humble air about Philip Ahn that i always found appealing and endearing. With a fondness and a respectful bow of the head - we remember Philip Ahn and give you homage.

Spring is Here!

Yessssiree - March 21 +/- a day marks the time when the sun’s direct rays move into the northern hemisphere (which is where we hang out) and as such, marks the first day of spring. Since LikeTelevision is from North Carolina - we always take this opportunity to watch Granny’s Spring Tonic, where Granny cooks up the seasons first batch of “shine” - what we call moonshine round here. Peaches, strawberries, plums or other fruits are floating in a super sweet brown liquid stored in a ball jar. Now before the folks at ATF get all riled up and bring Janet Reno out of retirement with her flame thrower - it is all gone. A very good year too. I think Granny is hitting the jug a little quick as the shine tastes best about 2 years after it is brewed. And since we live near Mooresville, the true home of Nascar and mooshine running drivers from days gone by - yep, we do have a clue.

More spring related content, Maybe I’ll Come Home in the Spring, featuring Sally Field as a washed up hippie who decides to come home after the commune style of life wears thin. WATCH PREVIEW See David Carradine as real turkey and Jackie Cooper is the tough but loving father, well kind of. He is also a bit older from early Hollywood days with the Little Rascals (see Bear Shooters for a sample).

Another fun cartoon - is To Spring, where some crazy elves use all kinds of colors to paint the landscape. And who could forget the Raggedy Ann classic, Suddenly It’s Spring. Finally - check out Betty Boop doing a bit of spring cleaning.

Travolta, Mr. Brady & Buzz

Coming next week to the monitor near you - it’s John Travolta starring as Tod Lubitch in The Boy in the Plastic Bubble. Created for TV in 1976, this Aaron Spelling production is kind of bizarre, sometimes quite funny, often really annoying and just the type of film our content editors refuse to let die an obscure death. So why you ask - is this film worth including in the LikeTelevision library? Well lots of reasons. Welcome Back Kotter had just come out and Travolta was beginning to make a name for himself as Vinnie Barbarino. He was just learning to polish his dance moves - yikes, watch this! - and next year, in 1977 - he would be starring in Saturday Night Fever. And you might recall the eyebrow raising relationship between the young Travolta and a woman 17 years older than him, not twice his age… but close enough for government work. Her name was Diana Hyland and she stars as Travolta’s mom in this movie, which i believe is where the two met. Diana Hyland also starred Dick Van Patton’s wife on Eight is Enough, but died tragically at the age of 41 of breast cancer. I remember reading that she died Mr. Travolta’s arms.

The film also features the great Robert Reed, best known as Mike Brady, father of the Brady Bunch. His over the top corny and sappy California PC papa performance is nothing short of hilarious. Too many great lines to mention. Another really fun game to play while watching this movie is - spot the movie gaffs when he could be contaminated by germs. You’ll be very busy. The fashion style of the 1970s is just too aweful and this film really brings that to light. The fashion police would just have a field day - why is Travolta wearing a reddish brown knit Tam O’Shanter, with one of those funky mesh football shirts and terry cloth gym shorts, that are so tight and small i personally embarassed for Travolta’s family 30 years later.

Smother’s Brothers, Johnny Carson Tonight Show

In case you missed it - make sure you test drive a fun movie you may not have seen. Brother From Another Planet is ready to rhumba. Here’s a preview.

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeee’rrrrre’s Johnny! Another rotation of the best moments from The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson - watch the Smothers Brothers, Groucho, pesky animals and of course - Johnny Carson. Free to watch, free to laugh.

Brother From Another Planet

And on March 9, 2005 - your search for another planet comes up empty. (Search for another planet located 0 videos) However - keep looking, we’re working on it. In a few short days, your search will hit gold And you’ll find John Sayles’ Brother From Another Planet. Wow! What a great movie. A kind and gentle alien with amazing powers crashlands his UFO in Harlem. He has the power to heal and fix things. And our mute alien brother is also be chased by the original Men in Black characters. In this movie - the Men in Black are the bad guys. Watch a new trailer from Frank Random. So come back, and next week, when you search for another planet you won’t be disappointed.

We just added another cartoon classic for streaming and downloading, Spooky Swabs starring Popeye, Olive Oyl and a bunch of pirate ghosts.

Betty Boop Sings in Japanese

Whoa - we got a wild and wacky new Betty Boop for the weekend. In this classic short B&W cartoon, Betty sings that she has a language all her own, which is Boop Boop de Doop. Why she is so popular - everyone in the whole world knows it. And to prove, Betty hops in a plane for a solo flight halfway around the world to Japan. And in front of a massive adoring throng of Japanese fans - Betty sings her song in Japanese. AWESOME!! I mean pull up a pillow, share a sip of saki. She’s kicking it in a kimono! And yes - this is early Betty - with the cheekiness and her trademark garter. Also wonderful - is her groovy little plane (shown here, colorized) with floppy wings and some art deco gauges.

Luva Parade, Toon Freak Show

Old school - art deco animation? You betcha, got it right here. Check out Welcome Miss Glory a wonderful toon from 1936. Pretty cool, especially the Fritz Lang Metropolis inspired architecture.

Want More mondo madness? Step right up…. LikeTelevision has a killer cartoon from way way back in the day old school animation. yep, 1932 - check out I love a Parade, which features a circus coming to town, in the glory days of the big top travelling show. This cartoon even features a carny sideshow - a thin man, who looks like Mahatma Ghandi, as the India rubber man(a condition known as cutis hyperelastica), along with lions, clowns and other weird creatues. (Afraid of clowns? - watch this).

Back when i was just a wee lad, I remember going to the Wisconsin State Fair (please say that in the most nasal fashion possible, eh)… and well, i am old enough to remember the carnival sideshows, also known as freak shows. By no means am i old enough to have seen their glory days, my era was more during the slow and painful demise of this bizarre arena of entertainment. When i went to take a peep behind the wild airbrushed art that lured you in - it rarely worked out anywhere as wild as my imagination. Yep.. the old head popping out of a hole in a table wearing a cute little spider outfit gag. Remember that one? Sheesh.. i just wasted a dollar.