Today is the birthday of Syd Hoff (September 4, 1912 – May 12, 2004)–American cartoonist and children’s book author. Hoff was known for his cartoons in The New Yorker depicting tenements and lower-middle class life in the city. He was a Communist, although he was never blacklisted.
Today is also the anniversary of the day American actress Irene Dunne died in 1990. She was nominated five times for a Best Actress Oscar, but never won. She was no Communist, but a lifelong Republican. She starred with Skippy, the Wire Fox Terrier, in several movies, including The Awful Truth (1937) which features Skippy as Mr. Smith, after whom you-know-who was named.
So a toast to Syd Hoff, Irene Dunne and Skippy…watch an Irene Dunne movie, pet a nice dog, laugh at a cartoon!
I forgot to mention that Sunday was the birthday of Jorge Luis Borges, the great Argentine essayist, poet and translator. As you know, he is a favorite of mine.
I will toast him tonight and read some poetry.
I watched a good movie the other night, one recommended by my DP several years ago. The Professorand the Madman (2019) is the true story of professor James Murray, who in 1879 became director of an Oxford University Press project, The New English Dictionary on Historical Principles, and the man who became his friend and colleague, W.C. Minor, an American doctor who submitted more than 10,000 entries while he was confined at Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum at Crowthorne after being found not guilty of murder due to insanity.
Mel Gibson plays the Professor and Sean Penn is the Madman. They are both excellent.
This is not a film that would appeal to a large audience, but I liked it. Despite the fact that it takes place in large part in an insane asylum and a university, it is full of interesting, intelligent and kindly people. The only real cruelty is perpetrated by well-meaning doctors trying to advance medical understanding. There is even a Christian message.
I also re-watched Seven Days in Utopia (2011) starring Robert Duval and Lucas Black, two more favorites of mine. It tells the story of Luke Chisholm, a young professional golfer, who, after melting down during a tournament and shooting 80 in the final round, crashes his car into a fence and finds himself stuck in Utopia, Texas while his car is repaired. He meets retired golfer Johnny Crawford and learns from him how to move on with his life and career. It also has a Christian message.
This movie is actually rated G!
I am currently re-reading Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather. It is a great book, so beautifully written.
“Under his buckskin riding-coat he wore a black vest and the cravat and collar of a churchman. A young priest, at his devotions; and a priest in a thousand, one knew at a glance. His bowed head was not that of an ordinary man,—it was built for the seat of a fine intelligence. His brow was open, generous, reflective, his features handsome and somewhat severe. There was a singular elegance about the hands below the fringed cuffs of the buckskin jacket. Everything showed him to be a man of gentle birth—brave, sensitive, courteous. His manners, even when he was alone in the desert, were distinguished. He had a kind of courtesy toward himself, toward his beasts, toward the juniper tree before which he knelt, and the God whom he was addressing.”
So read a poem, watch a good movie, re-read a favorite book, and praise God from whom all blessings flow.
It finally cooled off in flyover country and it is quite a relief. We’ve had a “too darn hot” run here in August. Soccer practice was even called off! But it is bearable to go outside again, thankfully.
Kindergarten is going well.
And third grade, so I hear, as well.
Meanwhile, I have been keeping busy and my shredder has been a-buzzing. I am making progress.
Also, as you know, John Wayne movies are my comfort food for the soul. This week I watched The Alamo (1960) and I was impressed. It is a fine, moving film, with excellent performances from all three leads and the supporting actors, including Frankie Avalon. And the last 45 minutes or so brought me to tears several times. Really. I could not find any good clips on YouTube, so you’ll just have to take my word for it.
Well, I am looking forward to a visit from Mr. Smith this afternoon and dinner at the boy’s house tonight. Tomorrow there is a good estate sale to check out and a chance to say ‘hey’ to Lamar. It’s the little things, right? Never overlook those everyday joys!
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
The twins came over yesterday morning so their parents could go to work (school doesn’t start until next week). Lottie and I did another Hobby Lobby craft. The bud said no thanks and brought up tubs of Lego from the basement to play with. Then they went upstairs and entertained themselves while I puttered around. Then we went to the Sunnyside cafe where they wolfed down dinosaur pancakes and bacon and read the hilarious riddles on the kids menu.
Then I took them to their Dad’s store where they are allowed to look at iPads. They are happy kids. Praise God.
In other news, I am re-watching all the seasons of Only Murders in the Building in preparation for the fifth season which begins in September. What can I say? I just love Charles, Oliver and Mabel and the plot twists and turns of the show. I love what the show says about friendship and loneliness and families. It is the best thing on TV.
We also want to mention that it is the birthday of Cecil B. DeMille (August 12, 1881 – January 21, 1959), legendary American filmmaker. Between 1914 and 1958, he made 70 features, both silent and sound films. He is acknowledged as a founding father of American cinema and the most commercially successful producer-director in film history. So we should all pick one of his films to watch. He made a lot of good ones.
It is also Mark Knopfler’s birthday. We have been fans for a long time.
Of course.
So watch a good movie, listen to some good music, praise God from whom all blessings flow.
While daughter #2 was here we indulged ourselves by watching some of our favorite movies: Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), Dear Frankie (2004) and even She’s the Man (2006) for some Channing Tatum. All three movies hit the spot. Comfort food for the soul.
Meanwhile the boy has been introducing the twins to John Wayne movies which they have enjoyed. This warms my heart. So far they have watched Big Jake (1971) and Hatari (1962). Next up McClintock! (1963). These are the best vintage for 8-year olds–less violence, although Big Jake does have some scary bad guys and the Dog does die. Hatari is perfect for kids.
By the way, John Wayne’s birthday is coming up on May 26th so you will want to start planning your own viewing schedule. As usual they will be celebrating big time in Fort Worth on John Wayne Day Weekend🤠 May 24–26 in the Fort Worth Stockyards–“a weekend of legacy, music, wine, storytelling, and family connection.” Wish I could go! Maybe we’ll make it down for the Duke’s 120th in 2027.
We will definitely celebrate as best we can.
And here’s some welcome news! The Cannes Film Festival banned nudity from their red carpet. Gee whiz, what is the world coming to?
You know I am a great believer in re-reading books (and re-watching movies) and so is the writer of this article. “Love is the starting place of repeated rereading. And because of that beginning, the gifts of reading are amplified within its practice. Let me make a case to you: rereading is a rich, moral craft that forms us as people.”
And what do you know, science proves it! It says so here.
I definitely think this is true! I have my go-to bonafide stress-reducer movies that I like to watch when I need a lift. Don’t you? It might be time to watch Hatari (1962).
Speaking of John Wayne, this is super cool! “Many Americans of Generation X and older will recall the red, white, and blue American Freedom Train that was a centerpiece of America’s glorious Bicentennial celebration. But few know that the Freedom Train, pulled by a steam locomotive and filled with American historical artifacts, was the brainchild of none other than John Wayne.” Let’s bring back John Wayne’s rolling tribute to America’s finest.
And a bear was spotted playing in a Connecticut back yard…watch the video–priceless!
Today we toast the wonderful Shirley Temple (1928-2014) on her birthday. There has never been another child star as beloved as Shirley, who made 29 films by the time she turned 10. She was the top box office draw from 1934-1938. She was a pro and she worked hard in a tough business and survived amazingly unscathed–probably because she retired so early and never looked back.
We should all drink a non-alcoholic mixed drink (a “Shirley Temple” made with lemon-lime soda or ginger ale and a splash of grenadine, and garnished with a maraschino cherry) in her honor and watch one of her films.
Also on this day in 1953, the movie Shane, directed by George Stevens and based on the 1949 novel by Jack Schaefer, starring Alan Ladd and Jean Arthur, premiered.
As you know, it is my favorite of all time. Almost 75 years old!
In other news, on this day in 2005 YouTube’s co-founder Jawed Karim uploaded the first video to YouTube, “Me at the zoo” showing him in front of two elephants at the San Diego Zoo.
Not very exciting in my opinion, especially when compared with Shirley Temple.
Have a great Wednesday!
Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, see what God hath done.
Well, the sun–thankfully–came out yesterday, but it was still quite cold. I had a lot of desk work to do, so I stayed inside mostly, only venturing out to mail a card. (Am I becoming my father?)
Today we celebrate the birthdays of two good writers–Elizabeth Bacon Custer in 1842 and Glendon Swarthout in 1918. Libby Custer was the wife of George Armstrong Custer. Left nearly destitute in the aftermath of her husband’s death, she became an outspoken advocate for his legacy through her popular books and lectures. She is largely responsible for his posthumous fame.
She never remarried and died in 1933, four days short of her 91st birthday.
“As the sun broke through the mist a mirage appeared, which took up about half of the line of cavalry, and thenceforth for a little distance it marched, equally plain to the sight on the earth and in the sky. The future of the heroic band, whose days were even then numbered, seemed to be revealed, and already there seemed a premonition in the supernatural translation as their forms were reflected from the opaque mist of the early dawn.”
–Boots and Saddles, or Life in Dakota with General Custer
Like Libby Custer, Glendon Swarthout was born and raised in Michigan. After serving in WWII, he went back to school, earning his PhD in Victorian literature, all the while teaching in college and writing short stories. He was paid $2500 in 1955 for one of these stories, “A Horse for Mrs. Custer”, which was made into a movie starring Randolph Scott, 7th Calvary (1956). The day after he finished his last doctoral examination, he started writing a novel called They Came To Cordura about Gen. Pershing’s 1916 expedition to capture Pancho Villa. The book was quickly sold to Random House and then to Columbia Pictures in 1958, becoming a major motion picture starring Gary Cooper and Rita Hayworth.
Gary Cooper and Swarthout during filming
He wrote more best-selling novels, some of which were also made into good movies. As usual, though, the books are better than the movies.
So we’ll toast Libby Custer and Glendon Swarthout tonight and maybe we’ll watch They Died with Their Boots On (1941) with Olivia De Havilland as Mrs. Custer or They Came to Cordura (1956) or The Shootist (1976) starring John Wayne.
And it might be time to dust off Bless the Beasts and the Children and read it!
I will also note that recently our local rag (the Webster-Kirkwood Times) ran a story about the increase in recent coyote sightings in our neck of the woods. You will recall that I saw a coyote in my yard a few weeks ago and noted it. The experts attribute this to the huge cicada emergence last spring, which resulted in plentiful food resources and high survival rates for coyotes and other species. Well, my goodness, you don’t say? What I really want to know is who are the busybodies who report such things and to whom do they report them? I mean, if I saw a bear, I might call the police, but a coyote? That must be Karen, I guess.
Well, we were saddened to hear that “Cousin Richard” Chamberlain had died. When I was growing up, we always called him Cousin Richard and joked that he was, indeed, our cousin, because we had the same last name and he did kind of look like our father. We liked him in his king-of-the-mini-series period in the 1970s and ’80s. If Dr. Kildare was on Amazon Prime I would watch it now. I’ve never seen an episode!
As I have mentioned, we have not watched network TV for years, preferring to watch old TV shows (sans commercials whenever possible). After many seasons of Hawaii Five-0 and some Kojack, lately we have been watching Ironside (1967-1975) which starred Raymond Burr as a a consultant to the San Francisco police department (formerly chief of detectives), who was paralyzed from the waist down after being shot by a sniper. The OM really loves the groovy theme by Quincy Jones. This publicity photo makes me chuckle, because no one ever smiles on the show, except maybe in the final scene of each episode when they are going to sit down to a meal of chili after solving their case.
I like Chief Ironside himself who is a gruff, smart, show-no-emotion kind of guy. And I have to say, I enjoy all the guest stars who were regulars on TV shows of the era, not to mention the fab fashions of the day. My favorite episodes are the ones dealing with hippies and the perceived drug crisis of the late 1960s. Anyway, it’s available on Amazon Prime.
In other news, I did watch the hilarious Major League (1989) which I highly recommend. I also watched Road to Perdition (2002) which is an excellent movie directed by Sam Mendes, but it is sad and depressing. It has a great cast–all playing terrible irredeemable Irish gangsters–including Paul Newman in one of his final roles. It won an Oscar for Conrad Hall and his wonderful cinematography. The music by Thomas Newman is A+.
To round out the weekend I watched Big Jake (1972) starring John Wayne and two of his sons (Patrick and Ethan) and Robert Mitchum’s son Christopher. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was amused by the Big Jake/Little Jake name-calling, because, of course, we have Big Wheeler/Little Wheeler in our family. At church on Sunday, I was looking for the boy and went downstairs to the Sunday School to find him. I said to the two men who were on check-in duty if Wheeler had come down. They said, Oh yeah, he’s in class. I said, No I’m looking for Big Wheeler, and they laughed. “Big Wheeler! Heh heh.” I said, well, that’s what we call him at home! They were highly amused.
The author of this article refers to our devices as “Phone Pharaohs,” which seems particularly apt. “The Lord’s command to Pharaoh could perhaps be applied to the smartphone: ‘Let my people go, so that they may worship me’ (Ex. 9:1, NIV).”
Yesterday was Steve McQueen’s 95th birthday–how did I miss that? Mea culpa for not reporting that in a timely manner. When I remembered I watched several episodes of Wanted Dead or Alive, the show that kick-started Steve’s career. It’s Steve before Steve was super-cool.
Today we toast British director David Lean who was born on this day in 1908. Lean was nominated for ten Oscars, winning seven, including two for Best Director.
Lean remains the only British director to win more than one Oscar for directing. He has seven films in the British Film Institute’s Top 100 British Films (with three of them being in the top five)–which seems rather over-indulgent. They include: Brief Encounter, Lawrence of Arabia, Great Expectations, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Doctor Zhivago, Oliver Twist, and In Which We Serve. Before he became a film director, he was a film editor. He edited Pygmalion (with Leslie Howard), Major Barbara, 49th Parallel, and One of Our Aircraft is Missing. Anyway, you might want to pick one of these movies to watch. I’m afraid it would take me at least three nights to watch Lawrence of Arabia! But I could probably handle Pygmalion.
It is also the 100th birthday of the author Flannery O’Connor. I was never a big fan of her writing. She is primarily known for her short stories which are a little too weird for my taste. I think I was seriously scarred by reading “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” in high school. You can visit her Andalusia farmhouse in Milledgeville, Georgia if you are so inclined.
And lest we forget, today is Medal of Honor Day in the U.S., created to honor the heroism and sacrifice of Medal of Honor recipients and celebrated every year since 1991. Over 3,500 Medals of Honor have been awarded, including two to Frank Baldwin (1842-1923) who is one of only 19 servicemen to receive the Medal of Honor twice and one of only 14 to be awarded the United States’ highest military honor for two separate actions.
Baldwin received his first award for his actions during the Atlanta Campaign where he led his company in battle at Peachtree Creek and captured two commissioned officers in the Civil War. He received his second for conspicuous bravery in 1874 during the Indian Wars. On November 8, 1874, while commanding a scout company on escort duty, he led a surprise attack on the camp of Grey Beard, rescuing two young sisters whose parents and brothers had been killed by another Indian band. His second citation reads “Rescued, with 2 companies, 2 white girls by a voluntary attack upon Indians whose superior numbers and strong position would have warranted delay for reinforcements, but which delay would have permitted the Indians to escape and kill their captives.” Baldwin also served in the Spanish-American War and in World War I. Let’s all take a moment.
So enjoy your day! Get out in the spring sunshine, watch an old movie, read some history, and remember that all the promises of God find their Yes in Christ.
dual personalities 