Just returned from seeing "World Trade Center" with Shaun, Dave, and Tom. I won't do a movie review, but I will say that the film served its purpose. The first twenty minutes of it were perhaps hardest for me. They captured the mood of NYC that morning, and the uncertainty and rumors that were flying around as the incident was unfolding. I ( Read more... )

After years and years of agonizing, I've finally located the ridiculously wonderful lyricless theme hummed by, presumably, Peggy Lee that was used to open Jonathan Schwartz's erstwhile radio program...only to find out that the song was not a commercial recording, was never released, and Schwartz will not reveal its title or origin! What the heck?! ( Read more... )

Let's get this straight. Edward Everett was a famous 19th century orator, and was the keynote speaker at the dedication of the National Cemetery in 1863.
Edward Everrett Horton was the guy who narrated Fractured Fairy Tales on the "Rocky and Bullwinkle Show."

( Read more... )

Today's first veteran was a career Navy guy, who entered the service in 1943 and stayed in until 1970. He was aboard the USS St. Lo (CVE 63) when it was hit by a Kamikaze and sank. They were hitting the flames in the port elevator, and he went to help drag the hose when the magazine off the hangar deck exploded, striking him with shrapnel. I asked ( Read more... )

Happy St. Swithin's Day, all!

Yes, my favorite obscure British holiday.

"There has been a lot of bunk spread around about how many of us have gone home as psychoneurotics. That sort of talk seems to have a morbid, popular appeal. But the facts don't show it.

Sure there were some guys that went 'off their nut'. But that happens in the States every day in the steel mills, in the shops and in the offices. Your life here ( Read more... )

The Hanover paper spelled my name correctly. As always, that's the main story. The secondary story is my D-Day program on Tuesday at the Eisenhower farm:

One click is answered by two clicks.

Another Memorial Day behind us...first time in forever I didn't either photograph or participate in the Brooklyn parade. However, I think I got a good deal this year. Shaun and I went as Fire Zouave color bearers, and joined a small group of fellow Civil War types on the National Mall, and thence down Constitution Avenue ( Read more... )

Quick! Anyone local have Rev War stuff that would actually fit me that I can use for a film shoot on Saturday??

*Cough* *Sniffle* I feel dreadful right now.

This stuff is amazing. The taxi driver commentaries and the old Jewish grocer from 1952 are worth it alone. The best part is that people still sound just like this in New York. For years, I've wanted to go out and do recordings like this, something like an urban Alan Lomax -- just record everyday people, their words, and their music. Leave a comment  1