Bedknobs and Broomsticks

If I had to pick my favorite movie as a child, it had to be Walt Disney's, Bedknobs and Broomsticks. After my parents categorically refused to take me to movies and have to sit through it again I'd go next door and con the neighbors to take me. I thought it was wonderful. When asked what I wanted for Christmas in 1971 (or was it 1972?) I asked for the soundtrack and I got it! Now, my parents were frugal at the best of times but when it came to records why pay $3.99 when you could buy a generic version with nameless singers for $1.50 from K-Mart.

Yes, you guessed it. I had the version by, The Living Voices. I know, you've probably never heard of them. In our family we owned A LOT of records by The Living Voices. They took modern songs and turned them into muzak. Actually, wonderful muzak. Credit where credit is due, Angela Lansbury is a great actress but I was never fond of her singing. The Living Voices divided up the tunes equally between the men and the women and gave the songs a unique twist. Needless to say this record was THRASHED over and over and over. The odd thing today, this version sells for more money than the original soundtrack. As far as I know it hasn't been released on CD. I've added it to my mp3 playlist for that hint of nostalgia. When the songs come on they take me back to a time long ago when I believed if you had a bedknob it could make a bed fly.

Ain't technology grand?!

Can JVC deliver the goods or what!? A clock radio AND a televison! They sold me on the title, "the time machine."

Is this actress Marge Redmond?

I need your help. I was watching Mad Men (Series 4, episode 9 - The Beautiful Girls) when I almost fell off the sofa seeing what I think is actress Marge Redmond. Marge was of course, Sister Jacqueline in The Flying Nun and so many other classic shows. I searched the credits and her name is not listed, searches on the internet have also proved fruitless. If you can help, it would be most appreciated. It looks like her....it sounds like her...what do you think?

Point Reyes Lighthouse

Antonio Bay. The town in John Carpenters, 1980 thriller, The Fog. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d have a chance at visiting locations from The Fog.

The original Fog was filmed in Northern California, Inverness, Bodega and Point Reyes, all which helped become the fictitious, Antonio Bay. Interiors were filmed at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood. The film starred Adrienne Barbeau, Jamie Lee Curtis, Janet Leigh, John Houseman, Tom Atkins and James Canning.

Late last year I found myself in Bodega as part of a vacation. I was so obsessed with planning my visit to Bodega & the location of Hitchcock's, The Birds I didn’t think to plan surrounding possibilities. I saw a sign in Bodega for the Point Reyes Lighthouse. I knew it was in The Fog so I made a plea to Randy to go for a drive and check it out. Little did we know how far away it was.

Heading towards the lighthouse, just like in The Fog

After getting lost (so much for satellite navigation) and driving past countless farms, we finally ended up at the Point Reyes Lighthouse after what seemed hours of driving. Upon seeing the lighthouse it was instantly recognizable and looked as if time had stood still. It was radio station KAB Radio 1340 right before my eyes.

Then there was this sign...

Going down was easy...getting back a nightmare

It’s a long walk down the lighthouse, 300 stairs. There was such a sense of joy heading towards the lighthouse, once I was there I knew there was only one way back ...climb 300 stairs!

Climbing up the stairs I saw a crowd of people watching me. (I'll admit I had to stop a few times to catch my breath) humiliating to say the least. I soon discovered why they were watching. The park ranger had closed off the stairs as it was too windy and too dangerous to walk to the lighthouse. At least we arrived in time. Desperate to catch my breath I asked the Ranger about The Fog and where I could find the house featured in the movie. She said something about the “mushroom house”. Mushroom house hunting is extremely difficult when you have no idea what your looking for. I noticed some onion dome minarets on a house. Was this it? Was this the house from, The Fog.

After some Internet detective work, it IS the house used in The Fog. I'm so glad we stopped for a photo. Randy again can't be thanked enough for being so great that day. There are other local places around Inverness The Fog filmed but it was late in the day and we headed back to San Francisco. It was a perfect way to be introduced to the sights of Northern California.

Debbie Reynolds amazing collection for sale

Years ago, actress Debbie Reynolds, amassed an amazing collection of costumes and props when MGM did a sell out of it's inventory. Through her connections in Hollywood she's also been able to own a variety of the screen worn items from various other studios. Debbie has, for years, tried to open a museum to display some of Hollywood's most seen (and beloved items) from Hollywood's history. Debbie was lucky to be offered many of Marilyn Monroe's screen worn gowns before the auction went public. Sadly, nobody seems interested in helping Debbie fund a museum to contain her amazing collection. So now Debbie has decided to auction her entire collection. Highlights are the dress worn by Barbra Streisand in Hello Dolly, Julie Andrews costumes from The Sound Of Music, Debbie's own costumes from Singin' In The Rain and the Unsinkable Molly Brown, and so many others. Sadly these costumes will now (most probably) end up in the hands of private collectors, never to be seen again. My hope is the Hollywood History Museum can obtain some of these treasures for future generations to see.

http://www.profilesinhistory.com/

A pictorial visit to Disneyland

I have to admit that anytime I hear the word, "Disneyland" my ears prick up. Since I'm so far away from The Happiest Place On Earth, I treasure every photo I take. So here's a few holiday snaps taken on my last visit, Christmas week , 2010.

Farewell to the Sahara

The iconic casino, The Sahara, in Las Vegas has announced it's to close its doors on May 16th. The Sahara was built in 1952 and has, for 59 years been apart of Las Vegas history. When I was in Las Vegas I went through the Sahara a few times, coming or going to the monorail station. It wasn't as busy as the other resorts so the closing has not really come as a surprise. Walking past Wynn's I over heard a conversation between a few men in their 20's.

Man 1: "What's down that way?"
Man 2: "Not much, just old school"
That pretty much sums up people's feelings about history and the Northern part of the Strip. People don't seem interested in the resorts that really put Las Vegas on the map. If your in Las Vegas go to the Sahara, reacquaint yourself with a this iconic casino. Take a photo for prosperity.