St. Anthony - June 13th

Saint Anthony of Padua was a very interesting man and his feast day is June 13th. His birth name was Fernando Martins de Bulhao, and he was born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1195. He died a young man of 36 on June 13, 1231 st the Poor Clare Convent on his way back to Padua, Italy. Originally in the order of St. Augustine, he switched to being a Franciscan during a time when many Franciscan monks were being martyred in Morocco. He met St. Francis of Assisi, who was his boss at the time. Learn more, here, here and here, As you probably know, St Anthony is best known as the patron saint of lost articles. You pray to Saint Anthony to help find your lost keys, a camera, lost jewels, lost symphonies, or whatever.
St. Anthony, St. Anthony
Please come down
Something is lost
And can't be found

Also cool, Hieronymus Bosch was a big fan of Saint Anthony, and made a lot of scary paintings, like this one, called The Temptation of St. Anthony, which is part of a three panel altar work of art called a triptych.

Today is also Friday the 13th - there's a funny Popeye cartoon on the subject, and some spooky superstitious videos, like The Addam's Family, Day of Wrath, Dario Argento's Suspiria, or Horror Hotel to name a few fun horror movies. There's a massive collection of scary movies to choose from, have fun.

But nothing is more scary than a dysfunctional family, right? Check out the first few episodes of a terrific TV show from a few years ago, Arrested Development. If you're new, start with the Pilot episode, Top Banana, Bringing Up Buster, and Key Decisions to watch the first four episodes in order. Lots of cheeky fun, if you're funny bone is a little twisted like mine seems to be.

Elia Kazan's Boomerang

Elia Kazan was one of Hollywood's greatest directors and also known as a bit a rat for giving out names in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee. One of the names he mentioned was John Garfield, whose career took a dive after the hearings. Oddly enough, Garfield stars in a movie called They Made Me a Criminal.

But enough of the dark side, there's a ton to admire about Elia Kazan, including s2 amazing Marlon Brando movies - On the Waterfront and A Streetcar Named Desire. But a few years before that, He made this gem about political corruption, money and the legal system titled Boomerang. It stars Dana Andrews, Lee J. Cobb, and Jane Wyatt. Also look closely for the writer Arthur Miller (Death of a Salesman, The Crucible) who appears in the line-up of suspects for a few seconds. He was also married to Marilyn Monroe, after Marilyn and Jolting Joe DiMaggio broke up.

If drama doesn't do it for you, try some comedy. Check out a new arrival from The Addams Family called Lurch's Grand Romance, where Lurch (Ted Cassidy) falls in love with Morticia's old school chum, Tina Trivia. Morticia, played by Carolyn Jones speaks a lot of French in this episode.

First Hot Air Balloon Ride

While there were a few hot air balloon rides before June 4, 1783, when the Montgolfier Brothers did their first public demonstration - most ended in disaster with very short flight times. And so, the Montgolfier Brothers are usually credited with the first successful hot air balloon ride. (for more background info, try wikipedia).

So to celebrate the event, let us recommend some choice videos. First, watch Conquest of the Air, a very dry humored British film on the history of flight, starring Sir Laurence Olivier, as Vincent Lunardi one of the early pioneers of hot air balloon flight.

Another highly recommended title is Buster Keaton in Balloonatic.

Our final hot air balloon related video is of The Double Eagle, piloted by Ben Abruzzo, Max Anderson and Larry Newman. On August 19, 1978 - they were the first to take a hot air balloon ride across the Atlantic Ocean.

Bedazzled Dudley Moore, Raquel Welch

If you liked the remake in 2000, you'll love the original 1967 film, Bedazzled starring Dudley Moore, Raquel Welch and Peter Cook. Directed by Stanley Donen, the film is dripping with British irony and sarcasm. Check out Bedazzled.

Alfred Hitchcock TV Classic

After seven successful years on American Television with Alfred Hitchcock Presents, the format changed and went from 1/2 hour episodes to a full hour, and a new name - The Alfred Hitchcock Hour. And the pilot episode of this new TV series was excellent. A Piece of the Action, released in 1962 - starred Gig Young and a 25 year young actor named Robert Redford. A professional gambler wants to do all he can to keep his younger brother from repeating the same mistakes. Lots of twists and turns to the story. Plus, Raymond Bailey (aka Mr. Drysdale) plays a poker player who gets caught cheating. Watch A Piece of the Action.

The Dukakian Tank Test

While the old standby litmus test for choosing your guy (who would you have a beer with?) is still a good one, I thought I'd add another factor in making the decision. The Dukakian Tank Test. Now I know there will be only one Democrat left once Al Gore counts the votes in Florida, but the tank test was more fun with three choices. And off we go, with Tiger Joe.

1) Barack Obama 2) John McCain and 3) Hilary Clinton.

wow - tough, tough call. I think I'm going with the Spinach Party.

Remember Those Who Sacrificed

Memorial Day is a day we remember those who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today. So, take some time to remember, and feels thanks. And after that, yes by all means, throw a burger on the grill and enjoy the annual Bar-B-Que. (reminds me of this trailer). There's lots of memorial day related content - from World War One or Two movies to a search for soldier to Andy Griffith to Richard Pryor.

There's also a bunch of noteworthy birthdays today, May 26. John Wayne was born May 26, 1907. Jay Silverheels, better known as Tonto was born May 26, 1912. The great Peggy Lee was born May 26, 1920. Click the Peggy Lee for a killer rendition of Why Don't You Do Right?" featuring the legendary Benny Goodman on Clarinet. Wow, does he rock! And finally, one of my favorite actors has the 100th anniversary of his birth, Robert Morley was born May 26, 1908. Check him out in Theater of Blood with Vincent Price. (And it's Uncle Vinnie's birthday tomorrow. Small world).