Radio Show for October 1, 2021
Special Holidays
International Day of Older Persons
In 1990 the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish October 1st as the International Day of Older Persons. This holiday is celebrated by raising awareness about issues that affect the elderly and to appreciate the contributions that older people make to society.
Ways you can honor older persons on this day:
*Spend time with elderly loved ones.
*Visit old age homes, cooking or baking for them. Maybe you have a service dog who can make a visit.
*Children can give greeting cards to the elderly (family, friends or neighbors) on this day.
*You can help out seniors in your community. *Become a companion for seniors in your neighborhood. Maybe they need a ride to the grocery store or need help with an errand.
*Check with the local “Meals on Wheels” headquarters in your area as they may need help delivering or preparing meals.
*Many libraries and community centers host events just for seniors, see if they need any help organizing their next outing.
Remember we are ALL going to become OLD PERSONS some day!!!
International Raccoon Appreciation Day
We salute to all animals that are misunderstood!! Raccoons are known as being pests or “nuisance animals” but are actually an important part of their ecosystem.
Not everyone hates raccoons, just look at all the cute raccoon pictures on greeting cards, t- shirts, mugs, socks and stuffed animals sold in stores. Don’t forget “The International Order of Friendly Sons of the Raccoons” (Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton’s lodge in Brooklyn) and there’s even a galactic super hero that happens to be a raccoon!
How does the raccoon help its ecosystem? They help keep it clean by eating carrion, they keep the numbers of some other animals in check by eating them and they spread seeds around when they are foraging and eating berries and nuts. They also eat frogs, turtles, snails, worms, shellfish, grasshoppers, mice and vegetables to name a few.
And what’s behind that mask? They are known for the black fur mask around their eyes, it actually helps them to see better, as it absorbs light and reduces glare and hides their eyes from predators.
The raccoon “spirit animal” indicates that you have a masked problem solver watching over you. A raccoon offers lessons about the importance of adaptability in any situation and taking the time to look at the entire picture not just what one wants to see.
Raccoons have been around for 40,000 years and they are happy with life in the big city. There are 20 times more raccoons in cities than there were 70 years ago and Toronto is the raccoon capital of the world. It is claimed that the entire city has been fighting the “trash panda” problem and loosing. Research from the early 1900’s show that raccoons could crack 11 our of 13 locks, which included latches, levers, hooks and bolts to open a box with food inside.
Though many consider raccoons as pests, there are communities like the San Diego Zoo that consider them a “pest control” as they help manage rodent populations.
Birthdays… October 1
Richard Harris…Oct.1, 1930-2002
Richard John-Harris was an Irish actor and singer. Richard was a talented rugby player in school. His athletic career was cut short when he caught tuberculosis in his teens.
After he recovered and moved to Great Britain he wanted to become a director and enrolled in the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art to learn acting. When he completed his studies he began getting roles in West End theatre productions and continued to learn his profession on stage.
He made his film debut in 1959 in the film “Alive and Kicking”. Films that followed also included stars James Cagney, Charlton Heston, Robert Mitchum, Kirk Douglas, Laurence Harvey, Julie Andrews, Doris Day and Marlon Brando, Harrison Ford to name a few. He worked with directors such as Sam Peckinpah, John Huston, Ridley Scott, Chris Columbus and John Frankenheimer.
Did you know?
*Harris, Peter O’ Toole and Richard Burton were drinking partners from the 1960’s until O’Toole had to stop drinking in 1978.
*Richard said he gave up drugs after almost overdosing on cocaine in 1978.
*He was considered to play Gandalf in the Lord of The Rings trilogy.
*Concerning his role as Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films he said he didn’t intend to take the part at first but he accepted it because his 11 year old granddaughter threatened never to speak to him again if he didn’t take it.
*Richard was a singer and released several albums. His debut album entitled “A Tramp Shining” in 1968 highlighted MacArthur Park in which as a single reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart in the US and “A Tramp Shining” was nominated for a Grammy Award for Album of the year.
*Two life size statues has been contsructed in his likeness. One stands in Kilkee, Ireland which portrays Richard as an 18 year old playing the sport “squash” (he was an accomplished player in school). The statue was unveiled by actor Russell Crowe. Another depicts him as his King Arthur character from the film “Camelot” which remains in Bedford Row, in the center of his home town.
*Mickey Rourke dedicated his Best Actor award to Richard Harris calling him a good friend and great actor.
*The Richard Harris Film Festival is one of Ireland’s fastest growing film fests.
Richard Harris starred in over 40 films
Short List films of Richard Harris
Camelot..1967, director Joshua Logan, starred Vanessa Redgrave, David Hemmings, Lionel Jefferies, nominated for 5 Oscars, won three.
A Man Called Horse..1970, director Elliot Silverston, Dub Taylor, James Gammon, Iron Eyes Cody
Patriot Games…1992, director Phillip Noyce, starred Harrison Ford, Anne Archer, Sean Bean, Samuel L. Jackson
Unforgiven…1992, director Clint Eastwood, starred Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, film nominated for nine AA awards and won 4 including Best Picture.
Smila’s Sense of Snow..1997, director Billie August starred, Gabriel Byrne, Vanessa Redgrave, Peter Capaldi (12th Dr. Who)
Gladiator…2000, director Ridley Scott, starred Russell Crow, Joaquin Phoenix, Oliver Reed, film nominated for 12 AA awards and won 5 including Best Picture.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone..2001, director Chris Columbus, starred (the Harry Potter cast), film nominated for 3 AA awards
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets…2002, director Chris Columbus and starred (Harry Potter cast)
Julie Andrews…Oct.1, 1935
Julie Elizabeth Wells is an English actress, singer and author, and was born in Surrey, England. Andrews was a child actress and singer and made her Broadway debut in “The Boyfriend” in 1954, billed as Britain’s youngest prima donna. As she rose to prominence she starred in musicals such as “My Fair Lady” and “Camelot”. She made her film debut in Walt Disney’s “Mary Poppins” in 1964 and won the Academy Award for Best Actress and the following year she starred in “The Sound of Music”.
She has starred in over 40 films and has won several awards including 2 Primetime Emmy and 6 Golden Globe awards as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Did you know?
*Even though Julie played “My Fair Lady” on Broadway with Rex Harrison she lost the role in the film to Audrey Hepburn. The studio executives did not want Andrews because she hadn’t had any experience in film, however, though “My Fair Lady” took home several Oscars it failed to win the Best Actress as the award went to Julie Andrews for “Mary Poppins”.
*Grace Kelly and Doris Day were up for Julie’s role in “Mary Poppins”.
*Julie got the starring role in “Torn Curtain” in 1966 after Tippi Hendren (The Birds) refused to act under Hitchcock’s direction again.
*In 1997 having vocal surgery to remove non- cancerous nodules, Julie Andrews was left with permanent damage that destroyed her ‘four-octive’ soprano voice. She filed a malpractice suit against the doctors and it was settled in her favor.
Short List of films starring Julie Andrews
Mary Poppins…1964…director Robert Stevenson, starred Dick Van Dyke, film nominated for 13 AA awards and won 5 including Best Actress
The Americanization of Emily…1964, director Arthur Hiller, starred James Garner, James Coburn, film nominated for 2 AA awards
The Sound of Music…1965, director Robert Wise, starred Christopher Plummer, film nominated for ten Oscars and won 5 including Best Picture
Torn Curtain…1966, director Alfred Hitchcock, starred Paul Newman
Victor/Victoria…1982, director Blake Edwards, starred James Garner, Robert Preston, Lesley Ann Warren, film nominated for 7 Oscars
Walter Matthau…Oct.1, 1920-2000
Walter John Matthau was an American actor. He was born in NYC. His father was a Ukranian-Jewish peddler and electrician, and his mother was a Lithuanian-Jewish immigrant who worked in a garment sweatshop.
As a young boy he attended a Jewish non-profit sleepaway camp where he first began acting in the shows that they would stage on Saturdays. In high school he worked for a short time as a concession stand cashier in the Yissish Theatre District.
After serving in the Army Air Forces in WW2 (with James Stewart) he returned home to pursue a career as an actor. He trained in acting at the Dramatic Workshop of The New School in New York with Rod Steiger, Harry Guardino and Tony Curtis. He often joked that his best early review came in a play where he posed as a derelict.
Walter was a respected stage actor for years and won a Tony award for Best Actor in the play Shot in the Dark. He appeared on television on several series, Naked City, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Dr. Kildare to name a few.
Did you know?
*Walter made “Foghorn” his legal middle name.
*He was an avid gambler and dealt with the addiction his entire adult life. Before his movie stardom he lost $183,000 betting on spring-training baseball games. He once estimated his lifetime gambling losses at 5 million dollars.
*After filming “Grumpy Old Men” he was hospitalized for double pneumonia.
*Walter was passionate about classical music and often sang pieces by Mozart on the set.
*During the filming of “Hello Dolly” he clashed with Barbra Streisand and disliked her so intensely that he refused to be around her except when required to do so by the script..he said that she “had no more talent than a butterfly’s fart”.
Over the years Walter starred in over 50 films. He won two Tony Awards in 1962 for Best Featured Actor for “A Shot in the Dark” and for “The Odd Couple”.
Short List of Films of Walter Matthau
A Face In the Crowd…1957, director Elia Kazan, starred Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal, Lee Remick,
Gangster Story…1959, director Walter Matthau, starred Carol Grace, Vic Tayback. The film was shot at the homes of crew members in Anaheim. Walter thought the script was so awful that he had to rewrite it evey day.
The costar was Carol (his new wife). They were broke mainly due to Walter’s gambling, they had to pawn most of their wedding gifts just to afford to pay rent. They were so desperate he accepted the role of director and star for only $2,500.
Charade..1963, director Stanley Donan, starred Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, James Colburn, film nominated for one Oscar
The Odd Couple…1968, director Gene Saks, starred Jack Lemon, film nominated for two Oscars
Hello Dolly…1969..director Gene Kelly, starred Barbra Streisand, Michael Crawford (Phantom of the Opera), film nominated for 7 AA awards, won 3 Oscars.
JFK…1991, director Oliver Stone, starred Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Sissy Spacek, Tommy Lee Jones, Kevin Bacon, Joe Pesci, film nominated for 8 AA awards, won 2
Groucho Marx…Oct. 2, 1890-1977
Julius Henry “Groucho” Marx was an American comedian, actor, writer and television star. He is considered to have been one of America’s greatest comedians. His distinctive appearance such as an exaggerated stooped posture, spectacles, cigar and thick greasepaint mustache and eyebrows resulted in the creation of one the most recognizable characters.
Marx was born in Manhattan in a room above a butcher’s shop. Their neighborhood was populated with European immigrants, mostly artisans. The family lived there for about 14 years.
The young Groucho wanted to be a doctor, but he needed to work for his impoverished family so he dropped out of school at the age of 12. He was a singer and joined his brothers in a singing vaudeville troop.
They were in the middle of a particularly horrendous performance in Texas so they started joking around on stage. The audience preferred their comedy to their singing. Groucho switched to the fast talking wisecracking character that he used for the rest of his life.
He was nicknamed Groucho because of his tendency to carry a ‘grouch bag’, (in those days those bags would be called money purses) he used it to stash cash, candy and other miscellany. His brother Chico said that the grouch bag is where the group kept their weed.
Groucho glued his famous mustache on in the dressing room before a show but one day he was running late so he flew into the dressing room and drew a mustache onto his face using greasepaint and got such a laugh that he ended up keeping it. His glasses were initially fake.
Did you know?
*Groucho was a close friend of singer Alice Cooper and William P. Blatty who authored “The Exorcist.”
*Marx devoted hours to learn classical pieces of music on the guitar.
*He tried to compensate for the fact that he never got to complete his schooling so he became a complete bookworm.
Short List Groucho Marx films, all starred The Marx Brothers
Monkey Business…1931, director Norman Z. McLeod
Horse Feathers…1932, director Norman Z McLeod
Duck Soup…1933, director Leo McCarey,
A Night At the Opera…1935, director Sam Wood
You Bet Your Life…1947-1961 was a television quiz show starring Groucho Marx, and ran 14 seasons that was hosted by Groucho and with announcer and assistant George Fenneman.
Honorable Mentions
Dave Holland…Oct.1, 1946
Dave is an English jazz double bassist composer and bandleader.
Annie Leibovitz…Oct. 2, 1949
Annie is an American portrait photographer particularly of celebrities for numerous magazines including Rolling Stone Magazine.
Jack Finney…Oct. 2, 1911-1995
Jack was an American author, best known for his science fiction including “The Body Snatchers” which inspired the film classic “The Invasion of the Body Snatchers” starring Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter in 1956, the remake with Donald Sutherland in 1978, “Body Snatchers” in 1993, starring Forest Whitaker and Gabrielle Anwar as well as “The Invasion” in 2007, starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig
On This Day
POW…ZOOM TO THE MOON!!!….The Honeymooners premiered, Oct.1, 1955, starred Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Audrey Meadows, and Joyce Randolph. The television sitcom ran only one season.
Did you know?
*Art Carney’s Dad was the inspiration for many of Ed Norton’s mannerisms. As an example, his Dad couldn’t perform the simplest of tasks like signing his son’s report card without going through a routine, like adjusting the desk lamp, aligning the paper, moving other items on the desk, flexing his arms, etc.
*Norton’s signature hat belonged to Carney’s own wardrobe, he purchased it in 1935 while in high school for $5.
Short list of memorable Honeymooners episodes
Ralph Kramden, Inc. Ralph is named in a millionaire’s will, but finds he was simply left a pet bird named Fortune.
Better Living through TV Ralph and Norton go on television to sell the Handy Housewife Helper kitchen utensil.
The Golfer Ralph tries to learn how to play golf to impress his boss and of course the situation turns into a disaster.
TV Or Not TV Ralph and Norton buy a tv set together and constantly fight over what to watch.
Funny Money Ralph finds a suitcase on his bus that contains counterfeit money.
The Man from Space When the Kramdens and Nortons enter a Raccoon costume contest a feud arises between Ralph and Ed.
The Tonite Show starring Johnny Carson premiered, Oct. 1, 1962, the first guest was Groucho Marx. Johnny Carson hosted the show for 30 years. Carson inherited it from Jack Parr, and he was assisted by Ed McMahon (as his sidekick). The theme music (Johnny’s Theme) was composed by Paul Anka.
Night of the Living Dead premiered, Oct.1, 1968 the director George Romero, starred Duane Jones, Judith O’Dea
Did you know?
*This was Romero’s feature directorial debut.
*The zombies are actually eating roast ham covered in chocolate sauce.
*The house used for this film was loaned to the filmmakers by the owner who planned to demolish it anway.
*This film was one of the last films released in the US without a rating (the rating system was released shortly after this movie)
*Romero admitted that Herk Harvey’s “Carnival of Souls” was a big influence in his making of this film.
