Fool's Gold

Is where you find it.

Tony Martin, Romantic Crooner, In Show Business From Great Depression To 21st Century, R. I. P.

Tony Martin, the romantic baritone singer who appeared in motion picture musicals from the 1930s to the 1950s, and who worked in records, television, and nightclubs, as well as films, from the Great Depression up to and into the 21st century, passed away this past Friday night from natural causes at his West Los Angeles home at the age of 98.

While never really a full-fledge movie star, Mr. Martin was featured in 25 films, mainly made during the heyday of the Hollywood musicals.

Having been previously married to Alice Faye (they were divorced in 1939 after two years), Tony wed singer-actress Cyd Charisse in 1948, resulting in a marraige that would last for 60 years until Cyd's passing in 2008.

Remember, Kiddies..............

"Mind Your Manners!"  That's the title of this 1953 entry from Coronet Films.

This Is The Name Of A Film?!?!?

Here is a 1957 entry from McGraw-Hill Text-Films' Marraige and Family Living Series, "How Much Affection."

Hopefully, You've Found Something Better To Use Of Your Free Time Than Picking Your Nose

From Coronet Films in 1950, we present "Better Use Of Leisure Time."

Remember, Kids, Parts Is Parts

1980s commercial for Wendy's chicken sandwiches.

Wow! A V-8 Rambler?!

Here's a commercial for American Motors' 1957 Rambler Cross Country Station Wagon with a V-8 engine.

1957 was the year that AMC made Rambler (and the tiny Metropolitan) a separate make from Nash and Hudson, both of which disappeared after that model year.

And Now, A Few Words From Your Kaiser Frazer Dealer

Here are some 1951 commercial from Kaiser Frazer, including ads for the Henry J compact and the Kaiser with Rex Marshall.

Time For More Commercials, Gang!

Time for another batch of commercials for brand names and/or products that no longer exist.

Enjoy!

TiCats Erase Big Deficit, Foil Riders In Regina

At Regina, Saskatchewan:


Quarterback Henry Burris, who completed 28 of 38 passes for 355 yards and four touchdowns, engineered three consecutive fourth-quarter touchdown-scoring drives as Hamilton Tiger-Cats came from behind to upend the Saskatchewan Roughriders 35-34 on the road in Saturday Canadian Football League action.  Both teams are now at 3-2.

AFL Playoffs: Philly Ends VooDoo Season; Sharks,Rattlers Also Win

The Arena Football League playoffs continued with three games on Saturday.

AMERICAN CONFERENCE:

At Philadelphia:

Quarterback Dan Raudabaugh completed 19 of 31 passes for 250 and seven touchdowns with nary an interception as the Philadelphia Soul defeated the visiting New Orleans VooDoo 66-53.


At Jacksonville, Florida:


Marco Capozzoli connected on a franchise-record 51-yard field goal with six second remaining as the Jacksonville Sharks defeated the visiting Georgia Force 58-56.


Jacksonville will travel to Philadelphia for this coming Friday's American Conference Championship Game (5:00 PM Pacific Time, NFL Network).


NATIONAL CONFERENCE:


At Phoenix, Arizona:


Quarterback Nick Davila completed 21 of 42 passes for 246 yards and six touchdowns (four of them to Maurice Purify---who gained 134 yards on 10 receptions) as the Arizona Rattlers held off the visiting San Jose Sabercats 51-48.


The Utah Blaze will visit the Rattlers at Phoenix for the National Conference Championship Game to be played this coming Saturday at 7:00 PM Pacific Time.

AFL Playoffs: Blaze Knock Off Talons In San Antonio

At San Antonio:


The Utah Blaze picked up their first ever Arena Football League playoff victory on Friday night with a 35-34 road victory in a National Conference semifinal contest against the top-seeded San Antonio Talons.  The Utah defense came up with four turnovers on downs, including a key sack of Talons' quarterback Aaron Garcia by linebacker Joe Mortensen (who celebrated his 26th birthday) in the final minutes.  Blaze quarterback Tommy Grady threw for 326 yards and five touchdowns.

How To Avoid Hurting Someone's Feelings

From Coronet Films in 1951, we present "How To Say No: Moral Maturity."

Simple, "no" is spelled N-O, morons!

Don't Forget To Eat Your Vittles!

Time for "Good Eating Habits," a 1951 Coronet film.

At Least You Won't Find Any Perverts----------UUUHHHH--------TSA Agents In This One

Here's a 1948 Encyclopaedia Britannia film on the inter workings at an airport entitled, appropriately, "The Airport."

WOW! You Mean This Can Be BOTH Your Friend AND Foe?!

From Encyclopaedia Britannia Films in 1953, we present "Bacteria Friend And Foe."

And Now, Some More Commercials

We present another batch of commercials for brands and/or products that no longer exist.

Which Twin Has The Toni---Down Under?

1960s Australian TV commercial for Toni Home Permanent.

And Now, Time For Some Words From Our Sponsors

And now, ladies and gentlemen, we present another batch of television commercials for brands and/or products that are no longer in existance.

Chad Everett, Star Of TV's "Medical Center," R.I.P.

Chad Everett, the actor best remembered for his portrayal of Dr. Joe Gannon on the TV series Medical Center (CBS, 1969-76), passed away on Tuesday at his Los Angeles home following a year-and-a-half battle with lung cancer at age 75.

Sherman Hemsley, TV's George Jefferson, R. I. P.

Sherman Hemsley, the comic actor best remembered as star of the successful television sitcom The Jeffersons, passed away on Tuesday at his El Paso, Texas home at age 74.


Mr. Hemsley's agent, who confirmed the actor's passing, did not specify cause of death.


George Jefferson, the owner of a successful cleaning business, who was a onetime neighbor to the equally antagonistic Archie Bunker, along with wife Louise (nicknamed "Weezy") and son Lionel, left Queens and were, as the theme song indicated, 'Movin' On Up," as they move to an "deluxe apartment in the sky"  on Manhattan's fashionable West Side.


Over the course of the All In The Family spinoff that lasted 10 years (CBS,1975-85), George never really lost his scrappy demeanor, vanity, or his penchant for arrogance as his wife, son, and irreverent maid put up with his ego.


Sherman starred in another successful sitcom, Amen, in which he played Deacon Ernest Frye, just as blustery as George Jefferson.  This NBC sitcom lasted five years (1986-1991).

So That's How Highways Are Built

"Building A Highway," a 1948 Encyclopaedia Britannia film on how highways were built.

Wanna Go On A Bus Ride?

From Encyclopaedia Britannia Films in 1945, we bring you "The Bus Driver."

Time to go on a bus ride from New York City to Pittsburgh.

Remeber, Boys And Girls, Don't Act Like A Bunch Of Rugrats.............

"Act Your Age."  That's the name of this 1949 Coronet film on emotional maturity.

Hey, Pal.............

"SNAP OUT OF IT!"

That's actually the name of a 1951 Coronet film on emotional balance.

Ready For Marraige?

Here's a 1950 Coronet Film entiled "Are You Ready For Marraige?"

Enjoy!

Ummm, Ummm, Good!

1972 commercial for Campbell's Chicken with Rice Soup.

Just What Goes Into The Full Color Network?

1967 NBC Network promo.

Chad Nochocinco

Apparently, ol' Chad has had enough.

Posthumous Congratulations, Eddie!

As a further result of JoePa being stripped of 111 victories from 1998-2011, while ex-Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden comes the winningest coach in the history of top-flight collegiate gridiron, former longtime Grambling head coach Eddie Robinson now becomes the all-time overall winningest coach in all Division  I college football.

Another Visit From Whoopee John

Time for a 1955 recording of "Anglers Waltz" by "Whoopee" John Wilfahrt and His Orchestra!

Look At That Car

Here's a commercial for the 1959 Dodge, with Lou Crosby, which probably aired during an ABC Network telecast of The Lawrence Welk Show.

And Now, Some More Words From Our Sponsors

Commercials that aired on 1950s daytime television.

And Now A Few Words From Our Sponsors

Time now for a bunch of old television commercials for brands and/or products that no longer exist.

Congratulations, Bobby!

Sure is a heluva way to become the all-time winningest coach in FBS history.

AFL Playoffs Set: VooDoo To Travel To Philly

The Arena Football League playoffs are slated to start this coming Friday.  All times Pacific.


NATIONAL CONFERENCE:


Friday:


Utah Blaze at San Antonio Talons, 5:00 PM (NFL Network)


Saturday:


San Jose SaberCats at Arizona Rattlers, 7:00 PM


AMERICAN CONFERENCE:


Saturday:


Georgia Force at Jacksonville Sharks, 4:00 PM


New Orleans VooDoo at Philadelphia Soul, 4:05 PM

VooDoo Clinch Playoff Berth Despite Home Defeat To Georgia

At New Orleans:


Quarterback Bryant Moniz ran for his third touchdown of the game late in the fourth quarter as the Georgia Force (9-9) overcame an early deficit to knock off the New Orleans VooDoo (8-10) 55-48 on the road in the Arena Football League regular-season finale for both teams to nail down an American Conference playoff berth on Saturday.  Despite their third straight defeat, the VooDoo also clinched a playoff berth thanks to Tampa Bay's 63-53 defeat at Spokane.

Hmmmmmmmmm.............

I wonder what corporate logo the Blazers will put on their jerseys starting season after next.

Several WNBA clubs have already started doing that. as has most Major League Soccer teams.

Stamps Hand Riders First Defeat Of Season

At Calgary, Alberta:


Quarterback Kevin Glenn threw a 16-yard touchdown pass in overtime to Nik Lewis as the Calgary Stampeders(2-2), who trailed by as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter, came back and knocked off the visiting---and previously unbeaten---Saskatchewan Roughriders (3-1) 41-38 in the lone Thursday Canadian Football League contest.

This Is For All You Girls Who Dream Of Becoming Homemakers

From circa 1969-70, here's a commercial for Topper Toys' Suzy Homemaker Appliances.





Remember, folks, batteries are not included.

Time For More Commercials, Folks!

Here's another batch of old commercials for brand names and/or products that are no longer in existance.

Early Ginger

From the original Monogram Pictures in 1932, we present Ginger Rogers starring in a mystery film entitled "The Thirteenth Guest."  In this one, a young woman visits her childhood home, which had been shuttered 13 years after her dad passed away at the dinner table while they waited for a thirteenth guest.  While reminiscing, she hears a noise.  The frightened female starts to explore.  She screams.  A shot is fired. On arrival, the police discover the body of a young woman sitting at the dinner table, stiff as a board.

Joining Ginger in the cast are Lyle Talbot, J. Farrell MacDonald, Paul Hurst, Erville Alderson, Ethel Wales, James Eagles, Craufurd Kent, Eddie Phillips, Frances Rich, and Phillips Smalley.

With screenplay by Frances Hyland, based on Armitage Trail's crime novel, this picture was produced by M. H. Hoffman and directed by Albert Ray.

Kitty Wells, Pioneering Country-and-Western Music Legend, R. I. P.

Kitty Wells, who nearly quit the music business at the time she recorded the breakthrough hit "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," only to open many door for numerous women in country and western music, passed away on Monday of complications from a stroke at her Madison, Tennessee home at age 92.

Miss Wells' 1952 recording, an answer to Hank Thompson's "Wild Side of Life," proved to be a major country-and-western hit.  It resonated with women who didn't take too kindly to the late Mr. Thompson's recording.

Kitty, who was married for 74 years to fellow c&w artist Johnnie Wright (of the singing duo Johnnie and Jack) until he passed away last September, was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in her native Nashville in 1976.

During a recording career that lasted 27 years, Kitty placed 84 singles on the country charts, 38 of them in the top ten.

Time For A Soundie

From 1944, here are the Jeannette Hackett Girls and The Swing Sirens starring a Soundie entitled "Southland Swing."

Produced and directed by William Forest Crouch.

Remember These Products, Kiddies?

Here are commercials for products and/or brand names that are no longer in existance. 

Trouble Getting To Sleep?

Commercial for Sominex which aired at the tail end of a 1958 CBS Network telecast of To Tell The Truth.

Celeste Holm, Oscar-Winning Actress, Starred In Broadway Production Of "Oklahoma," R.I.P.

Celeste Holm, the New York City-born actress who starred in the Broadway production of "Oklahoma" who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in "Gentlemen's Agreement," passed away on Sunday at her Manhattan apartment at age 95.

Riders Remain Unbeaten

At Regina, Saskatchewan:


Tristan Jackson returned a missed field goal 129 yards for a touchdown on Saturday as the Saskatchewan Roughriders (3-0) maintained their perfect start to the Canadian Football League season with their 23-20 home win over the British Columbia Lions (2-1).

2-Point Conversion In OT Stuns VooDoo, Prevents New Orleans From Clinching Playoff Berth

At Tampa, Florida:


Stephen Wasil threw for seven touchdowns and hit Michael Lindsey with the game-winning two-point conversion in overtime as the Tampa Bay Storm (8-9) kept their Arena Football League playoff chances alive following their 78-77 Saturday home victory over the New Orleans VooDoo (8-9), preventing the guests from locking up an American Conference playoff berth.

Can't Wait For That Great Taste?

From New Zealand in the late 1980s, here's a commercial for Kentucky Fried Chicken.

That Ain't No Joke, Son!

From circa 1987, here's a commercial for Kentucky Fried Chicken with Foghorn Leghorn and Henery Hawk, both voiced by the legendary Mel Blanc.

MLB All-Star Game: Giant Night For National Leaguers

At Kansas City, Missouri:


Melky Cabrera (named the game's Most Valuable Player) hit a home run (and delivered two RBIs) while his San Francisco Giants teammate Pablo Sandoval had three runs batted in of his own while another Giant, starting pitcher Matt Cain, got the win as the National League won their third straight Major League Baseball All-Star game on Tuesday with their most lopsided victory over the American League 8-0.

A Visit From Alice

In a kinescoped clip from a 1955 ABC Network telecast of The Lawrence Welk Show, here's Champagne Lady Alice Lon with "Hard To Get."

Enjoy!

You Mean It Used To Have Almonds?

1962 commercial for the 5th Avenue candy bar, which was made by the makers of Luden's Cough Drops.



Back then, the bar came complete with toasted almonds.

Now now, though (currently made by Hershey Foods).

Would You Rather Have Pork And Beans?

Commercial for Campbell's Pork and Beans, which aired during a 1959 CBS Network telecast of Lassie.

Campbell's Soup Company sponsored the series throughout it's CBS run (1954-71) and three years of first-run syndication (1971-74).

I Like To Shove Peanut Butter Up My Nose

1959 commercial for Skippy Peanut Butter.

Hungry For Jello?

1964 commercial for Jello gelatin.

Yummy!

Riders' Defense Smothers Eskimos

At Regina, Saskatchewan:


In Sunday Canadian Football League action, the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2-0) stymied the visiting Edmonton Eskimos (1-1) 17-1.

Ernest Borgnine, Oscar Winning Star Of "Marty," Star Of TV's "McHale's Navy," R. I. P.

Long-time veteran actor Ernest Borgnine, who won the Academy Award of 1955 for Best Actor for his title-role portrayal in "Marty, " then starred in the 1960s TV sitcom McHale's Navy, passed away on Sunday from renal failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles at age 95.


Mr. Borgnine starred in "Marty," which was based on a Paddy Chayefsky television play (that starred Rod Steiger) in which he played a 34-year-old bachelor who fears he's so unattractive that he would never find romance.  At a dance, he meets a girl with a similar fear.


The film, which won the Oscar for Best Picture of 1955, also netted the little statuettes for Mr. Chayefsky and director Delbert Mann.


Ernest (a Navy vet himself) would go on to portray US Navy Lieutenant Commander Quentin McHale, who commanded a World War II PT boat with a crew of misfits and malcontents.  Commander McHale was a con artist who forever tricked his superior officer, played by the late Joe Flynn.


The ABC Network sitcom, McHale's Navy, which also co-starred Tim Conway, ran from 1962 to 1966.

VooDoo Devoured By SaberCats

At San Jose, California:


Quarterback Mark Grieb completed 22 of 30 passes for 242 yards and six touchdowns (three to Fred Williams, two to Samora Goodson, one to James Roe) as the San Jose SaberCats (10-6) dominated the visiting New Orleans VooDoo (8-8) 55-31 in Saturday Arena Football League action.

How To Catch A Wild Raspberry

TV commercial for Shasta Wild Raspberry Soda from circa 1970.

I think I do remember this ad.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

On this 236th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, here at Bob's House, we wish you are having a good holiday!


This is for you folks here in these united States.

Life Just Became Empty In Mayberry

Legendary television actor Andy Griffith, best remembered for his portrayal of a sheriff in a fictitous North Carolina town in an iconic 1960s sitcom, passed away on Tuesday at his home in Manteo, North Carolina at age 86.

A native of Mount Airy, North Carolina, Mr. Griffith majored in music at the University of North Carolina and became a music teacher.

But Andy, who wanted to be a singer, had show business in his blood.  As a stand-up comedian, he recorded a hit comedy monologue entitled "What It Was Was Football" which came out in 1953.

He received a Tony Award nomination soon afterward for his portrayal of a hayseed Army private in "No Time For Sergeants."  Andy reprised the role in a live US Steel Hour 1955 telecast of the play and in the 1958 motion picture adaptation, both sporting the same title.

In 1957, he played country bumpkin-turned-TV personality and (behind the scenes) demagogue Lonesome Rhodes in the classic motion picuture "A Face In The Crowd," which co-starred Patricia Neal, Walter Matthau, and Lee Remick.

In a 1960 episode of The Danny Thomas Show, Danny Thomas' character was arrested in a sleepy Southern town where the sheriff, played by Mr. Griffith, was also the mayor.  It was from this episode that Andy's weekly series emerged.

The Andy Griffith Show was one of the legendary television situation comedy series, with Andy playing the role of Sheriff Andy Taylor, who seemed to be the most level-headed of all the characters on the show.  He was aided by bumbling deputy Barney Fife, played by Don Knotts.  Living as home in Mayberry, North Carolina with the widowed sheriff were his son Opie (played by Ronny Howard) and Aunt Bee Taylor (Frances Bavier).

Andy left the show in 1968 after eight years.  The series was renamed Mayberry RFD and lasted another three highly-rated seasons.

After headlining three failed short-lived series in the 1970s he starred in another hit, Matlock in which he played Southern criminal defense attorney Ben Matlock.  The series ran from 1986 to 1994.

The town of Mayberry was based on Andy's old home town of Mt. Airy.

How About A Visit With The Colonel

1980 commercial for Kentucky Fried Chicken with Colonel Harlan Sanders.  This may have been one of his last appearances (he passed away that year).

Sorry Folks, No Chihuahua In This Commercial

1979 commercial for Taco Bell, followed by a quick promo for a late local newscast on WDIV-TV in Detroit with Mort Crim.

Be Sure To Eat Your Mr. T Cereal, Fool!

1984 commercial for Mr. T cereal, which was a Quaker Oats company product.

Hungry For Cereal?

Here's a 1970s commercial for three General Mills cereals, Franken Berry, Count Chocula, and Boo Berry.

Ask Fido If He Wants Pickles And Onion With His Gaines-Burgers

From circa 1963, a commercial for Gaines-Burgers dog food from General Foods.

Gosh, Harriet, You Didn't Buy David A Pair?

In a commercial that aired during a 1962 ABC Network telecast of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, we see Ozzie, Harriet, and Rick Nelson plugging Keds shoes.

Want Sparkling Dishes?

From circa 1937, here's an advertisement that was shown in motion picture theaters for Dreft Detergent.

Keep in mind that commercial television did not come into existance until 1941.

Hey, Dennis, Where Are The Dancing Cereal Box, Dancing Cereal Bowl, and Dancing Spoon?

From 1957, here's Dennis James doing a live commercial for Kellogg's Special K cereal during a CBS Network telecast of The Big Record.  Kellogg's was a co-sponsor of this musical-variety series, which was hosted by Patti Page.

Wow! You Mean It Bleaches While It Washes?

1957 commercial for Oxydol.

What?! No Chevy?!

Here's a commercial for Post Grape Nuts Flakes cereal, featuring an offer for a scale model 1957 Ford, which you can find in each specially-marked box of the cereal.