Here We Go Again!

This time, starting tonight, it's the NBA's turn.

Elaine Stewart, R. I. P.

Elaine Stewart, the actress and model who appeared in motion pictures such as "Brigadoon" and who appeared as hostess (opposite Wink Martindale) in the early-to-mid 1970s television game show Gambit, passed away on Monday after a long illness at her Beverly Hills, California home at age 81.

Lorenzo Charles, Whose Slam Dunk Won '83 NCAA Title For NC State, R. I. P.

Lorenzo Charles, the former North Carolina State basketball player whose slam dunk at the buzzer in the title game won the 1983 NCAA men's national championship for the Wolfpack, passed away on Monday when a tour bus he was driving crashed a Raleigh, North Carolina.  


Nicknamed "Zo," Mr. Charles, who was 47 years of age, grabbed an errant 30-foot shot from teammate Dereck Whittenburg and dunked it for the game-winning points in the 1983 title game played at Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Be Sure That Toilet Bowl Is Clean Before You Chew On That Feen-A-Mint Gum

Here's a commercial from back in the day for Sani-Flush toilet bowl cleaner.

WARNING: THESE AIN'T CHICLETS OR DENTYNE, FOLKS!

From back in the day, here's a commercial for Feen-a-mint----the Chewing Gum Laxative.

With The Spirit of the Season

Here are the Jamies with their 1958 hit recording of "Summertime, Summertime."  The record was released on Columbia's Epic Records label

It's Really Foggy's Cartoon

Although Henery Hawk was listed as the star of this 1946 entry in Warner Brothers' Looney Tunes series, Foghorn Leghorn steals the show in "Crowing Pains."  In this one, Henery continues his search for a chicken, but ol' Foggy tries to outsmart and outwit him.  With Sylvester the Cat and the Barnyard Dog, this cartoon, with story by Warren Foster, animation by Manny Gould, Charles McKimson, John Carey, and I. Ellis, layouts by Cornett Wood, backgrounds by Richard H. Thomas, Voice characterizations by Mel Blanc, and music by Carl Stalling, was directed by Robert McKimson.

Time For Porky

From 1937, here's Porky Pig starring in the Looney Tunes cartoon, "Porky's Road Race."  Produced by Leon Schlesinger and released by Warner Brothers, this cartoon, with animation by Robert Bentley and Joe D'Igalo and music by Carl W. Stalling, was supervised (directed) by Frank Tashlin under the nom de plume Frank Tash.  In this one, Porky competes in an automobile race against various Hollywood celebrities.  Characteratures of Charles Chaplin, W.C. Fields, Charles Laughton, and Boris Karloff (as the Frankenstein monster) are among those featured.

Time For Another Cartoon, Boys and Girls

From 1932, here's Krazy Kat starring in "Seeing Stars."  With story by Ben Harrison, music by Joe De Nat, and animation by Allen Rose and Harry Love, this cartoon was produced by Charles Mintz and released by Columbia Pictures.

Time For Really Early TV

Here is, I believe, a kinescope of the April 22, 1949 telecast of the Admiral Broadway Revue, which aired simultaneously over the NBC and DuMont networks.  It was a forerunner of the more successful and classic Your Show of Shows which began airing on NBC in 1950.  The show starred Sid Caesar with Mary McCarty, Imogene Coca, and Marge and Gower Champion.  Produced by directed by Max Liebman, who later produced and directed YSOS.

Buzzy The Crow Handles A Superstitious Cat

In one of his earliest appearances, here's Buzzy the Crow, in a battle of wits with "The Studidstitious Cat."  This 1946 entry in Paramount Pictures' Noveltoons series was produced by Famous Studios in New York City.  With animation by Graham Place and John Walworth, story by Carl Meyer and Jack Mercer, scenics and Anton Loeb, and music by Winston Sharples, this cartoon was directed by Seymour Kneitel, Max Fleischer's son-in-law.

Enjoy!

Herman Tries To Outwit One Badass Cat

From 1947, here's a Paramount Pictures Noveltoon, entitled "Naughty But Mice," featuring Herman the Mouse.  In this one, Herman tries to outwit a rather nasty feline.  This cartoon, produced by Famous Studios in New York City, was directed by Seymour Kneitel with story by Bill Turner and Larry Riley, animation by Dave Tendlar and Al Eugster, scenics by Robert Owen, and music by Winston Sharples.

Home Wins Remain Foreign Conception To VooDoo

At New Orleans:


Terrance Sanders returned the opening kickoff 57 yards for a touchdown, quarterback Kyle Rowley threw a ten yard pass to Shaun Kauleinamoku, and linebacker Antwan Marsh ran back a fumble 12 yards for still another score, all in the first 10 minutes as the Spokane Shock (7-7) dominated the New Orleans VooDoo (2-12) 75-54 in Saturday night Arena Football League action for their third straight win.  The VooDoo, already eliminated from the playoffs and plagued with the league's worst overall record, are still winless at home.

Fred Steiner, R. I. P.

Composer Fred Steiner, best remembered for writing the gritty theme song from the Perry Mason television series, passed away on Thursday at his  home in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico at age 88 from natural causes.

Time Now For Chapter 11 (And We Ain't Talkin' Bankruptcy, Kids)

Now, boys and girls, we present the eleventh chapter of Riders of Death Valley, out 1941 Universal Pictures serial.

Nick Charles, R. I. P.

Nick Charles, the one-time New York cab driver who would go on to become the long-time sports anchorman at CNN, passed away at his Santa Fe, New Mexico home on Saturday morning following a three-year battle with bladder cancer at age 64.

And Now, Ladies and Gentlemen, Time For A Visit With The East Side Kids!

Time for a 1944 East Side Kids flick from Monogram Pictures entitled "Million Dollar Kid."  In this one, da gang is befriended by a millionaire whom they save from a mugging.  Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell, and Billy Benedict---all of whom would be seen in The Bowery Boys series for Monogram/Allied Artists---star in this feature.  With original story and screenplay by Frank H. Young, this movie was produced for Banner Productions by Sam Katzman and Jack Dietz and directed by Wallace Fox.


Enjoy, ya mugs!

The Winnipeg Jets Are Back

Albeit not the ones who split for Phoenix in '96.

Farewell, Lieutenant Columbo

Legendary veteran character actor Peter Falk, best remembered for his title role as a raincoat-sporting, cigar-chomping police detective on the 1970s television series Columbo, passed away on Thursday at age 83 following a two-year battle with Alzheimer's Disease at his Beverly Hills, California home.  

Time For A Tune, Daddy!

Here's a 1951 Snader Telescription of a perfomance of "Daddy" by the Bobby Troup Trio with Virginia Maxey.  Bobby composed this song, which a decade earlier, was a hit for Sammy Kaye and his Swing and Sway Orchestra.  Unlike the 1940s Soundies, which were originally filmed to be shown on coin-operated "video" jukeboxes called Panorams, Snader Telescriptions were filmed for airing on television stations in the early 1950s, when they needed programming to fill air time.

And Now, A Word From Our Sponsor

Maybe you remember the 1959 Pontiac.  My parents owned a '59 Pontiac Catalina back in the day.  I remember that particular car.  Here's a commerical for Motor Trend magazine's 1959 Car of the Year!

Time For A Cartoon, Boys and Girls!

From 1944, here's a Walter Lantz Swing Symphony cartoon, "Jungle Jive."  This cartoon, which included the piano work of Bob Zurke, was directed by James (Shamus) Culhane, with story by Ben Hardaway and Milt Schaffer, animation layout by Art Heinemann, animation by Paul J. Smith and Emery Hawkins, music by Darrel Calker, and backgrounds by Philip DeGuard.

Released by Universal Pictures.

Enjoy, Cats and Dolls!

No More Atlanta Thrashers

The NHL's Board of Governors made that official on Tuesday.

Now For Something More Brooding

From 1954, here's a UPA cartoon, released by Columbia Pictures.  It's an animated adaptation of Edgar Alllan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart."

Produced by Stephen Bosustow and directed by Ted Parmelee with design and color by Paul Julian, story adaptation by Bill Scott and Fred Grable, animation by Pat Matthews, camera work by Jack Eckes, and music by Boris Kremenliev.  Herbert Klynn was the production manager. 

Narrated by James Mason.

Originally filmed to be released in 3-D, it was, instead, released theatrically in 2-D.

Enjoy!

If you can.

Time For An Oscar-Winning Cartoon

Here's the 1950 Academy Award-winning cartoon, "Gerald McBoing Boing,"  made by United Productions of America as part of the studio's Jolly Frolics  series and distributed by Columbia Pictures.

Based upon the story by Ted (Dr. Seuss) Geisel with adaptation by Bill Scott and Phil Eastman, this cartoon about the boy who doesn't speak words but goes "boing, boing" instead was directed by Robert Cannon.

The rest of the credits are shown onscreen.

Time For Chapter Ten

Time now for the tenth installment in our 1941 Universal Pictures chapter play, Riders of Death Valley.

Chalk Up Another Loss For The Feckless VooDoo

At Duluth, Georgia:


Maurice Purify scored four touchdowns and the defense forced four turnovers on Friday night as the Georgia Force (8-6) defeated the visiting New Orleans VooDoo (2-11) 59-47 in Arena Football League action.

BRUINS DOMINATE CANUCKS TO CAPTURE FIRST STANLEY CUP TITLE SINCE '72

At Vancouver, British Columbia:





Patrice Bergeron (including a shorthanded tally) and Brad Marchand (shown here) (including an empty netter) each scored twice while Tim Thomas (who became the second American-born player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoffs MVP) stopped all 37 shots as the Boston Bruins took game seven 4-0 of the Stanley Cup Final 4-0 Wednesday night on the road over the Vancouver Canucks to capture their first Stanley Cup championship in 39 years.


Photo by Darryl Dyck for the Associated Press and Canadian Press

Stanley Cup Final: First Period Blitzkrieg Enable Bruins To Send Series Back To Vancouver For Game Seven

At Boston:





Brad Marchand, Milan Lucic, Andrew Ference (PP), and Michael Ryder each scored a first-period goal and David Krejci added a power-play tally in the third period for good measure as the Boston Bruins overran the visiting Vancouver Canucks 5-2 Monday night in game six of the Stanley Cup Final, forcing a seventh and deciding game Wednesday night in Vancouver.  Pictured here, we see Tim Thomas, who stopped 36 of 38 Vancouver shots celebrating with teammate Zdeno Chara.


Getty Images photo

Take Mr. Magoo's Advice

From the early-to-mid 1960s, here's Mr. Magoo (as voiced by Jim Backus) extrolling the virutes of General Electric Soft White Light Bulbs.

Want Something To Drink To Wash Down Those Post Toasties?

From the mid-1960s, here's a commercial for Funny Face Drink Mix.  The product, introduced in 1964 as Pillsbury's answer to General Foods' Kool-Aid, was originally made without sugar, with calcium cyclamate instead.  By 1966, two of the original flavors, Injun Orange and Chinese Cherry, for obvious reasons, were renamed Jolly Olly Orange and Choo-Choo Cherry, respectively.

It's All In The Wrist, Doc

From 1960-61, here's a commercial for Post Toasties Cereal, starring Warner Brothers cartoon legends Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck (both voice, or course, by the incomperable Mel Blanc).  This probably aired during an ABC Network prime-time telecast of The Bugs Bunny Show.

It's Bucky To The Rescue!

It's the White Knight himself, Sir Bucky Beaver, trying to outwit the Black Knight, Decay Germ, in this late 1950s Ipana Toothpaste commercial.

I Didn't Know Anacin Was An Antidepressant

From roughly a half-century ago, here's a commercial for Anacin.  That's in case you have a headache and are tense and depressed.

Perfect for Miami Heat fans.

Here's One For The Well-Built Swede

Here's a 1971 advertisement for the SAAB 99.

If You Would Prefer........

Here's an ad from 1961 for the SAAB 95 Station Wagon.

Look how roomy it is!

It can even be converted into a hotel room on wheels!

And Now, A Word From Our Sponsor

Here's a commercial for the 1960 SAAB 96.

Enjoy!

Carl Gardner, Coasters Founder, R. I. P.

Carl Gardner, who was the last surviving original member of the rhythm-and-blues/rock n' roll vocal group the Coasters, passed away on Sunday night at the Port St. Lucie Hospice in Florida at age 83.

Mr. Gardner, who cofounded the Coasters in 1955 with fellow former Robins vocalist Bobby Nunn, at the behest of producer-songwriters Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller, had been ill for quite some time, having suffered from congestive heart failure and Alzheimer's disease. 

The Coasters posted numerous pop hits in the late 1950s  with comedic oriented tunes penned by Mr. Lieber and Mr. Stoller such as "Searchin'," "Yakety Yak," and "Charlie Brown."

Rest in peace, Carl.

MAVS TOP HEAT TO WIN FIRST NBA TITLE; DIRK NAMED SERIES MVP

At Miami:





Jason Terry scored 27 points on Sunday night off the bench, converting 11 of 16 shots from the field, as the Dallas Mavericks won the first National Basketball Association championship in their 31-year history with a 105-95 win on the road in game six of the NBA Finals over the Miami Heat as the Mavericks took the series in six games.  Dirk Nowitzki (seen here), who was named series Most Valuable Player, had an off night, making only 9 of 27 shots from the field.  Still, he scored 10 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter while grabbing 11 rebounds for the contest.


Getty Images photo

Okay, Folks, Time For Chapter Nine

And now, ladies and gentlemen, for your approval, we present the ninth chapter of our 1940 Universal Pictures serial, Riders of Death Valley.

Longshot Grabs Belmont

At Elmont, New York:


Ruler On Ice, a 24-1 longshot with Jose Valdivia, Jr. aboard, won the 143rd Belmont Stakes on Saturday, with Stay Thirsty finishing second, and Brilliant Speed finishing third.  Shackleford, who won last month's Preakness Stakes, finished fifth, while Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom, who almost lost jockey John Valazquez at the start of the race, finished sixth.  The winning time on the sloppy track at Belmont Park was a painfully slow 2:30.88.

Stanley Cup Final: Canucks One Win Away From First Title

At Vancouver, British Columbia:





Maxim Lapierre scored the only goal of the match at 4:35 of the third period while Roberto Luongo (pictured here) recovered from two miserable performances in Boston to post a 31-save shutout as the Vancouver Canucks defeated the visiting Boston Bruins 1-0 in game five of the Stanley Cup Final on Friday to take a three-games-to-two series lead.  The Canucks, by beating the Bruins in Boston this coming Monday night, would win their first-ever Stanley Cup title---and the first for a Canadian club since Montreal in 1993.  If the Bruins win at home in Game Six, then  the seventh and deciding game would take place next Wednesday in Vancouver.


Getty Images photo

NBA Finals: Mavericks Top Heat To Take 3-2 Series Lead

At Dallas:





Dirk Nowitzki scored 29 points, two of them on a go-ahead dunk with 2:45 remaining as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat 112-103 at home on Thursday night in game five of the NBA Finals, taking a three-games-to-two lead in the process.  The Mavericks can lock up their first NBA championship with a win in game six on Sunday in Miami.  Miami's LeBron James, who scored 17 points and had 10 rebounds and 10 assists for a triple double, is seen here being harassed.


Photo by John G. Mabanglo for the European Pressphoto Agency

Stanley Cup Final: Rich Peverley Double+Shutout Goaltending From Tim Thomas= Deadlocked Series

At Boston:





Rich Peverley scored twice (his third-period tally pictured here) while Tim Thomas stopped all 38 goals Wednesday night as the Boston Bruins delivered a 4-0 home fist beating to the Vancouver Canucks in game four to deadlock the Stanley Cup Final at two games apiece.  The series will resume on Friday night back in Vancouver.


Getty Images photo

NBA Finals: Mavs Bottle Up LeBron, Square Series With Heat At 2-2

At Dallas:





Despite suffering from the flu, and Dwyane Wade's 32 points, Dirk Nowitzki (pictured here) scored 10 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter on Tuesday night as the Dallas Mavericks outscored the Miami Heat 21-9 in the final 10:21 for an 86-83 game-four home victory to square the NBA Finals at two games apiece.  LeBron James was held to eight points.


Pool photo by David J. Phillip

Stanley Cup Final: Bruins Smash Canucks To Climb Back In Series

At Boston:





After losing Nathan Horton to a frightening first-period injury, the Boston Bruins erupted for four goals in each of the remaining two periods Monday night in their 8-1 horsewhipping of the visiting Vancouver Cancuks in the third game of the Stanley Cup Final, cutting the Canucks' advantage to two games to one.  Tim Thomas stopped 40 of 41 Vancouver shots while Mark Recchi scored twice (including one of the two Boston power-play tallies).  Michael Ryder scored the Bruins' other power-play goal in the third period.  The Bruins also notched a pair of shorthanded goals, one from Brad Marchand in the second period and one from Daniel Paille in the third period.  David Krejci, who had a goal and an assist, is seen here celebrating.


Associated Press photo by Elise Amendola

NBA Finals: This Time, Dirk Doesn't Pull Through As Miami Holds Off Dallas To Take 2-1 Series Lead

At Dallas:





Chris Bosh made a go-ahead jumper from the baseline with 39.6 seconds remaining while Dirk Nowitzki missed a tough jumper as time expired as the Miami Heat took a two-games-to-one lead in the NBA Finals on Sunday night with their 88-86 road win in game three over the Dallas Mavericks.  Dwyane Wade (shown here) scored 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Heat.


Getty Images photo by Nathaniel S. Butler

Stanley Cup Final: Alex Burrows' OT Goal Gives Canucks 2-0 Series Lead

At Vancouver, British Columbia:





Alex Burrows scored twice on Saturday night, his first, a power-play goal in the first period, and his second, being the game-winning tally 11 seconds into overtime (pictured here) as the Vancouver Canucks defeated the visiting Boston Bruins 3-2 in game two of the Stanley Cup Final to take a two-games-to-none lead.


Getty Images photo

Hankerin' For Another Chapter?

Now, boys and girls, time for the eighth chapter of Riders of Death Valley, our 1940 Universal Pictures serial.

Sharks Avoid Upset In New Orleans As VooDoo Still Can't Buy A Win At Home

At New Orleans:


Quarterback Aaron Garcia threw for five touchdown passes while running back Kirby Griffin ran for four more as the Jacksonville Sharks (10-1) racked up their tenth straight Arena Football League win Friday night, 62-55 on the road over the New Orleans VooDoo (2-10), who still have yet to win a game at home this season.

Farewell To TV's Matt Dillon: He Joins Miss Kitty, Doc, Chester, And Festus At Boot Hill

James Arness, the actor best remebered for his portrayal of Matt Dillon, United States Marshall from Dodge City, Kansas during the 20-year run of the Gunsmoke television series, passed away on Friday in his sleep at his Brentwood, California home at age 88.

NBA Finals: Torn Middle Finger In His Non-Shooting Hand? What Torn Middle Finger In His Non Shooting Hand?! Dirk Scores Last Nine Points For Mavs As Dallas Erases 15-Point Fourth-Quarter Deficit To Square Series With Heat At 1-1

At Miami:





Dirk Nowitzke, sore finger on his non-shooting hand and all (pictured here), scored the last nine points (out of his 24 to go with his 11 rebounds) for the Dallas Mavericks, including the game-winner with 3.6 seconds remaining on Thursday night as the visitors erased a 15-points fourth-quarter deficit and defeated the Miami Heat 95-93 to square the NBA Finals at one game apiece.


Miami Herald photo by Al Diaz

Stanley Cup Final: Late Goal And Stubborn Goaltending Give Canucks Series Opener

At Vancouver, British Columbia:



Raffi Torres scored the only goal of  the match with 18.5 seconds remaining in the third period on Wednesday night (shown here) , while Roberto Luongo stopped all 36 shots as the Vancouver Canucks took the opening game of the Stanley Cup Final 1-0 at home.  Boston goalie Tim Thomas stopped 33 of 34 shots in the defeat.


Photo for NHL International via Getty Images by Jeff  Vinnick