FFF and Happy Birthday to TINA TURNER

 

Another birthday for Femme Fatale Friday as we celebrate one of the greatest entertainers of all time, and an epic icon of music, Tina Turner 💖

Anna Mae Bullock was born on November 26th 1939, she began her career in 1957 as part of, Turner's Kings of Rhythm, being called, Little Ann.

In 1960 she was introduced as, Tina Turner on a duet, with Ike Turner, and the team became one of the biggest musical forces with incredible hits like, Proud Mary, River Deep-Mountain High, and, Natbush City Limits.  And, she appeared in the film, Tommy, along with The Who, Ann-Margret and others, it remains one of the most iconic rock music motion pictures of all time.

Her infamous relationship with Ike ended in 1976 and the star continued to perform their original songs.  Her divorce was final in 1978 but their label released two more albums under their name.  After that she spent several years as more of a "nostalgic act" playing hotel ballrooms.

But in 1981, Rod Stewart asked Tina to perform "Hot Legs" with him on an episode of Saturday Night LIVE.  She then started opening for the Rolling Stones, appearing with Mick on stage for some duets.

In 1983 she was signed to Capitol Records and released the album, Private Dancer, which ended up going 5X Platinum and relaunching her career for a completely new era and generations.  To this day, it's considered one of the greatest comebacks in musical history.

In 1984 she achieved her one and only #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, with "What's Love Got to Do With It" but would go on to have numerous Top 10 singles like,  "Better Be Good To Me" and "Private Dancer".  In 1985 she would go on to co-star with Mel Gibson in, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, and score another Top 10 with, "We Don't Need Another Hero".

Turner's star has only gotten brighter since then, cementing her as one of the greatest female legends of rock and roll, considered by many to be the, Queen of Rock N Roll.

She is one of the most powerful stage performers of all time, always including incredible dance numbers as part of her shows, she was a force on stage, and noted for one of the most impressive pair of legs of all time.  Proud Mary still is one of the most incredible songs of all time to me and always will be.

Happy Birthday, Tina Turner! 

Scooby Doo, 52 years old ... in human years...

 Scooby Doo, where are you?  We've been asking that question since this day in 1969, Happy Anniversary/Birthday to one of the most famous pups in history, beloved by tens-of-millions all over the world.

The series was created by Joe Ruby & Ken Spears who also created DynoMutt Dog Wonder, Help! It's the Hair Bear Bunch and Jabber Jaw.

The went on to assemble, Ruby-Spears Productions that would give Saturday mornings to, Fangface, Plastic Man, Saturday Supercade, Mister T, The Chipmunks and the Salkinds Saturday morning version of, Superman.  The production company would later be bought out by Hanna-Barbera.

The original cast features Don Messick as Scooby Doo (Papa Smurf, Bamm Bamm Ruble, Muttley, Astro).  Casey Kasem as Shaggy (American Top 40 Countdown, Robin the Boy Wonder when Burt Ward wasn't playing the part).  Frank Welker as Freddy (Megatron, Dr Claw, Ray Stanz on The Real Ghostbusters and would replace Lorenzo Music as Garfield after Music's passing).  Stefanianna Chritopherson would play Daphne Blake in Season one, then Heather North would step into the role for season 2 & 3.  Nicole Jaffe portrayed Velma Dinkley in Season 1 & 2 but would be replaced by Pat Stevens in Season 3.

The characters continue to appear in animate films and two somewhat forgettable live-action films.  With a throwback to the classic "New Scooby Doo Movies" they have been teaming the gang with people like legendary rock band, KISS and the stars of the WWE.

The original three seasons is still seen as the best of the best!

Femme Fatale Friday : Julie Newmar, Cat Scratch Fever Forever

 

To say that Julie Newmar is one of the most beautiful and naturally sexiest women to ever walk this earth would be a bold statement but also an understatement.  Newmar has been wowing the world for decades. 💖

Born, Julia Charlene Newmeyer on August 16th 1933, in Los Angeles California, she began dance at an early age.  Her father, Don Newmeyer was a Phys Ed teacher for Los Angeles City College and played professional football for the Los Angeles Buccaneers.  Her mother, Helen was a fashion designer and Swedish-French born, who later invested in real estate, which Julie would also get into, later in life.

In 1956 Julie was in a stage production of, Lil Abner, for 3-

minutes she portrayed, Stupefyin' Jones, but it wasn't until she reprised the role for the film in 1959 that she would catch the attention of the world for her statuesque beauty, but this wasn't her first taste of fame.

At age 15 Julie was the Prima Ballerina for the Los Angeles Orchestra and this fueled her fire for stage production.

She performed in regional productions of Zeigfield Follies (1956), Damn Yankees (1961) and Irma la Douce (1965) and would win a Tony Award in 1958 on Broadway for her performance in, The Marriage-Go Round and would reprise that role in the 1961 film.

Then in 1966 she found the role that would immortalize her forever, the sleek, sultry and every so sexy, Catwoman in the television series, Batman, starring Adam West & Burt Ward.

Julie's costume for the role is also immortalized in the Smithsonian Institute as she altered the costume that her belt would fit around her hips rather than her waist to show off her hour-glass figure.

Former Miss America, Lee Meriweather would play the Catwoman role in the 1966 Batman film, Newmar had a scheduling conflict, and Eartha Kitt would take the role in the final season of the show.  But today, Newmar is the one that most fans associate with the role.

Newmar would go on to make appearances in numerous television series; Twilight Zone, F Troop, Bewitched, Beverly Hillbillies, Hart To Hart, Love Boat, Get Smart, Columbo, The Bionic Woman, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (still looking good in a skin tight outfit), CHiPs, Fantasy Island and many more...

In 1995 Newmar found a whole new generation when she was paid tribute in the film, To Wong Foo Thanks For Everything Julie Newmar.  Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze and John Leguizamo all went drag for their roles and it was a hit, and still has a very strong cult following to this day.  Newmar only did a brief cameo at the end of the film but was very flattered for all the attention and dedication.

Newmar stays active to this day and has always been an avid gardener, she also followed in her mothers footsteps and became a real estate investor, even having a short feud with actor James Belushi, to the point that it almost ended up in court, after it was settled, Newmar did an appearance on Belushi's television show as the two made fun of the feud.

Newmar has remained one of Hollywoods class acts, rarely if ever being the target of the tabloids and always fighting for causes in her community, a true champion of the celebrity set.  But to some of us, she'll always be, Catwoman 😍😻

Another Icon of Americana is Gone

 While the, Washington Football Team is still trying to figure out a new team name and logo, the Cleveland Indians have jumped into the stanky pool of "political correctness" and done away with one of the most iconic logos in American Sports history... what's next, banning the film, Major League?

This decision comes with a flood of foolishness and infantile whining from leftists (most of which are whiter than a major league baseball) in something that is called, "virtue signaling" a made up term that basically means, "we know better than the people we are claiming to be protecting" but really just means, "we're a bunch of dumbasses who are ignorant of accurate history and the basics of the English Language".

Baseball, and sports in general, used to be the last great refuge away from political nonsense (for the most part), a way to get away from the nonsense in the public and just enjoy America's Pastime with family and friends.  A day at the ball park, hotdog in one hand, beer in another, ready to drop both if a foul ball comes your way.  Or a day in the hammock, radio on, cold beer, burgers on the grill, family and friends enjoying the sun & breeze... but no more of that nonsense 😡 (am I still allowed to use that emoji?).

Speaking of the Washington Football Team, I agree with the

name change on that, but there was and remains nothing wrong with the logo, it was actually designed by an American Indian (shut up, there is nothing wrong with that term).  They should have been done in 24-48 hours going from the old name to the, Washington Warrior and that would be that, but you had all the pale faces whining and crying about a logo they hadn't even bothered to research at all.

"The Redskins primary logo used today was first designed in 1971 in close consultation with Native American leaders. Among those who unanimously approved and voiced praise for the logo was Walter "Blackie" Wetzel, a former President of the National Congress of American Indians and Chairman of the Blackfeet Nation."

Cleveland's decision to change it's name and logo make no damn sense at all, none, zip, zilch, nada... especially with a major motion picture backing up the teams heritage and iconic standing in American sports.

This is the man behind the name, Indians, his name is Louis

Francis Sockalexis and was known as, The Deerfoot of the Diamond, a member of the Penobscot Tribe, he played 3 years of professional baseball, all for the Cleveland Spiders.  He played outfield, had 3 home runs and 55 RBI’s in his career with a .313 batting average.

The logo of Chief Wahoo, as we see it here, has been a part of Americana since 1951 and before that still that of an American Indian Warrior swinging a baseball bat rather than a weapon of war.  It

was only made more iconic and beloved in the 1989 sports classic, Major League, starring Charlie Sheen, Tom Beringer & Wesley Snipes.  The Indians logo became a symbol of the Underdog Team, it brought fans to the team and the game, a lot of new ones.

The bottom line is this, "political correctness" is an intellectual disease, robbing the individual of any and all trace of Common Sense, Logic and Reason, thus why they always act like such petulant children, screaming at the top of their lungs and/or name calling rather than engage in rational debate with substance and facts.  "Virtue Signaling" is the latest political weapon that is used like a blunt object, based in inaccurate history, guilt trips and false feelings of entitlement.

History is riddled with things  like this, “oh it’s only a baseball team”… that’s how it starts, little things that don’t seem to matter on the grand scale of life but have always ended with it being taken to extremes and creating some of the darkest times in human history, despite what it’s called in the beginning.

I will always proudly wear my Cleveland Indians baseball hats and anything else I own with that historical and logo based in pure Americana, it's an icon and deserves to be treated better than banishment based in ignorance.

Femme Fatale Friday - Dita Von Teese

 Yes, could have waited until closer to her birthday (Sept 28th, just incase you were wondering) but couldn't wait, can you blame me? 😍

The woman who not only brought back Burlesque but also became its reigning Queen, she reformed this great artform for a new age and took it over the top, yet always maintaining a level of class and dignity that no other comes close to.  Her performances around the world are regular sellouts in any city from Las Vegas to Paris to Tokyo, she has the world wrapped around her silk gloved finger.

Von Teese grew up in Rochester Michigan with the last name, Sweet, which to me seems very appropriate. 😉 Spending

afternoons at the movies with her mother watching some of the greats who inspired her like Betty Grable, Mae West, Carmen Miranda, Marlene Dietrich.  Peaks at her father's Playboy magazines also inspired her, especially the lacey lingerie that the legendary Playmates would wear.

While in college in California she studied historic costuming and trained as a costume designer, even then, she would produce and copyrighting her fashion shoots herself.

Von Teese began work in a California strip club at age 19 but was not impressed with her fellow performers lack of imagination and originality, often working classical looks into her performances.

Her stage name Dita, was a tribute to silent film star Dita Parlo and her famous "beauty mark" is actually at tattoo even though she wears it better than anyone with a natural one.

Dita was later featured in Playboy in 1999, 2001 & 2002, where she also graced the cover.  She has published books on burlesque and fetish while giving birth to a new age of burlesque.

I will confess, I fell for this beauty the first time I ever saw her picture, which I mistook for a vintage shot from the 30's or 40's, but was delighted to find out she was here and now. 💘

Today, she continues to design and sell her lingerie as well as book and many other items, including the vase she holds in the picture at the top of the page, please check out her website and social media who share some LOVE 💖

Mannix, a forgotten television classic for gumshoe fans!

 During a facebook exile, I get the chance to get caught up on binging classic television shows, lately I've gotten back into an old favorite, the Mike Connors hit, Mannix.

The basic story is about a classic television gumshoe, Joe Mannix, a US Army Veteran, who starts out as part of a major investigation company, corporate PI for hire, that builds to him going out on his own, realizing that such a structure to do PI work, doesn't work.  The decision for the change actually came from television legend, Lucille Ball herself (the show was produced by, Desi-Lu Studios), who thought all the computers didn't work and wanted the show to go more along the lines of a classic private investigator.

In season two, Mannix was on his own, along with secretary Peggy Fair (Gail Fisher), a policeman's widow.  In the shows existence, Fisher was nominated for 4 Emmy's, winning one and 3 Golden Globes, winning twice.

The show lasted an awesome 8 seasons, from 1967 to 1975.  The writing was consistently good, with action from start to finish, always with a quality opening teaser, it's easy to see how it influenced other similar shows for the 10 years after Mannix went off the air.  The show had both blind and deaf characters and tackled racism on several occasions, as well as gambling and alcohol addictions and the problems with PTSD in Veterans.

Mike Connors himself was nominated for 6 Golden Globes, winning once and 4 Emmy nominations.  He graced the cover of TV Guide on multiple occasions. 

The guests on the show reads like a whos-who of television/film legends... Julie Adams (Creature from the Black Lagoon), Adam West (Batman), Yvonne Craig (Star Trek, Batman), Dana Elcar (McGyver), Darrin McGavin (Kolchak the Night Stalker), Tom Selleck (Magnum PI), William Shatner (Star Trek), Martin Sheen (The West Wing), Linda Evans (Dynasty), Milton Berle (comedy legend), Lou Rawls (singing legend), Bill Bixby (The Incredible Hulk), Sally Kellerman (MASH), Burgess Meredith (Batman - television, Rocky -films), Richard Roundtree (Shaft) and SO many more.

Like many classic television shows, I'd love to have seen the actor reprise his character on later shows like, Magnum PI or even an episode of The Love Boat needing a private investigator, or even helping David Banner through a tough spot on, The Hulk.  Network executives just never saw the potential for such cameo's. 

No matter what, it was 8 years of a really great television classic, that stands the test of time today, find it on DVD to enjoy with your family & friends!

Happy Birthday Mike Shannon

 68 young years in the world and 50 years in Baseball, Mike Shannon is a true treasure to the St. Louis Cardinals, the state of Missouri and to Sports Broadcasting. 

Born Thomas Michael Shannon, he was the second oldest of six kids, raised on the south side of St. Louis.  His senior year in high school he was, Player of the Year in Football and Basketball (only student ever to win both in the same year) ... but not...? okay LOL  He went on to play football at the University of Missouri but would leave in 1958 to begin his baseball career with the Cardinals.  His former coach, Frank Broyles said that if Shannon had stayed at MU Football, he might have won the Heisman.

With the Cardinals as a player, he helped the team to two World Championships in 1964 and 1967, in July of 66 he was named NL Player of the Month.  Shannon hit the final home run in the original Busch Stadium and then hit the first homerun in the second Busch Stadium, his playing career was cut short in 1970 when he was diagnosed with a kidney disease.  He would go on to be part of three more World Championships as part of the Cardinals broadcast team.

In 1971 he began in the radio broadcast booth alongside the legendary, Jack Buck and was partnered with him for almost 30 years, in 2002 Shannon was named as the lead broadcaster, and he's been there ever since. Shannon was inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014 and in 2016 he moved to only broadcasting home games, 2021 will be his final season broadcasting for the team.

For many years he was the proprietor of, Mike Shannon's Steak & Seafood House in downtown St. Louis (I've got four of the original dinner menus) and still has two, Mike Shannon's Grill, one in Edwardsville IL and one, that many eat at, in the St Louis airport, I always stop in for a bite when traveling.

Growing up a Royals fan, I missed the last part of the Jack Buck era, but since becoming a Cardinals fan, Mike Shannon has been the The Man when it comes to the radio calls of the Cards games and it's not going to be the same without him.  

Happy Birthday Mike, and Thank You. 💖⚾

My sports collection shelf, dedicated to Mike Shannon, just to the left is a couple of things for Michael Wacha (wacha wacha) 😆