Barbara Billingsley, Hugh Beaumont, Tony Dow, Jerry Mathers in “Leave it to Beaver”
Who admits to remembering what it was like to look up something in your encyclopedia set? Just a few of you, huh? Well, if you can’t recall that grand experience, or you only know what it’s like to look something up on the Internet, it’s okay. This is how I remember it.
First, it was pretty keen if your family could afford to have an encyclopedia set in your home. Any moment, a burning question might surface and you would race to the family bookshelf, pull out the chosen, gold-lettered volume, and ferret out your answer — just like that!
Second, once you found what you needed, it was tough to put the encyclopedia down. The books were stuffed full of facts you didn’t know! So much to learn from those smooth, glossy pages. You might stumble upon pictures of ugly bugs, long-dead dinosaurs, far away countries, or the anatomy of the sexes! And, there was a book for each letter of the alphabet … plus year books!
Third, some encyclopedias had long, fancy names. Ours was called Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia! Name-dropping alert: sometime later, I was told that we were related to Mr. Funk who started the whole thing with Mr. Wagnall. Cool!
Fourth, our set filled a whole bookshelf! All by itself! It felt rather rich to have an entire bookshelf of encyclopedias. They stood up so straight and steady; like little towers of wisdom.
Fifth, encyclopedias have been around for over 2,000 years; my Funk & Wagnalls, since 1912. Take that, Internet!
Even though I love the Internet, and it’s a might cheaper than my encyclopedias were at the time, my heart still goes out to those well-trodden books, where any morsel of knowledge could be found on a lazy afternoon without waiting for it to boot up.
To celebrate this 100th post, I will revel like a good nerd should … I’ll sit back, whip off my browncoat, and ask my favorite TV cast from Firefly to join me.
Disclaimer: to those who don’t know Firefly, I apologize for all the show-specific slang ahead.
“Wash” Washburne (Alan Tudyk)
First, thank you all for readin’ my Pastimes blog — more than once! You know who you are, I’m pointin’ right at ya! I couldn’t have kept bloggin’ along if it weren’t for you guys!
Jayne Cobb (Adam Baldwin)
Writin’ can be dandy, but it can also be dreadful! Most of the time, I ask myself, “what am I thinkin’?” And, most of the time someone answers back, “you aren’t!”
Dr. Simon Tam (Sean Maher)
Once, while lookin’ for a post idea, I was so ornery that I wished Dr. Tam could swap Badger’s brain for mine so I could smuggle other people’s posts into my blog. However, it would be just my luck and Tam would plop in the brain of a flesh-eatin’ Reaver! Yikes!
Zoe Washburne (Gina Torres)
Every other mornin’, I would whine that I had writer’s block. I wanted to rabbit right back to my foxhole. But, I knew that joyless Jayne would find me and haul me right back, kickin’ and screamin’!
Shepherd Book (Ron Glass)
Before my 50th post, I thought about givin’ up. I had a vision … someone was standin’ over me with wild, white hair. I heard chanting … “get the Shepherd, get the Shepherd!”
River Tam (Summer Glau)
After bein’ “saved” by the Shepherd, I dreamt that River sent me to my room for more rest and reflection. One can’t be too “shiny,” you know!
Kaylee Frye (Jewel Staite)
On the way to my 75th post, I knew it was time for desperate measures; my essay engine needed rewirin’ fast. Could I channel ever-chipper, mechanical magician Kaylee to “get my bird in the air”?
All was quiet now; my writin’ monster had been soothed once again. My 99th post was finished and here was my 100th! I think I’m ready for the next 100. Somewhere up in the sky, I hear a voice. Sounds like Joss whispering “Gohn Shi” (congratulations).
I just love digging out little bits of movie or TV trivia! So, this is what I found today…
Barbra Streisand’s little sis, singer and actress Roslyn Kind, talks to Unscripted on YouTube about being the baby of the family, and growing her career.
I always knew Barbra had a sister, and recalled seeing and hearing her sing in the 70’s. As you watch this video, you’ll see how much Roslyn and Barbra look and talk alike. It’s uncanny! I think even more so as they have aged.
Now, hear Roslyn sing. Perhaps, she has a deeper voice and less pitch control than Barbra, but their similarities sure prove their kinship.
Watch Sammy Davis, Jr. “channel” Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, James Cagney, James Stewart, Jerry Lewis, and more as he wows us with his on point impersonations of popular singers and actors of 1954!
Many of you remember Sammy Davis for his clear voice and terrific tap dancing. However, you may not recall or know that he was an amazing impersonator as well. “Because of You,” a Hammerstein & Wilkinson tune that I grew up listening to, superbly showcased Sammy’s amazing ear and talent for mimicry.
It looks like this 1954 TV appearance was done before the severe car crash that took his left eye in November of the same year. In 1955, Sammy released his “Starring Sammy Davis Jr.” album; on the cover, he is sporting an eye patch. This album introduced me to Sammy, which I will be forever grateful. Thanks, Mom!
A chip off the old block! You could certainly say that about TV’s “Bewitched” star, Elizabeth Montgomery. Her father was Robert Montgomery, popular Hollywood actor of the 30’s and 40’s, and TV producer in the 50’s. Actually, I lied. Elizabeth was a “double” chip off the old block, as she was also the daughter of Broadway actress Elizabeth Bryan (Allen). Great genes!
To introduce, or remind you, how funny and charming Robert could be, check out the first video above. The next video catches a young Elizabeth awkwardly giggling on her father’s TV show, “Robert Montgomery Presents.” (31 seconds into the clip.) On the last video, you can see the familiar proof of Elizabeth’s inherited comical expressions and timing. Definitely, a family affair!
Who doesn’t love Harrison Ford? Well, I guess there are a few of you who might not, but I won’t let that stop me. For those of you who are fervent fans, you’ll appreciate watching young Harrison in this TV episode clip of The Virginian (1967)…10 years before he became heartthrob Han Solo!
Although, Harrison made three appearances before this show, I chose a longer clip to give you more viewing time of our young master carpenter playing cowboy. A role that could easily have prepared him for his future Star Wars outlaw.
Harrison once said, “I don’t want to be a movie star, I want to be in movies that are stars.” Visit IMDb and YouTube to discover more about our humble Harrison.
Pastimes of Mine 