Today is the Chief's birthday!!!!

Wiki told Rage who told Mother who told me: William Randolph Hearst I (29 April 1863 – 14 August 1951) was an American newspaper magnate.
Hearst was a leading newspaper publisher. The son of self-made millionaire George Hearst, he became aware that his father had received a northern California newspaper, The San Francisco Examiner, as payment of a gambling debt. Still a student at Harvard, he asked his father to give him the newspaper to run. In 1887, he became the paper's publisher and devoted long hours and much money to making it a success. Crusading for civic improvement and exposing municipal corruption, he greatly increased the paper's circulation.
Moving on to New York City, he acquired The New York Journal and engaged in a bitter circulation war with Joseph Pulitzer's New York World that led to the creation of "yellow journalism"--sensationalized stories of dubious veracity. Acquiring more newspapers, Hearst ultimately created a chain that at its peak numbered nearly 30 papers in major American cities. Eventually, he expanded into magazines as well, building the largest newspaper and magazine chain in the world.
Although he was elected two times to the U.S. House of Representatives, he was defeated in 1906 in a race for governor of New York. Nonetheless, through his newspapers and magazines, he exercised enormous political influence, most notably in whipping up the public frenzy that pushed the U.S. into war with Spain in 1898. His life story was a source of inspiration for the lead character in Orson Welles' classic film, Citizen Kane.

Jane calling from Schwab's

There is a problem with Rage's application for a parttime delivery boy job

It's Ann-Margret's birthday!!!!!!

Yes, but it is also my godmother Miss LeRoux's birthday. She says she is 37. That is wild math as I am more than 37. Anyway. Happy Birthday, I sure love you.

I don't know Ann-Marget but I sure love her too. A-M is celebrating the big 6-7 today.

April 26th is a complicated day

It's possibly one of the most important days EVER in show business for a bunch of reasons:

Reason One: Famous Female Comic Icons Die on this date

Example:Dead, 1986.

Example:
(That is Irene Ryan, in case you are dense.) Dead, 1973.

Example:Dead, 1970. Please tell me you know that is Gyspy Rose Lee.


So, that is sort of daunting, and worth pondering for a minute.
And then, it is also worth noting:

Some of the greatest agents of all time were born on this date!!!!!

Example:(In the center) That is Dr Jules Stein, founder of MCA, the most powerful talent agency ever!!!!!

Example:this charming brute is my godfather, Charles K. Feldman. Debonair man about town, former husband and current best friend of photographer and Louis B. Mayer's crush, Jean Howard. Owner of the Famous Talent Agency. Not everyone wanted to be represented by "the Octopus". Uncle Charlie gets a lot of tail. Maybe some day I will want to be an agent, although unless I was born on this date I probably wouldn't stand a chance.

Born on the same date: Shirley and Babs

Shirley MacLaine (1934) campaigns, would you believe this isn't current? and Barbra Streisand (1942), looking super current, at least when she was 33:

Holy shit today is Jayne Mansfield's birthday!!!!!

Jaynie would be 75 todayhere is a little bit o' Jayne:she was somethin else

Today is William Holden's birthday!!!!!

Yup, Joe Gillis is turning Ninety today!!!!! Let's go to a Picnic: a little bon mot from the 1978 Oscars:and of course

Today is Sir Charles Chaplin's Birthday!!!!!!

I love the little tramp!!!! Did you ever see "City Lights"?you're probably bored with "Table Ballet"just sit still and watch this:Pretty timeless stuff.

It ironically turned to shit Twenty-Eight years ago today

Don't you think Ray Bailey thought it just a little funny that he passed away on Tax Day? One of the great character actors of his time, and talk about a big ham. Bet you haven't seen this in a while:hackhackhack

Who knew today was such an important date

Ponder who was born on this date:

Sir John Gielgud 1904

Rod Steiger 1927

Gloria Jean 1927

Loretta Lynn 1935

Ryan O'Neal 1941

Steve Martin 1943


in far less cheerful news, it all turned to shit Seventy-five years ago today for one Karl Dane Here is a fascinating bit of Wikifacts:

By the end of 1933 Dane had purchased a stake in a hot dog stand outside MGM Studios. The business failed as it was shunned by his former friends. Dane then tried to find work with his former studio as an extra or carpenter but was turned away. He had been seeking a job that would pay $5 a day.
On April 13 Dane was pick pocketed of all the money he had: $18. On April 14 he was supposed met with a young woman named Frances Leake, supposedly to see a movie and cheer him up. However he never showed and Leake became worried. She immediately arrived at his apartment (located at 626 South Burnside Avenue) and with the assistance of the landlady they were able to open the door. There they found Dane, clad in shirt, pants, and slippers. He was slumped in his chair, with a revolver at his feet. Leake fainted at the scene. When she was revived, Leake found Dane's final note on a nearby table, next to a scrapbook he had always kept, filled with his old studio contracts and rave reviews. The short note read, "To Frances and all my friends-goodbye."
Dane had committed suicide by shooting himself in the head with a revolver.
No one came forward to claim his body. Police tagged his body with the note, "May have relatives in Denmark. Hold for awhile". For the next few days authorities attempted to find his family, even placing ads in major Copenhagen newspapers. However, the Gottliebs did not find out about Dane's death until weeks later.
Fellow Danish actor Jean Hersholt stepped forward and insisted MGM pay for a funeral and burial. MGM agreed and on April 18 a funeral was held open to the public. Among the fifty attendees, mostly those of Scandinavian descent, Hersholt was a pallbearer, as well as Tom O'Brien. Dane was interred at Hollywood Forever Cemetery with a modest headstone.thanks find a grave

Guess Who is Eighty-two!!!!!!

Yup. Hef is 82. Also, the complaints are pouring in from his neighbors and the LACC, apparently Rage was (yet again) refused entry to Hef's mansion so now he is hiding in the rough of the golf course with Doc Filler's revolver

Throwing a funeral is not all that difficult

I went to what could only be referred to as a "Hollywood" funeral this past weekend. Mother was having an argument with Mr. Benchley and Drambuie that was dragging on way too long, so at the last minute I decided to go with Aunt Gonxha, who was already going anyway. It was a "lively" affair. It began with the departed's dear friend, The Chairman of the Board, serenading him:Culturally, spiritually and entertainment-wise, it went downhill from there. Gonxha and I want to remind you of some basic do's and don'ts for memorial services:

* Location, location, location. In this case, A+. Show up early if you want to be inside (and hear anything). People get famously sunburned at these things, hat/sunglasses and sunscreen are a must. To 150 men I saw: I know you're old, but have you never heard of moisturizer?

* Take Control of Who Will Speak. Let's just say, this didn't go so hot.

* Sixty to Ninety Minutes is optimal. More than that is, pardon the expression, death.

* He's Dead, Let Him Hear Some Pretty and Hopeful Music Referencing God:
(another version of "my way" for someone Christ-oriented)


* Put Gonxha on the aisle, she knows more (old) people than you do. She will push you out of the way should be you be sitting in her seat.

* First, and foremost, show respect for all people in the room, especially the young. Impressions made in these rooms last a lifetime. This man's family deserved much better, it seems like they lost so much already.

Today is LIttle Mary Pickford's birthday!!!

From Wiki: Mary Pickford (April 8, 1892 – May 29, 1979) was an Academy Award-winning Canadian motion picture star, as well as a co-founder of the film studio United Artists and one of the original 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Known as "America's Sweetheart," "Little Mary" and "the girl with the curls," she was one of the first Canadian pioneers in early Hollywood and one of film's greatest pioneers. Her influence in the development of film acting was enormous. Because her international fame was triggered by moving images, she is a watershed figure in the history of modern celebrity. And as one of silent film's most important performers and producers, her contract demands were central to shaping the Hollywood industry. In consideration of her contributions to American cinema, the American Film Institute named Pickford 24th among the greatest female stars of all time.

Mother and I think that she was essential to the development of the star system and truly was the most important female actress of her day. Mother likes her because she and Captain Brown enjoy a cocktail at Pickfair from time to time.

Today is Joi Lansing's birthday!!!

Wiki made Rusty write this down real quick, I hope he got it!:
A buxom blonde model and actress, Lansing was often cast in roles similar to those played by her contemporaries, Jayne Mansfield and Mamie Van Doren. Joi appeared in skimpy costumes and bikinis; yet, no nudes exist. Her measurements were 39 - 23 - 35.
She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her earliest work was modeling. Her film career began in 1948. Lansing had an MGM contract at the age of 14 and completed high school on the studio lot.
In 1952 she played an uncredited role in the MGM blockbuster Singin' in the Rain. In the opening scene of Touch of Evil, directed by Orson Welles, she appeared as Zita, a dancer who dies at the end of the famous first tracking shot.
She starred in short musical films for the Scopitone video-jukebox system, which anticipated MTV by decades. Some of these films, particularly "The Web of Love" and "The Silencer", have gone on to become camp classics.
Producer Stanley Todd discussed a motion picture project with Lansing in 1964. The film, which was never made, was tentatively titled Project 22. It was to have been shot on location in Yugoslavia. George Hamilton and Geraldine Chaplin were named to the cast. Busby Berkeley is thought to have been involved in the planning.
Lansing played Lola in Marriage on the Rocks (1965). The movie had an "A-list" cast, including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Deborah Kerr. One of her last films was Bigfoot (1970).

It all turned to shit Thirty-two years ago today

for Howard Hughes, that is: Listen, I don't have all the time in the world, what I really need to describe is just how much of a NUT Howard was. Nutty von Nut Nutt.
Got hit in the head. Alot. Sexual compulsive yet a germophobe. Fas-cinating. Cobina wants you to know that he died on this date in 1976, mid-flight from Mexico City to Dallas. Here is but a brief glimpse into the magic that was HH's life, as told by the super entertaining Charles Higham:
who the hell knows what really happened to him

Look who is turning 100 today!!!!!!

Yes, folks, today is Bette Davis' Centennial. Here is a terrific tribute narrated by Meryl Streep that originally aired on TCMThough no longer actually with us,Miss Davis is always current on the cinema
Not necessarily a "people person" from an HR point of view. You might enjoy seeing this (there are two musical numbers here, don't quit before it's over):
But she is a treasured friend of Mother's and mine for years, Happy Birthday Miss Davis!!!!

"It All Turned to shit" Golden Anniversary edition

Fifty years ago today, Gangster/Goon/"Pony" Johnny Stompanato was shivved to death in an upstairs bedroom in Lana Turner's rented Beverly Hills home on Linden Drive. Turner and Johnny Stomp had fought over Lana's decision NOT to have Stompanato escort her to the Oscars the previous evening. I'm sure they also fought over his decision to punch her in the face repeatedly and his constant threats to disfigure her. Here is Sydney Guilaroff's riveting first person account of the event (double click to read):

Today is Bea Benaderet's birthday

Our beloved Bea is celebrating her birthday today. You know her as Betty Rubble, or Kate Bradley, or the neighbor on Burns and Allen or as my favorite, Pearl Bodine. Here is one you may have missed:She and Mel Blanc worked together many times.

Today is Marlon Brando's birthday!!!

Maybe you're not paying attention, but Doris Day was also born on this very same day in the very same year. Doris is of course, still here, here being Carmel Valley. Here's a little bon mot from last year:and from a favorite movie, "Teacher's Pet"Your eyes are not failing you, poor vid quality but you will see that Streisand has nothing on her Marlon Brando led a "colorful" life. Outstanding parent. Apparently had impulse control issues. And Wally Cox'ashes in his closet (you really don't have to be Fellini to figure this one out...)
there's more of that on you tube should you want it, now 1994 Brando with 300-year-old-flatus Larry Kinghe did live on a cool hilltop in BH (and was such a fastidious housekeeper that the place was demolished the second he was dead)
Who wasn't hot when they were 25? Believe me, I know pathetic, and this guy was pathetic.

Today is Debbie Reynolds' Birthday!!!!

I bet you haven't seen this in awhile,you will need a drink for this:It also kinda super turned to shit today in 1984 for Marvin Gaye Jr. Being shot and all by his Dad, Marvin Sr. Probably didn't go so hot for him either.