Musical Monday with Hot Butter

Nearly 50 years ago, in 1972, Hot Butter (keyboardist Stan Free) released his cover of Gershon Kingsley's immortal, history-making tune "Popcorn." This is the version that everyone from lone keyboardists to death-metal bands to symphony orchestras have covered rather than Kingsley's original.

Here it is, along with an interpretative dance which should give all of your budding dancers and choreographers hope. If these people couple make it on some French television show in the early 1970s, then you can make your dreams a reality, no matter how insecure you feel!

The Avengers: Two's a Crowd

Two's a Crowd (1965)
Starring: Patrick Macnee, Diana Rigg, Warren Mitchell, Julian Glover, Wolf Morris, Maria Machado, and Alec Mango
Director: Roy Ward Baker
Rating: Eight of Ten Stars

Super-spies John Steed (Macnee) and Emma Peel (Rigg) are on the verge of unmasking a mysterious Russian agent, but his crafty assistants (Glover, Mango, Machado, and Morris) stymie their efforts by replacing Steed with a lookalike (Macnee) in their employ.

"Two's a Crowd" got off to a really fun start for me. I watch so many old films with cheap and pathetic effects that I thought I was in for another "treat" in that department--but then the model turned out to be a model. (The foe of the Avengers loves model airplanes and he uses remote controlled model planes to committ assassinations.)

This bit of trickery/playing on perception sets the theme for the entire episode where many things aren't what they seem and models take the place of the real thing... but can be just as lethal. John Steed's double is literally a model: The man is a male fashion model, and while he may not be a trained combatant, like Steed, his completely lack of morals and regard for other human beings makes him every deadly to those who think he's Steed.

Storywise, this is a fast-paced episode that's as full of twists and turns as one would expect a tale involving a "faceless" assassin whose identity is kept secret by a cadre of ruthless assistants, traitorous dopplegangers, and elaborate assassination schemes. The balance between humor and suspense is expertly maintained throughout, with lots of witty banter, quirky characters, and lots of fun situations. The best scenes involved Steed's evil double--with the fashion show where he is first introduced being absolutely hilarious, and the scene where Emma Peel has to decide if Steed is himself or the double and whether she should kill or not is quite suspenseful.

The best thing about the episode is the performances by Patrick Macnee--and yes, I did say "performances". Not only does he play two characters in the episode, but the fake Steed goes in and out of the character of Steed... so Macnee is playing a character who is playing John Steed. It's lots of fun to watch a talented actor getting show off!

Wonder Woman Wednesday

Legend has it that Wonder Woman's personal presence is so powerful that she causes some people to see stars by just showing up. Today, we test that theory. Please let us know if any of the featured portraits cause you to see stars (other than the ones on her outfit).

Part homage, part spoof, all good

Miss Barton's Famous Cakes (2019)
Starring: Lauren LaVera, Michael Doherty, and Charlie McElveen
Directors: Jared Hirsch and Nelson Vicens

Rating: Eight of Ten Stars

On a rainy night, Miss Barton (LaVera) learns that a pair of homicidal maniacs are searching for her in order to sate their hunger for her award-winning cake.

"Miss Barton's Famous Cakes" captures the look and feel of 1950s film noir, slanted more in the direction of the British manifestation of the genre than the American one. It has fun with the style and conventions of the genre, but it's also obvious that the filmmakers have love and respect for the material they drew inspiration from. Viewers are treated to about 15 minutes of excellent cinematography and lighting (that takes full advantage of the black-and-white medium); tight dialogue and fine acting (that is equal parts dramatic and the delivery vehicle for several moments of hilarity you won't see coming); and nicely done period costumes and hair styles (which is where many films that this usually fail).

The only complaint I have is that Miss Barton's visitors are slightly miscast. Both actors (Charles Doherety and Michael McElveen) give fine performances, but they both seem a little young and/or fresh-faced for homicide squad detectives in a film noir bit. This might be an unfair and nitpicky complaint, but it's the only thing about the whole film that didn't quite work for me.

Take a few minutes to check out "Miss Barton's Famous Cakes" by clicking below. I'm sure you'll find it time well spent.

Tom Jones and the Art of Noise

Who needs Indiana Jones when we've got Tom Jones?! 

Consider these titles of action-filled adventure stories...

Tom Jones and the Thunderball  --  Tom Jones and the Voice

Tom Jones and the Sexbomb  -- Tom Jones and That Wonderful Sound

Tom Jones and the Green Grass of Home

And here's a theme from one of those fabulous tales!

Happy birthday to Emily Ratajkowski

 Model and actress Emily Ratajkowski was born on this day in 1991.

(And we know for sure this this is her 30th birthday, because we counted the rings in her hat.)

As for presents... we don't know she wanted for her birthday, but these pictures make it clear as to what she needs.

Musical Monday with June Christy

It's the first Musical Monday in June, so we're bringing you a Musical June!

Born in 1925, June Christy has been described as one of the most talented jazz singers to ever perform. She began her career in the mid-1940s, and had a career that lasted until the mid-1970s. She recorded numerous albums for Capitol Records, working primarily with arranger Pete Rugolo. Rugolo had been the arranger for the Stan Kenton Orchestra where Christy got her start. (Like Christy, Kenton and Rugolo are considered giants in jazz music.)

June Christy recorded her final album in 1974 and then retired from show business. She passed away on June 21, 1990, but her performances live on!

Otterly Human is Utterly Humorous

"Otterly Human" is a cute web comic that often features pun-based humor. It's done by writer Connor Stone and artist Jaime Smith. We hope you enjoy the samples here, and, if you do, be sure to swing by the official site by clicking here.

The Avengers Dossier, Page Eleven

It's time for another look at a supporting player from the classic fourth season of "The Avengers"!

JAN HOLDEN
In "Dial a Deadly Number", Jan Holden played a financier's wife who actively maintained a diversified portfolio of male assets (if you know what I mean [wink-wink, nudge-nudge].)

Born in 1931, Jan Holden spent her early childhood in India, but returned to with her family to England as World War II broke out. She developed in interest in acting while at school, and proved to have a talent of comedy. At 18, Holden was offered internships at several renowned theatres and theatrical companies, but her father disapproved of her theatrical ambitions, so he refused to let accept any of the offers. He eventually softened her stance, and she was able to enter the Old Vic's director's course. In 1951, she became the theatre's assistant stage manager.

Holden soon established herself as a popular and respected stage actress in light comedies. By the mid-1950s, she began to add movie and television roles to her workload, including "Stranglers of Bombay" and other films from the famous Hammer Studios. For the next 30 years, Holden would balance theatre and screen work. Her most famous role was, arguably, as Mrs. Newhouse on the sitcom "Casanova '73", as the wife of a husband who spends each episode making sure she doesn't learn of his extra-marital affair.

Aside from her role in "Dial a Deadly Number", Holden also appeared as a different character in "The Avengers" Season Three episode "The Undertakers".

In the mid-1980s, Holden was plagued by a series of health problems, so she eased back on her work schedule and retired in 1990. She passed away in 2005.

A Stranger's Final Moments...

Stranger (2013)
Starring: Gabriel Burrafato, Nathalie Ben-Kely, Rusty Meyers, and Billy Gilbride
Director: Brandon Christensen
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars

Stranger (Burrafato), a lonely hitman who is now a target for death himself, is resigned to spending his final moments, admiring Iris (Ben-Kely), the woman he secretly loves from afar. But then things take a turn....

"Stranger" is a short film from 2013 that set out to capture the look and mood of the film noir genre of the late 1940s and early 1950s. It is largely successful--especially during the shots of Gabriel Burrafato sitting at the bar while his character internally monologs. 

In addition to some great cinematography, this little film features a story and characters that's portrayed effectively enough that not only will you be able to imagine what has gone before and what will follow the events shown on screen, but you may find yourself wishing there was more time with Stranger, Iris, and whoever Stranger has crossed than just these few minutes.

As enjoyable and well-done as I found this film to be, there were a couple things about it that bothered me--admittedly small things but one still bugged me enough to rise above the level of a nitpick.

There needed to be a difference in sound quality between Stranger's narration and the conversation he has with Iris. Stranger's internal monolog happens against an audio backdrop of total silence, which makes sense since it's in his head, but the same is true of the exchanges he has with Iris. The parts where Stranger isn't narrating would have benefitted tremendously from a little ambient sounds drifting in from nearby tables or other patrons at the bar.

Despite that highly technical complaint, I think "Stranger" is an excellent short film, and I think you'll find the four minutes it will take you to watch it well worth your time. It may even brighten your day... because who doesn't like a love story (even one between a hitman and a hostess... perhaps *especially* one between a hitman and a hostess)? 

Hey, I think you'll like it so much that I've embedded it below, via YouTube, so you can watch it right now!