Stan Laurel's Birthday: June 16, 1895

Today is the birthday comic greats, Stan Laurel.

This clip from Way Out West has a great dance routine. Thanks for the great laughs, Stan (& Ollie!)

Vincent Price's Birthday: May 27, 1911

Happy Birthday Vincent Price! The multitalented actor, chef, art critic, and gentleman who gave us so many fun comic-horror films was born 102 years ago today.

Vincent Leonard Price, Jr. (May 27, 1911 – October 25, 1993)

Price, above, in Tomb of Ligeia

Thursday is Hearse Day: 1909 Hearse

Image from “The Casket” magazine for funeral directors, 1909

Musical selection by Secret Chiefs 3 - Book T: Broken Glass Hearse

Mouseferatu taxidermy by Chad O’Connell

Mouseferatu taxidermy by Chad O’Connell

He has some wonderful SFX and life like character tributes here.

Walpurgis Night!

In Germany, Walpurgisnacht, the night from 30 April to 1 May, is the night when witches are reputed to hold a large celebration on the Brocken and await the arrival of spring.

I may be passing the day with a mere re-watching of the great 1922 film  Häxan (Witchcraft Through The Ages) written and directed by Benjamin Christensen.

Struwwelpeter: The Story of Johnny Head-in-Air

Another cautionary tale for children from the 1845 book

Struwwelpeter: Merry Tales and Funny

Pictures, by Heinrich Hoffman

The Story of Johnny Head-in-Air 

As he trudged along to school, It was always Johnny's rule To be looking at the sky And the clouds that floated by; But what just before him lay, In his way, Johnny never thought about; So that every one cried out "Look at little Johnny there, Little Johnny Head-In-Air!" Running just in Johnny's way Came a little dog one day; Johnny's eyes were still astray Up on high, In the sky; And he never heard them cry "Johnny, mind, the dog is nigh!" Bump! Dump! Down they fell, with such a thump, Dog and Johnny in a lump!

Once, with head as high as ever, Johnny walked beside the river. Johnny watched the swallows trying Which was cleverest at flying. Oh! what fun! Johnny watched the bright round sun Going in and coming out; This was all he thought about. So he strode on, only think! To the river's very brink, Where the bank was high and steep, And the water very deep; And the fishes, in a row, Stared to see him coming so. One step more! oh! sad to tell! Headlong in poor Johnny fell. And the fishes, in dismay, Wagged their tails and swam away.

There lay Johnny on his face, With his nice red writing-case; But, as they were passing by, Two strong men had heard him cry; And, with sticks, these two strong men Hooked poor Johnny out again.

Oh! you should have seen him shiver When they pulled him from the river. He was in a sorry plight! Dripping wet, and such a fright! Wet all over, everywhere, Clothes, and arms, and face, and hair: Johnny never will forget What it is to be so wet. And the fishes, one, two, three, Are come back again, you see; Up they came the moment after, To enjoy the fun and laughter. Each popped out his little head, And, to tease poor Johnny, said "Silly little Johnny, look, You have lost your writing-book!"

Struwwelpeter: The Story of Flying Robert

Another cautionary tale for children from the 1845 book

Struwwelpeter: Merry Tales and Funny

Pictures, by Heinrich Hoffman

The Story of Flying Robert

When the rain comes tumbling down In the country or the town, All good little girls and boys Stay at home and mind their toys. Robert thought, "No, when it pours, It is better out of doors." Rain it did, and in a minute Bob was in it. Here you see him, silly fellow, Underneath his red umbrella.

What a wind! oh! how it whistles Through the trees and flowers and thistles! It has caught his red umbrella: Now look at him, silly fellow— Up he flies To the skies. No one heard his screams and cries; Through the clouds the rude wind bore him, And his hat flew on before him.

Soon they got to such a height, They were nearly out of sight. And the hat went up so high, That it nearly touched the sky. No one ever yet could tell Where they stopped, or where they fell: Only this one thing is plain, Bob was never seen again!

Charlie Chaplin's Birthday

Sir Charles Spencer ”Charlie“ Chaplin, KBE

16 April 1889 – 25 December 1977

Mary Pickford's Birthday

Today marks the 121st anniversary of Mary Pickford's birth. Known for her innocense and flowing curls, Pickford was one of the first of Hollywood Royalty.

NYC's Post-Punk legends Stiffs, Inc. does a great song, Mary Pickford Marry Me: