hiway29

Otto Kolar- Maybe he took the name of his deceased brother, who was killed in a car accident. As VPW so revealingly states in "the way-living in love', he was killed by a black person, and he didn't like black people for many years after that. I wonder when (if) that changed.

My 2 cents on the all star game and home field advantage. I don't like it, and I don't think it's done a thing to make the game more exciting or meaningful. It also wasn't necessary, as the baseball all star game already is the most popular among the major sports. Most of the players know they are not going to be in the series, so what do they care? I'm not sure they would care anyway. If you're going to make the game 'meaningful', then the voting system is all wrong. The players, and coaches should pick the team if you're playing for a world series advantage. That won't happen, but if you're going to keep it with the fan's voting, then it should be regulated to one fan one vote. It's absurd to see some kid at a ballpark with a pile of all star ballots, punching the holes on the home team, then stuffing the box. The game is an exhibition, and should be treated as such. It's played totally different than a 'real' game, with an attempt to get everyone in the game. I think we used to do that in little league. That some wonderful contests have resulted from it is a testament to the professionalism of the players. The game does seem to take on a life of it's own once it starts. But it's still an exhibition, and should have nothing to do with series home field advantage.

ok, I'm going to get a nice dvd of Casablanca, and watch it again. I'm sure I missed alot the first time around. There is so much dialogue, that maybe 1 am isn't the time to try to follow an intricate plot. It also seemed 'stagebound' and claustrophobic. I've never denied it's status, but I've also never 'gotten' it the way you all do. Clearly, I've missed something, and am not ashamed to admit it.

all star balloting rarely goes to the most deserving anyway. Don't be surprised when Barry Bonds makes first ballot even tho he may not play a game by then. Any system where you can gather hundreds of ballots and punch holes all day is not to be taken seriously. Still, the baseball all-star game is the only one that matters, and that people care about.

Sudo- It's not that I don't think casablanca is a great film. I'd seen clips from it and read about it for years, finally seeing it late at night on a portable tv, on a local channel with commercials every 10 minutes, and grainy reception. That's what I meant by not a great first viewing. 'Sullivan's Travels' is largely a comedy, but is not very funny when they are living among the homeless, and definately not funny when he is accused of murder and is in solitary confinement in a wooden shed only big enough to stand up in. Maybe it's not a 'tear jerker' per say, but the movie has always moved me, as the 'message' is good, and it consistently surprises.

'Citizen Kane' is a whole study by itself. I've seen it more than 30 times ( tho not as many times as I sat through PFAL) and there is always something new to learn by it's visual, story structure, characters, and the endless pieces of the puzzle. For all of that, it doesn't resonate as emotionally as other classic movies do, at least in the latter parts, where Kane has aged. I am always moved during the interview with the aged Bernstein tho. When he reflects on how he once saw a woman getting off a boat, and says that a day hasn't gone by where he doesn't think of her, tho he saw her for only a moment. Commenting on the fact that Kane made lot of money, he answers that'making money isn't hard to do, if all you want to do is make alot of money'. The young Kane is compelling and exciting, very much a picture of the 25 year old Orson Welles. You really want to like this guy, and the decaying of his character is done brilliantly with a montage of Kane and his wife at the breakfast table over time. For a movie that makes my eyes well up tho, off the top of my head I'd say Sullivan's Travels,and The Grapes of Wrath.I'll have to think about that.

Well, Im a Dodger fan in that I live 15 minutes from Dodger Stadium, and take in about 20 games a year. Dodger Stadium is a wonderful place, at least it used to be before the new owners got their hands on it. I wouldn't start bragging just yet either. The Dodgers have excellent pitching but a team of cast offs, has beens, and jeff kent. Withing a year of the new ownership, the entire team has been dismantled, and extremely popular players sent packing. If this team of strangers can maintain throughout the season, I'll be amazed. I'm not really a 'fan' of anyone anymore, but I still love baseball whenever and however i can get it. I grew up in Connecticut in the dividing line between mew York and Boston. I was a rabid Yankee fan as a kid, who also thought the Sox were cool. Hated the Mets. When i was 12, and baseball was at its most important, the yankees went into the tank for 10 years. I lived my teen years with the Horace Clarke and Jake Gibbs , Yankees. The Red Sox had them outclassed in every way back then. I was still a big yankee fan during the reggie jackson years, and my fav yankee team by far is the paul O Neill Tino martinez etc late 90's team. I got over my yankee myopia as soon as I moved away from Connecticut. I went to lots of reds games in ohio, padres, and Angels games in california, and many minor league parks in between. I just find I enjoy the game more if I'm not too wrapped up in a team. I got tired of feeling good if they won, and lousy if they lost., with absolutely no control over it. I can sit back in the loge section of Dodger Stadium, with a Dodger Dog, peanuts and a beer, and just enjoy being there.

A challenge? hmmm I've been pretty busy myself lately, but I'm ready to be put to the test. I don't remember a whole lot about that clip, except that it's the same movie that often misquotes the request to sam to play it again. I detect the voice of that same star in the clip, and recall that the singing of that song was an 'in your face' to the nazis. I don't share the same awe of tghis movie as many do, tho I certainly recognize it as one of the greats. I blame it on knowing too much about it before I ever saw it, and not having a memorable 'first time' viewing . The initial experience of a great movie determines alot of how it impacts us. I had a better first viewing experience with 'To Have and Have Not', with that same actor. I am curious what else can be gleaned from that clip. Any sharings about it are welcome, and keep em coming.

That is stupid and shoddy reporting. Maybe the writer meant the Yankees were the AL East Champs, which they technically were. Doesn't matter who wins the division anymore, based on the success of wild card teams, in the last few years.

well, he was a member of the Hitler youth program, on two occasions, later claiming he had no choice. I don't know enough about him, the program, or Germany to pass judgement, but it is not an encouraging resume.

I don't remember Jerry Lewis doing that, and if he did I really don't want to hear it. It wouldn't surprise me if he covered it tho. Record albums by celebrities used to contain all sort of strange covers, and it makes sense that Jerry would think that song perfect for his 'crazy'voice.

Home team myopia is not limited to New England, and while I agree that Red Sox fan is a breed apart, he really is no more devoted or special than Cub fan, Phillie fan, Yankee fan, or Mudhen fan. Don't mean to demean your religious devotion. These are your glory days, and you should enjoy them while they last. And I mean that sincerely. The other absolute in baseball is nothing lasts forever. I tend to think they shouldn't have revoked that guys tickets, but I do think that people tend to see that play differently after watching it for the thousandth time. I still think he intended to interfere with the play , and that he was a drunken ahole with a bad attitude. If you're going to start revoking every fan who fits that description, the joint will be half empty.

Steinbrenner usually goes ballistic during a bad spring training record. One baseball cliche that I think is true is that no team is as good as theylook when they're winning, or as bad as they look while losing. While every game is equally important, April is a distant memory by June. Otherwise the Washington Nationals should start printing playoff tickets now. Dumbest reporter's comment I've heard so far this year. A woman interviewing Eric Gagne of the Dodgers, who is on the DL. The Dodgers have gotten off to a great start, with a team of cast offs and strangers, and LA is already talking world series. When Gagne comes in to pitch , graphics and loud music 'welcome to the jungle' come on qith 'Game Over' flashed everywhere. So this woman interviewing Gagne says it's ok for gagne to recuperate because the Dodger team this year is 'game over' because they came back in the 9 th a couple of times. And she said it in all seriousness, like 9th inning comebacks will be the norm. Speaking of which-I took in Dodger stadium this weekend and was horrified by the changes. Frank McCourt, the 'Boston parking lot attendant', has turned the stadium into a barrage of billboards. The worst is this video screen that wraps arouns the first deck and assults the eyes all game long with bright ads and effects. Truely a mess. But this board is all about the Red Sox. Just needed to vent.

Brutus was the name given to the Bluto character in the cheap 1960 King Feature s Popeye cartoons. As far as I understand it, they felt 'Bluto' was too close too 'Pluto'. Why that should bother anyone is beyond me, but they changed it to Brutus, a name I always hated. Those 1960 cartoons were really done on the cheap, though there are a few that have some wit. 'Thimble Theater', the comic strip Popeye starred in, was around for years before Popeye. It was originally about a small fellow named Castor Oyl, and his sister Olice. There was also Cole Oyl and Nana Oyl. Olives boyfriend was Ham Gravy, a forgettable character who Popeye literally punched out of the strip eventually. After 10 years, Popeye was introduced in 1929, as a supporting character on a sea adventure. He quickly took over the strip. Olive may have been homely, but so were most of the women in EC Segar's great strip. He drew in a kind of comic shorthand that fit the characters perfectly. A circle, 2 dots and a blob of hair and you have Olive. In the famous Studio cartoons of the 40's and 50's they actually made Olive a little more attractive, even showing her with boobs (!) on occassion, and drawing her face and hair nicer. Still, you can dress her up and she's still Olive Oyl. Bluto was a minor character in the comic strip who happened to be involved in the strip when Fleischer started making Popeye cartoons. He became the perennial villain, but the Fleischer cartoons did not fall into the formula that later cartoons did. Oh-it took me 3 notes to get the song. Allan Sherman was wonderful, and died way too soon.

That Popeye pic is from one of the best Popeye's ever. A gem from 1936 called 'Goonland'. Popeye lands on Goon Island, searching for his Pappy who he hasn't seen in 40years, and has been held prisoner by the Goons all that time. In the scene pictured, Popeye has found pappy in his cell playing checkers by himself , and doesn't seem thrilled to see Popeye. "Popeye pleads-what's the matter Pappy, aintcha glad to see me? pappy-'what do ya want me to da-kiss ya? I hates relictives' King features has held up quite a few properties, but may be bending. A few months ago it seemed certain that Popeye would would be on dvd, but we're still waiting. There are dvd's and tapes out there of a few Fleischer Popeyes, and several of the much inferior Famous studios ones. Do NOT be decieved by the 'colorized' Fleischer Popeyes shown on tv sometimes. A while back they took some of the 30's B&W Popeyes, and 'redrew' them in color. They are an abomination. A friend from work is a HUGE Fleischer addict, and somehow has all the Popeyes on tape. he was generous to give me alot of them, in pristine shape. How he got these is beyond me. Popeye needs to be on dvd tho. Let's keep our fingers crossed. Oddly, King features has been free with Betty Boop from the same studio and time, and it's available to get all the Boop cartoons in all their wonderfulness.

I never heard that song, but I like it. One of the reasons I add more information than necessary on some of my posts is too substantiate I really knew the answer. I also do it because it's fun to talk about this junk, and noone has told me to shut up yet.

oh-that's Olivia de Haviland-or however you spell it. It made for quite a puzzle for me. But at least I knew Flip the Frog!

Excuse me sudo, but are you implying that I'm not an old movie buff, just because I didn't know that picture. I'm almost insulted. Well, no, I'm not, but geez- An 'old' movie would be before 1915 or so-everything from DW Griffith on counts. I know about IMDB, I was just trying to ferret out the answer without going to the source-that is the point of the game isn't it ?

ok. based on wasway's last comment , I'm going to say that's Vivien Leigh. Obviously I didn't recognize her from that picture, and I have to admit I'm not much of a 'Gone with the Wind' fan.

thanks to wasway, I know who the guy is. One of our better Robin Hoods. But I still don't know who she is. Don't let the weekend stop you from posting stuff, Sudo.

No, I'm not saying that, Shellon. I don't have kids. I know nothing about raising kids. I'm just waxing nostalgic on what is was like for me to be a kid. But since you brought it up-why WERE you going on the court ? You've got very intelligent daughters.

I am stumped. I don't know who that woman is, or what movies those themes are from. But I am curious.

Like Sudo, I knew the show but really wasn't a fan. Clarence Williams was the biggest draw. Every black guy at college had a 'fro that big or bigger. I kinda miss them. Michael Cole was a bore, and Peggy Lipton was way out of place. If the show was done today, she'd be kicking butt. They also had a police mentor played by Tige Andrews, who was another bore. I may take you up on the posting lessons , Sudo. Just have to find the time to psyche myself up for the lesson. Most tech things make my brain short -circuit.

After reading this whole thread, it reminded me of another way things have changed. We didn't sign up' for little league, we 'tried out'. Those not good enough in the coaches eyes were cut, which seems to be the unforgivable sin today. I was cut the first time I tried out, and I was bummed, even cried. It didn't scar me for life though. I realized I needed to be better if I wanted to earn the uniform.

sharon-I don't have children, and sometimes I forget how times have changed. When I was 10 I could disappear for the day at the park, and my parents didn't give it a thought. My mother was as paranoid and protective as they come too. It's truly sad , yet understandable, that times have changed. I do think that even if parents need to show up, they should step back and let the kids play without getting involved.