The Terrible Catsafterme

Dick Van Dyke is obviously one of the most well-known names in television, having received three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series in The Dick Van Dyke Show, and then going on to star in the long running medical drama Diagnosis Murder. He is known for his filmwork in the Disney Classic Mary Poppins and his roles in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Bye Bye Birdie, and his more recent appearances in the two Night at the Museum films. Read the rest of this entry »

Both before and after Christmas, my Dad’s family kept busy with not one, but two birthday celebrations in the month of December. My cousin Lora’s birthday is on December 9, so she was celebrating her 9th special day. My guess would be that the little party took place after church on the 8th at her parents’ – Bill and Dottie’s – house. I only have one photo from this gathering and as you can see below, I once again was at the ready with my assistance in blowing out the birthday candles. Read the rest of this entry »

I had always hoped to get a chance to meet Charles Martin Smith. Not just because of his ultra-memorable and hilarious role as Terry the Toad in American Graffiti. Not just because of his great part in the film version of The Untouchables. Not just for his very early appearance on The Brady Bunch. Not just because he was Carter Pike’s brother Lyman on Picket Fences. Not just because he directed the premier episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I wanted to meet Charles Martin Smith because as a teenager, he was a member of the Sons of the Desert Laurel and Hardy appreciation society. Read the rest of this entry »

As a kid, entering into Summer was akin to entering into the Christmas season. So I came upon the Summer of 1981 with crashing excitement for the warm days ahead. Mom was still only working three days a week, so I spent most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at Discovery House daycare center on Woodman Drive in Kettering. I’m fairly certain that this was the last time I went here regularly, although Mom seems to think I stayed here until I was 12 years old. This would have been the Summer of 1984 – which I know wasn’t the case, but perhaps I would still attend on occasion during Spring Break or weeks when my other babysitters were unavailable. Read the rest of this entry »

What follows is the second dozen signatures that can be found in the autograph book that belonged to Our Gang member Mildred Kornman (seen at right) when she was a child (began here). This middle portion is the least exciting to me, although there are a couple gems mixed in there. Only the first two signatures here had a film actually noted in the book. The rest of the signatures are subject to my speculation as to what film’s set they were signed on (if they were in fact signed on a movie set at all) – based on films being made at the time that starred these particular actors. Read the rest of this entry »