Influential Figures Lost in 2022-- Part 3: Montagnier, Davis, Reitman, O'Rourke

FEBRUARY 

LUC MONTAGNIER, 89

**  A French researcher who won a  Nobel Prize in 2008 for discovering HIV and more recently spread false claims about the coronavirus.  Died February 8

BETTY DAVIS, 77

**  A bold and pioneering funk singer, model and songwriter of 1960s and 1970s who was credited with inspiring then-husband Miles Davis' landmak fushion of jazz and more contemporary sounds.  Died February 9.

IVAN REITMAN, 75

**  Influential filmmaker and producer behind many of the most beloved comedies of the late 20th century from "Animal House" to "Ghostbusters."  Died February 12.  Also "Stripes" and "Meatballs."  Some of my all-time favorite movies.

P.J. O'ROURKE, 74

**   Prolific author and satirist who refashioned the irreverance and "gonzo" journalism of the 1960s counterculture into a distinctive brand of conservative and libertarian commentary.  Died Fenruary 15.  

I really enjoyed reading his articles in the Rolling Stone.

Thoughts About the Movie 'Caddyshack'

From the July 23, 2020, Chicago Tribune "Forty thoughts on 'Caddyshack' by Christopher Borrelli.

The movie "Caddyshack" was released 41 years ago now (40 years ago back in 2020) and tells the story of working class caddies, slobs, wiseasses, and nouveau rich who clash at a Chicago country club.

This is one of my favorite movies and I was able to watch it a short time ago.  It was great then as it is now.

Here are some of Mr. Borrelli's thoughts on the movie:

**  "Caddyshack" was directed by Harold Ramis, who grew up in Chicago's Rogers Park and died at his home in Glencoe in 2014.  He made his career -- "Animal House," "Ghostbusters, "Stripes" -- on movies about irreverent guys facing down an establishment.  

"Caddyshack" was his first directing job and was based on stories from the Murray brothers of Wilmette--  Bill, Brian, et al.  They caddied public courses in Evanston and at Indian Hill Club, a private course in Winnetka.

Too Funny, Especially the Swimming Pool Scenes.  --CootShack

A Short History of Hearses-- Part 2: Riding Out in Style

The most enduring hearse company has been the S & S Coach Company of Lima, Ohio, which was founded in 1876 to make horse-drawn hearse carriages.  Initially named Sayers & Scovill, they still make about 500 hearses a year in Lima with a staff of 75.

They buy cars from dealers, split them, "decontent" them, allowing only the portions they require,  stretch the lengths, weld them back together and install casket floors.  The rear doors (through which the casket is slid) is made from scratch.

Because they've added so much weight (hearses can weigh up to 7,000 pounds) they also have to have stronger brakes.

A standard hearse  sells for at least $110,000

Back in the 1970s, there were 20 hearse makers,but now the number is down to five.

Something I didn't know.  One of Neil Young's earliest bands toured in a 1948 Buick Roadmaster hearse nicknamed "Mort";  his 1976 song "Long May You Run", written with Stephen Stills, was a tribute to that car.

Then, Of Course, The" Ghostbusters" Hearse.  Who You Gonna Call?  --Cooter

Comedy Mavericks-- Part 2: Those Wild And Crazy Guys

The book is organized by movie:  "Animal House," "Caddyshack," "Ghostbusters.", "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" and more..

The author, Nick de Semlyen, said:  "It was an era with relatively little studio oversight, copious amounts of narcotics and pumped-up budgets."

"Would a comedy as over the top and strange as 'The Blues Brothers' - a road-trip musical with a demolition-derby finale - get made today?  I don't think so."

"These stars were impulsive, often difficult people, and so frequently their productions were wild, strife-torn affairs," Nick de Semlyen said.

Regardless, these movies and those characters remain my favorites all these years on.

I  might have to get this book.

--CootFunnyHAHA

Battleships Ordered to Vera Cruz in 1914

On April 14, 1914, the U.S. Atlantic Fleet was ordered to Vera Cruz with all available battleships.  Rear Admiral Charles J. Badger went there in his flagship, the USS Arkansas.  Also ordered there were Leon Robinson's ship, the USS Vermont, the New Hampshire, New Jersey, Michigan, Louisiana and South Carolina.

Leon D. Robinson, from Sycamore, Illinois, was aboard the USS Vermont.

We sure had a lot of battleships.

--DaCoot

Fifteen Facts About the Original "Ghostbusters"-- Part 3 "Ghost Chasers"?

11.  While shooting in Central Park, Reitnab filmed footage of Murray and Ackroyd acting like a Greek chorus while dressed as homeless men.  It was not included because they were too recognizable.

12.  Ecto-1, or the Ectomobile, was originally a pink Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance rescued from a salvage yard.  It was originally painted jet-black but they realized it would be too hard to see in the night shots.

13.  The coveralls worn by the Ghostbusters were essentially the ones in Aykroyd's original treatment.  Oscar-winning costumer Theoni Aldredge tricked them out blue-collar way.  (remember how many people wore these for costumes back then?)

14.  The original title was to be "Ghost Smashers," then "Ghost Chasers before it became "Ghostbusters."  There was a 1970s live action show called "The Ghost Busters."  Contingency plans also had possible names "Ghoststoppers" and "Ghostblasters."  But when the crowd started chanting "Ghostbusters" the studio ponied up fopr "Ghostbusters."  Who you gonna call, Ghost Smashers?

15.  Merchandise took off in 1986 with the cartoon "The Real Ghostbusters" which ran for seven seasons.

"If There's Something Weird, and It Don't Look Good."  --DaCoot

Fifteen Facts About the Original "Ghostbusters"-- Part 2: "The Slimer"

6.  The Stay Puft Man was a cross between the Michelin Man and the Pillsbury Doughboy.  For the big explosion, gallons of shaving cream were dropped over the Ghostbusters.

7.  Other than Mr. Stay Puft, the most memorable ghost was Slimer.  He was originally known as Onionhead on the set because of his stench characteristic in early drafts.  Once Venkman said "I've been slimed!", he immediately became the Slimer.

8.  Most of the cast came from sketch comedy troupes like Second City, SNL and SCTV and so a lot of adlibbing occurred.  After capturing the Slimer in the hotel, the door flew open and out came Bill Murray who said a total of ten different things, seven of which were considered great.  But they kept the now classic, "We came, we saw, we kicked its ass."

9.  The first ghost, the "Library Ghost" was played by actress Ruth Oliver in human form.  The scary version was played by a puppet.  The exterior shots of the scene came from the New York Public Library and interior from the Los Angeles Public Library.  The transformation was filmed on a sound stage.

10.  Director Reitman spent nearly a month in New York City shooting on location.  Key sites include: Lincoln Center, Columbus Circle, the old Tavern on the Green Restaurant, Central Park and Columbia University. (as long as they agreed not to mention the school in the film, however, they proudly brag about it now).

"If There's Something Strange in Your Neighborhood."  --Cooter

Fifteen Facts About the Original "Ghostbusters"-- Part 1: Dan Aykroyd Believes in Ghosts

From the October 26, 2015, Yahoo! Movies "15 Facts You Didn't Know About the Original Ghostbusters..." by Marcus Errico.

1.  Dan Aykroyd believes in ghosts and wrote "Ghostbusters."

2.  Dan Aykroyd dreamed up the original treatment around 1981 and called it "Ghost Smashers."

3.  The script was written for John Belushi to play Peter Venkman, but he had died of a drug overdose in 1982.  Then, they tried to get Eddie Murphy and later Chevy Chase for the role.  Chase did appear in Ray Parker Jr's "Ghostbusters" video.

4.  John Candy was tapped to play Louis Tully, the accountant, but Rick Moranis got it.

5.  Elements remaining from the original treatment that made it to film was the core team battling spooks fireman-style, the apparition with the voracious appetite and the monstrous Stay Puft marshmallow man.  They had several versions of what Terror Dog would look like.

Who You Gonna Call?  --DaCoot