A Timeless Song 'As Time Goes By'-- Part 1

We just watched the movie and throughout it, this song was played more than a bit often.  And, that would be "As Time Goes By."

It is rare that a single song is so tied to a single movie, but this is certainly the case with "As Time Goes By" and "Casablanca."  It is so closely identified that when you see any movie released by Warner Brothers (the company that made the movie) these days, several bars of the song play with the WB logo.

But it almost wasn't that way.  The song was written by Herman Hupfield in 1931 for the Broadway musical "Everybody's Welcome."  It had been included by playwrights Joan Alison and Murray Bennett in their original play, "Everybody Comes to Rick's."

Once the film production was underway, composer Max Steiner, who had already won two Oscars wanted to change the song and insert something original of his, giving him the potential to easrn rotyalties and possibly another Academy Award.

--Cooter

80th Anniversary of Cassablanca-- Part 2: 'Play It, Sam'

Some more quotable quotes from the movie.

**  "Play it, Sam.  Play 'As Time Goes By'."  --Ilsa Lund

**  "Kiss me.  Kiss me as if it were the last time."  --Ilsa Lund

**   "Here's looking at you, kid."  --Rick Blane

**  We might as well be frank.  It would take a miracle to get you out of Casablanca, and the Germans have outlawed miracles."  --Signor Ferrari

"Play 'As Time Goes By'."  --Cooter

80th Anniversary of 'Casablanca'-- Part 1: 'You Must Remember This....'

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the famed movie "Casablanca."

From the magazine book"Casablanca:  The Greatest Love Story Ever Told."

These were some famous quotes from the movie:

**  "I'm shocked-- shocked! -- to find that gambling is going on here." --  Captain Louis Renault

**  "With the whole world crumbling, we pick this time to fall in love."  --Ilsa Lund

**  "I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world."  --Rick Blaine

** "Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine."  --Rick Blaine

"A Kiss Is Just A Kiss."  --CooterRick

Top Ten TV Theme Songs from the 1950s

From the January 10, 2023, ListVerse by  Sally Morem.

I am just listing them.  For lots of information and a place to click on to hear it, go to the site.

10. The Lone Ranger (1949-1957)

9.  Mickey Mouse Club (1955-1958)  Ohhh, Annette.

8.  Bonanza  (1959-1973)

7.  American Bandstand  (1952-1989)

6.  Peter Gunn  (1958-1961)

5.  Dragnet  (1951-1959)

4.  Rawhide  (1959-1966)   Ahh, the Blues Brothers.

3.  The Twilight Zone  (1959-1964)

2.  I Love Lucy  (1951-1957)    You've got som 'splain' to do.

1.  Perry Mason  (1957-1966)

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Who's The Leader Of The Club That's Made For You And Me?"  Answer below.  --  RoadAnza

"Mickey Mouse Club"

Top Ten TV Theme Songs from the 1960s

From the December 16, 2022, ListVerse by Sally Morem.

This sure brought back the memories.  Go to the site for more information and a link to the video.  Sure brought back some memories for me.

10.  Mr. Ed   (1961-1955)

9.  I Dream of Jennie  (1965-1970)

8.  Get Smart  (1965-1970)

7.  Bewitched  (1964-1972)

6.  Gilligan's Island   (1964-1967)

5.  The Jetsons  (1962-1963)

4.  The Beverly Hillbillies   (1962-1971)

3.  The Addams Family   (1964-966)

2.  Hawaii  Five-O  (1968-1970)

1.  Mission Impossible  (1966-1973)

How many of you were like that bus scene on "Planes, Trains & Automobiles?"

--Cooter

A Chicago Christmas-- Part 4: 'Suzy Snowflake'

If you grew up in Chicago back in the 50s and 60s, you definitely can remember hearing and seeing this song on the TV.  It wouldn't be Christmas without her.

Suzy Sbowflake is a happy snowflake who sings and dances the joys of wintertime and taps on window panes across Chicago every holiday season.

Suzy first appeared in a song made famous by Rosemary Clooney in 1951.  WGN-TV has screened the stop-motion animated short "Suzy Snowflake" every holiday season since 1953.

Go to YouTube and check it out.

--CootFlake

How 25 Christmas Traditions Started-- Part 5: Saint Nicholas, Luminaras, Twelve Days, Poinsettias, Salvation Army

Again, for more information, go to the site (listed in Part 1.)

21.  A VISIT FROM SAINT NICHOLAS

Best known as "The Night Before Christmas."  The classic by poet Clement Moore was written on Christmas Eve 1822.  He was embarrassed by it and it wasn't released until the following year.

22.  LUMINARIAS

Simple, folded brown bags filled with sand and lit by votive candles.  One of my favorite things to see, but very rare.

23.  TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

This spans the 12 days between the birth of Jesus and the visit of the Magi, December 2 to January 6.  The cost to do this in 2019 would be $38, 993.59.

24.  POINSETTIAS

America's Christmas flower.  They were brought to America by our first ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinset.  (I have two big ones that are now 25 years old.)

25.  SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGERS

What would the holidays be without these folks.  This started in  San Francisco in 1891.  

--RoadMas

Some More 2020 Deaths: Neal, Lowery, Withers

MARCH 2020

FRED "CURLY" NEAL, 77

The dribbling wizard who entertained millions with the Harlem Globetrotters.  March 26.

THE REV. JOSEPH E. LOWERY, 98

A veteran civil rights leader who helped the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.  March 27

BILL WITHERS, 81

He wrote and sang songs in the 1970s including "Lean on Me," "Lovely Day" and "Ain't No Sunshine."  March 30.

We Remember People We Lost in 2020-- Part 6: Brimly, Osmond, Dubois, Lewis, Rogers and Morricone

WILFORD BRIMLEY, 85

Recognized for his thick mustache and down-home drawl and performances in "The China Syndrome," Cocoon," Absence of Malice" and  "The Natural."  Was a real-life cowboy.  Died August 1.

KEN OSMOND (EDDIE HASKELL), 76

If Eddie Haskell doesn't do it, then think "Leave It to Beaver."  Wally's buddy and character indeed.  Died May 18.

JA'NET DUBOIS, 74

Played neighbor Willona Woods on "Good Times" TV show and co-write and sang the theme song to "The Jeffersons."    You know, "Moving On Up."  Okay, stop singing it now.  Died February 17.

REP. JOHN LEWIS, 80

Famed Civil Rights activist and member of the U.S. House of Representatives.  One of the 13 original Freedom Riders and led the "Bloody Sunday" march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.  Died July 17.

KENNY ROGERS, 81

Sang many crossover hits from country to pop like "The Gambler," "Islands in the Stream" and "We've Got Tonight."  First gained fame in the 1960s with the group First Edition and "Just Dropped In (To see What Condition My Condition Was In)."  Died March 20.

ENNIO MORRICONE, 91

Italian composer who orchestrated more than 500 movies including the Spaghetti westerns "A Fistful of Dollars" and "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly."  Died July 6.

We Remember People We Lost in 2020-- Part 5: Lopez, Dennehy, Pointer, Wurtzel and Khan

TRINI LOPEZ, 83

Singer best known for his cover of "If I Had a Hammer" died August 21

BRIAN DENNEHY, 81

Had more than 180 acting credits and lauded for roles a s Willy Loman in "Death of a Salesman" and voice of Django the rat in "Ratatouille."  Died April 15.

PATRICIA EVA "BONNIE" POINTER, 69

Was a member of and songwriter for the Pointer Sisters who won three R&B Grammys for songs such as "Fire," "I'm So Excited" and "Jump for My Love."  Died June 8.

ELIZABETH WURTZEL, 52

Opened the door for dialogue on mental health with her memoir "Prozac Nation: Young and Depressed in America."  Died January 7.

IRRFAN KHAN, 53

Gained fame from his roles in "Life of Pi," "Slumdog Millionaire," "Spider-Man" and "Jurassic World."  Died April 29.

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

Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)-- Part 3

Continued from my Tattooed On Your Soul: World War II and Not So Forgotten: War of 1912 blogs.

Alan Jackson

*******************

Did You Look Up to Heaven for some kind of answer

And look at yourself  and what really matters?

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real politician man

I watch CNN

But I'm not sure  I can tell you

The difference between Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus

And I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith, hope and love are some  things He gave us

And the greatest is love.

****************

That song got me then and gets me now.

200 Years Ago, the Erie Canal-- Part 7: "Buffalo Gals Won't You Come Out Tonight"

**  As the Erie Canal's original Lake Erie terminus, Buffalo became America's eighth largest city.  To emphasize that heyday heritage, Buffalo has excavated and revived its largely abandoned canal bed as Canalside, an urban park and recreational  development where you can catch a concert or rent kayaks.

In Victorian times, the Canalside was where crews of east-bound Midwest grain freighters were paid -- and where their wages were squandered on booze and floozies.

Larry Mruk, who leads walking tours for Explore Buffalo said this is the spot that inspired the folk song "Buffalo Gals"  They were the painted ladies who would come out at night and dance by the light of the moon.

What was the song George Bailey and Mary Hatch had in "It's A Wonderful Life?"

Well...  Something I Definitely Did Not Know About That a Song.  --Cooter

Let's Dance-- Part 11: 30-Minute Dance Explosion

Songs to get Ya' Movin'.

THE TWIST--  Chubby Checker

RESPECT--  Aretha Franklin

STAYIN' ALIVE--  Bee Gees

OYE COMO VA--  Santana

DANCE TO THE MUSIC--  Sly & the Family Stone

DANCING QUEEN--  Abba

BOOGIE WONDERLAND--  Earth, Wind & Fire

THRILLER--  Michael Jackson  (Dance like a Zombie)

UPTOWN FUNK--  Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars

Those Who Will Not dance Might be Zombies.  --CootMove

MLB in the Northwest Chicago Suburbs--Part 1: "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"

From the September 7, 2016, Hi-Liter "A brush with the big leagues."

"Take Me Out To the Ball Game" was written in 1906 and is sung at every major league and many minor league parks, usually during the 7th inning stretch.

It was written by Jack Norworth and Albert von Tilzer and is the third most-sung song in the United States after "Happy Birthday" and the Star-Spangled Banner."  And, for the 7th inning is is often sung by those with great voices and, especially at Wrigley Field, some of those vocals are hard to take.

--DaCoot

Twenty Crucial Elvis Cuts-- Part 3

14.  1968--  "IF I CAN DREAM"--  With its gospel fervor and quotes from Martin Luther King Jr., who had been assassinated in Memphis two months before the song was recorded.

15.  1969--  "SUSPICIOUS MINDS"--  An Elvis career comeback.

16.  "LONG BLACK LIMOUSINE"--  The irony of Elvis singing this precautionary tale about excess crystallized after his death, of course.

17.  1970--  "THE WONDER OF YOU"--  Never recorded in a studio, but it was a staple of his concerts later in his career.

18.  1972--  "BURNING LOVE"--  His last top ten, went to #2.  (OK, my 4th favorite Elvis song.)

19.  "AN AMERICAN TRILOGY"--  (I guess this could not be sung anymore for fear of offending certain groups.)

20.  1976--  "WAY DOWN"--  That's gospel legend J.D. Sumner singing "Way on down" at the end of each chorus.

That's a Twenty for You.  --Cooter

Twenty Cricial Elvis Cuts-- Part 2

8.  1957-- " JAILHOUSE ROCK"--  The opening two-chord riff and drum beat presage the rock riot to come.  Seven weeks at #1.  (Another of my top three Elvis songs.)

9.  "SANTA CLAUS IS BACK IN TOWN"--  Cruising the snow  in "a big black Cadillac."

10.  1960--  "RECONSIDER BABY"--  That's Boots Randolph on the sax.

11.  1961--  "CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE"--  Based on an 18th-century French love song.  Kept from #1 by Joey Dee's "Peppermint Twist."  (My third favorite song.)

12.  1963--  "VIVA LAS VEGAS"--  The jittery Latin beat and swinging delivery captured the allure of the "bright light city."  Stalled out at #29.  (Always makes me want to gamble.)

13.  1966--  "RUN ON"--  ?--  Some more gospel.

"Wise Men Say..."  --DaCoot

Twenty Crucial Elvis Cuts-- Part 1

From the July 9, 2013, USA Today "20 musical gems in the King's crown" by Jerry Shriver.

An interesting list, some I figured would be on it, some I didn't, even a couple I don't remember ever hearing.  Shriver made comments to all of them and I have included parts of some of them.  ?= I haven't heard this song.


1.  1954: "THAT'S ALL RIGHT" -- By all acccounts, the song sort of fell together when Elvis and bandmates banged around the studio, but producer Sam Phillips knew thunder when he heard it.

2.  1955: "BABY, LET'S PLAY HOUSE-- ?--Elvis pants out "Baby" fifteen times in the opening chorus and when he said the "I'd rather see you dead, little girl, than to be with another man" line it was later taken by John Lennon.

3.  "MYSTERY TRAIN"  Elvis uses a slightly hiccuppy vocal affectation on part of this.

4.  1956:  "HEARTBREAK HOTEL"--    What a lineup: Guitarists Scotty Moore and Chet Atkins, drummer Bill Black, drummer D.J. Fontana and pianist Floyd Cramer.  (One of my three favorite Elvis songs.)

5.  HOUND DOG"--  Elvis was really gyrating up there.

6.  "LOVE ME TENDER"--  Based on Civil War ballad "Aura Lee."

7.  1957:  "(THERE'LL BE) PEACE IN THE VALLEY"--  As if Elvis had been singing gospel all his life.

Elvis, the King.  --Cooter