Here’s to Fess Parker (August 16, 1924 – March 18, 2010).
When Disney’s semi-historical series on Davy Crockett ran out (Crockett was killed at the Alamo), Fess Parker had garnered a lot of fans. What to do next? Cast him as Daniel Boone, of course.
As Daniel Boone, Fess Parker’s costar was Ed Ames, who portrayed an Indian scout. Here he is demonstrating his famous hatchet throwing skills.
I’d forgotten all about Ella Mae Morse until I restumbled upon her here. Freddy “Daddy” Slack, along with Ray McKinley and Will Bradley provided the backup. The Will Bradley Trio was a small big band that never quite found their niche, but left a big mark.
Never heard of ’em? Try this.
Here’s Maurice Rocco, a poundin’ on the whites and a slappin’ on the blacks in this version of McKinley & Bradley’s classic “Beat Me, Daddy, Eight To The Bar.” (See any influence on Little Richard or Jerry Lee Lewis there?)
Meanwhile, here’s Commander Cody, Jerry Garcia, Elvis Costello and Sammy Hagar, all in one pile of stuff that you’re probably glad you didn’t pay to see. Good god that’s embarassing. I’ll tell you the truth, I didn’t listen to the whole trainwreck either. My heroes are gone… except for one.
This edition of Saturday Matinee is sponsored in part by ZooBooks.
[Found here.]
Cool animation with a nice version of “Brazil.” performed by The Real Tuesday Weld with Nick Phelps and Geert Chatrou.
Darkly bizarre, “Brazil” is one of my favorite anti-bureaucracy movies. (Ever see Michael Palin as evil?) This movie succeeded in large part to Terry Gilliam’s insistance that it not be edited; that cost him a lot of promotional backing, but it became a hit in its own right. “Half a dream and half a nightmare” sums it up pretty well.
Flashback to 1932 – Louis Armstrong, fresh out of King Oliver’s band, provides the soundtrack (and more) to a typically creepy yet benign Betty Boop cartoon, “I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead You Rascal You.” Maybe they’re in Brazil.
“…And Now I’m Praying For The End Of Time” is THE best punchline in the history of protopunkrock, courtesy of Mr. Loaf.
Let’s wrap this up with George Thorogood’s classic take on John Lee Hooker’s “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer.” Kinda sums up my attitude these days, En out de do’ ah went.
Oh yeah. This is the guy you want to raise money for your organization. Humongous Rock Star of the Universe.
Actually, Meat was entertaining, given that he jumped up onto a sweaty stage commanded by disco, glam rockers and over-produced arena rock of the late 1970s. Mr. Loaf has my admiration, and had an amazing career. He was a punk as much as anyone, and he had Ellen Foley, too.
[Found here. Meatloaf images found here and here.]