Author Archives: B.P.

Classic Hollywood #139 – Ann Miller

Ann Miller Wears A Giant Hat – 1945

What’s Under A Hat?
If every hat topped such beauty as Ann Miller’s, the male species would probably forget the cracks about milady’s headgear. Who’s going to look at a hat when Miss Miller is under it? She is currently starring in Columbia’s “Eadie Was A Lady.” photo: Columbia Pictures; Ned Scott – 1945

While Eadie Was A Lady was a box office dud, Ann Miller (born Johnnie Lucille Collier, April 12, 1923) did receive good notices for her performance. Continue reading

A Baseball Record No One Wants To Break (Or Probably Will)

Stealing Lots Of Bases Means Getting Caught Stealing A Lot

The Record No Player Wants To Break – Caught Stealing

Rickey Henderson Owns The Most Career Steals & Caught Stealing Records

Pittsburgh’s Maury Wills is caught stealing third in the eighth inning as Giants third baseman Jim Ray Hart applies the tag, umpire Augie Donatelli signals Wills out. June 13, 1968  photo: Russ Reed

The new rule changes scheduled to go into effect in 2023 might result in more stolen bases. The bases will be physically larger increasing Continue reading

Old New York In Photos #147 – Aerial View of Manhattan from Chambers Street 1903

Looking North Along Centre Street From Chambers Street 1903

This stereoview shows lower Manhattan looking north from Chambers Street, circa 1903. The main boulevard on the right is Centre Street. Continue reading

Old New York In Photos #146 – The Plaza Hotel With Interior Views 1909

The New Plaza Hotel And The Suite Of John W. “Bet A Million” Gates- 1909

This real photo postcard by Thaddeus Wilkerson shows the new Plaza Hotel. The hotel towers above its neighbors offering its guests terrific views of the city and the park. We are looking southwest from the Hotel Netherland on 60th Street and Fifth Avenue. The southern boundary of Central Park at 59th Street is on the right and on the extreme left is a portion of the Vanderbilt mansion on Fifth Ave and 58th Street.

The original Plaza Hotel on the same site was opened in 1890 and demolished in 1905.  The new Henry Hardenbergh designed Plaza Hotel was much larger than its predecessor.

The original estimate to buy the site, raze the old hotel and build the new hotel was Continue reading

Who Would Watch “Forest Grump”?

What Happens When You Add An “R” To The Title Of A Movie?

Occasionally Reddit will have some funny topics, among them this query:

“What movie changes its plot if you add a random “R” somewhere in its title?”

Looking through a couple of hundred comments, many wrote the same obvious re-wordings; Planet of the Rapes, The Bartman, Beauty and the Breast, Troy Story and so on.

Continue reading

Classic Hollywood #138 – Jean Simmons

Jean Simmons – Early 1950s

If you say the name Jean Simmons most people under a certain age will think of the outrageous singer and bass player for KISS, Gene Simmons.

And as big of a rock fan as I may be, I will always think first of the actress whose first name is spelled Jean, not Gene.

Jean Simmons (1929-2010) had a 65 year career as an actress full of interesting and prominent roles. The one role she did not get, helped bring about another successful career. Continue reading

Senator John F. Kennedy Visits Former President Harry Truman

 Kennedy and Truman In Missouri 1959

Kennedy meets Truman 1959 photo AP WirephotoLibrary Meeting
In Independence, Mo. – Senator Kennedy, Democrat, Massachusetts, and former President Truman met at the Truman Library. Kennedy later took off on a quick tour of Kansas. Photo: AP wirephoto November 23, 1959

Though Kennedy said it was “a fine meeting,” Scripps-Howard  reporter Charles Lucey noted that Kennedy was unafraid to disagree with Truman publicly over nuclear testing. Continue reading

Old New York In Photos #144 – Election Night Times Square 1934

Crowds Watching Election Night Results In Times Square 1934

Election Night At Crossroads Of The World
In keeping with the tradition Times Square was jammed until traffic was halted, as crowds watched election returns. Photo shows part of the crowd at Times Square, election night. Photo: Acme 11/6/1934

For entertainment in 1934 you could go to the Loew’s State Theater and see Mae West in Belle of the Nineties.

Or on the night of November 6 you could entertain yourself by standing in the street. Continue reading