Sunday, December 31, 2006

Tonight is New Year's Eve. Tomorrow a new year begins. For many people who either go in person or view the festivities from home on their little talking picture boxes, Time Square in New York City is the quintessential locale for ringing in the new year. It's neither the first nor last place in the world to enter the new year, but it does it with gusto (and a big lit up ball).

Saturday, December 30, 2006

On this final Cartoon Saturday of 2006, we note the latest addition to the ever-growing group of DC Comics inspired animated series, The Legion Of Super-Heroes. While the television incarnation takes a few liberties, the general tone of the show seems to be consistent with the optimistic vision of the future portrayed in classic Legion tales. The show isn't the most sharply written or best drawn of the recent run of DC-inspired shows, and the theme song isn't as catchy as Puffy AmiYumi's Teen Titans, but it's still fluffy fun super-heroes in the future.

Friday, December 29 2006

Singing duo Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé, who are rarely thought of apart from one another, celebrate their 49th wedding anniversary today.

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Today is the birthday of character actor Martin Milner. Best known for his role as officer Pete Molloy on the Jack Webb-produced Adam-12, Milner's list of credits is long and varied (though law enforcement roles pop up frequently, likely owing to his tough but genial on screen persona). The image below is from an interesting and well-played turn in an episode of The Twilight Zone.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Classic children's television series Howdy Doody made its debut on NBC 59 years ago today.

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

James H. Mason patented the coffee percolator on this date in 1865.

Monday, December 25, 2006

Today is Christmas Day. Merry Christmas to all of you out there who read the Auction Almanac.

Sunday, December 24, 2006

On this [we haven't actually repurposed Sunday yet] Sunday, we are reminded of the anniversary of the long journey of three wise men to visit the newborn Christ. These particular versions happen to be paper mache.

Saturday, December 23, 2006

This cartoon Saturday we take a last look of the season at perennial favorite A Charlie Brown Christmas. The first, and arguably best, of the long series of animated specials based on Charles Schulz's Peanuts produced by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson gets more relevant every Christmas as the true meaning of Christmas is increasingly commercialized and politicized.

(For anyone who thinks that a telvision special, and from our tie-in eBay item of choice, a cash-in record album, are also attempts to commercialize Christmas, we remind you that it's not just a television special and cash-in record album. It's A Charlie Brown Christmas. That's different.)

Friday, December 22, 2006

Today is Gene Rayburn's birthday. Rayburn hosted The Match Game from 1962-1984 (with a few gaps here and there). His sense of humor and exuberant personality set him apart from the more reserved game show hosts that came before him, and he was one of the few game show hosts who was as entertaining to watch as the game itself.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Jane Fonda can be called many things. Actress. Fitness Guru. Author. Sex Symbol. Activist. Today you can call her Birthday Girl.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

60 years ago today Frank Capra's It's A Wonderful Life had a preview screening in advance of it's opening the following day. The heartwarming classic starring Jimmy Stewart as the everyman (as usual) realizing just how important a single person's life can be to those it touches has become a holiday tradition.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Robert Ripley began his regular newspaper column detailing odd and interesting facts on this day in 1918. Ripley's Believe It Or Not would become a national phenomenon, with incarnations on radio and television and in comic books and gum cards, as well as board games, countless books and various other mediums.

Monday, December 18, 2006

70 years ago today, the first giant Panda from China arrived in the U.S. Su-Lin took up residence at the Brookfield Zoo in San Francisco, California.

Sunday, December 17, 2006

In the aftermath of the Very eBay Apocalypse, you may think there's nothing left to do. But mankind is far too intrepid to let the end of the world stop them. After all, it was only the end of this world.

Saturday, December 16, 2006

On this cartoon Saturday we reluctantly recall James Bond, Jr. Though not actually the son of the legendary British agent, Junior is referred to as the nephew of 007. The concept for James Bond's secret agent nephew had been floated as a book in the late 1960's, but the idea didn't last. Facing off against new villains and altered versions of such classic Bond characters as Odd Job, Goldfinger, Jaws and a green-skinned Dr. No, Junior's animated exploits lasted a respectable 65 episodes.

Friday, December 15, 2006

On this day in 1791, the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, collectively known as The Bill of Rights, were ratified and went into effect.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

It's zany bandleader Spike Jones' birthday today. His madcap musical stylings flew in the face of the overly stuff musical establishment like a pie. Though many try, there really hasn't ever been anyone quite like him before or since.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Whether you fondly remember him as Bert from Mary Poppins, Rob Petrie from his eponymous television series, Dr. Mark Sloan from his later Diagnosis: Murder or as Albert Peterson from the Broadway or big screen versions of Bye, Bye Birdie, almost everyone fondly remembers Dick Van Dyke from something. Today is his birthday.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Today is Price Is Right host Bob Barker's birthday. For 35 years he has been everyone's favorite substitute teacher on sick days.

Monday, December 11, 2006

Today marks the 190th anniversary of Indiana becoming our 19th state! Hooray for hoosiers!

Sunday, December 10, 2006

We've reached the end of our Very eBay Apocalypse and Judgment Day has come and gone. Now it's just a matter of making the journey down that final road.

Saturday, December 9, 2006

This cartoon Saturday we remember another Rankin Bass Christmas special, this time it's the story of the secret origin of Santa Claus, "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." Revealing how Kris Kringle got his start delivering toys to children, it's another song-filled Rankin Bass classic. The bestest song of all is "Put One Foot In Front Of The Other" during which the young Santa convinces a mean and terrible wizard that he can change and be good.

Fridday, December 8, 2006

Today is multi-talented entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr's birthday. Alone or with the Rat Pack, Sammy was clearly not only a performer who was good at what he did, he was a performer who truly loved it.

Thursday, December 7, 2006

Carl Douglas hit number one with "Kung Fu Fighting" on this day in 1974.

Wednesday, December 6, 2006

In 1902, Martha Washington became the first woman to be commemorated on a U.S. Postage Stamp. The Martha Washington stamp, issued on this day, had a value of 8 cents.

Tuesday, December 5, 2006

Today marks director Otto Preminger's 100th birthday. Preminger is remembered for directing such classic films as Anatomy of A Murder, Exodus and The Man With The Golden Arm. He also appeared on television as Mr. Freeze, nemesis of Adam West's Batman in the 1960's.

Monday, December 4, 2006

Today is actor Jeff Bridges' birthday. Part of a family of actos, Jeff Bridges has appeared in dozens of films with a career spanning over four decades. Though he hasn't shyed away from mainstream releases, his choices of what films he has done has kept his career varied and interesting. We are especially fond of his work in Terry Gilliam's The Fisher King.

Sunday, December 3, 2006

As we continue with our Very eBay Apocalypse, drawing Holy Sundays to a close, we have arrived at Judgement Day.

It will probably feel quite a bit like standing in a big crowd while waiting for an elevator. You'll hear the ding and the doors will slide open, but before you can see which arrow is lit up, the crowd is pushing and you're swept up with it into the open elevator. Only when you're inside and the doors have closed will you be able to aim your eyes upward and see if the elevator is going up or if it is going down. Good luck.

Saturday, December 2, 2006

As the Christmas season starts rolling in, this Cartoon Saturday we remind you of a festive treat from Rankin-Bass, Nestor The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey. The misfit, abnormally long-eared donkey takes a heroic journey and eventually fulfills his destiny as part of the nativity.

Sadly, most light up lawn decorations only offer regular length-eared donkeys, which is unfortunate.

Friday, December 1, 2006

On this day in 1917, Father Edward Flanagan opened Boy's Town, a community with the goal of getting wayward boys on the right track and keeping those most at risk of getting off track from doing so. Father Flanagan adopted a phrase he'd seen in a magazine as the motto for his organization: "He ain't heavy, Father... he's m' brother."