White Christmas fun

Okay, sorry it's been so long guys, but I have a good excuse! I was helping out with a local theater's production of Irving Berlin's 'White Christmas', and getting home at very late hours, thus very drained for the week. I'm still recovering, but I thought you guys might like some trivia about the musical and the film to liven up your week before Christmas!

- According to Rosemary Clooney, the actress for Betty in the 1954 film production, Bob and Phil's rendition of 'Sisters' was not originally part of the script, but was added in when Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye were playing around on set.

- Bob laughing at Phil's antics during the 'Sisters' reprise are genuine. Bing Crosby couldn't keep a straight face at Danny Kaye's antics, so they reshot the scene with him better prepared, without laughing. Ultimately the first take was favored and is shown in the film.

- The actresses of Judy and Betty, though not related, are from the same area of Cincinnati, Ohio.


- Though it is implied that Betty is older than Judy, Rosemary Clooney was seven years younger than Vera-Ellen.

- In the musical's version of 'I wish I was back in the army', one of the wartime entertainers mentioned is Bing Crosby. This line had to be changed in the film.

- The original name of the song 'Snow' was 'Free', and contained different lyrics. Irving Berlin rewrote the lyrics and title for the film.

- Irving Berlin wrote 'Love you didn't do right by me' as a personal tribute to a friend of his.

- Bing Crosby was 51 when the film was shot. He was even a few months older than the actor of General Waverly.

- 99% of Vera-Ellens' songs were dubbed over, but she did all of Judy's dancing herself.

- If you look very closely at the end of 'The best things' dance number, you can see Vera-Ellens trip on Danny Kaye's foot. However, neither actor betrayed any faltering or shock.

- Irving Berlin is best known for composing 'God bless America'. However, most people don't know that he himself was an immigrant from Belarus.

Pick-up Picture Dump

Monday Morning Quote

"You know, sometimes I think there should be a rule of war saying you have to see someone close up and get to know them before it's okay to shoot them."
- Colonel Sherman Potter,
M*A*S*H

(another late) Monday Quote!

- Dr. Seuss

Oh, Schoolwork...

I'm back, guys!
Sorry I was gone so long, I had to turn in a college-course essay (and research it, and edit it, and write it) in four days, and go out of town this weekend. My sanity is slowly returning.

As recompense and relaxation, here are some fun schoolwork stories to liven up your day!

Happy Sesame Street Day!

Heads-up, guys, November 10th is Sesame Street Day!!!

Thank you to the man who taught us how to dream, how to count, how to tell the difference, how to say goodbye, how to laugh, how to forgive, how to believe in Christmas, and how to smile, even when we don't feel like it.

I think you did.

President Postings

What with the whole kerfuffle over this year's elections, I thought I'd just put up some fun about some of our former presidents and politicians to liven up the day.

(Comment on your favorite president!)

George Washington
                     - Had a pack of hunting dogs with names ranging from Captain to Cloe to Sweet Lips
                     - Found several bullet-holes in his coat after a battle, yet didn't have a scratch on himself
                     - Once called a truce during a battle to return British General Howe's dog to him after it                          wandered across the patriot lines
                     - Once accepted a bet from a cocky aide-de-camp to see who could leap their horse over                        a tall hedge. He allowed the aide to jump his horse first, then rode around the edge of                            the brush to give a few 'kind' words to the man sitting on his horse, belly-deep in mud
                     - Was an active fireman even in his old age
                     - Hated to be announced boldly in public
                     - Accidentally caused the death of his mother's sorrel stallion one morning before                                    breakfast by over-exerting it when he was trying to break it in and refused to be bucked                        off

John Adams
                  - While on a diplomatic mission in France, accidentally sent some pages of his diary to the                      Continental Congress, which stopped it's operations to read them aloud and laugh at him
                  - Regretted the American protest of the tea tax by boycott, as he was very fond of tea

John Quincy Adams
                  - Was given a pet alligator by Lafayette (as a re-gift)

Thomas Jefferson
                   - Played the violin
                   - Once drove away two young suitors for the hand of his future wife by being first in her                         parlor one day and playing said violin. The two other suitors admitted that it would be                         better to go home than attempt to compete with him
                   - Was the most multilingual of all the presidents, speaking six languages and studying                             three
                   - Was very educated, being a world traveller, and thus knew that tomatoes weren't                                   poisonous while his fellow Americans thought they were, and ate one in front of                                   everyone at a party without telling them otherwise
                   - Had an attack-sheep on his front lawn


Yeah, anyone can be president :)