Happy New Year!

I always have mixed emotions on this holiday. While I love the optimistic feeling that starting a new year on a clean slate brings, I must admit that I get a little misty eyed when the news programs pay tribute to the notable personalities that passed away during the year. Because we are entering a new decade, ABC News showed celebs who have died during the past 10 years. The list is so long: Katharine Hepburn, Ted Williams, Ray Charles, Fred Rogers, Julia Child, George Harrison, Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, Evel Knievel, Aaron Spelling, and countless others. Some were old and some died too young - but I like to think that because of the vast vintage blogging community out there, that they continue to live on through their fans such and you and me, who love older pop culture.

While it was not such a nice year for the world in general, it was a tremendous year for me personally, and this blog certainly played a big part. GoRetro gained several followers and fans, and I really do feel like I'm getting to know many of you and your personalities. So many of your blogs are inspirations for mine. Thanks so much for your support and making it a great year for this blog. In the coming months, I hope to spruce up the look and layout and add some new regular features. My sincere wish for all of you is that all have and enjoy the same positive outlook in 2010 and that it brings nothing but good things to you!

To "ring out the old, ring in the new", here's a little George Harrison with just about the only New Year's related song other than Auld Lang Syne that I can think of that was a semi-hit:

Tom Jones on the Morecambe & Wise Show

Thank you everyone for the Christmas wishes! I hope Santa was good to all of you.

In an effort to get better acquainted with the British Morecambe & Wise show, I came across this hilarious clip of Tom Jones trying to perform “Exactly Like You” on the duo’s program in the 1970s, and had to share it. I love their smashing dance routine.

As I watched the video for a second time, I wondered a. why we no longer have funny shows such as these today, and b. if today’s TV viewers would find this silly type of non-sexual, very un potty-like humor actually funny. From the comments I read on YouTube, I’m guessing yes. I’ve seen many remarks from people who say they’re in their 20s and 30s who love this stuff. So it behooves me at what point TV lost that magical comedy spark, and why. I suppose when comedians such as Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise and many of our American greats passed away and their shows stopped airing, it was the end of an era. Often I see a glimmer of that silliness in hosts like Ellen DeGeneres, but let’s face it – it just isn’t the same.

Anyways, enjoy the clip:

Merry Christmas from Go Retro!

Image credit: Mary Cafferty on Photobucket.

My posts are probably going to be sporadic at best until the new year, so I just wanted to make sure to wish my readers happy holidays. Whether you like your Christmas hip, grooving, or swinging, I hope it's a happy and healthy one for you and your loved ones. Merry Christmas!

When Bing Met Bowie

One of my favorite Christmas songs is the late 70s rendition of Little Drummer Boy between Bing Crosby and David Bowie. But I must confess that I didn't know anything about how this strange musical pairing actually came to be. Turns out that it almost never happened, if it weren't for the quick thinking of three songwriters working on Crosby's show at the time.

The unlikely duo were filmed performing the song in September 1977, for Crosby's "Merrie Olde Christmas" special that aired later that year. As Crosby was touring in Great Britain and the theme of the special was celebrating Christmas in England, the special's producers felt it made logical sense to ask British stars to make appearances on the show. Two of them who gladly accepted were the model Twiggy and actor Ron Moody, who was starring in Oliver! at the time. But Bowie was a tough sell. The picky rock star didn't like the choice of the song ("Little Drummer Boy") chosen to sing on the program. In fact, he declared that he hated it and asked if there was something else he could sing (ah, ego.) Panicked, the producers/songwriters of the program - Buz Kohan, Larry Grossman, and Ian Fraser - found the nearest piano and banged out "Peace on Earth", the second component of the song, in just over an hour.

In the segment, before they sing together, Bowie knocks on Crosby's door, then insults him by asking if he's the new butler! Bowie's idea of "old musicians" at the time is John Lennon and Harry Nilsson. I suppose the banter between Bowie and Crosby is as light and humorous as it can be. Picture someone like Paul Anka trying to have a conversation with Marilyn Manson, and you'll see what I mean. At least Ziggy Stardust left his makeup and costumes at home for this performance. It's actually unclear to this day if Crosby even knew who Bowie was, although one of the song's writers says that Crosby's children surely would've filled him in.

The performance aired about a month after Crosby's death, but the song was not forgotten among fans - it circulated as bootlegs until 1982, when it was officially released as a single, and has become a classic.

Interestingly, Clay Aiken performed his own duet of the song with the late Crosby on a 2003 Christmas special, but I don't think his voice complimented like Bowie's did. Here's both versions - let me know if you agree. Pretty thing, isn't it?

The Holiday Match Game

"It's always fun to dress alike." That's what one of the captions says for one of these pages, but is it really? Are these couples really having fun? We all know that lots of things should be coordinated...socks, for example. Perhaps earrings. But not couples. The strange vintage fashion trend of his and her matching clothing has been covered on many other blogs, but I couldn't resist posting these beauties from the 1966 Sears Wish Book catalog (you can find it and many others on the site WishBookWeb). Many posts that I've seen usually pull images from the 70s, but this is scary proof that trying to dress like your partner seems to have originated a decade before.

This begs the question of who started this nauseating trend, and why? They don't make you seem like a close couple - just close, maybe, to checking yourselves into the loony bin. It just looks like the type of thing you'd see Steve Carrell, Will Ferrell, or John C. Reilly do in a movie - and for added laughs, they'd do it with another guy!

This outfit is for the Lord and Lady of the manor who already have everything...except for matching blazers:



Thank goodness they did not force the dog to wear a matching doggie coat.



Was the use of the Santa mask as a prop a distraction from the geekiness of these photos? Shouldn't there be two Santa masks, if they're really trying to match?




This takes "I want to get into your pants" to a whole new level. Now you really can be in your sweetheart's pants - even when you're not!



Why should Mom and Dad have all of the torture? Force your children to also suffer. Even the slippers match. And the Holly Hobby type sleep caps? Ghastly.






To be fair, this issue of the Sears Wish Book contained a LOT of colorful, groovy fashions. You just won't find any of them on the first ten pages.

I Want to Party With Mrs. Mills!

In my last collection of Bad Cover Art: The Yuletide Edition I included an album by Mrs. Mills. One of my readers, Richard (who writes a fantastic blog called The Bewildered Brit - check it out sometime if you don't already follow it) kindly told me the back story on Mrs. M. Turns out she was not a one-hit novelty wonder but one of England's biggest recording stars in the 1960s. She even shared studio space with the Beatles at Abbey Road Studios.

Mrs. Mills' story is of the rags-to-riches variety. She was employed as a superintendent of the typing pool in the Paymaster General's office, when in Decemeber 1961 she was spotted by a talent scout at a Woodford Golf Club dance near her home in Loughton, Essex. What was her talent? She played the piano...quite well, in fact, often covering sing along pub songs and roaring 20s ragtime hits, sometimes accompanied by a chorus. In later years, she expanded her catalog to more contemporary hits such as "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing", "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend", and "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree."

And here's the thing - I looked her up on YouTube, somewhat open minded, but wary that she'd end up reminding me of another Mrs. M - Mrs. Miller - who was like a female version of Tiny Tim at the time. I mean, her album covers alone are enough to make anyone guffaw!







But nothing could be further than the truth. I fell in love with Mrs. Mills' personality and talent immediately. Like today's Susan Boyle, she just seems so real and down to earth. Her warm smile, that friendly air - I mean, she just looks like she should be running a B&B in the English countryside, greeting guests with an "Ello luv, come right in for some tea and crumpets and a singalong!" Don't mind if I do!

And this lady loved to party. Just check out the numerous party titles in her rather extensive discography:

“Mrs Mills Hoe-Down Party” parts 1&2
"Everybody’s Welcome At Mrs Mills’ Party”
“Any Time’s Party Time With Mrs Mills”
“It’s Party Time!”
“Mrs Mills’ Party"
“Glad’s Party” parts 1&2
"Mrs Mills Knees-Up Party"
"Non-Stop Honky-Tonk Party"
"What A Wonderful Party"



Mrs. Mills even navigated the antics of Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise gracefully, as seen on this 1973 appearance on the Morecambe & Wise show. They take a few shots at her weight and her fruitcake - although we know perfectly well that this was all in good fun, a show could never get away with this today:



Needless to say, her music and stage presence just makes me happy - a delightful lady. Sadly, Mrs. Mills passed away at the age of 60 in 1978. But if she were still here - I'd accept her invitation and would be putting my party boots on!

Men With Hats

It's been said that when JFK appeared at his 1961 inauguration without a hat, that most American men quickly followed the trend by tossing their fedoras aside. The irony of this is that during the 60s, many singers made wearing a hat a part of their regular appearance. Since it's bitter cold and definitely hat weather in my neck of the woods today I thought it would be fun to highlight some of the funky headgear worn by rock and pop stars of the 1960s. They wore them well:

John Phillips
Phillips was rarely seen in concert or practice without his fur hat.




Bob Dylan
A big connoisseur of hats, including the very unusual top hat aka the Abe Lincoln.






John Lennon
Probably the first Beatle to be photographed wearing a hat. He started off with his trademark leather newsboy cap, then got funkier as the 60s and music got more psychedelic, and then returned to caps and berets in the 70s.





George Harrison




OK, so not a real hat per say, but an awfully cute shot:


Jimi Hendrix



Mick Jagger
Although he didn't wear them as often as these other dudes, Mick did occasionally wear hats in concert (this photo was taken in 1970) and for the Rolling Stones Rock and Roll special.



I would've loved to include Tom Petty, but he rose to fame in the 70s. If I missed anybody, please let me know!

Ten Most Memorable Moments From A Christmas Story

Last night I dusted off my DVD copy of "A Christmas Story" and watched the 1983 holiday movie for what had to be the 50th time. It occurred to me that one of the reasons I think this movie was as successful as it was and is still so beloved is because the comedic moments are evenly dispersed throughout. Think about it...how many times have we gone to watch a comedy, or any genre movie for that matter, only to find out that the funniest or best parts were the ones we saw in the coming attractions? Not so with Jean Shepherd's classic. I'm sure we could all list these off the tops of our heads, but for nostalgia's sake, here are the ten most memorable moments for me in the film:

1. Ralphie's little brother: "I can't put my arms dowwwnnnn!!!"
Parents of past generations seemed paranoid about bundling up their brood to protect them from catching pneumonia. When I was five, I had a puffy yellow snowsuit - with stirrup pants to keep them securely in my boots - that I had to wear to kindergarten. A straightjacket would've been more comfortable. But even that wasn't as bad as Randy's winter gear, which made him look like a Michelin Man Mini Me.


2. Flick and the Flagpole
I triple dog dare you not to laugh as poor Flick gets himself into a sticky situation - literally - by following through on a bet that his tongue would not freeze to a flagpole. Even funnier, however, is Ralphie's reaction when Miss Shields admonishes the class into feeling guilty for putting Flick up to the dare. He looks around at his classmates as if one of them was the perpetrator.


3. The Leg Lamp - and its inevitable "accidental" destruction
What man wouldn't want to win his own piece of "electric sex" to display in the front window? What wife wouldn't want to break it into a dozen pieces?

4. Oh...fuuudddggeee.
The thought of having my mouth washed out with soap filled me with dread as a kid. Fortunately, it never happened...but poor Ralphie was not so lucky. He said the "queen mother of dirty words." At one point in our childhoods, it did seem downright dirty to even *think* the word; now it's used as a verb, noun, and adjective in any mainstream movie. Ralphie's mother's reaction to learning her son said the word is over-the-top, but Schwartz' mom's reaction (a serious whooping which we hear over the phone) to learning her son taught Ralphie the word (he really learned it from his father) is even worse.

5. Little Orphan Annie's Secret Message
Ralphie - while straining his little brother's kidneys by locking him out of the bathroom - learns the hard way about promotional product placement.

6. "You'll shoot your eye out! You'll shoot your eye out!"
Ralphie, who is proud of his thesis on what he wants for Christmas ("I don't think that a football is a very good Christmas present. Wow, that's great"), daydreams about accolades and being carried around the classroom when Miss Shields declares his paper a masterpiece. What he gets instead is a C+...and images of his teacher dressed like the Wicked Witch of the West, and his mom as a jester, taunting him.

7. Ralphie loses it on Scut Farkus.
For anyone who was ever bullied growing up, this scene is sweet justice. Who didn't fantasize about beating their nemesis to a bloody pulp, and getting away with it?


8. Drunk Santa
Who would want to see Santa after watching this scene? Everything about it was a nightmare...the weird kid in the never ending line, the cranky, impatient elves, grouchy Santa (whose red nose indicated to me that he was drinking on the job), being whipped around before being placed on his lap, and the scary high slide to send visitors on their way.

9. The Pink Nightmare
Everyone has received at least one useless gift in their lifetime. However, none of them can top the hideous Easter Bunny costume/pajamas that Ralphie receives from his aunt. Worse, his mom thinks the getup is "precious." Thank goodness for Dad's sensibility: "Tell the kid to take it off!"

10. Ralphie gets his BB gun/Ralphie really does shoot his eye out
The way that Ralphie's dad came through for him and gives him the BB gun after all of the presents have been ripped open and set aside really does get to me a bit. It recalls the joys of childhood when you got what you really wanted. And did we not all hold our breaths when the BB pellet bounced off the target and hit Ralphie in the face?

And just in case no one knows what he looks like today, this is cute Peter Billingsley aka Ralphie all grown up. He's branched off into producing and directing films (he most recently directed the Vince Vaughan comedy "Couples Retreat.") He'll forever be known as Ralphie Parker, lover of Red Ryder BB guns.

Bad Cover Art: The Yuletide Edition, Part 3

Wow, just wow. More bizarre lumps of coal to enjoy...