Live the Golden Era 1950s and Early '60s in Oldies Country, where the Good Times Live On - the music, the movies, the memories in one mutli-media experience. Share with us!
An aging Buster Keaton with aging actress Gloria Swanson in Sunset Blvd and how Hollywood quickly loses interest once stars start aging.
Billy Wilder’s Sunset Boulevard (1950) is one of the most celebrated films of Hollywood’s Golden Age, blending film noir with biting social commentary on the industry’s treatment of aging stars. The film stars Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond, a once-glamorous silent film actress struggling to reclaim her former stardom. Opposite her is William Holden as Joe Gillis, a struggling screenwriter who becomes entangled in Norma’s delusions of a grand Hollywood comeback. The film’s eerie atmosphere, sharp dialogue, and unforgettable performances solidified its place as a cinematic masterpiece, offering an unflinching look at the dark side of fame and the passage of time.
One of the film’s most poignant moments is the bridge between silent-era legends and Hollywood’s then-modern age, exemplified by cameos from silent film stars, including Buster Keaton. Keaton, one of cinema’s greatest comedic innovators, appears in the film’s famous “waxworks” scene, where Norma Desmond hosts a card game with former silent-era stars such as H.B. Warner and Anna Q. Nilsson. Though brief, Keaton’s presence is significant—his expressionless, weary face silently comments on the fate of many silent film actors who were cast aside with the rise of talkies. His appearance, alongside Swanson’s role as the delusional Norma, underscores the film’s central theme: Hollywood’s tendency to abandon its former icons in favor of new talent.
Gloria Swanson’s performance as Norma Desmond remains one of the most iconic in film history, embodying both the grandeur and tragedy of a bygone era. A former silent film queen herself, Swanson brought authenticity to the role, drawing from her own experiences in early Hollywood. The film’s legendary final scene, where Norma declares, “All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up,” has become one of the most quoted lines in cinema. Sunset Boulevard remains a haunting and timeless exploration of the fleeting nature of fame, ensuring its status as a definitive classic of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
A number of recent documentaries — including the new “The Wrecking Crew” — have turned over the gilded bricks of the shiny castle of ’60s pop music to reveal what was holding the whole thing up. Many viewers will experience the...
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It's fortunate that movie theaters today are again showing 'niche' movies, For a long time we had to select from the three or four big commercial movies of the day. Only in recent years have theater chains like Landmark/ Cinemark, and the few small, independent theaters taken on independent films again. Otherwise, we would never see films like 'The Wrecking Crew' which we viewed Firday March 28 at San Rafael's Rafael theater. In attendance was the man behind the movie, Daniel Tedesco, who took questions afterwards.
Most probably haven't heard the name Tommy Tedesco. Tedesco, was
the father of Daniel Tedesco and star of the movie.
Though he passed in the early 1990s, his accomplished as a studio
musician are recognized in this movie,along with many musicians.
As Tedesco noted afterwards, the movie had no 'angel' funding like '20 feet from Stardom,' a movie about the unsung backup singers on hit records. It was a 19 year struggle to raise funds to make the movie happen.
The 'Wrecking Crew' is the name most credited to drummer Hal Blaine
for the Los Angeles-based group of musicians, of whom he was one, who
appeared on an ungodly number of hit records between the late 1950s and 1970s.
One would think that people like Blaine would have amassed enormous
amounts of money to help fund the movie, but, as Blaine says in the movie,
circumstances were different back then when studios controled recordings-
not to mention divorces where artists like Blaine lost everything.
In the movie, the young Tedesco takes a back seat, only talking sporadically about his Dad. It is the musicians themselves, like Blaine, bassist Carol Kaye, drummer Earl Palmer and - even the senior Tedesco, who was still with us at the time when Daniel started making the movie nineteen years earlier. Even sidemen like Glen Campbell are featured in the film.Campbell's personal success wouldn't come until years after he was a struggling partime sideman in the Wrecking Crew. The artists the Crew backed is like a 'Who's Who'of Los Angeles singers and bands, including Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Sonny and Cher (Cher was also a back up singer during the Wrecking Crew sessions), Gary Lewis and the Playboys, John Denver - and of course the legendary Phil Spector and his many groups, The Ronnettes, Crystals, Bobb B Sox and Blue Jeans, Righteous Borthers, Ike and Tina, and on and on.
The only thing wrong with the movie is that there isn't enough
time to go in depth. While we get only a little background on the
senior Tedesco - he was a poor musician growing up in the Niagra
Falls, New York area, before getting serious about music in Los
Angeles - and we learn even less about other sidepeople, though
Kaye is given a fair amount of time as one of the few female
artsits. Even Phil Spector isn't discussed as much as one would
expect; he's in jail today so an interview would have been dificult
and Spector wasn't known to do many interviews, anyway.
But, it was the genius of Tedesco, that sparked the success of the Wrecking Crew. Sure, Blaine was a key figure, and responsible for coming up with many of the photo footage for the film accorinding to Daniel; Blaine was sure to stop photos and video in the day when video footage was pretty rare.
You'll be surprised to see how many familiar artsis and recordings
the roughly 40-person Wrecking crew working on. The movie plays this week
in selected Landmark theaters such as the Rafael in San Rafael and
Landmark in Berkeley. A DVD, soundtrack and book are currently
in the works. Catch them!
LOOKING BACK to Annette Funicello's passing earlier in the year, Bill O'Reilly pointed out some startling facts that may help explain why, despite an improved economy and racial situation today the society has taken a downward spiral in terms of interpersonal relations including values and family upbringing. O'Reilly reports that only 5% of children were born out of wedlock in 1959 as compared to 41% in 2010. Also in the 1950s drug use was rare, though alcoholism was about the same, O'Reilly continues. Lastly, regarding the 'loss of innocence' we have just looked back at with the 50th year of passage of President Kennedy, he points out that premarital sex and explicit behavior, to whatever point it existed, was kept under wraps as compared to today; O'Reilly was inferring that such behavior was much less in the 1950s in part because it wasn't fostered by the media. He would also add, later, that disability is much higher today, which led O'Reilly to question whether people are even working today. While O'Reilly wouldn't come right out and say the U.S,. was a better country in the 1950s you get the feeling he really does believe that as do many who well remember then and now. What do you think of now vs. then, assuming you lived then?
******************************************************************** ONCE BIGGER THAN LIFE, ANOTHER GOOD DIES YOUNG...
You have no doubt learned of the passing of Annette - only the first name is necessary - the 1950s /early 60s icon, who personified the era as much as anyone. She gave a lot of good times to those lucky to have grown up in the day - the movies, the music, the memories - yet suffered the past twenty-plus years with MS. In fact, we posted a little tribute just weeks ago(below) , after learning about her and her husband's efforts to gain more funding for not only her plight but Multiple Schlerosis sufferers, in general... Will follow up with some more classic videos and fun memories that will come alive again for many of you, we're sure. More @ http://oldiescountry.blogspot.com/2013/04/annette-once-bigger-than-life-another.html -pictured above Annette in 1990 (left) and recent-
It was with great pleasure to finally catch up with Annette and her husband ,Glen Holt, who has stood by her for 30 years; they go public with their current life and continuing effort to find a cure for MS via their website, AnnetteConnection.com. Annette no longer can walk or even speak, though she still gets out and one can maybe even see a twinkle in her eye. It may be hard for some to watch this video though we find it an inspiration. There are also nice tributes from Shelley Fabares and others. In this four part video series from CTV, we see Annette in her early years and today and the efforts Glen and doctors have gone to in helping Annette deal with MS, including a new treatment that is showing promise. Glen is using Annette's old foundation to continue researching help for annette and others with MS. He is hoping that, though Annette's fans, he can raise money to still find a cure.
Annette had a run of 5 Top 20 hits in the two year period, 1959-1960, and then became quite a movie star, with at least six fun 'beach' movies between 1963-1965 with some more great music and followed up with a popular 'reunion' movie, 'Back To The Beach' with favorite Frankie Avalon and the gang, in 1987, shortly before being diagnosed with MS...
Congrats to Annette's second husband, Glen . for 'lifting the curtain' of MS, so as to help others and being such a great inspiration to
Annette, who has always been a great inspiration to so many of us form her days on the Mickey Mouse Club to her positive, fun movies ,music and lifestyle.
So, again, we applaud Annette, Glen and their team. May we continue to hear inspirational news and stories from them for many years to come as we make contributions to the MS cause. Please help spread your good cheer via their website, above and your own connections as we will do through http://www.OldiesCountry.com and http://www.SeniorCountry.org
I saw Annette with Frankie Avalon about 20 years ago at Pleasanton, CA - Alameda county fair, just before she stopped performing. It was a great show and we would have hardly known she was already dealing with early stage Multiple Sclerosis
We think it is great that Annette has came out with her updated story with video now, with the help and encouragement of Glen. We think it's a beautful story. I've just spent the last three years with my 97 year old Dad , who just passed , but only after , again, three good last years, with kind people's help and good cheer around him. People can still have quality of life, though sometimes it's a challenge,even in these situations.
Rare, Indepth interview -ATTITUDES with Virginia Graham from late 80s- Annette reflects on the changing times and how she still lives up to her 'clean, happy days' image, which she relishes...
ANNETTE - 'Pineapple Princess' 1950s Icon's Passing Points Up Societal Changes, Good or Bad
Maybe the best for last... Trailer for 'Beach Blanket Bingo' 1965 featuring no less co-stars than Don Rickles, Paul Lynde and Buster Keaton, among other star names!!!
From a fan... "She was beautiful, good-natured, humble and kind to everyone around her. And she did it all - TV, movies and music, one of the biggest stars in the world in her time. Then walked away from all of it to raise a family. A role model for everyone who works in this industry. Her suffering was cruel and undeserved, but she handled it courageously. Now she can RIP." Annette's Music and Videos LIVE ON -- Get Yours Here....
NOT TO LATE TO GET OVER TO see FREE Movies at the Last Bay Area Drive In Movie - the SOLANO DRIVE IN, 1611 Solano Way, Concord - 925-825-1951
Solano Drive in as it was in 1959[/caption]
As we've noted before, Solano is the last remaining Drive In movie in the Bay Area... and one of few in the nation... There were nearly 5,000 such theaters in the 1950s and today only a few dozen ... Obviously, Solano is doing this FREE Movie to help boost sales. If things don't pick up we may lose our last Bay Area drive in movie! So, try to make it out there and /or support it!
Beatles John and Ringo , along with Roy's first wife, Claudette (dark hair) celebrate Roy's 27th in UK 50 years ago today. Pictured below is one of Orbison's two sons who would later die in housefire in 1968.
Cheers on what would be his 77th birthdayto the man, Roy Orbison, who Rolling Stone Magazine once wrote off as an 'insignificant' figure in rock and roll - that before all the big names schmoozed him on Black & White concert,etc on the big comeback (not that Roy had really ever gone away)!
Bruce Springsteen and 10,000 fans Sing Happy Birthday to Roy
'Pretty Woman,' Roy Orbison's blockbuster hit from 1964, here in a Spanish presentation combining Orbison's first big national appearance, on Ed Sullivan in 1965, along with interspersed background scenes from the movie, 'Pretty Woman,' which would help Roy, even in death, continue his new found popularity. Producers of the movie had originally wanted a younger voice to sing the song, but Roy won out as nobody could sing it like Roy.
The eerily, beautiful video from the movie, Blue Velvet, 1986, which raised eyebrows for using Orbison's 'innocent, sweet song' In Dreams in such a strange, violent movie, but a key factor in propelling Orbison back into the spotlight in late Seventies and Eighties. It's the most popular Roy YouTube video with over 5 million viewings! Today Orbison is the second most popular and top selling artist next to Elvis from the pre-Beatles rock and roll era (1955-63). As a barometor of today, his facebook page has over 600,000 fan 'likes'; by contrast, Jerry Lee Lewis , who is alive, has 130,000 .
ROY ORBISON still in the national spotlight witj one of many appearances on Dick Clark's American Bandstand, lipsynching 'Oh Pretty Woman' before an enthusiasic throng of teenagers. Includes an interview, where Orbison talks about his upcoming movie.
And, here's Roy in a medley of songs and scenes from his only movie 'Fastest Guitar Alive,' beginning with an impressive flamenco presentation by Roy on 'Pistolero.' Other
songs include 'Good Time Party,' and the beat balad, 'Whirlwind.'
With the Boston tragedy still on our minds, here's the associated song, Neil Diamond's 'Sweet Caroline,' performed by Orbison in Australia in the 1970s
Orbison surprises Neil Diamond at a concert and sings 'Sung Song Blue ' together with
Diamond and then performs 'Running Scared' solo (Pretty unusual for an artists to be brought on to sing one of his own songs, unplanned, in someone else's concert ! (2-19-76) )
There were so many things that helped cement the Roy Orbison Comeback, which effectively began the night of Elvis' passing, August 17, 1977 when Roy managed to perform without a dry eye in the sold out Santa Monica auditorium before over 10,000 folks. Orbison hadn't been appearing much in the 1970s - an RV show in Cincinatti before 600 in 1976 was pretty typical . This would be a springboard for Orbison, who would continue to
perform regularly now and appear on TV more than ever , but his appearance with his old and new found adoring music associates that came together in the 'Black and White Night' tribute performance at Los Angeles' Coconut Grove might have been the single biggest
contributing factor to his 10 year long comeback that culminated with the Traveling Wilburys and Mystery Girl top five album.
Here Roy sings on an 'extra,' BLUE ANGEL -not included in the regular Black and White Night program footage that has been seen around the world thousands of times since first aired in 1987 on PBS TV. Backed by the likes of kd lang, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, James Burton and more, this is the tribute performance of all tributes, coming after Roy's Hall of Fame induction.
Orbison singing the Star Spangled Banner at
a Los Angeles King hockey game, October 1988
ROY ORBISON on top of the Rock World again with new Top Ten song, ' You Got It ', here performing the song live at an awards reception in Holland shortly before his passing in 1988. It was the lead song from his new, comeback solo album, 'Mystery Girl' . The song would reach number nine on the charts and the album number five. Sadly , Orbison passed before the album was released and this was the only live performance of an album cut.
Intimate back stage footage of Roy working on his last album, . 'Mystery Girl,' including footage of 'leftover' songs used on subsequent, posthumous LP, 'King of Hearts.' (West 57th)
TRAVELING WILBURYs Remember Roy
More recent tributes, from Hollywood Walk of Fame presentation two years ago with
Roy's wife , Barbara, and three living sons, Wesley, Alex, and Roy Kelton Jr,
T Bone Burnett, Dan Akroid and others
And, now get read for a Big Surprise! Ever wondered what Roy and Elvis might be doing today if they were still alive? Well... here is it! ELVIS PRESLEY and ROY ORBISON Together Again ! Amazing but true. Elvis and Roy had long talked of doing a duet together. And, now, through powers unbeknownst to us... a dream come true... the duet, 'Together Again.' We are told through mysterious sources that Roy and Elvis want to return to Earth for a project - and this is their first effort from their proposed 'Where Spirits Fly' . We will hope to channel them again , soon, and let you know if and when we do LIKE OLDIES MUSIC like Roy Orbison? Join us for regular updates and by subscribing to our Facebook page @ http://Facebook.com/OldiesCountry
West Wind, which owns the historic Solano Drive In in Concord, CA, announced that Solano will be presenting totally FREE movies and car entrance on this Thursday night , April 25. Not only can you experience the last of a breed - the drive in movie that was so popular in the 1950s and has all but gone the way of Pee Wee Golf Courses and Roller Rinks with increased land values and the modern times - but it's FREE for now. Perhaps if there's a big turnout they'll keep running the promotion.
THE SOLANO DRIVE IN as it appeared in the late 1950s.
There were over 3,000 drive in movies during the height of their popularity in the 1950s. Today, there are literally a handful left
The old drive ins, where kids were known to watch the 'submarine races' (ask your folks what that means) sometimes more than the movie itself , have fallen on hard times. With the advent of digital movie houses and increased land values - and people's busy lives - the experience of putting the family in the car and spending the night at the drive in movies has become pretty much a thing of the past, except in Concord, CA and few other , mostly suburbs. There are pitifully few drive in movies in the rest of the country - and pretty much limited to the warm weather states in the south.
Remaining Drive ins like Solano are used as Swap Meets during days due to increased costs
So, if you're lucky enough to live in the San Francisco Bay Area, check out what could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Who knows how much longer even the Solano will stay in business. We've lost most of our big city bowling alleys along with roller rinks, pee wee golf palaces and food drive-ins, so enjoy it while you can!
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New York YORK, April 9 (UPI) -- U.S. actor and singerFrankie Avalonsays it makes him smile to know his late friend and co-starAnnette Funicellois at peace after years of suffering.
Funicello, 70, died Monday due to complications from multiple sclerosis, a disease she battled for decades. Avalon, who starred with Funicello in a string of iconic beach party films, said he first became aware she had the disease when they were working on their 1987 reunion film, "Back to the Beach," but her condition only got worse from there. "For at least the past six, seven years, she was without communication. It was a terrible existence," Avalon told TV's "Inside Edition." "It makes me smile to know that she's up there dancing and singing and having a good time."
Annette's first crush, Paul Anka talked of annette on Dennis Miller radio show Tuesday while promoting his new album and bio. Said Annette was the wonderful , natural person as show was on film but they were very young at the time and not ready for marriage, Neil Sedaka also spoke well of Annette o rita Cosby show
****************************************** NEW From Annette's old flame, Paul Anka LP 'Duets' and Bio
TV Network | A Tribute to Annette Funicello metvnetwork.com Sunday, April 14, beginning at 1 PM, tune in for A Tribute to Annette Funicello. Me-TV remembers the late actress with two hours of 'Make Room for Daddy' episodes guest starring Funicello as Gina Minelli, an Italian foreign exchange
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April’s Fundraiser... Feature Your Book,Business, Product or Event forThe Annette FunicelloResearch Fund for Neurological Diseaseshttp://AnnetteConnection.com/
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