11,738 stories by "Trav S.D."
Today is the birthday of Al “Grandpa” Lewis (for my full article on that star of Car 54 and The Munsters  go here). To learn a little but about Lewis as we New Yorker…
Despite what her unfortunate name suggested Grace McDaniels (1888-1958) did not resemble a mule. She was born in Numa, Iowa with a condition called Sturge-Weber Syndrome which by around a…
Today is Duke Ellington’s birthday, but I hope you’re not too disappointed to learn that I am much more excited about the fact that it is Tommy James’ birthday today (b.194…
Congratulations to Stewart Lane and Bonnie Comley, who received an Olivier Award last night for their production of the stage adaptation of the 1935 RKO movie starring Fred Astaire and Ginge…
The Hall of Hams is my series on some of my favorite actors who have brought the art of melodramatic acting into the modern era. Today is the birthday of the greatest actor of our tim…
Even if you don’t know the gentleman the event is to raise money for this is going to be a LOT of show for $50: Bill Irwin, Audrey Crabtree, Hilary Chaplain, Amy Gordon, the Hot Sardin…
Well, we don’t mean we have a clip of the late comedian Danny Kaye eating a delicious sandwich, as rewarding as such a thing may be. No — we’ve gotten word that today at no…
Today is the birthday of William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951). Heir to a vast mining fortune, he built the first media empire, becoming one of the most influential men in the country (respons…
Very little is known about the Murray brothers (John, James and Joseph) other than that they were not actually triplets as they were usually billed (triplets would have all been the same hei…
Today is the birthday of the phenomenon of nature knowwn as Ann-Margaret (b. 1941). I had the thrill of seeing her live once at Radio City Music Hall. Even then, when she was about 50 years …
The Hall of Hams is my series on some of my favorite actors who have brought the art of melodramatic acting into the modern era. Today is the birthday of Lionel Barrymore (1878-1954). One of…
Today is the birthday of Jay Leno (b. 1950). As long time readers of this blog know, on some occasions celebrity birthdays become opportunities for disparagement on Travalanche. I already po…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DUKE TIMES TWO! Sunday April 28th at the Ellington statue, 110th St and Fifth Ave. 1-3 pm rain or shine (scroll down for more information) Monday April 29th at Dance TImes Sq…
Today is the birthday of Joseph Dunninger (1892-1975), one of the great professional mind readers of the twentieth century. Born and raised on New York’s Lower East Side, as a child he…
Today is the birthday of Judy Carne (b . Joyce Botterill, 1939). A native of Northampton, England, she had been acting on television in the U.S. a few years when the British Invasion hit in …
Filed under: Broadway, Indie Theatre, PLUGS, Tin Pan Alley Tagged: David Caudle, Fine and Dandy, George Gershwin, Here Today, Hunter College, Katharine Weber, Kay Swift, Paul James, The Memo…
Today is the birthday of Anita Loos (1889-1981), best known today as the author of Gentleman Prefer Blondes. We write about her today (and in our recent book Chain of Fools) because…
Today is also the birthday of Bobby Rydell (Robert Ridarelli, b. 1942). The Philly native started out as a child performer — he appeared on Paul Whiteman’s television program as …
Today is the birthday of Duane Eddy (b.1938), whom along with producer Lee Hazelwood, was progenitor of the “twangy” sound, heard on such hits as “Rebel Rouser” and &…
Today is the birthday of Star of Vaudeville #319: Ma Rainey (for my full article on this important performer go here). Here she is in a 1925 recording of that old blues standard “See S…
Hollywood comedy character actor Edgar Kennedy (born this day in 1890) is most famous for his so-called “slow burn” reaction, although for the life of me, I can’t see what&…
Today is the birthday of the great magician Charles Bertram (b. James Bassett, 1855-1907). He was originally a hotel keeper. When his establishment went belly up in 1882, he turned to magic.…
Today is the birthday of Percilla Roman Bejano (1911-2001). Born covered head to toe in fur, and possessing two rows of teeth, she was billed as The Monkey Girl and exhibited alongside chimp…
Still scratching out the occasional squib for the Villager and her sister papers. Please check out three pieces I did on this year’s Tribeca Film Festival: * A wrap-up of all the docum…
Today is the birthday of the late Jerry Lieber (1933-2011), one half of one of the great songwriting teams of all time, Lieber and Stoller, I got to speak to Jerry once on the phone b…
