12,033 stories from Trav S.D.
Well…having already done an extensive post on The Beatles' Let it Be, I didn't know if Peter Jackson's Get Back would supply me with sufficient fodder for an additional one, but, oh, man, …
Given the later arrival of Merle Haggard and all manner of country music Travises, younger people could almost be forgiven for assuming the name Merle Travis (1917-1983) was a sort of made-u…
I was so sad to learn from Adam Realman that my old friend Kenwyn Dapo has died. The news shook me into unreality " you know that feeling when words seem unfamiliar? That was how it felt. Ke…
Jon Stewart (John Stuart Leibowitz, b. 1962) is nearing the 6-0 mark; he became a transformative figure in television comedy around 20 years ago. We can begin to discuss him as history. My a…
Robert Youngson (1917-1974) was a man of his mid-century moment. I was born a half century later than he, and probably wouldn't be the person I am if interpreters of his generation (himself,…
Margaret Livingston (1895-1984), whose name was spelled with myriad variations over the years, is best remembered as the devastating temptress known as "The Woman from the City" in Murnau's …
We first announced this exciting development back in April, but now it's available to pre-order, with a pub date of January 22, and what's more I have read it, so can recommend Camera Man, D…
Today a post of tribute and thanks to YOU, my readers, subscribers, and above all my patrons! As for the latter, today I won't just say "You know who you are", I will SAY who you are for all…
Born November 24, 1941: Pete Best: original drummer for the Beatles. Best's tenure with the group was short (almost exactly two years), but occurred during a highly significant time period. …
With her nearly 1,000 screen credits, most of them non-speaking, Bess Flowers (1898-1984) became known as "The Queen of the Hollywood Extras". But that's not a strictly accurate encapsulatio…
The circus and vaudeville act known as The Cliffords was a rare example of matriarchy in Western Culture. The star of the act was lady sword swallower Edith Clifford (1886-1942), who plied h…
Backwards is how I learned about the career of popular organist Ethel Smith (Ethel Goldsmith, 1902-1996). She had a bit part in Sidelong Glances of a Pigeon Kicker (1970), which I wrote abou…
Well, the title of this post may sound like that of an Agatha Christie novel, but no, that's Roger Aykroyd. And if you are a fan of the eponymous English writer and historian, rest easy, for…
Born in Newark, New Jersey 100 years ago today: musical stage and screen star Vivian Blaine (Vivian Stapleton, 1921-1995). Blaine started as a singer with big bands in her teenage years in t…
Just a few notes on ventriloquist Bill Demar (William Delmar Crowe, 1931-2015), known affectionately to many as "Uncle Bill". Demar is best known to the world at large, believe it or not, fo…
Today we sing of Virginia Verrill (1916-1999), not to be confused with Virginia Cherrill, not that you would ever do that. Verrill was second generation vaudeville. Her mother was also a sin…
The West Coast Ragtime Festival is virtual this year due to Covid. It opens this afternoon and plays through Sunday. catch it here.
I love it when you think there won't be much to a story, then you scratch beneath the surface and there turns out to be lots. I knew Nancy Carroll (Ann Veronic Lahiff, 1903-1965) chiefly fro…
Along with her mentor Lois Weber and her colleague Anita Loos, Frances Marion (Marion Owens, 1888-1973) is widely revered for being not just one of the first successful and powerful women in…
Leila Bennett (1892-1965) playsed supporting roles in fewer than two dozen films in the early days of talkies, often as comical maids, but she was memorable in them, thus we shine a light on…
A tip of the hat to comedy supporting player Eddie Baker (1897-1968). As is often the way. Baker enjoyed his bigger and more memorable roles in silent days. For example, he was the referee i…
The ventriloquism act of Arthur Prince (1881-1948) was novel in that it was naval. In an act called "Naval Occasions" he played a ship's officer; his dummy "Jim" was a sailor. It was, needle…
Today we tell of a remarkable show biz clan: the Watsons, who billed themselves as the First Family of Hollywood (though few nowadays would recognize them as such). Had they chosen to perfor…
Born 150 years ago this month: Jessie Bonstelle (Laura Justine Bonesteel, 1871-1932). Raised in Greece, New York (near Rochester), Bonstelle grew up attending local theatres, and was tutored…
John Banvard (1815-1891) was an American pioneer. Not the kind that shoots, and forages, and clears trails. Although the geography of the natural landscape was part and parcel of what he did…
