11,826 stories from Trav S.D.
Yesterday was the publication date for our friend Pam Grossman's latest book Magic Maker: The Enchanted Path of Creativity, and we were delightd to be there last night for the launch party a…
Apologies for the late notice, but better late than never. If you happen to be in NYC, my friends at the Silent Clowns Film Series are screening Undercrank's restored version of Roland West'…
October 15 was the birthday of B movie star Judd Holdren (1915-1974). Holdren had a hot couple of years as a star of serials like Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere (1951), Zombies of…
Sultry actress/model Virginia Leith (1925-2019) was born 100 years ago this day. Having trouble placing her? She was the lead head in The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962) " and it's just the r…
A few quick lines about a popular personality who was well known in America for at least three decades, now completely forgotten, Ranson Sherman (1898-1985). As is not uncommon, Sherman's di…
Today's new Travalanche post for October 14, 2025 observes the 30th anniversary of the debut of Mad TV. Earlier Travalanche posts for October 14 (in no particular order) include ones on: Har…
I wasn't that old when Mad TV (1995-2009) first went on the air 30 years ago. Still, I'm going to assume that it will be generations younger than mine who would regard it as a "classic". Cla…
Today's new Travalanche post for October 13, 2025 observes the 250th anniversary of the American Navy. Earlier Travalanche posts for October 13 (in no particular order) include ones on: Bust…
250 years ago today (October 13, 1775) marked the official foundation of the Continental Navy, the iteration of the American Naval forces that fought in the Revolutionary War. The Continenta…
I've long planned a post on movie director Susan Seidelman here, as well as something more extensive on the No Wave directors in general, as that what was still going on when I arrived in Ne…
Today's new Travalanche posts for October 12, 2025 are about Aleister Crowley (born 150 years ago today), professional giant Lock Martin, and the 40th anniversary of Desperately Seeking Susa…
No, no, not Doc Martin " LOCK Martin (Joseph Lockard Martin Jr (1916-1959). Said to stand a full seven feet seven inches in adulthood, Martin had a twin brother who died in childbirth. The f…
Born 150 years ago this day, Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), prophet, poet, scholar, and all around English decadent. We've posted twice before on this influential figure, once merely as a sor…
Today's new Travalanche post for October 11, 2025 is about Revolutionary War hero Casimir Pulaski. Earlier Travalanche posts for October 11 (in no particular order) include ones on: Sig Ruma…
October 11 is celebrated in America (among Polish Americans and those who love them anyway) as General Pulaski Memorial Day. It marks the day in 1779 when Polish General Casimir Pulaski (b. …
Today's new Travalanche posts for October 10, 2025 are about the painter Benjamin West and tomorrow's ceremony at the Childs Restaurant Building in Coney Island. Earlier Travalanche posts fo…
This just in " lovers of Coney Island USA and of NYC architectural history in general may want to attend the ceremony they're holding out at 1208 Surf Avenue, tomorrow, Saturday, October 11 …
We've had numerous opportunities to mention the influential painter Benjamin West (1738-1820) on Travalanche in the past, for he instructed or otherwise advised such renowned pupils as both …
Today's new Travalanche posts for October 9, 2025 are about The History of Peep Shows, a snapshot of Brooklyn's Albee Square, and British music hall comedian Leslie Fuller. Earlier Travalanc…
A little post about the Once and Future Brooklyn that I love so well. It's a follow up of sorts to a mini-post I left here about a dozen years ago, when I realized that my place of work (my …
Don't get all excited! I never said or implied I was referring to pornographic or live sex peep shows, did I? They're a sub-set of what I'm talking about, but by now you should know better t…
October 9 was the birthday of British music hall and screen comedian Leslie Fuller (1888-1948), often billed as "The Rubber Faced Comedian". Joe Rock enticed Fuller to go before the cameras …
Today's new Travalanche posts for October 8, 2025 are about Sigourney Weaver and Her Show Biz Family, and the Peshtigo Fire of 1871. Earlier Travalanche posts for October 8 (in no particular…
We love to write about multi-generational show business families, and here's one that ought to be more widely known than it seems to be. Stage and screen actress Susan Alexandra "Sigourney" …
This is a bit of history I learned from an unlikely source " there was a reference to it on a recent episode of The Gilded Age. It's a timely story, given massive recent wildfires like the C…
