J.T. (1969) | Television
J.T. Is Unforgettable J.T. is the story of a young boy in gritty 1960s Harlem, who is bitter and sad ever since his father died. He has started doing petty thefts and is not responsive to his mother’s frustrations with his behavior. J.T. steals a transistor radio, is inattentive in school, and generally has a rotten attitude. He has few friends. One day during the Christmas season, as he is running around the abandoned buildings of his neighborhood, he discovers a sickly cat. He immediately starts bonding with the cat and helps to nurture it back to health. J.T. has discovered someone he loves without reservations. He learns about having…
Baby Peggy Turns 100 Years Old!
Happy Birthday, Baby Peggy! Baby Peggy, the last of the silent film stars, turns 100 years old today! She was born Peggy-Jean Montgomery on October 29, 1918. She became one of the biggest child stars of the silent movie era. Peggy was a millionaire by the time she was six. Soon her career crashed and the Depression hit. She was broke and working as an extra by the time she was a teenager. As Refinery 29 reported: At the age of 5, Diana Serra Cary, better known as child superstar Baby Peggy, was a self-made multimillionaire, the star of nearly 150 shorts and three feature films. At 7, she was…
The #BlueWave Trailer
The #BlueWaveTrailer THIS. IS. AMAZING. It is a faux movie trailer encouraging you to vote in the midterm elections. I watch this every day to inspire me to do more. And to do better. When I’m canvassing door to door, virtual phone banking, or texting the vote, and I feel that I cannot do it another minute, I watch this video. It is empowering. We can do it, America! Vote! Please also read about the #FreePress. and Democracy Dies In Darkness. ETA: WE DID IT! WE FLIPPED 40 HOUSE SEATS! WE FLIPPED 7 GOVERNORSHIPS!
When You Grow Up (1973) | Film
When You Grow Up This short film is an interesting time capsule from 1973. Fascinating educational short film from 1973, discussing possible future careers for its youthful audience. Set to a mildly rocking score, this film shows the intended middle-school audience some of the jobs available for them in the future. I like the fact that the film shows diversity with people of color and women represented in the film. I also like that it shows people doing all kinds of blue-collar and white-collar work. They can all take pride in a job well done. Analysis We still had a manufacturing economy back then! Those jobs hadn’t been sent overseas…
Every Sunday (1936) | Film
Every Sunday This 1936 short film is fascinating because MGM was showcasing their two incredible young singers, Judy Garland and Deanna Durbin. Judy and Deanna both had amazing voices, but very different styles, as can be seen in this film. Deanna Durbin MGM let pretty Deanna’s contract lapse, and she was snapped up by Universal Studios. She had talent and great charm, and success came quickly. Deanna had a huge success with Three Smart Girls (1936), a sequel to that film, and several other films musical films. Deanna Durbin was credited with saving Universal Studios from bankruptcy as it was struggling during the Depression. Most of her films are delightful.…
