Friday, December 25, 2020

Hopefully you've given the staff the day off

Other things to occupy your mind with other than COVID-19 - The song We Wish You a Merry Christmas was originally a threat.



The ever-popular song is a traditional English Christmas carol of unknown origin that is believed to date the 16th century. The song was originally sung, loudly and repeatedly, by crowds of rowdy, lower-class servants demanding booze from their masters... or else.


As always, we here at ACME want to help spread hope, peace, joy, and other marketing buzzwords









Hopefully you haven't overeaten this Christmas, but if you have, perhaps you'll get a visit from -



(Remember, it isn't really Christmas until you hear his Hidey Ho.)

Your Christmas gifts are starting to arrive (we'll be keeping a count.)

(Remember, we are going to count this as a unit and not as two individual gifts.)


December 25, 1962
Robert Mulligan's adaptation of Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, starring Gregory Peck and Mary Badham opened on this date.



The watch used in the film was a prop, but Harper Lee gave Gregory Peck her father's watch after the film was completed, because he reminded her so much of him.


December 25, 1973 -
George Roy Hil
l megait of the hoiday season, The Sting, starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford and Robert Shaw, opened in US theatres on this date.



George Roy Hill made choices that would utilize certain stylistic techniques of the 1930s. For instance, he decided to use an old-fashioned Universal logo from the period at the beginning of the film, immediately evoking a nostalgic tone for The Sting. Hill also employed devices such as editing wipes to transition between scenes and iris shots - all stylistic choices that would help place the audience in a 1930s time frame.


December 25, 1990 -
Francis Ford Coppola's much maligned sequel, The Godfather III starring everyone you would expect (except Robert Duvell, who couldn't come to an agreement about his salary,) went into general release on this date.



Robert Duvall turned down the $1 million the studio offered to re-create his role of Tom Hagen. Duvall did not feel that his proposed salary was commensurate with what Al Pacino and Diane Keaton were getting ($5 million and $1.5 million, respectively). The character was subsequently written out. Duvall later defended his position on the grounds that the only reason why anyone wanted to make another Godfather movie after so many years was to make money.


December 25, 1992
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Richard Attenborough epic bio pix about the the world famous comedian Chaplin, starring Robert Downey Jr., Marisa Tomei, Dan Aykroyd, Penelope Ann Miller, and Kevin Kline went into limited release in the United States (the anniversary of Chaplin's death) on this date.



While researching his role, Robert Downey, Jr. visited the Museum of the Moving Image in London, England and persuaded the staff to let him try on one of Charlie Chaplin's "Little Tramp" suits and boots. The latter fit him perfectly, and he found a cigar stub in one of the pockets, which he subsequently treasured.


December 25, 1999 -
The Sci-Fi parody (of Star Trek), Galaxy Quest, Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell, and Daryl Mitchell premiered in the U.S. on this date.



Director Dean Parisot and star Tim Allen have revealed in interviews that the original tone of the film was much darker, with more scenes of violence. After test screenings, the film was recut to emphasize the comedy and obtain a PG rating.


December 25, 2009
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Guy Ritchie's twist on the iconic Victorian detective, Sherlock Holmes, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law went into general release in the U.S. on this date.



Attempting to escape the clutches of wearing a tight corset every morning, Rachel McAdams would trick the costumers by pushing her stomach out or eating a big breakfast of oatmeal before being laced up. However, they eventually caught on to her ruse.


December 25, 2013
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The Martin Scorsese drama The Wolf of Wall Street, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, and Matthew McConaughey premiered in US theatres on this date.



Wanting to work with Martin Scorsese, Jonah Hill took a pay cut by being paid the S.A.G. minimum, which was $60,000.


Once you woke up this morning, you knew where you stood on Santa's list.


Once again, we here at ACME once again want to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday by sharing this Christmas poem:

Let us all be Noticers today.

Let us notice our children’s gifts rather than their flaws.

Let us notice what our spouse does right, not what he or she did wrong.

Let us notice the sacrifices our parents made, rather than all the times they messed up.

Let us notice how hard people are working not how quickly they are providing service.

Let us notice where our love and kindness is needed, rather than spew criticism and scrutiny where it is not needed.

Let us be Noticers. Love others right where they are. Love others just as they are. Someone is just waiting for us to notice what’s blooming or wilting inside that could use a little undivided attention.


… The one who notices and responds with empathy can create a ripple effect. Because compassion spreads . . . compassion is contagious!

… finding Glimmers of Goodness within a day is possible – even when you are irritated, annoyed, or frustrated. Try taking each not-so-pleasant experience or feeling and thanking it for its hidden gifts.

Thank you, growing older. It is in finding another gray hair and another laugh line that I appreciate the gift of another day.

Thank you, pang of guilt. It is in wishing that I did things differently that I appreciate the opportunity of Second chances.

Thank you, disappointment. It is in experiencing letdown that I appreciate the fact that I had the courage to try.

Thank you, daily challenge. It is looking straight into the face of sorrow, struggle, fear, frustration, heartache, and worry that I appreciate the fact that I keep showing up. And I will keep showing up.

Because even on the hardest days, even in the most challenging moments, I can see tiny glimmers of goodness if I look closely for them.



And so it goes.



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