November 20, 1965 –
The Supremes song I Hear A Symphony hit No. #1 (their sixth No. #1 pop hit on Billboard Hot 100 chart,) on this date.
There isn't a full symphony orchestra playing on this song, but there is a prominent string section, arranged by Paul Riser, that implies it. Otherwise, the instrumentation is more typical, with a saxophone section and piano (played by Funk Brother Earl Van Dyke). The song evokes classical music in its structure though, building throughout to a kind of crescendo.
November 20, 1921 -
The Famous Players-Lasky Company put the film, The Sheik, starring Rudolph Valentino and Adolphe Menjou, and directed by George Melford into general release in the US on this date.
The film helped established Valentino as the top male movie star and sex symbol of the day.
November 20, 1973 -
The third Peanuts holiday special, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, premiered on CBS-TV on this date.
Lucy has limited role in this special: she has her scene where she torments Charlie Brown by yanking away a football as the beleaguered hero attempts to kick it. But that opening scene is the only time we get to see Lucy.
November 20, 1976 -
Former-Beatle George Harrison appeared on Saturday Night Live on this date.
George Harrison seemed to have misunderstood Lorne Michaels offer of the $3,000 payment for his appearance; Michaels explained to George that the $3,000 was for all four of the Beatles - making the payment only $750 for him.
November 20, 1981 -
Milos Foreman's epic take on E.L. Doctorow novel, Ragtime, premiered on this date.
James Cagney had been advised by his doctors and caregivers that making a film at this point in his life was very important for his health. The actor never flew, so he and his wife took an ocean liner to London, where his scenes were filmed. Despite his numerous infirmities, he stayed on-set during his fellow actors' close-ups to give them line readings.
November 20, 1983 -
An estimated 100 million people watched on this date, the controversial ABC-TV movie The Day After, which depicted the outbreak of nuclear holocaust in the United States.
Twentieth Century Fox invited a group of scientists to preview this movie, to test their reactions to the "science" used in it. None of the scientists were impressed with what they saw, although most conceded that the movie was enjoyable nonsense.
November 20, 1998 -
The wonderful Irish comedy, Waking Ned Devine, starring Ian Bannen, David Kelly, and Fionnula Flanagan, opened in the U.S. on this date.
Writer/director Kirk Jones did not have time to cast the role of Father Mulligan before shooting began. On location, he asked gaffer Larry Randall if he would play the part. Randall agreed, and appears in the finished film.
If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and seek it out.
November 20, 2007 -
The debut album from Amy Winehouse, Frank, (the title refers partly to Frank Sinatra, an early influence on Winehouse,) was finally released in the US eight months after her second album (Back to Black,) and three years after its British release. (This will be on the test.)
It received generally positive reviews from most music critics and earned Winehouse several accolades, including an Ivor Novello Award for the first single Stronger Than Me. Although critically acclaimed and massively influential in her native UK, it fails to set the American charts on fire, reaching its peak of #33 only after the singer's untimely death in 2011.
Don't forget to tune in to The ACME Eagle Hand Soap Radio Hour today
Today in History :
November 20, 1913 -
The National Biscuit Co. sold its first Mallomars to a grocer in West Hoboken on this date.
Mallomars are only "in season" from September through March (it's to maintain tradition) and are manufactured in Toronto, but not sold anywhere in Canada, the home territory of Whippets.
November 20, 1917 -
T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) was held prisoner, whipped, and repeatedly raped by Turkish Army officers on this date. He apparently thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
50 Shade of Grey, indeed.
November 20, 1923 -
American inventor Garrett Morgan was awarded Patent No. 1475074 for the stoplight that included a third option in addition to "stop" and "go."
His invention was a major step forward in traffic safety. Besides the traffic light, Morgan is best known for his work on gas masks.
November 20, 1947 -
Princess Elizabeth married a ne'er-do-well Greek distant cousin, Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, in a ceremony broadcast worldwide from Westminster Abbey on this date.
She was so happy that day that it seems to escape her attention that she related to everyone at the church, include the groom's mother.
45 years later, on this date, Liz and Phil (and all the Mountbatten-Windsors) were in the middle of their Annus Horribilis when Windsor Castle caught on fire, causing extensive damage.
It's the 46th anniversary of Generallismo Francisco Franco heroic fight to remain dead.
While he may still working at it today, he is not doing it in peace. He was recently disinterred from his elaborate mausoleum and reburied in a family plot.
November 20, 1984 -
McDonald's made its 50 billionth hamburger at 12:10 P.M. in the Grand Hyatt Hotel, in New York City on this date.
November 20, 1985 -
Windows 1.0, a 16-bit graphical operating environment was released on this date. It was Microsoft's first attempt to implement a multi-tasking graphical user interface-based operating environment on the PC platform. Windows 1.0 was the very first version of Windows launched.
If you think I'm going to make fun of Bill Gates, you're mistaken. (Steve Ballmer, throw him under the bus - he's only the 9th richest person in the US.)
Hooray for Big Brother!!!
November 20, 1986 -
The one billionth Little Golden Book was printed on this date.
Before you go - Alright, it's time to face your fears - Thanksgiving is coming up and you've never made dinner before. OK bunkie, let's walk through the whole thing. I promise you with a little help, it's going to be OK.
Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients:
* 2 cup sugar
* 2 cup orange juice
* 2 12-ounce package Fresh Cranberries
* 1 Peeled skin of a navel orange
Tools
* sharp utility knife
* cutting board
* peeler
* 1 large heavy bottom large saucepan
* 1 wooden (or metal) spoon
* measuring cup
Directions:
Peel the skin of a navel orange. Try not to get any of the white pith. Begin telling yourself Groucho Marx jokes. Start with how you shot an elephant in your pajamas. Sing, "Hooray for Captain Spaudling." Stop when you family tells you to pipe down. Cut the peels into a small dice size.
Combine sugar and juice in a large saucepan. Bring to boil (stir occasionally - remember, hot sugar - hot lava.) Add cranberries and diced peel, return to boil. Reduce heat and boil gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cranberries are going to pop and possibly splatter. Remember all the curses you know in foreign languages (it the perfect use for them when you get burnt.) This puppy is going to boil up at some point, stir until it subsides.
Cover and cool completely at room temperature. Pour into a clean mason jar (the spaghetti sauce size jar.)
Remember if you bring this to someone's house, remind everyone that you made this - it's not store bought.
More to come.
And so it goes
1 comment:
May you and your dental appendages heal rapidly so you can enjoy that home-made cranberry goop.
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