Peter Sellers vs. Blake Edwards

I posted this on Amazon with no response yet, so I'll throw it out there... Since there is going to be a new "Pink Panther" film with Steve Martin, discussion has occured about the previous films as to what qualifies as an "official" "Pink Panther" film. Some argued that "Inspector Clouseau" from 1968 wasn't official because Peter Sellers did not star and Blake Edwards did not direct, yet the film was written by writers who wrote many of the later films. I tend to count it.

It has now become popular myth that Peter Sellers and Blake Edwards hated each other after "A Shot in the Dark" (1964) and refused to work with each other when "Inspector Clouseau" was proposed in 1968. Yet, that same year Sellers and Edwards DID work with each other on "The Party"! Is the real story that they were sick of each other, or more accurately, sick of "The Pink Panther"? Does anyone really know? No speculation please.

Of course, they did work together again on three new "Pink Panther" films in the 70s and probably would have continued if Sellers hadn't died, since Edwards went on to do three more without him...

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Regards,

Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

"Monty Python's Final Rip-Off" Review

This is a fairly decent compilation, but only with the six original British Charisma LPs in mind. That means, there is no material from "Monty Python's Flying Circus" (a 1970 album released on BBC Records and also on Pye Records); "Live at City Center" (a US only release from Arista Records in 1976) "The Life of Brian" (1979 soundtrack released on Warner Bros. Records); and "The Meaning of Life" (1983 soundtrack released on MCA Records). "Monty Python Sings" kind of makes up for these oversights, but a redone career-spanning compilation would be appreciated. Even the box set doesn't have all the material in one place (leaving out "City Center" and the BBC album). I would also include some material only available on the TV shows, and material from "And Now For Something Completely Different" (1971 feature); the two German shows (1972-1973); and material from "Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl" (1981 feature). I would like to be "ripped off" from Monty Python again!

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Regards,

Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

"Monty Python's Final Rip-Off" Review

This is a fairly decent compilation, but with only the six original Charisma LP's in mind. That means, there is no material from "Monty Python's Flying Circus" (a 1970 album released on BBC Records and also on Pye Records); "Live at City Center" (a US-only release from Arista Records in 1976); "The Life of Brian" (1979 sountrack released on Warner Bros. Records); and "The Meaning of Life" (1983 sountrack released on MCA Records). "Monty Python Sings" (1991) kind of makes up for these oversights, but a redone career-spanning compilation would be appreciated. Even the box set doesn't have all the material in one place (leaving out "City Center" and the BBC album). I would also include some material only available on the TV shows, and material from "And Now For Something Completely Different" (1971 feature); the two German shows (1972-1973); and material from "Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl" (1981 feature). I would like to be "ripped off" by Monty Python again!

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Regards,

Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

Monty Python's Record Albums

Monty Python gets a lot of press usually about their TV shows and movies, but not as much about their record albums, many of which contain material not available elsewhere. For fun, here is a list of the albums which I find essential including compilations as there are is usually a track or two not available elsewhere. All are on CD, but the first one has been out of print in the US for a number of years and is quite collectible.

Monty Python's Flying Circus (1970)
Another Monty Python Album (1971)
Monty Python's Previous Record (1972)
Matching Tie and Handerchief (1973)
Live at Drury Lane (1974)
The Album of the Soundtrack of the Trailer of the Film of Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Live at City Center (1976)
Instant Record Collection (UK version)(1977) (This contains "Summarize Proust", not available elsewhere)
Life of Brian (1979)
Contractual Obligation Album (1980)
Instant Record Collection (US version) (1981) (This contains "Farewell to John Denver", deleted off the UK Contractual Obligation due to "Legal Advice" and basically different tracks from the UK version)
The Meaning of Life (1983)
The Final Rip-Off (1987) (Some new intros by Michael Palin)
Monty Python Sings (1991) (The single version of "The Lumberjack Song" and "Oliver Cromwell" are new amongst this compilation.)

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Regards,

Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

EC Comics

I've been reading (slowly) the reprinted comic books from EC that originally appeared from 1950-1956 and were reprinted during the 1990s. I am currently reading issues that appeared at the end of 1954 and it really was kind of sad that whole crackdown on basically EC's entire line just when they were getting more interesting.

I blame Archie Comics for jealousy about EC as to how the whole Comics Code thing came about, even more than Dr. Wertham's book. EC could have weathered the storm if they were still allowed to be distributed, but the Comics Code just nixed their entire line without offering another solution. Even titles that continued like "Panic" and "Weird Science-Fantasy" weren't the same and EC was forced to create some new ones that didn't sell.

Of course, they lucked out with "Mad", but just barely at first...

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Regards,

Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

New TV Network

My dad sent me the following about the new TV network. I don't know what to say...

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Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

CW Network to combine WB, UPN in CBS-Warner venture beginning in September.
By Jessica Seid, CNNMoney.com staff writer
January 24, 2006: 1:50 PM EST

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Warner Brothers and CBS Corp. announced plans Tuesday for the creation of a new broadcast television network, called CW, that would replace the WB and UPN networks in the fall of this year.

The new broadcast network will draw on programming from both WB and UPN, and will be a joint venture between Warner Bros. and CBS (Research), with each company owning 50 percent, officials of both companies said. (The "C" stands for CBS, the "W" is for Warner.)

"This new network will serve the public with high-quality programming and maintain our ongoing commitment to our diverse audience," said Les Moonves, the chairman of CBS, in a statement (see video).

Prime time programming will target the profitable 18-34 age group, officials of Warner and CBS said.

The new network will broadcast such UPN shows as "America's Next Top Model" and "Veronica Mars," as well as WB programs "Beauty and the Geek" and "Smallville."

In addition, World Wrestling Entertainment's "Smackdown," which has been a mainstay at UPN, is expected to play a role in the schedule. The new fall line up is expected to be announced in May.

UPN and the WB have struggled to attract viewers from the four established networks since they were launched in the mid-1990s. But each has its strengths.

The WB has had some hits throughout its history, particularly with younger audiences, having done well lately with shows such as "Smallville" and "Gilmore Girls."

UPN has recently gained some critical acclaim and strong ratings for its sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris," which airs on Thursday nights and fared well against shows such as NBC's "Joey" and Fox's "The O.C."

Both networks will cease operations in September, broadcasting their respective network schedules independently until then.

Dawn Ostroff, currently president of UPN, will become president of entertainment, and John Maatta, currently chief operating officer of the WB, will become chief operating officer of the CW.

The new network will employ a lot of the same people, "but there will be one person where there used to be two," said James Goss, an analyst with Barrington Research, suggesting that there may be more executive jumbling throughout CW in the works.

Warner Brothers Entertainment is a division of Time Warner (Research), as is CNNMoney.com.

Disney Cartoons

I really want the remaining 134 Disney cartoon shorts that have not yet been released on the Disney Treasures collections released. 41 of the 134 have been released on various other Disney discs, but it would be nice to have them compiled together on the following potential 5 volumes:

Donald Duck, Volume 3 and 4
Pluto, Volume 2
Silly Symphonies, Volume 2
Disney Rarities, volume 2 (including Figaro, Chip 'n' Dale, and the missing Goofy cartoons)

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Regards,

Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

Richie Rich and Jackie Jokers

Here's the latest inquiry at "Richie Rich's Vault"?

Just what is the deal with JACKIE JOKERS?
http://www.misterkitty.org/extras/stupidcovers/index.html

Ernie Colon did not create Jackie Jokers. He mainly drew the feature. And yes, it was commonplace for kid characters to do adult things. Like even Richie traveling the world, isn't he supposed to be in school? Granted he's rich, but you never see a tutor. Unless Cadbury is doing it.

It's fantasy, pure and simple and Jackie Jokers was simply an excuse to put a comedian character in Harvey Comics. His name was derived from Jackie Gleason. BTW, did you know that Jackie was originally designed as a character with blonde curly hair a la Harpo Marx?

"Jokers" ran for four flop issues before being replaced by "Richie Rich and Jackie Jokers" in late 1973.

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Regards,

Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

My Name is Earl

Everyone is praising this show, and with good reason, it is very, very funny. It is a shame that this show sticks out like a sore thumb on the schedule when most sitcoms aren't funny these days (except maybe "The Simpsons", and even that's not as good as it used to be), and the rest are mainly substandard dramas and awful "reality" shows.

Back in the 70s, the good vs. bad sitcom ratio was so high that some GOOD shows didn't even get a chance as they aired them at the same time on competing networks. There were so many good classics that are still good now like "Mary Tyler Moore", "Bob Newhart", "All in the Family", "Odd Couple", etc., etc.

My advice for "Earl" fans. Watch it now before they "dumb it down" or move it on the schedule 20 times (they've already moved it once) before they cancel it. I'm waiting for the second season to see if they keep the high quality up. They didn't with "Scrubs" and "That 70s Show".

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Regards,

Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

George Carlin

George Carlin has a new album out which always gets me excited. I haven't had a chance to purchase it yet, but I will soon. To recap, here are George's previous albums (minus compilations and book readings):

1. Killer Carlin (1960)
2. Take-Offs and Put-Ons (1967)
3. AM & FM (1971)
4. Class Clown (1972)
5. Occupation: Foole (1973)
6. Toledo Window Box (1974)
7. An Evening With Wally Londo (1975)
8. On The Road (1977)
9. A Place for my Stuff (1980)
10. Carlin on Campus (1984)
11. Playin' With Your Head (1986)
12. What am I Doing in New Jersey? (1988)
13. Parental Guidance Explicit Lyrics (1990)
14. Jammin' in New York (1992)
15. Back in Town (1996)
16. You are All Diseased (1999)
17. Complaints and Grievances (2001)
18. Life is Worth Losing (2006)

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Regards,

Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

Football

Now it's down to four teams. Never been a huge football fan. When the 49ers used to win was when I was the last time. But now it is Broncos, Panthers, Seahawks and Steelers. I have no real affinity for any of them, but I might as well root for the Broncos since my boss is a HUGE Broncos fan and anything that makes him happy, makes me happy.

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Regards,

Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

Wide Screen vs. Pan and Scan

My dad sent me an e-mail link about aspect ratios and widescreen film. It's at http://www.widescreen.org/aspect_ratios.shtml

In a nutshell, viewing a film in widescreen on home video is usually much more preferable than the pan-and-scan way, but some people insist upon full screen which is dumb because you lose a lot of information that way, especially if the information is critical to the story.

A good example to show the difference is in "The Music Man" when they have a barbershop quartet. It is a quartet in widescreen, it is a barbershop duet in pan-and-scan.

Benny Hill once made fun of the widescreen film viewed on television with his parody entitled "Deep in My Ear" which pulled out to reveal "Deep in My Heart" when the title faded into the background. Characters routinely spoke off camera or were cut off, making for a very humorous skit.

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Regards,

Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

25¢ Comic Books!!

Really? Yes, Really. See my website (Mark's Rare Comics) at http://rarecomics.home.att.net for titles and ordering information. Hurry, the sale ends at the end of January...

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Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

View daily comic strips & the largest online inventory of collectible comics at Mark's Rare Comics

Pink Floyd

I am really getting into Pink Floyd again recently. I am playing and replaying the 3-disc "Echoes" greatest hits set from a few years back. I know what you're saying, "3-disc"? Well yes, at the time, I was annoyed that there were only 2 discs in the set, when a third was absolutely necessary. I compiled tracks left off this greatest hits from "Dark Side of the Moon", "Wish You Were Here" and "The Wall" and threw in some Syd Barrett stuff just for good measure and came up with a good 17-track third CD.

I'll have to research, but after Live 8, is Pink Floyd done??? I would like them to tour or put out a new album or something...Time will tell. It would be nice to see the full line-up (perhaps even with Syd!) put out an album of new material.

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Regards,

Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

Elfego Baca, Swamp Fox and Spin & Marty

Does anyone really care about these things? Leonard Maltin probably pushed Disney into releasing this stuff in the high-priced, deluxe-format editions of Walt Disney Treasures. It's not that anyone's really clamoring for this stuff.

Personally for the next wave of Walt Disney Treasures, I would like to see the following:

Song of the South
Silly Symphonies, Volume 2
Disney Rarities, Volume 2
Chronological Donald, Volume 3

We'll see...

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Regards,

Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

Christopher Lee Dracula Films

Since I cannot think of a thing to write, I will list the seven Christopher Lee Dracula films he did for Hammer.

Horror of Dracula (1957)
Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1965)
Dracula Has Risen From the Grave (1968)
Scars of Dracula (1970)
Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970)
Dracula: A.D. 1972 (1972)
The Satanic Rights of Dracula (1973)

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Regards,

Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

President's Day

I made a funny. The company I currently work at no longer honors President's Day (February 20) with a holiday. When someone asked why, I said, "It's because we don't like our President anyway. They'll reinstate it in 2009."

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Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net

Hammer and Amicus Films

I am starting to really get into the old Hammer horror films again like "Horror of Dracula" and the rest. I recently viewed "The House That Dripped Blood" on DVD and always thought it was a Hammer film. Turns out it was done by a competing British film distributor called Amicus. Seemingly, Amicus has a very similar history to Hammer and even hired many of the same actors and crew people to do their films, so confusion apparently is very common.

Amicus tended to do those "Tales From the Crypt"-type anthology horror films (as "Dripped Blood" is), while Hammer focused usually on a central character such as Dracula or Frankenstein or Kronos or something like that.

I hope that they see fit to release all of these films someday, especially films like "Twins of Evil" which I have never seen, but have heard a lot about. It is available on import in Region 2 and I may plop down some money for it as I have converted my DVD players to all region players.

Anyway, having fun with horror...

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Regards,

Mark Arnold
http://funideas.home.att.net