Sunday, October 29, 2023

That Old Matching Magic

Began the morning with breakfast and Raggedy Ann & Andy and the Pumpkin Who Wouldn't Smile. The rag doll twins bring a glum, unwanted jack o'lantern to a little boy whose aunt won't let him go trick-or-treating. They then remind his aunt that she was young and celebrated Halloween herself once, too.

Headed out to work soon as the cartoon ended. It was busy when I came in, but that's because the Eagles played at 1 PM today for the last time until New Year's Eve. After the Eagles began, the customers ended. We were off-and-on steady for the rest of the afternoon. I had plenty of help gathering carts. Was in and out with no trouble again. The weather was windy and cooler, in the lower 60's. It started out sunny, but got cloudier as the day went on. To date, it hasn't rained, though. 

(And the Eagles barely managed to outrun the Washington Commanders, 38-31. As a few customers mentioned, it wasn't pretty, but it got the job done.)

Went straight home and into Young Frankenstein, which certainly suited the gloomy weather. Renown doctor and professor Fredrick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) travels to Transylvania to inspect the castle owned by his late grandfather, who was notorious for his experiments in reanimating the dead. The castle comes complete with Helga the comely assistant (Terri Garr), Igor with the hump that keeps changing sides (Marty Feldman), and Frou Blucher the housekeeper (whinny) (Cloris Leachman). After he finds his grandfather's diary that details his work, he becomes determined to reanimate his own monster. Trouble is, Igor accidentally gives the creature (Peter Boyle) an abnormal brain. Now Fredrick has to civilize his creation, convince the hook-handed Inspector (Kenneth Mars) that he's harmless, and dodge his fiancee Elizabeth (Madeline Khan), before the villagers storm the castle and destroys them all!

One of Mel Brooks' best spoofs is both hilariously funny and wonderfully atmospheric. The latter comes from the use of the real sets from the original Universal Frankenstein, the former from a terrific script. Everyone had such a great time making this, they added extra scenes just to keep going! It's still as much fun to watch as it was for them to make. 

Worked on writing for a while after that. Cora wishes she didn't have to stay. She hates balls and thinks there's something seriously wrong with Stephen. Stephen, however, is quick to send her parents on their way, to her annoyance. He basically brushes them aside.

Put on Witchcraft...! while I worked. This spooky jazz album from the 50's features songs about witches, magic, or spooky nights. My favorites include "Old Devil Moon," "Spellbound," "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered," "That Old Black Magic," and "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes."

Finished the night after a shower and a quick leftovers dinner with today's Match Game Sunday Classics Marathon. Character actress Edie McClurg first appeared during the show's syndicated run early in 1980. She would be a frequent panelist not only on the syndicated show, but on Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour and Match Game '90 as well. Her goofy imitations of divas and valley girls and excellent playing made her a favorite with many viewers. 

She flitted around with a boa in her idea of being a diva during a week in 1981 with McLean Stevenson and Sharon Farrell. She sported a tiara in one episode of Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour, saw cheerleaders do a routine after a game ran short, and was there for the episode McLean spent complaining about marker on his pants. Ron Lucas and his puppet Scorch flirted with her during Match Game '90, and she got to see the return of Betty White and the start of the feud between Vicki Lawrence and host Ross Schafer. 

Bring your tiara and boa to this wild marathon in honor this favorite of viewers and Ferris Bueller!

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