Toons Salute the Troops

Began an extremely wet Veteran's Day with breakfast and a couple of Popeye shorts. The Fleischer Brothers tossed Popeye into the Navy even before the war began. "The Mighty Navy" came out in the fall of 1941, shortly before the US entered the war. The enemy isn't even named. By the release of "Blunder Below," Popeye was definitely fighting the Japanese, to the point where watching many of Popeye's wartime shorts can be uncomfortable today. "Navy," "Blunder," and "Fleets of Strength" are variations on Popeye trying to prove to his superior officers that he's an experienced seaman, even if he doesn't understand the Navy way of doing things. 

They're on more traditional turf with "Kicking the Conga Around." Bluto shows off his dancing skills to the Senorita Olive on a tropical dance. Popeye can't join in, until spinach really gets him moving!

While the wind and the rain weren't that bad at 11 AM, they were supposed to get a lot worse later. I called Uber for a ride. They arrived in 7 minutes and got me there in a little over five. I arrived a little earlier than I thought, so I picked up pads and more muffins for lunch this week. They also had Thanksgiving and winter-themed bags that would be perfect for my holiday and seasonal decorations.

Ended up spending my afternoon pushing carts. It rained hard on and off. Thankfully, I only got very wet once. After that, I did returns until the rain slowed down again. The weather scared everyone off. We were off-and-on steady, and only that due to people calling out. They even had bagels and coffee in the employee's room in honor of Veteran's Day. I did have to clean up a rather nasty mess in the men's bathroom. Otherwise, the day was fairly calm and went quickly.

It was just damp and heavily humid when I called for a ride home. Got them quickly. They arrived within 13 minutes. Got me home in a little over five, due to traffic on Nicholson Road and the White Horse Pike. 

(The rain returned later in the evening, and has been going on and off, frequently hard, ever since.)

Went straight upstairs and into dinner and Match Game '90 when I got home. Buzzr ran the Armed Services weeks for them and the 2002 Family Feud for their Veteran's Day Salute marathon this year. I arrived right in time for Match Game. While Halloween was the funniest individual episode of the show, the week they had Marines as contestants and in their audience may have been the best overall. The Marines were absolutely wild, cheering on everything lovely Karen Witter and sarcastic Brit Fiona Hutchinson of One Life to Live said or did. Bruce Baum had less luck introducing his weird inventions, including a shower with a hand meant to conserve water.

(Oh, and it looks like Buzzr's next marathon will be their day-after-Thanksgiving "Black Friday Frenzy" shopping show theme. With Sale of the Century off the schedule and Let's Make a Deal having already had a marathon in July, this one focuses on Supermarket Sweep and their "Second Chance" week. Couples who didn't get the 5,000 the first time around returned for a second try. I haven't watched this in ages; I might have to check it out.) 

Finished the night with more war-related animated cartoons. Donald Duck became Disney's number one star in the early 40's with a series of shorts that depicted his adventures in the army. "Donald Gets Drafted" when he buys into the glamorous posters. He soon learns the Army's a lot tougher than he thought when Sargent Pete picks on him. "The Sky Trooper" continues this story. Donald still wants to be a glamorous pilot, but first Pete gives him a difficult test, then sends him up with the paratroopers!

"Der Furher's Face" won an Oscar for its surreal animation, depicting Donald living in a bizarre Nazi nightmare. The catchy title song became a surprise hit for comedy orchestra Spike Jones and His City Slickers. Donald's "The Vanishing Private" when Pete tells him to make a cannon "hard to see," and he covers it with invisible paint. When he ends up in it, too, Pete has to chase "the little man you can't see" all over the base. All Donald wants after a hard day's hike in "Fall Out, Fall In" is dinner and a rest, but first his tent won't cooperate, then his fellow soldiers make too much noise. "Commando Duck" finds himself on assignment in a stereotyped Japan, where he manages to wipe...no, wash...out the enemy. 

Donald wasn't the only Disney character who went to war. The early sound short "The Barnyard Battle" pits Mickey against mean Hun cats...and he wins, of course. Goofy contributed "How to Be a Sailor" to the war effort. The first half depicts sailing through the years, but it ends with Goofy as a modern sailor who literally throws himself into destroying the enemy.

Woody Woodpecker's only World War II-themed short, "Ace In the Hole," had a lot in common with "Donald Gets Drafted." Woody also wants to fly, but his sergeant has him shaving horses. He definitely regrets it when Woody finally gets in the air! 

The Pink Panther finds himself in the Vietnam War without a paddle in "G.I Pink." If Donald was swayed by the glamour of the Army, then Pink was swayed by the power. Cranky mascots, mine-riddled fields, and impossible obstacle courses makes his sergeant wish he'd joined the Navy instead.

And we honor all of the brave men and women who fought and died for our country on this (very wet) Veteran's Day!

Before the Storms Came

Started off the morning with a quick breakfast and the original Paramount Superman shorts. Given the patriotic tenor of the comics at the time, it was likely inevitable that the Man of Steel would fight the Axis on the big screen, too. "Japoteurs" has some great fight scenes and uncomfortable stereotypes when Superman rescues Lois Lane and an experimental plane from Japanese spies. "The Eleventh Hour" features shadowy animation and a mature storyline about Superman sabotaging the Japanese while he and Lois are prisoners of war in Yokahama. In "Jungle Drums," even more stereotyped natives are manipulated by Nazis into covering for them shooting down planes. Superman helps Lois get plans through to the Allies. "Secret Agent" is the only short to not feature Lois. He helps the title lady get the names of the top men in a Nazi spy organization to Washington DC.

Headed out a little earlier than usual for some Christmas shopping in Collingswood. I'd just parked the bike and was about to enter Occasionette Gift Shop when I heard my phone. It was one of the financial advisors at PNC Bank. He wanted to talk to me. Good, because I wanted to talk to him. Ocasionette is just three blocks away from PNC. I arrived in less than five minutes.

What he told me wasn't good. Apparently, my original financial advisor was transferred, which no one bothered to tell me. I couldn't even remember his name. No one did anything with that death certificate or the John Hancock account. He hadn't left any notes, and I had no idea he wasn't there anymore. The current advisor couldn't do anything until I sent him the most recent financial statement from John Hancock.

I got so upset, I completely embarrassed myself. I wish I could manage my emotions better. I want a home of my own so badly, but it seems like I'll never make enough money. I'm also not happy with them for not letting me know my original financial advisor left sooner. I felt so terrible, I apologized several times, even though he said it was fine. It wasn't. My behavior was inexcusable.

Tried some shopping therapy next, but it didn't really work. At least I did find three interesting DVDs at the Collingswood Library's sale shelves. I haven't seen the mid-70's British Three and Four Musketeers films or the Disney Johnny Tremain since my childhood. (And the latter isn't currently on Disney Plus.) Found two ornaments for my friends Amanda and Lauren at the thrift shop Clutter. Wanted to check out another thrift shop, Time Lapse, but they were closed. 

In between, I had lunch at the wildly popular Sabrina's Cafe. They're so huge, they took over what was once a ballet company's space after they moved and remodeled it into a second dining area. I ended up in a simple whitewashed room with elegant white metal chairs and golden wood tables. Since I didn't have a big breakfast, I went with breakfast for lunch. The pumpkin pancakes with cranberry-pear compote were so huge, I couldn't finish them. They were very tasty though, extremely moist and very sweet, with cinnamon overtones from the scoop of spice butter on top. Added a just-sweet-enough blueberry lavender lemonade to that.

Of course, I realized as I unlocked my bike that I left my bike helmet at PNC. Stopped there on my way down Atlantic. Thankfully, they had found it and were keeping it in their break room until I came for it.

Next stop was the Westmont Acme to get my grocery shopping done early. Between the holiday weekend and Hurricane Nicole on its way, I do not want to be shopping tomorrow or Saturday! Surprisingly, despite that and it being nearly rush hour when I got there, they weren't that busy. I easily picked up more Nature's Valley Fruit & Nut granola bars, oranges, apples, strawberry preserves, two generic Greek yogurts that were free with an online coupon, and my favorite flavor of Bryers ice cream, cherry vanilla. (And of course, I broke the ornaments when I accidentally put the bag of groceries down on top of them.)

At least the weather was gorgeous for riding around. You'd never know there's supposedly a hurricane coming. Sunshine and warm breezes glowed over rippling green waters and waving gold and green trees in Newton Lake Park. They were busy with dog walkers and kids just out of school, so busy that I ended up riding on the street. 

Put the yogurt and ice cream away when I got home, then hurried upstairs. Tried to scan the John Hancock statement and send it via e-mail, but I just couldn't get the printer online. By the time I did, the bank had likely closed. I still sent it. I just won't hear from them until Monday. (They're closed for Veteran's Day.)

Put on Up In Arms next. I go further into Danny Kaye's first major role and his first movie for producer Samuel Goldwyn in honor of Veteran's Day at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Saluting Our Troops - Up In Arms

Worked on writing after the movie ended. Ira Skutch finally drags in Bart Braverman. Bart claims the girl he was flirting with wanted directions. Debralee, whom he'd picked on all week, calls him on his immature behavior. Ira Skutch is more concerned with the mice that had been seen in the halls and studios. 

Broke at 7 for Match Game '77. Suzanne Sommers of Three's Company continues her only week on the show in the first episode. The first Audience Match didn't go so well here. There were way too many good answers for "__ Knot," none of which the contestant or panelists came up with. 

The last episode of that week is currently lost. Buzzr picked up with the second episode of the next week, as Hans "Captain Hook" Conried joins Sarah Kennedy, Betty White, and the regulars. Gene discusses Betty's new titular series with her in the opening...and despite his claim it was a big hit, it barely lasted fourteen episodes.

Finished the night online with MASH episodes at Hulu in honor of Veteran's Day. In the second season, Hawkeye and Trapper are shocked to learn that American troops bombed a South Korean victims and damaged innocent citizens. They gather proof, but are upset when the Army won't take responsibility. Their general tells them that "For the Good of the Outfit," they need to drop the matter...but Hawkeye persists in bringing the right people to judgement anyway.

It's a "War of Nerves" in the fifth season when everyone at the 4077th are nearly attacking each other after several days in a row of dealing with casualties. After Army psychologist Sidney Freedman comes in with the latest batch of wounded soldiers, Colonel Potter calls on him to soothe everyone's jangled nerves. A bonfire to burn infected clothing does the trick...but it doesn't help Sidney with the damaged soldier who resents him for sending him back to the front after he was wounded the first time. 

Animation Goes to War

Headed out a little early today after a quick breakfast. In addition to enjoying cool breezes and a sunny day, I wanted to buy pumpkin muffins for lunch. Got in with just enough time to buy them, put them away, and get in right on the clock.

I still wish I hadn't. Some people were downright rude today. I wish people wouldn't question every darn sale. They act like we're out to cheat them. We're not trying to swindle anyone. Other than that, we were mostly pretty quiet, to the point where I got out a few times to return loose items. They kept pulling me back to go in for people's breaks. 

Couldn't have been happier to get out of there, and earlier than I thought I would. Turns out I read my schedule wrong. I finished at 4,  not 4:30. Tried to celebrate by taking the long way home, but the traffic got so bad by 4, I almost got ran over crossing Nicholson. I ended up cutting through the much-quieter Audubon Park instead.

Went straight home and into writing after that. Announcer Johnny Olsen arrives next with his gift, followed by producer Ira Skutch, who is trying to help get an exterminator for the mice seen in the next studio. The last panelist, Bart Braverman, is supposed to be joining them, but he's too busy flirting in the hallway.

Broke for dinner with friends at 6:30. Went straight into dessert and Match Game '77 after I ate. Gene's delighted to rub noses with an audience member from Alaska who wanted to kiss him in the first episode. Suzanne Sommers joins the group for some wild answers about what the Girl Scout sold besides cookies and the Audience Match "Wicked __." 

Finished the night online with World War II Looney Tunes from various sources for Veteran's Day. Termite Terrace threw themselves into the war, producing three types of propaganda films. There were the character-based shorts, like "The Draft Horse" on a plow horse who wants to join the Army and "Herr Meets Hare," with Bugs taking on real-life Nazi Hermann Goring. Other shorts revolved around sketches on life in the barracks, as in "Rookie Revue," or on the home front, as in the black-and-white "Wacky Blackout" and color "The Weakly Reporter." "Fifth Column Mouse" and "The Duckinators" were allegories on how the US got into the war and how they planned on finishing it.

Bugs and Daffy were featured in my favorite solo shorts from this era, all done by Bob Clampett. "Draftee Daffy" doesn't mind cheering for his country, but would do anything to dodge that persistent Little Man from the Draft Board! Bugs is a "Falling Hare" when he tries to stop a gremlin from sabotaging a plane and ends up in a free fall. He parodies the comic books of the era as "Super Rabbit," a carrot-charged hare who uses his powers to stop a crazy cowboy from hurting other rabbits. When push comes to shove, Bugs ends up donning the uniform of a real hero...a Marines officer.

Bugs appeared in war shorts later on, too. "The Dumb Patrol" from 1964 pits heroic World War I aviator Bugs against German ace (Yosemite) Sam Von Schwamm. Bugs is accidentally drafted into the Army in "Forward March Hare" from 1953. It takes his general the entire short to realize they've accepted a rabbit in the Armed Services. 

Of course, Warner Bros wasn't the only studio making propaganda shorts in the early 40's. Terrytoons of 20th Century Fox got their first Oscar nomination for "All Out for V," a slightly cutesy short from 1942 depicting animals mobilizing to wartime production after a bomb is dropped near their woodland home. Set to "We're Working for Defense," we have everything from termites cutting boards to sheep giving up their wool for uniform jackets. 

The Return of Autumn

Started off my morning with breakfast and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. "The Neighborhood Votes" on whether they should add a swing set or a slide to the playground. Daniel is upset when his choice doesn't win, but is reminded to find something good about the other choice. He loves it when "The Class Votes" on whether to have a turtle or a rabbit as the school pet. Once again, he's disappointed when he and Miss Elania are voted down, but they end up finding good things about the other choice. 

Switched to Match Game '75 while getting organized and cleaning up from breakfast. Shy singer Julie London and Lou Grant himself Ed Asner joined in for this week. There's a couple of jokes near the end about an especially uninhibited contestant with some very creative answers. 

Went for a walk after that to run a few errands on the White Horse Pike. My sister Anny's birthday is the day before Veteran's Day; my brother Keefe's is next Friday. Stopped at Dollar General and picked up cards for them, along with more electrolyte drink mix. Since it's around the corner, I sent out the cards at the Oaklyn post office. 

(I also saw this year's Mountain Dew winter holiday flavor at Dollar General, Fruit Quake. Um, not only does it not seem to have a Zero version, but I'm not sure I'm ready for a fruitcake flavored soda. I think I'll pass on this one.)

I didn't want to go home right away after I finished at the post office. The weather was gorgeous. Chilly breezes sent dry leaves skittering down the Pike, but the air around me felt warm, thanks to sunshine and a brilliant blue sky. Strolled down to WaWa for a soft pretzel and to try one of their new winter holiday drinks, a Gingerbread Smoothie. Not bad. Tasted more like pumpkin spice than their Pumpkin Spice Smoothie did.

Got in around 2 PM. Spent the next few hours doing laundry, eating lunch, and watching the 1975 film Nashville. I go further into director Robert Altman's epic ensemble musical about country and gospel stars preparing for a political rally at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog. 

Election Day Special - Nashville (1975)

Went into writing next. Re-wrote the opening sequences when I realized the episodes that inspired this featured Bill Daily in the fifth seat, not McLean Stevenson. Bill comes in yammering about Christmas and the show and their wild audiences before Brett quiets him down, leading to teasing and banter from the others. 

Broke for dinner at quarter of 7. Watched Match Game '74 while I ate. Gunilla Hudson of Petticoat Junction appears for her only week, getting to see Richard Deacon take off his jacket to illustrate a question and hear Nipsey Russell banter with Brett in place of Charles Nelson Reillly (who was in New York). They have a much easier time with "__ Nun" in the Audience Match.

Let it continue into Match Game '77 while I had dessert. Gary Burghoff once again does a hilarious imitation of his former teacher and mentor Charles Nelson Reilly, this time complete with big glasses. Eva Gabor is more surprised about the comments on her considerable assets (and Brett claiming her ruffled blouse makes her look like Heidi). (And it's too bad the last episodes of this week are currently lost. The existing shows are pretty cute.) 

Took a shower, then put on You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown. The votes are in at Charlie Brown's school. He's not popular enough to run for student body president, but Linus is. Linus does well in the polls and seems to be a lock, until he does a speech at a school assembly about the Great Pumpkin...

Finished the night online with two election-themed sitcom episodes set during the mid-20th century. Richie Cunningham learns about "The Not-Making of the President" in season two of Happy Days when he falls for a girl who is backing 1956 presidential candidate Adeli Stevenson. This upsets his father Howard, a staunch Republican and Eisenhower supporter. He's even less happy when he realizes Fonzie is making the Republican speech at Arnold's election rally! 

Switched to free streaming company Flex for "Strange Bedfellows" from season 2 of the 40's-set radio comedy Remember WENN. Bickering acting couple Hilary Booth and Jeff Singer run against each other in the local elections. Station manager Scott Sherwood happily plays up their feud, leading to a political debate that ends with them squabbling. It's a far more laid-back third incumbent who ends up stealing their thunder...and teaching them that politics is a full-time job that requires a lot more than lunches and speeches.

No Place Like Home

Started off another hot and sunny day with breakfast and Charlie & Lola. "I Want to Be Much More Bigger Like You," Lola tells Charlie. Charlie tries to explain how being big isn't easy by imagining they're switching places. She thinks she's ready to ride the super-fast roller coaster at the fair...until she actually sees how big and noisy it is. Compared to that, the slow "Cuddle Bugs" ride...and being small...doesn't seem so bad.

Called T-Mobile after breakfast. I accidentally paid my phone bill twice yesterday. I couldn't get someone last night to help me change it, but I did finally get someone today. I didn't end up changing it. For some reason, I couldn't get into my online account. It ended up being such a pain, I figured being paid for December too wasn't a bad thing. I have enough going on in that month trying to figure out the phone bill.

Worked on writing for a little while next. McLean Stevenson arrives next with his package for their gift exchange, grumbling because Brett's already gotten into the liquor. He's also wishing he could find his next show. Brett wonders why he doesn't try leading men again, but he says he's past being a soldier.

Broke at noon to get ready for work. I dashed out and made it just in time. We were off and on today...but when we were on, we had lines down the aisles. Huge families came through, yelling at their children and ordering them to bag the way they wanted them to, ordering each other around, dumping cold items where they would be sure to defrost instead of handing them to me, whining because they forgot their bags (again) and had to buy new ones, and questioning every price and every item. I spent a lot of my evening ready to tear out my hair. 

And of course, by 6:30, the only cashiers were me and the young woman in express, and we both had very long lines. It took so long for them to get the producer manager to come in for me, I was having anxiety attacks and almost late getting out. I hurried out the door in tears of frustration.

I needed dinner and Match Game '77 when I got in. The challenger proved to be "too smart for the room" as Brett put it when she was the only one who matched her on a question about what fever makes you bounce. There's also quite a few jokes about booze when "__ Gin" is the Audience Match, including the obscure cocktail the contestant mentioned she likes. Richard has an easier time with "Olivia __" on the Head-to-Head.

For some reason, the next episode skipped ahead to another panel. Richard found himself between Eva Gabor and Joyce Bulifant, who proved they aren't as dim as their reputation suggests. Gene tries to demonstrate kissing the Blarney Stone for Eva, while Charles makes cracks about him being a mime. (And the contestant keeps getting Charles and Richard mixed up.)

Finished the night on YouTube with some very 80's fare. Time Chasers is a later Mike Nelson Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode, and one of only two movies they did from the 90's. Well, sort of. Apparently, this sci-fi thriller came out in 1994 and was filmed in 1990, but frankly looks like it's from about 1983. Physics teacher and pilot Nick Miller (Matthew Brutch) reconfigured his Commodore 64 computer to make time travel possible. He takes reporter Lisa Henson (Bonnie Pritchard) and Matthew Paul (Peter Harrington), an executive of electronics company GenCorp, to 2041. The company's CEO JK Robertson (George Woodard) is so impressed, he offers Nick a contract. 

Nick thinks he has it made, until he and Bonnie end up in 2041 again and discover it's a dystopian wasteland. Apparently, GenCorp used his time travel machine as a weapon. He confronts JK, only to be told he'll handle it. JK orders them arrested. They escape, but JK and Matthew are hot on their trail in their own time-traveling plane. It comes down to a shoot-out in 1777 near a Revolutionary War battle that's...not all that exciting. 

No wonder the robots wanted to riff on this, despite its (then) recent pedigree. It couldn't scream "low-rent early 90's" harder if it tried. Filmed in and around Rutland, Vermont, with local actors, a small Citabria airplane for the time travel vehicle, a dull and nonsensical script, and hardware that was completely out of date by 1984, let alone 1990. Thanks to the Vermont locations, there is some very pretty scenery, and that's about it. Only for MS3K fans or the most ardent enthusiasts of campy sci-fi.

The Muppet Babies have their own fun with time travel in the original 1980's show. They go "Back to the Nursery" when first Fozzie spills hot chocolate on a photo in Nanny's yearbook, and then Animal vanishes. The kids travel through various periods of time to find their youngest member, then hit the 50's for a drag race and to recreate Nanny's photo. 

Salute Your Games

Started out a humid and hazy morning rushing to work. I wish I'd stayed home. It wasn't bad for the first half-hour, when I put away unwanted items, and the last half-hour, but everything in between got messy. We had long lines for a lot of the day, and a lot of huge beginning-of-the-month orders. No reason for anyone to suddenly run home, either. The Eagles played (and won) on Thursday and don't play again until next Monday.

I had such a hard time dealing with people. I hate it when people end up having to put back a quarter of their order because they think 500 dollars worth of groceries comes up to 100. If your cart is full to overflowing, it's probably not going to cost under 100. (And it's not entirely inflation. People have pulled this for years.) And they all tend to throw anything they don't want all over the shelves instead of saying "I don't want this" and handing it to me. I spent my last five minutes returning a container of cooked shrimp a family didn't want and hadn't bothered handing to me. Of course, it got cold. And we didn't have a bagger for an hour, and when we did, they threw him right into sweeping and doing carts.

Needless to say, I rushed home the minute I dropped the shrimp at the seafood department. Went straight into dinner and Match Game '74 after I changed. Jack Narz of Concentration, Elaine Joyce, and Fannie Flagg join the regulars in giving some goofy answers to what kind of burgers they sell at the North Pole. Richard does even better with "__ Brush" in the Head-to-Head.

Stuck around for dessert and Match Game PM. The first episode is the best of the nighttime show, and one of the best in the entire series. The whole episode is wild, thanks to hilarious sniping between Betty White and Brett, but the real fun came during the first Audience Match. Richard claimed his answer of "Color TV" for "Admiral __" would be on the board. Gene bet him a dollar it wouldn't. Guess who was right? 

The next show with Julie Harris and William Shatner was almost as much fun, and came from another week that got crazy in general. Brett swooned over a handsome young single man in the opening, especially after she asked him he liked older women, and he gave her a thumbs up! Gene gave Richard a kiss after he gave a great answer, too. There's also the answers to the Audience Match, "__ McGraw."

Finished the night saluting our Armed Forces for Veteran's Day this Friday. From 1989 to 1991, the Ray Combs Family Feud did a week-long championship, with each branch of the Armed Services playing each other for charity. The two top winners came back Monday for the biggest cash prize. I went with the first week from 1989. The game between the Marines and the Navy got really wild, especially when the female captain of the Navy reminded the Marines that they're technically the Department of the Navy. 

Despite that, the Marines wound up being the big winners. They were a lot of fun to watch, too. They cheered on good answers and bad and by far had the best trash-talking. The one woman officer did really well at the Fast Money round. She won it for them twice, the second time after the Hungarian-born officer before her barely got anything. The big guys on her team were so delighted, they picked her up and swung her around! I don't think her feet touched the ground for five minutes after she won the first time.

Salute those who serve our country with this delightfully funny week of Armed Service Feuds! 

Game #1 - Army vs Navy

Game #2 - Air Force vs Marines

Game #3 - Army vs Coast Guard

Game #4 - Air Force vs Coast Guard

Game #5 - Marines vs Navy

Game #6 - Championship: Army vs Marines

Saturday at the Hundred Acre Woods

I was supposed to wake up at 8 AM. I opened my eyes at 9:15. Yikes! I had work at 10. Barely had time to write in my journal, change, eat, and dash off. 

Work was a pain in the rear, and way too long. We were busy almost the entire day, with long lines often across the store and not enough help to deal with them. The Phillies played tonight, it's still the beginning of the month, and we have two major holidays coming up this week and Thanksgiving in three weeks. I often panicked and just couldn't keep up with the orders. At least they were able to send a teen girl in for me so I could get out on time. 

Went straight home and into dinner and Match Game PM after I changed. The first episode is rather appropriate for the upcoming Veteran's Day holiday, as one of the contestants was a Scottish soldier with a charming accent and a truly nifty uniform. The top row even stands to salute him in the opening. (Brett thought he was an usher at the long-gone Roxy movie theater in New York!) Mary Ann Mobley rambled on so much giving one of her answers in the second episode, Gene ended up sitting on the floor waiting for her to finish.

Moved to Disney Plus for Pooh's Heffalump Movie after dinner. I go further into the first movie to feature Roo's Heffalump pal Lumpy at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog. 

Animation Celebration Saturday - Pooh's Heffalump Movie

Finished the night at YouTube celebrating the upcoming holidays with Lawrence Welk. Even as the controversial Vietnam War raged, Welk and his musical family did two episodes saluting the Armed Services for Veteran's Day in 1968 and '69. The 1968 episode features a charming rendition of "How About You?" from Naval officers Dick Dale and Natalie Nivens, while the others tease Jack Imel about being "The Sailor Who Loved the Sea." For some reason, we also get a random Beverly Hillbillies spoof, with them getting an award for having "the most cards and letters" sent to them. Myron Floren and a group of hobos perform "Alley Cats," and Jo Anne Castle enjoys being the only lady hobo playing ragtime piano. 

The show from 1969 gets more into the holiday, thanks to it also being a tribute to Irving Berlin. The orchestra gives us some "Soft Lights and Sweet Music." Larry Hooper admits "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up In the Morning." He also tells his Navy troops that "This is the Army, Mr. Jones," but they don't take direction very well. Arthur Duncan explains how "A Shine On Your Shoes" can improve the morale of any cadet. The episode ends with the singers in uniform, performing the theme songs of the various branches of the Armed Services. 

The other major holiday next week is Election Day, and I did find an episode from 1980 that revolves around elections and politicians. The band tries to play to both sides with "Baby Elephant Walk" and "The Donkey Serenade." Dick Dale runs for office as he encourages the singers to "Hey, Look Me Over." Bobby Burgess and Elaine Niverson drum up the crowd with "Happy Days are Here Again." Jack Imel and Mary Lou Metzger sing about their spurs that "Jingle Jangle Jingle," while Guy Hovis recites a tribute to "The Ragged Flag." Champagne Lady Norma Zimmer ends the episode with a stirring "Columbia, Gem of the Ocean." 

Celebrate two all-American holidays with these rousing episodes! (Warning that the 1968 and '69 episodes are not in the best of shape, and all are missing the opening and closing numbers.)

Salute to the Armed Services - 1968

Veteran's Day/Irving Berlin Tribute - 1969

Election Time - 1980

(Oh, and I'm afraid the Phillies lost their last game and the World Series to the Houston Astros 4-1. And don't forget to set your clock back tonight for Daylight Savings!)

Very Warm for Autumn

Started off the morning with breakfast and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. "Daisy In the Sky" has Daisy literally taking off when she holds way too many balloons for a picture. Minnie and Pluto try to get her down, and end up floating with her. The others chase after them, trying to find ways to bring them back to Earth.

Worked on writing for the rest of the morning. I decided to do my first Match Game Christmas story. Nutcracker Blank is set during the 1981 syndicated season, and is inspired by Debralee Scott and Bart Braverman's feuding during several weeks where they appeared together. Debralee arrives at the panelists' party in the lounge room. Brett greets her, vodka in hand. Deb admits that she's probably already long gone.

Headed out to work and got there just in time. I cashiered for 20 minutes before they pulled me to help with carts. Though I did take a few customers when it got busy, I mainly spent the day outside, pushing carts and gathering trash. They picked the right day for it. Honestly, it was too nice for November, sunny, breezy, and way too warm, probably in the mid-70's. At least a second bagger came in to help later.

I actually got a good schedule next week, the best I've had in weeks, if not months. Nothing later than 6:30 or earlier than 11. Seven hours on Sunday and next Saturday, but that's not 8 1/2. Tuesday and Thursday off. 

Only needed a few things after work. Nature's Valley granola bars are on that buy 2, get them for $2.50 each sale again. Went with two Fruit and Nut boxes. Bought muffins for lunch. I'm supposed to have a free coupon for a two pack of bakery cookies, but it keeps not working. Bryers ice cream is on sale and I have a digital coupon. Grabbed a bag of honeycrisp apples. Needed gift cards for Anny's birthday the day before Veteran's Day and Keefe's the week after. 

Put on Match Game '77 when I got home. A young man born in Germany wore a suit based after the national costume of Bavaria that came in for a lot of ribbing. He did well enough to get in two Audience Matches. Everyone kept tossing out German jokes during "Parker __." The second Audience Match was "Werner __," prompting Richard to recall the actor Werner Klemper who played Klink on Hogan's Heroes (and apparently brought his own uniform!). Anson Williams and Mary Anne Mobley got to hear jokes about "Age of __," especially how young-looking the female contestant (and Williams) were!

Had dinner with friends, then took a shower and finished the night on YouTube with versions of The Nutcracker. My favorite of the traditional stage shows posted there is the one by the San Francisco Ballet that sets the story in San Francisco around the early 1910's. We get a lot of this in a charming prologue that depicts the guests arriving at the party and the people passing by the house. 

There's been several adaptations of the ballet for TV. One such version debuted in 1958 on Playhouse '90 as the big Christmas Day show from CBS that year. Like The Pied Piper of Hamelin, it's one of the few broadcasts of its era to exist in its original color. It's a lovely confection with George Balanchine choreography. 

The direct-to-video Good Times Entertainment Nutcracker wound up being better than its low-budget origins would suggest. It's one of only three screen Nutcrackers I've seen adapt the original story "The Hard Nut" rather than the ballet. The characters, with their wide, pale eyes, were a bit on the creepy side, the songs are boring, and the Mouse Queen was too cute to be scary. On the other hand, there's a genuinely interesting Beauty-and-the-Beast type story of Marie dreaming that only she can rescue the Nutcracker from his cursed form. 

If you love this story, all three are very different and worth checking out!

Nutcracker by the San Francisco Ballet (2007)

Playhouse '90 - The Nutcracker (1958)

The Nutcracker - Good Times Entertainment (1995)

Dolls and Eagles

Started off the morning with breakfast and Charlie & Lola. Lola and Lotta say "We Promise Honestly We Can Look After Your Dog" when they insist on watching Sizzles, Marv's beloved dachshund, while the boys play soccer. They have fun at first, but when Sizzles breaks off his leash, the girls can't find him anywhere...and then find him and another dog who looks like him and have to figure out which is which.

Switched to Match Game '75 next. Gossip queen Rona Barrett appeared on a week later in the year, along with Clifton Davis and Betty White. The first episode had Gene and the others making several jokes when the male contestant wears a suit in a rust color that's almost identical to Gene's. The second features a question near the end that asks who Richard Dawson married. Rona said Raquel Welch, but everyone else went with Charles or Brett. This is hilarious if you know the show. Richard and Brett were seasoned spotlight stealers and supposedly didn't get along. From what I've gathered, Richard did get along better with Charles, but Charles was gay, and Richard wasn't. 

Dusted my rooms quickly after breakfast, then took down the Halloween decorations and put up what I have for Thanksgiving. The two upright pilgrims, the porcelain Native bear and turkey salt and pepper shakers, the tiny stuffed pilgrim mouse, the wooden hanging plaque, and the detailed turkey candle were yard sale finds. Jodie gave me the stuffed pilgrim girl bear, three stuffed turkeys, and the pilgrim and Native miniatures after Dad died. Picked up my Webkinz turkeys Plymouth and Mayflower from gift shops. 

It took me so long to find the canister with the miniatures, I didn't get going until nearly 1:30. Made my first brief stop at the Haddon Township Library. I dropped the books on handling money in the slots and hurried out.

Since it's just down the hill from the Library, I walked to the Westmont Diner. Pretty similar to the Colonial Diner, with a less striking exterior and a warmer interior. Had the "Power Omelet," an egg white omelet with spinach, mushrooms, real turkey, and lots of Swiss cheese, while listening to older couples trade quips with the waitress. Oh yum. So much cheese, it came out in strings, and the turkey pieces were big and juicy. The sourdough toast was thick and doughy, and went nicely with orange marmalade. 

It took me so long in the bathroom, I got a later start to Target than I planned. I just needed vitamins there. Saw a small real pumpkin for $1.99 mixed in with the Halloween decorations. It had a mottled yellow-orange color that I thought would make a nice replacement for the larger pie pumpkin on the front room table that got moldy.

Went to Starbucks for a cold drink, but that may have been a mistake. By quarter after 3, a long line of students from Haddon Township and Paul VI Catholic High School down the road waited for their own cold drinks and treats. The Pumpkin Spice Frappucino was ok when I finally got it. The pumpkin spice did mask the coffee bitterness somewhat, but it came out really watery. 

At least the weather remains gorgeous. It was sunny, breezy, and really too warm for this time of year, almost in the mid-70's. It did make riding around a pleasure. I took the long way down to Newton Lake Park, just to enjoy the sunshine a little longer.

Headed home after I finally got out. Dressed the dolls for cooler November weather (when we get it) soon as I made it in. Molly, Samantha, and Josefina are in the outfits they originally came in. Samantha wears her mauve checked dress with the black stockings and boots from Rebecca's School Outfit. Molly pairs her argyle sweater and blue skirt with saddle shoes. Traded the short-sleeved camisa (shift) that came with Josefina's red and brown skirt for her longer-sleeved original nightgown. 

Jessa keeps it simple in cargo pants, a gray American Girl t-shirt, navy hoody, turquoise sneakers, and magenta and turquoise striped socks. Whitney got to try on the white dress with the scarlet flower print and attached shrug I picked up from the American Girl resale store back in August and borrowed white t-straps from Molly. She wears her white lace-trimmed crinoline under it for more flair. Ariel is in a teal peasant blouse with a square neck and dark blue trim Lauren found in her area, beaded bell bottom jeans that look 70's but are really from the 2003 modern meet outfit, and boots from one of Julie's outfits. The mini dress with the white top and knitted orange, brown, and pink chevron skirt is really too big for Barbara Jean, but I put it on her anyway. She did look rather cute in it and a pair of hot pink tights.

Ran The Court Jester as I worked. I go further into one of Danny Kaye's best vehicles that also features Angela Lansbury in an early role as a strong-willed princess at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

A Salute to Angela Lansbury - The Court Jester

Spent the next few hours finally finishing Change of Blank. Ross bursts into laughter when the duo start teasing each other about their Halloween costumes for the upcoming show. He thinks they're hilarious. Brett appreciates it so much, she invites him bar-hopping with them. Ross says it's nice of her to offer, but he just wants to go to bed. He heads out, and Brett and Charles leave arm in arm for the nearest place with liquid libations. 

Once again, this took longer than I planned, especially for something that ended up super-short. No idea what I'm going to do next. We are coming up on the holidays. I may return to Wild Wild Blank. I may do a Nutcracker or Christmas Carol Match Game story. I may start the other long fantasy I have planned for The Wizard of Oz. We'll see how I feel tomorrow. 

At any rate, if you need a quick read, here's Change of Blank for your enjoyment!

Change of Blank - A Match Game '90 Short Story

I had such a hard time focusing, I didn't break for dinner until 7:30. Had leftovers while watching Match Game '77. I'm surprised the contestant didn't call Roz Kelly first for "__ On It" in the Audience Match. This was the height of Fonzie's popularity as the coolest guy on TV, after all...

Finished the night working on my review while watching the Eagles-Texans game on Amazon Prime. The Eagles didn't play their best against a team that's currently considered to be among the worst in the NFL. Of course, I saw the wrong half. I switched to the Match Game chat premieres on YouTube at 10...and missed the Eagles quickly doubling their score. They usually play better in the second half anyway. Finally took down Houston 29-17, making the Eagles 8-0 for the first time in their history. 

Rediscovered Angels

Got a quick start this morning with breakfast and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. Daniel growls when his mother cleans up his farm toys while he's still playing with them. "Daniel Uses His Words" when his mother gets him calmed down enough to explain what happened. Likewise, he needs a lot more than growling when he explains to Miss Elaina he doesn't like her throwing Tigey. It's "All Aboard" when Daniel and Katerina play train, but first Dan has to explain to Katerina that he wants to be the conductor, and then Katerina needs more than meowing when she has to tell Dan she wants it to be a monkey train.

Spent the rest of the morning working on writing. Brett complains to Ross that he doesn't keep a better handle on the panel, and he doesn't do voices or get into the comedy the way Gene does. Charles and Ross disagree - they think he's doing just fine, or at least the best he can.

Changed, grabbed an apple to go with lunch, then went straight to work. Work started out boring, until it hit rush hour. Then not only did two people go home, but no one replaced them, and we had long lines. I just kept panicking. The customers are always so darn fussy about their bags and how this and that should be done. And then they pulled me 15 minutes before I went home to go in for the express lane cashier's break...and of course, he was late getting back, and I was nearly late.

Hurried home and had dinner while watching Match Game '77. Though she was no longer on Happy Days by that point, Roz Kelly still gets a kiss from Gene Rayburn! Meanwhile, a broad-shouldered contestant from Detroit is making the panelists nervous. They try to concentrate on helping him with the Audience Match "Loaded __."

Vacuumed the rooms and wiped down screens and windows while watching the second episode. Gene's not the only one eager to kiss Roz Kelly. She gets a smooch from a young man in the audience, prompting Gene to call him "The New Fonz."

Finished out the night online after a shower with the first season finale of Charlie's Angels on Amazon Prime. Sabrina and Kelly find themselves temporarily back on the force when "The Blue Angels" investigate a cop who may be extorting money from massage parlors that are fronts for prostitution rings. Jill and Bosley take charge of one such massage parlor. Sabrina joins the cop who found two men dead and a woman badly battered in one of the massage parlors. Kelly joins the police academy to investigate two of the cadets who are suspected of almost running down Sabrina. 

Oh, and I found something really cool at YouTube. Match Game PM #11 and The Mouse Factory aren't the only previously lost media that reemerged this year. Two lost Betty Boop shorts, "Honest Love and True" and "Buzzy Boop at the Concert," were found in foreign archives in 2019 and posted online in the last few weeks. I saw "Concert." Buzzy Boop is Betty's tomboy country cousin. She's bored at the opera concert Betty takes her to, until she teaches the soprano some really swingin' moves! (And thanks to UCLA for this sterling restoration!) 

Buzzy Boop at the Concert

'Til the Clouds Roll By

Kicked off the morning with breakfast and Charlie & Lola. Lola wants to "Say 'Cheese!'" for her class picture, and do it while remaining neat and tidy. Lola's an active and forgetful six-year-old, however, and it's tough for her to refrain from walking in puddles and not getting paint on her face. Charlie finally finds a way to make a really good - and clean - picture of her.

Spent the next hour or so writing. Charles intervenes, reminding Brett that they're there to play, no matter what she thinks of the host. Brett still wishes Gene were there, along with many of their own friends, and says Ross really can't keep order. Ross once again reminds her he's new at hosting and is doing the best he can.

Broke at 12:30 to head to work. I wish I hadn't. Between the Phillies game, the beginning of the month, and this being Senior Discount Day, we were busy almost the entire evening. I just couldn't deal with all the fussing people. I'd get flustered when I'd have to wait for a manager to help with something, or the line wasn't moving the way it should have. I just get so frustrated. I can't help apologizing. I feel bad because things aren't doing what they're supposed to do. People claim I'm being too hard on myself, but I don't really feel like I am. It's so overwhelming when there's a long line and people fussing over the bags or the soda sales or the prices. They always think we're cheating them and never trust that we know what the price is and how to do our jobs. 

And, of course, they pulled me about an hour before I was done to do carts. Only to pull me inside five minutes later to clean up sushi someone spilled. And then pulled me in 15 minutes before I was done to go in for someone's break. And then I was almost late because my last customers complained about something not coming off and kept taking items off when they didn't need to and I had to call a manager.

(At least the weather got nice for pushing carts. The clouds lingered this morning, but they vanished even as I rode to work. By the time I got outside, the sun had come out, and it was a little too warm for the time of year, in the upper 60's.)

Needless to say, I rushed home fast as I could after that. Went straight into dinner and Match Game '77. Patty Duke shows why she won an Oscar by taking over for Gene and reading a question towards the end of the episode, and really enjoying herself. Richard had more trouble with "Much __" in the Head to Head. There's also several jokes about a very big former automobile worker and what he could do if they miss his answers! 

Finished the night online with The Book of Life. I go further into this vibrant animated fairy tale set on the Day of the Dead at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Celebrating the Day of the Dead - The Book of Life

(Oh, and the Phillies not only won tonight, they blanked the Astros 7-0.)