Ragtime Matches

Began the morning with breakfast and my Make Believe Ballroom Time 2-disc record set. I first heard this when they had it at the Stockton Media Center in college around 2001 and I recorded it on a cassette. This is mainly instrumental versions of popular songs of the 1920's (though we do get vocals for "Tip Toe Through the Tulips" and the written-for-the-recording title song). I'm more fascinated by some of the movie songs that aren't as well-known today. The gorgeous "I'll Always Be In Love With You" was written for the 1929 Syncopation. "Jeannie, I Dream of Lilac Time" is the title song from the huge hit Colleen Moore war drama Lilac Time from 1928. "Girl of My Dreams" and "Carolina Moon" are two very sweet forgotten ballads. 

Classic songs of the early 20th century also figure into Jo Ann Castle's Ragtime Melodies. She really has fun with the more upbeat numbers like "Frog Legs Rag," "Pistol Packin' Mama," "Maple Leaf Rag," and "While Strolling Through the Park One Day." "Honky Tonk Twist" and "Skater's Boogie" filters ragtime through the more pop sensibilities of the early 60's.

Headed off to work after Jo Anne Castle finished and got there right on time for a change. Good thing, too. We were swamped the entire afternoon. Even though Memorial Day weekend is next week, there's still a lot going on, from yard sales and local fairs to church picnics, proms, and recitals. 

It doesn't help that I'm not the only one who had their hours severely cut back this week. We had one register with a very long line open the entire afternoon. There just weren't enough people to open. I had no one to help me gather carts, either. I couldn't keep up with them. I'd get them up to the patio, and they'd vanish. People would take them from my hands before I could get them up front. At least the weather was lovely for working outside. Hot, yes, in the mid-80's, but sunny, dry, and with a nice, fresh breeze. 

Went home, had dinner, took a shower, and finished the rest of the night watching the second half of the Match Game '77 marathon. By late '77, Richard Dawson was becoming increasingly dissatisfied with his place on the show, and very tired of doing two popular shows. It didn't help that they made an ill-advised move to daytime from the afternoon slot late in 1977, where they were paired with The Price Is Right, that damaged their ratings. Richard did perk up for some episodes, like when he gave Polly Holiday's dead microphone a eulogy, or when everyone was so kind to the sweet older lady contestant Bertha. 

Richard wasn't the only one having fun in 1977. Fannie Flagg turned up in her nurse's costume from her cameo in Grease, claiming she was Brett's nurse. Orson Bean complained about how he'd seen "better-produced shows at the Kiwanis Club" when the stagehands dropped an orange backdrop instead of the money board. Minnie Pearl made her only appearance on the show in August 1977 and proved to be utterly charming, flowed hat and all, making me regret that they never got her from the Grand Ol' Opry again. The year ended with Fannie Flagg sitting in Brett's character actress seat for the first and only time while she was out doing a play and actually doing quite well there. 

Celebrate the era of disco, Annie, Star Wars, and matching with more from one of the best years of the show!

Match Game Sunday Classics - Best of Match Game '77 - Best Episodes Part 2