My friend Joel called me on Christmas Day to inform me of the passing of Eartha Kitt (more on her below). Shortly before New Year's Eve, I began compiling a list of notable and not so notable celebrities who slipped the mortal bonds of Earth during this past year. Here's what I came up with: Johnny ...

In addition to collecting Christmas music, I have collected nearly 1000 vintage Christmas ads over the years. Many of these include celebrities, radio, television, cigarettes, liquor, modern appliances, and the like. Every Friday from here until I run out, I will feature an ad from my collection. I ...

From time to time this Christmas season, I'll be posting some amazing videos that have been rescued by people like us and posted at the mecca of all things wonderful and obscure - YouTube. I invite you to add a fun comment, witticism, clever remark, or observation in the comments section provided. A...

(Click on image to enlarge) I've posted a bunch of stuff from Capitol Records today and thought I'd add a few odds and ends leftover. The first is this ad that I used with the "Christmas In Italy" entry. At the very, very, very bottom of the ad you'll find a two line blurb that reads: Merry Christma...

In addition to collecting Christmas music, I have collected nearly 1000 vintage Christmas ads over the years. Many of these include celebrities, radio, television, cigarettes, liquor, modern appliances, and the like. Every Friday from here until I run out, I will feature an ad from my collection. I ...

It's been 24 years since my Christmas music obsession began. Since beginning this blog nearly three years ago, I've alluded many times to my annual Christmas CDs that I create for family and friends. By now, many of my family and friends should have received their 2008 copy. This entry is strictly h...

"I realize that things won't change much because of my little record, but if people stop to think a little about it, then it has been all worthwhile. Maybe it will pay off in another generation." - Stan Freberg on "Green Chri$tma$", 1958. 1958 Picture Sleeve Front Cover If I was to be stranded on a ...

In addition to collecting Christmas music, I have collected nearly 1000 vintage Christmas ads over the years. Many of these include celebrities, radio, television, cigarettes, liquor, modern appliances, and the like. Last Friday and every Friday from here until I run out, I will feature an ad from m...

Back in my film school days at Columbia College in Chicago, I took a class entitled "History Of Cinema" and met a teacher named Scott Marks. Scott was the first teacher who got all my inside jokes, pop-culture references, and shared a love for movies, Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis, Jr., and a certain Chi...