Radio Freed America

Back when I was working in radio, we’d get free movie passes at the station. Most were given away in contests, but there were plenty of extras for the staff.

I saw American Hot Wax for free more than once, contributing to the movie’s financial failure. There are factual errors, no mention of DJ payola, and Tim McIntire is more like the Big Bopper than Alan Freed, but American Hot Wax deserves a proper video release.

Amish Ernie

Violent Saturday is an excellent crime drama, with soap opera elements for the ladies, as directed by Max Fleischer’s son Richard. Stephen McNally and Richard Egan look enough alike to confuse viewers at first, but there’s no mistaking Lee Marvin as a thug, or Ernest Borgnine as an Amish farmer. A favorite character actor, J. Carroll Naish, is also present.

Gideon Checked Out

My first awareness of Gideons Bibles came from hearing ‘Rocky Raccoon’.

The Beatles must have been in countless hotel rooms and suites with Gideons Bibles while on tour. Perhaps George drew spiritual comfort from one he found in this room.

Edgewater Inn Hotel, Seattle, August 21, 1964

Gideons Bibles are no longer universally accepted by hotels. I was in Baltimore this past weekend to attend a combination wedding and family reunion. I went back to my room, only to not find Gideons’ Bible.