DECEMBER 23, 2010
I went to see True Grit on Wednesday afternoon with my wife, 20 year old daughter and my youngest son, a 24 year old law student. Growing up in my household, it was hard not to be a John Wayne fan, so they had seen the original. The 24 year old used to write a movie review column for his law school newspaper at Valparaiso. He used a two step rating system; “See it” or “Skip it”. He gave True Grit a highly rated “See it”. I concur. The movie is pretty true to the original version while adding a little more depth from the book by Charles Portis. My wife and daughter also enjoyed the film. At less than two hours, it was a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. The Coen brothers will be getting a few award nominations for their work. Steven Spielberg was also involved in the project.
The story of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”
A VISIT FROM SAINT NICHOLAS
“He had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.” There’s hardly a soul alive who couldn’t identify this as the description of Santa Claus. These words were published for the first time on this day in 1823 in the Troy (N.Y.) Sentinel (now the Record). The poem we know as The Night Before Christmas or A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement C. Moore, was published anonymously under the newspaper editor’s title, Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas. Moore’s poem, which he had written on Christmas Eve one year earlier, took a circuitous route to the Troy paper. The story has it that Moore penned the poem, inspired by the bells on the sleigh in which he was riding, the sleigh’s jolly driver, and the new fallen snow on the streets of New York City, as he was running a last minute errand for his wife. That evening, he read his now-famous words to his six children as they sat in front of their fireplace where “The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hope that St. Nicholas soon would be there.” The children were so delighted with their father’s images of “a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,” that they saved the poem. Some other interesting events on this date: Did you hear about Vincent van Gogh? 1783 - George Washington returned to Mount Vernon, after the disbanding of his army following the Revolutionary War. His first words upon returning home, “Hey, Martha - what’s for dinner?” And, in a very deep voice, she replied, “BEEF!” 1888 - Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh arrived at House of Tolerance (brothel), asked for one Rachel, and handed her -- his ear, saying “Keep this and treasure it.” Then he disappeared. Informed of this action, which could only be that of a poor lunatic, the police went to the man’s address the next morning and found him lying in bed and giving almost no sign of life. The unfortunate artist was admitted to hospital as an emergency case. 1942 - Bob Hope agreed to entertain U.S. airmen in Alaska. It was the first of his many famous Christmas shows for American armed forces around the world. The tradition continued for more than three decades. 1957 - Actor Dan Blocker made his debut on television in the Restless Gun production of The Child. Two years later, Blocker starred in the very popular Bonanza on NBC, as Hoss Cartwright. 1997 - Carlos the Jackal, aka Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, was convicted in France of the murder of two French agents and a Lebanese informant in June of 1975. Sanchez was sentenced to life in prison. Chart Toppers - December 23 1944 White Christmas - Bing Crosby Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters Don’t Fence Me In - Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters I’m Wastin’ My Tears on You - Tex Ritter 1952 I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Jimmy Boyd Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry White Christmas - Bing Crosby Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes - Skeets McDonald 1960 Are You Lonesome To-night? - Elvis Presley Wonderland by Night - Bert Kaempfert North to Alaska - Johnny Horton Wings of a Dove - Ferlin Husky 1968 I Heard It Through the Grapevine - Marvin Gaye For Once in My Life - Stevie Wonder Stormy - Classics IV featuring Dennis Yost Wichita Lineman - Glen Campbell 1976 Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright) - Rod Stewart The Rubberband Man - Spinners You Make Me Feel Like Dancing - Leo Sayer Thinkin’ of a Rendezvous - Johnny Duncan 1984 Like a Virgin - Madonna Sea of Love - The Honeydrippers Cool It Now - New Edition Why Not Me - The Judds |
Today is a great day to buy my book. It makes a great gift for anyone including, yourself. Buy it while you still have money. There are just three shopping days before Christmas; buy now and beat the rush.
BRUCE A. BRENNAN
DEKALB, IL 60115
COPYRIGHT 2010
Email: brucebrennanlaw@aol.com
www.brucebrennanlaws.com
www.lawyerbruceabrennan.com
Go to web sites below to buy books by Bruce A. Brennan
www.barnesandnoble.com (do a quick search, Title, my name)
www.smashwords.com Do a Title or author search, Check this site out.
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