Paul Newman’s World Series Pranks and Franks

As dusk anticipated relieving the sun of its duties during the twilight of October 3, 1956, Paul Newman hustled through the stage entrance of the Mansfield Theatre, an august Broadway institution on West 47th Street in Manhattan.  Yes, that Paul Newman. Newman was...

Before Roger Rabbit Was Framed, He Was Censored

Who Framed Roger Rabbit? celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.  But the 1988 film that joined animation’s favorite characters with live action has its roots in a 1981 novel by Gary K. Wolf — Who Censored Roger Rabbit?  It’s a different story...

Origins: “It’s A Wonderful Life”

It’s A Wonderful Life is a slice of Americana.  A small town guy with big city dreams sacrifices his goals for his friends, family, and community in Bedford Falls, New York. George Bailey wants to travel across the globe.  He wants to build bridges and skyscrapers. ...

Origins: “All in the Family”

All in the Family dominated prime time programming in the first half of the 1970s.  It was a jewel for the Tiffany Network, a nickname for CBS because of the network’s high quality news and entertainment programming. Created by Norman Lear, All in the Family...

Origins: “Casablanca”

You must remember this:  Casablanca is a classic movie.  But did you know this?  Casablanca had less than auspicious beginnings. Casablanca began as a play titled Everybody Comes to Rick’s written by Murray Burnett and Joan Alison in the late 1930s.  Although...