Stephen Wilhite, the computer programmer who invented the GIF, has died at 74. Also, he said, it's pronounced with a soft 'G.' "End of story." https://t.co/uOgyp8htFx
— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 24, 2022
Category: On this date
The Godfather at 50
I saw it in a theater in Pittsburgh. To me, it’s good, not great. It’s certainly very influential.
Lucio Fulci
Lucio Fulci was an Italian film director. Yesterday was the anniversary of his death. Fulci is best known for his horror films from the 1980s. I would start with The Beyond, City of the Living Dead, and The New York Ripper. His later films such as Murder Rock and Demonia aren’t as good but still worth seeing. Many of the films are set in the US. In general, they have more violence and sex than comparable American films. Most of his films are on Blu-ray from independent companies.
Takashi Shimura – Born on this day
Takashi Shimura was a great actor. He is best known for films directed by Akira Kurosawa but he also starred in Godzilla.
Tweets on Jack Kerouac at 100
Jack Kerouac would have been 100 yesterday. I am not that familiar with his books but certainly understand his large influence.
I have included YouTube video of the visit to his grave by Allen Ginsberg and Bob Dylan in 1975. The manuscript for On the Road, is a long scroll that was purchased by Colts owner Jim Irsay.
Nosferatu is 100
Nonsferatu is a great silent film directed by F. W. Murnau. I also recommend Werner Herzog’s 1979 Nosferatu the Vampyre is a fine remake. On the other hand, 1988’s Nosferatu In Venice, which also stars Klaus Kinski who was the vampire in the 1979 film, isn’t nearly as good. They’re all on Blu-ray.
The cover of Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti (1975)
The same building was used in the video for “Waiting on a Friend” by the Rolling Stones.
Ishmael Reed
I haven’t read all of Ishmael Reed‘s books but Mumbo Jumbo is my favorite and I strongly recommend it. I also suggest Yellow Back Radio Broke-Down. I have seen him in person at a bookstore in Washington in the 1990s.
Sam Peckinpah
Today is director Sam Peckinpah’s birthday. The quote from him says he like Junior Bonner and I do too. It’s not nearly as violent as many of his films. The picture is from Bring Me the Head of Alfred Garcia which is a wild incoherent film.
The Wild Bunch is the obvious place to start with Peckinpah. I also recommend Major Dundee which has been given great treatments on Blu-ray.
Howard Grimes
Howard Grimes, the drummer on many great R&B records recorded in Memphis, died on February 12, 2022. Fortunately, he wrote an autobiography that was published last year. I recommend it for his stories about the artists and recordings. I will post links below to a few videos of songs he played on. This is a link to information on the book, Timekeeper. This links to his discography.
Sad! 