Heinz Edelmann was the graphic designer who created Yellow Submarine. As a big Beatles fan I've always loved the film - sure it's pretty goofy but it's a lot of fun. And, of course, filled with great music.
Edelmann and the other artists and writers that worked on Yellow Submarine deserve all the credit. From what I've read the four Beatles had very little to do with the making of the film (it's not even their voices for the characters, lol!) But, wisely, once they saw it they got on board and filmed the live trailer at the end of the movie.
In some ways Yellow Submarine was an early re-mix, taking the creative output of the Beatles as a start and adding in a lot of other talent.
I've always wished I could get the rights and develop a Yellow Submarine video game. (Maybe some Yellow Submarine footage will appear in Beatles Rock Band.) And wouldn't it make a great Broadway play.
Usual NY Times link.
Heinz Edelmann, may he now RIP.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Walter Cronkite, now RIP
News anchor and so-called "Most Trusted Man in America," Walter Cronkite, has passed away today at the age of 92.
I can't say I've ever actually seen him presenting the news, as he stopped hosting the CBS evening news in 1982, six years before I was born, but his enthusiasm for the space program was awesome. It's pretty much adorable.
Walter Cronkite and the Lunar Landing
Here's the New York Times article about him.
And that's the way it is...
I can't say I've ever actually seen him presenting the news, as he stopped hosting the CBS evening news in 1982, six years before I was born, but his enthusiasm for the space program was awesome. It's pretty much adorable.
Walter Cronkite and the Lunar Landing
Here's the New York Times article about him.
And that's the way it is...
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Phyllis Gotleib. Now RIP
A poignant farewell from fellow writer Cory Doctorow to the "the legendary Canadian science fiction writer".
Her home page, and Wikipedia page.
Phyllis Gotlieb, may she now RIP.
Her home page, and Wikipedia page.
Phyllis Gotlieb, may she now RIP.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Drake Levin, Now RIP
Paul Revere and the Raiders' lead guitarist, from 1963-1967, Drake Levin, aged 62, recently lost his long battle with cancer. Ironically, Levin, a member of the band best known for wearing campy Revolutionary War uniforms, black, thigh-high riding boots, and tri-cornered hats, passed away on the Fourth of July.
Levin joined the Raiders in 1963 but had to leave in 1967 for a stint in the National Guard. His time with the band, coincided with a string of top 10 hits including "Kicks," "Hungry" and "Good Thing."
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sandra and sons, David and Darby. May he rest in peace.
Link to NYTimes article
Levin joined the Raiders in 1963 but had to leave in 1967 for a stint in the National Guard. His time with the band, coincided with a string of top 10 hits including "Kicks," "Hungry" and "Good Thing."
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sandra and sons, David and Darby. May he rest in peace.
Link to NYTimes article
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Oscar Mayer, now RIP
It is with great melancholy that I report that on Monday, July 9th, 2009, the world lost Oscar Mayer, of weiner fame, at the age of ninety-five. He was the third of his name to own the famous hot dog company, which is now owned by Kraft Foods.
We owe so much to his memory. What would summer be without the pungent smell of hot dogs roasting on the grill, the juicy snap as one's mouth closes over the delectable processed meat product. Not only did Oscar Mayer got the seasonings just right, he offered so many processed meat products to choose from - Beef, "meat", turkey, chicken, whichever you chose that particular day, to round out and compliment your chosen cuisine. If you would rather have lunch meat, he made that too. Anthems were composed about his bologna. He will long be remembered and his songs will live on throughout history as a tribute to his work. Sing with me now,... "Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Weiner, yes that is what I'd truly love to be. Cause if I were an Oscar Mayer Weiner, then everyone would be in love with me..." -or- "I'd love to eat it everyday, and if you ask me why I'll say, Cause Oscar Mayer has a way with B-O-L-O-G-N-A..."
Oscar Mayer, may he now RIP.
We owe so much to his memory. What would summer be without the pungent smell of hot dogs roasting on the grill, the juicy snap as one's mouth closes over the delectable processed meat product. Not only did Oscar Mayer got the seasonings just right, he offered so many processed meat products to choose from - Beef, "meat", turkey, chicken, whichever you chose that particular day, to round out and compliment your chosen cuisine. If you would rather have lunch meat, he made that too. Anthems were composed about his bologna. He will long be remembered and his songs will live on throughout history as a tribute to his work. Sing with me now,... "Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Weiner, yes that is what I'd truly love to be. Cause if I were an Oscar Mayer Weiner, then everyone would be in love with me..." -or- "I'd love to eat it everyday, and if you ask me why I'll say, Cause Oscar Mayer has a way with B-O-L-O-G-N-A..."
Oscar Mayer, may he now RIP.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Robert S. McNamara, now RIP
Robert Strange McNamara (yes, that really seems to be his middle name - evidently it was his mother's maiden name), the United States defense secretary who was a prime architect of the Vietnam War, died this morning in his Washington home. According to his wife, his health had been failing for some time, and he died in his sleep.
As defense secretary, McNamara served under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, from 1961-1968. In an effort to support anti-Communist forces in the region, McNamara encouraged the increase of American troops in Vietnam. Though he was originally optimistic about the United States' chances to win the war and did not object to it sometimes being referred to as McNamara's War (he had said, "I am pleased to be identified with it and do whatever I can to win"), in the years to come, he would be plagued by the moral consequences of the conflict. Despite throwing all the weapons, technology and troops at his disposal into Vietnam, he found his efforts thwarted. In his memoir, he later claimed that his conduct of the war was "wrong, terribly wrong."
In 1968, McNamara left office and became the head of the World Bank, where he remained for the next thirteen years. In his later years, he remained somewhat politically active, speaking out against George W. Bush's 2003 invasion of Iraq. Also in 2003, he participated in a documentary by Errol Morris, titled "The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara." The film won the Academy Award for a Documentary Feature.
President Johnson described McNamara as "a jackhammer. No human being can take what he takes. He drives too hard. He is too perfect."
He was 93 years old. May he now RIP.
See the NY Times article for more information.
As defense secretary, McNamara served under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, from 1961-1968. In an effort to support anti-Communist forces in the region, McNamara encouraged the increase of American troops in Vietnam. Though he was originally optimistic about the United States' chances to win the war and did not object to it sometimes being referred to as McNamara's War (he had said, "I am pleased to be identified with it and do whatever I can to win"), in the years to come, he would be plagued by the moral consequences of the conflict. Despite throwing all the weapons, technology and troops at his disposal into Vietnam, he found his efforts thwarted. In his memoir, he later claimed that his conduct of the war was "wrong, terribly wrong."
In 1968, McNamara left office and became the head of the World Bank, where he remained for the next thirteen years. In his later years, he remained somewhat politically active, speaking out against George W. Bush's 2003 invasion of Iraq. Also in 2003, he participated in a documentary by Errol Morris, titled "The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara." The film won the Academy Award for a Documentary Feature.
President Johnson described McNamara as "a jackhammer. No human being can take what he takes. He drives too hard. He is too perfect."
He was 93 years old. May he now RIP.
See the NY Times article for more information.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Bela Kiraly, now RIP
Bela Kiraly - A leader of Hungary's 1956 revolt against the communist dictatorship died Saturday at the age of 97.
About once a decade during the cold war one of the USSR's satellites tried to throw of the yoke of Soviet oppression. After a few weeks the Soviets sent in the tanks to stop the revolution.
A recent Strategy & Tactics magazine featured a game on the uprising - here is a link to it on Board Game Geek. I'll have to break out the game and see I can change history. In the real world after the uprising failed Kiraly fled the country and ended up teaching military history and Brooklyn College. Maybe he used to play a few wargames himself. May he now RIP.
Link on SF Gate
His Wikipedia article (Says he attended Columbia too, yea! and served as advisor to the Brooklyn College Military History Club, maybe he really was a Grognard too!)
About once a decade during the cold war one of the USSR's satellites tried to throw of the yoke of Soviet oppression. After a few weeks the Soviets sent in the tanks to stop the revolution.
A recent Strategy & Tactics magazine featured a game on the uprising - here is a link to it on Board Game Geek. I'll have to break out the game and see I can change history. In the real world after the uprising failed Kiraly fled the country and ended up teaching military history and Brooklyn College. Maybe he used to play a few wargames himself. May he now RIP.
Link on SF Gate
His Wikipedia article (Says he attended Columbia too, yea! and served as advisor to the Brooklyn College Military History Club, maybe he really was a Grognard too!)
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