11,771 stories by "Trav S.D."
We were so sorry to learn this morning that long-time downtown pillar of the arts Lissa Moira has passed on. I associate Lissa primarily with Theater for the New City, although she also pres…
Today is Mexican Independence Day! Having already done a post on La Carpa, the traditional Mexican tent show, we select a topic that may be deemed less respectful and dignified, but actually…
I’d seen George Rowe (1894–1975) in dozens of silent comedies but didn’t put a name to his distinctive puss until Steve Massa devoted an entire chapter to him in his 2013 book Lame Bra…
Today’s new Travalanche posts for September 15, 2026 are about silent comedian George Rowe and Columbia House record club. Also Happy Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15-Oct 15). Check out th…
Today has been announced as the last day that Columbia House will accept new orders. When I first heard the news from Eve Golden I had the inevitable thoughts: 1) That still exists??? and 2)…
I don’t have tons of things to say about country singer George Jones (1931-2013) but I find that I have a surprising amount to show pictorially. Jones was not one of those country artists …
Today’s new Travalanche post for September 14, 2026 is about character actor Tom Pedi. Other Travalanche posts for September 14 include ones on: James Nicholson and the founding of America…
I was re-watching the glorious Weegee inspired procedural The Naked City (1948) recently and spotted among the ensemble a character actor I recognized but couldn’t immediately place — wh…
Today’s new Travalanche posts for September 13, 2026 are about the Hoosier Hot Shots and Solid Gold. Other Travalanche posts for September 13 include ones on: Claudette Colbert Jesse Lasky…
September 13, 1980, was the premiere air date of Solid Gold and I sure hope you didn’t like it, because this won’t be some gauzey-lensed nostalgic look back at cherished memories. I was …
Before Spike Jones and His City Slickers…before Freddie Fisher and His Schnicklefritz…before Bob Burns and His Bazooka…before Stan Fritts and the Korn Kobblers…there were the Hoosier…
Today’s new Travalanche post for September 12, 2026 is about animal trainer Gunther Gebel-Williams. Other Travalanche posts for September 12 include ones on: Chaplin’s A King in New York…
September 12 was the birthday of animal trainer Gunther Gebel-Williams (1934-2001) Are there circus stars any more? I don’t mean circus performers who are highly regarded by peers within t…
Today’s new Travalanche post for September 11, 2026 is a comparison of the area around the World Trade Center as it is now, as it was before, during, and after September 11, 2001. The post…
Once more, the somber anniversary, this time a quarter of a century on. We begin by reconnecting you with the updated finding aid for all of the September 11 pieces I have posted here up til…
Today’s new Travalanche post for September 10, 2026 is about NYC Kids Who Witnessed 9/11 from Their Schools Near the World Trade Center. Earlier posts for September 10 include ones on: Sch…
This one goes out to Cashel Byron Stewart, whose 31st birthday it is today. My experience of September 11 will forever be tied to my oldest son, because we were together that day. His mother…
It’s an old question, but it was kicked up several notches on September 11 and throughout the intervening years — what are the ethics and responsibilities of spectatorship where real lif…
Today’s new Travalanche post for September 9, 2026 is on Camera People Who Bravely Captured the Events of September 11. Other Travalanche posts for September 9 include ones on: John Lennon…
Today’s new Travalanche posts for September 8, 2026 are about the impact of September 11 on some friends of Travalanche; and some drama at the Cinema Arts Center. Other Travalanche posts f…
I’ve been meaning to post this for days; only my laser beam focus on the September 11 25th anniversary series has delayed me. The word on the virtual street is that Dylan Skolnik has been …
Today, a simple nod to many of Travalanche’s good friends, and a somber acknowledgment of their experiences and losses at the World Trade Center on September 11. Some we have previously wr…
Today’s new Travalanche posts for September 7, 2026 are about Ed and Lorraine Warren, and several Cons, Hoaxes and Mysteries of 9/11. Some Labor Day and Labor Related Posts: On the Jerry L…
Today’s post in ongoing series on September 11 is one I thought would harmonize nicely with our earlier one on Ed and Lorraine Warren, for reasons that ought to be obvious. We present to y…
Born 100 years ago today, celebrity demonologist Ed Warren (Edward Warren Miney, 1926-2006). Fast approaching her own centennial, his beloved wife, trance medium and clairvoyant Lorraine (Lo…
