11,521 stories by "Trav S.D."
Having done ten posts about stars with the first name of Virginia and about a dozen with the last name of Carroll we must observe that Virginia Carroll (1913-2009) is a likely name for a fil…
Eddie Mekka (Rudolph Edward Mekjian, 1952-2021) was much more than "Carmine from Laverne and Shirley" of course, it's just that when you say his real name everyone goes "Who?" and when you s…
This is liable to remain one of my obscure Travalanche posts and yet it's the kind I love the most, for it mixes together two of my great loves, American theatrical history and the lore surr…
Today we celebrate the Lakota Chief Óta Kté ("Plenty Kill"), also known as Matȟó NážiÅ‹Â (or "Standing Bear") (1869-1939) " not to be confused with the Ponca l…
We heard at the 11th hour last night that 96 year old Arlene Dahl (b. 1925) had passed away. Dahl was a gorgeous redhead in the vein of Virginia Mayo and Rhonda Fleming, and appeared in the …
Well…having already done an extensive post on The Beatles' Let it Be, I didn't know if Peter Jackson's Get Back would supply me with sufficient fodder for an additional one, but, oh, man, …
Given the later arrival of Merle Haggard and all manner of country music Travises, younger people could almost be forgiven for assuming the name Merle Travis (1917-1983) was a sort of made-u…
I was so sad to learn from Adam Realman that my old friend Kenwyn Dapo has died. The news shook me into unreality " you know that feeling when words seem unfamiliar? That was how it felt. Ke…
Jon Stewart (John Stuart Leibowitz, b. 1962) is nearing the 6-0 mark; he became a transformative figure in television comedy around 20 years ago. We can begin to discuss him as history. My a…
Robert Youngson (1917-1974) was a man of his mid-century moment. I was born a half century later than he, and probably wouldn't be the person I am if interpreters of his generation (himself,…
We first announced this exciting development back in April, but now it's available to pre-order, with a pub date of January 22, and what's more I have read it, so can recommend Camera Man, D…
Margaret Livingston (1895-1984), whose name was spelled with myriad variations over the years, is best remembered as the devastating temptress known as "The Woman from the City" in Murnau's …
Today a post of tribute and thanks to YOU, my readers, subscribers, and above all my patrons! As for the latter, today I won't just say "You know who you are", I will SAY who you are for all…
Born November 24, 1941: Pete Best: original drummer for the Beatles. Best's tenure with the group was short (almost exactly two years), but occurred during a highly significant time period. …
With her nearly 1,000 screen credits, most of them non-speaking, Bess Flowers (1898-1984) became known as "The Queen of the Hollywood Extras". But that's not a strictly accurate encapsulatio…
Backwards is how I learned about the career of popular organist Ethel Smith (Ethel Goldsmith, 1902-1996). She had a bit part in Sidelong Glances of a Pigeon Kicker (1970), which I wrote abou…
The circus and vaudeville act known as The Cliffords was a rare example of matriarchy in Western Culture. The star of the act was lady sword swallower Edith Clifford (1886-1942), who plied h…
Well, the title of this post may sound like that of an Agatha Christie novel, but no, that's Roger Aykroyd. And if you are a fan of the eponymous English writer and historian, rest easy, for…
Born in Newark, New Jersey 100 years ago today: musical stage and screen star Vivian Blaine (Vivian Stapleton, 1921-1995). Blaine started as a singer with big bands in her teenage years in t…
Today we sing of Virginia Verrill (1916-1999), not to be confused with Virginia Cherrill, not that you would ever do that. Verrill was second generation vaudeville. Her mother was also a sin…
Just a few notes on ventriloquist Bill Demar (William Delmar Crowe, 1931-2015), known affectionately to many as "Uncle Bill". Demar is best known to the world at large, believe it or not, fo…
The West Coast Ragtime Festival is virtual this year due to Covid. It opens this afternoon and plays through Sunday. catch it here.
I love it when you think there won't be much to a story, then you scratch beneath the surface and there turns out to be lots. I knew Nancy Carroll (Ann Veronic Lahiff, 1903-1965) chiefly fro…
Along with her mentor Lois Weber and her colleague Anita Loos, Frances Marion (Marion Owens, 1888-1973) is widely revered for being not just one of the first successful and powerful women in…
A tip of the hat to comedy supporting player Eddie Baker (1897-1968). As is often the way. Baker enjoyed his bigger and more memorable roles in silent days. For example, he was the referee i…
