11,439 stories by "Trav S.D."
A few fragments on vaudeville vet Sid Gary (Sidney Garfunkel, 1901-1973). Was he related to Art Garfunkel? I dunno, but I mean, come on, how many Garfunkels could there be? What I do know is…
Today's new Travalanche post for February 9, 2026 is about the political revolutionary Thomas Paine. Earlier Travalanche posts for February 9 (in no particular order) include ones on: The Co…
This year we celebrate the birthday of Thomas Paine (1737-1809) at a time when his ideas are once again in dire need of dissemination, absorption, and implementation. The cultural forces he …
Today's new Travalanche posts for February 8, 2026 are about music producer (and Doris Day son) Terry Melcher; and early movie actors Hallam Cooley and Doris McMahon. It's also National Oper…
February 8 was the birthday of early screen star Hallam "Hal" Cooley (Hallam Burr, 1895-1971). Cooley claimed to have been a relative of Aaron Burr's, hence, I surmise, the name change, for …
Today we treat of show business legend Terry Melcher (Terrence Paul Jorden, 1942-2004). Melcher's legacy has had the misfortune of being overshadowed by two larger personalities who interest…
Today we celebrate the birth of New Vaudeville comedian Emo Philips (Philip Soltanec, b. 1956). To those too young to process the designation " we do not mean that Philips sports a hat and c…
February 7 was the birthday of silent film star Ann Little (Mary Hankins Brooks, 1891-1984). We call her the "bigger" Ann Little because she was a more consequential star than another person…
Today's new Travalanche post for February 7, 2026 is about the silent western star Ann Little. It's also National Ballet Day! Check out the ballet section of Travalanche posts here. Other ea…
Today's new Travalanche post for February 6, 2026 is about Disney's new Muppet Show special. Earlier Travalanche posts for February 6 (in no particular order) include ones on: Charlie Chapli…
I had only just gushed online about how much I enjoyed the Feb 1 Grammy awards ceremony, with its mix of old and new performers, diverse artists and styles, and stunning, clever production n…
Today's new Travalanche post for February 5, 2026 is about Aleen Leslie, creator of A Date at Judy; and a new exhibition about The Battle of Brooklyn. Earlier Travalanche posts for February …
Born of a February 5, writer Aleen Leslie (née Wetstein, 1908-2010), best known as the creator of the multi-platform franchise A Date with Judy, and for being the oldest member of the WGA W…
The 250th anniversary of The Battle of Brooklyn (a.k.a. The Battle of Long Island) is coming up in August. Readers who give a hoot about such things know that I'm an enthusiast on this topic…
Today's new Travalanche post for February 4, 2026 is about David Ketchum (Get Smart). Earlier Travalanche posts for February 4 (in no particular order) include ones on: David Brenner Jerry A…
Character actor, comedian, and scriptwriter David Ketchum (1928-2025) passed away back in August. Not to be confused with Hank Ketcham, creator of Dennis the Menace! Ketchum was nearly ubiqu…
February 3 is National Take a Cruise Day but some of us aren't so lucky; we just watch television shows about luxury! Having already posted about The Love Boat (twice actually, here and here…
Today's new Travalanche posts for February 3, 2026 are about Blythe Danner, and two recent tv shows set on cruise ships for National Take a Cruise Day (Good Ship Murder and Doctor Odyssey). …
This year marks a decade since I have been unchained to any sort of a day job. I'm thankful for the blessing, but I also can't help being grateful for the experiences I had at most of those …
Today's new Travalanche posts for February 2, 2026 are about Sinners and movie director Frank Lloyd (Mutiny on the Bounty). Also it's National Ukulele Day. Go here for my 2023 post on everyb…
Born on February 2, Scottish-born Hollywood director Frank Lloyd (1886-1960). Though forgotten today, Lloyd had a very successful career spanning four decades. He directed some 135 movies, a…
Just wanted to add my voice to the chorus enthusiastically praising Ryan Coogler's Sinners (2025). We caught it a few months ago, but it seemed appropriate fodder for Black History Month (th…
Today's new Travalanche posts for February 1, 2026 are about Demond Wilson, Morty Gunty, Woodie King Jr, James P. Johnson (composer of the "Charleston"), and some great New York museum exhib…
I had certainly seen Morty Gunty (1929-1984) in films and television many times, but never knew him by name until someone mentioned him a few days ago. He was a Jewish nightclub comic from B…
Demond Wilson (1946-2026) would have turned 80 this year; even so, I'm uncertain whether I would have done a dedicated post on him, having already written about Sanford and Son and the ill a…
