Circus '70

In 1970, Cincinnati's Coney Island opened up a wonderful-smelling, air-conditioned puppet theater that ran a show called Sid and Marty Krofft's Circus '70. What did Sid and Marty Krofft have to do with it? I don't know. They were busy in Hollywood, putting on their psychedelic TV series like HR PUFNSTUF, LIDSVILLE and THE BUGALOOS, all of which would, at one time or another, be represented in this theater over the couple of years it was there before the entire theme park closed. 

Did Sid train the puppeteers perhaps? Or at least supervise their hiring? (It would have been Sid because I've learned from working with Kathleen on her book that Marty was the business guy. Sid was the creative guy.)

It became Kaleidoscope a year later but continued on with a marvelously clever and entertaining puppet show. Other Krofft presentations appeared at other amusement parks but the idea did not follow on to the then-new Kings Island when Coney Island closed. 

Best of Booksteve on Facebook

Between dealing with our local version of Snowmageddon as well as several deadline jobs this week so postings have been sparse and may continue to be for a bit. Feel free to check out this public link to my "Best of" Facebook Timeline posts. As you can see, this album covers a lot of ground. 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10155197189985076.1073741859.859435075&type=1&l=803463a192

R.I.P. Lesley Gore

Sad to report the passing of one of my first favorite singers, Ms. Lesley Gore. I saw her as Pussycat on BATMAN and in the movie SKI PARTY and later collected her singles!



Rest in Peace and thanks.

Nostalgia Expo 2015

This year's Nostalgia Expo has been officially announced for May. Mark your calendars now. 

Stan and Kiss

Publicity shots from ROCK SCENE magazine capture the infamous day in 1977 when the members of KISS mixed their blood with the printing ink to make the first ever KISS mag/comic!

Friday 13 in the Okefenokee

Being a selection of more or less random, non-consecutive strips detailing the running gag of Churchy LaFemme's obsession with Friday the 13th in POGO.

Help Eddie Deezen

My Internet friend Eddie Deezen has been a unique and welcome comic presence in movies for four decades now. He easily stole scenes in big-budget films including GREASE, WAR GAMES, 1941, POLAR EXPRESS and--generally considered his best performance--I WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND. As one of the world's greatest Beatles fans and trivia experts, his role in that film was almost autobiographical. 

Likewise, he took the lead role in fun lower budget, often straight to video releases such as BEVERLY HILLS VAMP and MOB BOSS. In more recent years, he became a memorable voice actor in everything from SPONGE BOB to SCOOBY DOO and charmed a whole new generation as rival genius Mandark in DEXTER'S LIBRARY. 

Eddie recently revealed that a reason his appearances have become much more infrequent is that he has developed a polyp on his vocal cords that he is now scheduled to get removed. Contrary to popular thinking, working actors, although they may make good money when they can work, are not rich. Toward that end, Eddie has started a Go Fund Me campaign to offset his medical costs.

He's a good guy and can use your help. Please consider a donation.

http://www.gofundme.com/mamdfw