It took forever but the Alfred Hitchcock cameo has finally been secured for Golden Pond. In the "before" and "after" pictures in the newspaper ad for Reduco Obesity Slayer, Alfred is the model. A most difficult challenge for his signature cameos, because the entire film is shot on a "lifeboat."
 

The One That Got Away!

"...groups with guitars are on their way out"
The original historic Mersey Beat newspaper, issued on January 4th, 1962. This issue announced the results of its popularity poll in bold headlines on the front page: Beatles Top Poll! Just three days earlier the Beatles had auditioned for Decca Records, and after hearing news of the poll John, Paul, George, and Pete were elated. They knew that this public endorsement could not be ignored by co-producer Mike Smith at Decca and they would soon sign their names to a contract.
Unfortunately for Decca, Dick Rowe at Decca eventually called Brian Epstein and informed him that Decca would not be offering a contract. Mr Rowe stated that "...groups with guitars are on their way out."  

"Bad Fish. Swallow You Whole" Plus "Half-Ass Autopsy"

The fisherman of Amity catch a Tiger Shark believing it to be the culprit in the deaths of some of the townfolk. Scooper wants to measure the bite-radius of the maneater. The town is celebrating; Brody is estatic-his worries are over; and even Scooper acknowledges "the tiger is rare for these waters." Alas, later that night in order to confirm their suspicions, Brody and Scooper perform a "half-ass autopsy" on the tiger which reveals there's a bigger and badder shark in Amity's waters.  

"Lifeboat"

You don't see this one much, but it is always worth a view imho. Strangers from all walks of life end up in a "Lifeboat," when their ship is torpedoed by the Germans. Walter Pidgeon plays the sub commander, whose underwater vessel becomes kaput as well during the battle. He leads the passengers into believing he is a regular Nazi grunt who speaks no English. Methodically, he takes control of the lifeboat and begins rowing to Germany, unbenownst to Tallulah, William Bendix, Hume Cronym, et al. An awesome scene concludes the film as a German ship is close to rescuing ( ? ) the group, but is fired upon by Uncle Sam hisself. The Nazi ship barely misses the raft and soon explodes into smithereens. Maybe the synchronicity vibe will come to my rescue-it's probably playing on TCM tonite. May the force be with you!  

"Revenge of the Stiffs, er, Sith"

The Emperor is the dark side of the force in "Revenge of the Stiffs, er, Siths." No, it is not a movie with Zombies as its lead characters. 

From Donna, who is writing tonite's foray into the infantile. Tonite's edition is aptly entitled, "When Graphic Artist's Get Bored." Let them come work a shift in the exciting world of food biz, and they will never be bored again. Great pix, tho. Thanks, Donna.  

A picture from back in the day, as Mark Spitz leaves the competition behind. On his way to 5 or was it 6 gold medals? Here's to you, Esther Williams, v.c. 

This picture is reminiscent of the restaurant biz. The heads on the wall are symbolic of a restaurant manager's plight each and every day. Dealing with different attitudes from team members and guests. No wonder the food biz has run amok. And the poor managers are daft because of it. Gimme shelter, v.c. 

I know Charlton Heston is out there somewhere with his trademark, "God dammit" line. "They finally did it. Those sons-of-bitches finally did it. They blew it up. They blew it up, god dammit." [ As Taylor in "Planet of the Apes circa '68 ] 

My ex step-pa used to give me skates for Christmas, while my sister, Olga, always received soap-on-a-rope. He spared no expense when it came to buying us expensive gifts. And for that we will always be in his debt.  

This shot would make a good photo still for Chick-Fil-A that they could use in its advertising ploys. "Eat mor chickn." and "Whar's da Beef?" Moov over Madison Ave. v.c. 

This one is my favorite. I have an obsession with the deep and with the species known as carcaradon cacharias. Whose eyes roll back when attacking its prey because it can't close its eyes. Nature and evolution, eh? Apologies to Clarence Darrow.  

Thanks to Donna for writing tonite's foray into the infantile. She sent me an email today entitled: "When Graphic Artist's Get Bored."  

Hitchcock Cameos

Alfred Hitchcock always appeared int he beginning of his movies. A cameo if you will. Here are some of them: Submitted for your approval and perusal, v.c.

"Rear Window," a voyeur's dream come true. Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelly, and Raymond Burr as the travelling salesman who "86's" his wife. And Jimmy suspects it's Perry Mason, er, his next door neighbor.  

To Catch A Thief

"To Catch a Thief" with Cary and Grace with this cameo from Alfred. Shot on the French Riviera. The police are after John Robey, the Cat, ( no relation ) who WAS an accomplished jewel thief. 

From "Psycho." See yesterday's foray in a v.c. exclusive. 

That's Alfred on the right masquerading as Cheetah. Also waiting to take a turn on the vines are "Boy," played by Johnny Sheffield; Olympic champion Johnny Weismuller, who always uttered "Guns are bad. Men are bad. Ungawa;" and Jane, played by Maureen O'Sullivan. There were some erotic pictures of Jane in one of the "Johnny 'Tarzan' flicks." Showing her swimming underwater in her birthday suit. How did that get past the censors.  

From "Notorious."  

Trailers for sale or rent, and old stogies I have found. Alfred is probably smoking a fine Cuban cigar. See Ricky Ricardo for more details.