DECEMBER 2024

"SCROOGE" (1951 Film)

A Holiday Favorite

Merry Christmas!

By Rev Protodeacon George A. Haloulakos

Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol (1843) has been portrayed on film and stage in many variants.  This timeless classic story of businessman Ebenezer Scrooge finding spiritual renewal through a mystical transformation at Christmas has featured both men and women (!) portraying the protagonist.  Film buffs and classic TV fans will recall seeing George C. Scott, Patrick Stewart, Henry Winkler and others as Scrooge while female variants of this character have been portrayed by Cicely Tyson, Susan Lucci and Vanessa Williams to name just a few.  Yet when it comes to naming the favorite or most well regarded, most Baby Boomers cite the 1951 British film "Scrooge" (released as "A Christmas Carol" in the United States).  New York Times Critic A.O. Scot cited this film as the best adaptation of the Dickens classic.  Patrick McNee (star from the 1960s TV show "The Avengers") portrayed a young Marley (Scrooge's business partner) in this film and later in life hosted special screenings annually on television that helped create increased popularity as McNee was quoted as saying it "truly seems to capture the essence of the Dickens novel."

So what is it about an 87-minute Black & White film released over 70 years ago that has made it an enduring Holiday viewing favorite?  Here are a few thoughts:

> Clarity and concision.  At less than 1-1/2 hours, viewers are able to view a person's entire lifetime told in flashbacks while bearing witness to a miraculous spiritual transformation that leaves the audience filled with joy, optimism and love.

> Film Noir look.  The Black & White film provides a somber look at human suffering and the harshness of the world as described by Dickens.  Positive and negative aspects of humanity are shown with equal sharpness.

> Time Travel.  This was cleverly done by Dickens on the printed page and it translated well into film.  The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future enable Scrooge to travel back-and-forth in time so he is able to understand the missteps he has made during his life's journey while still offering hope for finding renewal in the Spirit of Christmas.

> Excellent Music. The time travel sequences are greatly enhanced by the Christmas and Holiday themed music (singing and instrumental) heard in the background.  "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" in the opening credits, "I Saw Three Ships," "Silent Night," plus the English country dance "Sir Roger de Coverley" and the tragic folk song "Barbara Allen."

> Superb Acting.  Alistair Sim as Scrooge and Glyn Dearman as Tiny Tim are inextricably connected with these characters.  The depth and conviction of these portrayals literally jump off the screen and into our hearts and minds as we get to know them both.  To see Scrooge transformed into a kind, generous soul and become a second father to Tiny Tim -- thereby saving the child's life who otherwise would have died prematurely -- clearly touches our hearts deeply.  We, the viewers, are also transformed by witnessing Scrooge finding renewal in Christmas and filled with the Holiday Spirit as Tiny Tim proclaims "God bless us every one!" exemplifying the kindness and love that is truly Christmas.

We at Galaxy Nostalgia Network join Tiny Tim in expressing this very same sentiment to each of you, the members of our wonderful GNN audience.  What are your special memories of watching different film versions of "A Christmas Carol"?  Please share your memories and thoughts on this month's blog by either posting to the Galaxy FACEBOOK page (and liking us) or writing directly to me at: Haloulakos@gmail.com

 NOVEMBER 2024

"FATHER KNOWS BEST"

Happy Thanksgiving!

By Rev Protodeacon George A. Haloulakos

This year marks the 70th Anniversary of "Father Knows Best."  This classic TV show, which which aired on NBC from 1954 to 1960, featured Robert Young (Jim), Jane Wyatt (Margaret), Billy Gray (Bud), Lauren Chapin (Kathy) and Elinor Donahue (Betty).  Interestingly enough, after the first-run episodes concluded in 1960, the show was still broadcast in reruns on primetime during the early to mid-1960s, thereby creating a multi generational following.  During its first run episodes and repeats on primetime, "Father Knows Best" aired on all three of the major TV networks of that time. This series ranks among the very best family shows of all time as many of its episodes dealt with topics that are still relevant today.  It is available for purchase on DVD and the entire series can be viewed on demand for free from various streaming services.

 

Like so many other family shows from the 1950s and 1960s, "Father Knows Best" featured numerous Holiday themed episodes.  The first Holiday episode aired during Season One on Sunday, November 21, 1954 with focus on the family's preparation for Thanksgiving Day.  In this episode it appears that the family will forgo gathering together for Thanksgiving dinner due to scheduling conflicts.  But in the end the parents and children decide that sitting down together to share a Thanksgiving dinner is the best way to celebrate.  The closing moments feature a rather poignant, touching scene in which the family sits around the kitchen table as the father leads them all in prayer.  In wishing all of you, our wonderful GNN audience, a Happy Thanksgiving, here is that wonderful prayer said by Robert Young that affirms the eternal truths of faith, family and love.

 

"Oh Lord, we give thee thanks from the depths of our humble hearts for all the blessings thou has seen fit to bestow upon us. We thank thee for the food, which graces our table, the roof, which covers our head.

"We thank thee for the privilege of living as free men in a country which respects our freedom and our personal rights to worship and think and speak as we choose.

"We thank thee for making us a family, for giving us sincerity and understanding.

"But most of all, dear Lord, we thank thee for giving us the greatest gift a family may know--the gift of love for one another. Amen."

What are your special memories of Thanksgiving? Is there something in particular that you are grateful for?  Are there any particular endearing recollections of watching "Father Knows Best" or other family 1950s-1960s sitcoms?  Please share your memories and thoughts on this month's blog by either posting to the Galaxy FACEBOOK page or writing directly to me at: Haloulakos@gmail.com

 OCTOBER 2024

"THE UNINVITED"

A Classic Halloween Treat

By Rev Protodeacon George A. Haloulakos

 

October is the time to watch films with themes of mystery, mayhem and the supernatural as a way of celebrating Halloween.  This month we offer a blast from the past with our recommendation that you view "The Uninvited" -- a 1944 film featuring Academy Award winning actors Ray Milland and Donald Crisp, plus Academy Award nominee Ruth Hussey along with Gail Russell.  "The Uninvited" is a supernatural horror film focused on a brother and sister (portrayed by Milland and Hussey) buying a home on the rocky British coast that carries a ghostly secret.  This mysterious secret is the heart of the story as it is closely guarded by the home's former owner/occupant (Crisp) while his granddaughter (Russell) expresses an intense, deep connection with the home.  A series of mysterious paranormal events (which can be explained by modern-day paranormal investigative protocols) inspire the brother and sister to resolve the mystery embedded in the haunting and tragic history of the home.  The ghosts or spirits are real.  Solving the mystery behind the paranormal events helps the original owner/occupant come to terms with the tragic history thereby enabling the budding romance of the Milland and Russell characters to blossom into a marriage promising new beginnings unfettered by the tragic past.  At the same time, the sister (portrayed by Hussey) is also able to move on with her life by marrying the town's doctor (portrayed by Alan Napier - who later played the role of Alfred the Butler in the 1966-68 TV series "Batman") who provides invaluable assistance in clarifying and resolving the supernatural mystery.

I have deliberately omitted 2nd and 3rd degree detail to avoid spoiling the full viewing experience for those who have not yet seen the film.  As the supernatural events are shown to be real, there are genuinely scary moments throughout the film that include swirling specters, ghostly sobbing and freshly cut flowers wilting as the home's new occupants feel an almost suffocating, heavy presence from the spiritual realm.  Hopefully this "sniff of the cork" will inspire you to watch this film as a special treat for Halloween.  There are a great many gems in this film to watch for:

> The cliffside mansion and crashing waves against the shore provide a haunting backdrop;

> The brother and sister dialogue by Milland and Hussey is artful conversation at its civilized best;

> The former owner/occupant played by Crisp is shown to be domineering and almost tyrannical;

> Gail Russell's innocent appeal as the granddaughter provides unforgettable charm;

> As the name of Russell's screen character is Stella, the film is able to integrate the title tune "Stella By Starlight" into the plotline as Milland's character is an aspiring musical composer inspired by his love for Stella!

There is much, much more that evokes scary moments such as a peek into how society viewed or handled mental health issues, marital infidelity, and unexpected pregnancy during the 1940s.  Possession by evil spirits is also shown during a very memorable seance.  In sum, there is just enough shown on the screen to cause the viewer's imagination to take flights of fancy and conjure up images far more horrifying than anything that can be produced by the computer graphic imaging (CGI) technology of today.  Fans of the many paranormal shows currently aired on various cable TV channels will have fun deconstructing this mystery as the film has aged well.

As a footnote to this blog, the British coastline scenery and the small town was actually shot in Mendocino, California.  Fans of classic film & TV will note that the motion pictures "The Ghost and Mrs Muir" (1947), "The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming" (1966) and the 1980s TV series "Murder She Wrote" were all filmed in the same locale as "The Uninvited."  Mendocino has successfully been used to film scenes for stories not only set in Great Britain but here in the US where the plot takes place either in Maine or elsewhere in New England!  For those of us who have spent a great deal of time in Mendocino it is always fun to watch "The Uninvited" not only as a seasonal favorite but to revisit a favorite vacation spot!  Thanks for reading.  Please share your memories and thoughts on this month's blog by either posting to the Galaxy FACEBOOK page or writing directly to me at: Haloulakos@gmail.com

 SEPTEMBER 2024

CHARLES CONERLY

Gridiron Legend & Advertising Icon

The Other Half of a Power Couple

By Rev Protodeacon George A. Haloulakos

The month of September marks the return of regular season play for NFL Football, thereby giving us an opportunity to remember legendary gridiron players who left an indelible mark in the hearts and minds of millions of fans.  In this blog, we honor the memory of Charles Conerly (1921-1996) aka "Chuckin' Charlie" -  whose personal history included distinguished wartime service, NFL Champion & Most Valuable Player as quarterback for the New York Giants, the iconic Marlboro Man in both magazines & television plus a lifetime marriage with his wife, Perian (1926-2021), a distinguished sportswriter & author - long before it became fashionable for both husband and wife to have full-time professional careers!

In the collegiate venue, Conerly played quarterback and graduated from Ole Miss, achieving All-American honors while leading the Rebels to a Southeastern Conference title.  His college career was interrupted by his World War II service in the Pacific Theater for the US Marine Corps where he fought in the Battle of Guam.  From 1948 until his retirement in 1961, Conerly was the quarterback for the New York Giants where he was a two-time Pro Bowler (1950 and 1956), NFL Most Valuable Player (1959) and NFL Champion (1956) by piloting the Giants to a 47-7 victory over the Chicago Bears in the NFL Title Game.  His ruggedly handsome visage and stellar gridiron play made Conerly a marquee QB who easily fit the Madison Avenue image to grace the magazine cover for Sports Illustrated.  

 

Following his playing career, Conerly was a successful business owner of several shoe stores throughout the Mississippi Delta.  He also portrayed the "Marlboro Man" in major nationwide advertisements for Marlboro Cigarettes in both magazines and on television.  Conerly's cowboy image coupled with musical background featuring Elmer Bernstein's theme for "The Magnificent Seven" created an indelible memory for baby boomers all around the world.  Yours truly recalls when visiting Japan on business during the 1980s that this was the most popular advertisement in both print and television in the Land of the Rising Sun.  While everyone knew the Marlboro Man, they did not know it was NFL Champion QB Charlie Conerly!

 

Equally impressive is the lifelong marriage Conerly had with his wife, Perian.  The two made for a glamorous pairing that was decades ahead of the "power celebrity couple" image that is now more commonplace.  Perian was the first female inducted into the Football Writers Guild of America on the strength of her nationally syndicated column (that included prestigious subscribers such as the New York Times) about life in New York during the football season plus a bestselling book titled Backseat Quarterback (published by Doubleday in 1963).  Perian was a wonderful lifetime partner to Charlie.  She was as fashionable as Marilyn Monroe and noted for wearing stilettos with the best of any Madison Avenue fashion model.  Her December 13, 1959 appearance on TV's "What's My Line" speaks to her glamour and her husband's legendary quarterback play (Charlie was NFL MVP that very same year) as her line was that she wrote a football column for newspapers!

As we start the new NFL season, please join us in saluting the memory of Charles Conerly and his wife, Perian.  They forever remain a celebrity power couple that transcends time while holding a special place in the hearts and minds of baby boomers who remember their amazing professional accomplishments.  Please share your memories and thoughts on this month's blog by either posting to the Galaxy FACEBOOK page or writing directly to me at: Haloulakos@gmail.com

By Margaret Sizemore Clark

What's in a Mascot?

When you attended school, your alma mater most likely had a mascot, a symbol that stood for the power and grit of the team and the players that represented your school.  Whether it be in sports, a spelling bee, or a debate, there were mighty Tigers, Lions, or Bears.  Eagles, Hawks and Falcons represented feared birds of prey.  Mustangs, Pirates, Vikings, and Bulldogs were forces to be reckoned with.  The mascot of the high school I attended was a Burro. (I can hear you laughing.) That’s right… a burro, and I can leave to your imaginations what we were called besides that name!  Kind of like Johnny Cash’s “Boy Named Sue”, we had to be tough to survive and defend the honor of our beloved high school.

Our high school was not named for Edgar Rice Burroughs, the author of Tarzan. It is often confused with another high school in Burbank since both schools are in Southern California.  My high school can be found on a Navy base in the Mojave Desert.  The first Commanding Officer of that base was named Sherman E. Burroughs, so could a high school named for him have anything other than a burro for its mascot?  We alumni are proud of our school and of being Burroughs graduates. 

I got to thinking: what other unusual mascots are out there in America? I did a Google search and found that there are some “humdingers”, as my mother would have described them.  I felt a whole lot better about being a Burro; in fact, my school’s mascot didn’t even make the top ten!

A high school in Mississippi is named the St. Stanislaus Rock-a-Chaws. Rock-a-Chaw comes from an old Choctaw word meaning “devil grass,’ and it refers to the pesky little sand burrs that abounded on the St. Stanislaus campus before the lawns were cultivated.  The irony, to me, is that a high school with “Saint” in its name has devil grass for its mascot.  Maybe fighting devil grass is like fighting Bermuda grass and you know how tough that is!

For any crafters out there, you have to like the Crooksville Ceramics, from a high school located in Ohio.  Evidently Crooksville was considered the pottery capital of the world in the early 20th century, therefore Crooksville High School adopted the mascot of Ceramics, as in pots, jugs, and vases. Ceramics is fragile, and easily broken.  Just the imagery cracks me up. 

In San Antonio, Texas I found the Central Catholic Buttons.  In their case Buttons are not the utilitarian objects that are sewn onto clothing.  They are in fact the little pointy things found on a rattlesnake’s tail just below the rattles.  I’ll take their word for it, and I definitely wouldn’t mess with them!

Closer to where I live are the Bonanza Antlers from Oregon.  The choice could refer moose antlers, antelope antlers, deer antlers, or any other kind of animal that has a rack.  They chose to keep it generic, but I found it odd that it was the antlers rather than the animal that sported them that became the mascot.

Illinois has an entry for an unusual mascot as well, the Teutopolis Wooden Shoes.  The Wooden Shoes got their name from a coach in the 1930s and was chosen because it honored the town’s German heritage.  Additionally, there was only one cobbler in town, so he got the honor.  I wonder if they stomp their opponents???  Or maybe kick them?

Where else but Indiana could you find the Speedway High School Sparkplugs?  I think the choice is appropriate and understandably so. The whole town has a racecar theme, so what better image for the local high school than the Sparkplug?  The name says it all.

Representing Minnesota are the Blooming Prairie Awesome Blossoms.  I guess if you are going to be a blossom, you had better be awesome.  The town’s teams have been known to win athletic and mascot competitions, so assuming they would wilt when facing the Tigers and Lions of the world would be incorrect.  It brought to my mind what is said about assuming, so the Awesome Blossom mascot could be a close second to being a Burro.

Not to be outdone are the Bad Axe Hatchets located in the state of Michigan.  Now before you go jumping to conclusions, the town has been known as Bad Axe ever since a military surveyor found a broken axe embedded in a tree.  I recently passed through Bad Axe; it’s a traditional Midwest town with a square in the center of the city, and there were no scary hatchets to be seen anywhere.  It turns out we were looking for Bad Axe, Wisconsin, where my husband’s family were said to be the founders, but we mistakenly found ourselves in the Michigan version of Bad Axe.  Who knew there could be TWO Bad Axes??

When I went to college in Coalinga, California I discovered the high school in town had the Horned Toad as its mascot.  I used to catch the little lizards when I was a youngster and never thought of them as particularly tough. (We were always told they could spit blood from their eyes, but I never saw one actually do it.) But when a marketer depicts a horned toad standing upright on its back legs, sporting bulging muscles and a mean face, it gives off an altogether different vibe.

There are many, many more mascots that qualify as being quirky or one-of-a-kind, but no matter what they might be, they honor something in the community’s past, and the folks who support those schools are proud of their heritage.  My high school celebrated its 80th anniversary last weekend, so to honor that milestone the Navy provided a flyover of jets before the graduation ceremony.  I’d say that was VERY cool!!

 In closing, and with a straight face I can cheer: We’re the Burros, mighty, mighty Burros!

Many, many thanks to Stuff Bracket/Scorebook Live for the information and some of the humor used in this article.

 

AUGUST 2024

60th Anniversary - Billy Mills - Gold Medal Winner

Favorite Olympic Moments

By Rev Protodeacon George A. Haloulakos

With this year's Paris Olympic Games now in full swing, this summer marks the 60th Anniversary of American Track & Field star Billy Mills winning the Gold Medal in the 10,000 meter run (6.2 miles) at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.  Mills' 1964 victory, immortalized in the 1983 motion picture "Running Brave" (featuring Robby Benson), is considered one of the greatest upset victories in Olympic history because he was virtually unknown on the global stage entering this event.  The life story of Billy Mills is a tribute to overcoming great odds while providing a strong, positive message on pursuing and accomplishing personal goals.

William Mervin (Billy) Mills was born June 30, 1938 in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.  As a Native American, Mills is also known by his Ogala Lakota name Tamakhóčhe Theȟíla, which means "loves his country" or "respects the earth."  Orphaned at age 12, Mills took up running and achieved a level of excellence that enabled him to attend the University of Kansas on an athletic scholarship where he was a three-time NCAA All-America cross country runner.  Billy Mills achieved distinction athletically, academically and in service to our nation's armed forces.  In 1962 he graduated with a degree in physical education and then entered the US Marine Corps.  Of note is that Mills was a First Lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve when he competed in the 1964 Olympics!  His record of accomplishment, dedication and service enabled him to rise from poverty to Olympic Gold.  Amazingly enough, it was reported that Mills never owned his own pair of new shoes until the night before the Olympic Games.

Mills finished second in the US Olympic trials and was essentially unknown as a runner.  Moreover his time in the heats was one-minute slower than the favorite in the 10,000 meter race!  It was not until the final stretch that Mills emerged in front and won the event by running 50-seconds faster than he had ever run before.  His dramatic come-from-behind victory set a new Olympic record!

In his post-running career Mills continued to be a Gold Medal winner in the game of life.  He is the co-founder of Running Strong for American Indian Youth, that is aimed at helping Native Americans fulfill basic needs of food, water and shelter while also promoting self-esteem and achieving self-sufficiency.  Mills is also a leader in educating Native Americans about the importance of a healthy style, including diabetes prevention.  He has been honored with many awards paying tribute to his athletic accomplishments, community service, helping young people fulfill their goals and much more.  All of this is reflected or embodied in the 2012 US Presidential Citizens Medal that recognized Mills' lifetime body of work.

The Olympics is a venue where surprising athletic accomplishments can occur every four years, and in this instance with Billy Mills, helps to inspire the many generations that follow.  Please join us in saluting Billy Mills not only in recognition of the 60th anniversary of his Gold Medal but for exemplifying the core values of hard work, determination, self-discipline and sportsmanship.  If you have any special or favorite Olympic Games memories, please share them by either posting to the Galaxy FACEBOOK page or writing directly to me at: Haloulakos@gmail.com

 

JULY 2024

Happy Birthday USA With Andy Griffith

Fun With a Purpose

By Rev Protodeacon George A. Haloulakos

The 4th of July is a time in which we celebrate the birth of our nation.  The ways in which we mark this great event vary but typically include gatherings of family and friends, community activities with a patriotic theme, parades and fireworks displays plus remembering the historic figures who played such a prominent role in the founding of the USA.  Many people enjoy reading the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution or perhaps the Gettysburg Address to reconnect with our nation's history.  Such acts of remembrance express thanks to the great Americans who pledged their "lives, fortunes and sacred honor with a firm reliance on protection of divine Providence" while seeking to secure the blessings of liberty and freedom.

All of the above, and more, are great ways to celebrate the 4th of July.  With regards to "more," we would submit for your consideration, a classic episode from the 1960s TV series The Andy Griffith Show titled "Andy Discovers America."  First aired on May 4, 1963, this is quintessential Andy at his most charismatic, storytelling best that is reminiscent of his famous comedy record ("What it Was, Was Football") that launched his entertainment career ten years earlier.  After Opie (played by a very young Ron Howard) and his schoolmates misinterpret Andy's empathy for their difficulties with their history class as an excuse to revolt against the teacher and skip their homework, Andy must find a way to reinvigorate their interest in their history studies.  What follows is a wonderful, humorous example of fun with a purpose -- in this instance, developing an understanding if not appreciation for our nation's history.  Andy's storytelling about Paul Revere and his horse Nellie that leads to the "shot heard around the world" is folksy, dramatic, gripping, entertaining and engaging.  The facial expressions of Deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts) plus Opie and his schoolmates (Richard Keith who played Little Ricky in "I Love Lucy" and Joey Scott who played Benjie Bellamy from "Leave it to Beaver") are priceless as they are captivated by Andy's infectious conversational style that brings American history to life.

The boys return to the classroom with renewed interest in American history and an insatiable desire to engage in serious discussion with their teacher.  To a large swath of Baby Boomers, the classroom scenes are like a time capsule as students and teachers alike would begin the day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.  The teacher, Helen Crump (played by Aneta Corsaut) is rather strict and serious, if not somewhat harsh in her manner.  But there can be no mistake in her sincere desire to want her students to learn all they can about the subject of the day. Her initial tongue lashing she administers to Andy when the boys initially forgo their homework later changes to genuine respect and admiration for how he was able to inspire them to learn more about American history.  The transformation of all the characters in this episode -- Andy, Barney, Opie and his classmates plus teacher Helen -- is equally endearing as Andy's persuasive storytelling.

So as you gather with friends and loved ones to celebrate 4th of July, please consider taking time to watch this wonderful episode of classic TV in which you can "rediscover" America through the wit and whimsy of "The Andy Griffith Show."  Do you have any special traditions you follow to celebrate our nation's independence day?  If so, please share them by either posting to the Galaxy FACEBOOK page or writing directly to me at: Haloulakos@gmail.com