Will's Book Nook: Richard Diamond, Private Detective Scribblings

 

Another restored old time radio show that I've recently rediscovered, is Richard Diamond, Private Detective. It starred Dick Powell, who was a well-known Hollywood star at the time and Virginia Gregg as his girlfriend. He might take awhile to get it right, but he solves the case in the end, which makes it quite funny. It was also the first radio show that featured a singing detective. He would always perform a popular number at the end of each episode. Richard Diamond has a Sam Spade sense of humor, but is also a Clouseau-style bumbling detective, so if you like those characters, you should check out Richard Diamond, too! 

Our Christmas Wishes

 

There is a lot of focus on material gifts during the Christmas season, but we came up with a list of less material Christmas wishes!

Lynette: celebrate with family and friends & world peace.

Joseph: visit family in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Santo Domingo.

Mark: to move to New York City in the future and a new place to live.

Will: to surround himself with good people, to make people happy & to donate to good causes.

Top Ten: Mark's Favorite Christmas Movies, 2021 Edition

 

1.  Home Alone (1990).
2.  It's a Wonderful Life (1946).
3.  National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989).
4.  White Christmas (1954).
5.  A Christmas Story (1983).
6.  Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000).
7.  Miracle on 34th Street (1947, 1994).
8.  The Bishop's Wife (1947)/The Preacher's Wife (1996) (tie).
9.  Santa Claus: The Movie (1985)/The Holiday (2006) (tie).
10.  Scrooged (1988)/Love Actually (2003) (tie).

Fun Holiday Decorations

An important part of any major holiday: the decorations! Different groups of people, celebrate different holidays at the end of the year, such as Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and even the Winter Solstice. Here are some decoration ideas for your festivities this year.

Christmas: Strings of lights and a tree topped with a star are typical Christmas decorations. Poinsettias, stockings and wreaths are other traditional objects you might find. Here in New Mexico, luminarias light walkways at night.

 

Hanukkah decorations feature the eight-candle menorah, the dredel, blue and white colors and the star of David. Hanukkah is not a major Jewish holiday, and decorations tend to more on the simple side.

Kwanzaa: decorations feature the colors black, red and green. Black symbolizes the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and hope that comes from their struggle. Black, red and green candles are lit on the Kinara, a candle holder, during the holiday. The seven symbols of Kwanzaa are the Kinara (candleholder), Mishumaa Saba (seven candles), Mkeka (the mat) Mazao (crops), Muhindi (ears of corn), Kikombe Cha Umoja (unity cup) and Zawadi (gifts). The mat is laid out at the beginning of the holiday on a table in a central location in the home. Then the candle holder is set up on the mat along with the crops, corn, and unity cup. Source: https://abc7ny.com/kwanzaa-2020-kwanza-day-1-of-when-did-first-began/1131317/

Winter Solstice: The pagans, particularly of the British isles, celebrations are quite ancient, though many of their decorations were incorporated into Christmas celebrations. They often feature lots of greenery, candles, the yule log and runes (various related northern European alphabets). 

  

Our Favorite Holiday Movies

 Will's Pick: A Christmas Story

He recently saw a stage play version featuring his high school history teacher. He likes that it's a very quotable movie with a quirky sense of humor. Will's favorite part is when Ralphie and his parents go to pick up a Christmas tree and he says "fudge," only he doesn't say "fudge" and then he gets his mouth washed out with soap.

Joseph's Pick: Home Alone 2

He remembers watching it as a kid and he likes that it's funny and has a nice message. Joseph likes how Kevin terrorizes the hotel concierge, played by Tim Curry.

 

 Mark's Pick: It's A Wonderful Life

It's a classic for good reason, with great performances by James Stewart and Donna Reed. Mark's favorite scene is when Clarence reveals himself to be an angel. 

 

Runners Up: Home Alone, Elf, Santa Claus: The Movie, and The Nightmare Before Christmas 

Will's Book Nook: Dick Barton, Special Agent Scribblings

 

 

I recently came across a very James Bond-esque, WWII era spy series, Dick Barton. It has all the characteristics of an old school radio spy show. I think it's awesome, because of how vintage it sounds. Every episode ends on a cliffhanger, and then the next episode picks up where the previous episode left off. The sound effects take you back to the late 40s, early 50s. It was the single longest running show on BBC radio at the time, and it was so popular, that people were clamoring for the release of a collection. It was very nostalgic for a lot of people. It was the first radio show of its kind to feature a female side-kick who didn't just work behind a desk, which I think is cool. I enjoy this series for its well-developed characters (especially the villians), humor and suspense.

Top Ten: Mark's Favorite Former Cable Networks

 

1.  (A)lpha (R)epertory (T)elevision (S)ervice  (April 12, 1981-February 1, 1984).

2.  Soapnet (January 20, 2000-December 31, 2013).

3.  All News Channel (ANC) (January 1, 1989-September 30, 2002).

4.  Audience Network (November 25, 1999-May 22, 2020).

5.  America's Talking (July 4, 1994-July 15, 1996).

6.  Chicagoland Television (January 1, 1993-December 31, 2019).

7.  Trio (June 1, 1994-January 1, 2006).

8.  Chiller (March 1, 2007-December 31, 2017).

9.  Toon Disney (April 18, 1998-February 12, 2009).

10.  CBS Cable (October 12, 1981-December 17, 1982).