Will's Book Nook: Narrator Scribblings

 

Audio book narrators draw you into the story, so they are a very important part of the experience. Jim Dale, who narrates the Harry Potter series, is one of the best, because I have never heard so many different voice from one guy. Fun fact: some of the actors in the Harry Potter films took inspiration from Jim Dale's voices and worked them into their own characterizations. I recently heard him as Phileas Fogg in a full cast production of Around the World in 80 Days. I also admire the work of Bonnie Turpin. She has done a lot of Christopher Paul Curtis' YA novels, including The Mighty Miss Malone. She is also really talented with different voices, and really conveys the struggle of African American characters. I also enjoy full cast audio books, like James Patterson's The Guilty, featuring John Lithgow. John Lithgow has an iconic voice that just makes me happy. I listen to a lot of audio books, and this list of narrators gets 5 out of 5 scribbles. 

Top Ten: Mark’s Favorite John Wayne Co-Stars

 

1.  Carroll Baker, Lee J. Cobb, Henry Fonda, Carolyn Jones, Karl Malden, Gregory Peck, George Peppard, Robert Preston, Debbie Reynolds, James Stewart, Eli Wallach, Richard Widmark (How the West Was Won, MGM/Cinerama,1962).

2.  James Stewart, Vera Miles, Lee Marvin, Edmond O'Brien, Andy Devine, Ken Murray (The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Paramount,1962).

3.  Ann-Margaret, Rod Taylor, Ben Johnson, Christopher George, Bobby Vinton, Jerry Gatlin, Ricardo Montalban ( The Train Robbers, Warner Bros.,1973).

4.  Richard Widmark, Laurence Harvey, Richard Boone (The Alamo, United Artists,1960).

5.  Dean Martin, Martha Hyer, Michael Anderson, Jr., Earl Holliman, Jeremy Slate (The Sons of Katie Elder, Paramount,1965).

6.  Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Angie Dickinson, Walter Brennan, Ward Bond, John Russell (Rio Bravo, Warner Bros.,1959).

7.  Katherine Hepburn, Richard Jordan, Anthony Zerbe, John McIntire, Paul Koslo, Richard Romancito, Tommy Lee, Strother Martin (Rooster Cogburn, Universal ,1975).

8.  Glen Campbell, Kim Darby, Jeremy Slate, Robert Duvall, Strother Martin (True Grit, Paramount,1969).

9.  Robert Mitchum, James Caan, Charlene Holt, Paul Fix, Arthur Hunnicutt, Michele Carey (El Dorado, Paramount,1967).

10.  Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard, James Stewart, Richard Boone, John Carradine, Scatman Crothers, Richard Lenz, Harry Morgan, Sheree North, Hugh O'Brian (The Shootist, Paramount,1976).

Our Favorite Summer Foods

On the first day of summer, we are sharing our favorite foods. During the summer months we think about grilling out, ice cream, popsicles, milkshakes, wedding cake and parties.

 

Mark’s favorite is pizza all year, Little Caesar’s, specificially meat lovers. Oreo Thins are Mark’s favorite dessert.

 

Britannia loves summer food is pasta, specifically chicken alfredo. She likes to add garlic bread. She makes it at home with her mom. They add a regular salad. Pecan pie is her favorite dessert. She likes bananas.

 

Will thinks grilling is fun and loves to learn new recipes. He’s a sucker for a good hamburger, but he likes to help organize food. Will likes to use his own homegrown tomatoes on his burger with a side of french fries. He likes to share food with friends for summer get-togethers. Will’s family makes their own ice cream with an ice cream maker.

 

Lora likes green chilli and pinto beans in a tortilla. She likes to butter the tortilla and eat it. Watermelon is her favorite summer dessert.

 

Joseph likes potato salad with his hamburger for a summer meal, plus some french fries. Pecan pie is his favorite dessert.

 

This summer we want to try some new summer foods, like sushi, strawberry shortcake, grilled cheese at the Paddywagon, and seafood, but no seafood for Lora. We also want to learn to cook meatloaf, pork chops on the grill, fajitas and stir-fry. 

Will’s Book Nook: Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Treason Scribblings

 

Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Treason by George Mann and Cavan Scott is an Audible Original production. The Queen of England has been kidnapped, so Holmes and Watson are trying to find out the culprit. Everyone is a suspect. I personally suspect Prince Edward because he is an extremely shifty guy. I don’t trust that man. He would be next in line to the throne. I like the diverse cast, for example Doctor Watson is played by a black man for the first time. And there is a lot more humor where you wouldn’t expect humor in this adaptation. So far, I would give it 5 scribbles because it’s one of those books that I was hooked into the moment I started listening. It kept me guessing from the very beginning. I haven’t finished it yet.

Top Ten: Mark’s Favorite John Wayne Characters

 

1.  U.S.Marshal Reuben J. "Rooster" Cogburn (True Grit, Paramount,1969; Rooster Cogburn, Universal,1975).

2.  The Ringo Kid (Stagecoach, United Artists, 1939).

3.  John Bernard Books (The Shootist, Paramount,1976).

4.  General William Tecumseh Sherman (How the West Was Won, MGM/Cinerama,1962).

5.  Colonel John Marlowe (The Horse Soldiers, United Artists,1959).

6.  George Washington McLintock (McLintock, United Artists,1963).

7.  Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Vandervoort (The Longest Day, 20th Century Fox,1962).

8.  Tom Doniphon (The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Paramount,1962).

9.  Ethan Edwards, (The Searchers, Warner Bros., 1956).

10.  John Chisum (Chisum, Warner Bros.,1970).

Will’s Book Nook: My Own Scribblings!

I’m going to take a sharp turn from British radio shows and talk about short story I wrote, called “Red and Green.” I took inspiration from Tony Hillerman, whose books I had been reading. Its about a detective in a wheelchair who, with the help of his physical therapist, solves a chile heist. I liked flexing my creative brain muscles. I also liked including characters inspired by my real life friends and featuring real places in New Mexico. It was fun to inject humor into the stories. I wrote these stories awhile ago, but I’ve been thinking about getting back to it recently, since I’ve been to some new places that I want to write about. I’d especially like to write about Tinkertown.

Our Top 5 Boy Bands

 5. Boyzone: This boy band was very popular in the 90s in the UK, and Robbie Williams had a fairly successful solo career at the end of the decade, but they weren’t as popular in the US.

4. One Direction: Another group from across the pond, most members have gone on to have solid solo careers, and Harry Styles is topping the charts and becoming a movie star.

3. *NSYNC: This group launched the superstardom of Justin Timberlake, and we have plenty of nostalgia for songs like “Bye Bye Bye” and even spawned a meme featuring “It’s Gonna Be Me.” Even the other members show up on reality television from time to time.

2. New Kids on the Block: The OG group of the 80s, New Kids faded fairly quickly, but now that millennials are all grown up, they are touring again with classics, like “Step By Step.”

1. The Backstreet Boys: Nick Carter is really cute, and we all love rocking out to “Backstreet’s Back” and singing along to “I Want It That Way.” Backstreet’s back, alright!

Top Ten: Mark’s Favorite John Wayne Movies of the 1970s

1.  The Shootist (Paramount,1976)

2.  Rooster Cogburn (Universal,1975).

3.  Brannigan (United Artists,1975).

4. McQ (Warner Bros., 1974).

5.  Cahill, United States Marshal (Warner Bros., 1973).

6.  The Train Robbers (Warner Bros., 1973).

7.  The Cowboys (Warner Bros., 1972).

8.  Big Jake (Cinema Center Films/National General Pictures, 1971).

9.  Rio Lobo (Cinema Center Films/National General Pictures, 1970).

10.  Chisum (Warner Bros., 1970).

How to Celebrate Juneteenth

Last week we wrote about the history of the Juneteenth holiday, but because it just became a federal holiday, some people aren’t sure how celebrate. According to junteenth.com, “It is a day, a week, and in some areas, a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future.” Juneteenth celebrations include rodeos and Miss Juneteenth competitions, essay contests and cookouts featuring soul food. Traditional songs by African Americans, such as “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” are also associated with the holiday. Hopefully these celebrations become more integrated and celebrated by all communities in the US.

Will’s Book Nook: The Inspector West Scribblings

The BBC Radio series Stand By for West which ran from 1967 to 1971, was based on John Creasy’s character, Inspector Roger West. It starred Patrick Allen and Sarah Lawson. It was the first series that employed the “cliffhanger,” leaving listeners guessing at the end of every episode. I liked a glimpse into the mind of the inspector and how he asked the audience to help him by breaking the 4th wall. One episode I really enjoyed involved a plot about a ring of smugglers, because it particularly difficult case and he really had to exercise his brain to figure it out. I also like how it borrows from earlier series, like  Sherlock Holmes. I’m not that far into it, but I give it 6/5 scribbles so far!

Top Ten: Mark’s Favorite John Wayne Movies of the 1960s

1.  True Grit (Paramount, 1969).

2.  The Undefeated (20th Century Fox, 1969).
3.  Hellfighters (Universal, 1968)/The Green Berets (Warner Bros-Seven Arts, 1968)(tie).
4.  The War Wagon (Universal, 1967)/El Dorado (Paramount,1967) (tie).
5.  The Sons of Katie Elder (Paramount,1965)
6.  In Harm's Way (Paramount, 1965).
7.  McLintock! (United Artists, 1963)/Donovan's Reef (Paramount, 1963) (tie).
8.  How the West Was Won (MGM/Cinerama, 1962)/Hatari (Paramount, 1962)(tie).
9.&10. The Alamo (United Artists, 1960)/North to Alaska (20th Century Fox, 1960)(tie).

What Is Juneteenth?

 

It's about time the holiday of Juneteenth got some recognition. Prompted by the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, and dated to the emancipation of slaves in Texas on June 19, 1865, Juneteenth celebrations began as far back as 1866. Only last year, in 2021, was Juneteenth finally recognized as a federal holiday. It is sometimes called Black Independence Day, and it could be considered the true independence day, since on July 4, 1776, many people were still enslaved in this country, and therefore not free.

Will's Book Nook: Fawlty Towers Scribblings

 

I have been listening to the audio recording of Fawlty Towers put out by BBC Records. You may be familiar BBC sitcom from the 1970s, but these recording also feature star and creator, John Cleese, talking about the creation of the series, and episode highlights. Cleese played Basil Fawlty, owner of a hotel, who has a very high opinion of himself and a very short fuse. In fact, my favorite part is when Cleese finds some poor employee to yell at. For example, when Manuel, whose English is not the best, misinterprets an order from Basil, which leads to an explosion of colorful language by Basil. I give it 6 out of 5 scribbles!

Top Ten: Mark's Favorite John Wayne Movies of the 1950s

 

1.  The Horse Soldiers (United Artists, 1959).

2.  Rio Bravo (Warner Bros., 1959).

3.  The Barbarian and the Geisha (20th Century Fox, 1958).

4.  The Wings of Eagles (MGM, 1957).

5.  The Searchers (Warner Bros., 1956).

6.  Blood Alley (Warner Bros., 1955).

7.  The High and the Mighty(Warner Bros., 1954).

8.  Hondo (Warner Bros., 1953).

9.  The Quiet Man (Republic, 1952).

10.  Rio Grande (Republic, 1950).

What is Memorial Day?

 

We all know Memorial Day as a day off of school and work, and many celebrate with cookouts. But what are we celebrating exactly? Originally known as Decoration Day, a day for remembering those we lost in the American Civil War, it began in 1868, and war widows would decorate the graves of those who died in the war. Today, we honor all Americans who died while serving in the armed forces, and every year American flags are placed on their graves. Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day, which honors all American veterans, not just those who died. 

Will's Book Nook: The Shadow Scribblings

 The Shadow is one of my favorite old school radio programs. The original idea, was for The Shadow to be a mysterious radio narrator for Detective Story Hour in 1930, but that inspired a literary character, and later The Shadow got his own radio drama in 1937 starring Orson Wells as the main character, Lamont Cranston. It has one of the most famous tag lines in radio drama history: "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows." Cranston is a wealthy young man about town who helps the police department catch criminals as his alter ego, The Shadow. In my opinion he is the precursor to Bruce Wayne/Batman and inspired many other superheros to come. The sound effects are really creepy and effective, Orson Wells is a great actor and there are a lot of interesting episodes that feature well developed characters. I'm only half way through it, but so far I give it 5 out of 5 scribbles. It's a classic!

Top Ten: Mark's Favorite John Wayne Movies from the 1940s

 1.  Sands of Iwo Jima (Republic, 1949).

2.  She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (RKO Radio Pictures, 1949).

3.  3 Godfathers (MGM, 1948).

4.  Red River (United Artists,1948).

5.  Fort Apache (RKO Radio Pictures, 1948).

6.  Angel and the Badman (Republic, 1947).

7.  They Were Expendable (MGM, 1945).

8.  Flame of Barbary Coast (Republic, 1945).

9.  The Long Voyage Home (United Artists,1940).

10.  The Dark Command (Republic,1940).

 

Will's Book Nook: Quote...Unquote Scribblings

 

Quote...Unquote is a long-running BBC Radio panel-style game show. Some of the over 500 panelists are famous actors, authors and personalities, including Dame Judi Dench and some of the members of Monty Python. It ran from 1976 to 2021, when the pandemic finally shut it down. According to Wikipedia, "the main part of the programme consists of a non-competitive quiz where the chairman asks each of three panellists (originally four) in turn to identify where a certain quotation, phrase or saying comes from. In between these rounds, the panellists are asked to share some of their favourite quotations on a specified theme. Other parts of the programme are devoted to answering queries from listeners about the sources of quotations and the origins of everyday phrases and idioms." The panelists would try to win quotation marks, and the team with the most quotation marks at the end of the four rounds won the game. The winners would get to write a quote about themselves. I enjoyed the many different guests and the outright silliness. I'm not finished with the anthology yet, but I give it 4 out of 5 scribble for now, but I might bump it up to a 5 later. 

What We Did Over the Break

Arts Connections has been on break for the past four weeks, and it felt kind of weird not having any classes. But our summer classes are up and running this week! Here's what our bloggers got up while not blogging in blog class...

 

Will has been hanging out with his brother, who moved to town a few months ago. He also visited the zoo with his best friend and her mom. And he celebrated the Big 3-0 last Sunday (which was also Mother's Day!). He had a party on Saturday in his back yard with tons of friends. He even got a little emotional, because it was so nice. Everyone gifted him a shirt!

 

 Lora kept busy with plenty of fun projects around the house, like drawing and crafts, and gardening. She is growing corn, tomatoes, radishes and green beans. Lora also went to the movies. The movie didn't make much of an impression, but the popcorn, chilies and a coke were very memorable.

 

 Mark had a very exciting break filled with new appliances! His mom got a new microwave, refrigerator and washer and dryer. The new dishwasher will be arriving soon. Mark also honed his trivia skills by watching plenty of classic television.

 

 Margaret had so many visitors! Her brother and his wife and their three year old son came to stay. Their dog, Bunny, came, too. Then her parents came to stay. It has been a very full house. But full of love. Her son finish his 2nd soccer season with a win! And he went on an overnight trip with his class, which was very exciting. He loved sleeping in the cabin.

But now we're ready to get back to class and kick our blogging into high gear!

Top Ten: Mark's Favorite John Wayne Movies from the 1930s

 

1.  Stagecoach (United Artists, 1939).
2.  Three Texas Steers (Republic, 1939).
3.  Santa Fe Stampede (Republic, 1938).
4.  Pals of the Saddle (Republic, 1938).
5.  King of the Pecos (Republic, 1936).
6.  The Oregon Trail (Republic, 1936).
7.  The New Frontier (Republic, 1935).
8.  The Lawless Frontier (Monogram, 1934).
9.  West of the Divide (Monogram,1934).
10.  The Big Trail (Fox, 1930).