Author Archives: JAQ

Rebel Without A Cause

Rebel Without A Cause is a landmark of American culture, identified by the Library of Congress as culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant. It features James Dean in his next-to-last role, with Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo, and a supporting cast … Continue reading

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"Rocket 88"

"Rocket 88" is arguably the first Rock and Roll song. It’s a celebration of the new Oldsmobile 88, one of the archetypal pleasure-craft automobiles of the era, and (almost as obviously) a celebration of sex. It was recorded in March … Continue reading

Posted in 1950s, Music | Leave a comment

Namor the Sub-Mariner

The Sub-Mariner – known to his friends as Prince Namor – is one of the first superheroes, and probably the first super anti-hero.  He was created by Bill Everett and introduced in 1939 by Timely Comics (the publisher now known … Continue reading

Posted in 1930s, Comics | Leave a comment

“Boléro”

In recognition of today being 10/10/10, an item related to the Blake Edwards movie "10", starring Bo Derek, Dudley Moore, and “Boléro”, a musical composition by Maurice Ravel. The piece owes its existence to copyright.  The project began as an … Continue reading

Posted in 1920s, Music | 1 Comment

Whose Body?

Whose Body? is a novel by Dorothy L. Sayers, which began a series of novels featuring Lord Peter Wimsey, an aristocrat who fancies himself as an amateur sleuth.  While not exactly James Bond or Miss Marple in terms of profile … Continue reading

Posted in 1920s, Prose | Leave a comment

“Exactly Like You”

“Exactly Like You” is a song from the Broadway musical Lew Leslie’s International Revue with lyrics by Dorothy Fields and music by Jimmy McHugh. It was a popular hit in 1930 along with “On the Sunny Side of the Street”, … Continue reading

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Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats

T.S. Eliot’s collection of poems entitled Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats is best known today as the basis for the mega-hit musical Cats.  The poems were originally written for his godchildren, whimsically inventing a society and psychology for the … Continue reading

Posted in 1930s, Plays, Poetry | Leave a comment

Casino Royale

Ian Fleming’s spy novel Casino Royale was published in 1953.  It introduced the characters of stalwart CIA agent Felix Leiter, the villain Le Chiffre, and the beautiful but unpredictable Vesper Lynd…. oh, and some guy named Bond… James Bond. Although … Continue reading

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