45th Anniversary of 1980 All Star Game

On This Day 45 years ago White Sox Pitcher Ed Farmer faced Pete Rose in the 1980 All Star Game. This was back when the Houston Astros were in the National League and the Milwaukee Brewers were in the American. In the 6th inning with 1 out, Farmer pitched to Rose who hit a ground ball to 2nd Willie Randolph, who flipped the ball to SS Robin Yount for the 1st out and then threw out Rose at First Base.

 

Special Shout out to Sox Nerd who reminded me of this play in his Jan 1, 2025 post, Pete Rose and The White Sox. Rose passed away in 2024, and Farmer in 2020, making the footage from my youth feel even  more poignant. 

Marty (1953) starring Rod Steiger 4/4

St Louis CARDINALS at Chicago CUBS 6/22/84 Original WGN Broadcast

Marty (1953) starring Rod Steiger 3/4

Breakfast Serials: Marty Television Presentation Part II

On April 11th 1955, The Film Marty premiered. It would go on to be nominated for 8 Academy Awards and win 4 Best Film. Best Director: Delbert Mann, Best Actor: Ernest Borgnine and Best Screenplay: Paddy Chayefsky.  

Chayefsky's screenplay was adapted from a television play  he wrote which was performed live in The Philco Television Hour in 1953.  Each Tuesday in June at 6:30 A.M. central I will be posting a section from the television program with some fun facts at the end.  Since I am showing these in serialized fashion, and showing them in the a.m., I am calling them Breakfast Serials.

Marty 1953 Part II

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Fun Facts:  Marty was originally shown on the Philco Television Playhouse on NBC. 

Paddy Chayefsky, the writer of Marty, wrote many productions for Philco.

Lee Phillips who plays Marty's cousin Tommy was replaced by Jerry Paris in the film.  Paris and Phillips also became directors mostly in television in addition to acting.  Paris ended up directing Phillips in a Dick Van Dyke episode.  Paris was also a co-star in the show portraying Dr. Jerry Helper Rob and Laura's neighbor. 

 

Join us next week for another installment of Marty.  

Wordless Wednesday: A troubling sign for surgeons who took out massive student loans for med school

For more Wordless Wednesday click here.  

Dick Allen's Famous Chili Dog Game

Today is the 53rd anniversary Dick Allen's Chili Dog Home Run.  

This is also the first year we can watch this video without wondering when Dick will finally make it into the Hall of Fame. 

This video pays tribute to a day famous in White Sox lore.  

 

Breakfast Serials: Marty Television Presentation 1953 Part 1

On April 11th 1955, The Film Marty premiered. It would go on to be nominated for 8 Academy Awards and win 4 Best Film. Best Director: Delbert Mann, Best Actor: Ernest Borgnine and Best Screenplay: Paddy Chayefsky.  

Chayefsky's screenplay was adapted from a television play  he wrote which was performed live in The Philco Television Hour in 1953.  Each Tuesday in June at 6:30 A.M. central I will be posting a section from the television program with some fun facts at the end.  Since I am showing these in serialized fashion, and showing them in the a.m., I am calling them Breakfast Serials.

Marty 1953 Part I

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Fun Fact:  Esther Minciotti, Joe Mantell, and Augusta Ciolli  who played The respective parts of Marty's Mom ,best friend, and Aunt  all reprised these roles in the 1955 film.  Mantell was nominated for best supporting actor Oscar but did not win.   

Join us next week for another installment of Marty.  

12 New Movies: Saturday Night 2024

George Carlin circa 1975 
The year he hosted the first episode of Saturday Night Live

By Little David Records - eBay, Public Do
main, Linkhref="https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12827989">Link

  As with all the 12 New Movie reviews , I will attempt to do the following: 

1. Rate each movie on a 1 (worst movie ever) to 5 (best movie I have seen) scale.
2.  Provide a 2-3 sentence summary of the movie. 
3.  I will share 1 theme from the movie.  
4. Write one thing I liked about the movie and 1 thing I disliked about the movie. 
5. State who I think would make the best audience for this movie. 

Saturday Night (2024) Rating 3 1/2 stars out of 5 

 Summary: It is 1975 and in a few  hours the first episode of Saturday Night Live is going to premiere, or will it?   Loren Michaels must battle with censors, sponsors, affiliates, actors, writers, and network executives among others to try to revolutionize the variety show. 

Theme: You can't recognize something you've never seen before.

 Likes: Excellent ensemble casting throughout.  The director and the casting director do an excellent job and as do the actors themselves in doing what Variety "taking Icons and making them human

Dislikes:  I liked the frenetic pace of the movie and the fact that it seemed to really capture the inten.

sity of the last few hours before the show started.  There were times when the intensity was so much it became difficult to watch.  My wife actually had to stop watching because the she thought the intensity was raising her blood pressure.  

 A Good Audience for this Film: Fans of the work of Ivan Reitman, will love this homage to SNL by Ivan's son Jason.  Fans of Saturday Night Live and people who like behind the scenes back stage origin stories should enjoy this movie.  

2025 New To Me Film Update

 I have watched and reviewed 4 films:

Films released from 2009 to 2024                      Watched 1 Remaining 1 

Films released from 1994 to 2008                      Watched 1 Remaining 1 

Films released from 1979 to 1993                      Watched 0 Remaining 2 

Films released from 1964 to 1978                      Watched 1 Remaining 1 

Films released from 1949 to 1963                      Watched 0 Remaining 2 

Films released before 1934 and up to 1948       Watched 1 Remaining 1 

Poetry Friday: Life In A Hall of Mirrors

 It's Poetry Friday time and since this is my first Friday since school ended, I thought I might celebrate the start of my ntwith sharing a poem here.

I wrote this poem 32 years ago when I was in my late 20's.  I came across it today when going through boxes stored in our Garage Attic or the Grattic as we like to call it.

I recited this poem publicly  some 30 years ago.  It went over like a lead balloon like all the poems I recited that night.  I tool one of them out of mothballs and posted it here on Poetry Friday 3 years back. It was well received so I thought I'd share this one as well.

Life In A Hall of Mirrors

Distant music of the Ice Cream Truck

Wafts sweetly through the streets

Children Stop Their Playing

Pavlovian dogs pull allowance out of pockets

Catching A glimpse of the truck

They pursue their pied piper

The Truck stops; The smiling driver is cheered by the crows

The children happily exchange their money

For sticks wrapped in paper

An old man watches them pretend to eat ice cream

And tells of the old days

When The Ice Cream Man sold Ice Cream

(And it cost less too!)

The children say they like pretending better

The Ice Cream Man drives off

Wondering what to leave off next

The stick or the wrapper

Karen Edmisten is hosting Poetry Friday this week.  Click here to get there. 

UKRAINE | ALLEN LEVI

Rock Musicians keep dreaming until Jesus Rocks their world.

Introduction: Vladimir Lebedev is one of my favorite people in the world.  I have thought this about him almost since I met him in Khabarovsk, Russia in December of 1992. Vladimir has has worn many hats in the time I've known him. chauffeur, itinerant musician, soldier, interpreter, pastor, international student, father, husband, missionary but with every hat he's always tried to adorn himself with humility, wisdom, grace, and a desire to show God to others.

To that end, I was delighted, but not surprised, when Vladimir  shared some thoughts on musicians using their platforms on his Facebook page earlier this week.  I am sharing them here with links to some of the songs that he referenced. I'll add some of my thoughts about his musical musings at the end.

Rock musicians keep dreaming. Good intentions. Strong lyrics. Terrific music. Is there a solution to the world’s evils? Can humanity come together to live in peace? Can we stop hypocrisy and greed in the governments to bring wars to an end? Can we finally start caring for one another instead of looking for reasons to separate and hate? 

 Long ago, John Lennon with his “Imagine.” Freddy Mercury of Queen with his “Show must go on.” Ozzy (Osbourne) with his “Dreamer.” Russian rockers of various types Zemlyane, Kruiz, and Aria with their “songs for peace.” And more recently Udo Dirkschneider with his soul-shattering “One Heart, One Soul.”

This indeed is a passionate call for common sense, for something every human soul feels deep within.  But where is it really taking us? Is there something missing in this search? Is it not crying out into a void? It is impossible to, in the words of Bono from U2, "find what we are looking for" without turning to our Creator and Savior who revealed himself to humanity in the person of Jesus the Christ. He has everything that our whole beings are craving for.

Maybe Blacky Lawless of WASP is right when he sings:

Jesus, I need you now

Show me, I'm lost somehow ...

Is there no hope for me?

Oh, somewhere you'll show for me?

Ooh, Lord remember me, take me up tonight

(Golgotha, 2015)

Imagine by John Lennon

The Show Must Go On - Queen (Lyrics Video)

Dreamer by Ozzy Osbourne

[Verse 1] Gazing through the window at the world outside Wondering will mother earth survive Hoping that mankind will stop abusing her sometime After all, there's only just the two of us And here we are still fighting for our lives Watching all of history repeat itself time after time [Chorus] I'm just a dreamer I dream my life away I'm just a dreamer Who dreams of better days [Verse 2] I watch the sun go down like everyone of us I'm hoping that the dawn will bring a sign A better place for those who will come after us this time [Chorus] I'm just a dreamer I dream my life away, oh yeah I'm just a dreamer Who dreams of better days This indeed is a passionate call for common sense, for something every human soul feels deep within. But where is it really taking us? Is there something missing in this search? Is it not crying out into a void? It is impossible to “find what we are looking for” (in the words of Bono of U2) without turning to our Creator and Savior who revealed himself to humanity in the person of Jesus the Christ. He has everything that our whole beings are craving for. Maybe Blacky Lawless of WASP is right when he sings: Jesus, I need you now Show me, I'm lost somehow . . . Is there no hope for me? Oh, somewhere you'll show for me? Oh, I'm holding on, believing there's a reason I can find Ooh, Lord remember me, take me up tonight (Golgotha, 2015) Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - Sing 2

Zemlyane: The Grass Besides Our Home

English Lyrics

Earth in the viewport,

 Earth in the viewport,

 Earth in the viewport that I see…

 

 Like a son missing his mother,

 Like a son missing his mother, 

We miss our Earth - we have but one… \

But the stars nevertheless, 

But the stars nevertheless,

 Draw closer, though they’re still as cold as ever… 

 And like at the hour of eclipse, 

And like at the hour of eclipse, 

We wait for light and see our earthly dreams… 

 And we dream not of thunder at the cosmodrome, 

Not of the ice-cold blue of the sky -

 But we dream of grass - the grass beside our house 

Green, green grass… — 

 And we fly our orbits,

 Unbeaten paths - 

 Lifetimes like meteors in the vastness…

 Courage and risk were justified, 

For the music of space 

Floats into our matter-of-fact talk… 

 In some opaque haze 

Earth in the viewport - 

An early evening-time twilight… 

 But the son misses his mother 

But the son misses his mother - 

The mother waits for her son, as the earth awaits her children…

 And we dream not of thunder at the cosmodrome, 

Not of the ice-cold blue of the sky - 

But we dream of grass - the grass beside our house 

Green, green grass…

 

Dave's Thoughts: I really appreciated Vladimir's take on this,  I think it's especially important to note that trying to fix a  broken world is a universal pursuit. It is not just an American past time. In the 1970's there were many popular songs that I would call searching songs.  Songs like Desperado by the Eagles and Dust In the Wind by Kansas.  In the late 70's early 80's the years of my spiritual formation many people would use these songs in the same way Paul used the statues on Mar's Hill, as a way to pointing to the truth of Jesus. Vladimir is essentially doing similar work in his comments here.  

Stand-Up and Win - SNL

I'm not sure how I missed this Saturday Night Sketch, when it first came out, but it is comedy gold!

Team Saturdazzle: The One With Roasted Hope and the zest of Lemon

Yesterday I posted Ronald Reagan's commencement address from Eureka College when He was President of the Unite States. . Today, I have footage of him while Governor of California performing at a celebrity roast for Bob Hope.

 

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 Headline of the week: 

 A Pope Who Ministers to the Suffering? Yup, He's A White Sox Fan.

New York Times 5/10/2025

***********************************************************************************

My Brother texted me during the coverage of the announcement of the new pope that one of my childhood White Sox heroes, Chet Lemon had passed away.  Now, that Dick Allen has been elected to the Hall of Fame, Lemon is one of the best White Sox players to not make it to Cooperstown.  A 3 time all star,  and a World Series  champion with the 1984 Tigers.  Lemon was aggressive at the plate, on the base paths, and patrolling center field.  In the time he played in the MLB between 1975 and 1990 he was 2nd in being hit by a pitch.  He holds the American League single season record for most put outs as a centerfielder (509 in 1997) when he was with the White Sox.

Some of Lemon's leatherwork is in display when he was on the Baseball Bunch T.V. show.  In the episode he works with young players on how to run down a ball and be aware of the fence.  

 

Footage of Lemon's famous catch in game 3 of the 1984 World Series.  

*****************************************************************************

That's all the Saturdazzle I have for today, Hope to be back next week with more.  

Eureka College Commencement Address: President Reagan's Commencement Add...

I shared a clip from this speech last year. I thought it would be interesting to share the speech on it's 43rd anniversary, the year that the average Eureka grad is reaching retirement age.

 

Judson University Choir, Featuring Bob Bennett - "Come and See"

Judson University is located about a mile from my house.  I drive by it 10 to 15 times a week and have seen many concerts and performances at it over the years. I even ran in a 5 k there.   A few years ago I walked into the church I was attending at the time and saw that Bob Bennett was going to be performing a few songs during the service.  

The director of the Judson Choir was also the worship director at this church and Bob and  the Choir were recording a live album together and the director had arranged for Bob to sing at our church that Sunday morning.

I took one or two videos from my phone of his songs and have posted them on you tube and some of them here over the years.  I didn't take this video it was filmed at Judson during the course of making the album.  Now, that the A to Z challenge is over I'd like to have a few more midweek music breaks and thought this would be an excellent place to start.

 

Wordless Wednesday (Sort Of): What's the difference between false advertising and hyperbole?

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, how many rants are 4 worth? I'll just put one short one at the end,  

 The Rant:  I have worked a myriad of jobs and at none of them have I always felt valued.  It is a promise that no employer can keep especially one like McDonalds with a long history of exploiting their workers.  

For More Wordless Wednesday click here   for the Wordless Wednesday blog and here for the comedy plus site.   As I am participating in both places today.  

12 New Movies: The Train (1964)

By trailer screenshot (United Artists) - DVD bonus - The Train - US trailer, Public Domain, Link

  As with all the 12 New Movie reviews , I will attempt to do the following: 

1. Rate each movie on a 1 (worst movie ever) to 5 (best movie I have seen) scale.
2.  Provide a 2-3 sentence summary of the movie. 
3.  I will share 1 theme from the movie.  
4. Write one thing I liked about the movie and 1 thing I disliked about the movie. 
5. State who I think would make the best audience for this movie. 

The Train (1964) Rating 3 stars out of 5 

 Summary: At the end of World War II, A Nazi officer (Paul Scofield) attempts to bring a train filled with French art masterpieces to Germany.  The station master (Burt Lancaster) who is also part of the French resistance is tasked to stop the train from getting to Germany. 

Theme: Is art worth dying for?

 Likes: When I heard Paul Scofield (A Man for All Seasons, Quiz Show) was in this film I jumped at the chance to see it.  Scofield does not disappoint. His performances are known for being multilayered and this is no exception.  I also like the fact that this is filmed in black & white.  

Dislikes: This movie did not live up to the expectations I was given on line.  It would have worked as a straight action movie and it would have worked as a straight character study.  It almost works as both and almost is where the disappointment comes from.  

 A Good Audience for this Film:3 audiences come to mind: People who like WW II films, admirers of the films directed by John Frankenheimer, and  people like myself who come running when they hear the name Paul Scofield.  

2025 New To Me Film Update

 I have watched and reviewed 3 films:

Films released from 2009 to 2024                      Watched 0 Remaining 2 

Films released from 1994 to 2008                      Watched 1 Remaining 1 

Films released from 1979 to 1993                      Watched 0 Remaining 2 

Films released from 1964 to 1978                      Watched 1 Remaining 1 

Films released from 1949 to 1963                      Watched 0 Remaining 2 

Films released before 1934 and up to 1948       Watched 1 Remaining 1 

When Corona Is Gone (Original Song)

Around 5 years ago Allen Levi shared this song on you tube. It was April 27th 2020.  We were about  6 weeks into Co-vid lockdown and Allen shared this song from his porch.  I meant to share it last Sunday which was the 5 year anniversary of it's release.  I was just at the end of catching up in the A to Z challenge and finishing the last week up.  Now that the song is 5 years and a week old I'm sure it will resonate just a little differently than it would have last week at 5 ...

      

Team Saturdazzle the one with the 5k and the bobble head

Can't beat fun at the old Saturdazzle

 

Welcome to our first post A to Z Challenge Team Saturdazzle of the year. 

I am on the road today so I am literally phoning this post in. I am emailing this directly to my blog from my phone. 

This morning Amy Charlie and I participated in the Northern Illinois Foodbank 5K. It was a lot of fun. We all finished in less than an hour. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to run the entire race without walking but I was able to.

 

In the A to Z challenge this year in the A to Zs of me J stood for Jester and I was in full jester mode at the race. Where my self designated task was to bring fun and merriment wherever I went. I would make jokes as I passed people and say things like don't these Saturday DMV lines get longer every year. When I ran past the 2 mile marker I told one of the many volunteers encouraging us along the path to ask me to tell her a Broadway themed 5 k pun when she obliged. I said 1 mile more and I'll be less miserable. 

The Jesting did not end after I finished the race.  I waited for Amy to near the finish line and let the audience in on the big reveal...

After the race Amy and I grabbed some lunch and drove to the Rosemont L station where we took a blue line train then a red line train to Comiskey park in Chicago. Now in fairness it hasn’t been called Comiskey since 2003 it’s now on it’s 3rd name change I’ll just call it Sox Park.

 

Today the White Sox played the Astros and despite getting 5 strong innings from their starter and scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the first for an early lead they lost to Houston 8 to 3.

 

This is not what brought Amy and I to the ball park today. Amy went because she’s always up for an adventure and I went for the commemorative Dick Allen bobble head.

 

In The Box

Outside The Box

Photo by John Iacano/Sports Illustrated

The Bobble head was modeled after the iconic 1972 Sports Illustrated cover of Allen juggling in the dugout in his first season with the White Sox.  By the 1970's public perception was already changing about smoking.  Allen was reprimanded by the White Sox for the incident.  The bobble head is true to the SI cover except Allen is not smoking.  

As I’ve said in these pages before, as recently as W is for White Sox fan, Dick Allen is one of the main reasons I became a Sox fan.

 

Allen was at long last posthumously elected to Baseballs Hall of Fame earlier this year. Several members of Allen’s family were on hand today for the celebration and will be in Cooperstown in July when Allen will be inducted into the Hall. It was really quite a day. 

Thanks for joining Team Saturdazzle today.