Happy Birthday, Roger Ebert

Two thumbs up for cancer survivor Roger Ebert, who turns 68 today. He also survived shtupping Oprah.

Another Reason Not to Wear Flesh-Tone Lipstick

Pamela Anderson, who turns 43 on July 1st, at some opening last night.

You know that stretch of the 101 between Sunset and Alvarado?

David Livingston/Getty Images

That's Where You'll Find Me

Ninety-year-old "Wizard of Oz" Munchkin Jerry Maren, a wax figure of Judy Garland (who would have turned 88 tomorrow if she hadn't died of a barbiturate overdose in a London bathroom in 1969), lemon-drop delicious child star Margaret O'Brien, 73 (who worked with Judy on "Meet Me in St. Louis" in 1944), and Judy's rarely seen son, Joey Luft, 55.

Gay Pride Month Tidbit: It was the funeral of Judy Garland that mobilized gay unity, leading to the Stonewall Riots against persecution in NYC.

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Chexy's Saturday Matinee

It's Memorial Day weekend, so here's some folks entertaining the troops.

Judy Garland, introduced by Bob Hope.



And here's a few clips of Bob Hope and the soldiers over the years. In one of these clips, he's 87.



Today would have been JFK's 93rd birthday, so here's his brother-in-law, Peter Lawford, and Marilyn Monroe to sing him Happy Birthday. Everybody! (for GL)



And here are the trailers for "This is the Army," and "Hollywood Canteen." Surprise guest stars!

Happy Birthday, Katharine Hepburn

Today would have been Kate's 103rd birthday. Katharine Hepburn's stamp was issued today in Old Saybrook, CT, her home for many years. She died in 2003.

The image on the stamp is from 1942's "Woman of the Year," her first of nine films with Spencer Tracy.

"Life is hard. After all, it kills you."

--Katharine Hepburn

Happy Birthday, George Clooney

Who doesn't love a nice cool beverage?

George Clooney turns 49 today.

Happy Birthday, Beulah Bondi

Character actress Beulah Bondi was born in Chicago on this day in 1888. You likely know her best as Jimmy Stewart's mother, Ma Bailey, in "It's a Wonderful Life." She's terrifying in the "Life without George" sequence as the operator of a run-down boarding house.

She played Jimmy Stewart's mother in four films. (The other three are: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Of Human Hearts, and Vivacious Lady.)

Here she is, singing and dancing in 1948's, "So Dear to My Heart," a Disney country yarn with folksinger Burl Ives.



Beulah made her first Hollywood film "Street Scene" in 1931 -- she was 42, and went on to appear in over 70, with her last role on TV's "The Waltons." She also played Mrs. Greer in "The Snake Pit," who suffered from delusions of grandeur.


Her "Walk of Fame" star is at 1730 N. Vine St. (near Capitol Records).




She died New Year's Day 1981 at age 92 of injuries sustained in her three-story Hollywood Hills home when she fell over her cat.

"What distinguishes the real actor from the pseudo is the passionate desire to know what is going on in the hearts and minds of people."

--Beulah Bondi

Happy Birthday, Joyce DeWitt

She's 61 today. Give it up for UCLA's own Joyce DeWitt.

You can purchase autographed photos from her website!

Here's a fan tribute. Now you know what I do on Sundays.

Happy Birthday, Chexydecimal!

Chexydecimal is two years old today! That's 2,076 posts!

Thanks to all my loyal readers, friends and supporters. You know who you are.

Love,

Chexy (and Amy)

Happy Birthday, Betty Deuce!

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II as seen at her coronation in 1953, and below in the same getup in 2007.



Betty is 84 today.

Happy Birthday, Hitler

Thanks to the genius of Mel Brooks, we have tap-dancing Nazis. Dick Shawn as the Fuhrer.

Springtime for Hitler and Germany
Deutschland is happy and gay!
We're marching to a faster pace,
Look out,
Here comes the master race!

Happy Birthday, Queen Margrethe

That's the lovely Queen Margrethe of Denmark, celebrating her 70th birthday (actually on 4/16) a little early... with an intimate dinner in Copenhagen for about 300.

In 2006, her majesty gave a speech urging tolerance, a hospitable attitude toward immigrants, and freedom of speech.


Queen Margrethe and Betty Deuce are both great great granddaughters of Queen Victoria of the UK and King Christian IX of Denmark.

What was served for dessert? Why, assorted danish, of course.

Crowd Applause Laugh sound bite Crowd sound bites

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Happy Birthday, Yip Harburg

E. Yip Harburg, The man who penned the lyrics to "Over the Rainbow" and the anthem of the Great Depression, "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?", was born on this day in 1896. Among his many great lyrics are "April in Paris." Yip died in a car accident on Sunset Blvd. in 1981.

Drive carefully, everyone! And now, here's Ella Fitzgerald.



Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?



And since this past few weeks have been filled with tales of tattooed ladies, here's Groucho Marx with Harburg's "Lydia the Tattooed Lady."



for Jacob

Happy Birthday, Debbie Reynolds

Legendary hoofer Debbie Reynolds, fresh from her appearance on "Ru Paul's Drag Race," is in the UK with her "Alive and Fabulous" show, as seen here today on her 78th birthday at The Sofitel Hotel, St James in London. Nice gams!




This odd video was part of the S-Series Scopitone films, made by Harman-ee Productions in Los Angeles, a company owned by Debbie Reynolds. Scopitones were part of a machine that played music videos like jukeboxes played records.

There's no better way to sell a protest song than with a cotton candy bouffant, a sequined gown and heels.


Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Happy Birthday, Aretha Franklin

Go on, make two wishes. Aretha is 68 today.

Happy Birthday, Joan Crawford

Joan Crawford was born on this day in 1905. She died in 1977 of a heart attack.


Here's Joan, apparently drunk, being interviewed at an airport in 1968.

Happy Birthday, Keely Smith!

Keely Smith made her debut with Louis Prima in 1949, they were married for a while, creating numerous hits. She's 78 today! Here they are with Cole Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin" from the Ed Sullivan show, June 1960.

Happy Birthday, Jean Harlow

Jean Harlow was born on this day in 1911. She only made it to 26. Her mother, a Christian Scientist, would not allow her to see a doctor after she became seriously ill. Jean died of uremic poisoning.

Here are some excerpts from "Dinner at Eight."

Happy Birthday, Desi Arnaz

The great Desi Arnaz was born on this day in 1917. He died of lung cancer in 1986. We have Desi to thank for the rerun.

Here's a weird old cigarette commercial that ran during the original "I Love Lucy" airings.

Happy Birthday, Glenn Miller

The lost prince of the Big Band era, Glenn Miller, was born on this day in 1904.

Here's a clip with the glorious "Moonlight Serenade," followed by "I Know Why and So Do You." Watch for the cameo by Milton Berle! From 1941's "Sun Valley Serenade." Lynn Bari is the singer.

Miller died Dec. 15, 1944 when his plane crashed while traveling to Paris to perform for the troops.

(this video takes a few seconds to begin after you click play)