Saving Mr. Tiny: A Story of "Summer Magic"

It is never my intention to use this blog as a platform from which to boast.  There are, however, precious few moments in my life that are truly worthy of proud celebration and 2013 shouldn't come to a close before I acknowledge one of the best days of my life.

The combination of an amazing Christmas present and a recent screening of the film Saving Mr. Banks reminded me that I have been remiss in expressing my gratitude for an opportunity that, even months later, I still have a hard time believing to be real.  In the summer of this year we were invited to the 85th birthday party of none other than Richard Sherman!

Did I mention that it was a surprise party?

Held at the incredible home of our friends, the party included Disneyland's Main Street
silhouette cutter, Mary Poppins tribute art, a sing-along with the birthday boy, and
a custom "Golden Record" cake of one of Mr. Sherman's classic songs.

For those who might be unfamiliar with that name, Richard Sherman is half of one of the most dynamic, prolific, and influential songwriting duos in history - The Sherman Brothers.  If you're still not sure of the name, think "You're Sixteen, " "Let's Get Together," practically every song ever sung by Annette Funicello, The Jungle Book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Winnie the Pooh, and of course, Mary Poppins.

The Sherman Brothers were not only instrumental in the scoring of Mary Poppins,
they played a huge role in securing the film rites and making sure the film was made.
My favorite scene in Saving Mr. Banks is when "The Boys" win over the tyrannical
Mrs. Travers with the cleverness of their lyrics and the unadulterated joy of their music.

I have it straight from the source that Mr. Sherman
approved of Jason Schwartzman's stellar performance.

Attending the party would have been honor enough, but Tiny & Mary were also asked to perform!  Can you imagine the thrill and the terror of singing a great songwriter's work for the composer himself?  Putting fears aside (well mostly, I might have choked up a bit as I explained how much his music meant in our lives), we performed what has become Tiny & Mary's theme song, "On the Front Porch" (written by the Shermans for Walt Disney's Summer Magic).  We also sang the "Doll On a Music Box/Truly Scrumptious" duet from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  As it turns out, the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang duet is Richard Sherman's favorite piece from the Sherman catalog and "On the Front Porch," his brother Robert's favorite.

Elizabeth & Richard Sherman listening to Tiny & Mary
sing - MAGICAL!!!  Unbelievably gracious, Mr. Sherman
thanked us for our performance and didn't even quibble
over the fact that we were singing "On the Front Porch" on
the back porch.  He even remembered us when we had the
opportunity to sing for him again at another party.
(photo by our talented pal, Jimmy Mulligan - thanks Jimmy!)

Someone recently told me that my life looks like one epic adventure after another.  When I am cleaning bathrooms, changing diapers, driving my dad around in his transport van, scouring the oven, and feeling like I haven't a friend in the world, the concept of "adventure" seems a complete mystery to me.  Like everyone else, my life is filled with the daily mundanities that make for terribly-weak blog fodder - until these precious adventures and gifts are bestowed upon me.

Speaking of gifts, the "amazing Christmas present" that I alluded to earlier was a vintage
film poster from Walt Diney's Summer Magic.  We agreed not to exchange gifts this year but
my brother and his wife decided not only to give gifts but to make those gifts incredibly
thoughtful and generous!

I am so appreciative of the musical genius of The Sherman Brothers; nearly every happy, childhood memory I have is underscored by the charm of their brilliant compositions.  I am incredibly grateful for wonderful friends and family members that save Mr. Tiny by gifting me with their love and generosity.  Singing for Mr. Sherman is definitely a gift that keeps on giving.  When, on a cold winter day, I am chilled by the depths of my own ingratitude, I remind myself of that blissful hour and the warm memory of interacting with a man who continues to delight people the world over by sharing his talent and allowing others to do the same - talk about your "Summer Magic!"

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Sew What?! A Trivial Tropical Frock

I certainly hope that I don't convey too strong an air of expertise on any subject.  The sad fact is that, like the effervescent Ms. Lee sang, "I know a little bit about a lot of things."   I have a solid Jeopardy-esque knowledge up to about the $600 level; after that, I feel particularly proud if I happen to phrase the correct question - if I remember to phrase it in the form of a question at all.  I can die a happy man if I get Final Jeopardy correct before the last "bum-bum" of that anxiety-inducing music.

Having a broad base of trivia clogging the cortices (I learned that one from Jeopardy) of my brain makes my authority on the subjects to which I can speak, well, quite trivial actually - especially sewing.  I try not to get so intimidated by the glory of the garments produced by the unbelievably-talented sewists/tailors/seamstresses with which I am acquainted via blogs and in real life, that I give up completely.  However, being mostly self-taught, terribly impatient, and buttery of finger, I try to stick to trivial pursuits (see what I did there) with sewing projects that are low-input/high-impact.

Last weekend Tiny & Mary were asked to perform at a co-ed, Hollywood, "industry" baby shower.  Wanting to make an impression (really good or really bad is better than indifferent, right?), I decided to whip up a last-minute frock for Mary.

For this project I did something I never do;
I followed directions!!!

Most of the time, I will design something first and
then alter an existing pattern or work off of a sloper
to draft my own.  This time I cut and sewed
Retro Butterick B5137 as printed.

Well...mostly as printed.
I love the idea of a floor-length, afternoon gown but not knowing what
shoes she'd be wearing, I decided a shorter hemline would be more versatile.

I had this red-on-tan, tropical-print cotton in the stash for years after having purchased yards and yards of it for $0.99 per yard at one of my prized fabric outlets.  Figuring that we are still in the throes of summer, I decided that the style and print were still seasonally-appropriate, if a little wild for a baby shower.  Never one to leave wild-enough alone, I determined that the only way to top this ensemble off was a matching turban.  In my mind I envisioned some glorious, 1940's, Good-Neighbor-Policy-come-to-life a la Ethel Smith in "Blame It on the Samba."

What I actually saw in the finished product was more reminiscent of the lovely, bahiana-style women who attended my mom and her siblings when they lived in Brazil and Panama (Army brats).  It was an odd pattern - basically an extreme A-line muumuu with the fullness appropriated by a wide cinch belt of my own making.

Incapable of tying a proper bow, I opted to loop the
neckline bow through a second, fabric-covered belt
buckle that matches the buckle of the actual belt.

I don't know about you, but the front yard photo shoots that I use as the default background for every "Sew What?!" post, have grown extremely tiresome for me (usually the photos are taken as an afterthought as we head out the door to an event).  I wanted to find an interesting alternative but I didn't feel comfortable taking photos at the home where we were performing.  Requiring a quick stop at the drug store for some snacks supplies, I had a sudden burst of inspiration.  Wouldn't it be funny/unexpected to have the ambiguously-ethnic glamour of Mary's dress juxtaposed against a backdrop of cold remedies, orthopedic insoles, and enema kits?!?!?!

Not really...

Unable to catch my vision, Mary ended up looking 

more like a crazy spokesmodel for generic toilet tissue.  

Although, I do believe that economy packs were the grand prizes 

offered on several Eastern European game shows of the 70's & 80's.

I blame myself really; among many other subjects, I am no expert photographer either.  Back to the front yard we go!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

"The Lord is Good to Me": BIG American Folk Legends

Johnny Appleseed, twelve feet of folk-hero fiberglass

My sister and brother-in-law are far more indulgent than my parents.  If, when getting onto the highway in the backseat of our jam-packed, road-tripping mini van, I had shouted, "Wait!  Wait!  Johnny Appleseed!  We have to stop," one or both of my folks would have blindly wielded a flailing hand in my direction and told me to keep quiet; we had places to go.  Lucky for me, my sister was willing to drive nearly 15 miles to the next exit and backtrack so I could visit the 12-foot, fiberglass, effigy of one American history's most legendary characters, John "Johnny Appleseed" Chapman.

One of this kid's favorite pastimes is pushing buttons

(literally and figuratively), so we let him do the honors

of activating "Johnny Appleseed."

Is the pronunciation "rest-runt" a regional thing?

History + apple dumplings = Mmmmmmmmm!!!

Mr. Tiny really is tiny compared to Johnny!

I am the first to admit that most of my knowledge of history, music, math, and the fine arts comes from a childhood largely spent planted directly in front of a television that played old Disney movies and cartoons almost exclusively.  I won't use this opportunity to get on my "Thanks goodness old cartoons are so funny and informative because there is no way I could have relied solely on a public school education to get me through" soapbox; all I'm asking is how could anyone expect me to whistle "The Anvil Chorus," "The 1812 Overture,""Sabre Dance," and Chopin's "Funeral March" on demand without the help of classic animation?  How would I possibly have any grasp of basic mathematics unless Donald Duck took me to "Mathmagic Land?"  How could I conceivably get through the "Double Jeopardy!" round without the fundamentals of American history as presented in cartoon format?  Once again, old Uncle Walt came to the rescue by teaching me a little about my country's colorful history (with the voice talents of Dennis Day) in the cartoon classic, "Johnny Appleseed."

"Johnny Appleseed" from Walt Disney's Melody Time

I had a feeling that Johnny Appleseed wasn't the only American folk hero I was going to meet on my travels.  West Virginia, an ideal breeding ground for vivid imaginations and even more vivid characters, just has a way of promising adventure around every corner.

Imagine my excitement as I pulled off the road in Nitro, WV and found two of the BIGGEST characters in American mythology - Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.  Approaching the fiberglass figures of Paul Bunyan and Babe, it appeared as if they were running away from the noise of the highway traffic and the oddly-close nuclear reactor chimneys (maybe that accounts for the gigantism).

Speaking of power, doesn't Paul Bunyan's beanie look a little bit like Devo's Energy Domes?

They were running; what else could I do but join in the freeze-framed chase?

Paul and Babe stand outside a rural/farming supply store with little to no explanation as to their history or purpose.  It's a good thing that wacky tacky isn't in the business of demanding explanations beyond "This is awesome!!!"  We'll take crazy, roadside statuary for any reason!

Aside from the excitement of actually stumbling upon Paul and Babe, the encounter was mildly disappointing.
Paul Bunyan was supposed to be a GIANT and this figure was awkwardly close to human size.  Needless to say
it wasn't very flattering to stand next to a giant and find that we could have shared clothes...

Would you believe that Walt Disney also had a cartoon version of the legend of Paul Bunyan?  Well, get used tot he idea, it's a good one!

Walt Disney's Paul Bunyan (part one) 

Walt Disney's Paul Bunyan (part two) 

Are there any giant, roadside figures that you pass by on a regular basis?  What's the best one you've ever seen on any of your travels?  Please let us know because we're always anxious to add them to our "list"  and take the road we haven't traveled!  Thanks!

Johnny Appleseed's Restaurant (located at the Quality Inn)

162 West Old Cross Rd

New Market, VA

(540)740-3141

Paul Bunyan & Babe (located)

4400 N 1st St

Nitro, WV

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Silly Cinema: That Darn Cat! (1965)

I can't collect records.  My collections are so varied and too numerous, that adding one more "collection" would qualify me for a very special, cross-promotional episode of "Intervention meets Hoarders."  It isn't that I don't buy records, of course I do.  I just refuse to admit to myself that it is a collection.  My motivation for buying records is limited, however, to nostalgia and an unbridled love of "Music to Strip By."

Really.
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A recent thrifting trip found me face to face with the soundtrack to one of my favorite movies, Walt Disney's That Darn Cat! (1965).  An ardent Hayley Mills fan, I just had to have this album.  I was a little disheartened, however, to only have the vinyl itself.  Fortunately, Mary, an inveterate digger, kept flipping through the remaining bins of records, and found the errant sleeve.

My favorite song/theme title might be "Take This and This and This"

As soon as I got home, I put the record on and was pleased to hear that every bit of the film score was included, even the music from the drive-in surf movie that the characters watch in a climactic scene.  The one confusing part of the record was the two renditions of the theme song, neither one of which was performed by Bobby Darin, the vocal talent which graces the opening credits of the film.  

"That Darn Cat!" - performed by Bobby Darin

The renditions on the record of the title song, penned by the inimitable Sherman Brothers, are sung by no musical slouches, namely Louis Prima and Bobby Troup.  I couldn't find a video of either version and I couldn't be bothered to make one of my own, so here is a totally unrelated clip of Louis Prima - except for the title, "Swing Cats Jamboree."

"Swing Cats Jamboree" - Louis Prima

The inspiration for this post was obviously the record.  Clearly, I got so distracted by the album, that I forgot this was a movie review.  Record review, movie review...what's the difference?  Anyhow, if you grew up on some remote, desert island where Disney movies could not be received by your primitive, coconut-shell, television antenna or you lived under an anti-American, fascist regime, then you won't be familiar with That Darn Cat!, the single-greatest masterpiece of American cinema.  Okay, the single-greatest masterpiece of American cinema released on December 2, 1965 starring Hayley Mills and Dean Jones as a precocious, teenage, amateur sleuth and a starched-shirt FBI agent, respectively.

That Darn Cat! (1965) Movie Trailer

If you didn't gather it from the trailer, That Darn Cat! tells the tale of D.C. (Darn Cat), a Siamese cat of superior intellect, who begrudgingly plays a major role in capturing villainous, bank robbing kidnappers.  I will admit, this film is much less "Fellini" than feline, feel good romp.  But if you're bored on a Sunday afternoon, I promise you nothing will get you in a better mood.

That Darn Cat! (1965)
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For such a mid-60's cornball movie, the cast in this film is really top notch.  We've mentioned in a previous post that wacky tacky icon, Elsa Lanchester, plays a supporting role along with William DeMarest.  A whole slew of 60's favorites round out the cast including an grown-up Roddy McDowall, Dorothy Provine, Neville Brand, Richard Deacon, and Frank Gorshin.

It seems like old Frank was always playing a baddy.
Here a bank-robbing kidnapper...

,

...and here as The Riddler from Batman

Did we mention that one of our favorite comedians/character actors, Ed Wynn, has a cameo as a German jeweler?  We didn't??!?!  Well, shame on us.

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If you're a lover of the Beach Party movies, or Gidget, or Hayley Mills, or wacky tacky, then you're sure love That Darn Cat!  Please feel free to share your reviews on here if you do decide to watch it, or if like us, you've watched it over and over and over again!

Also, don't forget to like us on Facebook, if you're so inclined!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

wacky tacky Icons: Elsa Lanchester

Elsa Lanchester

October 28, 1902 - December 26, 1986

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My favorite actors have always been character actors.  While she was a star of great magnetism in her own right, Elsa Lanchester was definitely a character!  Born to vegetarian socialists in Edwardian England, Elsa's fate was sealed as a wacky tacky woman from the moment she entered the world!

Elsa the Exotic!

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An early student of Isadora Duncan, the mother of modern dance, Lanchester began her career as a dancer and singer in Britain's iconic music halls.

"Don't Tell My Mother I'm Living in Sin"

In pretty short order she transitioned into silent films; her first credited role was as Beatrice de Carolle in the 1925 film, The Scarlet Woman.

Looking like a proper starlet
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A pretty safe assumption is that Lanchester's most iconic role is that of Mary Shelley/ The Monster's Bride in the 1930's classic, horror film, Bride of Frankenstein.

Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

Don't you love the hiss?

In an effort to maintain full disclosure, I will admit that I have never seen Bride of Frankenstein in its entirety!  My first exposure to Lanchester was actually her hilarious portrayal of Edna Grundy in the "Off to Florida" episode of I Love Lucy.  In this episode, Lucy and Ethel mistake Grundy for escaped convict and "gray-haired hatchet murderess, Evelyn Holmby."

"I love buttered grass."

I Love Lucy, "Off to Florida" (original air date 10/12/56)

The next thing I can remember Lanchester in is Disney's Mary Poppins.  As Katie Nanna, Lanchester may not have had a major role, but what she lacked in screen time she made up for in scenery-chewing, scene-stealing, outrage!

Mary Poppins (1964)

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Lanchester had a long (spanning seven decades) and storied career, to say nothing of her infamous marriage to star of stage and screen, Charles Laughton.  But we know her best for her eccentricity, her charisma, and her outstanding contributions to wacky tacky film festivals.

Bell, Book and Candle (1958)
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I've never been a Kim Novak fan, but Lanchester, as spooky
Aunt Queenie, definitely makes the film watchable.

Pajama Party (1964)
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In my VERY favorite of all the AIP beach party movies,
 Lanchester played eccentric Aunt Wendy

That Darn Cat! (1965)
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As part of the 1960's obsession with nosey neighbors (see Gladys Kravitz),
 Lanchester played the indignant Mrs. MacDougall.

That Darn Cat! (1965)
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Mrs. MacDougall, herself.

Blackbeard's Ghost (1968)

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As zany as ever, Lanchester plays pirate progeny,
Emily Stowecroft, in this classic tale of  cursed pirate haunting the living
 and saving the homestead of old ladies from a dubious mob head by
fixing the big track meet, thereby saving his eternal soul and
bringing love to faculty member at the local college!
I LOVE this movie!

I really enjoyed watching these excerpts from her 1970 appearance on "The Dick Cavett Show."  One really gets a sense of her upbringing, her relationship with her husband, and her weirdness.  Dig that crazy medallion/talisman!

"The Dick Cavett Show" (1970) - pt.1

"The Dick Cavett Show" (1970) - pt. 2

Doesn't she look like a bundle of fun?!!

Thanks for your indulgence.  We haven't featured a wacky tacky icon in a long time and having just recently reviewed Blackbeard's Ghost, I have been on an Elsa Lanchester high!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Book Review: Little Toot

As much as I love trawling thrift stores looking for treasures, the fact is that I am actually pitifully, pathetically, and painfully bereft of the thrifting mojo.  But sometimes the thrifting gods (probably just to mess with my brain by instilling a false sense of confidence) smile upon me.  For some people, their benevolence can be realized in a coveted Catalina swimsuit in just the right size, or a pair of lamps with matching, fiberglass shades, or a Heywood-Wakefield side table for under a million dollars.  For me it is found in the uncovering of a childhood favorite.  Imagine my surprise when at the very same thrift store, where a couple of months ago I found a well-loved copy The Little House,  I found a copy of Little Toot.

I will be honest, just like The Little House, I never owned the book Little Toot, which actually made finding the book all the more exciting.  I was introduced to the charming story as one of the animated sequences from Disney's cartoon revue, Melody Time, as sung by The Andrews Sisters. 

Little Toot is the story of a boat who, in his neurotic desire to become the best and most efficient tugboat,  nearly kills two cruise ships full of unsuspecting passengers, myriad dock workers and pedestrians, himself, his father, and potentially, a bevy of marine life as well.  It is the unflinching examination of father-son relationships, betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption.  It explores themes of self-loathing, bullying, depression, alienation, and most importantly, water safety - pretty heavy stuff for a children's book.

The boat in question
Don't be deceived by his cheery expression; this is an
emotionally disturbed tugboat teeming with
psychological troubles, pent-up angst, and unresolved
daddy issues.

Anybody would feel discouraged if all they could muster
 was "a gay, small - toot-toot-toot."

Happy one minute, sad the next, they were going to rework 

the story with trains instead of boats and call it "The Bi-Polar Express."

(Forgive me, my intention is not to make light of depression
or mental illness but that one made me laugh)

Okay, so maybe I was reading a little too much into the story.  Truth be told, Little Toot is an eager tugboat that makes a few mistakes but learns some valuable lessons along the way.  Published in 1939, Little Toot is a solid children's book with amazing, watercolor illustrations.  Here are just a few of the plates from the book.  I think it is cool how consistency was not an issue for Gramatky; as long as the key elements were there, Little Toot was sometimes a cheery, pudgy-faced, button-nosed, line drawing and sometimes he was heavy-browed, awash in color, and had dark, shoe-button eyes.

Papa Toot

The many faces of Little Toot

My favorite illustration in the book
The blue and the red in the water had me searching
for some 3-D glasses!

I love how strongly influenced the animators were by Gramatky's beautifully rendered watercolors.  You'll see that now as you enjoy Little Toot, as interpreted by the fine folks at Disney Studios.  Come on, it's a no-brainer.  The Andrews Sisters, plus Disney, plus a zippy little tug boat - what's not to love?

"Little Toot" (1940)

I know there was a greater power at work when I found Little Toot.  Just the night before, Mary asked me to pick a song at random and sing it and what song do you think I chose?  Hmmmm?  "Won't you ever grow up Little Toot?"  With the forces of the cosmos on my side, I am currently working on a song entitled, "New Car, Free House, and Five Million Dollars."

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny