Classic Pick: The Wrong Box

Must-see of the week is the epically zany British black comedy (one of the coolest, IMO) The Wrong Box, with great stars like John Mills, Michael Caine, Ralph Richardson, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore and Peter Sellers (in a hilarious tiny bit, one of his best, as the weird Dr. Pratt—“I was not always as you see me now”) in this spoof of a Victorian-era “tontine”, that is, a jackpot to be awarded to the longest living, last survivor of a group of schoolboys, and the only ones left decades down the road are brothers who hate each other.

You have never met a bore half so boring as Richardson, who seems to be the foremost authority on every subject known to man, nor have you seen a butler half as old (or as good) whose grunts are so rich with meaning. This plot mixes wit and slapstick, shows you with morbidly funny detail how all the other classmates croaked, has a strangler as well as a hearse and beer wagon chase thrown in for good measure.

You have to keep your eyes glued to this gloriously absurd utter chaos to catch all the famous and then not-yet-but-destined-to-be-famous faces, and you’re certain to come away with more than one scene or quote stuck in your head for the rest of your life, and that is the Box. "That is what that is." Catch it on TCM, Wednesday 2:30pm EDT.

Remake news department: this time it's A Star is Born, with director Clint Eastwood and possibly Tom Cruise and Beyonce in the story of an aging male star who's upstaged by his younger wife. The story was first filmed in 1937, and 1954's version included arguably one of the greatest film songs ever, with Judy Garland's performance of "The Man Who Got Away."

This is cross posted from Speakeasy, where you can find further classic entertainment news and reviews.

Breathe Life Into Your Phone

One of the latest devices is the Aire Mask. The Aire Mask fits across your mouth and uses the force of your breathing to create energy for charging a phone.

Inventor Joco Paulo Lammoglia said, "I hope to bring the concept into production and reduce the carbon footprint. It can be used indoors or outdoors, while you're sleeping, walking, running or even reading a book."

The mobile advantages of the Aire Mask are quite obvious, as you'd no longer have to search for a plug when somewhere else, and especially for in use when you're out doors. The green side of it will also be very appealing for the energy conscious.

It is really an attractive device, but if you're a Star Wars fan, you likely thought what I did, does it sound like Vader. Lammoglia avoided that question, but the look is definitely there.

Gorilla Loose in Alabama

Reports in Hale County Alabama, have been a little abnormal over the last few days. The sheriff department has received calls about sightings of at least one gorilla.

Sightings have centered around Newbern, and possibly include multiple gorillas, as different sizes have been described.

It is unknown how even one gorilla could have reached the area. The nearest zoo, about 150 miles away, confirms that their one and only gorilla is still present and accounted for.

Suggestions have come in, that it is not a gorilla at all, but the ever elusive big foot.

Remembering: Anschluss

Kurt von Schushcnigg

March 12, 1938 Hitler leads German troops into Austria, as crowds cheer on. The first country Germany invaded, went without a shot or protest from the rest of the world.

A year previously the Austrian Nazi party plotted to attempt a take over of their government. Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg asked Adolf Hitler to help him maintain Austria's independence, but the move back fired as Hitler pressured von Schuschnigg to appoint Nazis to his government.

On March 9, 1938 von Schuschnigg called for a vote on whether or not Austria should be annexed by Germany. But before anything could be decided Hitler upped the pressure and von Schuschnigg resigned, coerced into making a speech to the Austrian people asking them not to resist German occupation.

The next day von Schuschnigg was arrested as German troops took over the country. The Anschluss or annexation was completed peacefully. In 1945 von Schuschnigg was finally released from prison, by Allied forces, and Austria would be separated from Germany at the end of the war.

Remembering: Mikhail Gorbachev and The End of The USSR

March 11, 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev is selected to be the new general secretary of the Soviet Union. By December 1991, his reforms would see an end to the Cold War and the collapse of the USSR.

He had quickly risen through the ranks of the communist party, and was quick to take advantage of any opportunity or mentorship. Allied with the KGB there was little challenge to his power. He was passed over the first time he was eligible for general secretary, mostly due to his younger age. But the second time, there was no one who could challenge him.

Once in power he domestic reforms and changed foreign policy. He began moving the country away from socialism to a more democratic movement, without ever stating he was doing so. His policies toward the world were ones of friendliness and reducing nuclear armament.

However his reforms were too late. The USSR was already beyond saving. In December 1991, faced with a broken economy, satellites breaking free, and Soviet states seeking independence Gorbachev resigned, and the Soviet Union was no more.

Remembering: Alexander Graham Bell and The Telephone

On March 10, 1876 Alexander Graham Bell's voice was discernibly transmitted through wires into another room. "Mr. Watson, come here; I want you." After a year of work, success was his.

While a teenager, Bell began to carry on his father's work of teaching methods of how to speak to the deaf. By 1873 he was a professor at Boston University. When not teaching he began experimenting with transmitting sound waves and telegraph lines. He was convinced that voice could be transmitted as well.

In 1875, he hired Thomas Watson a mechanic. Two years later, in 1877, he founded the Bell Telephone Company, and the telephone went commercial. He sold the company in 1878 and went on to continue inventing, including the graphophone which would recorded sound and the photophone which transmitted speech via light rays. Bell used the royalties from his inventions to support organizations that taught oral education for the deaf.

Over 100 Rockets Fired at Israel

Palestinian terrorists have fired at least 135 rockets from Gaza, at Israel, since Friday. 74 of the rockets landed in Israel, whilst Israel's Iron Dome defense system knocked down 28 of the 31 rockets in it's area.

Eight Israelis have been wounded by the rockets. Luckily none have been killed.

This latest barrage is in retaliation for Israel killing a terrorist leader, after evidence had been found that he was planning an attack against Israel. Expectations are for the barrage to last at least through Monday, leading to highest alerts possible being issued by the police.

The Israeli Defense Force has launched counter strikes into Gaza, that have killed at least fifteen. All IDF fire has been aimed at sites where rockets have been launched, and where intelligence has shown to be staging areas or the location of the rocket production.

You Can't Wear Your Cross or Crucifix

The British government has backed two court decisions that stated employers had the right to terminate employees for refusing to take off a cross or crucifix. In doing so, the they have shown that other religions are considered to be above Christianity and violated religious freedom.

A spokesperson for the government stated that it is legal, as the wearing of a cross or crucifix is not required by religious laws. Whereas lawyers for the plaintiffs said religion includes doing things that are not a requirement of the faith. They went on to add that Christianity does not receive equal protection, and that the government persecutes Christians while it defends other religions.

Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, said that, "The irony is that when governments and courts dictate to Christians that the cross is a matter of insignificance, it becomes an even more important symbol and expression of our faith."

The cases are now being taken to the European Court of Human Rights.

Remembering: The Punitive Expedition

Pancho Villa

In the early morning hours of March 9, 1916 hundreds of Mexican guerrillas under the command of Pancho Villa invaded, slaughter, and burn down the town of Columbus, New Mexico. Outraged by the attack America demanded a response, and President Woodrow Wilson was quick to respond by sending nearly ten thousand US troops into Mexico, under General John J. Pershing. Pershing's orders were to capture Villa and disperse his rebels.

The Punitive Expedition spent the rest of 1916 chasing Villa around Mexico, but never catching him. By that time the Mexican government had grown tired of allowing US troops into Mexico. War seemed imminent after Mexican government troops attacked US troops in Carrizal, Mexico. But focus was being aimed at Europe and the war there. When the Mexican government asked the US to remove all troops from Mexico, Wilson complied and ordered them out. Only for troubles to flare up again in February when The Zimmerman Note was released. America however would not declare war on Mexico, but focus everything at defeating Germany.

Pershing would go on to lead US forces in Europe. Some notable occurrences during the Expedition were the use of automobiles and planes, both firsts for the US military. America's first mechanized attack was led by Lieutenant George S. Patton, which would give him the taste for tanks that he would become famous for.

Pancho Villa had launched the attack in anger after the US pulled support from him and backed the Mexican government. He would later succeed in helping overthrow the Mexican government and then retire from politics. In 1923 his enemies caught up to him though, and he was murdered.

Hawaii in State of Disaster

After days of continuous torrential rains Governor Neil Abercrombie has declared two of the Hawaiian islands to be disaster areas, and more of the islands are likely to join them. The rains have brought flash flooding and at times have been joined by up to golf ball sized hail.

Never in recorded history has it rained so much in so short of a time on the islands. For many residents this is the first time in their lives that they've seen hail.

Since last Saturday, some areas have been receiving an average of three inches an hour. Waste water in certain areas has backed up, causing brown water advisories to be issued for some coastal areas.

More storms are expected to continue the onslaught over this weekend as well. Weather advisories and flash flood warnings are in effect, with continuously lengthening times.