Author: nostalgicitalian

I'm just a guy who likes the classics. I love Old Time Radio Shows. I love Classic TV. I love Classic Movies. I love songs from the "Great American Songbook". I dig songs from the first decade of Rock and Roll. Don't get me wrong, I am not opposed to newer things. My musical taste ranges from Classical to Classic Rock and Country to Rap. I love a good book and am always looking for something to read. I tend to lean toward historical fiction, biographies, mysteries, and more. I have always believed that our past (and the things we've experienced in it) make us who we are today. That being said, after reading through some old My Space blogs (yeah, that's about how long it's been since I blogged regularly), I decided that I should once again write. Welcome to my blog. I hope you find it interesting, thought provoking, and entertaining in some way. CONTACT ME AT - nostalgicitalian@yahoo.com

The Great One

Jackie Gleason was born today in 1916. He was one of TV's Pioneers. When television first came into being and there was only three channels to choose from, guys like Sid Caesar, Milton Berle, and Jackie Gleason provided comedy entertainment. The Life of Riley was a big radio comedy hit which starred William Bendix as … Continue reading The Great One →

Knowledge is Power!

As a kid, we lived for Saturday mornings! We never slept in because we knew that all morning long we had our choice of back to back cartoons! There was Scooby-Doo, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Hong Kong Phooey, Blue Falcon & Dynomutt, The Laff-O-Lympics, The Flilntstones, The Pink Panther and many more! It was great! … Continue reading Knowledge is Power! →

Some of my childhood friends…

I'm sure if I asked you about your childhood friends, you could easily spout off many of them by name. Me too! As a matter of fact, I am lucky enough to still see and talk regularly with my best friend from elementary school. Yesterday's blog about Mr. Rogers got me to thinking on my … Continue reading Some of my childhood friends… →

The wisdom of a neighbor …

Today children have their choice of just about anything on TV. There are channels on cable that play cartoons 24 hours day now! This was not the case when I was growing up. TV stations went off the air at midnight or so concluding their "broadcast day", so the best you could do to get … Continue reading The wisdom of a neighbor … →

I only got 11 years …

I was 11 years old when I was forced to deal with a death in the family. As an 11 year old, you don't really understand or comprehend what that really means. "What do you mean we're not going to see him again?", "Why do people die?", "There are a lot of bad people in … Continue reading I only got 11 years … →

“World Radio Day” Thank You

I guess it never ceases to amaze me that there is pretty much a day for everything. While everyone knows that it is "Fat Tuesday" (the day to eat those huge overstuffed donuts), I was reminded that today is World Radio Day. I was thinking about one of my deceased radio colleagues last night as … Continue reading “World Radio Day” Thank You →

Thank you anti-lock brakes ….

Winter. Love it or hate it, it happens every year. For some, they experience it without snow, however, here in Michigan, snowy winters are a sure thing. Let me say that I do not mind a little bit of snow, especially around the holidays. I've always wondered what it must be like to live in … Continue reading Thank you anti-lock brakes …. →

“Never Got a Dinner”!

The amazing Red Buttons was born today in 1919. He was the comedian and actor who hosted "The Red Buttons Show" on TV from 1952-1955. He later appeared in many movies, including "The Longest Day", "The Poseidon Adventure", and "Hatari!" He won an Academy Award for his role in the movie Sayonara. He also won … Continue reading “Never Got a Dinner”! →

Pork and beans and a Diablo Sandwich

Recently, a few of my Facebook friends began posting their top 10 funniest movies. One of those friends, actor Eddie Deezen (yes, THE Eddie Deezen from Grease, 1941, and other films), posted an article that he wrote about the classic film Airplane! which has led me to write this blog entry. To have to pick … Continue reading Pork and beans and a Diablo Sandwich →

“To boldly go … and learn a lesson or two”

On the ride into work, I have been listening to the audio book of The Last Lecture by Professor Randy Pausch. In 2006, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He underwent the most aggressive treatments in hopes that it would prolong his life. A year later, he was given the prognosis that the cancer was … Continue reading “To boldly go … and learn a lesson or two” →