PARNELL THOMAS AND SAM SPADE??
GEEZ, HOW IS SAM SPADE LINKED with Parnell Thomas?? Spade was the classic sleuth of The Maltese Falcon, The Kandy Tooth Caper, and numerous other adventures, 1946–1951, recounted these days … Continue reading
MERRIAM-WEBSTER NEW ENTRIES
I ENJOY TWO EXTREMES IN DETERMINING WORD DEFINITIONS: the online Merriam-Webster and the microprinted Compact Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, 1971. The M-W is only a click away; but … Continue reading
ADMIRING THE ART OF MITCHELL JOHNSON
ART CRITIC DONALD KUSPIT IDENTIFIES THE APPEAL of Mitchell Johnson by noting this artist’s fusion of abstraction and realism. My introduction to Johnson’s oil paintings came from their occasional appearances … Continue reading
OUR QUEENS FELON’S MOB
I’VE HARPED ON THE QUEENS FELON MOB all too often at this website (I’d much rather write about my usual topics). Nevertheless, I was gratified that I’m not the only … Continue reading
MANNING UP—1947 STYLE
EARLIER THIS YEAR, SIMANAITISSAYS WAS “Skeptical of Superman??” in the Man of Steel peddling costume jewelry to fellows and girls. Geez—but guys wearing charm bracelets? Image of Superman appearing in … Continue reading
CELEBRATING THE FIRST MG A—ITS MISSING LINK HERE AT SIMANAITISSAYS PART 2
YESTERDAY, WE PRESENTED ABINGDON WORKS DETAILS of the MG A. Today are tidbits gleaned from R&T’s December 1955 road test of this new Abingdon product. A Changing U.S. Scene. R&T … Continue reading
CELEBRATING THE FIRST MG A—ITS MISSING LINK HERE AT SIMANAITISSAYS PART 1
IN RECOUNTING THE TALE OF THE MG A, SimanaitisSays talked about its progenitor in “George Phillips and His MG Race Cars,” October 26, 2015; and, summarizing the end of MG … Continue reading
DON’T FORGET THE SYMPHONIC SNEEZE
THERE ARE FASCINATING SOUNDS IN CLASSICAL MUSIC: the Anvil Chorus in Verdi’s Il Travatore, 18 anvils in Wagner’s Das Rhinegold, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture with its bells ringing and cannon fire, … Continue reading
THE SMITHSONIAN’S QUANDARY
IN 1829, ENGLISH SCIENTIST JAMES SMITHSON bequeathed his estate to the United States to establish an institution for “the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” The Smithsonian Institution followed in 1846 … Continue reading
DREAM SHOPPING IN 1955
SO THERE I WAS, WITH MONEY BURNING A HOLE in my teenage pocket and leafing through the R&T Market Place, January 1955. And before you get all slobbery about prices, … Continue reading
Simanaitis Says 