Southside Atlanta Memories

Even MORE Gone with the Wind? ABC produces a history program. Really. Pt 2/2

Welcome back to "your brain has been liquefied in the last 20 years."   We're looking at a long lost *television program produced by the news department* on the making of the 1939 movie "Gone with the Wind." Television program produced by the news department? you ask?

Read on:

So imagine my delight when on YouTube I stumbled upon this- an ABC News- gasp- television program about - gasp- !- history- "Our World" Wow! 1987- not such a year for me and memories- hmmm, but I do recall this little series. I do not recall this episode- "1939" chronicling the debut and making of -"Gone With the Wind." BUT -get this- In the second block, it goes into more background on 1939's Phony War than has probably aired on a Big Three Network in the 20 years since- including chilling archival footage -probably newsreels meant to be played for the German moviegoing populace- of the rousing "Bomb Poland Now" fight song -a Third Reich world domination music video, if you will.  The producers give England a fair shake with some blimey footage of the tommys cheerfully kicking around the old footer-shaped oddly oblong-ly- was it a real pig's bladder? Never mind- I am completely out of my element there- someone throw me a bone here-

The hosts are- get out your handkerchiefs- two ABC broadcast journalists- Ray Gandolf, and Linda Ellerbee.  Watch just to witness two humans who were sitting in front of the camera intending  to convey information-  information with which they might have some passing familiarity. You'll see they are not there to look good-but we love them and dare I say-trust them- anyway!  Ellerbee evidently thinks it's important that we know the details of the phony war- she throws her characteristic "hmm, let's pause a while, and think about this"  delivery into hyperspace coming into the second break.

I had not seen alot of this footage (whaddya think I do - sit around and watch old movies and read old Life magazines all day?)- also, this includes the lovely and gracious Olivia de Havilland, who declined to be included in the fiftieth anniversary GWTW observances, whether out of boredom, or out of the sense of melancholy  that many of us feel around the holidays when we realize that the people that made our celebrations so special are no longer with us-

Anyway- "Our World:1939" manages to cram in several hours worth of world history as well as smashing good Hollywood lore into about 50 minutes. No cheesy graphics, either. In addition, the viewer gets a picture of a world where a Big Three news department would produce a 1 hour (!) history program. Those were the days when I gratefully came home from work on Friday night (Thursdays were for partying in a college town) and get into my pajamas and watch 20/20 to check out two or three mini investigative news stories. The last time I watched it, to see the crazy cat ladies, it seemed to be three separate segments of video, shown in the 20/20 hour with no discernible intro or outro from the unfamiliar "anchor" s . Hopefully Chris Cuomo can change this- he's definitely the best thing ABC has going for them as far as I can tell. 

So southsiders, there is my holiday gift to you- memories- some fun, some bittersweet, and a dvd recommendation to boot- Let me know what you think - and this year- make some more great

Southside Atlanta Memories!

Even MORE Gone with the Wind? ABC produces a history program. Really. Pt 1/2

Part 1 of 2 -This is the part where I try to hide from Hannah Montana and the Jonas brothers-ack! But I also include a link to a great Police (Stewart Copeland) film...

I fled to my chambers as my returning teens tuned in to 2001's  "Spy Kids" a lovable little romp featuring two early aughts tweens, neither of which in this story were wearing makeup nor were they trying to become celebrities.The plot of this popular franchise is roughly- loving parents who happen to be spies want to spend quality time with their children, but feel obligated to continue serving mankind as spies against the forces of evil. They solve the dilemma by keeping their kids with them and training them in the family business. The movies are cute and well played, and I recommend them if you're looking to fill an early evening with some 5-11 years olds.

I fled in fact from the giant block of promos Disney crams into any of their "Family" offerings. The several minute- that's eons in TV time- chunk featured a night of rollicking good times with at least three different groups of teens portrayed as working in some attention getting sector of the broadcast/entertainment industry. This workplace is portrayed as a giant playpen (well, ok) where these kooky kids and their kookier little cohorts can cavort about -a shiny- and I do mean shiny- everything is Disney-clean and brand spanking new-  backdrop for their creepy little teenage crushes and mean girl (and boy- this is 2010 after all) shenanigans. Wait - where was I going with this? Sounds like my work... Was I offended by the shiny new equipment ? 

Oh. no. - I was disgusted at the idea that most tweens in the land are sitting in front of this boob tube watching a whole evening of "I wanna be a celebrity" when in whatever passes for reality these days, the kiddos (and older kiddos) that do find themselves in front of the lights and cameras have in fact foregone any semblance of normal life. On these shows the kids are surrounded by their friends-including one "mean" jealous kid - in reality, all the normal kids are at school or  with family- all that's left is the scheming scary one- In fact all the elements of day to day existence that make this planet bearable are just out of reach once the passenger is seated in the cozy limo; (for a quirky, energetic, and humourous take, check out Stewart Copeland's  Everybody Stares: The Police Inside Out. )

BUT as usual, I digress. For thoroughness in a documentary format for fanatics for 1939 movie "Gone with the Wind" and how its spectacular success affected the lives of the professionals who were so eagar to be a part of it- nothing so far compares to "The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind," done in 1988 and featuring the voice of David O Selznick's son Jeffery Selznick, as well as tons of archival footage and interviews with the surviving participants in the saga that was the creation of the blockbuster. I am somewhat skeptical about the effect the movie adaptation had on our area, to say the least, but I never tire of reading about the making of the movie. Perhaps that's because it has the larger than life characters like Selznick, as well as the buckwheat such as Kay Brown and Marcella Rabwin- the young Grandma Fontaines and Mrs. Tareltons of the real life war waging on the Hollywood backlot.

So imagine my delight when on YouTube I stumbled upon this- an ABC News- gasp- television program about - gasp- !- history-

Run go get grandpa- Or

Tune in tomorrow for more Southside Atlanta Memories- 

Greenbriar in the news again

Yay for Greenbriar Mall and a Merry Christmas to all! I hope everyone is picking up some gifts at Greenbriar, and having some Chick-Fil-A at their first mall location! See this ajc article for more!

Merry Christmas, Gone with the Wind fans!

Well, I hope everyone caught TCM's showing of "Gone with the Wind." I can't believe they went head to head with the Charlie Brown Christmas, though. The ONLY children's/family oriented holiday- (no- I mean ANY holiday) special worth sitting down for- OK- Rudolph and the frightening buzzing red nose is a must see.

Anyway, I was actually googlining around trying to find out why Laura hope Crews last film role was uncredited- she played "A Fan" of Sheridan Whiteside in the 1942 film version of "The Man who Came to Dinner" WHAT a Christmas movie THAT is! --and I happened upon a blog that I'm linking

here

so you can see what a Northerner posts when he sits down and watches GWTW for the first time. I wholeheartedly agree with him on Max Steiner's score; but as most of us know, David Selznick  repeatedly exhorted him to sex it up (in language too indelicate for me to repeat); I believe to the point Steiner almost walked off the picture. 

I shared with the blogger that I have a hard time watching the last part of the picture myself; I keep waiting to see Grandma Fontaine and Old Miss; am hurt when every part of Scarlett's dialog has been cut by Fleming to exclude Scarlett's thought's that she  must save Tara, not JUST because it's a piece of land, but because there are 6 or 10 other family members existing there that she won't have turned out in the cold. 

If one has read Mitchell's 1936 American classic, huge, unsightly, unhealthy warts and all, the movie is sort of like what would happen if you took a smart boy with a grudge, put him on pharmaceutical grade speed for a year, shook him up and - oh wait- 

Here's to a sober, useful Christmas, and may you have more on your table than the last chicken in Atlanta-although the point in the book, was, shared with friends, a loving heart makes a tough bird tender-

Merry Christmas, southsiders! 

And if you know what was up with Laura Hope Crews, please comment !

Cyber Monday Deals for southsiders!

Good Morning Shoppers! On Aisle 3, we have- no traffic issues, no parking issues, no creepy germs. It's Cyber Monday and if you prefer to get your shopping over with a click-

You can't go wrong with a book from Amazon.com. Southsiders love neighborhoods, neighbors, and beaches- Why don't you try the Cove? That's Panama City's Historic Neighborhoods: The Cove, for the uninitiated. Compiled by none other than yours truly, proceeds witll go directly into my pocket, briefly, right before they go to help out the folks at the Southern Company, and if there is any left over, some will go to my daughter's passage to Canada for a WorldChangers' Spring Break.

If the beach is not on your gift list, at least one of the books listed on your right will be welcome Christmas Hannakah, Kwaanza, etc, gift for a southside friend.

If you have a person on your list who is not a reader, I urge you to check out the Heifer Project, or any similar project your place of worship may be offering. Even in this recession (yeah, I went there) most of us have more than we need. I would love to have a heifer, or a rabbit or a well full of fresh water given to a family in my name.

It's the true spitit of giving.

Happy Cyber Monday!   

The Chick-Fil-A Cow! The best guest ever! Shopping with Santa in PC, Southsiders party and run!

LookLookLook!!! You don't know how excited I was to get my pic taken with the Chik-Fil-A Cow!

  He and his friend Ms. Burleson were kind enough to come to my work this morning and tell us about the excitement expected over at the Panama City Mall tomorrow (Fri Nov 13th) afternoon at 6:00 p. m.  Many of you have traveled here and shopped at our little mall; some of you might remember the days BEFORE Pier Park!  My southside friend JB used to show us the fantastically cool FLORIDA clothes they'ed find at---Gayfer's - before it became Dillard's. It is currently Dillard's, and staffed with some of the most knowlegable and helpful salespeople anywhere.

If you are a Chick-Fil-A fan, or a Santa follower, then you should be at the Panama City Mall tomorrow at 6:00 p. m. After Santa arrives (on a FIRE TRUCK!) and makes his way to Center Court, the first 100 children who visit Santa will receive a free plush REINDEER COW!  I said CHILDREN, now!

While you're there you probably will want to pick up some Chick-Fil-A- the service is cheerful and kind and helpful.

I will, ironically, be taking care of some Southside buisness- ok-pleasure- at the Shrine Club Saturday night in Fayetteville when we have another get together to Party it down with some Fayette County High School brethern and sistern!

I'm also happy to report that I'm visiting Decatur Presbyterian Church Sunday; they're graciously hosting an early Thanksgiving meal and I'm getting a chance to be a part of the festivities.   Decatur Presbyterian is of course the former sponsor of the DECATUR  cabin at Campmeeting, or Smyrna Campground, site of so many of my best Southside memories. The Decatur Cabin featured the pool table and the ping-pong table, and allowed all the 'young people' to hang out and sign names on the pine board walls and posts.

I alos plan to check out the PRR course JUST IN CASE I get a spot! Heres a pic from this past July of two much loved southsiders, retired Headland High teachers. Who knos? Maybe they taught Sharron Reeves, who later taught us at Fayette Elementary- The BEST fourth grade teacher EVER!

Can't wait to see you guys. 

 

Hurricane Ida weakens; Waffle House still serving, situation normal!

Wow folks, there's been a lot of fun and exciting Southside news but according to the nationals our number one story is Hurricane Ida!

Except it's not. The ajc picked up this report and as they noted, the storm has, Thank you, God, weakened!

Everyone I spoke with this morning seems to be echoing Bay Point's Steve Arndt's sentiments: "..my gut tells me it probably won't be that bad..."  Bay Point is on the beach, btw. Since we are unincorporated, everyone up to the Beach city limits has a Panama City address. I think. I am thinking about exploring some of these little details online...Whatcha think? 

But lots of thanks to everyone sending good wishes and prayers our way!

In other SSAM news:  Yellow signs at restaurants  on 138? Sound familiar? Well, at least the Waffle House is  open! Shooting or not- the hash browns must be slung! Yum yum! Click here for a slide show from WSB-TV .

These are the kids at the recruitment centers, like Ft. Hood. Great pics!

This is worth checking out- GREAT photos of a kid joining up, with a surprising number of southsiders and Panhandle peeps featured here as well.

This photo essay is from the Denver Post. Photojournalist Craig F. Walker follows a boy from high school as he becomes a soldier. For us. 

Hit this up- it'll only take a minute, and you'll get a glimpse inside Ft. Benning as our soldiers are trained to be prepared and eminently capable in all situations.

VOTING DAY! VOTE LOCAL! Your favorite blog? Your favorite martian?

Haven't seen this till now; the AJC is soliciting your opinion on Your Favorite local blogger?

Well, what do you say, southsiders? Atlantalarry, of course was my inspiration, but I'm not sure if he's still posting.

I have learned a lot from Judy Kilgore's genaeology blog in the Fayette Citizen, not to mention Carolyn Cary's Fayette History blog.

And I love the Georgia Blogroll!

Welll- whatcha got folks?

Go vote! And if you live in the city of Atlanta--PLEASE go vote for the candidate of your choice.

Personally I like Mary Norwood, but I don't live there and I'm sure you all have been following the issues and the runners more closely than I,

so PLEASE VOTE --

and vote for your favorite southside blogger!   

(and yes, you CAN vote for me, but as you know, we were raised not to put ourselves forward-

I mean, what would Mrs Irene do?)

Speaking of Mrs. Irene, some of my most vivid Southside Atlanta Memories take place in that big front yard...Election wise, I remember thinking, at age 15, that my life was hell on earth one sun baked July afternoon, 1980,  as I, and Gopher (Chris) and Bob-Clifton, that is- dug post holes and erected a large homemade wooden sign up by 314 -"Bob Clifton   County Commissioner." 

Of course, now it's one of my fondest memories. Working on that campaign as well as having an extremely engaged teacher for American Government at Forest Park High School summer school of 1982 turned me into a political junkie. I was more politically aware before my 18th birthday than I would be for a number of years.

Southside teachers- you taught us well. If I could only remember your name now...

If you remember a Forest Park High teacher, male, caucasian, black hair - obligitory teacher mustache, big Bo Ginn supporter, PLEASE let me know!

Remember- VOTE!

Good Monday Morning Southside! This is it! and No, it wasn't ! Yellow Kangaroo? I Hop?

Hey southsiders! What a weekend! Did you see the OTHER Bulldogs coach Dan Mullen is growling about what HE terms a 'missed ' call by the ref in the crazy Gators game: read here in the Bradenton Herald-

David Hurston has written in to enlist out help!

Here's his query about a certain restaurant on GA Hwy 138. He had fond memories of his aunt taking him to eat there in the 1970s-80s. You all have brought back so many great memories for me; I hope we can return the favor!

I could not find any restaurant matching the description in the 1971 Jonesboro Stockbridge Morrow Fayetteville Southern Bell Telephone directory, nor in the 1978 Atlanta Southern Bell Telephone directory, but here on SSAM to your right are some ads  you might like-

If you have any clues about the yellow kangaroo, please comment below on Southside Atlanta Memories, or get in touch with me and I'll pass the information along.

Thanks for the memories!