Sunday Drive: A Summer Place

So last night I finally saw A Summer Place, nearly sixty years late.  I've heard the lovely Max Steiner theme all my life, of course, but somehow never saw the show.

I wish I could say it was worth waiting for, but no.  Just crazed, convoluted melodrama that goes on waaaay too long, until you don't know whether to laugh or cry or jump out the window.  But Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue are both young and pretty, and rich dad Richard Egan is a sight for sore eyes.

Here's a rare clip of Percy Faith conducting his orchestra in a performance of the 1960 number-one hit.  It sounds just like summer should feel when you are young and carefree and full of sunny dreams.  I'm on the shady side of life now, but I can still remember.  Enjoy.

Waitin' for the Weekend

Waitin' for the Weekend

Just mute the sound and enjoy the pictures:

Sunday Drive: God Bless America

The Irving Berlin classic, as performed by the great and lovely Kate Smith in the 1943 film This Is the Army:




We are certainly in great need of blessing and guidance now, as then.

Canada 150

Official logo of the Canadian sesquicentennial.

Happy Canada Day - Bonne fête du Canada - to all my Canadian truckbuddies on the 150th anniversary of Confederation.  You all have made great progress in that time, from a sprawling wilderness to a civilized democracy, a beacon of hope for all the world.  I wish my country could say the same.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greeted his fellow Canadians in this video message:





To mark the occasions, HM The Queen of Canada issued a new official photograph, taken by a Toronto photographer, in which she is wearing a diamond maple leaf brooch first worn by her mother during the 1939 Royal Tour:

There's something to be said for having a dignified, non-political Head of State at the top of the ladder, and also the historical continuity of family ties.  Representing the Queen, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were on hand in Ottawa today to celebrate with Canadians.

A monarchy wouldn't work here, of course; but sometimes it's nice to think of, from a distance.

Waitin' for the Weekend

Waitin' for the Weekend

Flannel Boards and How to Use Them (1958)

Oh my, does this bring back memories of my early school days, and Sunday School, too.  Your Head Trucker has often wondered in the long years since then just how the little paper figurines stayed there on the flannel.  Do you know?  All is revealed in this charmingly straightforward demonstration film from 1958.

Sunday Drive: Les Huguenots

Embed from Getty Images

The Queen's Official Birthday was observed in London yesterday with the brilliant pageantry of Trooping the Colour, which this year also marks Her Majesty's 65 years on the Throne - and long may she reign. The march from Meyerbeer's opera Les Huguenots is said to be a particular favorite of the Queen's; here is a clip of it from the 2014 ceremony - watch to see Her Majesty tapping her foot in time with the music:



And for those who may wish to watch, here is the BBC telecast of yesterday's events, including the RAF fly-past after the Royal Family appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace:




The Queen also issued this statement yesterday regarding the recent tragedies that have afflicted the United Kingdom:

Click to enlarge.

Embed from Getty Images

Waitin' for the Weekend

Sunday Drive: On the Sunny Side of the Street

As performed by Count Basie and Ella Fitzgerald: