Beavers Ring, Tuesday Flashback Feature, Leave it to Beaver

This is part of my Tuesday Flashback Feature. We reminisce about classic TV shows usually from the 1950s-1970s where gemstones or pieces of jewelry featured prominently in the storylines.

Leave it to Beaver
Beaver's Ring
Nov. 13, 1958

Aunt Martha, Beaver's (Jerry Mathers) godmother sends him a 14-karat gold ring that once belonged to her brother Theodore. Beaver's real name is Theodore, after this uncle. The ring is an heirloom piece of jewelry as well as being valuable.

June (Barbara Billingsley) and Ward (Hugh Beaumont) tell Beaver that he's not allowed to bring the ring to school.

Beaver decides that if he takes the ring to school tied to his belt loop, it'll probably be OK. Then he can show it to his friends. 

The friends goad him into putting it on his finger and it gets stuck.

He ends up with the school nurse who calls June. "They're going to have to cut it off," Beaver hears, and he fears they're talking about cutting off his finger. And that's his 'favorite finger,' too!

They end up cutting off the ring and Ward gives his son a lecture. Beaver must write a letter of apology to Aunt Martha.

Each Tuesday, we'll feature a different show, often a US sitcom. Information, including spoiler plot outlines come from various sources.

Particularly when the episode hasn't been recently viewed personally, information will be as accurate as possible. When available, a show photo will be included.

I'm always interested to hear your memories.

Leave It To Beaver tees

This episode is in the second season of the show. Leave It to Beaver: The Complete Second Season is available at Amazon.

Call Me Lumpy: My Leave It To Beaver Days and Other Wild Hollywood Life could also be yours.

Leave it to Beaver photos

Have you ever had to send an apology card? Maybe make your own.

Never a worry about getting rings off of these fingers. Make a perfect copy of your hand Captures perfect skin detail. How about the Life Casting Starter Kit

June Cleaver trivia, costume ideas; 10 Favorite TV Moms


Some images from Sitcomsonline and Amazon.com

See just the previous Tuesday Flashback Features

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Once in a Blue Moon, What're you doing New Year's Eve?

This New Year's Eve, we plan to pop outside and take a look at the blue moon. From what I've read, the last New Year's Eve blue moon was in 1990.

There won't be another blue moon on a New Year's Eve until 2028.

A blue moon isn't actually blue. It's defined as the second full moon in a calendar month. Every two or three years, there's this extra full moon.

I was born in the summer under the astrological sign of Cancer. People have told me that it is a sign ruled by the moon. It seems fitting, then that I go out and at least say a pleasant 'howdy' to the New Year's blue moon. Born in June, the moon may make you swoon.

Link to Related Page of Interest:

Alfred Hitchcock's Blue Food Parties, Under a Blue Moon?

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Holiday Etsy Treasury!

We're in a Holiday Treasury!
A Silvery Shimmer Gleaming White2

 

The dangle 3D Hematite ring and Stick Pearl Earrings are in our ImagineMDD Etsy Shop

UnusualFelineObjects has some cool things in her shop as well!

If you're reading this on my Facebook Fan Page, you may also want to check out my blog.

Pennys Christmas, Tuesday Flashback Feature, Good Times

It's a Christmas special edition of my Tuesday Flashback Feature. We reminisce about TV shows usually from the 1950s-1970s where gemstones or pieces of jewelry featured prominently in the storylines.

Good Times
Penny's Christmas
December 21, 1977

It's the first Christmas everyone's spending with Penny (Janet Jackson). She's about to be formally adopted by her foster mother, Willona (Ja'net DuBois). The Evans family is happy and planning a party for Christmas Eve.

Penny wants to get Willona a nice present, and she's been saving up for a necklace that she saw in the store. In front of the jewelry counter, a man accidentally bumps into her and steals her wallet. She impulsively steals the necklace.

The act is caught on the surveillance camera and she's brought home by a store security guard. This is just as a child welfare worker is at the house to tell Willona they’re going to finalize the adoption. Penny's actions may lead to Willona's losing custody of her.

Mrs. Dodds (Alice Ghostley), the child welfare worker returns to the Evans house for the Christmas party, where she gets jolly and tipsy on eggnog. 

"On the 12th Day of Christmas my true love gave to me, 12 panties hosing, 10 string bikinis, 2 turtle soup, 2 purtle sout, turtle...turtle -- wait, I'd never eat a turtle -- and a pearstridge in a pear tree."

JJ (Jimmy Walker) appears as a lanky, Dy-No-Mite Santa. Eventually they announce that the adoption will go through. "I'm glad I don't have to spend Christmas Eve in the slammer," Penny says.

Each Tuesday, we'll feature a different show, often a US sitcom. Information, including spoiler plot outlines come from various sources.

Particularly when the episode hasn't been recently viewed personally, information will be as accurate as possible. When available, a show photo will be included.

"Good Times followed the challenges and joys of the close-knit Evans family, patriarch James, mother Florida, eldest son and accomplished amateur painter J.J. (James Evans, Jr.), brainy and beautiful daughter Thelma, and youngest son Michael, a political and social activist who live together in a high-rise housing project on the South Side of Chicago." -- TV Land

At the time this episode aired, neither John Amos nor Esther Rolle, who played the parents were on the show. James Sr., they said, had died while job hunting. The mother, Florida Evans, would return for the last season. She was unhappy, it was said, about the direction that the JJ character was going as a role model.

The show Good Times Complete: Seasons 1-6 is available on DVD, as well as the season alone, Good Times: Complete Fifth Season at Amazon.

Janet Jackson: Exposed. "Find out how she transcended being the youngest girl of a famous family and took control of her life and music. ... This program provides an inside look at Janet Damita-Jo Jackson and her rise to female pop and R&B stardom!"

In Katherine Jackson's 1990 book, My Family, the Jacksons, "Katherine tells an honest heart-wrenching story about her family. This comes from the person who knows them the best. She really lets you know that her family is just as much as normal human beings as everyone else. She breaks down the family's personalities in the books so you will understand them better, why Michael is so sensitive and talented, to Randy's being independent. This is a really great book." -- Amazon review

Please note, vintage and art objects may be sold out.

Ernie Barnes is the painter who actually created the works that the character of JJ created throughout the series. Mr. Barnes died in 2009, but there is a good amount of information online about him and his work. 

From Pads to Palette is a 1995 autobiography by Ernie Barnes. It includes full-page color photos of original art and 52 photos of rare sketchbook studies.

Alice Ghostley may be best remembered as the accident-prone witch Esmeralda in Bewitched. She also had a teacher role in the popular film version of Grease.

"I wish you joy and I wish you cheer -
Have a cool yule, and a mellow new year"

I'm always interested to hear your memories. In the interest of supporting fellow artists, I feature a few shops where the pieces tie into the general theme of the story.

Janet Jackson 2012 concert photo

True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself 

"Janet was told by Hollywood that she needed to slim down. Her well-meaning brothers, especially fun-loving Michael, teased her relentlessly until she began to believe that who she was wasn’t good enough. It was an idea that no amount of critical acclaim in television and film or, later, international platinum success in music could change." -- From description
This book, by Ms. Jackson, is available digitally for Kindle and other e-Readers but also in paper form.

Grab your own Vintage 1970's Jimmy Walker Dynomite Iron-On Transfer while it's still there at Rackamoon.

Dyn-O-Mite: Good Times, Bad Times, Our Times by Jimmie Walker

Visit my Classic TV Christmas Memories page for retro tv videos; Comedy, Drama, Suspense Christmas tv and old time radio episodes, even some fan mashups

Opening:
Good Times
Any time you meet a payment
Good Times
Any time you need a friend
Good Times
Any time you're out from under
Not getting hassled, not getting hustled
Keepin' your head above water,
Making a wave when you can
Temporary lay offs
Good Times
Easy credit rip offs
Good Times
Scratchin' and surviving
Good Times
Hangin in a chow line
Good Times
Ain't we lucky we got 'em
Good Times


Closing:
Just lookin' out of the window
Watchin' the asphalt grow
Thinkin' how it all looks hand-me-down
Good Times
Keepin' your head above water
Makin' a wave when you can
Temporary lay-offs
Good Times
Easy Credit rip-offs
Good Times
Aint we lucky we got 'em
Good Times

Please check out the other Tuesday Flashback Features

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How Freudian are These Slips of the Tongue in Art?

"[Urs] Fischer's fans may have also been disappointed by a malfunctioning sculpture in the show. The work, a motion-activated replica of a human tongue called Noisette, is intended to result in a mischievous slapstick routine by popping out of a hole in the wall as visitors pass by. 

"But it refused to emerge for extended stretches of time, resulting in visitors waving their arms or sticking their fingers in the hole to try to coax it out. At one point, a man wielding a large video camera hovered over the hole, hoping to catch the pink protrusion in action. 

"One observer reported seeing Gioni trying to reset the device controlling the sculpture. 'The tongue was working all night — however, it requires a short lag time in between [extensions],' Einsohn explained. 'And with so many people, sometimes it had trouble resetting so quickly.'" ~~New York Magazine 10/28/09 (link below)

As anatomical imagery seems to be popping up everywhere in art, the tongue, rich in symbolism, form and evocative power has been used by artists literally and figuratively.

Artist, Catharine Jacobi has a piece titled Lingua Franca, created from found materials, wood and plaster. Don't forget the Gene Simmons of Kiss and The Rolling Stones Classic Tongue Logo.

The Pierre Paulin Tongue Chair was developed in 1967. (right)

Triple Tiki Mask Ku, Kanaloa and Maori diety. A trio of Tiki meaning for your home, bar area, game room, Tiki of strength and healing, of the ocean and the diety who's ready to hang.

TRIPLE TIKI MASK W/ MAORI TONGUE 40" - TROPICAL DECOR

Hand carved and hand painted, 40" by 7 inches (100cm X 18cm).

Scott Schwartz (A Christmas Story)
8x10 Photo Signed In-Person

Smile Tote Bag by koselitamer
Browse other Artsprojekt Bags

The National Zoo in Washington D.C. has sculptures which display life-sized replicas of tigers' paws and tongue. "Compare yourself," the sign says.

Rock music has given us some classic and famous tongues.

Gene Simmons and Mick Jagger come to mind right away. 

In John Irving's novel, The World According to Garp, the Ellen Jamesians cut out their tongues to be one with Ellen James, who had her tongue cut out after she was raped.

Ellen, herself is embarrassed that they are mutilating themselves and wants them to stop. It's a great book and The World According to Garp is on DVD on Amazon. They also have some interesting items like World According to Garp Fish Parody Key Chains.

black dog nose pink tongue close up throw pillow (choice of sizes/shapes/designs) by SusansZooCrew
Find other Black Pillows at zazzle

Would this be a tongue-in-cheeky piece of art on your wall?

Beware of Loose Lips! Hold your tongue!

WWII Vintage Poster by Vintage_Bubb
Make custom prints online at zazzle.com

Disney Minnie Mouse Infant Silver Dress Hologram glitter Cheeky Minnie Shoes may be just what your little one needs to make relatives ooooo and aaah.(left)

NPR's Weekend Edition in 2001, Scott talks with Jim Schnieders, general manager of Steel Skin, Inc. in Poway, California. Steel Skin makes tongue jewelry, including tongue studs that glow in the dark and blink with electric light.


As its ad says, "Gross them out with Mr. Gross Mouth! This hinged model of the teeth, tongue, and oral cavity shows the effects of using smokeless tobacco. 

"A bottle of tobacco juice comes with each model and instructions show how to make the tongue spit." The model is mounted on a wooden base. The model is available in more than one size and can be found at eNasco.com.

So remember at this time of the year and always, be good to your tongue and it'll be good to you.


Urs Fischer exhibited at the New Museum, New York through February, 2010

A Christmas Story is available on Amazon.

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As It Is Written: Project 304,805, The Torah Project: Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco

Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco

"As It Is Written: Project 304,805, is an exhibition centered around a soferet (a professionally trained female scribe) who while on public view will write out the entire text of the Torah over the course of a full year.

"She will be one of the few known women to complete an entire Torah scroll, an accomplishment traditionally exclusive to men. As the soferet works within the gallery, she will actively engage in dialogue during a scheduled time each day, answer questions, and share the mysteries and tools of her trade.

"Around this central activity, the Museum presents a series of displays that explore the Torah in its many facets: as historical artifact, ritual object, scribal tradition, and contemporary muse. On view will be new works responding to sections of the Torah created by local and national contemporary artists, including Alan Berliner and Jordan Kantor." -- Image and Information from their announcement



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Lou Costello Memorial Bracelet for His Son, Tuesday Flashback Feature, Abbott & Costello

This is part of my Tuesday Flashback Feature. We reminisce about classic TV shows usually from the 1950s-70s where gemstones or pieces of jewelry featured prominently in the storylines.

Once in a while, as today, I'll feature something about a real-life piece of jewelry. Information is as accurate as possible.

Lou Costello was half of the very popular 1940s-50s comedy team of Abbott and Costello. They had their own hit radio show and a string of successful films.

In 1943, Lou Costello returned from a two-month tour of army camps with a bad case of rheumatic fever. He was bedridden and unable to work for many months.

Below is a section of an interview. He's first talking about his being home sick with rheumatic fever.

From an interview Lou Costello gave to The Journal of Living magazine, January 1954:

A funny man’s prescription for grief that can work for everyone as it has for him

Among my many blessings was my baby son, Lou Jr. He was still at the age where he crawled about, and before I started to walk again, I wiggled along the floor beside him. In fact we learned to take our first steps together. No father and son could have been closer.

Being with him, and adjusting myself to the fact that there were other people worse off than I, made the time pass quickly. Soon I was walking and ready to resume my radio show.

The afternoon I went to final rehearsal, Ann gave me a present from Lou Jr. It was a gold identification bracelet. I put it on my wrist and it has never been off since that time. Kissing Ann goodbye, I said. "Have Lou listen to the broadcast and see if he recognizes my voice." Then I left my home feeling that I was mighty lucky man.

At the broadcasting station, Bud and I were in the midst of rehearsing a comedy routine when I was called to the telephone. Even now, thanking back to those moments at the telephone, I find it hard to keep back the tears, for I was told that my baby son was dead. He had fallen into the swimming pool and drowned.

I left the rehearsal in a daze and drove home. All the time I was thinking, "It’s impossible." Only two hours ago the boy and I had been romping on the floor together. Now they said he was dead. I told myself, "It can’t be true. There is some mistake." But when I arrived home, Ann in tears told me what had happened. I knew then that it was all too true – our son was dead.

After comforting my wife the best I could, I went back to the broadcasting station to do my radio show that night. Not because I was following the tradition of show business that "the show must go on." No, indeed. I wanted to do the radio show so that my voice would go out into the air, with the hope that Lou, Jr., might hear it wherever he was.

Idea: Customize a My Story Locket for Your Story, Your Child

 ~oo~

Soon after his son's death, Lou had the bracelet welded together around his wrist so that it couldn't be removed.

Bob Furmanek and Ron Palumbo's book, Abbott and Costello in Hollywood gives much more information about the pair, their lives and careers. The book is available on Amazon.

Costello's daughter has written a book as well. Lou's on First: The Tragic Life of Hollywood's Greatest Clown Warmly Recounted by his Youngest Child.

The bracelet isn't really visible publicity photos. It's said that in some films, they tried to hide it. He wore a flesh-colored wristband over the bracelet, but it can clearly be seen in every subsequent film he made.

Bud Abbott, Lou Costello in the 1930s
Photographic Print
Buy at AllPosters.com

 More from the 1954 interview with Mr. Costello:

Then gradually, as the time passed, I began to realize that though I had been deprived of doing things for Lou, jr., there still were a lot of children in the world I could help.

So Bud Abbott and I created the Lou Costello, Jr., Youth Foundation, for underprivileged children. Its facilities include libraries, medical clinics, gymnasiums and play grounds.

    Each and every child meant something to us. At Christmas time we didn’t just bring a lot of toys to the Foundation. Instead, weeks before the holidays, we visited each child and asked him what he or she wanted for Christmas. Whatever they requested, within reason, was there for them under the tree on Christmas.

    Here again I learned another prescription for sorrow. By giving myself to these underprivileged children, I found happiness again.

 ~oo~

William (Bud) Abbott and Lou Costello (born Louis Francis Cristillo) performed together as Abbott and Costello, an American comedy duo whose work in radio, film and television made them the most popular comedy team during the 1940s and 50s.

Thanks to the endurance of their most popular and influential routine, "Who's on First?"—whose rapid-fire word play and comprehension confusion set the preponderant framework for most of their best-known routines—the team is, as a result, featured in the Baseball Hall of Fame. (Contrary to popular belief, however, the duo was not inducted into the Hall.) Read the entire article on Wikipedia

The Best of Abbott & Costello, Vol.1 includes their earliest hits. Watch carefully and you'll see Ella Fitzgerald in there. Most of the films in the second collection. The Best of Abbott & Costello, Vol.2 were made following the death of Costello's son. The final set is The Best of Abbott & Costello, Vol.3.

Abbott & Costello 50+ Vintage Comedy Radio Episodes MP3 

Each Tuesday, we feature a different show, often a US sitcom. Information, including spoiler plot outlines come from various sources. Information is as accurate as possible. When available, a photo will be included.

I'm always interested to hear your memories. In the interest of supporting fellow artists, I'll be featuring a few shops where the pieces tie into the general theme of the featured story.

There's a Stainless Steel Bracelet with Black Onyx Inset available. It may be something subtle that someone in your life would like to have. It may be just the right thing for parents who've lost a child.

There are many things that may be personalized, including necklaces or ornaments. Ornaments can be used as window or wall hangings not just for the holidays. Please take a look at my page about honoring loved ones and choosing memorial songs. You'll find some touching and beautiful designs there.

Books and web pages can help parents who are going through the loss of a child or an anniversary reaction.

Butterflies are so rich in symbolism. A Tiffany Style Blue Butterfly Accent Lamp is an idea, a pretty and glowing remembrance piece.

I doubt that Lou Costello would want people to walk away from any article about him in a sad mood. So I'll send you to a site about Abbott and Costello, straight to the text of their famous routine... Who's on First?

Here they are on film, Who's on First? on YouTube.

Image and some information from Journal of Living Magazine, AbbotandCostello.net
 
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