Dartman's Advent Calendar 2011: Day 16

Hearing Glen Miller serenade us with that beautiful medley yesterday makes me anxious to find what's behind the door for day 16. Lift the flap and let's see what we find. Enjoy!

Advent Calendar 2011 Day 16

Dartman's Advent Calendar 2011: Day 8

After hearing Augie Rios find out all about Santa yesterday, it's time to sit back and relax with a nice beverage. You'll find it behind door #8. Enjoy!

Advent Calendar 2011 Day 8

A Fiery Horse With The Speed Of Light, A Cloud Of Dust and A Hearty "Hi Yo Silver!"

There is no mistaking the above quote. It is the introduction to the legendary Lone Ranger radio and television shows that brought the great character into our living rooms. I loved the Lone Ranger. I even had a Lone Ranger play set that included a mask, a white hat and a gun and holster set. (not to mention the action figure I had had posed on Silver that stood guard over the top of my dresser). Over the years I collected quite a few Lone Ranger items. One of those was an album of the first few episodes of the radio drama. I actually never cared for this as I felt there was too much narration. Then I came across a collection of 78s that featured a four sider with the actors from the radio drama. I loved it! I was expecting it to be the same as the album that I owned but instead it was a different rendering of the story. An interesting side not about that recording; over the years, the debate over the Lone Ranger's real name has waged on as to whether it was John or Dan. This record is actually a deciding factor in proving that his brother's name is Dan. Side 3 features a story entitled, "He Finds Dan Reid". Obviously he wouldn't find himself! Anyway, here is that great 4 sided 78 album that I have loved for so many years. Here is "The Adventures of The Lone Ranger". Enjoy!

The Adventures of The Lone Ranger

The 25 Posts of Christmas: Wishing You A Happy Christmas, Boo Boo

Today is December 1, 2009 and the beginning of the annual "25 Posts of Christmas" here at the World of Wonder. We start the festivities off with a Little Golden Record from 1961 featuring none other than that lovable cartoon character, Yogi Bear. This single was put out by Hanna-Barbera on the Little Golden Record label and features the song A Hap-Hap Happy Christmas From Yogi Bear" backed with "Give A Goody For Christmas". Both songs were written by Paul Parnes. The single was released on both 78 and 45. Today's sharity is the original 78. Enjoy!

A Hap-Hap Happy Christmas From Yogi Bear/Give A Goody For Christmas

BONUS:
Here's the complete Golden Book "Yogi Bear: A Christmas Visit" written by S. Quentin Hyatt! Enjoy!

Yogi Bear: A Christmas Visit (Golden Book)

Tricks & Treats 09: Drew's Great Uncle Lionel Gives Us A Treat

In case you have no clue about the history of the great Barrymore family, Drew Barrymore is not the first member of her family to become a household name. She comes from a long line of theater and film royalty. Her great-grandparents Maurice Barrymore and Georgie Drew Barrymore, Maurice Costello and Mae Costello (née Altschuk) and her grandparents John Barrymore and Dolores Costello were all actors. John Barrymore was arguably the most acclaimed actor of his generation. She is the grandniece of Ethel Barrymore and Helene Costello, the great-great-granddaughter of John Drew and actress Louisa Lane Drew, and the great grandniece of silent film actor/writer/director Sidney Drew. She is also the god-daughter of director Steven Spielberg and Sophia Loren. For today's post, we're going to focus on her Great Uncle Lionel Barrymore. Back in 1945, Lionel produced a stage show at the Hollywood Bowl to coincide with the holiday of Halloween. He wrote the story as well as the music and titled it, "Hallowe'en: A Musical Fantasy". The story deals with a little girl named Myrtle who has a dream involving a big bear in the woods who steals little children. Two years later, MGM records released the "theater piece" as a children's book and record set which contained 3 78 RPM records and a story book (this was a popular concept at the time and it would eventually evolve into the book and record sets of the 60s, 70s and 80s.) It's a bit on the bizarre side but is worth a listen. I present it for you now. Here is Lionel Barrymore's "Hallowe'en: A Musical Fantasy". Enjoy!

Lionel Barrymore-Hallowe'en: A Musical Fantasy

As Funny As It Gets

One of the many prizes of my 78 collection is this fine gem from Groucho. It's a children's record called "The Funniest Song In The World" and tells the story of a monkey going amongst the other animals of the jungle and singing what he believes to be the funniest song in the world. One of the many interesting things I find about this record is that with all of the many releases of Groucho on CD, this has yet to see the the surface of a compact disc. Here it is for you now. Enjoy!

The Funniest Song In The World