A Pictorial Tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. on His Centennial

It was 100 years ago that Sammy Davis Jr. was born in New York City. He was born into show business. His father was stage performer Sammy Davis Sr.  and his mother was tap dancer Elvera Sanchez. Sammy Davis Jr. was a little boy when he joined his father on stage. He would later become part of the Will Mastin Trio with his father and Will Mastin. 

Sammy Davis Jr. at age 9 as part of the Will Mastin Trio with his father and Will Mastin.

Chita Rivera and Sammy Davis Jr. The two of them appeared on Broadway in Mr. Wonderful in 1956. It got bad notices from critics, but proved to be a hit.

Sammy Davis Jr. and Dorothy Dandrige from Porgy and Bess (1959). Although the movie proved highly successful, it has not been seen for years. Samuel Goldwyn had only the rights for 15 years, after which it could only be shown with the permission of the estates of George and Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward. The Gershwin estate has consistently denied permission for its exhibition.

Sammy Davis Jr. was a friend of Frank Sinatra and hence very much a part of the Rat Pack. Here he is in the movie Ocean's 11 (1960). Sammy Davis Jr. made other films beyond Ocean's 11 (1960) with his fellow Rat Pack members, including Sergeants 3 (1962) and Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964).

Sammy Davis Jr. guest starred on several television shows through the years. He appeared on The Rifleman twice. Here he is in the episode "The Most Amazing Man."

Sammy Davis Jr. briefly had his own variety show, which aired on NBC from January 7, 1966, to April 15, 1966. It was historic as one of the earliest shows to be hosted by an African American. 

Although Sammy Davis Jr.'s movie career in the Seventies wasn't what it was in the Sixties, he continued to appear on television. In 1973 he appeared in a TV movie, Poor Devil, that was an unsold pilot. Here he is with Jack Klugman.

Sammy Davis's last appearance was in the 1990 TV movie The Kid Who Loved Christmas. It aired on December 19, 1990, in syndication, around seven months after Sammy Davis Jr.'s death on May 16, 1990 from throat cancer. He left behind a considerable legacy. As a singer he had multiple hit records, including "HeyThere," "What Kind of Fool Am I," "I've Gotta Be Me," and "The Candy Man." His appearances in both film and television would pave the way for other black performers. His fame continues to this day.

Netflix is Buying Warner Bros.

For those of you who don't know, Warner Bros. Discovery recently went up for sale, which resulted in a bidding war involving such companies as NBCUniversal, Paramount Skydance, and Netflix. It appears that Netflix has won that war. It will acquire the Warner Bros. Studio, HBO Max, Turner Classic Movies, DC Comics, the Warner Bros. catalog, and other companies.

I have to admit that in some ways this does cause me some concern with regards to the future of Turner Classic Movies. I don't know how committed Netflix would be to keeping the channel will going. With any luck they will look at what happened following layoffs at the channel in 2023. Not only were fans in an uproar, but such industry heavyweights as Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Paul Thomas Anderson. As big as Netflix is (and they will be even bigger with Warner Bros.), they can't afford to offend talent of that calibre. I am not sure how much danger TCM would be once Netflix takes over.

While I am worried about the future of TCM under Netflix, I do have to say that to me Netflix is much more preferable than some of Warner Bros.' other suitors, namely Paramount Skydance. Paramount Skydance has already has a deleterious effect on CBS on everything from the network's journalistic independence to eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs across the board at CBS and all of Paramount. I could picture the effect a takeover by Paramount Skydance would have on TCM. Do you enjoy the movies they air for Black Heritage Month? Forget them. Do you enjoy what TCM shows for Hispanic Heritage Month. Forget about it. In fact, I think under Paramount Skydance, TCM would most likely be shut down completely.

At any rate, right now I guess all anyone can do is wait and see. I do hope Netflix will do the sensible thing and leave TCM (not to mention DC Comics and other Warner companies) do their own things. 

The 60th Anniversary of The Beatles' Rubber Soul

Today I am not particularly in the mood to write a full blog post (my oldest cat, who is 13 1/2 years old, is not doing well), but I wanted to acknowledge the 60th anniversary of The Beatles' album Rubber Soul. I did do a post on its 50th anniversary, if you want to read that. Anyway, here is my favourite track from the album in tribute to its 60th anniversary, "Nowhere Man."

MeTV and Everybody Loves Raymond

On October 13, 2025, MeTV added Everybody Loves Raymond to the schedule. The announcement proved unpopular with some viewers on Facebook. I checked Reddit, Instagram, and few other places around the web and the announcement proved somewhat unpopular there too. Some said they simply did not like the show. Others complained that the show had already aired everywhere else, with many pointing out it is still on TV Land. Yet others said that they did not think it fit MeTV, with some even saying that they liked the show but it should not be on the network.

In some ways, this situation is similar to when Monk started airing on Sunday nights on MeTV in .July 2021. I remember then people complaining that Monk was simply too new. Ultimately, Monk went off MeTV in May 2022. I don't know if the same thing will happen with Everybody Loves Raymond, but it is quite possible that it could. It seems to me a good number of MeTV viewers are insistent that the network only show TV series from the Fifties to the Eighties.  

I can understand the complaints of some of the viewers. While I like Everybody Loves Raymond, I can sympathize those who don't. I can imagine how I might feel if MeTV put Diff'rent Strokes on at 8:00 PM five days a week. As to those who complained it has aired everywhere else, they may have a point. Currently, Everybody Loves Raymond is airing on IFC and TV Land. In the past, it has aired on TBS and other cable channels, and from 2001 to 2016 in syndication. Now it is true that many other MeTV shows, such as The Andy Griffith Show and M*AA*S*H,  have pretty much aired "everywhere," but in their cases that was many years ago. Everybody Loves Raymond has aired "everywhere" fairly recently.

As to whether or not Everybody Loves Raymond fits MeTV, that is more difficult to answer. I think it all pivots on how one sees MeTV. Is MeTV a network that shows TV series from the Fifties to the Eighties or is it a network that shows classic TV series. If it is the former, then Everybody Loves Raymond certainly does not fit MeTV, as it is from the Nineties. If is the latter, well, Everybody Loves Raymond turned 30, so it is certainly old enough to be a classic. As to whether it is good enough to be a classic is entirely subject. I would say, "Yes," but from looking at MeTV's social media accounts, there are certainly those who would disagree.

I will say that while I have no major complaints with Everybody Loves Raymond, I would rather MeTV have picked up a show that hasn't aired anywhere for a while. Right now Get Smart can only be seen the streaming service Frndly TV and for rent on such outlets as Prime Video and Fandango at Home. WKRP in Cincinnati seems to be exclusive to Apple TV. The Phil Silvers Show isn't available anywhere. I would really rather see any of these shows on MeTV, not to mention others, than Everybody Loves Raymond.

Ultimately, it remains to be seen if Everybody Loves Raymond will become a mainstay on MeTV, much the way The Andy Griffith Show or M*A*S*H have if like Monk before it will be leaving the network after nine months.

Christmas Movies on TCM in December 2025

Every year I post a schedule of the Christmas movies airing on Turner Classic Movies in December. Here I have to mention that I only include movies that I think of as Christmas movies. I feel that to do otherwise would be dishonest, and I do have to draw the line somewhere. Otherwise I would be including every single movie airing on TCM in December! I also have to point out that as of yesterday, TCM's schedule only goes up to December 19, 2025. I had to use the TCM Detailed Schedule at Escapepress.com to complete it. I will check back at TCM's official schedule to make sure everything is correct. I do wish TCM would have the complete monthly schedule for the following month up during the last week of the current month! I miss the days when they had the schedule up three months ahead of time! Anyway, without further ado, here are the Christmas movies airing on TCM next month. 

Thursday, December 4:
10:30 PM The Bishop's Wife (1947)

Saturday, December 6:
1:00 PM It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947)

Sunday, December 7:
7:00 PM Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

 Saturday, December 13:
11:00 PM Cash on Demand (1961)

Sunday, December 14:
9:00 PM Cash on Demand (1961)
11:00 AM Holiday Affair (1949)
1:00 PM In the Good Old Summetime (1949)
3:00 PM The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

Friday, December 19:
7:00 PM  Holiday Affair (1949)
8:45 PM The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
10:30 PM Bell Book and Candle (1958)
12:30 AM Bundle of Joy (1956)
2:30 AM Bachelor Mother (1939)
4:00 AM A Carol for Another Christmas (1964)

Saturday, December 20:
5:30 AM Tenth Avenue Angel (1948)
7:00 AM Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938)
11:00 AM Prancer (1989)
1:00 PM Three Godfathers (1936)
3:00 PM The Thin Man (1934)
4:45 PM The Apartment (1960)
7:00 PM Remember the Night (1940)
9:00 PM We're No Angels (1955)
11:00 PM Lady in the Lake (1947)

Sunday, December 21:
1:00 AM Alias Boston Blackie (1942)
2:30 AM Cover Up (1949)
4:00 AM The Curse of the Cat People (1944)
5:30 AM Hell's Heroes (1930) 
7:00 AM A Christmas Carol (1938)
10:30 AM Susan Slept Here (1954)
12:30 PM Desk Set (1957)
11:00 PM There Ain't No Santa Claus (1926)

Monday, December 22:
1:45 AM Mon Oncle Antoine (1971)
3:30 AM Period of Adjustment (1962)
7:00 PM It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947)
9:15 PM The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942)
11:15 PM Fitzwilly (1967)

Tuesday, December 23:
1:15 AM Lady on a Train (1945)
3:15 AM Miracle on Main Street (1939)
4:45 AM Roadblock (1951)
7:45 AM And So They Were Married (1936)
9:15 AM The Man I Love (1947)
11:00 AM Larceny, Inc. (1942)
1:00 PM Backfire (1950)
3:00 PM Mr. Soft Touch (1949)
5:00 PM My Reputation (1946)
9:00 PM In the Good Old Summertime (1949)
11:00 PM Meet John Doe (1941)

Wednesday, December 24:
6:00 AM Three Godfathers (1936)
7:30 AM Bachelor Mother (1939)
11:00 AM The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
1:00 PM It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947)
3:15 PM Holiday Affair (1949)
5:00 PM Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
7:00 PM The Bishop's Wife  (1947)
11:15 PM A Christmas Carol (1938)

Thursday, December 25:
12:45 AM O. Henry's Full House (1952)
3:00 AM Beyond Tomorrow (1940)
4:30 AM "Star in the Night" (1945) (short)
7:00 AM The Great Rupert (1950)
12:30 PM Pocketful of Miracles (1961)
3:00 PM The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942)
5:00 PM In the Good Old Summertime (1949)

5 Against the House (1955): A Thanksgiving Film Noir

Outside of the few film noirs set at Christmas, there aren't many film noirs set at a specific holiday. A notable exception is 5 Against the House (1955). The movie unfolds over Thanksgiving, and it can be argued that the holiday plays a large role in the plot. It certainly makes 5 Against the House (1955) unique among both film noirs and movies set at Thanksgiving. 

5 Against the House (1955) centres on four World War II veterans attending college on the G.I. Bill: Al Mercer (Guy Madison), Brick (Brian Keith), Ronnie (Kerwin Matthews), and Roy (Alvy Moore). Al's girlfriend is singer Kay Greylek (Kim Novack, with her singing voice dubbed by Jo Ann Greer). After a visit to Harold's Club Casino in Reno, Nevada, Ronnie becomes fascinated by the idea of robbing the casino. Ronnie's planned heist unfolds over Thanksgiving break. He then enlists his friends to help. 

5 Against the House (1955) was based on the novel of the same name by Jack Finney, which was serialized from July to September 1951 in Good Housekeeping. Stirling Silliphant got an option on the novel for United Artists. Initially, former Warner Bros. animator and director of such films as Son of Paleface (1952) and Red Garters (1954) Frank Tashlin was set to direct, with his wife Mary Costa playing the female lead. Eventually, Frank Tashlin dropped out of the project, along with his wife. Peter Godfrey, who had directed the classic Christmas in Connecticut (1945), was then picked up as the director. At some point, the project also moved from United Artists to Columbia.  As of October 1954, negotiations were underway to cast Milly Vitale as the female lead with  Guy Madison, Alvy Moore, Roddy McDowall and Robert Horton. The project changed directors again, with Phil Karlson, who directed Kansas City Confidential (1942), set to direct. As to the cast, Milly Vitale was replaced by Kim Novack, while Roddy McDowall and Robert Horton were replaced by Kerwin Matthews and Brian Keith. It was Harry Cohn, the head of Columbia, who insisted on the casting of Kim Novak. who had plans for the young actress to succeed their reigning star, Rita Hayworth.

As might be expected, much of 5 Against the House (1955) was shot in Reno, with a good deal of the movie unfolding in Harold's Club Casino itself. University of Nevada-Reno doubles as the college that the veterans are attending, while Virginia Street (with the Reno Arch in full view) is seen in the film's opening. Lake Tahoe also appears in the film. Oddly enough, the Desert Spa in Las Vegas also appears in the film As might be expected, many of the interiors were shot at Columbia/Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood.

Despite being set at Thanksgiving, 5 Against the House (1955) was released in the spring. A. H. Weller The New York Times gave the film a good review, although reviews elsewhere were a bit more critical. The movie gave Kim Novak her first major role, and did well enough that the media did take notice of her. 

Youngsters watching 5 Against the House (1955) today might be puzzled by the fact that while most of the movie unfolds over Thanksgiving weekend, there are no Christmas decorations in sight. In 1955, most businesses did not decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. Indeed, I seem to remember this was still the norm when I was growing up in the 1970s. This is in contrast to Ocean's 11 (1960), which is set on New Year's Eve when Christmas decorations are still evidence. Quite simply, back in the day business generally took their Christmas decorations down after New Year's Day, not the day after Christmas.

While 5 Against the House (1955) was an early film for Kim Novak, features an unusual premise, and is one of the few film noirs set at Thanksgiving, it is not the most respected movie out there. At IMDB, it is only rated 5.9 out of 10, which is terribly low for that site. At Rotten Tomatoes, it has an audience rating of only 25%., although notably the two critics who have reviews there give it positive marks. Personally, I am not sure why 5 Against the House (1955) gets bad marks from so many viewers. Okay, it is not a perfect film. Some of the performances could be better and the plot is a bit far-fetched and in one respect the film is dated (I can't reveal how without major spoilers), but 5 Against the House (1955) does not lack for excitement and Phil Karlson's direction is solid. At any rate, if someone wants to watch a Thanksgiving movie that is not Miracle on 34th Street (1947) or Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987), then 5 Against the House could provide for a fun evening. 

Cartoons on Friday Morning the Day After Thanksgiving

As usual on the Friday morning after Thanksgiving, I am feeling a bit sluggish. It doesn't help that yesterday's Thanksgiving was a bit more exciting than usual. My brother is taking care of a cat for a friend and it was yesterday the cat decided to have her kittens under my desk. We got her moved to a much nicer box later.

Anyway, I was thinking about the day after Thanksgiving when I was a kid. In those days it was not commonly known as "Black Friday"yet, although a the day was counted as the start of the holiday shopping season and many people did holiday shopping that day. As a kid I primarily associated the day after Thanksgiving with cartoons that usually aired on Saturday morning airing on Friday morning. 

For some reason I remember CBS airing cartoons on the Friday morning after Thanksgiving, although internet searches reveals no evidence that they ever did. I even checked Newspapers.Com, but found nothing there either. It seems most newspaper TV listings back in the day tended to ignore the daytime television schedule. Anyway, while CBS may or may not have aired cartoons on the Friday after Thanksgiving, ABC apparently did. Dan Brady on his blog Brady's  Bunch of Lorain County Nostalgia has a post on the cartons aired by ABC on the Friday morning after Thanksgiving. TVParty also has an article on the cartons aired by ABC the day after Thanksgiving.

According to TVParty, ABC began the tradition of airing Saturday morning cartoons on the Friday after Thanksgiving around 1966. Among the cartoons that ABC aired on the Friday morning after Thanksgiving were such classics as Hoppity Hooper, The Beatles, The Fantastic Four, and Spider-Man. In 1966, we didn't have an ABC affiliate and I was a still a baby, so I wouldn't remember it anyway, but I do remember some of the cartoons that aired on ABC on the day after Thanksgiving in the Seventies, including Jackson 6, Kid Power, The Funky Phantom, Tom and Jerry/Grape Ape Show, and others. 

I am not sure when ABC stopped showing cartoons on the day after Thanksgiving, but I am thinking it was in the late Seventies or early Eighties. I don't remember them airing at all as an adult. Anyway, I guess I will have to continue searching old TV listings for them.