The Wilhelm Scream Is The Classic Hollywood Sound Effect You Can’t Stop Hearing

Today in 1921, the birthday of Sheb Wooley, who had a hit song in the 50s called the “Purple People Eater" and is believed to be the guy who gave a scream that's been featured in hundreds of movies: the Wilhelm Scream. 

Frank Sinatra Was Once Offered The Lead Role In “Die Hard”

Today in 1915, Frank Sinatra was born. He’s known today as The Chairman of the Board, Ol’ Blue Eyes… and he could have been known as New York Detective John McClane, the main character in the movie “Die Hard.”

By |2024-12-06T06:32:51-05:00December 12, 2022|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , |

Helen Hulick, Who Went To Jail For The Right To Wear Slacks In Court

Today in 1938, a California woman took a stand in court for the right to wear slacks instead of a dress in court. Here's the story of Helen Hulick and her campaign against "anti-slackism."

By |2024-12-12T21:05:26-05:00November 15, 2022|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , |

Drive In Theaters Were Invented Partly So People Wouldn’t Have To Dress Up At The Movies

Today in 1933, Camden, New Jersey became the site of the very first drive-in movie theater. Here's the story of Richard Hollingshead, who brought movies outside so people could drive right up to the picture.

By |2024-12-13T07:28:22-05:00June 6, 2022|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , |

“The Fastest Cyclist In The World,” Major Taylor, Was A Black Sports Pioneer

There's a new exhibit at the Indiana State Museum about Marshall "Major" Taylor, a Black cycling star who became famous before Jack Johnson, Joe Louis or Jackie Robinson. Here's some of his story.

Being Nice Really Can Make The World Around You Nicer, Science Has Shown It

A University of Oregon study on what's called the “perceiver-elicited similarity effect" finds that when you’re nice, that can lead to more niceness around you!

By |2024-12-16T10:04:22-05:00November 12, 2021|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , |

Incubus, The Esperanto-Language Movie Starring William Shatner

Today in 1966, the official release of "Incubus," the only Esperanto-language movie starring a pre-Star Trek William Shatner. The movie had such bad fortune some people actually thought it was cursed.

By |2024-12-13T07:29:09-05:00October 26, 2021|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , |

The Parrots That Almost Did Publicity For A Mae West Movie

Today in 1934, Paramount Pictures released the movie “Belle of the Nineties,” starring Mae West. And, for some reason, the studio trained several dozen parrots to learn to say the title of the movie so they could appear at theaters and wow the moviegoing public. There was just one problem with the plan, though.

By |2024-12-07T20:48:59-05:00September 21, 2021|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , , |

Before There Was CGI, There Was Special Effects Master Ray Harryhausen

Ray Harryhausen was a pioneer of special effects in movies in the days before computers, whose influence is still all over the world of movies today.

By |2024-12-16T10:23:29-05:00June 29, 2021|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , |
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