Incubus, The Esperanto-Language Movie Starring William Shatner (Cool Weird Awesome 642)

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. Plus: a guy buys an airplane, and though he's never flown before, he taxis it down the runway, takes off and has to figure out how to land. 

By |2024-03-22T08:46:43-04:00October 26, 2021|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , |

The Parrots That Almost Did Publicity For A Mae West Movie (Cool Weird Awesome 617)

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. Plus: on this World Peace Day, the guy who tried to make the world a more peaceful place by walking backwards. 

By |2021-09-22T07:15:19-04:00September 21, 2021|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , , |

Before There Was CGI, There Was Special Effects Master Ray Harryhausen (Cool Weird Awesome 562)

Today was the birthday of Ray Harryhausen, a pioneer of special effects in movies in the days before computers. And while special effects are more high tech now than in his day, his influence is still all over the world of movies in our time. Plus: a veteran flier from World War II gets to take another flight, some 75 years later. 

By |2021-06-29T09:32:51-04:00June 29, 2021|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , |

Why A Stormtrooper Walked Helmet-First Into A Door In The Original “Star Wars” (Cool Weird Awesome 543)

Today in 1977, "Star Wars" premiered in movie theaters, and became a movie, pop culture and merchandising phenomenon. But how is it that, in one scene, an Imperial Stormtrooper walks helmet-first into an overhead door? Plus: in Kent, Ohio, there's a restaurant with a large-scale replica of an X-wing fighter out front. If you visit, stay on target! 

By |2021-05-25T09:15:11-04:00May 25, 2021|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , |

Milicent Patrick Gave The Black Lagoon Its Creature (Cool Weird Awesome 480)

The woman who designed the Creature, Milicent Patrick, was almost forgotten, but film lovers and fans have been working to make sure her story is told.

By |2024-02-12T09:43:04-05:00February 12, 2021|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , , |

How “Them!” Became The Greatest Giant Ant Movie Of Its Generation (Cool Weird Awesome 320)

It was on this day in 1954 that one of the most important monster movies most people have never heard of was released: "Them!" (note the exclamation mark in the title) featured giant irradiated ants, James Arness, the Wilhelm Scream, Fess Parker, Leonard Nimoy and more! Plus: science has determined how to give the perfect hug, so start practicing.

By |2021-06-28T11:55:02-04:00June 15, 2020|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , , , |

I will not yield! Some Things For October 17, 2019

We've got a little bit of everything today.

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