“Scotty finally sent to the stars”
The ashes of Star Trek actor James Doohan have been successfully launched into space from a site in New Mexico, watched by cheering fans.
April 23rd is shared as a birthday by several people of importance to me, one of whom is of the greatest importance of all. :)
First up, in 1564, a certain William Shakespeare who wrote, amongst other famous works, a sonnet which was read at Denyse’s and my wedding:
CXVI Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove: O, no! it is an ever-fixed mark, That looks on tempests and is never shaken; It is the star to every wandering bark, Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken. Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickle's compass come; Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom. If this be error and upon me prov'd, I never writ, nor no man ever lov'd.
Next up, in 1899, Vladimir Nabokov — my favorite writer. He wrote this:
My loathings are simple: stupidity, oppression, crime, cruelty, soft music. My pleasures are the most intense known to man: writing and butterfly hunting.
And finally — Denyse, my amazing wife. Our 10th wedding anniversary is coming up in June, and it feels simultaneously like it went by in a flash and like we’ve been together forever. Happy birthday and much love to you, D!
W00t! The Turner Classic Movie Friday Night Underground continues in great style tonight with a couple of awesome flicks from one of our greatest writer-directors, teaming with one of our greatest actors.
Plan 9 from Outer Space, 1959
“Unspeakable Horrors From Outer Space Paralyze The Living And Resurrect The Dead!”
IMDB | Wikipedia
Plan 9 from Outer Space is a 1959 science fiction/horror film written, produced and directed by Edward D. Wood, Jr. Particularly famous now after the success of Tim Burton’s film dramatization of the director’s life, Ed Wood, the movie is widely regarded as a leading candidate for the title of “worst movie ever made.” It earned Edward D. Wood, Jr. (a devotee of Orson Welles) a posthumous Golden Turkey Award as the worst director ever.
Bride of the Monster, 1955
“The screen’s master of the WEIRD…IN HIS NEWEST and MOST DARING SHOCKER!”
IMDB | Wikipedia
Bride of the Monster (originally known as Bride of the Atom) is a 1955 science fiction film starring Bela Lugosi in a traditional mad scientist role. It was produced, directed and co-written by Edward D. Wood, Jr..
