The Morning Delivery

Oscar Coverage on the Web

 
The clock is now ticking.

On Sunday, March 7, 2010, ABC will televise the 82nd annual Academy Awards from the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, beginning at 5 p.m. PT/ 8 p.m. ET with hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin.

If you find yourself away from your television set and still want to catch the live experience of Hollywood’s big night, don’t stress, there’s plenty of available options to you online. This is the age of the Internet, after all; when all things are possible as long as you have access to a computer or a smart phone.

At Oscar.com , for instance, the official site for the 82nd Academy Awards, users will be provided with an interactive Red Carpet experience through ``Facebook Connect’’, beginning Sunday from 3:00 to 5:00 pm PT, an online event which will be hosted by Lisa Guerrero and Brett Chukerman, along with “Modern Family” star Rico Rodriguez (‘Manny’), who will be reporting live from the Red Carpet Bleachers waiting anxiously for the arrivals and the crowds’ reactions.

In addition to watching stars parade down the Red Carpet, users will be able to read what other viewers are saying about the event through Facebook’s Connect application, while sharing their comments with other Facebook members.

And during the Sunday night ceremony, those logging on to Oscars.com will be able to view exclusive footage of backstage coverage of the night’s events from the ``Backstage Cam’’, capturing behind-the-scenes action,; a ``Thank You Cam’’ which allows Oscar winners an opportunity to thank their supporters immediately after they’ve left the stage; along with the ``Press Room Cam’’, featuring winners in the press area after they leave the stage.

As usual, The New York Times have rolled out a banquet of online coverage for viewers to feast on.

For beginners, The Carperbagger, Melena Ryzik is out in LA, and will be blogging throughout the weekend; as will A.O. Scott and others; and just on Friday, The Times launched an impressive interactive graphic that shows users all the major winners stretching back to 1975.

For those who like to compete, The Times has posted an interactive ``Oscar Ballot’’ , that let’s viewers see how they’re doing with their picks compared with other Times' users.

The Times also will be featuring their robust Twitter module in which staffers like David Carr, Dave Itzkoff, Ryzik, Scott and others will providing up to the minute updates, comments, and observations.

Meanwhile, The L.A. Times, has raised the curtain on a new celebrity blog,``Ministry of Gossip’’ in which a group of bloggers provide users with the latest from the Red Carpet, inside tips during the ceremony; and slices of gossip from the Oscar parties.

The Times additionally unveiled a new film blog ``24 Frames’’, which features the latest Hollywood news, videos from staffers, Oscar predictions and a ton of other useful tidbits.

The Times has assembled a striking blog `Gold Derby’’ in gathering links to some of the best Oscar reporting from not only the Times but from other national publications as well. Viewers will also want to pop in on Pete Hammond’s ``Daily Dose of Awards’’  for the latest Oscar buzz.

The Washington Post will be feeding readers with Red Carpet updates and chime in about things as they happen on their Celebritolgy blog

And for those who only watch the Oscars to see which designers the celebrities chose, both The Washington Post and L.A. Times will be featuring fashion galleries on Sunday night.

While Hulu.com won’t be providing live streaming, they do have a collection on of ``Oscar Picks’’ on their homepage; and on Monday they will feature Barbara Walters Oscar special, including Red Carpet footage provided by E! and TV Guide as it comes in. A small collection of short clips will be streamed live on Hulu as early as Sunday night; with the longer versions available on Monday.

E! Online have a fun new gallery,  Real Men Take (Red Carpet) Risks; and a Prediction Quiz, which allows user to find out  they’re a Box Office Brainiac, Red Carpet Rebel or Total Indie Nut . And beginning Sunday, E! Online will begin posting their TwitPics.

Finally, the popular entertainment blog, Gawker will be blogging away beginning on Friday night.

If you’re miffed I missed pointing out any other major Oscar night blogs, write your Congressman or Congresswoman; I did my best.

Enjoy the show!

-Bill Lucey
WPLucey@gmail.com

***

Oscar Footnotes:

• Douglas Fairbanks Sr. served as host when the first annual Academy Awards was held at the Blossom Room of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on May 16, 1929.
The winners had been announced three months prior to this black-tie awards ceremony, where approximately 300 guests were in attendance.

• In the 3rd year of the Academy Awards (November 5, 1930), a new selection criterion for selecting nominees had been established: winners would now be chosen by the full members of the Academy, numbering over 400, instead of a handful of judges. This policy would continue until 1936

• Song and Film Editing were introduced as new categories beginning with the 7th annual Academy Awards (February 27, 1935).

• Cinematographer Hal Mohr became the only write-in Academy Award winner during the 8th year of the awards (March 5, 1936). Write-ins on the ballot were discontinued the following year.

• Best supporting actors were recognized for the first time during the 9th annual Academy Awards (March 4, 1937) --but the awards came in the form of plagues, not full-sized statues. The first winners were Walter Brennan in Come and Get It and Gale Sondergaard in Anthony Adverse. Full-sized statutes for supporting roles would not be handed out until 1943.

• Beginning with the 13th annual Academy Awards (February 27, 1941), the winners were not made known to anyone in advance, except a select few from the certified public accounting firm of Price Waterhouse & Co, until the envelopes were unsealed on the night of the awards. Thus, the Oscar tradition: ``The envelope please!'' came into being.

• During the 13th annual Academy Awards presentation (February 27, 1941), FDR addressed the Academy through a piped in radio address that lasted 6 minutes, making him the first U.S. president to address the academy.
NOTE: In order to give the Republicans equal time, Wendell L. Wilkie, the Republican nominee during the 1940 presidential election, was the principal speaker at the Academy Awards the following year.

• On March 13, 1947, for the first time in the Academy's history, the general public was allowed to buy tickets and attend the awards ceremony, which was held at the Shrine Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles.

• During the Academy's 25th Anniversary show (March 19, 1953), the awards were broadcast on television for the first time.

• Sophia Loren earned an industry milestone during the 34th annual Academy Awards (April 9, 1962), when she became the first Hollywood actress to win an Oscar in the best actress category for a non-English speaking film, for her role in the Italian film (Two Women).

• Make-up artists were recognized in a new category beginning with the 54th annual Academy Awards (March 29, 1982). The first film honored in that category was An American Werewolf in London.

Showstoppers

• April 9, 1962: During the 34th annual Academy Award ceremony, Stan Berman, a notorious gatecrasher, managed to slip past 125 police guards and presented MC Bob Hope with a hand-made Oscar.

• March 27, 1973: During the 45th annual Academy Awards, a shocked worldwide television watched as an Indian woman: Sachen Little-Feather (later identified as actress Maria Cruz) stepped to the podium and informed the audience that Marlon Brando, whose name had just been announced as best actor for his role playing Don Vito Corleone in the Godfather, was turning down the award due to the film industry's distorted depiction of American Indians.

• April 2, 1974: During the 46th annual Academy Awards, Ropert Opal, 33, came on stage directly behind presenter David Niven and dashed naked across the stage in front of an astonished auditorium and live television audience. As if on cue, Niven shot back in what is considered to be one of the best ad libs in Academy history, when he replied: ``Isn't it fascinating, to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off his clothes and showing his shortcomings.''
NOTE: Opal was found murdered five years later in a paraphernalia sex shop in San Francisco.

Crimes and Misdemeanors

• When Zbigniew Rybczynski won an Oscar during the 55th annual Academy Awards (April 11, 1983) for an animated Short Film (Tango), he became the first Oscar winner to spend time in jail the night of the Oscars. Rybczynski got into a fight with security guards after he tried to re-enter the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion after stepping out for a cigarette break. He was arrested and sent to jail. It was a brief stay. Once he was identified, charges were dropped.

• The 60th annual Academy Awards (April 11, 1988), made history for having a nominee on the ballot, who was actively being sought by police for grand theft involving an extensive collection of library books. Gustav Hasford, who was nominated but didn't win in the screenplay division for Full Metal Jacket, was either a no-show or he didn't make his presence known.

• On March 20, 2000, two employees of the Roadway Express Co., in Bell Ca., Anthony Keith Hart and Edward Ledent, both 38, were arrested for stealing 55 Oscar statutes. Willie Fulgear, a junk salvager, eventually found 52 of those statutes as he sifted through a garbage bin in L.A.'s Koreatown.

Other Oscar Records:

• Wings is the only silent film to win an Academy Award (1927-1928).

• Cimarron (1930-1) was the only western ever to win best picture.

• It Happened One Night became the first comedy to win best picture; and additionally became the first motion picture to sweep all 5 major awards.

• Gone with the Wind (1939) was the first motion picture in color to win an Oscar.

• Haitti McDaniel became the first African American to win an Oscar (Gone With The Wind, 1939); and Rita Moreno, the first Latina to win an Oscar (West Side Story. 1961).

• The only person to actually go home with an Oscar for playing a character who lost at the Academy Awards was Maggie Smith for California Suite (1978.)

• Ben Hur (1959) became the only remake to win Best Picture.

• The Apartment (1960) was the last black and white film to win an Oscar.
Note: Schindler's List (1993), another Oscar recipient, was partially shot in black and white

Oscar Primer

Who makes the Oscar?

R.S. Owens Co. of Chicago

Dodge Tropy Co., in Carson Calif., about 20 miles from Hollywood, originally began manufacturing the statutes in 1931 until it closed its operations in 1984.

How big is the statute?

13 and one half inches tall; it weighs 8 pounds and one half pounds

What is it made of?

The exterior is gold plated.: 92.5 percent tin and 7.5 percent copper

What happened to the statutes George C. Scott and Marlon Brando refused?

In reality, their names were never engraved. They were immediately returned and put back in stock.

Are the statues copyrighted?

Yes. As of September 2, 1941, when the statute officially became copyrighted, Oscar winners were prohibited from selling their statute without first offering it back to the Academy for $10.00.

Also, since 1949, the statutes were issued a number, which started with the number 501.

-Bill Lucey

Source: 70 Years of the Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards'' By Robert Osborne

Recalling a Few New Year's Eve Traditions

Ring out the grief that saps the mind.
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor;
Ring in redress of all mankind.
Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manner, purer laws.

``New Year's Eve'' a poem written by Lord Tennyson, 1850

***

The year dismally known as the Great Recession is almost behind us; (or so they say);  let’s hope 2010 is more prosperous, less stressful, with expectations less people lose their homes and more, many more, find new jobs after such a dreadful year.

As we prepare to ring in the New Year, here are a few historic facts we can mull over while waiting for the ball to come down on a wet frigid night at Times Square in New York.

• In medieval times, the beginning of the New Year was celebrated on March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation or Lady Day until Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian Calendar in 1582, a system used to this day which configured the 365 days of the year to accommodate a seven-day week. It wasn't until 1752, however, that England and America recognized this new system.

• The month of January gets its name from the Roman god ``Janus'', or 'Januarus, a god said to have two heads and two sets of eyes, each facing the opposite direction., one looking back the other forward. From this, the New Year tradition of welcoming the future and saying goodbye to the past was conceived.

• The most popular song associated with New Year's Eve ``Auld Lang Syne'' (which translates to ``old long ago''), was originally an anonymous 15th century poem, when it first turned up in a book of Scottish poetry by George Bannatyne under the title ``Auld Kyndness Forgot''. Another version was published in 1711, ``Old Long Syne'' (believed to be Francis Sempill), and in 1724, Allan Ramsay turned it into a song, Auld Lang Syne'' in the "Tea Table Miscella''; before Scottish poet Robert Burns added two verses (3 and 4), which was then published 5 months after his death in 1796 in a collection entitled Scots Musical Museum.

• In 1837, Charles Dickens ruminating on the ringing in the New Year wrote in Sketches by Boz: ``We measure man's life by years, and it is a solemn knell that warns us we have passed another of the landmarks which stand between us the grave. Disguise it as we may, the reflection will force itself on our minds, that when the next bell announces the arrival of a new year, we may be insensible alike of the timely warning we have so often neglected, and all the warm feelings that within us now.''

• Beginning in 1886, members of the Valley Hunt Club decorated their carriages with flowers while parading through the streets of Pasadena, Calif., in celebration of the ripe orange crop, which was then followed by a polo match, a tug of war, or greased pig-catching competition.

• In 1901, after the Tournament of Roses Association created the idea of having a college football game, Michigan and Stanford squared off on the campus of Throop Polytechnic Institute on January 1, 1902. The Wolverines crushed the Cardinals 49-0. It was such a lop-sided game that polo was once again brought back the following year; and from 1904 through 1914, Roman style chariot races were held.
College football returned to stay beginning in 1916.

• The New Year's Eve tradition of sipping champagne at the strike of midnight is thought to have originated with the French

• Another tradition holds that Wassail, a drink served on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, comes from an old Gaelic word meaning "good health.’

• Christmas and New Year's eve prior to dawn of the 20th century were closely linked; so much so that in 19th century New York, legend has it that Santa Claus often arrived on New Year's Eve and would leave by wishing Happy New Year, not Merry Christmas, according to Stephen Nissenbaum, professor emeritus at the University of Massachusetts and author of the book, "The Battle for Christmas." ``What's happened over the past 175 or so years is that alcoholic public revelry once associated with the entire season (including Christmas Eve and Day) has become isolated from the rest of the season and is now limited to New Year's Eve.'' Nissenbaum said.

• December 31, 1906 Adolph Ochs, publisher of the New York Times, dropped an illuminated globe from the top of his new building, Times Tower in Times Square on New Year's Eve. This public relations innovation marked the beginning of an annual ritual.

NOTE: The only time the ball didn't drop from Times Square on New Year's Eve (since 1907) were two years during World War II: 1942 and 1943 due to a wartime dim-out.

• December 31, 1929: Guy Lombardo, age 37, and his band, the Royal Canadians make their debut at the Roosevelt Hotel Grill in New York City, a two-tiered room with a second dance floor while reviving ``Auld Lang Syne; and from that point on, it becomes America's signature song on New Year's Eve. The venue would become a mainstay until the Roosevelt closed in 1959; and Lombardo and the Royal Canadians moved to the Waldorf Astoria.

• December 31, 1948: CBS broadcast's the first televised presentation of a New Year's Eve celebration from Times Square.

• December 31, 1972: For the first time in television history, Guy Lombardo has competition on New Year's Eve, when NBC and Dick Clark, the worlds oldest teenager, debut with New Year's Rockin’ Eve with guests the Three Dog Night, Blood Sweat and Tears, Billy Preston, Al Green, and Helen Reddy.

• December 31, 1976: Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians perform on New Year's eve for the final time; he died November 5, 1977 age 77 from kidney and heart failure.

December 31, 1995: The New Year's Eve ball in Times Square for the first time goes high tech, when a laser lowers the ball, replacing the six man crew using a pulley.

-Bill Lucey
WPLucey@gmail.com

Will MJ Rule the Night this Halloween?

 Before long, it will be time to crack open the hot apple cider (with cinnamon sticks, of course); and wait for the rush of creatures of the night, goblins, ghosts, and skeletons to creep up to your front door and howl: "Trick or Treat!

Others will be heading to their Halloween parties, dressed as, if history is any guide --Elvis and Priscilla, vampires, zombies, their favorite Superhero’s, and 80’s rock characters, among others.

Halloween, a secular name taken from the religious feast ``All Hallows' Eve’’ (now All Saints Day) became associated as a popular folk tradition in the mid-19th century, when Irish immigrants began flooding major urban cities after the potato famine and to escape political prosecution; and with it they brought their traditions and customs, including masquerade parades, and the carving of pumpkins. So that by the early 20th century, Halloween evolved into largely a secular celebration for children.

By the 1930’s, an assortment of clothing companies began manufacturing apparel for children, including the U.S. Mask Company in Woodhaven, New York, Bland Charnas Co. in Long Island N.Y., Halco in Pennsylvania, and E. Simons and Sons in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Prior to World War II, in addition to the manufacturing of many ghosts and witches’ costumes, popular costumes included: Little Orphan Annie and Mickey Mouse; by the 1960’s President John F, Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline became fashionable, as did the musical group, the Beatles and Apollo astronauts, according to Phyllis Galembo’s book: ``Dressed for Thrills: 100 Years of Halloween Costumes and Masquerade’s ‘’

So as we prepare for another Halloween, The Morning Delivery conducted its own survey in hopes of finding out which costumes will likely be in style this year. As you might have guessed, the former ``king of pop’’ will rule the night. Michael Jackson costume requests appear to be going through the roof, according to a majority of costumes shops contacted by the Delivery.

For those interested in knowing the most popular outfits being requested, here is a sampling from costume shops in different select U.S. cities. 

Ricky’s Halloween

375 Broadway
New York, NY 10013

Most Popular Requests:

a.) Ricky’s NYC Weedies: The Costume of Champions ($29.99) includes a swimming cap, goggles, fake jumbo ears, eight Gold Medals and a faux bong.

b.) Ricky’s NYC Womb Rader Baby Sash ($29.99) includes only the black sash with eight plastic babies attached to it.  No, Brad Pitt is not included

 c.) Ricky’s NYC Whack the Ponzi Schemer ($49.99), includes a two piece orange jumpsuit, full face mask, a set of handcuffs and a blow-up Super Striker Hammer.

 d.) Kim Jung Il ($49.99): This hilarious costume set includes a two piece dark khaki jumpsuit, square-rimmed glasses and a wig.

Ozzie Dots

4637 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

 Most popular requests: Big craze is ZOMBIE, followed by vampires. Other favorites include Mad Hatter, ``Queen of Hearts’’ (character from ``Alice's Adventures in Wonderland’’. Celebrity requests include: Farrah Fawcett, Paris Hilton, and Michael Jackson (dead & alive). A representative is counting his lucky stars that Ozzie Dots hasn’t fielded any Sarah Palin requests. Not yet anyway.

Mallatt Pharmacy and Costumes

3506 Monroe St.
Madison, WI 53711

Most popular requests: Harry Potter has flown out of the store for boys. Second are black Ghoul robes.  Young girls are swooning over the Mermaid costumes. Older girls go for Fairies and pretty witches. Adult women are buying Greek togas, flappers and hippies. Men like the adult size animal costumes with Skunk being the most popular. Parents are buying the toddler size cozy animals especially Dinosaurs and Lions.
 
New Orleans Party and Costume

705 Camp St
New Orleans, LA 70130

Most popular requests: Vampires; and ``Stimulus Package'’ attire; that is, anything having to do with money, such as a dollar sign

Backstage, Inc. 

The Performing Arts Store

545 8th Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003

Most popular requests: Batman (Watchmen comic series), Catwoman (hoping to look like Holly Berry), 80's rock (think punk, heavy metal, blonde wigs); X-Men Storm costumes, and caterpillar accessories with green tights

Easley's Costumes and Fun Shop:

509 W. McDowell Rd., (at 7th Avenue), Phoenix, Ariz

Most popular requested: Elvis, Star Trek characters, Michelle Obama; most popular group requests, include: ``Wizard of Oz'', ``Alice in Wonderland'' and ``Gilligan’s Island

Landes Costumes by Rachel

811 N Capitol Ave, Indianapolis, IN‎

Most popular requests: Vampires, Tim Burton's gothic adaptation of ``Alice in Wonderland’’, Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter.

Disguises Costume Superstore

9797 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood, CO 80215

Most popular requests: Michael Jackson, vampires, adult women are requesting anything sexy; while Mario and Luigi (Nintendo video game) seem to be popular for young and old alike

Chicago Costumes

1120 West Fullerton, Chicago, IL 60614  

Most popular requests: Boys: Mario and Luigi; Girls-popular princesses; Men- Michael Jackson, Women-Silk Specter from the Watchmen.

Masquerade Halloween Adventure in Times Square

311 W. 43rd Street (Between 8-9th)
New York, N.Y., 10036

Most popular requests: Michael Jackson for kids and men, flappers for women. Gi Joe for boys. ``Oh and vampires are big again. True blood. "

Pierre's Costumes

211 N 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Most popular requests: Michael Jackson; Pirates; and an assortment of costumes that hark back to Colonial Philadelphia

-Bill Lucey
WPLucey@gmail.com

Elvis vs. Michael Jackson: Let the Comparisons Begin

Michael Jackson Update       

                The autopsy report on Michael Jackson released by L.A. County Corner�s office says the cause of death has been ``deferred�� pending the results of the toxicology tests, which will take to 4-to-6 weeks to complete.

****

     TMZ has just posted the audio of the 911 call yesterday from Michael Jackson's house in Holmby Hills, Ca at 12: 21 p.m.

***

        The Texas Medical Board's profile of Michael Jackson�s physician, Dr Conrad Robert Murray, who was reportedly living with the pop star at his rented mansion, shows him with an active license, no disciplinary action, no malpractice citations, and no prior criminal history.
 
****

     The comparisons over whether Michael Jackson eclipsed the iconic stature of Elvis Presley will undoubtedly begin soon.   
        Michael was the King of Pop, Elvis, the King of Rock �n�Roll; both died from what appears to be a cardiac arrest; both were loners; Elvis had the Graceland Mansion, Michael had the Neverland Ranch; Elvis danced with the gyrating hips, Michael had the Moon Walk; and both had connections with Lisa Marie

***

    Did CNN fall asleep at the switch once again?
    First, they got caught off-guard with the storm over the Iranian presidential election on June 12th
    Today; the most trusted name in news took what seemed like an eternity to confirm whether the pop icon was indeed dead.
    While trying to confirm the breaking story independently, CNN took much longer to report on an L.A. Times confirmation than other networks. MSNBC reported the L.A Times story at least 10-15 minutes before CNN. 
        It's fine to be cautious, but the fact the Times posted the story of his death on their Website should have been reason enough for CNN to at least make mention of it.

    -Bill Lucey
    WPLucey@gmail.com

Academy Returns To Its Roots: Plans To Nominate 10 Motion Pictures

                 ABC announced today during next year's telecast of the Academy Awards on March 7, 2010, for the first time since 1943, the Academy will nominate 10 motion pictures instead of the traditional five.
              �Having 10 Best Picture nominees is going allow Academy voters to recognize and include some of the fantastic movies that often show up in the other Oscar categories but have been squeezed out of the race for the top prize,� Academy Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Sid Ganis announced today at a press conference in Beverly Hills.
             The last time 10 motion pictures were nominated came during the 16th Academy Awards, `when ``Casablanca�� was named Best Picture.
             In 1935, there was a record 12 motion pictures nominated when ``Mutiny on the Bounty�� came away with the Oscar
             The 82nd Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010.

         Other significant changes with the Oscar ceremonies include: 

• In the 3rd year of the Academy Awards (November 5, 1930), a new selection criterion for selecting nominees had been established: winners would now be chosen by the full members of the Academy, numbering over 400, instead of a handful of judges. This policy would continue until 1936.

• For the first time, during the 7th year of the Academy Awards (February 27, 1935), the Academy allowed for write-in candidates on the ballot. This was in response to the storm of protest that surrounded the Academy when Bette Davis (Of Human Bondage) and Myrna Lay (Thin Man) failed to earn a nomination.
Despite the option of a write-in, neither Davis nor Lay came away with an award.

• Song and Film Editing were introduced as new categories beginning with the 7th annual Academy Awards (February 27, 1935)

• Beginning with the 13th annual Academy Awards (February 27, 1941), the winners were not made known to anyone in advance, except a select few from the certified public accounting firm of Price Waterhouse & Co, until the envelopes were unsealed on the night of the awards. Thus, the Oscar tradition: ``The envelope please!'' came into being.

• On March 13, 1947, for the first time in the Academy's history, the general public was allowed to buy tickets and attend the awards ceremony, which was held at the Shrine Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles.

• During the 29th annual Academy Awards (February 6, 1957), Foreign Language films competed in a separate category of their own for the first time-- instead of it being presented to honorary recipients

• Make-up artists were recognized in a new category beginning with the 54th annual Academy Awards (March 29, 1982). The first film honored in that category was An American Werewolf in London.

-Bill Lucey
WPLucey@gmail.com

Source: ``70 Years of the Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards'' By Robert Osborne

John Dillinger Fast Facts

             Anticipation seems to be building for the motion picture ``Public Enemies'', starring  Johnny Depp, who plays the elusive John Dillinger, America�s most notorious bank robber, and the first Public Enemy No 1, being hotly pursued by FBI agent Melvin Purvis, played by Christian Bale
             The film, based on the book by former Wall Street Journal writer Bryan Burrough, hits theaters on July 1st.
             So as we prepare for Depp�s depiction of one of America�s most notorious gangsters and his violent band of outlaws, this might be a good time to catch up on some quick facts about John Dillinger

             Such as:

• Five people died from the suffocating heat in Chicago on July 22, 1934, when temperature readings reached as high as 101.3, a fact easily obscured by the death of Public Enemy No. 1: John Dillinger

• John Herbert Dillinger, the son of John Wilson Dillinger (owner of a small grocery store) was born at June 22, 1903 at 2053 Cooper St in Indianapolis, and raised by his sister Audrey. Dillinger�s mother, Mary Ellen (known as Mollie) died when he was just 3 years-old

• Dillinger�s first bank robbery was in New Carlisle, Ohio, when he made off with $10, 600 on June 10, 1933.

• In a little more than year, Dillinger and his gang robbed dozens of banks and close to half million dollars, while killing 10 and wounding seven others.

• Dillinger was officially named the nation�s first Public Enemy No. 1 on June 22, 1934, on his 31st birthday

• Dillinger worked with a flock of disreputable bandits, among them: ``Baby Face Nelson��, Homer Van Meter, and ``Pretty Boy Floyd��

• Prior to being gunned down, reward money leading to the capture of Dillinger was posted in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ohio.

• The U.S. Justice Department offered a $15,000 award for Dillinger�s capture; $5,000 for information leading to his arrest.

• After exiting the Biograph Theater at 10: 40 p.m in Chicago, the Indiana outlaw was gunned down while reaching for his gun (a Colt .380) while surrounded by a swarm of federal agents and Chicago policeman.

• The infamous ``Woman in Red�� (actually wearing an orange skirt) was Anna Sage, a former brothel keeper from Gary, Indiana. Her legal name was Ana Cumpanas; who agreed to identify Dillinger to federal agents on the condition she not be deported. Sage was deported anyway. She died at age 58 in 1947 from a liver ailment while living in Romania.

• Sage always maintained the feds cheated her out of $70,000, the amount promised to her for ``putting the finger�� on Dillinger.

• Dillinger was shot four times by federal agents

• The federal agents credited with firing at Dillinger were Charles B. Winstead, Clarence O. Hurt, and Herman E. Hollis.

• The motion picture Dillinger went to see with his girlfriend, Dolly Hamilton, was ``Manhattan Melodrama�� starring Clark Gable and William Powell

• The Biograph Theater located at 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue housed 990 patrons

• The last movie to be shown at the Biograph Theater was Woody Allen�s ``Sleeper�� in July, 1974. One night In the final week, the theater drew a mere 25 patrons.

• Dillinger sat in the middle of the 12th row of the Biograph Theater

• The  Biograph Theater was designated a Chicago Landmark on March 28, 2001

• Melvin H. Purvis was the FBI agent who was charged with leading the manhunt for Dillinger. Purvis, nicknamed ``Little Mel�� committed suicide on February 29, 1960

• 23 FBI agents and Chicago policeman were gathered around the Biograph Theater waiting for Dillinger to emerge

• Dillinger died with $7.70 in his pocket near the Mee Woh Lo Chinese restaurant

• After being shot, Dillinger was transported to Alexian Brother Hospital. Upon arrival, Dillinger was pronounced dead; the hospital never did admit him. Instead, agents laid him out on the lawn in front of the hospital, where they waited for the Cook County Corner�s office to pick him up.

• Dillinger was the 116th registered corpse at the Cook County morgue during for the month of July, 1934

• According to the Library of Congress, there have been 16 songs written about John Dillinger.

• According to Bowker�s Books in Print Database, there have been 17 books written about John Dillinger, three of which are being published in 2009

• Dillinger dropped out of school at age 16; joined the Navy but went AWOL after only five months of service.

• Dillinger�s only marriage came on September 16, 1924 to 16 year-old Beryl Hovious. They divorced on June 20, 1929.

• On May 27, 1934 in an attempt to mask his identity, Dillinger underwent plastic surgery at the home of Jimmy Probasco, a bar owner with ties to the Chicago Syndicate.

• The fascination with Dillinger had reached such a fevered pitch; Dillinger�s father was reportedly offered $10,000 by one person to borrow his son�s dead body for a period of time.

• On July 25, 1934, Dillinger is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis

Source: The FBI; U.S. Newspaper Archives

-Bill Lucey
WPLucey@gmail.com

Conan Holds Lead Despite Letterman's Apology to Sarah Palin

        Despite all the buzz that was paid to David Letterman making a formal apology  to Alaska Governor Sarah Palin last night, the fast nationals from Nielsen Media Research shows that Conan O�Brien still held a commanding 30 percent margin of  victory over his CBS rival. Conan, in fact, remained number one in all demographics groups: adults, men, women ,18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.
        It will be interesting to see how the Conan vs. Letterman war plays out in the coming months ahead.
        At 62, Letterman might be getting a little long in the tooth for the younger audience. On the other hand, Conan�s spasmodic gyrations might not be exactly what the doctor ordered for the over 40 demographic, who are desperately trying to get used to his quirky humor.
        More and more, it seems, my remote has a mind of its own and usually lands on PBS for the Charlie Rose Show after about 20 minutes of Dave and Conan.

    -Bill Lucey
     WPLucey@gmail.com

11.9 Million Tune Into Leno's Finale

            Jay Leno�s season finale averaged 11.9 million total viewers, the seventh highest ``Tonight Show'' of his 17-year run.
        The only other shows with a larger audience, included;

� May 20, 1993, the night of the �Cheers� finale-(22.4 million).
� May 25, 1992, the debut of �The Tonight Show with Jay Leno� (16.1 million)
� May 14, 1998, the night of the �Seinfeld� finale (15.0 million
� March 19, 2009, the night of the President Obama interview (14.6 million)
� January 24, 2005, the night of a special tribute to Johnny Carson (13.4 million)
� May 6, 2004, the night of the �Friends� finale (12.6 million).

        Jay takes comfort in knowing he left the ``Tonight Show�� with a commanding lead over his late-night competitor, David Letterman. According to NBC, Leno maintained a 37 percent advantage over Letterman in total viewers, up from 30 percent compared with the same time last year.

-Bill Lucey
WPLucey@gmail.com

Jay's Finale Posts Strong Numbers; But Not As Strong as Johnny Carson's

           Is Johnny still the man? 
        NBC reports 8.8 percent of homes in metered-market cities tuned in for the ``Tonight Show�� season finale last night, the highest Friday overnight result ever during Jay Leno�s 17-year run.
        Johnny Carson's finale on May 22, 1992, by comparison, posted 31.9 percent in the metered markets, which translated into a whopping 41.4 million in total viewers, a striking difference than last night�s finale. The total amount of viewers for Leno�s finale won�t be available until Thursday, but it won�t come close to matching Carson�s hefty numbers.
        Of course, given how much entertainment is now available to viewers and considering Leno hasn�t really left the building, this might be an unfair comparison.
        As Tom Bierbaum, spokesperson from NBC  points out ``there's no real comparison between that number and what contemporary late-night shows are doing for many reasons, the biggest probably being that Carson operated in a much less fragmented universe versus today's world, where the average home has 119 channels and many additional Internet choices that didn't exist in an earlier era. And of course, Carson was exiting the scene completely while Jay will be back in a new time period in about three months.''

 **

         Although I'm an unabashed Leno fan, and tried not to miss his monologue (always great material), I was a bit disappointed with his farewell last night, mostly having to due with Jay failing to pay tribute to his predecessors,namely Carson, Jack Paar, and Steve Allen for paving the way for young comics, such as himself, to one day have the opportunity to fill their shoes on a national stage.
        And though I didn�t expect Jay to well-up during his final minutes, much like Johnny did in the waning minutes of his last broadcast while sitting on stool; I was still hoping for at least a couple minutes of wistful straight talk what this show meant to him, how it shaped him through the years, while paying homage to the long rich legacy of the ``Tonight Show��.

    -Bill Lucey
     WPLucey@gmail.com

Memorable Moments With Jay Leno and the Tonight Show

        17 years after taking the baton from the king of Late-Night  Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, 59, the silvered-haired comic with the prominent chin, steps down as host of the ``Tonight Show��, paving the way for the elevated leprechaun Conan O�Brien to begin his tour of duty, beginning June 1st, making the 46 year-old comic the 5th host in ``Tonight Show�� history.
        Leno certainly has come a long way from the first time I saw him perform live, many many moons ago, when the young lanky stand-up comic, brandishing a mop of curly dark hair opened for Sha Na Na at the Front Row Theater in Cleveland, Ohio.
        Leno is such a fixture on the late night circuit, belting out sharp wisecracks the way he does on the likes of the ``Octomom�� and the ultimate gaffe machine, Joe Biden; it�s hard to imagine late-night TV without him.
        Which is why NBC has no intention of letting the comic slip away and into the hands of competitors.
        Jay isn�t going anywhere; not really, he can be seen on the same network, only in the 10 p.m slot beginning in the fall.
        Although he�s still a company man, history will nevertheless be made when the curtain comes down on Leno for the final time as host of the ``Tonight Show�� after Friday�s show.
        What follows, then, are some memorable moments of the ``Tonight Show��over the last 17 years

May 25, 1992: Jay�s first guest was actor/comedian Billy Crystal. Other star-studded guests that opening week included: Tom Cruise, Sigourney Weaver and Mel Gibson

February 4, 1993: Jimmy Carter becomes the first former president to appear on Jay�s show to promote his Habitat for Humanity house-building volunteer project. Carter demonstrated to Jay how to properly apply a hammer to a nail.

March 31, 1993: Jay and actress Cybill Shepherd phone former vice president Al Gore to wish him a ``Happy Birthday��.

April 2, 1993: Jay celebrates his 200th broadcast with guests Rhea Pearlman and singer Bryan Adams.

June 3, 1993: Senator Bob Dole makes his late-night debut by holding up cue cards for Jay during his monologue.

January 17, 1994: Jay takes the day off after an earthquake rocks Southern California

May 16-20th, 1994: Jay brings the ``Tonight Show'' to New York for a weeks worth of shows for the first time in more than 20 years. In an expected moment, former ``Tonight Show�� host Jack Paar walks on the show to welcome Jay to the Big Apple.

July 10, 1995: Actor Hugh Grant appears on Jay�s show on the heels of his well publicized arrest with a Hollywood prostitute.

September 26, 1995: General Colin Powell makes his first appearance on the Tonight Show.

April 26, 1996: House Speaker Newt Gingrich discusses his passion for animals with Jay, bringing along newts, baby pigs and other animals

April 29-May 3rd, 1996: Jay brings the ``Tonight Show'' to the ``Windy City''; where he is welcomed by Chicago celebrities Michael Jordan and Oprah Winfrey at the Rosemont Theatre.

August 1996, �Saturday Night Live� alums Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon serve as the exclusive �Tonight Show� political correspondents, covering the Democratic and Republican Conventions.

September 30, 1996: Elizabeth Dole appears on the ``Tonight Show��riding on the back of Jay�s motorcycle

October 2, 1998: Cuba Gooding Jr. strips off his suit pants and jacket and tosses them into the audience. The vivacious Oscar recipient stays in his underwear for the remainder of the interview.

November 4, 1998: From the Burbank studios, Ohio Senator John Glenn and Jay interview the astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery from space

June 21, 2001: Responding to California Energy Crisis, Jay performs the entire broadcast with no studio lighting aka ``The Tonight Show: Unplugged�� while the studio audience holds battery operated flashlights.

November 22, 2001: Marking the beginning of a ``Tonight Show�� tradition, Jay performs a special Thanksgiving show, which was broadcast live on the Armed Forces Radio and Television Services as a way of entertaining U.S. military personnel stationed overseas.

December 10, 2002: New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani appears with Jay in which the former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, who gained notoriety hunting down crime bosses, hums the theme to ``The Godfather.��, while doing his best Marlon Brando impression.

August 6, 2003: Arnold Schwarzenegger appears on the``Tonight Show� with a stunning announcement: he plans to run  for governor of California.

May 12, 2003: Jay and NBC Today Show co-host Katie Couric switch jobs with Jay finally getting a day job on the Today Show, while Couric fills in on the late-night desk. This show marked the first time another host filled in for Leno.

May 6, 2004: Jay broadcasts on the set of ``Friends�� with the entire cast in tribute to the NBC comedy�s final season on the air.

June 7, 2004: Terry Bradshaw celebrates his 25th appearance on the Tonight Show by getting into a cake fight with Jay.

September 27, 2004: The ``Tonight Show'' celebrates its 50th anniversary with tributes to Steve Allen, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson.

March 4-10, 2005: The ``Tonight Show�� host is prohibited from telling Michael Jackson jokes since being named a witness in the pop star�s trial. As a way around this dilemma , Jay brings in some comic relief pitchers, such as Dennis Miller, Brad Garrett and Roseanne Barr to deliver ``Wacko Jacko�� jokes.

April 8, 2005: Despite his advanced age, 80 year-old actor Paul Newman, a passionate race car enthusiast, challenges Jay to a go cart race around the NBC Burbank Studios with Newman outdistancing the ``Tonight Show�� host.

December 1, 2006: The junior Senator of Illinois, Barack Obama, makes his first appearance on the ``Tonight Show�� with Jay.

May 25, 2007: Jay marks his 15th year as the ``Tonight Show�� host.

2008: Contenders for the U.S. presidency became a regular fixture on the ``Tonight Show'' during the bruising primary season. Guests included: New York Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Fred Thompson, who announced his presidential candidacy talking with Jay, Mike Huckabee briefly joined �The Tonight Show� band on bass; while Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, and Dennis Kucinich made appearances, as did Senator John Edwards and wife Elizabeth, although before his dalliance with another woman was made public.

October 27, 2008: With the presidential election just days away, Michelle Obama makes her first appearance on the Tonight Show.

November 11, 2008: Senator John McCain, a week after losing the presidential election, appears on the ``Tonight Show�� with Jay in celebration of Veteran�s Day.

March 19, 2009: Barack Obama makes history by becoming the first sitting president to appear on the ``Tonight Show.��

May 29, 2009: Jay makes his final appearance as host of the ``Tonight Show��, after 17 years.  Scheduled guests include: Conan O�Brien and James Taylor.

Tonight Show Timeline:

� May 29, 1950 � August 24, 1951- BROADWAY OPEN HOUSE� (M-F, 11:00 p.m. � 12 midnight ET) hosted by Jerry Lester and Morey Amsterdam, two vaudeville comedians.

� July 7, 1953 � September 27, 1954: �THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW� is originally aired locally by WNBT in New York (now WNBC). The success of the show segues into a nationally televised show with the title changing to ``Tonight��

� September 27, 1954-January 25, 1957 � �TONIGHT� (11:30 p.m.-1 a.m. ET), starring Steve Allen.
NOTE: Beginning in October, 1956, Allen hosted on Wednesday through Friday, while Ernie Kovacs hosted on Monday and Tuesday nights.

� January 28, 1957-July 26, 1957 � �TONIGHT! AMERICA AFTER DARK� (11:15 p.m.-1:00 a.m.), starring radio and television host Jack Lescoulie; and beginning June 24, 1957, Al �Jazzbeau� Collins.

� July 29, 1957-March 30,1962 � �TONIGHT� (11:15 p.m.-1 a.m. ET) starring Jack Paar
NOTE:  Effective February 3rd, 1958, the name of the talk show changed to the ``Jack Paar Show�� The last original Paar Show aired on March 29, 1962; and beginning on March 30, 1962, NBC began airing ``The Best of Paar.��

� April 2, 1962-September 28, 1962 � �THE TONIGHT SHOW� with various guest-hosts.

� October 1, 1962-May 22, 1992 � �THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON� (11:15 p.m. � 1 a.m. ET) featuring host Johnny Carson, announcer Ed McMahon and musical director Skitch Henderson.
NOTE: Effective January 2, 1967, the show aired from 11:30-1:00 a.m.
On May 1, 1972, the Tonight Show leaves New York and moves to Los Angeles
Beginning September 16, 1980, the ``Tonight Show'' is reduced to 60 minutes; and beginning on September 2, 1991, �The show's start time went from 11:30 to 11:35 p.m.

� May 25, 1992- May 29, 2009:  � �THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO� (11:35 p.m. � 12:35 a.m. ET) with host Jay Leno.

� June 1, 2009 � Conan O�Brien begins his reign as the 5th host of the ``Tonight Show.��

Source: NBC Entertainment Publicity Department

-Bill Lucey
WPLucey@gmail.com