What a Good Wife

When my wife came home late this afternoon she gave me a present...the kind a 1960's retro-monster kid nerd would appreciate: A Brand New Box of QUISP cereal
O Yeah!

I've not seen it at any of the local grocery stores but she picked it up at Super Target. According to the wikipedia article, Quaker has been selling it mostly on-line in the last few years.

I like well enough (it's like Manna from heaven compared to Captain Crunch - - which I wouldn't feed a dying rat) but how mondo cool is QUISP (as a character)? I've always loved this hyper little guy (never cared on whit for Quake) and fondly remember his television commercials "back in the day"

This is a scan (above) from the box (still un-opened; sigh... my wife's making me eat supper first :( ) Pretty nifty eh?
(above) is the scan from the back cover of the box. I love it when a cereal company gives up the added revenue of having simply one more ad on the back and instead runs a cartoon like this to "pimp" its own character.... more like the "good old days."
[click on pictures to enlarge] All scans taken from my own collection/pantry

Above is a picture from Quaker's own QUISP web site... now look below at Jay Ward's famous Moon Men from the BULLWINKLE AND ROCKY SHOW. Yeah, they're green and QUISP is pink.... and to be sure they don't have the top-knot spinning/flying whirly-gig thingie (and QUISP doesn't have a scrooch gun)... but I'm thinking these boys are related.

(Jay Ward is their Dad so anything's possible)

What a good wife rogue evolent has!

SATURDAY'S COVER(ed) #6

This is a great Sabbath slab of sludge metal EVEN WITHOUT the OZZY!

Or, actually BECAUSE DIO is just that much BETTER of a metal vocalist.

But hey, this isn't a music blog ( :) ) so let me move on to the beautiful cover art on the album by world-famous fanstasy artist

GREG HILDEBRANDT (of the famed Hildebrandt Brothers). If you loved fanstasy and sci-fi, and if you read your Tolkien in the 60's or early 70's, and then hung out at any Mall bookstore or counter-culture record store in the mid to latter 70's you saw the HILDEBRANDT wall-calendars everywhere... the art of these guys was ubiquitous.

Frankly, I think their non-Hobbit stuff was better, hence this album jacket!

This was the jacket art for Black Sabbath's 10th studio album released in November 0f 1981. Supposedly in the words "kill Ozzy" are somewhere near the bottom of the picture (urban myth I think).

I like the use of yellow and browns. I like the creatures in the faceless hoods, as they conjure up the mutants in OMEGA MAN as well as the Jawas from STAR WARS. The whole thing has a creepy post-apocalyptic & zombie vibe going, if you ask me.

The piece of stretched fabric (I hope it's fabric) with the blood stains, tauntly strung up in a... I don't know... a door frame... make me think it's probably Lady Cassandra from Doctor Who series one (Eccleston)

SHOUT OUT to my Cyber Pal MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ

While every single "follower" (and I hate that term, I'm certainly no leader, and you good people who look at this misfit blog from time to time have more talent in just one of your finger nails than I have in all my Gill Man claws and feet) is very important to me, I just have to give a "shout out" to MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ!

This blog has had 71 wonderful "roguevolistas" (hey, I'm a neologist :) ) for quite a while now. Until today when I surfed on to tROAD to see that I've cracked 72!!! My face-book buddy and PODCAST HERO Mr. "R" signed on. I am honored

Here's a photo of Miguel (he's like a more handsome version of myself... also abou 30 years younger) that I snagged from his face book page. Miguel, if you want me to delete it just say so and it's gone! I cropped out your lovely companion for both privacy and, well, I can't steal every person's photo.
It's not just that Miguel is friendly, funny, intelligent, and a "MONDO" Monster-Kid (which of course is more than enough), but that he also has one of my all-time favorite PODCASTS.
His MONSTER ISLAND RESORT is a must listen for anyone who love Kaiju, Indie horror, and all things monster-genre related. He loves GOJIRA...nuff said! Check out his wit, cinematic expertise and cool-guy persona at http://0316bfc.netsolhost.com/blog/ or at www.monsterislandresort.org

And of special note to all you lovers of Horror Hosts (from Zacherly, the Ghoul, Svengali, Elvira, to the newest batch of up and coming youngsters), Miguel's last few Podcasts have had some really good interviews with a number of the current crop of hosts. Is that not a spiffy logo (above) featuring some of the newest and best American monster-showing personalities?

Trust rogue evolent.... listen to MONSTER ISLAND PODCAST and you will come away saying... "I really like this Miguel guy!!!"

How to wear Jewelry?

Although we women love to wear jewelry, we many times forget that our jewelry is supposed to complement our looks, accentuate our features but not over power. It is important that we remember that and wear jewelry strictly as per the occasion or one can turn into a fashion disaster.

If worn correctly, jewelry has the power of turning even a simple casual outfit into absolutely chic one.

Below are some tips that would help you look stylish

• Never Overdo. One of the most important things that one need to take care of while wearing jewelry is never to overdo. Jewelry can make you look gaudy if you overdo it. Don’t wear your jewelry as if you have to show off all that you have got.
• Be Consistent. Be consistent with one jewelry look at a time. If you want to wear some big bold pendant, never wear some delicate earrings or rings with. If you want to go bold with your jewelry, then let that be theme of all jewelry pieces whether they be rings, earrings or bangles.
• Don’t mismatch two styles. While you can mix-match your jewelry and wear it and this could be a pretty stunning idea. But, don’t try to mix two different styles, they just never work. Say if you are wearing a cocktail ring, then let that alone be the eye catcher. Wearing other small and delicate rings would only take away from its glamour.

• Also when you want to wear multiple chains or necklaces, never wear a thin chain and a thick one together.

.

Aww Heck! Buy Mark Redfield's CD/MOVIE TOO!!

If Tim Lucas says that Mark Redfield's performance is FINE !!!!! That alone is a ringing endorsement. Buy this DVD from Mark's REDFIELD ARTS web site http://www.redfieldarts.com/deathofpoe.html or Amazon.com.

And see what wikipedia has to say at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_of_Poe_(film)

I just ordered myself a copy from Amazon.com for a measly $13.49. You can get it right now for 10 bucks at Mark's site, but I had an old Christmas gift card to Amazon to use up. Support the uber-talented Mr. Redfield and support indie filmaking at its finest! Also show the monster-kid community that

POE R-A-W-K-S

Quothe the rogue evolent (yeah, I know you're getting sick of that quothe "gag") :)

Speaking of POE (Edgar Allan that is)

I'd invite you, first off, to simply click on this post's title (up above - - "Speaking of POE") for a quick-link that will simply take you to the CHFB (Classic Horror Film Board) thread about the proposed television series to feature the historical POE as a sort-of-a mid-19th century forensic detective of the weird and the bizarre. Actor, Writer, long-time POE advocate, and all-around NEAT GUY, Mark Redfield (check out Mark's own sites at: www.redfieldarts.com/ and http://anactorsnotebook.blogspot.com/ ) launched the thread today about ABC picking up the "pilot" to the POE series. We can hope and pray this comes to fruition and that it is done well and faithful to the written genius of Baltimore's Baron of the Bizarre.

You can also click on the Entertainment Weekly site to read the story: http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/01/25/edger-allen-poe-tv-series/

Quothe the rogue evolent: "THIS SOUNDS AWESOME!!!"

Hello! Hello? (cheap echo joke; sorry)

Sure, RUSH is the greatest band in the world... but that's not the point of this post-ette; this IS NOT a music blog. :)

While listening (way too loud too... huh?) yesterday to RUSH's 1996 masterpiece TEST FOR ECHO (their 16th slab of sonic alchemy)... I noticed that at about the 2:45 point of Alex Lifeson's instrumental goodie (LIMBO) that the boys "sample" the great iconic line (you know the one - - the great spoken line/question from Dracula) that appears in MONSTER MASH, arguably the greatest
HORROR/MONSTER music schtick in the history of novelty recording from Bobby "Boris" Pickett.

And the art work on the cover of the album (above) along with a couple of interior art-pieces, in a "side-ways" kind of way channels some Lovecraftian Antarctica vibes of cyclopian dread (The Mountains of Madness).
COOL!

What is the Birthstone of January

It has been three weeks past the new year and it still takes to get adjusted to the fact that we are no more living in 2010 but 2011. Guess it is going to be few more weeks before I get accustomed to 2011.

But yes, the fact remains, and it is January; the month that has Garnet as its Birthstone. This gemstone is found in a wide spectra of colors but is mostly loved for their deep red hues. These deep red hue gemstone look absolutely gorgeous and were often found in antique jewelry. Even many of the historically famous rubies were later found out to be garnets.

Garnet is also one of those very few rare gems that is used untreated in jewelry. This gemstone looks stunning in all kinds of jewelry and complements all kind of metals and colors.

Even hundred of years ago the gem was greatly valued as it was believed that the gem protects its wearer from all kinds of diseases and brings him honors.

Read more about Birthstone Jewelry – DO they really work

good advertising

Found on

FRANKEN-CAT ? The HORROR!

It's the pitchfork and torch among the Feline Mob that I'm lovin'

2011 Valentines Day Fashion Jewelry Gifts

Have a friend who's down and out? Want to send a hint to your significant other?? or maybe you just want to show your loved ones... you LOVE THEM!

Whatever your reason, grab a Valentine's Day gift that's affordable and also sweet and special right here at PortiaJewelry.com. Gift boxes and gift messages are free and you also have the ability to ship a gift to someone who may be far away. If that's not good enough... we're giving you a coupon to use to take off 25% from your order with no minimum order total required to qualify! Also, if you live in the USA and spend $75 we'll ship it out priority at no cost to you!

So, please click on the image above (you can also access it from the home page of PortiaJewelry.com) and view all the Valentine's Day picks our staff wanted to show you.

I love all Portia's customers and want to wish you all a truly wonderful and love-filled Valentine's Day. We are so grateful to you for taking the time to visit our shop. There will be big changes happening to PortiaJewelry.com in the near future, including designer collections from jewelry artists around the country. Please stick with us in the New Year because there will be so many more exciting new things to show you guys!

Don't forget to use the code: vday2011 for 25% off your order =)

Happy VDAY (almost)!

EDGAR ALLAN POE NATIVITY

What can one say about the MASTER? Today marks his birthday. Go into your study, slump down in your favorite wingback or chesterfield and pour yourself a big snifter of Cognac or Port. Have a little Absinthe ready for your aperitif (you will no doubt be dining on Meat Pie and shrimp). Get the fireplace going and then re-read your favorite Poe short story. It's okay to pick the ones we "had to read" i n Jr. High, like: The Tell-Tale Heart, The Black Cat, or The Cask of the Amontillado. Than later, before retiring, pull on your top coat and muffler and go for a nice long walk along the cliffs, in the grave yard, or down to the 7-11.

"Quoth the rogue evolent - - nevermore"

The MEDIOCRE Return of DOGOSI

Not sure I'm really happy with my new (all rogue evolent ORIGINAL) character design for Professa Wienergoblet's demi-loyal, skeleton bone chewing, castle/la-boor-a-tree watch dog: DOGOSI. But for now here is the wonder(ing) mutt....
no doubt thinking of "taters." :)

Fashion and Jewelry at Golden Globe Awards 2011

Jewelry and fashion were at their best when celebrities walked the red carpet of the 68th Golden Globe Awards.

Natalie Portman was nominated for The Best Performance of an Actress in a Motion Picture for ‘Black Swan’ looked stunning with her baby bump, diamond necklace and earrings.

 

Emma Roberts showed with the sexy cocktail of her smile and Illuminating gemstone dangle earrings.

Sarah Hyland’s feather dress and Chandelier Earrings – Interesting Combo

Leigton Meester wearing a Burberry and gemstone earrings

 

Hard to miss and ever Classy – Julianne Moore

SATURDAY'S COVER(ed) # 5

This awesome album art is from a disc/record that I do not own; first time in 5 weeks that I'm displaying some art where I don't have the music to go with it!

I do know who the metal band Y&T were/are. I didn't pay much attention to them the first time around, so I felt no angst as they slipped from their more "hard-edged" NWOBHM (kinda) sound to a more polished, produced, L.A. "hair band" vibe.

I have lately been hearing some of their music on one of my favorite Live.365.com stations (Skid Rowe Radio). No, they're no Def Leppard, but I like 'em in that old comfortable retro "1980's" kind of way.

This art is just so cool. Count Dracula biting the neck of the Maria Robot (the "Man Machine") from METROPOLIS played by Brigitte Helm.

Superhot Gemstone Dangle Earrings of Taylor Swift

The songstress Taylor Swift was recently seen sporting a gorgeous pair of Gemstone Dangle Earrings at BOA Steakhouse, California. The singer was looking super hot with her gemstone earrings which she has paired with a strapless black sequin dress from Mark+James.

Gemstone Dangle Earrings are perfect for adding glamour to your evening dress. They are classy, stunning and if you wear them, you really don’t need to wear any other jewelry.

"THE" Greatest Movie-Line Put Down Of All Time

I saw THE EIGER SANCTION with my best friend of all time (and all space dimensions as well) Bookman187 in a theater back in Fort Wayne, Indiana when it opened (late Spring/early Summer 1975 ??) We liked it a lot. I'm not sure I've ever seen it again. To this day CLINT EASTWOOD remains one of my all-time favorite actors (and not just favorite "tough-guy" actors).


After posting the other day that wonderfully GREAT "put down" line from Charlie Chan at the Olympics, I got to ruminating about other great cinema "disses."


I think this might be the WINNER!


From said movie (above) the great character actor Gregory Walcott (most infamous for his appearance in Ed Wood's PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE) confronts CLINT and demands/request/desires Clint come with him thusly:

Walcott: "My superior wants to see you!"

Eastwood: "Your superior? Well, that doesn't narrow the field very much does it?"



rogue evolent: "Oh yeah!!!!!!"

Reese Witherspoon Ashoka Cut Diamond Engagement Ring

Since her engagement with Jim Toth, actress Reese Witherspoon has been in news. People are happy that their much loved actress is going to walk the aisle again and most just can’t help but get awed by her Engagement Ring with the 4 Carat Ashoka Cut Diamond.

Ashoka Cut Diamonds

Ashoka Cut Diamonds are pretty are very rare and were much unheard about till this even. The cut actually originated many centuries ago in India. William Goldberg Diamond Corporation took this cut, modified it and got it patented in the year 2000. A diamond also has to be of particular size and quality to be given this cut.

To read more about these Legendary Ashoka Cut Diamonds, check here

Bejeweled baby skull worth $50 Million

Here is a bejeweled baby skull that is causing much controversy in the UK. This latest work of Damien Hist has a real baby skull covered with diamonds in platinum. This sculpture that Hist has entitled ‘For Heaven’s Sake’ is the follow up to $100 million skull which he presented in 2007.

The skull is believed to be of a new born of less than two weeks from 19th Century. The skull in cast in all platinum and with more than 8000 white and pink diamonds by Bentley and Skinner Jewelers. The Diamond skull will be showcased at Gagosian Gallery, Honk Kong this month.

There have been many protest regarding using the baby skull to which Hist replied as "When you look at a skull, you think it represents the end, but when you see the end so beautiful, it gives you hope.”

One of The Greatest "Put-Downs" Ever Filmed

Yesterday's CHAN review did not include the following opinion/observation. The above character actor (the GREAT C. Henry Gordon) delivered what has to be one of the best INSULTS I've ever seen (I mean that was Rated G/clean). He's one of the movie's "baddies," and when confronted by a group of the good-guys (Chan and several other authority types) and the pompous Jonathan Hale (another fantastic character actor) delivers the line.

Hale: (blustering and fuming with indignancy) "You must think we're all a bunch of idiots!"

Gordon: "Well, to be fair....... I don't know the other gentlemen."

ZING!

( I guess you had to be there, i.e. go watch Charlie Chan at the Olympics)

Huge Gold Nugget in Sierra

A huge Gold nugget of approximately 100 troy ounce ( a bit over 3kgs) was recently found in Sierra. It is estimated to be worth $135,000 as per current gold prices but could even fetch prices till about $400,000 at the auction at which it will it will be sold in March. These kind of huge gold nuggets are prized and collected by Collectors all over the world.

These kind of nuggets are mostly found in Australia and are a rarity for California. Fred Holabird, who was the mining geologist of the concerned area said that this nugget was a part of an ancient riverbed and it took heavy equipments to remove gold from the rock.

CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OLYMPICS

CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OLYMPICS (1937), B&W, USA, English, 71 minutes, Fox Film Corporation, directed by H. Bruce Humberstone, starring: Warner Oland, Keye Luke, Katherine DeMille, Pauline Moore, John Eldredge, C. Henry Gordon, Jonathan Hale

This is the LAST Warner Oland CHARLIE CHAN film to be released. In 1938 Sidney Toler made his debut. While not my favorite Oland opus (that would have to be CC at the OPERA) this is a delightful movie that I highly recommend.

Before a brief synopsis of the convuluted and overly peopled "plot," I must mention the fantastic opening scene. Once again the camera brings the viewer into the office of Charlie Chan located in the Honolulu Police Department headquarters. Oland, wearing white pants and dress shoes, BUT stripped down to his t-shirt (what we call nowadays a "wife-beater") is vigorously jogging in place - - looking I must say rather fit for a actor of his age and medical history (Oland was an alcoholic and possibly even suffering from the inchoate beginnings of what was then called dementia; though this is totally impossible to discern from his on-screen performance, which per normal is BRILLIANTLY AWESOME!!!)

One immediately thinks this has some tie-in to the Olympics (i.e. running) but it turns out that Chan is merely having to pass his yearly Police physical to remain on the force. There is great inteplay, frivolity and genuine friendship between Oland, Howard Hickman (as the Police Doctor), and Andrew Tombes (as Chief of Homocide E.R. Scott).
Until the movie finally gets rolling and the location changes with Oland leaving Hawaii, Tombes is in most of the scenes with Chan.

We are introduced to another of Oland's children with the introduction of young Charlie Chan Jr. (above on far left) played by Layne Tom Jr. Tom does a superb job of interjecting just the right amount of hi-jinks, precociousness, and comic relief to make up for the absence in the opening scenes of #1 Son: KEYE LUKE. On the far right (above) is Tombes as Inspector Scott.

PLOT SYNOPSIS: Set against the general background of the 1936 Berlin Olympics, the movie opens with the Military testing a remote-control electronic brain (called repeatedly a "robot") that will be able to fly Military planes like drones... by remote-control. The device is about the size of small mantel box-clock and is mounted in the cockpit of the test plane. While on maneuvers, a hidden spy emerges from the back of the plane to kill the unsuspecting pilot and fly "off the radar" (had it even been in wide use at the time :) ) to parts unknown. The designer of the "robot" device is Cartwright (played by John Eldredge) and the owner of the device is businessman/entrepreneur Hopkins (played by one of my favorite veteran character actors Jonathan Hale).

Oland is brought into the case when, while on a fishing outing with his son Charlie Jr., they discover on a remote deserted Hawaiian beach the burned out missing plane and signs that the pilot was killed by an unknown assailant, rather than being the thief himself. With the aid of Hopkins and Cartwright, a pair of possible suspects is identified. These suspects, one of whom is an American athlete (and also one of Hopkins' test pilots) Richard Masters (played by Allan Lane) are already on board an Ocean Liner with the entire American Sports Team/delegation on its Atlantic passing to Germany for the Games. Accompanying Masters is the slick Mata Hari-type femme fatale enemy agent Yvonne Roland (played by Katherine DeMille) who is posing as a U.S. Team Supporter and tourist. We also are introduced to Master's real girlfriend, the folksy, homey, Olympian Betty Adams (played by Pauline Moore) AND KEYE LUKE who is also aboard the ship. Luke reprises his sui generis role as #1 Son Lee Chan, and is going to Germany to swim for the American team. Oland is sent by the Honolulu Police to accompany both Cartwright and Hopkins to Berlin. They manage to beat the ocean liner to Hamburg by flying a Clipper Plane to San Francisco where they take another plane to New York where they rendezvous with the giant air ship Hindenburg! Yes, THAT Zeppelin! We're treated to some nice actual aerial footage shot from the Blimp, including a nice shot of the main Berlin Sports Coliseum.

Meanwhile, back on board the ocean liner, Luke is already doing his own sleuthing (not knowing anything about the stolen "robot" however) when he notices that Roland is one suspcious dame and that the equally suspicious Hughes is slinking around up to no good. Hughes is played by the oh-so-wonderful oily and sneaky character actor C. Henry Gordon. This guy just "screams" WEASEL!

Here is businessman Hopkins holding the actual "robot" device while Oland looks on.

A very funny scene takes place (right before Chan leaves Hawaii) when the body of the plane's hi-jacker is discovered in the boarding house of a shrewish old-marm of a biddy! A fun little acting turn is delivered by uncredited actress Caroline Rankin (above) as the fastidious snooty landlady.

Above is a picture of the cabal of spies (including Roland/DeMille) that finally resort to kidnapping Keye Luke in order to force Oland to turn over the "robot." The man at the far right is the leader of the spies (Zaraka played by Morgan Wallace). "Checkmate Mr. Bond" (oops)

The swarthy beauty of Katherine DeMille makes a fine villain in the character of Yvonne Roland (above).

In stark contrast, All-American (Mom and Apple Pie) wholesome Pauline Moore plays girl-friend to Masters, Betty Adams. I found her annoying and loud. However, she lets fly a string of 1930's colloquialisms that's as much fun as Fox's Family Guy doing their hilarious spoof of the "high-pants/fast-talkers" :)

I am such a huge fan of Keye Luke (above) so I was elated when he made his appearance in the films third act (or so). He has a great couple of scenes on board the Ocean Liner before his role sort of recedes into the background. He's not seen till the end once he's kidnapped in Berlin by the enemy spies.

CHANISMS: And also worthy of note, is that Oland does his patented "right hand fingers ginerly pressing the tips of his left finger-tips while pensively musing on a clue" schtick.... YEA!!!!

"Fish in sea like flea on dog...always present but difficult to catch."

"Truth like football...receive many kicks before reaching goal."

"A good hunter never warn tiger of trap."

What's fun is that this is the first Chan movie where Keye Luke gets to do his own "take" on the Chanism. Luke is able to dispense three or four (not quite so good) pieces of proverbial wisdom while on board the Ship.

Some Olympic Observations:

Although the Nazi swastikas were painted out of the frames where they originally would have appeared on the tail fins of the Hindenburg, the infamous "right-handed Nazi hand salute" is seen being done by the hundreds of Hitler Youth (or whatever they were) when the Olympic Flame is brought into the stadium. This is afterall archival footage of the actual 1936 games. This also enables us (and the original movie theater viewers) to see the clips of the magnificent Jesse Owens!

I was also not offended by the somewhat comical character of German Police Inspector Strasser (played by Frederick Vogeding). Strasser is playing a stereotypical Prussian martinet; sort of a cross between the Burgomeister Meister Burger and the German Burgomeister in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN :) The rapport and professional courtesy exhibited between him and Oland simply bespeaks that not all Germans (even in 1936/7) were Nazis. He even has his own (now famous) catch-phrase which he repeats a couple of times: "These things DO NOT HAPPEN IN BERLIN!" Strasser is simply a teutonic no-nonsense police officer. But of course he doens't have anywhere near the "sense" of Oland!

Although in the actual movie, #2 Son (Charlie Chan Jr./ Layne Tom Jr.) and #1 Son (Keye Luke) never meet, nor share any scenes together, here (above) is a neat Publicity Still of Oland and "his boys."

Which brings me to my final comment. Though this is a fast moving Chan film, and very frenetic at times, with (I think) too many characters and a rather confusing (and too quickly resolved) ending... what makes this last of the Oland Chans so meaningful for me is the loving relationship between the two starring actors Warner Oland and Keye Luke. These men are not acting. They truly had a "Father/Son" or Mentor/Student relationship that just "Lightens Up" the screen whenever they're together in a scene. The photo above is when Luke comes through an open port-hole and is grabbed by Oland and drug inside the state room of one of the spies. Luke doesn't know it's Oland until he gets his feet back on the ground and looks up. "Pop!!!!!! Geee!" The enthusiasm and love expressed in Luke's voice and the look on Oland's face.... Subtle, understated, but powerful.

It was my own "Pop" that first got me to watch a Charlie Chan movie.

I'll have to stop here.

Let the reader understand.