Money Matters: The Royal and the Dollar

In 1966 Australia’s currency went decimal.  Instead of the pounds, shillings and pence, we now had dollars and cents.

In the old currency, 12 pence equalled one shilling, 20 shillings equalled one pound. Something that cost one pound, 2 shillings and 6 pence was written as £1/2/6 and it was expressed as “one pound, two and six”. To make it more difficult, we also had:

-  halfpennies, pronounced “hape pennies”

- quarter pennies, called farthings

- guineas, an amount of one pound one shilling.

All that changed in 1966. This was accompanied by a mass public awareness campaign in the media, headed by a cartoon character called “Dollar Bill” who explained it all. At the same time there was widespread playing of a jingle to the tune of “Click Go the Shears”:

See it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwA64l5SokU

Movies: My Top 10 (Plus 2)

In past posts I have mentioned some movies as being in my Top Ten. Here is my Top 10 list.

The first thing to mention is that my Top 10 list has 12 movies. It is not that I have difficulty counting to 10, although I sometimes feel that John Mortimer was actually referring to me when he wrote that Rumpole’s abilities, when it came to mathematics, were very like those of tribal Australian aborigines who would count to 3, everything after that being simply “lots”.

The reason that I have 12 films in my Top 10 is that I couldn’t work out which two to cut from the list.

The next thing to mention is that these movies are not in order of favouritism. It was difficult enough culling favourites without also having to work out the order of priority for those that remained.

The final thing is that my criteria in selecting the movies was simple: what movies do I like most and are good for repeated viewing? This simple criteria means that some movies classed as great by critics don’t get a look in. Those same critics would doubtless look with pained expressions at some of my selections. Citizen Kane has been voted the No 1 film by critics and directors for the American Film Institute and British Film Institute lists of greatest films of all time. But who here has bought a copy or has actually seen it?

Feel free to disagree. Add a comment in the comment box at the end of the post as to your Top 10 or Top 12.

Movies: Racism

Hands up all those who love watching the Marx Brothers movies.  Now keep your hand up if you’re a racist.  Hmm, all the hands went down.

I make this comment because of the fluid nature of cultural attitudes towards matters of race.

The 1915 silent flick Birth of a Nation by D W Griffiths is regarded as one of the most influential American movies. It was the first US “blockbuster”, established the concept of feature films (any film over 60 minutes) and used innovative technical techniques.

Music: Harry Nilsson/Coconut

It is always an indication of age when a song that I know from first release is known to my kids as part of a retro soundtrack. An example I gave previously was the use of Little Boxes in the TV show Weeds

So it is with Coconut, which is known to them from its being featured in that great Quentin Tarantino flick Kill Bill. I could go on for hours about Kill Bill but we’ll save that for another day, this post is a music item.

Everyone knows that brother bought a coconut for a dime, that his sister put the lime in the coconut and that as a result she developed a belly ache, necessitating the calling of the doctor. Sure it’s nonsense, but what wonderful nonsense.

There is a marvellous clip on YouTube of Coconut being sung with the guys dressed in gorilla suits. See it at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbgv8PkO9eo

Quote: Joan Rivers (1933 - )

"I hate housework! You make the beds, you do the dishes and six months later you have to start all over again. "

Poetry: Not Waving But Drowning

Not Waving But Drowning

Nobody heard him, the dead man,
But still he lay moaning:
I was much farther out than you thought
And not waving but drowning.
Poor chap, he always loved larking
And now he's dead
It must have been too cold for him his heart gave way,
They said.
Oh, no no no, it was too cold always
(Still the dead one lay moaning)
I was much too far out all my life
And not waving but drowning.

Florence Margaret “Stevie” Smith (1902-1971)

1957

The following is quoted from: http://asms.k12.ar.us/classes/humanities/britlit/97-98/smith/smith3.htm

"Not Waving But Drowning" is a poem about unheard cries for help. The speaker feels that her attempts to call attention to her unhappiness are overlooked as mere "larking." All her life, she was "much farther out" than her friends thought, "And not waving but drowning." The speaker wanted help, but her efforts were disregarded as jokes. The old man for whom it was too cold and "his heart gave way" probably died from loneliness. The speaker's statement that "it was too cold always" show that she feels chronic despair.

As a matter of interest, Stevie Smith suffered from depression for most of her life, endured a nervous breakdown and died of a brain tumour.

Movie Misquotes: Sherlock Holmes

Misquote: “Elementary, my dear Watson!”

This is a big misquote because Sherlock Holmes never said it, at least not in any of the books!

This quote was first made in a film review in the New York Times on October 19, 1929. It became popularised only after its trademark use in The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1929) (the first Holmes film with sound), with Clive Brook and H. Reeves-Smith.

Origins: Boobs

It is hard to believe that there is a connection between the slang term for female breasts and the Black Death, the deadly bubonic plague pandemic that afflicted Europe between 1348 and 1350, killing 30% to 60% of Europe’s population.

(Pictured above is an illustration of the Black Death from the Toggenburg Bible, 1411. The buboes characteristic of the bubonic plague are quite evident).

This is the history of the use of the word “boobs”, meaning breasts, as presented in Cassell's Dictionary of Slang:

Quote: Kerry Packer (1937-2005)

Having received some admiring and positive commentrs on the previously posted quotes of Kerry Packer, here is another...

In 1990 Kerry Packer suffered a heart attack whilst playing golf at Warwick Farm and was clinically dead for 6 minutes.   He was saved only by the fact that an ambulance was fortuitously passing by.  Even more fortuitously, the ambulance contained a defibrillator.  Without that, the ambos would not have been able to revive him.  He subsequently paid half the cost of fitting all ambulances in NSW with defibrillators, the State Government picking up the other half.  The machines became known as "Packer Whackers". 

Some time later Packer was approached by a person writing a story on after-death experiences.  The person asked Packer what his experience had been, having been dead for six minutes.  He replied:

"I've been to the other side, and let me tell you son, there's fucking nothing there."

Email: Steve re Spike Milligan

An email from Steve:

I have a documentary about Spike Milligan where he recounts an amazing experience he had when touring Africa and tracing his Grandfather's steps (Grandad was a British soldier who fought against the Zulu's during the Zulu uprising in the 1880's). It seems that Spike and his wife were staying at a very up market hotel (can't remember where, would have to watch the documentary again) and when asked by the Head Waiter why he was in Africa, he recounted the story of his Grandfather's involvement in one particular battle over there. The Head Waiter disappeared for a few moments and returned with one of the kitchen hands - a Zulu who's own grandfather had apparently been in the same battle!  The Milligan's left early the next morning, and as they were driven through the gates of the hotel, there on a small hill by the entrance was the kitchen Hand, in full Zulu Battle Dress, chanting a Zulu war song in honour of one great soldier's grandson to another.

A lovely story, and it must have been so moving for Spike. One of life's magical moments.

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Is anyone else reminded of Chucky when looking at this child?  Call for Father Merrin and Father Karras.

Quote: Oscar Levant (1906-1972)

It seems fitting, at the time of the Oscars, to have a quote by an Oscar...

"Strip away the phony tinsel of Hollywood and you'll find the real tinsel underneath."

Quote: Dwight D Eisenhower (1890-1969)

"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed."

Days: International Women's Day

It has been pointed out to me by Byter Shirley that today is International Women's Day and that a Bytes item would be appropriate.

I am grateful to Shirley for pointing this out.   March 8 of every year is IWD. I didn’t know it until Shirley raised it and I looked up Wikipedia.

There is no reference to IWD in my diary for March 8, notwithstanding that it notes such events as Constitution Day, Japan (3 May) and Vesak Day (?) Singapore (28 May). There was also no mention of IWD that I saw in any of the newspapers, although that would be understandable, attention having been focused on such headline events as the Oscars, Lara Bingle’s nude photo and Daniel Mortimer’s signing with the Eels.

Some notes about International Women’s Day:

Oscars: Trivia

First awards: 1929

Called Oscar because in 1931 Margaret Herrick, the Academy librarian, remarked upon seeing the statuettes, "Why it looks like my Uncle Oscar!" Her uncle's full name was Oscar Pierce

The sealed envelope was introduced because the Academy used to give the results to the newspapers the night before on condition of secrecy, but in 1940 the Los Angeles Times announced the results beforehand.

The statuette is of a knight standing standing on a reel of film with 5 spokes. The 5 spokes represent the original branches of the Academy: Actors, Writers, Directors, Producers, and Technicians.

Since 1950, the statuettes have been awarded on condition that neither winners nor their heirs may sell the statuettes without first offering to sell them back to the Academy for one dollar. 

If a winner refuses to agree to the stipulation as to the Academy’s buyback right for $1, then the Academy keeps the statuette. Oscars not protected by the above agreement have been sold in public auctions and private deals for six-figure sums.

Oscars: Quotes

“I hope to God I don't win an Oscar tomorrow night. It would really depress me if I did. I really don't deserve it. It wasn't that important a part anyhow." - Dustin Hoffman, 1968

"The Academy Awards are obscene, dirty . . . no better than a beauty contest." - Dustin Hoffman, 1975

“Contrary to what Mr. Hoffman thinks, it is not an obscene evening. It is not garish and it is not embarrassing”. - Frank Sinatra, presenter during the Oscar broadcast in 1975, responding to Dustin Hoffman.

Movie: Zulu

The Movie:

I love this movie, it is one of my Top Ten favourites.  I first saw it as a youngster and have seen it many times since, never getting tired of re-viewings. It is superb and stirring Boy’s Own, the opposite of a chick flick. If, in trying to romance your WAGs, you have suggested staying in and watching a video, avoid this one. It will definitely not set the mood for romance.

The 1964 flick depicts the 1879 battle in South Africa between the 100 British soldiers defending the mission at Rorke’s Drift and the Zulus.

The film opens with the magnificent voice of Richard Burton reading a military communique that the previous day a massed attack by the Zulus at Isandhalwana had wiped out 1,200 British defenders.

The rest of the movie concerns the repeated attacks upon the mission at Rorke’s Drift by 4,000 Zulus and the gallant defence thereof by the 100 British soldiers. In the end the Zulus return in much larger numbers, but only to salute the bravery of the defenders. They then leave.

Eleven Victoria Crosses were won at Rorke’s Drift, the most in any engagement.

Photos: Lincoln at Antietam

The Battle of Antietam in Maryland was the first battle of the American Civil War to take place on Northern soil and was the single blooodiest battle of the whole Civil War and in American history generally.  On 17 September 1862, the Confederate forces under  General Robert E Lee attacked the Union forces of General George McClellan, notwithstanding that they were outnumbered.  It was Lee's belief that the Confederacy would need to bring the fight to the North and force the Union to defend its own borders and territories.  In the battle, the Union lost 13,000 men to the Confederacy's loss of 10,000 men, but the Confederacy lost a much larger percentage of its total force.  Lee's capacity to continue waging war was seriously diminished and, although the war would continue for another 2.5 years, many see Antiteam as the beginning of the end for the South. 

A few weeks after the battle, Lincoln attended at Antietam to meet with General McClellan and to urge him to use his army in further attacks upon Lee.  In the earlier battle, McLellan had kept 25% of his force in reserve by reason of superior numbers; Lee had been forced to commit his whole army.

Pictured above (click on picture to enlarge):

Allan Pinkerton, Lincoln's bodyguard, of the Pinkerton Detective Agency; Lincoln and General John McClernand at Antietam. 

Iconic Photographs: Sunbaker/Max Dupain (1911-1992)

Max Dupain (1911-1992) has been described as one of Australia’s greatest photographers. Born in Ashfield, he was given his first camera at age 13, beginning a life time passion for photography. On his death he left a legacy of over one million photographs.

Dupain’s photographs are characterised by simplicity and directness, sharply focused and dramatic images with bold composition.

Although his works are wideranging, including images of landscapes, beaches, nudes, still life and architecture, he is best known for his portrayals of Australians, especially in the context of beach culture.

Music: Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye

Change...

To cause to be different, to transform.

Change has come to America” President Obama said when elected.

“If I can change,” Rocky tells the Russian crowd at the end of the fight with Drago in Rocky IV, “and you can change, everybody can change.”

“The more things change, the more they remain the same” said Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Kerr in 1849. In contrast nearly 3,400 years ago Heraclitus declared that “The only constant is change.”

Defunct Occupations: Mudlarks, Toshers and Grubbers

Anyone who has seen Mary Poppins could be forgiven for thinking that life in a Victorian English household was carefree and happy, especially for children. For many children in Victorian England, this was far from the truth. Extreme poverty sometimes forced young children into grim occupations as a means of assisting their family’s finances.

One such occupation was that of mudlarks, people who scavenged the mud of the River Thames at low tide for anything of value. Mudlarks were usually children between the ages of 8 and 14, although elderly people also participated. Items found which might be sold included bits of coal and rope, discarded copper nails, bones (ground up and used for fertiliser) and tools which had been lost.

The River Thames in Victorian England was befouled by waste and human excrement, with untreated raw sewage being discharged into it. Corpses of humans and animals, commonly cats and dogs, often lay stinking on the river shores.

Quote: Kerry Packer (1937-2005)

“There is a little bit of the whore in all of us, gentlemen. What is your price?”

To the Australian Cricket Board in 1976, seeking the right to televise Test matches.

Last Words: Cherokee Bill (1876-1896)

"No! I didn't come here to make a speech. I came here to die."

Crawford Goldsby, more commonly known as Cherokee Bill, was a 19th century American outlaw who was responsible for the murders of seven men (including his brother-in-law).  He and his gang terrorised the Indian Territory for over two years.  Sentenced to death by hanging, he was asked on the gallows whwteher he had any last words and replied as above.

Quote: William Maldon "Bill" Woodfull (1897-1965)

“Which of you bastards called this bastard a bastard?”

During the controversial Bodyline cricket series between England and Australia in 1932-1933, the English captain Douglas Jardine visited the Australian dressing room and complained to the Australian captain, Bill Woodfull, that he had heard an Australian player call him “a bastard”. He demanded an apology.  Woodfull turned to the players in the dressing room and, pointing to Jardine, spoke the above words.

Pictured above:  Bill Woodfull on the left, Douglas Jardine on the right.

Humour: Lauda

Caution:  Risque language..

Click on cartoon to enlarge.

Quote: Diana, Princess of Wales (1961-1997)

"They say it is better to be poor and happy than rich and miserable, but how about a compromise like moderately rich and just moody?"

(Because she was not a royal by blood, she was not entitled to be called Princess Diana. Her correct title was Lady Diana, Princess of Wales).

Quotes: Jack Handey

Jack Handey (1949- ) is an American humourist who is best known for his one liners spoken over a still photograph of nature scenes in the US TV show Saturday Night Live. They are also contained in his books Deep Thoughts and Additional Deep Thoughts. His comments are typified by concise humor and outlandish hypothetical situations.  And he cracks me up.

Following is a collection of some of his thoughts and comments.

Is there anything more beautiful than a beautiful, beautiful flamingo, flying across in front of a beautiful sunset? And he's carrying a beautiful rose in his beak, and also he's carrying a very beautiful painting with his feet. And also, you're drunk.

Dad always thought laughter was the best medicine, which I guess is why several of us died of tuberculosis.

If you define cowardice as running away at the first sign of danger, screaming and tripping and begging for mercy, then yes, Mr. Brave Man, I guess I’m a coward.

Vintage Advertising

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Laws of the Universe: Anthony's Law

Anthony’s Law of the Workshop:

Any tool when dropped will roll to the least accessible corner of the workshop.

First Corollary to Anthony’s Law of the Workshop:

On its way to the corner the dropped tool will always first strike your toes.

Second Corollary to Anthony’s Law of the Workshop:

The accessibility of the dropped part varies directly with its size and inversely with its importance to completing the task at hand.

Flucard’s Corollary:

Anything dropped in the bathroom falls in the toilet.

Quote: Mickey Rooney (1920 - )

 

“Had I been brighter, the ladies been gentler, the Scotch been weaker, had the gods been kinder, had the dice been hotter, this could have been a one-sentence story: Once upon a time I lived happily ever after.”

(PS:  The above pic shows Mickey Rooney with American actress and 1950's sex symbol Jayne Mansfield, who was killed in a motor vehcile accident aged 34.  For the younger readers, Jayne Mansfield is the mother of actress Mariska Hargitay, who plays Detective Olivia Benson in Law & Order: SVU).