Tom Hanks in 1989 Only one year later! When you grow up in Los Angeles, you collect celebrity stories and sightings like other kids do silver dollars. My best celebrity encounter of all time happened when I was eight, when I was out with my dad to rent skis before a family vacation. It’s the kind of yarn that has changed over time, and I like to think it improves with each telling. Here’s how I remember it (this time): It was 1988. My dad and I were at (the now-vanished) Tex's Ski Store in West LA when I spied him, curly haired and tall, meandering around the parkas. I tugged on my dad's sleeve and told him we had to go over and meet Mr. Tom Hanks. I had seen "Splash" on VHS, not to mention the then-recently-released "Big" (which was a pretty awesome movie). I mean, what kid doesn't imagine what they would do in a toy store with the resources of an adult? Plus, he had bunk beds! (I always wanted bunk beds.) "Excuse me, Mr. Hanks?," my dad said, interrupting Tom as he shopped. "This is my daughter Jessica, and she has something she’d like to say to you." Tom got down on his knee and took my hand*, and said, "Hello, Jessica." (*I'm thinking he probably didn’t take my hand, but it makes for great storytelling in person.) I whispered, barely audible from the excitement of being face-to-face with someone in a movie I had just seen. "'Big' was my favorite movie," I told him. Tom smiled that winning "Tom" smile. "Thank you, Jessica. It really means a lot to me when people like what I do," he said. And then he vanished in a ray of light. Or I may have stealthily followed him around the store, hiding strategically among the racks of ski bibs and turtlenecks. What I know more certainly than my 20-year-old memory is that I was smitten. I love Tom Hanks. I love him so much I will forgive him that haircut in "The Da Vinci Code," and even "Joe Versus the Volcano." (Actually, I liked "Joe Versus the Volcano.") I think "That Thing You Do!" was vastly underrated, and I even saw "The Money Pit" five times after it was released on video. Well, you get the idea ... So Mr. Hanks, if you’re out there, I wish you a very happy birthday today. It really meant a lot to me that you liked that I like what you do. Suggested Sites... Tom Hanks on MySpace - look at those photos! How can you not love this man? Tom on Yahoo! Movies - I'm pretty excited about "Toy Story 3," also. The Time Magazine 100 of 2009 - "Tom Hanks: A guy you want to be stuck in line with." Tom Hanks's Hollywood - where he's been seen, so you can have your own encounter. IMDb: Rita Wilson - the lucky Mrs. Hanks.

Directory categories: The One and Only Mr. Tom Hanks, Celebrity Photo Galleries, Best Films Lists, The Da Vinci Code, Actors and Actresses

Archived under: 1980s, Actors, Birthdays, Celebrities, Entertainment, Hollywood, In Character, Los Angeles, Movies

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Original cover of Michael Jackson's Thriller (Editor's Note: In light of the events of last week, we were reminded of this Spark from 2007.) After more than 15 years as a child star with The Jackson 5 and five successful solo albums, Michael Jackson hit new levels of superstardom in 1982 with "Thriller." 27 years later, Michael's sixth solo album is still an all time record-breaker, with 104 million copies sold worldwide, 80 consecutive weeks in the Billboard Top 10 (including 37 at number one), and seven Grammys. Michael earned top ten hits with seven of the album's nine tracks, including the Paul McCartney duet, "The Girl is Mine," and "Billie Jean," in which he denied allegations of fathering the child of an obsessive fan. "Billie Jean" also introduced the public to Michael's signature "Moonwalk" dance, said to be inspired by mime Marcel Marceau. The "Thriller" single went a (dance) step further with a 14-minute video directed by John Landis and narrated by the spooky voice of Vincent Price. In this horror movie spoof, Jackson turns into a werewolf, threatens to kill his date, and leads a chorus line of dancing zombies covered with grape jelly blood. Many -- especially Filipino prisoners -- cite it as the best music video ever, and there's no denying that both the album and the single made musical HIStory. Suggested Sites... Michael Jackson.com - official site of the late King of Pop. Thriller Videos - the best and the worst of aspiring Michael Jacksons, including performances by those Filipino inmates and Bollywood dancers. A Photographic History of Michael Jackson's Face - the "Thriller" makeup was frightening, but Michael's scariest face was yet to come. Thrill the World - learn how to dance like a zombie, and help break the record for simultaneous worldwide "Thriller" performances at the same time!

Directory categories: Michael Jackson, Rock and Pop Music, The 1980s, Michael Jackson Memorials and Tributes, R&B and Soul Music

Archived under: 1980s, Awards, Dance, Entertainment, Horror Films, Michael Jackson, Music, Music History, Thriller, Videos, Zombies

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"What are YOU doing this weekend?" (Photo by Veronica ML) Ah, the lazy days of summer are here. Wait -- "lazy?" We Americans are lazy enough already, according to this month’s American Journal of Medicine. That means it’s time to get out, get active, and to take advantage of some summertime activities! Nothing on your calendar? No problem! Ours is packed through the season. Here are just a few ideas for just this weekend: In major metropolitan areas, of course, there’s always something going on. If you’re anywhere near Chicago, this weekend is "Taste of Chicago," with free admission and filled with food and music. Speaking of music, everyone in Dallas is likely lined up for the "American Idol" auditions. If you missed registering in Texas, get your plane tickets now for one of the upcoming auditions in Los Angeles, Orlando, or Denver. Are there events geared toward those who want to get or stay fit this summer? Certainly! Remember the "Seinfeld" episode where Kramer swims in the East River because the pool is too constricting? It turns out there's a gaggle of like-minded New Yorkers who are swimming around Liberty Island today. If you can't make it, don’t worry; they have more events scheduled. Of course, you don’t have to live in the big city to find cool things to do. Wherever you are, you can still participate in "Take Your Dog to Work Day" (provided your employer approves, of course!), Some folks in Petaluma, California, however, will be skipping work with their pooches to visit the Sonoma-Marin Fair and enter the "World’s Ugliest Dog Contest." If the thought of big crowds and rats on leashes makes you want to just stay home -- or if you’re just saving all your energy for the Fourth of July weekend -- you can still get involved by watching other people push the limits of hockey, golf, or pure speed. Just don’t say you’re bored!

Directory categories: American Idol, Recreation in Manhattan, Chicago Travel Guides, Activities for Dogs, Sports

Archived under: American Idol, Animals, Boredom, Calendars, Chicago, Cities, Contests, Dogs, Eating, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Food and Drink, Health, Outdoors, Pets, Recreation and Travel, Regional, Seinfeld, Sports, Summer, Swimming, Tourist Attractions, Travel, Vacations

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Brian Jones playing a Vox Mando guitar "Death by misadventure." That was the official finding regarding the death of Brian Jones nearly forty years ago. On July 2, 1969, Jones, the co-founder of the Rolling Stones, was found dead in the pool of his Essex farm (which had previously been owned by none other than "Winnie-the-Pooh" creator A.A. Milne). Did Jones indeed die in an accident, intoxicated by drugs and alcohol? Or was he murdered? Any number of hypotheses have been put forward, and yet the circumstances surrounding the death of the "blond angel" of the Rolling Stones remain mysterious. A talented musician, Jones lived live to its fullest. Born into a middle-class family in 1942, he refused to conform, fathered at least five children with multiple girlfriends, abused drugs and alcohol, drove a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud that he had bought from Beatle George Harrison, and was eventually fired from the very band he had helped create. Just weeks before his death, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, tired of Jones's no-shows at rehearsals and generally erratic behavior, decided to replace him with guitarist Mick Taylor. In 1962, Richards and Jagger had been blown away by Jones's talent, and the three decided to create a band: The Rolling Stones. Jones introduced new sounds to rock and roll: playing the sitar on "Paint It Black," the dulcimer on "Lady Jane," the marimba on "Under My Thumb," and both saxophone and harpsichord on "Dandelion." His musical talent was soon surpassed by Jagger and Richards, though, as the duo began writing most of the songs -- and didn't restrain from sharing Jones's girlfriends. As might be guessed, the relationship between the trio was far from cordial when Jones died, and only three days after his death, the band played a concert in London's Hyde Park; a concert that had been intended to introduce new guitarist Taylor, but turned into a weird -- and insincere -- tribute to Jones. On July 10th, Jones was buried in his home town of Cheltenham in a bronze and silver casket paid for by Bob Dylan. The only Stones to show up at the funeral were Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts. Jagger was traveling to Australia to shoot a movie, and Richards had "studio commitments." There was no love lost for the man who had brought them fame and whose death helped build their legend. Suggested Sites... TruTV: All About Brian Jones - extensive biography of the Rolling Stones founder, including the mysteries surrounding his death. MySpace: Brian Jones - a plethora of pictures, videos, and stories about Jones. The Brian Jones Fan Club - a must for the devoted admirers of the musician. The 27 Club - dedicated to all the music artists who died at the age of 27.

Directory categories: Brian Jones, The Rolling Stones, Artist's Memorials, Rock Artists, Rock Music

Archived under: 1960s, Anniversaries, Biographies, Celebrities, Dead Celebrities, Death, Entertainment, Music, Musicians, Mysteries, Rock and Roll, Suicide, United Kingdom

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The original poster for Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room. Traveler beware! Anyone who's been to Disneyland or Walt Disney World over the past 45 years has probably suffered through the Enchanted Tiki Room, "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln," or (worst of all) "It’s a Small World." All of these "attractions” feature Disney’s patented and trademarked "Audio-Animatronic" technology. These animatronics work through an ingenious combination of air pressure, water pressure, electronics, and computers that tell these plastic- and fabric-covered robotic puppets to move through a series of pre-programmed movements with all the realism and agility of an arthritic turtle. While some may find these doppelgangers grotesque, it is reported that many more are delighted by them and their antics. So, in that light, we note that, on June 23, 1963, the Tiki Room opened for business in Disneyland's Adventureland. The gimmick is simple: unwitting suckers -- er, "guests" -- desperate for anyplace to sit after hours of waiting in line in ungodly heat, wander dazedly into the Tiki Room after hearing the ballyhoo from José Carioca, the ever-chattering pitch-parrot who looms outside the hut. (Why a Brazilian parrot should be shilling for a Hawaiian-themed room is a mystery, but it ultimately makes as much sense as the Mexican, Irish, French, and German parrots who host the show inside.) Once seated, the guests are subjected to a spectacle consisting of scores of birds and tikis singing various ditties, the most notorious of which is the anthemic "In the Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room." After a suitable period, the bombarded guests are gratefully released back into the "real" world. There's something about these attractions that brings out the annoying in the Disney Imagineers and composers. "Pirates of the Caribbean" has its marauding buccaneers sing a catchy chantey -- most of which is unintelligible except for its repeated lines of "Yo ho! Yo ho! A pirate’s life for me!" and "Drink up, me hearties, yo ho!" And the less said about the endlessly-rendered title song of "It’s a Small World," the better (try getting that one out of your head, now that we've mentioned it). We must admit, though, we were actually fond of the Carousel of Progress’s "There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" -- which may be one of the reasons the attraction was closed at the original Magic Kingdom in 1973 (though it survives at Walt Disney World). In recent years, the technology has improved. The original version of the Tiki Room featured a behind-the-scenes array of computers that filled a room, with vast machines that hummed, clicked, and whirred (one assumes that any well-equipped laptop could take the place of all those machines nowadays). "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" has gone through many iterations at Disneyland, and has been supplanted at Walt Disney World with the "Hall of Presidents," which allows Americans to see plastic robots that grotesquely impersonate the U.S.'s past and present chief executives -- and even to hear Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama provide their own voices! Given Disney's genius for combining earworms and Animatronics makes us grateful that they didn't apply it to the Presidents. The prospect of hearing Mr. Lincoln serenading Jefferson Davis with a tune called something like "Keep a Civil Tongue in Your Head" is tempting, but too much to bear. Suggested Sites... The Enchanted Tiki Room - official Disney site, with information, images -- and that song. DaveLandWeb: Enchanted Tiki Room - obsessively complete photo gallery of every aspect of the attraction. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln - watch the 16th president in plastic zombie form! Dead Men Tell No Tales - fan site for the "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride. (Maybe they can decipher the lyrics ...) How Animatronics Works - Step 1: Build a rubber puppet...

Directory categories: Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disneyland Rides and Attractions, Animatronics, Robotics

Archived under: 1960s, Abraham Lincoln, American History, Amusement Parks, Anniversaries, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Birds, Dead Celebrities, Disney, Disneyland, Entertainment, George Bush, Impersonators, Invention, Presidents, Puppets, Robotics, Science, Technology, Tourist Attractions, Ventriloquism

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