The most famous shot in "A Trip to the Moon." Special effects have gotten slightly better in the century since. Welcome once more to The Spark, your weekly digest of events and happenings and information in the Yahoo! Directory to help you appreciate them more. As we begin this last Spark before the Labor Day holiday, we have to ask just where in the heck the summer went. Seems like it was Memorial Day about five minutes ago, and now kids are back in school and Fall is lurking around the corner. Anyway, let's look at the week ahead. Monday: It's a day for monsters and creators. In the former category, we have Benedict Arnold, who on this day in 1780, secretly promised to surrender the Continental Army's fort at West Point, NY, to the British. Arnold was an egomaniac, who was frustrated with the lack of attention he had received, and what better way to get attention than to commit treason? Speaking of outsized egos, we note that today would have been the 127th birthday of Huey Long, the "Kingfish" who ran Louisiana like a private fiefdom until he was gunned down in 1935. Long ruled the state as both governor and senator, and his campaign slogan of "Every Man a King" mixed populism and fascism in equal measure. But let us not mention only those who destroy, let's celebrate those who create. When thinking of monsters, one almost automatically turns to thoughts of Dr. Frankenstein and his creation, for which we owe thanks to Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, born in 1793, she wrote her novel, "Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus," at the tender age of 18. And where would kids (and parents) be today without Babar? Laurent de Brunhoff (born in 1925), is son of Jean de Brunhoff, who created the elephant king, and who continued his adventures when his father died. Of course, those kids grow up to be teenagers and young adults, and where would they be without Robert Crumb, who turns 73 today? Crumb was in the vanguard of the underground comix movement of the 1960s, and he’s still active and creative, and his influence on modern pop culture is incalculable. And what would pop culture be without the Beatles? One hesitates to guess, but you can try to get a handle on it this week at the International Beatle Week in Liverpool, England. Of course, the Beatles played in the Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York when they made their American debut in 1964, and that theatre is today home to the Late Show with David Letterman, which made its own debut in "the Ed" in 1993. A nice contrast to end the day. Gazillionaire Warren Buffett hits the big 8-0 today, and out in the Nevada desert, Burning Man begins. The best thing we can say about Burning Man is that it gets all those people who want to go to Burning Man in one spot away from the rest of us. Tuesday: More monsters. In 12, Gaius Caligula was born. Though the surviving sources are incomplete, Caligula was one of the most notorious Roman emperors of them all, known for the stories of his cruelty, instability, and sexual perversion. (We won’t deal with them here, but you can find the stories easily enough.) But Caligula isn't the only monster we note. On this date in 1888, Mary Ann Nichols was murdered and became the first of known victim of Jack the Ripper. And, of course, in 1928, Berlin saw the premiere of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill’s "Die Dreigoschenoper" (known in English as "The Threepenny Opera"), with its main character, the vicious murderer Captain Macheath, better known as "Mack the Knife." In 1959, Bobby Darin had a huge hit with that song (which is really odd, when one considers it's about a mass murderer killing people), and Friday will see the 51st anniversary of that song being banned by WCBS radio in New York City. At the time, there had been a series of teenage stabbings in the city, and the station didn't want to those crazy teens any ideas. And while marijuana possession is small potatoes compared to all of the above, we see that, in 1948, actor Robert Mitchum was arrested in a Hollywood drug bust, and was eventually sentenced to 60 days in prison, a scandal which in those days threatened to kill his career, but nowadays would rate only a passing mention on "Entertainment Tonight." All this talk of criminals and murderers makes us long for a hero, and fortunately, in 1942, "The Adventures of Superman" radio series began airing on the Mutual Broadcasting System. Wednesday: All we have for today is that in 1902, George Melies’s "A Trip to the Moon," was released in France and became the world’s first science fiction film. Thursday: So, in 490 BCE, the Athenian army was at Marathon, battling with Persia. The herald Pheidippides was sent to Sparta for help. He ran the 150 miles in two days, but because of religious laws, the Spartans couldn't send any help, so he ran back. In spite of not having the extra troops, Athens won the battle. And poor Phidippides took off again, this time running the 26.2 miles from Marathon to Athens to carry the news of the victory. He gasped out his last words, "We have won," and dropped dead of exhaustion. The lesson: do not underestimate the usefulness of warm-ups and warm-downs. In 1666, the Great Fire of London began in the wooden house of King Charles II's baker. By the time it ended three days later, more than 13,000 houses, including St Paul's Cathedral, had burned to the ground -- but amazingly, only six people had died. If you were living in England in 1752, tomorrow would have been September 14th. While most of the rest of the world had switched from the Julian Calendar to the Gregorian Calendar in 1582, the stubborn Brits had stuck to their guns. But, after nearly 200 years, there was an eleven-day discrepancy between the two calendars, and the English had no choice but to convert. There were actual riots, as people cried, "Give us back our eleven days!" But it was to no avail. Great Britain and her colonies were dragged kicking and screaming into the 18th century. Speaking of fighting against reality, in 1934, singer Russ Columbo accidentally shot himself to death. Columbo was a wildly popular singer and actor, and when he killed himself (with an antique gun that was supposedly unloaded), his friends thought the news would prove fatal to his mother, so for the last years of her life, those friends created an elaborate ruse, sending postcards and letters from far-off locations, and using his records to simulate a radio show. In 1944, Mrs. Columbo died, never suspected that her son had died a decade before. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: Let's talk about pioneers this weekend. First, there's Louis Sullivan, born in 1856. Sullivan is, for all intents and purposes, the man who invented the skyscraper. Since Chicago had had its own giant fire in 1871, Sullivan had the opportunity and the laboratory to erest steel-framed buildings that towered over anything built before. In 1833, 10-year-old Barney Flaherty answered an ad in "The New York Sun" and became the first world's first newsboy, which is why we celebrate Newspaper Carrier Day today -- at least for those relatively few Americans who still have newspapers carried to them. Sunday would have been the 163rd birthday of Jesse James. Jesse was not the first Western outlaw, but he was the first to become world famous while plying his dubious trade. 1885 saw the opening of the Exchange Buffet in New York City. It was the first self-service restaurant (read, "cafeteria") in the United States. We don't know if they served chocolate (we'd guess yes), but whether they did or not, it's World Chocolate Day Friday, so you can serve yourself and indulge. In 1888, George Eastman registered the trademark "Kodak" (for the clicking sound a camera's shutter makes) and received a patent for his camera that used rolled film. Eastman's "Brownie" camera came from the factory loaded with enough film for 100 photos. When the roll was complete, the customer would mail the whole camera back to the factory in Rochester, NY, where the pictures would be developed and sent back along with a new camera. Sunday is the 81st birthday of comedian Bob Newhart. Newhart is a two-time pioneer, having been in the forefront of the stand-up comedy revolution of the 1950s, when he transformed himself from "button-down accountant" to a comedian with the top-selling album in America. Then, in the '70s, his sitcom, "The Bob Newhart Show," set new standards for writing, ensemble acting, and just plain goofiness. The weekend before Labor Day always marks the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. While it's easy to criticize the telethon for its corniness and out-of-date show business aesthetic, it's impossible to deny Lewis's commitment and ability to raise money -- nearly a billion-and-a-half dollars since 1966. Lastly, we'll note the 98th birthday of the late avant-garde composer John Cage with 4 minutes and 33 seconds of silence. Suggested Sites... United States Military Academy at West Point - for sale, cheap. Contact Gen. Arnold. Official R. Crumb Site - keep on truckin'. The Beatles - the core of the apple. Dangerous Minds: Early Technicolor - the good folks at Kodak bring you color movies from 1922. Jerry Lewis Telethon - mock him if you will, but he does good work.

Directory categories: Revolutionary War, Children's Literature, Rock and Pop Artists, Musicals, Running

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Mrs. O - The flurry of interest in her arms has waned, but a number of people are following Michelle Obama's fashion choices. This blog provides a satisfying fix for those interested in knowing what Mrs. O is up to and who she’s wearing. (In First Lady Michelle Obama) Billy the Kid Territory - This weekend you might not be able to make it to the Billy the Kid Pageant in New Mexico, but the state's tourism department has put together a great website for any American history buffs who want to follow a self-guided journey following the outlaw's travels. (In Billy the Kid) Coach Cal - Fans of the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team should check out the official site of new coach John Calipari for behind the scenes tweets and blog posts. Soon you'll be able to get weekly voice messages from him sent to your phone. (In University of Kentucky Men’s Basketball) The Many Faces of Henry Gibson - Ashton Kutcher may have a Twitter following, but hey, he's not the only actor online. Septuagenarian Henry Gibson has a new site, reminding us that he's done a lot since "Laugh-In." (In Actors) AAA Seniors - Fatality rates for drivers over 85 are much higher than for teens. The Auto Club is addressing this problem by providing tips, expert advice, and resources to help us understand how aging affects driving. (In Driving) Vertical Dance - Some pole dancers dream of making it big by running away with Cirque du Soleil. Others have Olympic ambitions. The Vertical Dance site features classes and videos, with a petition to the International Olympic Committee to get pole fitness recognized as a competitive sport. (In Gymnastics)

Directory categories: Barack Obama Administration, The Old West, Men;s College Basketball, Seniors, Cirque du Soleil

Archived under: Actors, American History, Apparel, Basketball, Blogs, Celebrities, Circus Arts, Clothing and Accessories, College Basketball, College Sports, Driving, Entertainment, Fashion, First Ladies, Gunslingers, Old West, Olympics, Safety, Seniors, Sports, Yahoo! Directory

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L.R. and his trusty steed Silver Return with us now to those thrilling days of the Old West. A gang of outlaws led by the brutal Butch Cavendish has ambushed a group of Texas Rangers, killing five of six of them. The survivor, barely alive, was nursed back to health by a Native American warrior. When fully recovered, that lone ranger donned a mask to fight for truth, justice, and the American way. It's a story familiar to millions, and it all began on January 30, 1933, when WXYZ radio in Detroit broadcast the first of 2,956 episodes of "The Lone Ranger." The Lone Ranger may have been the world's first costumed superhero (beating The Phantom by three years and Superman by five), and he’s been a familiar presence in American culture for over three-quarters of a century. That presence is due in large part to the many pieces of Ranger lore: The faithful sidekick Tonto (actually created so the Ranger could fill radio time with dialogue); the black domino mask (cut from the vest of his dead brother, murdered in the Cavendish ambush); the silver bullets (to remind the Ranger of the preciousness of human life); and the "fiery horse with the speed of light." Most associated with the Lone Ranger was his theme song, Rossini's "William Tell" Overture. For generations of Americans, it is impossible to hear the opening notes of the Overture without thinking of the Lone Ranger and Tonto. The Ranger’s radio longevity translated into other areas as well. Most obviously, there was the long-running television series starring Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels, but there have also been comic books, serials, and the notorious 1981 feature film, "The Legend of the Lone Ranger," starring the forgettable Klinton Spilsbury, whose performance was so bad that all his dialogue was dubbed by James Keach. Even that movie wasn’t enough to kill the Ranger (though it's taken nearly thirty years to recover); Disney is planning a new film featuring Johnny Depp (as Tonto, apparently). While some of the conventions of the Lone Ranger may seem a little dated, there’s something about the basic decency, honesty, and bravery of the character that is as timeless as mom, the flag, and apple pie. "Hi-yo, Silver! Away!" Suggested Sites... You Tube: Jay Thomas' "Lone Ranger" Story - the greatest talk show story ever: Clayton Moore, a Volvo, and a car accident. The Lone Ranger Fan Club - dedicated to the lone gunman of the plains. Clayton Moore - tribute to the "Lone Ranger" actor by his nephew. Wikipedia: The Lone Ranger - lots of information about the Ranger in all media. OTR.Network Library: The Lone Ranger - listen to radio episodes from the '30s to the '50s.

Directory categories: The Lone Ranger, Clayton Moore, Western Movies, Western TV Shows, Radio History

Archived under: 1930s, Anniversaries, Comic Books, Comic Strips, Cowboys and Cowgirls, Detroit, Entertainment, Gunslingers, Law Enforcement, Movies, Nostalgia, Old West, Radio, Superheroes, Texas, The Lone Ranger, Westerns

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"Wild Bill" Hickok (1837-1876) James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok was famous for many things -- his long, curly hair; the buckskin clothing he wore; his career as a lawman, a scout, and a gunfighter; and the "dead man's hand" of cards he held on the day he was murdered. But above all, he was involved in the first of what would become an icon of the Old West and the quintessential event in dozens of Westerns and other films: the quick-draw showdown. In Springfield, Missouri, on July 20, 1865, Wild Bill won a substantial amount of money in a card game against a man named Davis Tutt. Humiliated at losing so much in one game, Tutt reminded Hickok of a previous debt, and Hickok promptly paid him. Still unsatisfied, however, Tutt hurled out another debt Bill owed him, but this time, Bill disputed it. Davis leaned over and grabbed Wild Bill's pocket watch and said that he would keep the watch as collateral. Wild Bill was furious, but could do nothing at the time, as he was surrounded by a number of Tutt's allies. So Hickok told Tutt he could keep the watch, but threatened that if he ever saw Tutt wear it in public, he would shoot him on sight. Not afraid of Bill and concerned about his own reputation, Tutt accepted the challenge and said he'd wear the watch the very next day. July 21, 1865, the next day: Word quickly spread to Wild Bill that Davis Tutt was in town and wearing the watch. When the two met in the street, they faced each other from several yards away. Tutt drew first and fired a round, but missed. Wild Bill drew, fired, and hit his opponent straight through the heart -- killing him almost instantly. This account may sound too Hollywood to be true, but it was indeed documented in Harper's Weekly in 1867, in an article that launched Hickok to stardom as a gunslinger. The event is even engraved on Davis Tutt's tombstone. Poor guy -- even at his final resting place, he's humiliated by Hickok. Suggested Sites... Wikipedia: Wild Bill Hickok - Davis Tutt Shootout - details about the event. Legends of America: 1867 Harper's Weekly Article About Wild Bill - full text of the original 1867 article that made Wild Bill famous. YouTube: High Noon Finale - not exactly the mano a mano that some remember it as, but it is indeed a classic among Western showdowns. YouTube: Wild Bill's Poker Game on Deadwood - scene from HBO's Deadwood between Wild Bill and his future murderer, Jack McCall.

Directory categories: Wild Bill Hickok, American West, Famous Figures of the American West

Archived under: American History, Gunslingers, History, Old West, Westerns, Wild Bill Hickok

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The "Dead Man's Hand" Aces and eights. Ever since August 2, 1876, when James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok was shot to death while holding those cards, they've been known as the "dead man's hand." Standing a towering 6'3", Hickok was a colorful character, even by the standards of the Old West. He was known as a dandy who sported shoulder-length blond hair, a taste for fancy clothes, and a reputation as a lethal gunman. He claimed to have killed over 100 men -- but never "without cause." Wild Bill met his end in the raw mining town of Deadwood, South Dakota, where he crossed paths with such rough-and-tumble types as Calamity Jane, Al Swearengen, and Seth Bullock. Hickok had traveled to Deadwood to earn money to support his new bride, but was a lousy gambler. If only he'd succumbed to some of the town's other vices instead, he might have lived to a ripe old age. Suggested Sites... Wikipedia: Wild Bill Hickok - biography of the scout, sheriff, and gunslinger. Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission - keeping the legends of the Old West alive. HBO: Deadwood - official site for the TV series about the ugliest town in the West. History Net: Wild Bill Hickok - explores the mysteries and contradictions that made up his life. The Dictionary of Poker - from "able" to "zuke," learn enough slang to sound like an expert.

Directory categories: Wild Bill Hickok, Poker, American West, Deadwood TV Series, Deadwood, South Dakota

Archived under: American History, Gunslingers, History, Old West, Poker, TV, Westerns, Wild Bill Hickok

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