Karl, still stoked from searching for vintage liquor commercials as post material, shared this gem with the staff today. (All Glory Be to Klockars). This is actor James Mason, with his rich baritone, English accent and gentlemanly comport, shilling for the mother of all "bum wines," Thunderbird. One can only hope that mason was having fun with the ad copy when he touts the "unusual flavor" of Thunderbird. After the repeal of Prohibition Ernest and Julio Gallo marketed Thunderbird, Night Train, Boone's Farm and other bargain wine brands to depressed inner city communities as part of Ernest Gallo's wish to make his winery the "Campbell Soup company of the wine industry." more ›

Even if you think you don't know who Nicholas Ray is, you know who Nicholas Ray is. Does Rebel Without a Cause ring a bell? James Dean wearing a fire engine red jacket and a look as smoldering as the cigarette he's holding is one of the true iconic images of movie history. Dean, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo are alienated teens struggling to make sense of life, and a very young Dennis Hopper plays a jack-booted thug. If you've never seen this movie on the big screen in all of it CinemaScope glory, you owe it to yourself to head over to the Siskel. more ›