Forty-nine years ago today, the film Pink Flamingos premiered. The first time I saw it was on VHS in my living room after high school one day. It was disturbing and hilarious and my introduction to Divine and John Waters. It was banned in Switzerland, Australia, and some provinces of Canada and Norway. It’s not for what you remember about the movie, it’s because of the sex scenes. You should watch this movie.

This episode is also available as a blog post

Today is the 88th birthday of the woman that said I haven’t accomplished anything alone, but I was fortunate to be part of a revived feminist movement. Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Her long fight for same-sex marriage, and immigrant and reproductive rights must be recognized, appreciated and continued by everyone. Recently, Simon & Schuster published a compendium of essays and speeches given by RBG. I guarantee it will become part of everyone’s Required Reading. The world is a better place because she is in it.

Forty-six years ago today, the film A Boy and his Dog premiered at the Los Angeles Filmex festival. It has become a cult classic over the years and is available on YouTube for free. You should watch it.

Thirty years ago today, the book Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture was published. It gave a generation their identity and their label, even though by definition they do not have an identity, label, or definition. I read it the summer of 1991 and it was like reading a diary of a group of friends and even my diary in parts. I wish I could find an audiobook version of it to suggest to everyone, but it seems to not have one.

Today is the 89th birthday of Walter Mercado. Your abuela watched him every day and screamed at you if you somehow forgot to stay absolutely silent during his show. If you haven’t watched his Netflix show yet, you really really should. The world is a better place because he was in it and still feels the loss that he has left.

Thirty-seven years ago today, the film Voyage of the Rock Aliens premiered. This movie is absurd and confusing with a gigantic soundtrack. Pia Zadora, Ruth Gordan, and Germaine Jackson?

Today is the 118th birthday of the playwright, journalist and ambassador Clare Booth Luce. I am sure you’ve seen the film The Women, that is all I ask of you if you haven’t. The world is a better place because she was in it and still feels the loss that she has left.

Forty-nine years ago today, the film What’s Up Doc? premiered. This film is a screwball comedy created by people that love screwball comedies.  Everyone turns in ridiculously brilliant performances.  I can watch it over and over and still not believe it is happening.  What’s Up, Doc? is by far one of my all-time favorite movies.  If you ever get a chance to carve out a bit of time to watch it, you will be so much the better for it.

Today is the 123rd birthday of the silent film star Dorothy Gish, the younger half of the Gish Sister acting dynasty.  She was one of the few silent film actors that was able to make the transition to sound films successfully, even if she thought it was less of a challenge and preferred stage acting.  The world is a better place because she was in it and still feels the loss that she has left.

Today is the 96th birthday of the actress Kim Stanley.  She was the narrator of To Kill A Mockingbird and played Francis Farmer’s mother in Frances, two gorgeous films that are so very powerful and important.  Her body of work is so incredibly impressive and valuable.  The world is a better place because she was in it and still feels the loss because she has left.