"The Real Printer's Devil" - CBS Radio Mystery Theater - July 17, 1974

Plot:  A young couple are delighted to find an inexpensive apartment in Central Park West. Little do they know that their new home is already occupied by an invisible guest.

Today is the 110th birthday of the actress and dancer Ginger Rogers. I love Gold Diggers of 1933, The Gay Divorcee, Top Hat, Roxie Hart, and Harlow to name just a few. She did it backwards and in high heels, for sure and is quoted as saying “The only way to enjoy anything in this life is to earn it first.” Longevity. Reinvention. Hard work. The world is a better place because she was in it and still feels the loss that she has left.

Today is the 114th birthday of Barbara Stanwyck.  Born Ruby Stevens, reinvented herself into an internationally-known actress, and stayed in the public eye for 60 years.  You know by now, I am a sucker for reinvention and longevity, throw in excellent work like Stella Dallas, Double Indemnity, and A Taste of Evil. The world is a better place because she was in it and still feels the loss that she has left.

Today is the 149th birthday of the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen. The world is a better place because he was in it and still feels the loss that he has left.

"The Canterville Ghost" - CBS Radio Mystery Theater - July 15, 1974

Plot:  In this classic tale by Oscar Wilde, a spirit repeatedly attempts to drive away the new owners of his castle and instead, becomes a source of hilarity and amusement.

The Adventures of Thin Man: The Adventure of the Haunted Hams - July 13, 1948

Nick and Nora help a Summer Theater company after a fire destroys their makeshift theater. Nora is convinced that she can be a star.

Today is the 87th birthday of the exceptionally talented pianist Van Cliburn.  The world is a better place because he was in it and still feels the loss that he has left.

Today is the 90th birthday of the actor/singer/activist Tab Hunter. I was first introduced to him through his John Waters film Polyester, which is by most considered a backwards approach. Those campy films were after a very long career of being a huge teen heartthrob. The world is a better place because he was in it and still feels the loss that he has left.

Today is the 97th birthday of one and only Brett Somers.  Actress, personality, style icon. You should be more like her. Pour yourself a highball, put on your largest pair of glasses, and laugh uncontrollably.  The world is a better place because she was in it and still feels the loss that she has left.