Waldina

Today is the 75th birthday of the activist and film historian Vito Russo. His fighting has made our lives easier. Similar to the “Bechdel Test,” which examines the way female characters are portrayed and situated within a narrative, GLAAD developed its own set of criteria to analyze how LGBTQ characters are included within a film and named it “The Vito Russo Test”. To pass the Vito Russo Test, the following must be true:

1. The film contains a character that is identifiably lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender.

2. That character must not be solely or predominantly defined by their sexual orientation or gender identity. I.E. they are made up of the same sort of unique character traits commonly used to differentiate straight characters from one another.

3. The LGBTQ character must be tied into the plot in such a way that their removal would have a significant effect. Meaning they are not there to simply provide colorful commentary, paint urban authenticity, or (perhaps most commonly) set up a punchline.

The character should “matter.” The world is a better place because he was in it and still feels the loss that he has left.

Audio:  Vito Russo’s “Why We Fight” performed by Peter Sarsgaard

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://waldina.com/2021/07/11/happy-75th-birthday-vito-russo/

"The Devil-God" - CBS Radio Mystery Theater - July 11, 1974

Plot:  After inheriting a sprawling ranch, a young couple discover that the estate is home to a wild and beautiful Palomino stallion. What they don't know is that the horse belongs to a powerful deity who is angered by their attempts to claim the steed as their own.

Adventures of Thin Man: The Strange Case of Professor Wainger 1942

A brother and sister approach Nick Charles to ask him to introduce them to a long-lost Uncle who is working as a scientist for the allies. The scientists claims not to know who they are.

Today is the 70th birthday of artist and activist Vernon E. Berg. We are comfortable today because of his bravery. We should all be inspired to change the injustices we see so we can make life easier for others. The world is a better place because he was in it and still feels the loss that he has left.

Today is the 78th birthday of the athlete and activist Arthur Ashe. His honesty and bravery helped push the HIV/AIDS epidemic into the mainstream. The world is a better place because he was in it and still feels the loss that he has left.

"And Death Makes Even Steven" - CBS Radio Mystery Theater - July 9, 1974

Plot:  In order to seize control of his father's wealth, a slighted brother plans the murder of his twin whom he believes robbed him of his fortune.

"Too Many Women Can Kill You" - CBS Radio Mystery Theater - July 8, 1974

Plot:  An ambitious maid blackmails her employer after witnessing him murder his wife. The man is plagued by the women in his life when even the spirit of his deceased spouse begins to torment him at night.

Today is the 122nd birthday of George Cukor.  He is responsible for almost all of my favorite classic films: Holiday, The Women, Gone With The Wind, The Philadelphia Story, Adam’s Rib, Born Yesterday, It Should Happen To You, etc. His teaming with Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Judy Holliday, Clark Gable, Jack Lemmon, and Joan Crawford made countless of hours of perfection.  The world is a better place because he was in it and still feels the loss that he has left.

Today is the 161st birthday of the composer Gustav Mahler.  His works seem to tap into people on a deeper level and draw upon something in their DNA.  This is the time of year when a lot of classical music performances are happening outdoors and it is personally my favorite setting for it.  Mahler in the open with rays of sunshine between the trees and a soft breeze coming off of the lake.  The world is a better place because he was in it and still feels the loss that he has left.

Music:  Symphony No.9 in D-major - IV, Adagio. Sehr langsam und noch zurückhaltend

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://waldina.com/2021/07/07/happy-161st-birthday-gustav-mahler/

"The Cable Car Case" - Candy Matson - July 7, 1949

Candy Matson is a radio program on NBC West Coast that aired from June 29, 1949, to May 20, 1951. It centered on Candy Matson, a female private investigator with a wry sense of humor and a penthouse on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco. The program was notable for having a striking female character "without a trace of squeamishness" as well as a veiled gay character in Candy's best friend Rembrandt Watson.