A Multiple Sclerosis Night Before Christmas - Positive Living with MS by Penelope Conway:

 

’Twas the night before the holidays, when all through my body,

Not a nerve was behaving, making me move rather shoddy.

My daily activities were chosen with care,

In hopes that each one could be done from a chair.

 

Each word that I spoke seemed to come out all wrong,

So much to be finished, I had to stay strong.

And John in the kitchen, and Missy making frappe,

Everyone busy working, no time for a nap.

 

When somewhere outside there arose such a clatter,

I peeked through the window, to see what was the matter.

I tried to move fast, to get to the door,

But I didn’t quite make it, and wound up on the floor.

 

As I lay on the rug, making sure nothing broke

Through tears I could see it, even gave it a poke.

Yes, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But the cane that I lost, earlier this year.

 

Then the front door cracked open, and before me he stood,

I immediately knew help had arrived which was good.

And more rapid than eagles, his phrases they came,

And he whistled and shouted, and called them by name.

 

“Now hang on, now slow down, now take more life pauses,

With stressful, and chaos, and tearful day causes.

To the end of the checklist, to the end of the hall,

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

 

And then I could see, as I wiped away tears,

Why, his words and his wisdom had settled my fears.

As I sat on the floor, too weak to even move

He knelt down beside me, and said I have nothing to prove.

 

He looked a bit weary, as a glance we exchanged,

And he said that my focus is what needs to be changed.

What’s important is family and those who are nearby.

(On that last one he actually said with a twinkly eye.)

 

Your weakness…it’s real. Your limits…real too.

MS has this way of making even brilliant days blue.

He smiled as he spoke, and I knew he was right.

No more pity party moments or MS fist fights.

 

He spoke not a word more as he helped me to stand.

I found myself smiling as I reached for his hand.

I sat on the couch as he gave me a nod,

He helped me to see that my thinking was flawed.

 

Then he sprang to his sleigh, and to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, “You’re doing great, don’t forget,

To pause more and smile, you have nothing to fret.”

 

*Penelope Conway was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in November 2011. She is the author and founder of Positive Living with MS (positivelivingwithms.com) where she uses humor and her own life experiences with MS to help others navigate this unpredictable journey. She believes that staying positive and holding onto hope is the key to waking up each morning with the strength to get through the day.

Holly Hippodays

Happy holidays whether far or near - 

Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year!

Henry Ward Beecher, on books:

It's a man's duty to have books.

A library is not a luxury,

but one of the necessities of life.

- Henry Ward Beecher.

Film Noir Reader 3: Interviews with Filmmakers of the Classic Noir Period Edited by Alain Silver, Robert Porfirio and James Ursini.

 

Film Noir Reader 3: Interviews with Filmmakers of the Classic Noir Period

Edited by Alain Silver, Robert Porfirio and James Ursini.

Published by Limelight.
Published 2004.
Paperback.

ISBN-10: 0879109610
ISBN-13: 978-0879109615
 
Description:
 

Departing from the approach of its Film Noir Reader predecessors, this third volume in the series assembles a collection of interviews with film noir directors and a cinematographer, few of whom are alive today. Interviewees include Billy Wilder (Double Indemnity and Sunset Boulevard), Otto Preminger (Laura), Joseph Lewis (Gun Crazy and The Big Combo), Curtis Bernhardt (Possessed and A Stolen Life), Edward Dmytryk (Murder, My Sweet and Crossfire), and Fritz Lang (Scarlet Street and The Woman in the Window).

Born on this day – Mario Bonnard:

Mario Bonnard

Actor

Director

December 24, 1889 – March 22, 1965

Born on this day – Ruth Chatterton:

 

Ruth Chatterton

Actress

Aviator

Writer

December 24, 1892 – November 24, 1961

Credits:

20th Century Fox Promotional Film (1936); A Royal Divorce (1938); Anybody's Woman (1930); Celanese Theatre (1951); Charming Sinners (1929); Complicated Women (2003); Dodsworth (1936); Female (1933); Frisco Jenny (1932); Girls' Dormitory (1936); Hamlet (1953); Hollywood and the Stars (1964); Hollywood on Parade No. A-13 (1933); Journal of a Crime (1934); Kraft Theatre (1952); Kraft Theatre / The Philco Television Playhouse (1948); Lady of Secrets (1936); Lilly Turner (1933); Madame X (1929); Mutual Weekly, No. 16 (1915); Once a Lady (1931); Paramount on Parade (1930); Playhouse 90 (1957); Pulitzer Prize Playhouse (1952); Sarah and Son (1930); Sins of the Fathers (1928); The Crash (1932); The Doctor's Secret (1929); The Dummy (1929); The House That Shadows Built (1931); The Lady of Scandal (1930); The Laughing Lady (1929); The Magnificent Lie (1931); The Prudential Family Playhouse (1950); The Rat (1937); The Rich Are Always with Us (1932); The Right to Love (1930); Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood (2008); Tomorrow and Tomorrow (1932); Unfaithful (1931).

Born on this day – Franz Waxman:

Franz Waxman

Composer

Actor

December 24, 1906 – February 24, 1967

Born on this day – James Hadley Chase:

James Hadley Chase

Writer

December 24, 1906 – February 6, 1985

Credits:

100 Questions (2010); 12 Miles of Bad Road (2010); 6 Ways to Die (2015); A Better Place (2016); A Love Saga with John Goodman (2013); Always and Forever (2020); American Bistro (2019); American Haze (2017); Angels & Demons (2009); Anita Ho (2012); Babysitter (2015); Beautiful (2019); Bedtime Stories (2008); Beeswax (2012); Bones (2008); Born to Race (2011); Bullet Train (2022); Bus People (2012); California Winter (2012); Castle (2011); Chillerama / Segment: Wadzilla (2011); Chinatown Squad (2012); Con Man (2018); Crimes of the Mind (2014); Crobot - Not for Sale (2016); CSI: NY (2010); Cutthroat (2010); Daemon 9 (2018); Dante's Hotel (2023); Dark Tourist (2012); Design: Kirk Leitch (2015); Desperate Housewives (2010); Dexter (2010); DGK: Parental Advisory (2012); Dirty Garden (2015); Dolls of Voodoo (2013); Dr. Brinks & Dr. Brinks (2017); Ed Sheeran Feat. Pharrell Williams: Sing (2014); Eli Stone (2009); Enrique Iglesias: Tonight (I'm Lovin' You) (2010); Entertainment (2015); Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022); Exit Strategy (2015); Extreme Cheapskates (2014); Female Fight Squad (2016); Final Wager (2024); First Time Female Director (2023); Flashforward (2009); Foster the People: Houdini (2012); Franklin & Bash (2011); Go Try (2020); Good Morning (2021); Green Street Hooligans 2 (2009); Grey's Anatomy (2010); Guerrilla Garden (2010); Hawthorne (2010); Here's Herbie (2009); He's Just Not That Into You (2009); Holly Day (2018); Honey 2 (2011); House (2010); House Arrest (2013); How I Met Your Mother (2011); How to Get Away with Murder (2016); I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant (2008); If You're Ready (2020); Interesting Ball (2014); Iron Man 2 (2010); It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2012); Jennifer Lopez: Papi (2011); Journeyman (2007); Kali Karate Show (2020); Kali Karate: The 2nd Beginning (2023); K-Pops! (2024); Law & Order: LA (2010); Legit (2013–2014); Love at the Christmas Table (2012); Lucifer (2021); Luck (2011); Man from Reno (2014); Maroon 5 Feat. SZA: What Lovers Do (2017); Meant to Be (2012); Meteor Apocalypse (2010); Milf (2010); Ms. Purple (2019); My Name Is Earl (2008); My Name Is Khan (2010); National Geographic Investigates (2011); NCIS: Los Angeles (2010); Ne-Yo Feat. Juicy J: She Knows (2014); Ninja - Part 2 with Epic Lloyd (2012); Ninja with Sam Macaroni: Part 1 (2012); Nocturnally Yours (2017); Other People (2016); Our Family Wedding (2010); Out West (2013); Outlaw Johnny Black (2023); Pair of Kings (2011–2012); Parks and Recreation (2009–2012); Peace No War (2009); Poof (2023); Poor George (2016); Post Grad (2009); Post Grad Gangstas (2014); Puppet Master X: Axis Rising (2012); Race to Witch Mountain (2009); Rush Hour (2016); Savage Dog (2017); Saving Da'Lenzi (2018); Shameless (2015); $#*! My Dad Says (2011); Skyline (2010); Small Town Famous (2015); Sound of Violence (2021); Station 19 (2018); Stellina Blue (2009); Strange Men (2015); Superstore (2020); Superstrata (2024); The Bellmen (2017); The Blasphemy (2018); The Cleaning Lady (2018); The Comment Show (2013); The Grime (2024); The House (2017); The Jury (2017); The Laundromat (2019); The Muppets. (2015); The Rev (2013); The Robbery (2017); The Shield (2008); The Thundermans (2014); The Unit (2009); Time Travel Lover (2014); Touch (2012); Train: 50 Ways to Say Goodbye (2012); True Love (2010); Undercovers (2010); United States of Tara (2011); Untitled Jessica Gao/ABC Project / TV Movie (2019); Uploaded (2021); Veep (2016); Viper (2015); Vox Influx (2014); Walking the Halls (2012); What Would Jesus Do? (2010); Wiener Dog Nationals (2013); Workaholics (2011–2017); Workaholics: The Other Cubicle (2012); Yes Man (2008); YouTube AdBlitz (2016); Zoe (2017); Zombie Apocalypse (2011); Zulu Six (2014).

Born on this day – Carlo Rustichelli:

Carlo Rustichelli

Composer

December 24, 1916 – November 13, 2004

Born on this day – Ava Gardner:

 

Ava Gardner

Actress

December 24, 1922 – January 25, 1990

Born on this day – Thelma Pelish:

 

Thelma Pelish

Actress

December 24, 1926 – March 6, 1983

Credits:

Alias Big Cherry (1975); Arnie (1971); Call Her Mom (1972); Can I Do It 'Till I Need Glasses? (1977); Candid Camera (1961); Car 54, Where Are You? (1962); Dirty Sally (1974); Every Which Way But Loose (1978); Flicks / Segment: Philip Alien (1983); Flush (1982); Gleason: He's the Greatest (1988); Herowork (1977); If You Don't Stop It... You'll Go Blind!!! (1975); Jigsaw John (1976); Legends (2007); Love, American Style / Segments Love and the Awkward Age; Love and the First Kiss (1972–1973); Man Against Crime (1954); Naked City (1959); Quincy, M.E. (1981); Racquet (1979); Robert Montgomery Presents (1953); Search (1972); Shaft (1974); Skateboard (1978); The Incredible Hulk (1981); The Jackie Gleason Show (1953); The Odd Couple (1971); The Pajama Game (1957); The Robert Q. Lewis Show (1954); The Silent Scream (1979); True Story (1960); Valley of the Dolls (1967); White House Madness (1975); You Light Up My Life (1977).

Born on this day – Renée Michaelis:

 
Renée Michaelis

Actress

December 24, 1926 – April 7, 2022

Credits:

Asphalt (1951); Das Ei (1959); Der Untermieter (1964–1967); Donaug'schichten (1966); Familie Leitner (1960–1965); Gehört sich das? (1960); Herzliches Beileid (1970); Schäm' dich, Brigitte! (1952).

Born on this day – Mary Higgins Clark:

 

Mary Higgins Clark

Writer

December 24, 1927 – January 31, 2020

Credits:

Books:

A Cry in the Night (1982); A Stranger is Watching (1977); All Around the Town (1992); All By Myself, Alone (2017); All Dressed in White (2015); All Through the Night (1998); As Time Goes By (2016); Aspire to the Heavens / Mount Vernon Love Story (1968); Bad Behavior (1995); Before I Say Good-Bye (2000); Burned (2005); By Hook or By Crook and 27 More of the Best Crime and Mystery Stories of the Year (2010); Caribbean Blues (1988); Caribbean Blues (1988); Cursed (2009); Daddy's Gone A-Hunting (2013); Daddy's Little Girl (2001); Dashing Through the Snow (2008); Death on the Cape and Other Stories (1989); Death Wears a Beauty Mask and Other Stories (2015); Deck the Halls (2000); Deck the Halls (2000); Decked (1991); Double Vision (1988); Every Breath You Take (2017); Fleeced (2001); Ghost Ship (2007); Gypped / Scammed (2012); He Sees You When You're Sleeping (2001); Hitched (2006); I Heard That Song Before (2007); Iced (1994); I'll Be Seeing You (1993); I'll Walk Alone (2011); Inherit the Dead (2013); I've Got My Eyes on You (2018); I've Got You Under My Skin (2014); Jinxed (2002); Just Take My Heart (2009); Justice in Manhattan (1995); Kiss the Girls and Make Them Cry (2019); Kitchen Privileges (2002); Laced (2007); Let Me Call You Sweetheart (1995); Loves Music, Loves to Dance (1991); Malice Domestic 1 (1992); Malice Domestic 14 (2019); Malice Domestic 2 (1993); Manhattan Mayhem (2015); Master's Choice: Mystery Stories by Today's Top Writers and the Masters Who Inspired Them (2000); Mobbed (2011); Moonlight Becomes You (1996); More Malice Domestic (1997); Murder For Love (1996); Murder in Manhattan (1988); Murder on the Aisle (1987); Murder on the Run (1998); My Gal Sunday (1996); Nighttime is My Time (2004); No Place Like Home (2005); On a Raven's Wing (2009); On the Street Where You Live (2001); Piece of My Heart (2020); Popped (2003); Pretend You Don't See Her (1995); Remember Me (1994); Santa Cruise (2006); Silent Night (1995); Sisters in Crime 2 (1990); Snagged (1993); Stillwatch (1984); The Anastasia Syndrome (1989); The Best American Mystery Stories 1998 (1998); The Body in the Closet and Plumbing for Willy (1998); The Christmas Thief (2004); The Christmas Thief (2004); The Cinderella Murder (2014); The Cradle Will Fall (1980); The Crown Crime Companion (1995); The Lost Years (2012); The Lottery Winner (1994); The Magical Christmas Horse (2011); The Melody Lingers On (2015); The Night Awakens (1998); The Plot Thickens (1997); The Second Time Around (2003); The Shadow of Your Smile (2010); The Sleeping Beauty Killer (2016); The Year's 25 Finest Crime and Mystery Stories 1996 (1995); Twanged (1997); Two Little Girls in Blue (2006); Weep No More, My Lady (1987); We'll Meet Again (1999); Where Are the Children Now? (2023); Where are the Children? (1975); Where Are You Now? (2008); While My Pretty One Sleeps (1989); Women of Mystery (1992); Wrecked (2010); You Belong To Me (1999); You Don't Own Me (2018); Zapped (2008).

Movies and television:

A Crime of Passion (2003); A Cry in the Night (1992); A Stranger Is Watching (1982); All Around the Town (2002); Books Equal Gifts Commercial (2008); Bouillon de culture (1999); C à vous (2011); Café Picouly (2011); Campus, le magazine de l'écrit (2003); CBS News Sunday Morning with Jane Pauley (2017); Ce Que Vivent les Roses (2018); Collection Mary Higgins Clark, la reine du suspense (2014); Crier Today (2000–2001); Deck the Halls (2011); Deux Petites Filles en Bleu (2014); Double Vision (1992); En aparté (2003); Encore with John Palmer (2006–2010); Ex Libris (1989–1995); Haven't We Met Before (2002); Imus in the Morning (2014); La Clinique du Docteur H (2015); Le cercle de minuit (1994); Le divan (1992); Le grand journal de Canal+ (2006); Les Années Perdues (2015); Let Me Call You Sweetheart (1997); L'invité (2006); Loves Music, Loves to Dance (2001); Lucky Day (2002); Moonlight Becomes You (1998); My Gal Sunday (2014); NOS Uit het Leven (2020); Nulle part ailleurs (1995); On a tout essayé (2003); On the Money (2005); Où Es-Tu Maintenant? (2014); Party Planner with David Tutera (2005); Pretend You Don't See Her (2002); Remember Me (1995); Rien ne vaut la douceur du foyer (2018); Souviens-toi (2015); Stillwatch (1987); Terror Stalks the Class Reunion (1992); The Cradle Will Fall (1983); The Joan Rivers Show (1991); The Last Horsemen of New York (2018); The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet (2007); The Mystery Cruise (2013); Thé ou café (2008); The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1997); The Scent of Fear (1960); The View (2004); The Write Stuff (1988); Today (2010–2017); Toi Que J'Aimais Tant (2014); Tout le monde en parle (2003); Weep No More, My Lady (1992); Where Are the Children? (1985); While My Pretty One Sleeps (1997); You Belong to Me (2002).

Born on this day – Julian Barry:

Julian Barry

Writer

December 24, 1930 – July 25, 2023

Credits:

A Marriage: Georgia O'Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz (1991); Eyes of Laura Mars (1978); Goodyear Playhouse (1955); Lenny (1974); Me Myself and I (1992); Mission: Impossible (1966); Pablo (2012); Rhinoceros (1974); Spuiten en slikken (2005); Suspense (1954); The River (1984); The Wackiest Ship in the Army (1965).

Born on this day – Janet Carroll:

 

Janet Carroll

Actress

December 24, 1940 – May 22, 2012

Credits:

20 to 1 (2007); 21 Jump Street (1988); 227 (1987); 3rd Rock from the Sun (1999); 7th Heaven (1999); A Year in the Life (1987); Alice (1985); All You Need (2001); Ally McBeal (2002); Astronomy (1988); Betrayed: A Story of Three Women (1995); Beverly Hills Buntz (1988); Beverly Hills, 90210 (1999); Beyond the Quest (2007); Bluffing It (1987); Bonnie (1995–1996); Born to Be Wild (1995); Boy Meets World (1994); Brothers & Sisters (2006); Buck James (1987); Cagney & Lacey (1985); Changing Hearts (2002); Chicago Story (1981); Christmas Spirit (2011); Coach (1996); College Debts (2015); Confession (2005); Crosser (2016); Cupid (1998); Daughters of Privilege (1991); Dead Last (2001); Designing Women (1987); Destiny Turns on the Radio (1995); Double Dare (1985); E/R (1984); Empty Nest (1990); Enough (2002); Entertainment Tonight (1989); Family Business (1989); Forces of Nature (1999); Frank Leaves for the Orient (1999); Getting Physical (1984); Glory Days (1990); Hill Street Blues (1983–1986); Hot Pursuit (1985); I Gave at the Office (1984); Jake and the Fatman (1989); Judging Amy (2003); Knight Rider (1983); L.A. Law (1988); Laugh Busters (1984); Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2010); Life Goes On (1990); Living in Captivity (1998); Living 'til the End (2005); Maggie (1998); Mancuso, FBI (1990); Married... with Children (1994–1997); Mary (1986); Matlock (1995); Melrose Place (1993–1997); Memories of Me (1988); Murphy Brown (1990–1996); Norm (1999); One Special Victory (1991); Pacific Blue (1996); Pacific Station (1991); Pasadena (2002); Quantum Leap (1989); Reasonable Doubts (1992); Risky Business (1983); Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story (1986); Scrubs (2006); Secret Admirer (1985); Sharing Richard (1988); Silver Spoons (1987); Six Degrees (2007); Spencer (1984–1985); Still Standing (2002–2004); Talent for the Game (1991); Techno Babble: A Cautionary Tale (2013); The Art of War III: Retribution (2009); The Boys (1988–1989); The Bronx Zoo (1987–1988); The Closer (1998); The Clown Project (2008); The Devlin Connection (1982); The Famous Teddy Z (1990); The Golden Girls (1987); The Hat Squad (1992–1993); The Jeff Foxworthy Show (1997); The Killing Time (1987); The Marriage Undone (2002); The Mommies (1994); The Omega Code (1999); The Platinum Triangle (1990); The Right of the People (1986); The Substitute Waiter (2004); The Twilight Zone / Segment: Cold Reading (1986); This Is the Life (1982); This Joint Is Jumpin' (1997); Time of Your Life (1999); Timemaster (1995); Touched by an Angel (1996); Ugly Naked People (1999); (Untitled) (2009); What Happens Next (2011); When He's Not a Stranger (1989); You Again? (1986).

Born on this day – Sharon Farrell:

Sharon Farrell

Actress

Dancer

December 24, 1940 – May 15, 2023

Credits:

Broken at Love (2013–2014); JAG (1999); Last Chance Love (1997); The Young and the Restless (1991–1997); Timeless Obsession (1996); White Cargo (1996); Yakuza Connection (1995); Beyond Desire (1995); A Gift from Heaven (1994); Arcade (1993); Sworn to Vengeance (1993); Matlock (1992); Lonely Hearts (1991); Freddy's Nightmares (1989); One Man Force (1989); Can't Buy Me Love (1987); Rituals (1984-1985); Night of the Comet (1984); Lone Wolf McQuade (1983); Small & Frye (1983); T.J. Hooker (1983); Sweet Sixteen (1983); Born to Be Sold (1981); Separate Ways (1981); Rage! (1980); Out of the Blue (1980); Hawaii Five-O (1977–1980); The Stunt Man (1980); Mrs. Columbo (1979); The Last Ride of the Dalton Gang (1979); The Fifth Floor (1978); The Magical World of Disney (1978); Confessions of the D.A. Man (1978); Man from Atlantis (1978); Switch (1977); Gibbsville (1976); Police Woman (1974–1976); Doc (1976); Bronk (1975); The Premonition (1975); McCloud (1975); Police Story (1973–1975); Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1975); Harry O (1975); The Six Million Dollar Man (1974); The Wide World of Mystery (1973–1974); Petrocelli (1974); Police Surgeon (1974); The Underground Man (1974); It's Alive (1974); Insight (1968–1974); This Is the Life (1974); Chase (1974); The F.B.I. (1974); Love, American Style (1974); The New Perry Mason (1973); Marcus Welby, M.D. (1972); Banyon (1972); The Eyes of Charles Sand (1972); The D.A. (1971); The Love Machine (1971); The Name of the Game (1969–1971); Men at Law (1970); Medical Center (1970); Quarantined (1970); The Reivers (1969); Marlowe (1969); Premiere (1968); A Lovely Way to Die (1968); The Wild Wild West (1968); The Virginian (1967); The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964–1967); Iron Horse (1967); Not with My Wife, You Don't! (1966); Run for Your Life (1965); The Wackiest Ship in the Army (1966); Dr. Kildare (1964–1965); My Three Sons (1965); I Dream of Jeannie (1965); Rawhide (1965); Ben Casey (1963–1965); The Spy with My Face (1965); The Fugitive (1965); The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1964–1965); The Beverly Hillbillies (1965); Burke's Law (1964); Gunsmoke (1963–1964); Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1964); The Movie Maker (1964); Wagon Train (1962–1964); Arrest and Trial (1964); The Lieutenant (1963); Kraft Suspense Theatre (1963); Death Valley Days (1953); My Favorite Martian (1963); Saints and Sinners (1962–1963); Empire (1963); 40 Pounds of Trouble (1962); Alfred Hitchcock in Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1962); Naked City (1961); Kiss Her Goodbye (1959).

Born on this day – Clarence Gilyard:

Clarence Gilyard

Professor

Actor

Writer

December 24, 1955 – November 28, 2022

Credits:

227 (1987); A Matter of Faith (2014); artScene (2013); Boondoggle (1999); CHiPs (1982–1983); Christmas on the Coast (2017); Die Hard (1988); DieHard is Back (2020); Diff'rent Strokes (1981); Eleanor's Bench (2020); Fan des années 80 (2010); From Above (2013); L.A. Takedown (1989); Left Behind II: Tribulation Force (2002); Left Behind: The Movie (2000); Legacy of a Spy (2021); Little Monsters (2012); Making the Grade (1982); Matlock (1989–1993); Off the Mark (1987); Orange Bowl Parade (1997); Riptide (1984); Simon & Simon (1986); Solomon's Universe (1985); Sons of Thunder (1999); Soul Train (1996); The 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2023); The Beast (2016); The Duck Factory (1984); The Facts of Life (1979); The Great Los Angeles Earthquake (1990); The Karate Kid Part II (1986); The Kid with the 200 I.Q. (1983); The Making of 'Left Behind II: Tribulation Force' (2002); The Making of 'Left Behind: The Movie' (2000); The Perfect Race (2019); The Sector (2016); The Track (2015); Things Are Looking Up (1984); Top Gun (1986); Top Gun 2: Back to Traffic School (2012); Walker Texas Ranger 3: Deadly Reunion (1994); Walker, Texas Ranger (1993–2001); Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire (2005); Walker: Behind the Scenes with TV's Toughest Cop (1996).

Born on this day – Scott Spiegel:

Scott Spiegel

Writer

Director

Producer

Actor

December 24, 1957 – September 1, 2025

Credits:

2001 Maniacs (2005); 78/52 (2017); A Blossoming Brilliance: An Interview with Scott Spiegel (2013); A Conversation with Quentin Tarantino & Scott Spiegel (2004); A Night in a Sanitarium (1973); Acting and Reacting (1978); All the Worlds a Stooge (1974); Attack of the Helping Hand! (1979); Attack of the Pillsbury Doughboy (1976); Babysitter Wanted (2007); Booby Bartenders (1974); Cain Hill (2016); Cinemaker (2004); Civil War Part II (1977); Cleveland Smith: Bounty Hunter (1982); Clockwork (1978); Corny Casanovas (1971); Crimewave (1985); Curse of the Werewolf (1974); Darkman (1990); Death Proof (2007); Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022); Drag Me to Hell (2009); Evil Dead 1 & 2: The Musical (2004); Evil Dead II (1987); Facing the Lion (2010); Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman (2007); Flying Saucers Over Hollywood: The 'Plan 9' Companion (1992); From Dusk Till Dawn (1996); From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money (1999); Full Tilt Boogie (1997); Gimme Skelter (2007); Half-Wits' Holiday (1974); Here Today... Gun Tomorrow (1976); Hit List (1989); Hostel (2005); Hostel: Part III (2011); Inside the Asylum: The Making of '2001 Maniacs' (2006); Inspector Klutz Saves the Day (1969); Intruder (1989); Invaluable: The True Story of an Epic Artist (2014); It's Murder! (1977); Jackie Brown (1997); James Bombed in Here Today... Gun Tomorrow (1976); Just Say Julie (1989–1992); Lionheart (1990); Love, Cheat & Steal (1993); Making the Amazing (2004); Manhunt (1974); Mischief Night (2014); My Name Is Modesty: A Modesty Blaise Adventure (2004); Mystery No Mystery (1976); Nightmares (2026); No Dough Boys (1974); Nude Bowling Party (1995); Oedipus Rex (1972); Picnic (1977); Pieces of Deconstruction: Looking Back at a Grindhouse Gorefest (2011); Pies and Guys (1971); Post Traumatic: An American Nightmare (2009); Pulp Fiction (1994); Pulp Fiction: The Facts (2002); QT8: The First Eight (2019); Rake (2014); Red (1993); Reflections on the Living Dead (1993); Robot Ninja (1989); Sam Raimi Early Shorts (1985); Shemp Eats the Moon (1978); Shock Cinema Vol. 1 (1991); Six Months to Live (1977); Skinned Alive (1990); Slashed Prices: The Making of Intruder (2011); Slice and Dice: The Slasher Film Forever (2012); Spider-Man (2002); Spider-Man 2 (2004); Spring Break '83 (2009); Spring Cleaning (1979); Straight Into Darkness (2004); Stryker's War (1980); Swallowed Souls: The Making of Evil Dead II (2011); Sweet 16: DVD Introduction by Aleisa Shirley and Scott Spiegel (2008); The Absent (2011); The Blind Waiter (1980); The Case of the Topanga Pearl (1976); The Cult of Ichi (2007); The Dead Next Door (1989); The Evil Dead (1981); The Final Round (1977); The Girl I Want (1990); The Great Bogus Monkey Pignuts Swindle (1975); The Happy Valley Kid (1977); The Hollywood Sign (2008); The Incredibly Strange Film Show (1988); The James Hoffa Story (1975); The James R. Hoffa Story, Part II (1976); The Nutt House (1992); The Quick and the Dead (1995); The Rookie (1990); The Sappy Sap (1985); The Singing Nuts (1974); Thou Shalt Not Kill... Except (1985); Three on a Couch (1974); Three Pests in a Mess (1974); Three Smart Saps (1973); Together & Alone (1998); Torro. Torro. Torro! (1981); Uncivil War Birds (1976); Where Truth Lies (1996); Wild Malibu Weekend! (1995); Within the Woods (1978).

On this day in movie history - Mad Max 2 (1981)

Mad Max 2

a.k.a. The Road Warrior

directed by George Miller,

written by Robert Benton, Terry Hayes, George Miller and Brian Hannant,

was released in Australia on December 24, 1981.

Narrated by Harold Baigent.

Music by Howard Shore.

Cast:

Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Michael Preston, Max Phipps, Vernon Wells, Kjell Nilsson, Emil Minty, Virginia Hey, William Zappa, Arkie Whiteley, Steve J. Spears, Syd Heylen, Moira Claux, David Downer, David Slingsby, Kristoffer Greaves, Max Fairchild, Tyler Coppin, Jerry O'Sullivan, Tony Deary, Kathleen McKay, Guy Norris, Anne Jones, James McCardell, Harold Baigent, Stewart Finlay-McLennan, Joanne Samuel.

On this day in television history - Johnny Staccato (1959)

Johnny Staccato
Season 1. Episode 15.

Episode entitled: The Unwise Men.

Released December 24, 1959.

Directed by Robert B. Sinclair.

Written by Frank Dana, Shirl Hendryx.

Music by Elmer Bernstein.

Cast:

John Cassavetes, Eduardo Ciannelli, Marc Lawrence, Jack Weston, Marge Redmond, Bernard/Bernie Fein, Walter Maslow, Vincent Barbi, Terry Frost, George Boyce, Lillian O'Malley, Harry Raven, Edwin Rochelle, Jeffrey Sayre.