Happy 75th Birthday, Superman

While it is common knowledge that Superman has been played in tv and in film by the likes of Dean Cain, Brandon Routh, the late Christopher Reeve and the late George Reeves, it is not commonly known that he was also played by the late Turkish actor Tayfun Demir  (pictured here) in the 1979 rip-off film "Superman Donuyor/The Return of Superman").

Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1 on April 18, 1938, and according to the Overstreet Comic Book Guide, it is worth (in mint condition) a staggering $1.75 million.

One can find considerably newer "Superman" comic books at places like Acme Comics in Greensboro, NC, or Chapel Hill Comics, which is just down I-40 in Chapel Hill, NC.

One famous quote from "Superman" comic books comes in Justice League or America #4, where Superman tells Wonder Woman: "I can only tell you what I believe, Diana: humankind has to be allowed to climb to its own destiny. We can't carry them there."

SIDEBAR: There is yet another tragic development from the Boston Marathon bombing incident on Monday as a third person Lingzi Lu, a Chinese national who was a student at Boston University, died from injuries sustained in the blast.

Another Chinese student from the school Danling Zhou, who was with Lu near the finish line, was seriously injured. The Boston University web site reported that Robert Hill, the dean of Marsh Chapel at BU, visited Zhou and said that she was successfully recovering from surgery at the Boston Medical Center.

Our thoughts go out to all the victims of this horrible act of terrorism.

http://www.acmecomics.com

http://www.chapelhillcomics.com

http://www.bu.edu

North Carolina High School Football Roundup

It was a good night for our beloved Ragsdale High Tigers from Jamestown, NC, (we didn't actually go to to school there). They beat their rivals from High Point Central High at home by a 35-28 score.

Ragsdale QB Luke Heavner completed nine of 19 passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns.

The Western Alamance High Warriors also won their game over Nothern Guilford (though their game actually went into OT) by the exact same score. They were helped by their QB Nigel B. Carlton who went 18 for 24 and threw for 278 yards with three touchdowns.


Here are some other scores from the northern North Carolina (Triad) region:

Southern Alamance 20 Smith 17
Dudley 30 Grimsely 0
Reidsville 20 Providence Gap 0
Rockingham County 48 Morehead 0
Orange County 14 Chapel Hill 11

Quote of the Week- David Mamet

I had a chance to see the Triad Stage (Greensboro, NC) preview production of David Mamet's highly controversial play "Oleanna" last night, and I really enjoyed it!

The play was directed by Preston Lane, who is also the co-founder of the theatre.

"Oleanna" is a heated play because it deals with the ever-sensitive subject of sexual harrassment and how it can quickly turn into a he said/she said 'Rashomon' nightmare.

I had done a paper on the play while at Radford University, and I read it several times. I also saw the 1994 film (the play hit Broadway in 1992) which Mamet directed himself.

"Oleanna" is definitely a play which is better seen on-stage though two of his other plays, "Glen Gary, Glen Ross" and "American Buffalo" have been adapted well on screen.

Ginny Myers Lee was quite as Carol (the student) as was Lee Spencer (the teacher).

Mamet is an interesting figure himself as he wrote a column in "The Village Voice" about moving from left to right in terms of his politics.......the most shocking part of the piece was his support for George W. Bush! (who even many conservatives deemed to be an absolute idiot!).

I highly recommend the play for anyone living in Greensboro/Winston-Salem area.

It runs through Nov. 8. The box office number is (336) 272-0160 or 1-800-579-TIXX

Here is today's quip from Mamet, which I myself don't entirely agree with, but it does illustrate his creative perspectives:

"The avant-garde is to the left what jingoism is to the right. Both are a refuge in nonsense."

NOTE: The above picture with Julia Stiles as Carol is not from the Triad Stage production.

Silly Photo to Fill Space_ "Alf"

I ran into my friend Christopher Knight by chance yesterday, and he told me that he actually reads my blog?!

Knight of Reidsville, NC, not to be confused with African-American comic strip artist Keith Knight ("The Knight Life") who_(like Chris Knight)_ is also a Facebook friend of mine, is best known for making an over-the-top "Star Wars" themed ad when he ran for the Rockingham County (NC) school board in 2006.


The fact that Knight actually lost the race has not kept the ad from becoming a cultural phenom. Last week, it even made "The Jay Leno" show! It has already been featured on E! and VH-1.

Since Chris likes things with aliens, I thought I would post this photo from the Reagan era tv sitcom "Alf." I don't exactly when it ran, or if the whole series is available on dvd (I presume it is). But, my friend and blogger Moviezzz is on top of all these things. In fact, he just posted a great entry about "Ally MacBeal" (1997-2002)finally getting a dvd release which was held up due to music copyright issues.

And, I should mention that another blogger friend of mine Joe Scott of Greensboro, NC, will be screening the film "Aliens" at the Carousel Luxury Cinemas in the Gate City (local slang for Greensboro) on Thurs., Nov. 5 at 7:30 and 10p.m.

I would write more, but I actually have work to do.......?!

Movies of Our Youth- (12 of 12) "Gremlins"

Why a tuxedo cat as an image for a movie about creepy little reptilian monsters?

Because I named my tuxedo cat Gizmo after the title character in Joe Dante's vintage sci fi flick.

My friend Joe Scott will screen "Gremlins" as part of his "Mixed Tape Series" at the Carousel Luxury Cinemas in Greensboro, NC, on Thursday, Dec 3 at 7:30 and 10:00 p.m.

Alas, I teach class on Thursday nights so it looks I will not only miss a chance to see this movie for the first time in over 20 years, but I will also miss the 'wedding episode' on "The Office." But, since I'm not a newspaper reporter who has to cover an execution, I won't complain:)

Quote of the Day- Bill Cosby

Last week, we went with quotes from New Yorkers so this week we are going with quotes from two famous Philadelphians on our two respective blogs.

Today, we start with comedian/actor Bill Cosby who gave the commencement address at North Carolina A & T University in Greensboro, NC, last year:

"I don't know what the key to success is, but the key to failure is to please everybody."

Our other blog, "Politics, Culture and Other Wastes of Time" will feature a quote from W.C. Fields.

Remembering the Newspaper-Police Blotter

We are continuing to remember the falling newspaper industry with entries both here and on our sister blog "Politics, Culture and Other Wastes of Time."

Today we post an actual passage from the police blotter from the current issue of the Greensboro, NC, alternative weekly "Yes Weekly," which my friend Brian Clarey edits. Jordan Green is their ace reporter.

This story involves an unusual incident to say the least:

"Jile Maness told Greensboro police officers at about 3 a.m. on May 2 that three black men forced him into the trunk of his car and drove him to an ATM, and then left him in the trunk at Groometown Road and I-85 after he was unable to obtain any $$$ from them.

Hours later, Manes said, he was able to escape from the car.

The officers investigated the incident and concluded that Manes made the whole thing up. They charged Manes with filing a false police report, resist/delay abstruct and felong stolen property."

The Turkish Connection

Previously on this blog, we have talked about the men's basketball team from my alma mater Radford University in Radford, Va.

The RU Highlanders will be playing the University of North Carolina at 2:50 p.m., on Thursday, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Greensboro.

The assistant coach of that team Ali Ton happens to hail from my late father's country, Turkey.

Ton is credited brining the Highlanders' star player Art Parakhouski to Radford from Belarus by way of Southern Idaho University.

The Highlanders are a 26-point underdog, but having watched the team play, I think Tarheel fans who expect a major route are in for a big surprise.

But, Ton will not be the only Turkish person trying to get his head to advance to the second round in Greensboro.

University of Texas guard Dogus Balbay (pictured here) is a 20-year-old basketball player who helped guide Turkey to an under 16 European title in 2005. Balbay also played for the Fenerbahce team in Istanbul.

The Texas Longhorns will play Minnesota in the first round of the tourney and the winner would likely meet second-seeded Duke, whose campus in Durham, NC, is a mere 45 miles from the Greensboro Coliseum. But, Texas is a team which ESPN analyst Digger Phelps says could be dangerous in the tournament because of their size and depth.

Texas coach Rick Barnes said that Balbay is vital for the Longhorns because he provides quality depth at the point guard position.

We wish Ton and Balbay well at the NCAA Tourney.......if only tickets weren't (yikes!) $160*

*-that's how much someone I know paid to see both rounds in Greensboro on Thursday and Saturday. He maintains that it is a 'bargain.'

Radford University is in the NCAA Tournament

After a week-long hiatus, we return to The Daily Vampire. I've had a major setback in my personal life, but we don't discuss such matters here.

But, I will talk about the Radford University men's basketball team, which go by the nickname of the Highlanders.

The RU Highlanders, who won the Big South tournament over VMI on March 7, will play the UNC Tarheels in Greensboro on Thursday. The tip-off time is 2:50 p.m.

I am excited that the game is close to home, but of course, there are some factors which are seemingly going to prevent me from going the game, including work, ticket prices/availability and parking. Hmmm...there are probably about 15 more which I left off.

All of which proves I'd almost be better off if they were playing in Boise, Idaho (which is another first round tournament site).

The Highlanders, who are a 16-seed this time around, last got into the tournament a decade ago when we lost to Duke in the first round.

For my part, I hope to post a series of blog entries about the Highlanders team and the game this week.

Next week, we shall 'return to our regular program.'

Coming Sunday Blogathon......

I am getting a bit far behind on this here blog, so I've decided to have a Sunday blogathon at some point during the day to catch up.....I need to find a sponsor perhaps I can go with the Greensboro, NC newspaper "Yes Weekly."

Bring your own popcorn and pretzels!