Irving Berlin

Posted by Robin on Mar 13, 2012 in Featured, Music | Comments Off on Hoagy Carmichael, Songwriter

Yes, I do have a soft spot for songwriters. They’re the heart of American popular music, but the least appreciated (and compensated)....

Posted by Robin on Feb 6, 2012 in Featured, Singer | Comments Off on Rosemary Clooney

Yes, she’s the aunt of George Clooney. But Rosemary Clooney was a huge success in her own right, as both an actress and a singer....

Posted by Robin on Jul 3, 2011 in Holiday, Songs | 1 comment

Hard to believe, but “God Bless America” languished unsung and unknown for its first twenty years. The great Irving Berlin...

Posted by Robin on Dec 20, 2010 in Holiday, Songs | 1 comment

My favorite Christmas album in my childhood was Bing Crosby’s Merry Christmas, which was released as an LP in 1949 and has never...

Posted by Robin on Dec 24, 2009 in Film | Comments Off on Film: White Christmas

Viewing a special movie on Christmas Eve is a tradition in many families. Some watch It’s a Wonderful Life (Great American Things,...

Posted by Robin on Nov 24, 2009 in History | Comments Off on History: Ellis Island

For the twelve million immigrants who came through Ellis Island, and their now 100 million descendants, these 27.5 acres are sacred...

Posted by Robin on Nov 13, 2009 in Actor | Comments Off on Actor: Fred Astaire

You’ll get a kick out of the studio’s evaluation of Fred Astaire’s initial screen test. It’s purported to have...