MetaFilter posts tagged with Johnny

Freaks

flug — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:30:22 -0800

Tod Browning's 1932 cinematic masterpiece Freaks tells the story of a close-knit group of circus sideshow workers who are wronged and take revenge. The film's use of real-life freaks so disturbed audiences that some ran screaming from theaters, distributors refused to handle the film, and it was banned in Britain for over 30 years. Audience feedback at preview screenings and changes demanded by censors meant that 30 minutes of "repulsive elements" in the original cut were removed or replaced. A lengthy text prologue was hastily added and at least three different endings were tried, none completely satisfactory. Even with these changes, all designed to minimize the grotesque and disturbing impact of the film, audiences of the day did not accept it. MGM finally withdrew it at a loss of some $164,000. Today, critics are more likely to praise the audacious aesthetic and philosophical lengths to which Browning goes to challenge the way we define beauty and abnormality or even parse it as a distorted symbol of the Hollywood studio system Browning worked under. Freaks was (loosely) based on the short story Spurs by Tod Robbins. Full movie: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (These Youtube links have noticeably better picture and sound quality than the Google Video version linked above; the Google Video version has the text prologue missing in Youtube version.) Notable excerpts: Prince Randian lights a cigarette with his lips - dancing in the forest - Schlitzie - wedding banquet - chase scene/trailer Miscellaneous: Analysis - documents and photos - review1 - review2 - Johnny Eck - Schlitzie - IMDB - posters - Zippy connection - previously

Johnny Temple

flapjax at midnite — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:29:06 -0800

Those familiar with the plaintive falsetto of Delta blues great Skip James will surely hear Skip's influence in the much lesser-known Johnny Temple's Evil Devil Blues, recorded in 1935, which features some delightfully unexpected melodic twists. And though Johnny Temple "never achieved stardom", he does have a Wikipedia page. The Johnny Temple YT clip is from PreWarMusic, who's posted several clips well worth your time and attention from early American music figures who aren't exactly household names. I really like this one, for example: Bed Spring Poker. Skip James, of course, has been featured in a number of previous MeFi posts.

Blue Yodel #1 (aka T For Texas)

RussHy — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:01:50 -0800

Jimmy Rodgers' blue yodel series started in 1927. He started with Blue Yodel #1 (T for Texas). My favorite covers were by the Everly Brothers and by Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. There's even a hip hop cover.

Bird Is The Word

fandango_matt — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 23:22:05 -0800

"How does the wolf go?" Johnny Carson interviews Mary Storr's myna bird, Freud. ca. 1972.

Pondering recurring themes in music and music videos for your viewing pleasure.

haunted by Leonard Cohen — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 21:17:51 -0800

I was taking a shower and thinking about all of the music videos that include water/liquid in them. It is an overused theme according to this site, and I agree. I have included some painful ones to make my point. But wait, I stumbled upon this and was mildy turned-on in some strange way. God help me. Then my mind moved to a friend of mine who was obsessed with J o h n ny songs. There are quite a few of those too as you may well imagine... Full disclosure: my son's name is John. My favorite Waterboy. My favorite Johnny. And because someone has already done the work for me I present this website of Johnny lyrics. Due diligence: Previously mentioned water and previously mentioned Johnny's

Come one, come all! Circus poster art

tracicle — Thu, 15 Apr 2004 18:49:19 -0800

The Czar of Bizarre Johnny Meah grew up with the circus, clowning and making circus banners. His artwork is now collected as "Americana" and is on display on his site.

oh posey — Thu, 27 Jun 2002 14:26:17 -0800

"The right man for the job will be aged between 18 and 21 and will presumably need to demonstrate an abundance of energy and the ability to withstand repeated showers of saliva, the traditional punk rock crowd's sign of respect for performers."

But who is the right man?