| July 17 |
1955 -- 'The Happiest Place on Earth,' Disneyland, opens its gates today in Anaheim, California. According to the terrific website JustDisney.com, 28,154 guests showed up that day, including Ronald Reagan, Bob Cummings and Art Linkletter. Although the first day was, in many ways, a disaster, the bugs were quickly worked out and Walt Disney's vision -- which many expected to fail -- was, and is, still one of the happiest places on earth! (By the way, for another excellent article on that vision, visit the Cal Tech website!) The cost of construction of Disneyland has been estimated at $18 million -- not counting the cost of the land. (And in the words of Steven Wright, 'It's a small world, but I wouldn't wanna' paint it!) 1965 -- 'Papa's Got a Brand New Bag by James Brown is released and goes on to sell over two million copies and win a Grammy for best rhythm-and-blues recording. 1971 -- The voice of Jiminy Cricket in 1940's 'Pinocchio,' singer and songwriter Cliff Edwards, dies in Los Angeles. Cliff also provided the voice of Jim Crow the following year in 'Dumbo.' According to imdb.com, Cliff was nearly penniless at the time of his death; Walt Disney heard of his plight and paid for the funeral. Ironically, Cliff died on the 16th anniversary of the opening of Disneyland (see above). He was 76 years old at the time of his death. Learn more about Cliff at the Songwriter's Hall of Fame. 2006 -- His Mike Hammer novels were often banned by protective mothers (and therefore read by flashlight by curious sons), but there's no disputing that Mickey Spillane, who died of cancer this date in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, elevated pulp novels to their highest form. Mickey reportedly called his novels 'the chewing gum of American literature' and said he only wrote another novel when he needed money. And while a number of actors have portrayed the bone-crunching PI, it's often forgotten that Mickey himself portrayed Mike Hammer in the 1963 film 'The Girl Hunters,' with Lloyd Nolan and Shirley Eaton. Mickey was 88 years old at the time of his death. |
| In his latter years, Mickey became an avid fisherman and a devout Jehovah's Witness, often going door-to-door to share his faith well into his 80s. |