“Don’t Act Like You’re Not Impressed”

While some are tired of the push for Anchorman 2, some of us are only too delighted to spot Will Ferrell’s Ron Burgundy “everywhere”. Tomorrow’s premier is still too long to wait, so I’ve gone looking for Ron and Anchorman goodies. You’ve probably heard of the Ron Burgundy underwear from Jockey (also available at Amazon), the scotch (not just any scotch, the Great Odin’s Raven Special Reserve), and Ben & Jerry’s Ron Burgundy’s Scotchy Scotch Scotch ice cream too; but here are some of my favorites.

The Ron Burgundy Wallet and Mustache Set is prefect for those of who love money and mustaches. (Who does that leave out? No one.)

Don't Act Like You're Not Impressed

This 13 inch talking doll action figure of Ron Burgundy says 10 phrases from the first Anchorman, The Legend of Ron Burgundy.

ron burgundy talking doll

Then there’s the Battle Ready Ron Burgundy doll action figure — don’t worry, additional Anchorman “Battle Ready” action figures, including Brick, Brian, and Champ are due from Beeline Creative in the coming months.

anchorman battle ready action figures from beeline

Unfortunately, no on seems to have made any Veronica Corningstone merch. That’s a damn shame. Some merch guys & toy makers must have gone on vacation with Tits McGee. I have at least a dozen ideas; so ping me.

Course of the Force

Lucasfilm, Nerdist, Octagon, and eBay have teamed up to present Course of the Force, a lightsaber relay, where participants will make a journey starting from Santa Monica (beginning on July 7, 2012) and ending ino San Diego (ending on July 11, 2012 — just in time for Comic-Con International). In conjunction with the relay, running July 7 and through July 21, there will also be Course of the Force Charity Auctions, featuring memorabilia, VIP events and experiences and other cool items. All proceeds from the race and charity auction will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

If you can’t get to the relay, that’s OK; Chris Hardwick and co-hosts will follow the action from the Course of the Force lead vehicle each day, broadcasting live to the Nerdist platform, including its YouTube channel and StarWars.com.

Here’s a new short from Industrial Light & Magic, featuring the exclusive charity lightsaber and Chris Hardwick’s trip across Santa Monica, encountering different Star Wars™ characters along his journey.

That’s Why The Nun Was A Vamp

Love the makeup on the nun; only in silent films can the good girl hide-out in a nunnery looking like a Theda Bara vamp.

Italian postcard by Ed. G.B. Falci, Milano. Photo: Jeanne Brindeau and Soava Gallone in La cavalcata ardente (1925).

Is Your Toddler One With The Rhythm Nation?

Gilt Members who wish to dress their kids like little members of Janet’s Rhythm Nation can now do so less expensively. This military jacket from Beetlejuice (the kids clothing label, not the film) is available in sizes 2T though girls 8.  Alternately, parents of Devil Babies, as seen in last night’s Cougar Town, might also find this jacket useful — as prep for a straight jacket, or an actual military school. Which means maybe there’s more of a connection to Beetlejuice the movie than previously thought.

Regularly $103; Gilt member price, just $43. (While supplies last; sale ends in three days and some odd hours.)

Pirate Boot-y

A vintage photograph of Alice White, taken by Elmer Fryer in 1929. Here White wears the stunning boots and costume of a pirate girl as she wore in the opening musical sequence of the pre-code musical Playing Around.

Christmas In Hollywood Homes (1946)

From the pages of Modern Woman magazine, volume 15 number 7, 1946, two pages of vintage movie star holiday Q & A. Specifically the famous Hollywood folks were asked to name:

1) Favorite Christmas Story
2) Favorite Christmas Song
3) When Gifts Are Opened
4) Best-Remembered Gift

The celebrities included are, Lucille Ball, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Ray Milland, Betty Hutton, Jack Carson, Alan Ladd, Joan Caulfield, Peggy Ann Garner, Lon McCallister, Lynn Bari, Peggy Cummins, Victure Mature, Walter Pidgeon, Van Johnson, Robert Hutton, Martha Vickers, and Bette Davis.

As to be expected, I suppose, the most named Christmas story was Christmas Carol. My favorite was Jack Carson’s answer:

A story translated from Norwegian — doesn’t remember the name.

Maybe it was a translation of the Norwegian translation of A Christmas Carol.

My favorite answers were the ones naming their best-remembered gift.

Van Johnson’s:

His first fan, a mid-western Scandinavian grandmother, sent him a pair of Arguyle socks she herself knit. Because of his grateful thanks, she has kept his supplied with socks ever since.

Lucille Ball’s:

About ten years ago she was seriously injured — paralyzed — in an automobile accident. At Christmas everyone gave her gifts for an invalid — except her mother. Mother Ball gave her a new bicycle, and with it the assurance that she would walk again.

Jack Carson’s:

A puppy, part collie and part German shepherd. He was eight years old and living in Milwaukee. “I’ve never had a gift that thrilled me more.”

For what it’s worth, Bette Davis had “no specially-remembered gift.” Neither did Victor Mature — however, he was “emphatic about what he wants this Christmas; a new house! Victor, like thousands of other Americans, is desperate for a home.”

The whole this is as post-war American as pie.

The photo used on the first page is of Margaret O’Brien and “Butch” Jenkins who appeared together in Our Vines Have Tender Grapes, discussing “the possibility of Santa getting down the Jenkins chimney.”

Jane Powell, Roddy MacDowell, George Murphy (and son Denny with train set), and Diana Lynn appear in photos on the second page.