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The following selection of curious and forgotten byways is for those with a compelling appetite for insignificata.

The Katzenjammer Kids

The Katzenjammer Kids is the longest running comic strip in history, having celebrated its 100th birthday in 1997.  Once the most popular strip around, the Katzies spawned "The Captain and the Kids" and numerous imitations.  Learn more about these fabulous characters and view a sample of their adventures.

There's also a link to a special page for Harold Knerr, who drew the little hellions for 35 years.

Images of the Katzenjammer Kids are used by permission of King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Willie the KOOL Penguin      Updated February 5

Forget about "Joe Camel."  As a cartoon huckster for cigarettes, Willie the KOOL penguin predated him by 50 years.  Learn all about Willie (and Millie) and help me build the largest collection of their memorabilia on Earth.

If you prefer, you may proceed directly to the KOOL penguin collectibles page.

Mistinguett

Star of the Moulin Rouge, Casino de Paris, and Folies Bergere.  The "Queen of the Paris Music Hall" was fabulously popular during the years 1918-1942.  She of the "million dollar legs" deserves to be rediscovered.

Her humble fan presents an illustrated survey of her career and recordings for your edification.

Carl Barks            

Carl Barks drew the comic book adventures of Donald Duck, Uncle Scrooge, and other members of the "Duck family" in the 40s, 50s, and 60s.  He was unknown at the time, since all such comics were represented as being by "Walt Disney."  But fans of "the duck man" recognized his work and sought him out.  In retirement, Barks was involved with duck-related projects until his death, in August 2000, at age 99.  A true American Original, his fans are legion.  Still, he should be better known.

Svend Asmussen        

The "best" jazz violinist living or dead (He's living, at age 86), yet chances are you never heard of him.  Why?  He seldom ventures from his home base in Denmark.

You don't think of the violin as a jazz instrument?  Well, think again.  Another truly exceptional performer who should be better known.

Tim Moore

One of, if not the, most talented African-American comedy performers and character actors in the history of the business, Tim Moore, is remembered primarily as the "Kingfish" on the popular "Amos 'n' Andy" television program.

He should be far better known and far more highly regarded than this most controversial of his performances has permitted.

Western Swing

Swing bands like those of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, and Woody Herman, were not the only "swing bands" heating up the scene in the 1930s.  These urban bands had their country counterparts--the so-called "Western Swing" bands.

Never as widely known as their nationally syndicated cousins, these bands were exceptionally creative and entertaining.  If you don't know about Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys or Milton Brown and the Musical Brownies, perhaps you should.

The Western Swing page also has links to special pages for the wonderful Adolph Hofner and the eccentric Bob Skyles and His Skyrockets.   Updated

Hazel Court

This is the Internet meeting place for fans of the British actress, Hazel Court, best known as a companion to Peter Cushing and Vincent Price in a number of  "Hammer Films" and "American International" productions.

Also, featured in the cult classic "Devil Girl From Mars," although not as the title villain, Miss Court's regal bearing brought a certain style to every role she played.

Rhythm and Blues Revues

Once upon a time, not really so many years ago, something that would come to be called "rock and roll" was just peeking out from under the covers.  In an age before massive electronic enhancement and special effects it was possible to attend an "in person" performance, featuring a lineup of the biggest stars of the day, that was really something special.

Separate pages for Ruth Brown, Bo Diddley, and Charles Brown, among others, also await you.

European Jazz and Close Harmony Vocal Groups

Fans of jazz and pop vocal groups of the '30s and '40s on this side of the "big pond" are familiar with such groups as the Mills Brothers, the Andrews Sisters, and the Ink Spots, all worthy of respect, study, and documentation.  However, there is little recognition of the European groups which were more or less counterparts of these performers.  This page, dedicated to the "Comedian Harmonists" and other wonderful groups, is a modest effort to address this lack of information.

The "Pie Girl" Dinner

The famous Pie Girl Dinner was held in New York City on the night of May 20, 1895.  Oddly, the U.S. Postal Service did not issue a stamp to commemorate its 100th anniversary a mere few years ago.

Yes, the event is mostly forgotten today, but it helped to shape the battle for supremacy between the Hearst and Pulitzer publishing empires and is directly connected to the central figure of the original "trial of the century" which took place some 12 years later.

Sally Rand

Best known as the fabulous fan dancer, Miss Rand roared into the public consciousness at the "Century of Progress" World's Fair in 1933.  Seeing a pretty girl's naked body in a public place was something quite new in those days.

Yet, like so many other pop culture icons, there was more to this young lady than met the eye.  Figuratively more, that is.  [Somehow, even "figuratively" seems wrong.  Oh, well.]

WLAC: The Golden Years   

Return with me now to those hallowed days when a young white boy was first finding out about Jimmie Reed, Howling Wolf, and Lightnin' Hopkins.

One of the ways he did so was to close the door to his room and, with a clandestine tuning of the radio dial to 1510, enter the wonderful late night world of WLAC from Nashville, Tennessee.

The Blue Flames

The Who?  Well, they certainly weren't "The Who."  Indeed, this 1957 combo is one of the most obscure groups of all time.  This item sort of runs counter to my declared purpose of highlighting those who deserve greater recognition.

Still, I'm thinking there might be someone out there that knows who these guys were.  Are you that person?

Here ends the menu to the primary byways of the Popular Culture Excavation Site.  But please keep scrolling, there's still some odds and ends to come.

Most of the subjects featured herein also exist in the form of rare collectibles.  Where can one find an autographed picture of Sally Rand, a Katzenjammer Kids comic book, or a KOOL penguin salt shaker?  The answer is -- the eBay auctions!  Click the eBay icon and become a registered member today.  Yes, it's free, but please don't bid against "Otto."  Hey guys, that's me!

If you've come this far, we may be kindred spirits. Why not proceed to a list of favorite movies, recordings and books.

RETRO Online Magazine

If the various sections of this site are of interest, you may also enjoy my contributions to RETRO, the online "Magazine of Classic 20th Century Popular Culture."  RETRO spotlights "Anything that was ever cool."  Now in it's 6th year, this remarkable zine has been widely recognized as one of the most thoughtful and well designed sites on the Web.

Still with me?  If you would like to support my efforts, and save some time and money in the process, please consider shopping for your books, CDs, and videos from one of the trusty Internet vendors set forth below.  Bookmark the site when you get there or make it one of your favorite places.  Yes, there is a small kickback to yours truly that will help defray the expense of my upgrade to the "large" buttered popcorn.

Music, We've Got Music . . . Lots and Lots of Music

Many of the recordings mentioned throughout this site can be purchased from the Internet's leading music shop -- CD NOW.  I invite you to click on the CD NOW image and shop with them directly from this page.

Books?  Sure!  I'm Peddling Them Too!

Some of the topics featured at this site are also treated on the printed page.  You can search for such books and find an incredible selection of other volumes (as well as CDs and videos) at the amazing Internet bookstore.  Toss me a bone by clicking on the Amazon image and shopping with them directly from this page.

Prefer not to pay full price?  I've got you covered there too.  It's time to discover "Half.com."  Click the icon and become a registered member today.  Yes, it's free and, believe me, they've got books, CDs, and bargains galore.

See What I'm Offering at eBay.

I've bought and sold quite a few items in the eBay auctions, where I'm known as Otto.  Check out the "must have" items I'm trying to unload this week and take advantage of me during a weak moment.

 If you are a regular buyer or seller in Internet auctions and haven't signed up with Pay Pal, you really should do so.  It greatly facilitates sending or receiving payment and it's free to register and use.  They sometimes offer a bonus just for signing up.

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