Holy cow!!! Two more celebs pass away today

The lovely Farrah Fawcett, and the King of Pop Michael Jackson both passed away today.  Farrah Fawcett had been battling cancer for some time and today it got the best of her.  Starting out with cameos on shows such as “I dream of Jeannie” in the 60’s and the “Six Million Dollar Man” in the seventies, she would get her big break as one of the starring roles in Charlie’s Angels.  Aside from acting young, Farrah was also a model, and in about 1977 she created a poster that was extremely provocative at the time, which sold millions of copies.  My parents wouldn’t  allow me to buy this poster (even with my own money); my arguments fell upon deaf ears as I explained that I wanted it only for her  ever so cute smile!!!

Michael Jackson started his career as a juvenile singing sensation in his brothers’ group, The Jackson 5.  Michael, clearly recognized as the star of the show, went on to a solo career singing the title song to the sequel film to “Willard”, entitled “Ben”.  His biggest accomplishment came in 1983 with the hit album “Thriller”.  Michael’s life after was shrouded in bizarreness and scandal and right as there might have been a comeback with his sold out Summer shows this Summer, Michael passed away from  what appears to be a fatal heart attack.

Farewell to two more Hollywood legends who have joined Ed McMahon who passed earlier this week.

 

Farrah in the 70's with that awesome big hair-do!

the forbidden poster!!!

the incredible Thriller, Michael J.

 

creator of the moon walk and synchronized pop dancing Michael is seen here making the "Thriller" Video

more vulcans from the perpetual files!

Here are more sketches and plans of future Vulcan ships from the Perpetual files!!! Live long and prosper,,, Well at another gaming company anyways!!!!

 

split ringed version

angular ringed silliness

what was I thinking!!!

 

a little better being not so long

split rings #2

 

vulcan fighters

and one following in the shadow of the all powerful Doug Drexler design!!!

The 50th Anniversary of “The Giant Gila Monster”

June 25th, 1959

Well, this one is a bit different!!  It has all the best of the 50’s monster movie clichés, a big ugly creature, some cool model and FX work, a trip to lovers lane in some big beautiful 50’s cars, a dance at the hop, a teen hero and his country girl next door love interest, some real good jump out of your seat moments, and in the end the kids save the day!!  The strangest part about this movie is that the teen star sings and plays a mini banjo…not once but constantly!!!! Very strange indeed.  Sometimes you forget your watching a horror movie and the idea goes thru your head that you’re really in a chick flick!!!  HAAA!  A lot of fun though; this one ranked high enough to land a showing on Mystery Science Theater.  Awesome saturday night fodder!!!

some cool oriental style opening credits

one of the few B-movie posters that did not have a lovely girl being taken away by the creature!

June 25th 1964, first flight of the X-15A-2

June 25, 1964 = North American X-15A-2 (p: Maj Robert Rushworth).

X-15A-2

56-6671

First Flight 2-32-55

June 25, 1964

Rushworth

Today marks the 45th Anniversary of the flight of the X-15A-2 flown by Robert Rushworth.  The X-15 is a wickedly beautiful, ultra fast piece of aircraft developed by the North American Aviation.  Categorized as one of the Blackbirds (Sr-71, U-2), it was the fastest of all the manned experimental  aircraft.  Pretty much, it was a seat strapped to a giant rocket engine, and it made it to the incredible speed of 4,534 MPH and reached an altitude of 354,200 feet.  One incredible machine, this is one of my favorites and inspired the look of many Star trek vessels throughout the course of the films and shows!  Tony Landis, A buddy of mine who works out at Edwards AFB, got together with his friend Dennis Jenkins and wrote an incredible book called “Hypersonic, The Story of the North American X-15”  and a followup book called “The X-15 Scrapbook” filled with the extra photos that they couldn’t fit in the first book.  This is one awesome read full of facts and some incredible and rare images.  Tony is also a big Star Trek fan and has a shuttle named after him in the bay of buddies about one of the Enterprises.  Here are some pictures of the ship and some links to read more about her incredible history, also one to Amazon in regards to Tony & Dennis’s awesome book.   These two also did a book on the Valkyrie, but I am saving that intro for the XB-70 day. Enjoy.

http://www.aztecdoug.com/X-15.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Hypersonic-Story-North-American-Specialty/dp/1580071317/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245941666&sr=1-2

Robert Rushworth hopping into the Black beauty!

the awesome X-15A-2 on the lake bed