Blind Rhoid Pyle

The last thing he directed was Dracula: Dead and Loving It with Leslie Nielson.

Actually, Dracula, Dead and Loving It is an interesting film, in that it more closely resembles Bram Stoker's original novel than any other Dracula movie (at least as far as the characters' relationship to each other).

Thankfully, 'ol Mel had redeemed himself on Broadway with his Tony Award winning production of "The Producers."

Amazingly, two of his best films came out in the same year:

• Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995)

• Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

• Life Stinks (1991)

• Spaceballs (1987)

• To Be or Not To Be (1983)

• History of the World: Part 1 (1981)

• High Anxiety (1977)

• Silent Movie (1976)

• Blazing Saddles (1974)

• Young Frankenstein (1974)

• The Twelve Chairs (1970)

• The Producers (1968)

I would imagine the bowl was similar to the Sherlock Holmes (wonder if he's related to John Holmes)

I believe he was... only John's pipe was longer!

After seeing part 1 I kept thinking part 2 would be coming out soon.

Don't look for it any time soon. Mel's movies of late have been pretty bad.

I think High Anxiety is among his best.

My favorite Mel Brooks film is The 12 Chairs, based on the Checkov play (Anton Checkov, not the Star Trek Navigator). That was Brook's second movie, after his fabulous debut with The Producers.

He had bought a large map representing the sea,

Without the least vestige of land:

And the crew were much pleased when they found it to be

A map they could all understand.

"What's the good of Mercator's North Poles and Equators,

Tropics, Zones, and Meridian Lines?"

So the Bellman would cry: and the crew would reply

"They are merely conventional signs!

"Other maps are such shapes, with their islands and capes!

But we've got our brave Captain to thank:

(So the crew would protest) "that he's bought us the best--

A perfect and absolute blank!"

~Lewis Carroll

from The Hunting of the Snark

Lots of fun nautical nonsense in that poem!

Strange... wanted to send that to me mates, but I couldn't find the "send" button.

See, I have one o' them braille monitors...

Aye. I searched for a reference to capped pipes, but me Google didn't google-up anythin' useful. I have a calabash (Sherlock Holmes style) and a Churchwarden (modern looking, straight stem, wooden bowl), neither of which be fittin' me pirate lifestyle.

Anythin' ye could find on smokes'd be 'preshaded!

ARTICLE 6: That Man that shall snap his Arms, or smoak Tobacco in the Hold, without cap to his Pipe, or carry a candle lighted without lanthorn, shall receive Moses's Law (that is 40 Stripes lacking one) on the bare Back.

Now I don't want to be receivin' Moses' Law or nuthin, so I best be gettin me a pipe with a cap or sumthin'. I've seen them lovely clay Tavern Pipes, but they're not practical for life at sea.

What kind of a capped pipe might a pirate use?

I didn't know there was a sequel...was it .....up..... to par? Flesh Gordon!

Well, what made the original so interesting is the fact that it was unique; a soft core Sci-Fi adventure, made all the more classy by some great stop-motion animation by Jim Danforth (who was so embarassed to work on this film he had his name written backwards in the credits). Definately a good movie for a few laughs.

The sequel is pretty much an excuse for a boob-fest, and worth a groan or two if memory serves me. I saw the sequel once, while I've seen the original several times.

Anybody else totally smitten with Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension?

I've recently had the pleasure to see Buckaroo Banzai again. That movie takes place in me old home town "New Brunswick, NJ" although it was shot in California. (New Brunswick was also the location of the TV show "Charles In Charge" and was also shot in California.)

Flash Gordon was a great bad film, but has anyone seen...

Flesh Gordon?

I fine tale of bein' sea-deuced! Lovely, and frightenin'!

....the winner be...

Blind Rhoid Pyle - "The Sea Ghost"

I'm honored ye chose me suggestion Redd, and I'm glad ta be of service.

I wish I could be visitin' The Sea Ghost in person, but I begs ya fer some pictures, seein' as I can't be makin' the trip.

The drinks are on me, mates. Let's raise a glass to The Sea Ghost, long may she terrify!

I heard the Mermaid Song every Friday morning of my youth, thanks to a DJ on an obnoxious Central NJ radio station. He would play this every Friday morning, because of the opening lyrics.

I was thrilled to find it on a CD put out by the performers of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. They do a fine cover of the song (the performance of the ship's cook must be heard to be believed!) but the lyrics were a bit different than I had remembered. I've included a slightly different version below.

Has anyone heard any variations of this song?

The Mermaid Song

Twas Friday morn when we set sail

And we were not far from the land

When the captain, he spied a lovely mermaid

With a comb and a glass in her hand

chorus

O the ocean's waves will roll

And the stormy winds will blow

While we poor sailors go skipping to the top

And the landlubbers lie down below (below, below)

And the landlubbers lie down below

And up spoke the captain of our gallant ship

And a well-spoken man was he

I have me a wife in Salem by the sea

And tonight she a widow will be

chorus

And up spoke the cookie of our gallant ship

And a red hot cookie was he

Saying I care much more for my pots and my pans

Than I do for the bottom of the sea

chorus

Then up spoke the cabinboy, of our gallant ship

And a nasty little lad was he.

I'm not quite sure I can spell "mermaid"

But I'm going to the bottom of the sea.

chorus

Then three times around went our gallant ship

And three times around went she

Three times around went our gallant ship

And she sank to the bottom of the sea

chorus

KEY G

verse:

G G C C

C D7 G

G G C C

C D7 G

chorus:

G G G G

G G D7 D7

G G C C

C D7 G

I just returned from the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, which is about one-third pirate these days, and bought two CDs of music; the 2002 Finale in Song CD, and the 2003 Songs of Sea Farin' and Wenches (okay, that's not the real title, but I'll give ya the skinny when I fish it outta my ditty bag). On that second CD there is a spirited rendition of "Pay Me Money Down" but don't look for it on the playlist. It appears as a secret 15th track.

As of right now, the CDs aren't being sold on their website PARENFAIRE as yet, but the Faire just ended today (10/26), so that may change soon. Both CD's are excellent, IMPO (in my pyratical opinon), and worth repeated listenings.

killer clowns from outer space

Excellent choice! I loved this very BAD movie from it's opening theme song by The Dickies. Ignore the stupid dialogue and bad acting, some great special effects, and funny moments save this one. It's a wonder there was never a sequel!

Here's a couple loveable stinkers...

Hysterical (with the Hudson Brothers, Julie Newmar and Richard "Jaws" Kiel) Ghosts and Pirates and three idiots.

Halloween 3: Season of the Witch This movie should never have been associated with the "Halloween" series as it has nothing to do with Michael Myers. The evil company, Silver Shamrock, produces halloween masks that turn kids heads into bugs!

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Hysterical (with the Hudson Brothers, pirates too)

The Davey & Goliath Halloween Special

Pirates of the Caribbean (still in theaters)

New London CT

New London? Been years since I be there. Have some friends work for E-Boat makin' them durned underwater craft. Stopped at a Pub there which the boys just called "The Place" (was probably The Meeting Place or sumthin', but we were well into our cups that night). A fine establishment, to be sure. We had us a rip-roarin' time, we did!

I wish I could join yas, matey, but it ain't likely I'll be doin' much travellin'. Best of luck to ya!

Now that gatherin' in Long (John Silver) Island be somethin' I'll look inta!

did anyone ever see a movie called "The Stuff"?

LOL, what a great bad film!

What's this foamy stuff coming up out of the ground? Gee, I don't know what it is, maybe I should eat it.

Now here's a movie that I have a hard time deciding whether it's bad or not...

Lifeforce Astronatus discover that the comet head of Halley's Comet contains a hollow chamber with three human-looking folks inside. The two males are dead, but the female comes to life. She turns out to be an evil alien vampire-like creature.

The good points: The alien remains naked for almost the entire movie, and the space scenes were shot underwater with re-breathers (no bubbles) and appear very realistic.

The bad points: The alien remains naked for almost the entire movie, and after the initial space scenes it becomes a sophomoric vampire flick with few redeeming qualities.

Best of luck to ye, me hearty!

I just finished me first book...

Now I think I'll read me another!

It ain't as bad as the Star Wars Holiday Special from 1978, lass.

Funny thing is, I actually has that one video! And some people wouldn't believe Art Carney has a place in the Star Wars pantheon!

If ye still be interested after mid-November, give me a holler by e-mail. Ye can look at some o'me other togs on me site.

I am touched by yer kindness. I have a few more avenues to explore, but I'll be a callin' if nuthin' comes of it. I greatly appreciate the offer.

I needs to be shoppin' at the Big & Tall pirate shops.

Well, I'm big, but I ain't tall. I be 5'8" both vertically and horizontally.

I looks more like a cannonball than a belayin' pin!

Any o' you gentlemen of a larger girth know where to finds some fittin' garb? (I tried Omar the Tentmaker, but no luck.)

One 'o me favorite piratin' songs comes from Adam and the Ants... "Hoist the Jolly Roger." Kinda silly, but I likes it.

You can find the lyrics here:

Hoist the Jolly Roger - Adam Ant

Has anybody mentioned Kathryn Hepburn, another fave of mine.

I was just about to, but ya beat me to it.

Ahhhh Kate, a fine, fiesty, firey wench, both on and off the screen.

Mary Woronov is a tough and comely wench, and highly underrated as she mostly appears in cult films. (Anyone know who she is?)

The "Bond" girls: Ursula Andress , Daniela Bianchi, Honor Blackman (as Pussy Galore), Diana Rigg, Jill St. John, Jane Seymour, Britt Ekland, Barbara Bach, Caroline Munro, Carole Bouquet, Maud Adams, Tanya Roberts, Maryam d'Abo, Talisa Soto, Izabella Scorupco, Famke Janssen, Minnie Driver, Teri Hatcher, Michelle Yeoh, Denise Richards, and the rest... with the possible exception of Grace Jones, who is more manly than meself!

And of course, those other fine actresses... Busty Heart, Chesty Morgan, Kitten Natividad, Christy Canyon, Ginger Lynn, Tracy Lords... I could go on all day!

Me favorite Burton movie be The Nightmare Before Christmas - another good flick fer Halloween!

I agrees wif ya there! Nightmare Before Christmas be one frequently played DVD, by me and me lads. We likes it any time o' year.