Thursday, February 04, 2010

Keaton, Anaheim, HSR, Santa Ana, Huell, Knott's, Keith Crown & Henry Fukahara

Yes, that's Buster Keaton caught in the "frog" on the Ghost Town & Calico Railroad at Knott's Berry Farm in 1956. That was the same year he appeared as a train conductor in the film Around the World In 80 Days. By that point, he was far from his comedic prime, but Keaton's earlier work was incredible. Anyone who hasn't at least seen good prints of The General and Seven Chances has a hole in their life.
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If you see big plumes of steam coming from the direction of Anaheim, it is probably not a train. More than likely, the steam is coming out the ears of preservationist/historian/blogger Cynthia Ward. She's recently been writing about the effects of the proposed California High-Speed Rail project on Anaheim's historical districts -- Both on her Anaheim Life blog and at Red County.
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She also has some choice words about the City of Santa Ana's recent (major) change of heart about its historic resources. She's scooping the press on a lot of this stuff and it's definitely some interesting reading.
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There is now a Huell Howser Drinking Game. What more can I say? It's amaaaaaaazing!
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As a great appreciator of California's master watercolor artists, I'm sad to report the deaths of both Keith Crown and Henry Fukahara. I was lucky enough to meet Fukahara briefly at Milford Zornes' 100th birthday party, two years ago. These guys were among the last vestiges of an amazing era in California art.

4 comments:

Connie Moreno said...

Interesting post! But an FYI...I clicked on the link for the Huell Howser game and get nowhere.

Chris Jepsen said...

Thanks for pointing that out, Connie. I've now fixed the broken link.

colony rabble said...

Thanks for the plug my friend. I a, astonished at how many people I have heard from on both subjects. Both the Santa Ana political establishments, and the HSR Board would be surprised to know how much push back they are about to see. There is an attitude of "enough already" when it comes to people defending their homes and neighborhoods, and preservation is a huge part of that. And now I will get off my soapbox.

The Huell drinking game is hysterical.

colony rabble said...

Quick follow up on HSR. The whole thing is coming undone.
http://www.redcounty.com/hsr-contractors-have-some-splainin-do/36578?taxonomy=29