Day Tripping: November 4
Hey Ralphy Boy!
The youngest of six boys, Art Carney was born in 1918. He grew up to become a comedic singer on a popular radio show called Pot O’ Gold. He was also a master impersonator of famous people like FDR and Winston Churchill.
“There I was, an 18-year-old mimic rooming with a blind whistler.”
Carney was drafted into the US Army in 1943 and served as a machine gun crewman at Normandy with the 28th Infantry. A piece of shrapnel in his leg left him with a limp and a Purple Heart.
By the time Art played the loveable Ed Norton on The Honeymooners, he was an established star. In 1974, Carney received an Academy Award for Harry and Tonto in a year when his fellow nominees were Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Albert Finney, and Jack Nicholson.
Art Carney’s immense talent put him on Broadway, television, and on film for most of his life. Including radio, his career spanned seven decades.
Today is:
Use Your Common Sense Day — Wouldn’t that be refreshing?
National Candy Day — Sure, on Common Sense Day.
Musical Ride
Newsweek Magazine ran a story in 1963 casting doubt that Bob Dylan wrote Blowin’ In The Wind, claiming the legend bought the lyrics from a college student.
To his credit, Dylan refused to dignify the claim with a reply but it has soured his relationship with media since.
Interesting Notes
The Packard Motor Company introduced the first air-conditioned automobile in 1939. The installation of A/C sold for $274 until WWII ended the production of luxury options. It wasn’t available in cars again until 1953.
Gone But Not Forgotten
Andy Rooney’s colorful observations entertained fans of 60 Minutes for decades. Andy was 92 when he passed away in 2011.
Notable Births
1916 — Walter Cronkite: “The democratic system is challenged by the failure in television because our evening news programs have gone for an attempt to entertain as much as to inform in the desperate fight for ratings.”
1937 — Loretta Swit: “Remember this about the Korean War: The men were drafted; the women volunteered.”
K. Barrett Maria Rattray Maryam Merchant Dr. Mehmet Yildiz Tree Langdon Myriam Ben Salem Phil Truman Chelsea Mandler MAT Terry Mansfield Hollie Petit, Ph.D. Terry Trueman Dr. Preeti Singh John Gruber Bill Abbate James G Brennan ScienceDuuude Marcus Liam Ireland Claire Kelly Noorain Hassan, BMS Amy Pierovich David Acaster Nora Thewriteyard David Perlmutter Joe Luca Holly Kellums Michael Burg, MD Lucy Dan Dave Logan
All previous Day Tripping entries are available at the following links:
The Story Of Day Tripping Through History What’s Past Is Often Present
A comprehensive directory for Day Tripping