On Air: The Joker

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Thursday at midnight, Heath Ledger will haunt thousands with his creepy portrayal of the Joker. The batty villain we all know was not always so menacing or significant, however. The creators of D.C. Comics killed him off after just two appearances in Batman #1. Later -- partly due to a puritanical group called the Comics Code Authority -- the Joker morphed into a silly alliteration-obsessed fellow on ABC's Batman TV show.

We want to know -- who was the best Joker of them all?

-- Heather Murphy

2:12 PM ET | 07-16-2008 | permalink | comments (6) | e-mail post

 

On Air: Norman Bates

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Alfred Hitchcock was a brilliant director, but he was probably equally skilled as a promoter. By the time Psycho was released in 1960, Hitchcock's rotund profile was well recognized by the American public, most immediately through his television show Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

Hitchcock succeeded in creating initial buzz for Psycho by not offering preview screenings for critics. But that was just the beginning.

He came up with the notion that no one should be allowed into the theater once the movie had started. Incredibly, he got theater owners to go along with that stunt.

Also, in the lobbies of many movie houses were life-sized cutouts of the portly Hitch, admonishing audiences not to reveal Psycho's shocking ending.

Perhaps Hitchcock's greatest -- and certainly the most fun -- Psycho promotion was the six-and-a-half minute trailer for the film. It consists of the director's tongue in cheek tour of the Bates Motel, along with Norman and Mother's house behind it.

As he walks the grounds, the director gives hints of the crimes to come -- but before he can go into much detail, he stops himself, saying things like, "It's too terrible to talk about."

And then there is the final brilliant scene of the trailer: Hitchcock stepping into the infamous bathroom of Room Number 1 at the Bates Motel, where Janet Leigh as Marion Crane is dispatched early on in the film.

Except that when Hitch flings back the shower curtain, a la Norman in the movie, who is it standing there screaming? Not Janet Leigh.

It's Vera Miles, who plays Marion's sister in the movie. The stunt throws off viewers as to who is really going to get sliced and diced at the motel.

-- Peter Breslow

5:05 PM ET | 07- 1-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

 

On Air: Jo March

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When I started to work on this story I dug out the copy of Little Women that I read as young girl.

When I opened it up, there was an inscription on the front page. It was dated May 4, 1953 -- my oldest sister, Maureen's, confirmation day. The book was a gift to her from our Uncle Buddy, a favorite uncle because he was young and handsome and always gave us great presents.

I was not yet old enough to read when Maureen got this present, but it was this same book that I would read many years later. It passed down from Maureen, to Jeanne to Joann and finally to me.

At some point, Joann signed her name in the front of the book. The four "Neary girls," as we everyone called us, felt a close connection with the four March sisters, and we each wanted to claim ownership of the book.

I think it was a major oversight that I, the youngest, somehow managed to spirit this copy of Little Women away when my parents' house was sold.

Though it's now falling apart, the book's illustrations are as vivid as ever. And it's the pictures that really make this edition so special: There are full-page color illustrations interspersed throughout the book.

In one, the four girls and Marmee stand around a piano in a softly lit room, singing songs. In addition to such tableaus, there are also black and white sketches, including the famous scene of Jo and Prof. Bhaer "under the umbrella."

I brought the book with me when I interviewed my friend Mary for this story. We both sighed as we turned the pages, our eyes lingering on our favorite illustrations.

Mary said she always waited to look at the pictures, feeling that it was cheating to jump ahead in order to find out what was coming next in the story. But thinking back, I don't think I was so disciplined. I'm pretty sure I couldn't resist sneaking a peek.

-- Lynn Neary

4:06 PM ET | 06- 9-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

 

On Air: Mr. Spock

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Mr. Spock: You think he's smart, standoffish, and sexy. But at the very beginning, NBC didn't find him quite so appealing. In fact, as Neda Ulaby reports in her In Character profile for Weekend Edition Sunday, network suits told Gene Roddenberry to "lose the Martian."

We all know how that turned out.

In Neda's piece, Leonard Nimoy explains how Spock's signature line -- "Fascinating" -- came about. Plus expert commentary on the Vulcan's enduring appeal -- from a professor at MIT, no less -- and selected excerpts from your earlier conversation about Spock here on the blog.

It's all over there on the story page. Enjoy.

-- Trey Graham

6:00 AM ET | 06- 1-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

 

Elementary 'In Character': Squirrel

Nominated by Mark, Isaac Dickson Elementary School, Asheville, N.C.
From A Dog's Life by Ann M. Martin

Squirrel, a stray dog from A Dog's Life, is an important character because she represents kids like me. I have been a foster child for four years. She and I have been through the same things. We have both moved from house to house, family to family and life to life in hopes of a family. Squirrel and I have been separated from our big brother and mom.

We were hopeful with each family we moved in with but were then disappointed when we had to move again. Squirrel and I kept going because we knew there was a family waiting for us out there, somewhere in the real world.

Both of our stories have happy endings. Two months ago I was adopted into a loving family and at the end of the book, a nice lady adopted Squirrel.

Hear Mark read his essay:

11:28 AM ET | 05-27-2008 | permalink | comments (27) | e-mail post

 

Elementary 'In Character': The Grinch

Nominated by Morgan, Isaac Dickson Elementary School, Asheville, N.C.
From How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

Have you ever been like the Grinch? If you said no, you're lying.

One big thing in America is greed. It's not like the flu that you catch -- you're born with it. Everyone has a little Grinch in them. Sure, we haven't stolen Christmas, but we've all been greedy -- like kindergarteners fighting over blocks, or the world over money.

Most people act like the Grinch sometimes -- greedy, sad, alone, wanting a friend -- but we always seem to find ourselves. Sure our hearts aren't two sizes too small, and we don't live in a snowflake. But like the Grinch who changed and helped Whoville, we can make a change in our community.

We all must sacrifice to make a difference in our community. The Grinch sacrificed his own happiness for the Whovillens. We might have to sacrifice our happiness for the happiness of others.

Hear Morgan read her essay:

11:02 AM ET | 05-27-2008 | permalink | comments (17) | e-mail post

 

Elementary 'In Character': Cassie Logan

Nominated by Isabelle, Isaac Dickson Elementary School, Asheville, N.C.
From Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

Cassie Logan is a 10-year-old African-American girl living in Mississippi in the 1930s. In her childhood, she has to look past skin color and racist actions to help improve her acceptance in society.

Throughout the book, Cassie experiences many different forms of racism. When she feels discouraged, her father affirms what she already believes: she must accept some things "the way they are" but fight to change those things most important.

Cassie is a great America fictional character because she perseveres and overcomes obstacles in her life. She conquers her doubt and is not afraid to fight for the values she believes in. Americans should do the same. This would make the world a more accepting place.

Hear Isabelle read her essay:

10:35 AM ET | 05-27-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

 

Elementary 'In Character': Bobby Pendragon

Nominated by Jacob, Isaac Dickson Elementary School, Asheville, N.C.
From the Pendragon series by D. J. MacHaler

Bobby Pendragon is a 15-year-old boy. He mysteriously finds out he's a traveler (a person who goes to different places in different galaxies). His home goes from Stony Brook, N.Y., to nowhere.

One of his traits is bravery because he will do anything -- even if it is his worst fear -- to help others. Another trait is brains because he always is strategizing to avoid fights (though half the time they don't work). My favorite trait of his is his humor because it makes me laugh.

I really like Bobby because he has a lot of positive characteristics about him. He will usually take suicidal risks for others, if needed. He is also helpful in saving his friends.

I think it would be good for other students because it shows you what life is like. It also helps you by showing you that things die.

Hear Jacob read his essay:

10:35 AM ET | 05-27-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

 

Elementary 'In Character': Junie B. Jones

Nominated by Jennice, Isaac Dickson Elementary School, Asheville, N.C.
From Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth by Barbara Park

My favorite character is Junie B. Jones because she is a character that expresses herself. Junie B. Jones is secretive -- she does not say out loud what she is thinking.

But the reader knows.

She uses her journal to express her true inner thoughts. Her inner thoughts are so hilarious -- so are mine.

My favorite book is Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth because in the book, Junie opens her mouth a lot and keeps on talking (like me). She's not the type of person who cares what people think of her. She has lots of friends, she's a little goofball, and she likes to play around, have fun and do wild things.

Sometimes Junie B. Jones and I are misunderstood, but the best part is I bet she is really nice and a kind person -- like me!

Hear Jennice read her essay:

10:33 AM ET | 05-27-2008 | permalink | comments (7) | e-mail post

 

Your Turn: Harold C. "Rabbit" Angstrom

From the Rabbit novels by John Updike
Nominated by Cory Harris

The psyche of the mid-twenties male seems to be no different now than it was in 1960 when John Updike's Rabbit, Run hit the shelves. At 26, I am the same age as Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom is as that novel opens, and like him I sometimes feel like escaping. The road goes for miles both ways and things just might be easier if I left it all behind.

The fact that Updike's seminal protagonist attempts this, though, is the wondrous thing about the work. When I immerse myself in Rabbit, I hate him and his selfishness, his indecision, and his fixation on past glory and present inconveniences.

But then I close the book, I can't help but feel a little dirty to realize that I have a little Rabbit in me. You can ditch those you're supposed to love, but they're going to get hurt -- and you're certainly not emerging unscathed, either.

Tags: Coming of Age | Literature

11:32 AM ET | 05-14-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post