Retro: Kimmer

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THE ROTUNDA CHRISTMAS FANTASY FIRE 1962 Posted: 11 Dec 2010 09:18 PM PST The Ford Rotunda Dearborn, Michigan From Viewlinerltd From The Detroit News: Rotunda Christmas Wonderland Entrance TVHistory.TV The Ford Rotunda in Dearborn was once the fifth leading tourist destination in the nation, ahead of such places as Yellowstone Park, the Washington Monument and the Statue of Liberty. Christmas Fantasy Zoo from TVHistory.TV With the Rotunda's modern design came a new lure for visitors: an annual Christmas display called the Christmas Fantasy, which first opened on Dec. 15, 1953. That first year, Donner, Blitzen, Prancer and Dancer were there, along with a 37 foot, 6 ton Christmas tree. From TVHistory.TV Santa's Workshop formed the centerpiece, with Santa's elves building transportation toys on a miniature assembly line. Three-dimensional portrayals of the Nativity and 'The Night Before Christmas' were inside the Rotunda and Santa was on hand taking requests. Nearly 500,000 visitors saw the Christmas show that first year. The next year, Story Book Land came to life, with Hansel and Gretel, Little Boy Blue, Puss in Boots, Little Bo Peep and Humpty Dumpty animated by machines performing around a vast Santa Claus castle. Santa's Workshop From Viewlinerltd The annual Christmas Fantasy held during the Holiday season was partially responsible for the Rotunda's popularity, with nearly a half million people visiting during 1953, the very first year it was held. A giant Christmas tree was always a spectacular thing to see, and the Christmas Fantasy became more spectacular each year. Giant Rotunda Christmas tree Highlights from various years included animated characters from children's stories, a 1/2" per foot scale 15,000-piece miniature circus with 800 animals, 30 tents, and 435 toy figurines of circus performers and customers. In all, nearly 6 million people visited the Christmas Fantasy during the nine years it was held at the Rotunda. The Rotunda Fire November 9, 1962 The Christmas Fantasy was completely lost to the flames. All that was saved were the Christmas tree, which had not been put in place, the 2,500 Goodfellow dolls shown yearly which had not been delivered, and the miniature circus, which had been packed into trunks and was ready to move in. Truly a very sad day in Ford history, and the sad end of a structure that was filled with many happy memories, and was one of the most famous buildings in the world during its time. The official report from the fire department stated that the "Plastic dome on light aluminum construction over interior court of building collapsed spreading fire to combustible content (Christmas Fantasy display)." The ground where the Rotunda was located stood vacant for many years, until the November 20, 2000 ground breaking of the Michigan Technical Education Center (M-TEC). Resources: The Detroit News Viewlinerltd

LAVERN BAKER TWEEDLE DEE IN UNCLE BUCK ! Posted: 11 Dec 2010 06:43 AM PST Bachelor Uncle Buck an all round slob, babysits his brother's rebellious teenage daughter and her cute younger brother and sister. One of my most favorite of all John Candy's movies. Uncle Buck is such fun and John just runs off with the screen in this one. The kids are great too especially young Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin. He does a very cute take off on Jack Webb from Dragnet fame with his deadpan interrogation of Buck. One of the early scenes has Uncle Buck cooking breakfast and the song playing on the radio is Tweedle Dee by LaVern Baker. I finally tracked down who sang that song last night. Just love it! Unfortunately Buck's surly teen aged niece shuts the song off in mid verse! Well I wanted to hear the WHOLE song. Thought maybe some of my readers might enjoy it too! LaVern Baker is a fabulous singer who voice and throaty delivery helped with the formation of the very young genre called rock n roll. Not a blues singer this girl! She rocks! Read More about Ms Baker HERE More songs from Uncle Buck: Microwave song Al Hirt Ray Anthony Thunderbird John Candy's top 15 movies

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