Polio Shot Immunization Card from the 1950s

It's hard for anyone under 60 to remember the panic that polio caused before the 1960s. It was a crippling disease, often leaving victims hunched over for life. It was also contagious, adding to the fear factor.
Dr. Jonas Salk developed the first polio vaccine in the 1950s, and families lined up to get their shots. The government and other organizations flooded the mail with immunization cards like this one, with spaces for each family member.

 Later, the shots were given in school. The typical shot was a pressure activated needle with several smaller needles around it in a circular shape. The shot was usually given in the upper arm, and the circular pattern sometimes left a scar with a circle of dots and a larger dot inside.

Obviously even the ancient Spartans knew this, as evidenced by this still from "300". Click to enlarge.

Wonder Woman Movie

With the success of the DC Universe animated direct to DVD movies, they're talking about filming a live action Wonder Woman movie this year.

Here's the theme song from the 1977 Wonder Woman TV series. Listen to it here.

So who will play Wonder Woman in the live action movie? Signs point to Australian model Megan Gale.

Works for me.

Transformers VS. Galactic Man

Look! I just saved 200 million dollars for Michael Bay!

The Transformers 2 movie this weekend reminded me of an offshoot of the franchise, Galactic Man, sold at Radio Shack in the 1980s. This was an officially licensed toy, although the name was new. Let's watch Galactic Man transform from a robot to a space pistol.

Legs go in.
Legs compacts and toes fold in. Head spikes go down. Arms twist and compress.

Legs go into the body to form grip. Arms combine and pivot.

Completed gun. Extra piece caps arms, body splits, and site comes up.

You have your choice of sounds with Galactic Man. Watch video below to hear the sounds.

Separated At Birth?

I was watching the new movie version of "Hairspray" the other night. Amanda Bynes plays Penny Pingleton, who looks like this much of the movie.


Where have I seen that expression before?

As the man said when asked how many Nashville record producers it took to screw in a light bulb, "I don't know, what do you think?"

Atragon Revealed!

In 1965, I saw an ad on TV for what to a 10 year old boy had to be the greatest movie ever made - Atragon. Japanese scientists build a vessel that flies, goes underwater, and bores through the earth! I had to see this movie. (Click any pic for a larger version)



Somehow I never got around to getting to the movie, and over the years I missed it every time during the late night TV airings.



Finally in 2005, Atragon is released on DVD. Oh yeah.




An underground civilization is attacking the surface world, and the Atragon is dispatched to save the planet. That's about it. All of the plot info is here.




After waiting 42 years to see Atragon, was it worth it?




Yes. Buy your copy today.