• Today in 1967, Cecil B. DeMille’s Ten Commandments was back in Detroit Theater. Dr. Zhivago was in it’s 10th week at the Bloomfield Quo Vadis and the Northwest Woods.
• Today in 1972, Tonight on TV, Carole Burnett’s guests were Vincent Price and Eydie Gorme on CBS. And Tom and Eddie take up karate on the Courtship of Eddie’s father. Jac LeGoff and John Kelly were still anchoring the 6 and 11 on TV 2 with Bill Bonds in the anchor chair at Channel 7. They would all end up together at ABC soon after.
• Today in 1977, A study produced by 35 business, government and academic leaders predicted a world war by 1981 if oil shortage trends continued. Even concerted efforts to conserve energy would not be enough to keep supply and demand in balance by the year 2000, the survey warned.
• Today in 1979, A Zippo lighter stopped a bullet that was headed for Detroiter Easter Walk’s chest. the 61 year-old was arguing with an unidentified driver at a National Bank of Detroit branch when he pulle a knife, inspiring the driver to pull a small calibre handgun and fire. A bullet lodged in the lighter, splitting it in two. Walk was treated and released at Harper Hospital.
• Today in 1982, Baltimore Sun columnist Matt Seiden lamented the May 6 cancellation of CBS’ Mary Tyler Moore spinoff Lou Grant. “It won’t be easy,” he wrote. “It was one of the few TV shows that did not appear to have been written for morons, madmen or future sex-offenders.”
• Today in 1987, Michigan Bell was touting it’s national calling card. “Why search for dimes when you can charge calls to your home or office?” the newspaper ad asked. Long distance calls averaged 30 cents a minute in 1987, that’s $7.60 for a ten minute call to mom in today’s dollars.

Continue reading “Keener Today – May 18” →

• Today in 1967, House Judiciary Committee Chair, Emanuel Cellar cast doubt on Michigan Governor George Romney’s eligibility for the presidency. Romney was born in a Mormon community in Mexico, Cellar said and did not enter the States until the age of six.
• Today in 1972, Bonanza fans were mourning the death of Dan Blocker. The actor who played the amiable Hoss Cartwright died of a pulmonary embolism over the weekend.
• Today in 1977, National polls revealed that inflation had surpassed joblessness as the nation’s primary concern. The majority of Americans preferred government programs to create jobs over tax cuts.
• Today in 1979, In a proposal heavy with presidential politics, Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy proposed national health insurance for every American and challenged his likely competitor, former Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter to support it.
• Today in 1982, American Motors pleaded with the United Auto Workers for contract concessions after members roundly rejected the financially strapped auto company’s latest offer. AMC said it would have to close plants and cut jobs if a more reasonable deal could not be reached.
• Today in 1987, Art Van furniture was advertising 1/2 off contemporary living room furniture with sofas on sale for $39 dollars.

Continue reading “Keener Today – May 15” →

• Today in 1967, Detroit Police Commissioner Ray Girardin announced extra academy classes to deal with a shortage of police officers. Girardin said the department was 455 men short of it’s 4,853 staffing goal.
• Today in 1972, Pundants predicted that George Wallace would dominate the Tuesday Michigan Presidential Priamary in the wake of anger about cross-district bussing and a general distate for politicians. “Every dog has it’s day,” Wallace told an Upper Peninsula crowd. “And you’re having yours.”
• Today in 1977, “The Blackboard Flu” closed all Romulus schools in the wake of a breakdown in contract negotioations. Teachers unions were prohibited from striking but sick-outs had become common in Detroit area school districts including Dearborn Heights and Redford Township.
• Today in 1979, Gas shortages spread in Northern California as the fuel crisis deepened. Michigan supplies remained steady.
• Today in 1982, The United Auto Workers announced their intention to attempt to unionize General Motors white colar employes. Much of the impetus for the campaign came from disgruntled GM junior executives, UAW VP Martin Gerber said.
• Today in 1987, The Michigan House approved raising the speed limit on rural interstate highways to 65 miles per hour but ruled out a proposed band on radar detectors. Governor Jim Blanchard has vowed to veto any speed increase that doesn’t contain a ban on “Fuzz Busters.”

Continue reading “Keener Today – May 14” →