Gooseberry Crumble

What's this about a blowjob?

Well the 29th June really does seem to be a date that claims the lives of a number of Hollywood legends. As well as Lana Turner two more big iconic Hollywood names died on this date. Firstly actress , pin up and playgirl Jayne Mansfield died in a car crash in New Orleans on this day in 1967 aged just 34. Three of the mother of fives children were in the car including now actress Mariska Hargitay. All of the adults who were in the car died. Secondly , one of most acclaimed film actresses of the golden age of Hollywood multi Oscar winning actress Katherine Hepburn, died on this day in 2003 aged 96. Her impressive career in film , during which she worked with some of the biggest and most iconic names of the golden age of Hollywood include The Philadelphia story (1940) with Cary Grant and James Stewart, Guess who's coming to dinner? (1967) with Sidney Poitier and reported lover Spencer Tracy, The African Queen (1951) with Humphrey Bogart, On golden pond (1981)with Henry and Jane Fonda and Bringing up Baby (1938) again another successful onscreen pairing with Cary Grant.

Drummer Ian Paice and last remaining original band member of english rock band Deep Purple celebrates his 74th birthday today.

On this day in 1995 Hollywood actress , model and icon of glamour in the golden age of Hollywood, Lana Turner died of cancer aged 74. Born in Idaho, Lana was discovered by a talent scout of sorts when spotted purchasing soda in Hollywood after her family relocated to Los Angeles when she was a teenager. She signed to MGM on an 18 year long personal contract. Her first movie was in 1937 as a murder victim in They won't forget but success and popularity was fairly swift and by the early 1940s she had evolved beyond supporting roles as the young naive female ingenue to leading lady status. Her other films include black and white western Honky tonk (1941) with Clark Gable-an actor she was cast with several times, Marriage is a private affair (1941), The Postman always rings twice with John Garfield (1946), The Merry Widow (1952) , Peyton Place (1957) for which she was nominated for an Oscar and Who's got me action? (1962) with Dean Martin. After the success of The Postman always rings twice the studios were more willing to take risks with Turners casting moving her away from glamorous sex symbol to stronger more meaty and dramatic roles. By around 1950 her films were becoming unsuccessful at the box office most noticeably in George Cukor film A life of her own.Its poor reception led MGM to switch strategy and try and make Lana a star of musical films but this was not fruitful and as lucrative work became harder to come by Lanas finances descended into a mess with bankruptcy looming. This exacerbated her depression and she attempted suicide in 1951 but was saved by her business manager who kicked down her locked bathroom door. A turn away from musicals and back to drama helped resurrect her career when she was cast opposite Kirk Douglas in The bad and the beautiful (1952) directed by Vincente Minnelli.But in 1956 MGM announced they would not be renewing Lanas contract. In her personal life at this point Lana began dating gangster Johnny Stompanto who was deeply involved in the criminal underworld in Los Angeles. Whilst she was filming a movie in London with Sean Connery, Stompanto became very suspicious that she was sleeping with Connery because she would not allow him to visit the film set. In one confrontation he tried to strangle her and in another he had a bust up with Sean and was advised by the police to leave and was immediately taken to the airport. In April 1959 Johnny Stompanto died after Lanas daughter Cheryl stabbed him after he threatened to kill both mother and daughter. The courts deemed it justifiable homicide but did place Cheryl afterwards in the care of her grandmother. Stompantos son alleged that it was really Lana who killed his father and the daughter was covering for her. The lawsuit was settled out of court but speculation has never gone away fully. Overall Lana was arguably just as famous for her turbulent private life as her acting. In her later career Lana took numerous tv roles including The Love Boat and primetime soap Falcon Crest -her role in the latter rumoured to have been cut short due to clashes with the shows leading actress Jane Wyman. Lana was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1992 but while she had been a lifetime smoker the public had no idea as MGM had always insisted photos showing Lana smoking be airbrushed. Lana died aged 74 which shocked her close family who believed she was improving after recent radiation therapy. Lana left the bulk of her estate to her maid, who was also her companion for 45 years and carer in her ailing years. Her daughter challenged the will but to little avail as legal expenses squandered most of what was left.

The former President of Italy Giorgio Napolitano turns 97 today. British novelist Charlotte Bingham celebrates her 80th birthday today.

On this day seven years ago in 2015 Jope Seniloli , the former Vice President of Fiji who was convicted of treason in 2004, died aged 76. Jope was a Fijian chief a respected and prestigious position in Fijian society .In the year 2000 a coup took place that deposed the elected President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and elected Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry . In the aftermath as a way of appeasing supporters of the coup in Fiji and easing simmering tensions and splits in the country Jope was appointed Vice President. He was widely understood to be sympathetic to the coup plotters frustrations and anger but always tried to claim he assisted in the coup under duress at gunpoint. Appeasement was seen not to work and indeed was problematic to the viability of the post coup government. He was later charged by the Attorney General with illegally swearing himself in as Prime Minister during the coup and with treason. He also appointed to his cabinet chief instigators and organisers of the coup . His claims of duress were rejected during his trial and he was sentenced to four years in jail in the summer of 2004. A sentence the judge said would have been longer but for his past record as serving Fiji as a teacher. Controversially he was released from jail after a few months on health grounds. A decision especially unpopular with much of the military who made clear their opposition to his return to politics when strong persistent rumours emerged that he was going to run for political office in 2006. The military made it clear they would take action if anyone involved in the coup were to stand in a general election. Jope denied the rumours of a hope to return and it faded as an issue. Jope died aged 76 in 2015.

She won't be on any of my lists unless there is any dramatic revelation or change like a secret pancreatic cancer diagnosis being made public! I will be focusing on her royal cousins and their spouses.

Thanks. Has he ever been a DDP pick? It would be a shame if he wasn't as he was a key ingredient in a culturally iconic show back in the day.

You are so naughty!! I could begin to like you as much as @msc if you started to use some of my favourite /happiest words shagged or shagging in your posts!

British childrens author Anthony Buckeridge, best known for his Rex Milligan and Jennings series of childrens books, died on this day in 2004 aged 92. After World War two Buckeridge wrote a number of radio plays for the BBCs childrens hour detailing the humorous antics of Jennings broadcast in 1948. Success was born and from 1950 he wrote a series of more than twenty novels. British actor and comedian Stephen Fry cites Anthony Buckeridges skill for exploring British humour as an influence on him growing up and a key part of the mix of post war British comedy.

Scottish born boxer Ken Buchanan-former undisputed world lightweight champion celebrates his 77th birthday today.

On this day in 2001 Oscar winning american actor Jack Lemmon died from bladder cancer aged 76. An actor who excelled in both comedic and dramatic roles Jack Lemmon was highly rated by his peers in Hollywood and was described by The Guardian newspaper as "The most successful tragi-comedian of his age" Jack was nominated eight times for an Oscar and won twice. Firstly a best supporting actor win for 1955 film Mister Roberts and the best actor accolade for Save the tiger (1973). He also won six Golden Globe awards. Other notable films he starred in include The Apartment (1960) with Shirley Maclaine, The China Syndrome (1979) alongside Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas, Some like it hot (1959) famously with Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis, Grumpy Old men (1993) paired with Walter Matthau with whom he had a successful onscreen double act and were cast together numerous times including also in the hugely successful The Idd Couple(1968) and Days of wine and Roses (1962) directed by Blake Edwards . A brilliant actor with a great career but his personal life was often troubled by alcohol addiction until he managed to quit in the 1970s.

On this day in 2006 american singer Eileen Barton died aged 81from ovarian cancer. She was best known for her popular hit song in 1950 'If I knew you were coming I'd've baked a cake'. Her family roots were in vaudeville theatre- both of her patents were performers. At the age of 15 she appeared as a guest singer on The Johnny Mercer variety series and caught the eye of Frank Sinatra who took her under his wing.and gave her a a regular role on his CBS Radio show in the 1940s. In later years she performed on stage with the likes of Danny Kaye and Nat King Cole. In 1956 she switched record labels to Epic Records but rock and roll was quickly displacing many singers from her generation from the charts such was their tidal wave of popularity and chart success was finished by the end of the decade. In her personal life Eileen was married twice but had no children. Firstly to Dan Shaw an industrialist .Her second husband Lawrence Kane was a career criminal and a suspect in the famous zodiac killer murders in California in the 1960s..A serial killer case still unsolved to this day. She also divorced him and was unmarried at the time of her death.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1335814/lily-anne-harrison-is-pregnant-expecting-first-baby-with-peter-facinelli American actress Lily Anne Harrison is expecting her first child with actor Peter Facinell- who already has children with his ex wife Beverly Hills 90210 actress Jennie Garth.

American actor Tobey Maguire celebrates his 47th birthday today. Probably best known for playing Peter Parker aka Spiderman in the movie franchise between 2002 and 2007 . His other films include Woody Allens Deconstructing Harry (1997), Fear a d loathing in Las Vegas (1998) alongside Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci, Oscar winning film The Cider House rules (1999) with Michael Caine and Charlize Theron and The Great Gatsby (2013) co-starring with his pal Leonardo DiCaprio. Mary McAleese , former President of Ireland from 1997-2011 turns 71 today.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jun/26/boris-johnson-is-a-sorcerer-who-has-run-out-of-spells-a-wizard-with-a-broken-wand Good column by Andrew Rawnsley in todays Observer on Boris Johnson describing him as a sorcerer who has run out of spells.

On this day in 1958 professional athlete George Orton, the first Canadian to win an Olympic medal, died aged 85. At the age of 3 George suffered severe injury after falling out of a tree and developing a blood clot on the brain. This left him effectively paralysed until the age of 10 and with a severely damaged right arm. With the right therapy and physio he gradually recovered near full mobility by the age of 12- this makes his subsequent Olympic success all the more remarkable and inspirational. At the Olympic games in Paris in 1900 Geowon a bronze medal in the 400m hurdles and then 45 minutes later he won gold in the 2500m steeplechase. In the years immediately prior to the games in the 1890s he was already established as the number one middle distance runner in the world due to his success in smaller competitions and national championships. Also at this Olympics he entered what was referred to as the 'handicap races' but they were not officially recognised by the Olympic authorities in the same way as the main games. He hugely outshone the other athletes and was made to give up either his time or distance in the scoring such was his capacity to vastly outperform all other disabled athletes. His lifelong dead right arm and hand which he hid so successfully from many meant he was the first disabled athlete to win an Olympic gold. In this era nationalities was regarded as less central and important at the Olympic games especially as many competed in teams or groupings from sport teams at universities of mixed nationality or were more regarded as competing as individuals rather than countries representatives. This lead to George wrongly being regarded as american because he was heavily involved with other US athletes and he was added to the american medal total initially- before being removed and becoming the first Canadian to win an Olympic medal.. Away from the Olympics George Orton was regarded as 'The father of Philadelphia hockey' after he introduced ice hockey to Philadelphia and was key to nurturing it there and getting initial sports premises and pitches built. In 2019 a book was published about Orton called 'The greatest athlete(you've never heard of)' by Mark Hebscher. But as the first Canadian and first disabled athlete to win an Olympic gold will always be regarded as his crowning best achievements.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/19006909/blind-date-voiceover-our-graham-skidmore-dead-90-tributes/ Confirmed Graham from Blind Date has died.

American singer songwriter Rosie Gaines celebrates her 62nd birthday today. I remember dancing to her song 'Closer than close 'in the 1990s on the dance floor in gay nightclubs in Liverpool with some rather sexually excited older guys joining in and bopping on the dance floor with me.. !! Thanks for those memories Rosie!

On this day 19 years ago in 2003 , Denis Thatcher- businessman and spouse of the UKs first female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher , died aged 88.

Former Scottish footballer Gordon McQueen, who has played for both the national team for seven years and clubs such as Manchester United , Leeds United and St Mirren, celebrates his 70th birthday today.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10953309/Ghislaine-Maxwell-face-child-sex-trafficking-victims-sentencing-hearing.html Revealed that there is a one million dollar bounty on Ghislaine Maxwell.

On this day in 1894 the President of France Sadi Carnot was assainated aged 56. He was French President from 1887-1894. Sadi came from a family heavily involved in national politics indeed steeped in it. The family came from the moderate republican tradition and was firmly active in opposing attempts by opponents to restore the french monarchy. His grandfather was a military moderniser trying to embed loyalty to the French Republic into the militarys ethos rather than loyalty to the monarchy and his father was involved in drawing up the constitutional laws of 1875. So he was from a very well connected family but in an atmosphere were there was significant background manoeuvres and attempts to restore the monarchy Sadi was regarded as a reliable and trustworthy person to push forward into responsible positions/jobs in french politics and Public life. Suspicion about infiltration by enemies of the republic was strong at this time. A high stakes situation. Appointed minister for public works in 1878 by 1885 he was minister of finance and had served in ministries under two French Prime Ministers-Jules Ferry and Charles de Freycinet. In 1887 the then French President Jules Grevy resigned as a result of a major scandal known as the 'Daniel Wilson scandal '. In essence Daniel Wilson the son in law of the president was caught selling awards of the french legion of honour . While his father in law was not directly involved and had no knowledge of wrongdoing he was held partially culpable and irresponsible for allowing Wilson access to the Elysee Palace were much of the scandal was conducted Sadi Carnots reputation for integrity was seen to make him the ideal person to replace the president after the huge scandal and he was voted into position by french politicians 616 votes out of 827. The biggest threat he and the french republicans faced was increasing personal and political attacks from politician and military man General Boulanger who many in political circles feared was popular enough to launch a successful political coup and establish a dictatorship. But when it came to the crunch his brutal courage failed him, he was indecisive and veered towards abandoning an established well planned plot and setting on achieving success via the legitimate legal route.However his botching of his plot lead the authorities to seize evidence and move to charge him with treason. He fled into exile permanently and in this regard President Carnot was lucky with his enemies who completely missed his opportunity to lead a potentially successful coup. His own Presidency took place to the difficult background of huge tensions and rivalries in french society .But itwas largely scandal free except for the huge Panama bribery scandal which ruined the government's reputation as a number of cabinet ministers were jailed over their involvement in a hugely dodgy investment they illegally profited from but enhanced his personal reputation as he was shown to have clean hands and zero personal involvement or personal gain. At the peak of his popularity in 1894 he gave a speech at a public banquet in Lyon were he strongly hinted he would not be standing for reelection . However an irian anarchist stabbed him multiple times at the event in a self confessed political act of retaliation for the execution of french anarchist Ravachol and the tightening up of french laws in recent years as a crackdown against anarchists and their bombings and assaination attempts. Alas on this occasion their assaination was successful.

On this day in 2011 british actress Margaret Tyzack died aged 79. Some of her best known work was in tv dramas The Forsyte Saga, IClaudius and award winning BBC drama The First Churchills although she did appear in some iconic films such as Stanley Kubricks 2001 A Space Odyssey and A Clockwork Orange. Her final role in Spring 2011 was as Lydia Simmonds, the manipulating dying grandmother of Janine Butcher in EastEnders. However due to health issues after a small number of her episodes had already aired they had to recast the role at short notice to Heather Chasen after Margaret had to step down and died herself just a few months later .

American actress June Lockhart celebrates her 97th birthday today . Primarily a television actress June is probably most famous for starring in american TV shows Lost in Space and Lassie. Films she has starred in include A Christmas Carol (1938), Meet me in St Louis (1944) with Judy Garland and Margaret O'Brien and a dark film noir titled Bury me dead (1947) . Australian swimmer and Olympic gold medallist Kyle Chalmers turns 24 today.