Comments on: Crate-digging with John Cusack: Tiny Tim at The Hunt Club http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 23 May 2013 00:58:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: MissMovieFan http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739843 MissMovieFan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739843 Hooray for Studies of High Weirdness and 3 more cheers for John to guest blog! Hooray for Studies of High Weirdness and 3 more cheers for John to guest blog!

]]> By: IronEdithKidd http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739336 IronEdithKidd Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739336 For some ungodly reason, Tape Heads was on cable last weekend. What the hell was up with that mustache you were sporting, Mr. Cusack? Also, and unrelated, when you met John Billingsly for the first time did you have to fight the urge to address him as Dr. Flox? For some ungodly reason, Tape Heads was on cable last weekend. What the hell was up with that mustache you were sporting, Mr. Cusack?

Also, and unrelated, when you met John Billingsly for the first time did you have to fight the urge to address him as Dr. Flox?

]]> By: Doyle with Cheese http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739852 Doyle with Cheese Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739852 Just do it Johnny! Just do it Johnny!

]]> By: horacechincer http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739853 horacechincer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739853 Mr. Cusack is always at his best with the little peeks he has given at worlds out-of-kilter with the mundane; Grosse Pointe Blank and High Fidelity are pretty flawless. I've heard he's a curator of the unusual before. I would dig seeing what he's got to share. C'mon John. Step out a bit. Where better than BoingBoing to reveal some of the dusky old pearls secreted away in your noggin? Mr. Cusack is always at his best with the little peeks he has given at worlds out-of-kilter with the mundane; Grosse Pointe Blank and High Fidelity are pretty flawless. I’ve heard he’s a curator of the unusual before. I would dig seeing what he’s got to share. C’mon John. Step out a bit. Where better than BoingBoing to reveal some of the dusky old pearls secreted away in your noggin?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739096 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739096 If Cusak shares more awesome videos like this, then I'll be sure to read every post if he guests. And, I'll probably read them anyway just because he's cool...and from Chicago...like me...the Chicago part...not the cool part... pJ If Cusak shares more awesome videos like this, then I’ll be sure to read every post if he guests.

And, I’ll probably read them anyway just because he’s cool…and from Chicago…like me…the Chicago part…not the cool part…

pJ

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739099 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739099 Considering my rabid loyalty to every Cusack film ever made, it's the least he can do. Considering my rabid loyalty to every Cusack film ever made, it’s the least he can do.

]]> By: Phikus http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739105 Phikus Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739105 Mr. Cusack, please come visit us here. Don't make us stand outside your window holding jam-boxes... Mr. Cusack, please come visit us here. Don’t make us stand outside your window holding jam-boxes…

]]> By: lewis stoole http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739106 lewis stoole Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739106 let's get into trouble, baby! let’s get into trouble, baby!

]]> By: scifijazznik http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739107 scifijazznik Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739107 I had the pleasure and dubious honor of working at a record store with the president of the Tiny Tim Fan Club, James "Big Bucks" Burnett in the '90s. He told me many delightful and many more not-so-delightful stories about Tim. From what I was told, Cusak's observation here is spot on. The "real" Tim was (as is the case with most performers) different than the Tiny Tim persona we all know and...um...love? As a side note, Bucks Burnett is one of the kindest and funniest people you could ever hope to meet. If you should find yourself in the hellhole that is Dallas, TX, seek him out. He was also the president of the Mr. Ed Fan Club and had a store that specialized in 8 track tapes. I hear tell if you need a copy of The Rutles on 8 track, he's got a few sealed copies left. I miss you, Bucks. I had the pleasure and dubious honor of working at a record store with the president of the Tiny Tim Fan Club, James “Big Bucks” Burnett in the ’90s. He told me many delightful and many more not-so-delightful stories about Tim. From what I was told, Cusak’s observation here is spot on. The “real” Tim was (as is the case with most performers) different than the Tiny Tim persona we all know and…um…love?

As a side note, Bucks Burnett is one of the kindest and funniest people you could ever hope to meet. If you should find yourself in the hellhole that is Dallas, TX, seek him out. He was also the president of the Mr. Ed Fan Club and had a store that specialized in 8 track tapes. I hear tell if you need a copy of The Rutles on 8 track, he’s got a few sealed copies left. I miss you, Bucks.

]]> By: Suburbancowboy http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739108 Suburbancowboy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739108 I met Tiny Tim when I was in High School ( I think it was 1998), he was visiting one of my friend's neighbors. It was truly one of the more bizarre experiences of my life. I saw him get out of a car while I was playing basketball, and I said to my friends "I think that was Tiny Tim". None of them knew who he was. I was familiar with him from seeing clips of him from Johnny Carson, and hearing him on Howard Stern. I explained to my friends that he got married on Johnny Carson's show, and other than the moon landing, it was the most watched show in TV history. A short while later, a girl I knew who lived in the house, came outside. I asked her if that was Tiny Tim, and she said that Tiny was a friend of the family(they all called him Tiny), and asked if I wanted to meet him. I said "Sure!". I went inside, and he was sitting on the couch, his ukulele in a paper bag by his side. He shook my hand, with the limpest handshake I ever received. He smelled of womens perfume, and his makeup made him look like he was done up by a funeral parlor. He was very polite, and asked if I wanted to hear a song. How could I say no to that? The whold family gathered around, and they were all excited that Tiny was going to play. He took his ukelele out of the bag, and I saw that it was covered in childrens stickers. He sang several songs going into his falsetto, and then doing a real deep voiced thing. The man was an encyclopedia of music knowledge. He would always say where the song was from, who wrote it, what year it came out etc. It was a surreal experience, but I will never forget it. That man was unique, and special, and a million times more interesting than anything on any reality show we have today. I met Tiny Tim when I was in High School ( I think it was 1998), he was visiting one of my friend’s neighbors. It was truly one of the more bizarre experiences of my life.

I saw him get out of a car while I was playing basketball, and I said to my friends “I think that was Tiny Tim”. None of them knew who he was. I was familiar with him from seeing clips of him from Johnny Carson, and hearing him on Howard Stern. I explained to my friends that he got married on Johnny Carson’s show, and other than the moon landing, it was the most watched show in TV history. A short while later, a girl I knew who lived in the house, came outside. I asked her if that was Tiny Tim, and she said that Tiny was a friend of the family(they all called him Tiny), and asked if I wanted to meet him. I said “Sure!”. I went inside, and he was sitting on the couch, his ukulele in a paper bag by his side. He shook my hand, with the limpest handshake I ever received. He smelled of womens perfume, and his makeup made him look like he was done up by a funeral parlor.
He was very polite, and asked if I wanted to hear a song. How could I say no to that? The whold family gathered around, and they were all excited that Tiny was going to play. He took his ukelele out of the bag, and I saw that it was covered in childrens stickers. He sang several songs going into his falsetto, and then doing a real deep voiced thing. The man was an encyclopedia of music knowledge. He would always say where the song was from, who wrote it, what year it came out etc.
It was a surreal experience, but I will never forget it. That man was unique, and special, and a million times more interesting than anything on any reality show we have today.

]]> By: Trotsky http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-744485 Trotsky Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-744485 Apparently I stepped on the third rail by mentioning 2012 (at length, and not in a positive way). My comments have been deleted. Apparently I stepped on the third rail by mentioning 2012 (at length, and not in a positive way). My comments have been deleted.

]]> By: Yamara http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739115 Yamara Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739115 I very much enjoyed <i>Hot Tub Time Machine</i> when I travelled in my TARDIS to April in order to make a cam version to upload tomorrow. You'll never catch me, because I'll never be there. Seriously, I saw it at a preview last week, and it was good fun. I was wondering where Rob Corddry was keeping himself. (Second-wave feminist disclaimer!:) Must state I had to put up with the boy's club Hollywood spec script sexism... but that comes with the territory of the midlife-crisis do-life-over buddy movie genre; I expected it and it was otherwise a fairly sapient take on the genre tropes. Laughs <i>were</i> had. And not just from other members of the audience, but from <i>myself as well.</i> Good characterization on the three + one buddies, nice play on the order vs. chaos philosophy of travelling time, would watch again, especially if one John Cusack were to... say... guest blog? I very much enjoyed Hot Tub Time Machine when I travelled in my TARDIS to April in order to make a cam version to upload tomorrow. You’ll never catch me, because I’ll never be there.

Seriously, I saw it at a preview last week, and it was good fun. I was wondering where Rob Corddry was keeping himself.

(Second-wave feminist disclaimer!:) Must state I had to put up with the boy’s club Hollywood spec script sexism… but that comes with the territory of the midlife-crisis do-life-over buddy movie genre; I expected it and it was otherwise a fairly sapient take on the genre tropes.

Laughs were had. And not just from other members of the audience, but from myself as well.

Good characterization on the three + one buddies, nice play on the order vs. chaos philosophy of travelling time, would watch again, especially if one John Cusack were to… say… guest blog?

]]> By: Satan Ate My Ears http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739372 Satan Ate My Ears Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739372 I think Ivan Alexeev would make an excellent guest blogger! Do it! I think Ivan Alexeev would make an excellent guest blogger! Do it!

]]> By: JIMWICh http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739119 JIMWICh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739119 As I said last November, when Mark posted a link to another Tiny Tim video: http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html - - - JIMWICh • #15 • 21:03 on Fri, Nov.20 • Reply I remember seeing Tiny Tim, backed up by Brave Combo at Club Dada in Dallas back in 1988. He absolutely blew the front and back doors off the place. Unbelievable performance. The man was a performing encyclopedia of early 20th century music and it was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. - - - Anyone that was fortunate enought to have seen Tiny Tim perform live knew what a national treasure he was. I'm glad that others are now continuing to discover that. And yes John, come be a guest contributor! As I said last November, when Mark posted a link to another Tiny Tim video:

http://boingboing.net/2009/11/20/video-of-tiny-tim-pe.html

- – -
JIMWICh • #15 • 21:03 on Fri, Nov.20 • Reply

I remember seeing Tiny Tim, backed up by Brave Combo at Club Dada in Dallas back in 1988. He absolutely blew the front and back doors off the place. Unbelievable performance.

The man was a performing encyclopedia of early 20th century music and it was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen.
- – -

Anyone that was fortunate enought to have seen Tiny Tim perform live knew what a national treasure he was. I’m glad that others are now continuing to discover that.

And yes John, come be a guest contributor!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-746287 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-746287 Tiny Tim sang my song THE MISSING THINGS to Miss Vickie the week before the wedding live on Johnny Carson show Dec12th 1969.If anyone has a copy let me know. He bothered to ring me after the live show to England to let me know how it went(well!) Having spent several hours with him in private I can say that he was normal,and right handed but onstage played the uke lefthanded to appear awkward. He was a kind man who cared about others,and he found a niche for his unique talents and knew how to get the most from it while it lasted geoffmenzer@googlemail.com Tiny Tim sang my song THE MISSING THINGS to Miss Vickie the week before the wedding live on Johnny Carson show Dec12th 1969.If anyone has a copy let me know.
He bothered to ring me after the live show to England to let me know how it went(well!)
Having spent several hours with him in private I can say that he was normal,and right handed but onstage played the uke lefthanded to appear awkward.
He was a kind man who cared about others,and he found a niche for his unique talents and knew how to get the most from it while it lasted
geoffmenzer@googlemail.com

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739376 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739376 I follow Cusack on Twitter. Having him on BoingBoing would be awesome! I follow Cusack on Twitter. Having him on BoingBoing would be awesome!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739121 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739121 This video is an outake from the movie "Complete Monterey Pop Festival". http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Complete-Monterey-Pop-Festival-Blu-ray-Review/5950/ This video is an outake from the movie “Complete Monterey Pop Festival”.

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Complete-Monterey-Pop-Festival-Blu-ray-Review/5950/

]]> By: vilstef http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-740153 vilstef Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-740153 Just do it, John, we welcome your insights and weirdness! For the record, I once interviewed Tiny. Unfortunately I don't have a tape of it. Tiny was an amazing encyclopedia of American music. He mentioned Mildred Bailey, Lee Wiley, Red MacKenzie, Gene Austin, Irving Kaufman and Sophie Tucker to me. At the time, Sophie was the only one I'd heard of. I know all of them know and have collections of their music (amongst many others.) Just do it, John, we welcome your insights and weirdness!

For the record, I once interviewed Tiny. Unfortunately I don’t have a tape of it. Tiny was an amazing encyclopedia of American music. He mentioned Mildred Bailey, Lee Wiley, Red MacKenzie, Gene Austin, Irving Kaufman and Sophie Tucker to me. At the time, Sophie was the only one I’d heard of. I know all of them know and have collections of their music (amongst many others.)

]]> By: Svenski http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739131 Svenski Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739131 Mr. Cusack, I want my two dollars. Mr. Cusack, I want my two dollars.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739393 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739393 My wife and I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Tiny in 1997 not long before he died, backstage at the Mason Jar in Phoenix, where he did an awesome break-dance considering he was then pushing 70. In meeting him I claimed that I had been at his wedding with Miss Vicki, as millions of others had who were watching Carson on that historic night. He was unamused but cordial and referred to us both as Mister and Miss as was his characteristically polite manner. I told him I respected his place in history and his knowledge of it, as he was an expert on WWI popular music, Tiptoe thought the Tulips, for instance. After later reading Dylan's Chronicles I was impressed to find that Tiny was one of Dylan's first associations when arrived in New York from the Midwest in the early 60's. It seemed right___two champions of American fold music together in their formative years braving the dirty city for poetic redemption. Tiny was shorter than he looked on TV but his white suit covered with black musical notes and matching tie was dingy and wrinkled as if it had seen more than one break spin upon the floor or stage. It was a humbling experience even though I could not drive out my memory of Margaret Hamilton as the wicked witch of the west, which was unfair...Tiny's demeanor was actually very, very good even knee deep in flowers everywhere, like Dorothy, or her friends. My wife and I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Tiny in 1997 not long before he died, backstage at the Mason Jar in Phoenix, where he did an awesome break-dance considering he was then pushing 70. In meeting him I claimed that I had been at his wedding with Miss Vicki, as millions of others had who were watching Carson on that historic night. He was unamused but cordial and referred to us both as Mister and Miss as was his characteristically polite manner. I told him I respected his place in history and his knowledge of it, as he was an expert on WWI popular music, Tiptoe thought the Tulips, for instance. After later reading Dylan’s Chronicles I was impressed to find that Tiny was one of Dylan’s first associations when arrived in New York from the Midwest in the early 60′s. It seemed right___two champions of American fold music together in their formative years braving the dirty city for poetic redemption. Tiny was shorter than he looked on TV but his white suit covered with black musical notes and matching tie was dingy and wrinkled as if it had seen more than one break spin upon the floor or stage. It was a humbling experience even though I could not drive out my memory of Margaret Hamilton as the wicked witch of the west, which was unfair…Tiny’s demeanor was actually very, very good even knee deep in flowers everywhere, like Dorothy, or her friends.

]]> By: Saskplanner http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739140 Saskplanner Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739140 John, it would be fun for you to be a guest blogger. As trite as it sounds, I'm a fan. BUT.... 2012? They must have delivered a BOATLOAD of cash up to your door. John, it would be fun for you to be a guest blogger. As trite as it sounds, I’m a fan. BUT…. 2012? They must have delivered a BOATLOAD of cash up to your door.

]]> By: erikswedberg http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739401 erikswedberg Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739401 am i crying? am i crying?

]]> By: Blake2go http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739149 Blake2go Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739149 John on the set of Midnight in the garden of good and evil, I was the extra who returned your dropped smokes...So in repayment come and play. By the by, I've heard movies are on the way out, to be replaced by punch and Judy shows, to assist you in the transition. http://histclo.com/Act/out/punch/out-punch.html John on the set of Midnight in the garden of good and evil, I was the extra who returned your dropped smokes…So in repayment come and play.

By the by, I’ve heard movies are on the way out, to be replaced by punch and Judy shows, to assist you in the transition.

http://histclo.com/Act/out/punch/out-punch.html

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739154 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739154 I would LOVE to see John Cusack do some guestblogging on BoingBoing. I went on an absolute Cusack jag a few years ago and he's one of the few actors that are always worthwhile watching and I'm so excited to find out he's got such good taste as well - Tiny Tim, whodathunkit? More like this please! I would LOVE to see John Cusack do some guestblogging on BoingBoing. I went on an absolute Cusack jag a few years ago and he’s one of the few actors that are always worthwhile watching and I’m so excited to find out he’s got such good taste as well – Tiny Tim, whodathunkit?

More like this please!

]]> By: lewis stoole http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739414 lewis stoole Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739414 have you ever experienced the strange sensation of deja vu? have you ever experienced the strange sensation of deja vu?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739670 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739670 Tiny Tim has always been disturbing to me, yet I can't seem to take my eyes away! Thank you Mr. Cusack for sharing! Tiny Tim has always been disturbing to me, yet I can’t seem to take my eyes away! Thank you Mr. Cusack for sharing!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739159 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739159 The "Hunt Club" is the green room for the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. http://www.criterionforum.org/DVD-review/monterey-pop-blu-ray/the-criterion-collection/608 There's some footage of him playing there in the original film, as well. The “Hunt Club” is the green room for the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.

http://www.criterionforum.org/DVD-review/monterey-pop-blu-ray/the-criterion-collection/608

There’s some footage of him playing there in the original film, as well.

]]> By: TuesdayWeld http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739928 TuesdayWeld Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739928 My favorite quote from John Cusack (not playing a character) came when he was asked why he's not married yet. He responded immediately with "Because I don't have to do what society tells me to do." I'd love to see him become a contributor. My favorite quote from John Cusack (not playing a character) came when he was asked why he’s not married yet. He responded immediately with “Because I don’t have to do what society tells me to do.”

I’d love to see him become a contributor.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739684 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739684 Don't know who this Cusack guy is, but if he can appreciate the great odd wonderfulness of Tiny Tim, he's alright by me! Don’t know who this Cusack guy is, but if he can appreciate the great odd wonderfulness of Tiny Tim, he’s alright by me!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/03/19/crate-digging-with-j.html#comment-739174 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-739174 This is the green room for the Monterey Pop Festival. Tim was the official entertainer. You can find this on the additional material for the Criterion release "The Complete Monterey Pop Festival". I love his take on "King for a Day" - his gay laugh and flip of the wrist: "Ha Ha!" This is the green room for the Monterey Pop Festival. Tim was the official entertainer. You can find this on the additional material for the Criterion release “The Complete Monterey Pop Festival”.

I love his take on “King for a Day” – his gay laugh and flip of the wrist: “Ha Ha!”

]]>