Frank Lloyd Wright

Fallingwater, Ohiopyle, PA

To many, Frank Lloyd Wright is the greatest American architect. And while some may debate this, he is definitely one of the most well-known American architects. There can be very few people who do not recognize the image above, of Fallingwater. This home is the epitome of his architectural style -- incorporating the outside (nature) to the inside (the building and its interior).

Wright, born June 8, 1867, in Richland Center, WI, spent most of his 92 years creating buildings that were unlike anything anyone else had done before. From an early age, Wright was fascinated by nature and the ways in which all creatures interact with it. This influence would be the basis of his architectural style.

In the late 1880s, Wright moved to Chicago and eventually began working at the firm of Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan. Sullivan would end up being one of the biggest influences on Wright's career. (Sadly, the relationship did not end well, after Sullivan found out that Wright was designing houses on his own.)

Home and Office, Oak Park, IL

After the split with Sullivan, Wright opened his own firm in 1893 in Oak Park, IL. By this point, he had married Catherine Lee Tobin; they would have six children together. During this time, Wright designed and built their home and an office space for himself. The twenty years that he lived and worked in this space saw the beginnings of a new architectural style known as the Prairie Style.

This style would soon be seen in many homes throughout the Chicago area, before moving on to other major cities around the country. One of the finest examples of this style is the Robie House in Chicago.

Since I am not an expert in the field of architecture I will not try to explain the details of Wright's Prairie Style. I will let his own words do that:

The prairie has a beauty of its own, and we should recognize and accentuate this natural beauty, its quiet level. Hence, gently sloping roofs, low proportions, quiet sky lines, suppressed heavy-set chimneys and sheltering overhangs, low terraces and out-reaching walls sequestering private gardens.

Frederick C. Robie House, Chicago, IL

With the success of this new style, Wright would continue to mold and shape it into hundreds of different buildings, residential as well as commercial.

Taliesin, Spring Green, Wisconsin

He established the Taliesin Fellowship in 1932. Named after his home -- Taliesin, in Wisconsin -- Wright wanted to establish a form of apprenticeship for aspiring architects. When Wright moved west to Arizona (and Taliesin West), the fellowship moved with him. After his death in 1959, he left all of his personal and professional property to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, which, in turn, established the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. The program is still flourishing to this day.

Taliesin West, Scottsdale, Arizona

I've been lucky enough to visit several of Frank Lloyd Wright's creations, although there are plenty more that are still on my wish list! The list below is a sample of houses and buildings that are open for tours:

-- Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio, Oak Park, Illinois

-- Fallingwater, Mill Run, PA

-- Kentuck Knob, Dunbar, PA

-- Frederick C. Robie House, Chicago, IL

-- Taliesin, Spring Green, WI

-- Taliesin West, Scottsdale, AZ

-- Darwin D. Martin Home, Buffalo, NY

-- SC Johnson Headquarters, Racine, WI 



And for further reading, check out these titles:

-- An Autobiography by Frank Lloyd Wright
Wright takes a look at his life and how it influenced his work. First published in 1932.

-- The Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright by William Allin Storrer
A chronological listing (including photos) of all of Wright's projects.

-- The Fellowship : The Untold Story of Frank Lloyd Wright & The Taliesin Fellowship by Roger Friedland and Harold Zellman
The authors take a look at some of the unique stories and scandals of Wright's life, including the creation of the Taliesin Fellowship.

-- Death In a Prairie House : Frank Lloyd Wright and The Taliesin Murders by William R. Drennan
Tragedy and scandal were a part of Wright's life. This book takes a look at the tragic death of his mistress and several other people at his newly-built home in Wisconsin.



-- Post by Tracy

Mob Mentality

Six years after going off the show, The Sopranos is still remembered by fans and critics alike as one of the best-loved television series ever made. The six-season show told the story of Tony Soprano, an Italian-American mobster living in New Jersey and trying to balance the demands of "work" ... and family. Critically acclaimed for its sharp writing and talented actors, the show is remembered both for its impact on pop culture -- and its maddening "fade-to-black" series finale.

Sopranos' star James Gandolifini, who played Tony Soprano, unexpectedly passed away yesterday while on a family vacation in Italy. Fans and fellow actors have already taken to the internet, writing tributes to the actor best remembered for his role in the acclaimed HBO series.

So in honor of his most iconic role, let's take a look at some other classic films in the crime-and-criminal genre.


-- The Public Enemy [1931]

James Cagney is best remembered for playing "tough guys," and this film was the reason why. In his seventh film role, Cagney played Tom Powers, a tough guy rising through the gangster ranks during the Prohibition. His tough, harsh, cruel performance made an unforgettable mark on the genre of gangster pictures.



-- The Godfather Trilogy [1972, 1974, 1990]

Okay, okay, you know this one. But no list of gangster movies would be complete without the Godfather trilogy. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola (and based on a novel by Mario Puzo), the trio of films following the story of the Corleone Mafia family received a total of 29 Academy Award nominations, winning nine (including acting Oscars for Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro, Best Director for Coppola, and two Best Picture awards).



-- Once Upon a Time in America [1984]

Director Sergio Leone is best remembered for his Spaghetti Western films, like the Dollars trilogy and Once Upon a Time in the West. But Leone should still get credit for this, his final movie. Starring Robert De Niro, the film chronicles the life of David "Noodles" Aaronson, and his fifty-year dark struggle in pursuit of the American dream.



-- The Untouchables [1987] 

With Kevin Costner as Eliot Ness -- and Robert De Niro as Al Capone -- this Brian De Palma film has become the definitive adaptation of American Prohibition agent Ness's autobiography.



-- Miller’s Crossing [1990] 

From the ever-unique Coen Brothers, this film follows the personal fallout as a war unfolds between rival Irish and Italians gangs.



-- Reservoir Dogs [1992]

Director Quentin Tarantino is your go-to guy when you're looking for something a little off the beaten path. Think of this one as The Avengers for gangsters. Here, six strangers are pulled together by a local mob boss to pull off the perfect heist. Trouble is, it looks like one of them's a police mole.



-- Donnie Brasco [1997]

Based on a real-life story (as written in FBI agent Joseph Pistone's autobiography), Donnie Brasco tells the story of an undercover agent who infiltrates New York's Bonanno crime family ... for six years. In the end, Pistone is left with the choice of whether or not to betray his mob boss "mentor," Lefty Ruggiero.



-- Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels  [1998]

Four kids owe money to the local gang boss; what're they to do?  The plan they concoct -- to steal the cash from their drug-dealing next-door neighbors -- might not be their best call. Or is it?  Directed by Guy Ritchie, this is one of the more surreal entries on the list.



-- Road to Perdition [2002]

Recently voted as the most trustworthy person in America, Tom Hanks might be an unexpected choice to play a mob hitman. It's precisely what makes this movie so memorable, as Michael Sullivan (Hanks) must navigate between his job and his responsibilities to his son.



-- The Departed [2006]

It's another undercover story -- with a twist!  While an undercover officer is busy infiltrating a family of organized crime, the crime family is returning the favor, with one of their members joining the police force. The film, which won Martin Scorsese his first-ever Best Picture Oscar, is actually a remake of the Hong Kong film Internal Affairs -- which is worth a watch in its own right.


-- Post by Ms. B

An Actor's Life For Me!

A character actor -- someone you've probably seen in several films, but you don't know their name or even what you might have seen them in before. Most definitions of character actor seem to be that they are actors in supporting roles. Or someone who plays an eccentric or odd character. But to me, a character is these things and more. They are usually very memorable and often "steal" the show. Occasionally, these actors, will end up getting some lead roles of their own. And very often, they do a little of both.

One of my favorite actors, who could be considered a character actor, is Paul Giamatti.  He's one of those actors that, unless you are a big fan of films, you might not know who he is. But you've probably seen him, but just didn't know who he was.

He tends to fly below the radar and is so good at playing a wide variety of characters. Who else can say he's played a founding father, a wrestling coach, a wine snob and even Santa Claus!

Paul Giamatti grew up the son of a Yale University President (and future Major League Baseball commissioner) and a former actress. So, it's not much of a surprise that he became an actor. After graduating from the Yale School of Drama he started getting roles in stage productions throughout the country.

His first significant film role was in Howard Stern's Private Parts, playing the radio executive who battled with Stern. This led to many more roles in movies such as, My Best Friend's Wedding, The Truman Show, Saving Private Ryan, and Planet of the Apes (he played an orangutan!).

Giamattie's first leading role was in American Splendor which led to other leading roles and more recognition of his work from the media and his peers.

So in honor of his birthday (June 6), here are five of my favorite Paul Giamatti films:

-- American Splendor

In this, his first leading role, Paul Giamatti portrays file clerk turned comic book writer Harvey Pekar.  By the time this film came out in 2003, Pekar was very famous around his home town of Cleveland and in the world of comic books for his introspective series American Splendor. The books were written by Pekar, but illustrated by a variety of artists. They told the story of his daily struggles. Pekar was quite a "character" himself and he and his wife appear in the film as themselves. Now I know this sounds confusing, but you have to see it to a appreciate it. 

-- Sideways

The success of American Splendor opened up the opportunity for Giamatti to play Miles, a frustrated, middle aged writer, who makes ends meet as a high school English teacher. His best friend Jack is getting married, so they decide to spend a week exploring the wine country of California. Along the way, they explore their friendship and the many disappointments they've both had over the years. 

-- John Adams

This made for HBO film, based on the John McCullough non-fiction best seller, was a huge success. The film covers Adams's life from his time as a young lawyer through his stint as the second President of the United States and on to the end of his life. It also gives a wonderful insight into the marriage of John and Abigail Adams. Giamatti, along with Laura Linney as Abigail, won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for their performances. It is not to be missed.

-- Win Win

This independent film has Giamatti starring as a small town lawyer, Mike, who volunteers his time as the high school wrestling coach. He struggles with putting a competitive team together when a young man shows up in town who seems to be a natural. But this also leads to a lot of trouble for Mike, since the client is double crossing the young man's grandfather. Here he is again as the lead, but in a small film that many might have missed. A wonderful performance of an everyman who gets himself into a lot of trouble.

-- The Last Station

During the last days of Leo Tolstoy's life, there was a power struggle between him, his family and his devoted followers. Tolstoy's wife, Sofya, was in a battle to retain the copyright to all of her husband's works. Tolstoy, on the other hand, decides to leave all of his property to the people of Russia. In a small role, Paul Giamatti, plays Tolstoy's devoted follower and leader of his disciples. 

-- Post by Tracy

Somebody Save Me

It's a good time to be Superman. This weekend sees Man of Steel soaring into movie theaters, already poised to be a smash-hit blockbuster (unlike Supes's last effort at the box office). The timing for the new film is spot-on: this year marks the 75th anniversary since the Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster-created superhero first appeared in the pages of comic books.


The character is the original modern-day superhero -- which might be why describing him seems so redundant. Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, mild-mannered reporter ... Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, the Daily Planet, kryptonite ... You've heard it all before.

So maybe, instead, it's worth exploring what has given the character such staying power. Problem is, that's probably an impossible question to answer.

If I had to try, though, I'd guess it boils down to two things: wish fulfillment and inspiration.

Christopher Reeve as the Man of Steel

(Click to enlarge)

The first is easy enough to explain: it's fun to be Superman. He's super-fast!  Super strong!  Invulnerable!  He can fly!  He's got heat vision and x-ray eye sight!  Critics have argued that having a nearly-invincible character makes him hard to write for -- when your hero can literally move mountains, there isn't much that can prove to be a real challenge. But, on the other hand, there's no denying the fun of it -- and, in the hands of the right writer, the stories can be all the richer for it.

But Superman is about more than wish fulfillment. As Man of Steel has made clear in its trailers, the character is there to inspire. In striving to be better than what he is, the alien from another world embodies what's best in humanity: courage, justice, compassion, and hope. He inspires the citizens of Metropolis ... as well as his readers.

So before you hit the theater this weekend, take a look at some of the other incarnations of Superman beyond the pages of the comics:


1. On screen

Over a dozen actors have played the role of Superman, on screens big and small. The most famous actor in the role was inarguably Christopher Reeve, who played the Man of Steel for a decade in four film roles. So iconic was his portrayal of Superman that he has remained the definitive movie Superman to this day (whether or not Man of Steel's Henry Cavill becomes the Superman of a new generation remains to be seen).

The mark that Reeve left on the character can't be overstated. But some of Superman's most memorable appearances have been in television. In the 1950s, George Reeves was beloved as the title character in the six-season run of Adventures of Superman. The four-season series Superboy would also find some popularity in the late 80s, but it was two other series that seemed to leave the most lasting mark on the character. First, there was the 1990s series Lois & Clark, which put the story's emphasis on the relationship between the two title characters. And in 2001, a series premiered which would last for ten seasons: Smallville, which chronicles the life of Clark Kent before he dons the Superman suit.


2. On the Broadway stage

Why not -- it worked for Spider-Man!  (Well ... sort of.) Charles Strouse's most famous musicals include Bye Bye Birdie and Annie. But less well-known is the superhero musical he penned: It's a Bird ... It's a Plane ... It's Superman.

First opening in 1966, the musical chronicles Superman's fight to defeat the ten-time Nobel Prize-losing scientist Dr. Abner Sedgwick. The play received mostly positive reviews and was even nominated for three Tony Awards, but the show never really caught on and closed after 129 performances. Eventually produced as a TV special, the play was also revived several times -- including this March, as part of New York City Center's Encores series.


3. On the radio airwaves

You don't have to be a fan to know the opening lines. "Look, up in the sky! ..."  The long-running radio show The Adventures of Superman ran from 1940 to 1951, usually running several times a week in serial installments.

The afternoon program was a hit among kids and families of the day -- even for those who had never picked up a comic book. With the character having only debuted in comics two years earlier, the voice of Bud Collyer (the actor who played the title character) was the Superman for hundreds of fans.


4. In animation

As an animation buff, I'm biased -- but I still think I might be onto something when I say that Superman's true home is in cartoons. With animation allowing for the kinds of "special effects" that even the most big-budgeted live-action flicks can't hope to achieve, there's no limit to storytelling opportunities for the character.

The famous Fleischer Studios cartoons of the 40s are still the gold standard of superhero animation. These beautifully animated shorts are lavish, lush, and show every penny of their extraordinary budgets (estimated between $50,000-100,000 per episode, unheard of in the day).

And then there's the DC Animated shows and films featuring Superman. After producer Bruce Timm brought Batman to life in the critically-acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series, the team turned to Superman, producing a stand-alone series for the Man of Steel and eventually bringing him (and Bats) into a Justice League animated series which premiered in 2001. While the animation is not quite as lush as the gorgeous Fleischer Studios creations, the sharply-written storylines and excellent character-building makes them more than worthy successors to the original shorts.


5. In merchandising 

Superman's "S" might be the most recognizable logo in pop culture. As such, it's unsurprising to find that logo slapped onto everything from t-shirts and baseball caps to ice cube trays and steering wheel covers. If you need to buy something, chances are you can find it with a Superman shield sewn on!

Which isn't a bad thing. After all, everybody wants to be Superman.

-- Post by Ms. B

Father Knows Best

America's first Father's Day was celebrated on July 19, 1910 -- one year after the first Mother's Day celebration. It wasn't a nationwide holiday, however: it was celebrated only by the state of Washington. (It would take another 62 years for the holiday to officially spread to the rest of the country.)

We've already highlighted some notable mothers in history and taken a look at memorable brothers and sisters of fiction. So in honor of the upcoming holiday, we'll take the middle ground and present you with some of our favorite historical and fictional fathers:


HISTORY:

1. King Henry VIII

Okay, we've done a whole entry on him before. Still, no list of memorable fathers would be complete without ol' Henry, who ultimately had at least four children given to him by various members of his half-dozen wives (and one mistress).

It was his third wife, Jane Seymour, who gave Henry VIII what he most wanted: a legitimate male heir. Their son would go on to become Edward VI, King of England -- a position he held only briefly, as he was plagued by ill health and died at the age of fifteen. (He'd been crowned at the age of nine.) He was succeeded by Mary I (daughter of Henry and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon), who earned the moniker of "Bloody Mary" for the hundreds of Protestants she persecuted during her reign. Ultimately, it was Elizabeth I (daughter of Henry and his second wife, Anne Boleyn) who would be the most fondly-remembered of Henry's children. This fifth and final monarch of the Tudor dynasty eventually earned the nickname (among others) of "Good Queen Bess."

In addition to these three children, Henry most likely had several illegitimate children, although he only officially acknowledged one of them: son Henry FitzRoy. Still, Henry was remembered as being an affectionate father towards his children, particularly daughters Elizabeth and Mary -- at least for awhile.


2. Peter the Great

Maybe Father doesn't always Know Best. This Russian czar (from 1682 to 1725) is remembered in part for helping to establish Russia as a major European power -- but he certainly won't be winning any prizes for World's Best Dad.

When Peter's second wife, Catherine, gave birth to son Peter Petrovich, Peter Senior's plan was to name his new son as his heir. Problem was that Peter already had a son, Alexis, given to him by first wife Eudoxia (whom he'd wedded in an arranged marriage, and eventually forced into a convent).

Considered by his father to be both lazy and hostile, Alexis refused to follow the path Peter laid out for him. Convinced that Alexis was plotting to overthrow him, Peter ordered him dragged away to prison, where his son eventually died at the hands of his torturers. When Peter Petrovich died several years later, Peter the Great was left heirless -- and had still failed to name a successor at the time of his death in 1725.


3. George Washington

He never had any children. But still, this Founding Father (and our first president) is remembered as "the Father of his Country" for good reason.

He never owned wooden teeth (ivory and animal teeth were more common components in his denture sets), any more than he ever chopped down a cherry tree (it was a story invented to showcase Washington's strong ethics). But his resume as commander in chief of the continental army, president of the constitutional convention, and the first-ever president of the United States is, nonetheless, an impressive resume for any patriotic "dad."


4. Frank Bunker Gilbreth, Sr.

"They're cheaper by the dozen!" Forget the (very) loosely-adapted Steve Martin movie. The story of this real-life dad takes front and center in the memoir Cheaper by the Dozen (written by two of his children).

A pioneer in the scientific study of motion study and work efficiency, Frank and his Ph.D.-psychologist wife, Lillian, had a dozen children in the early twentieth century. The tales of the eccentric family make for great reading, with adventures in traveling, touch typing, tonsillitis, and the day-to-day scheduling quirks that must occur in a family of fourteen.

Frank himself is drawn as a booming, boisterous, and all-together fun type of father, who expects the best of his children and the best in himself. While he passed away at the age of 55, he was clearly remembered by each one of his kids as a fantastic, one-of-a-kind father.


5. Jim Henson

This dad is best remembered as "father" to the Muppets, those much-beloved puppets who include in their ranks such characters as Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo the Great, Rowlf the Dog, Dr. Bunsen and Beaker, and, of course, Kermit the Frog. A director, scriptwriter, film producer, and (of course) puppeteer, Henson worked on the special effects for films like The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, and was nominated for both Oscar and Emmy awards.

But Henson was also very much a real-life father. He and his wife, Jane, had five children, including filmmaker Brian Henson, and movie producer/Jim Henson Company CEO Lisa Henson. His kids remember him as a fun, creative dad who inspired in them a love for life, learning, and the people around them. (Check out this lovely essay from Brian Henson about his memories of his father.)


FICTION:

1. Frank Barone

"Holy crap!" If your own father wasn't much like Frank Barone, you probably know of a dad out there that is. Lasting for nine seasons, the hit sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond was best-loved for its cast of highly-relatable characters -- of which Frank, the title character's father, was definitely one of.

Loud, obnoxious, opinionated, rude, and a bit on the sloppy side, Frank somehow managed to still be endearing, at least to the audience. (His own family might have felt a bit differently most of the time.) Blunt to the extreme, Frank is always happy to explain to people exactly how he sees things, whether they want to hear his opinions or not. His saving graces are his sense of humor ... and the fact that he truly does care about his family, even if he doesn't always know the best way to show it.


2. George Bluth, Sr.

Arrested Development is a show all about screwy family members, but you have to give special props to George Senior, who is in something of a class by himself. His fraudulent spending of company money (landing him in jail, while his poverty-stricken wife and kids were left to cope on their own) was only the beginning.

There's his continued insistence on setting his kids up against each other. There's also his jail break, that time he faked his own death, and the possibility that he may or may not have had dealings with Saddam Hussein. He's had two religious awakenings, is the inventor of the Cornballer (a product which has been banned in most countries), and once committed what he refers to as "light treason."

Like many great TV dads, George Bluth, Sr. is the type of guy you might not want him in your house -- but he sure is a lot of fun to watch.


3. Captain Sisko

 

While Star Trek: Deep Space Nine got a fair bit of critical acclaim, it never reached the heights of popularity that the original series, or The Next Generation, managed to reach. The show did, however, have its own unique charm, as well as a veritable treasure trove of well-developed characters.

One such character was Benjamin Sisko, the central character of the show. And of the five Star Trek captains, Sisko is the only one to have a family: he's the single, widowed father to his twelve-year-old son, Jake.

Making Sisko a father gave him a unique role in the annuals of Trek lore. Never before had we seen a Starfleet captain take on the equally difficult duty of raising a child. But Sisko is more than equal to the task, and there's the suggestion that the patience, wisdom, understanding, and humor that make him such a good captain are precisely what make him such a good father -- and vice versa.


4. Darth Vadar

No list of fictional fathers would be complete without Darth Vader, the dark-helmeted, black-cloaked bad guy of the original Star Wars films, who rules the galaxy with an iron fist as sidekick to the evil Emperor Palpatine. (Don't tell him I called him a sidekick, though!)

Still, as you probably know, what really makes Vader such a memorable baddie is the fact that he's got a family-sized tie to our hero, Luke Skywalker: Vader just so happens to be Luke's dad. (And you thought your relatives were bad.)

The plot twist of Vader being Luke's father is remembered as one of the biggest story reveals in modern pop culture. And, aside from making for two really great picture books, it also sets up all kinds of drama, betrayal, and redemption throughout the films. Sounds like any family reunion!


5. Homer Simpson

"D'oh!"  He's the star of America's longest running sitcom, cartoon or otherwise. The Simpsons has earned 27 Emmy awards, 30 Annie awards (an award given for excellence in animation), and a Peabody award during its 24-season run. The Simpson family has even been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Homer Simpson himself has served as the quintessential cartoon dad for so long that describing him almost seems redundant. Animated dads like South Park's Randy Marsh and Family Guy's Peter Griffin owe a debt to Homer -- who, along with his family, ushered in a new era of primetime animation.

That's not a bad accomplishment for a bumbling guy like Homer, who is happiest with a can of Duff beer in one hand and a doughnut in the other. Homer's got a lazy streak, and he's not always the most intelligent guy on the block. Still, like all good dads, Homer truly cares about his family -- making The Simpsons a show both hilarious and heartwarming.



-- Post by Ms. B

Staff Recommendation #17: The Prisoner

"I am not a number, I am a free man!"

In June 1968, CBS broadcast The Prisoner, a show that was unlike anything that had been on television before, or, some may say, since. An English import, originally produced by ITC, it starred Patrick McGoohan as the prisoner. McGoohan was known to US television audiences as John Drake in  the successful Secret Agent (aka Danger Man).

The premise of The Prisoner is the story of a spy who, after resigning from the agency he worked for, wakes up in The Village (surrounded by the sea and mountains) where no one has a name and everyone is referred to by a number. Our agent is known as Number Six, a title he never uses for himself. The Village is run by Number Two, who isn't always the same person.

The goal of The Village seems to be to keep people with important information from sharing those secrets with the wrong people. As for Number Six, the authorities want to know why he resigned. Number Six is not about to tell them, even though they seem to know a lot about him and offer him a position of great authority if he reveals his reasons.

Throughout the series, many devices are used to get Number Six to share his secrets. Some of those devices are brainwashing, drugs, manipulation, and deceit. Number Six also tries to escape The Village on many occasions, but with little success. No one ever escapes The Village. Any attempts made are usually stopped by Rover, a large balloon-like object that smothers people.

Although not officially credited, Patrick McGoohan came up with the idea for the show during the final season of Secret Agent Man. McGoohan supposedly had five or six good script ideas, but ITC executives wanted 30 episodes, which was standard for the time. It's also been reported that McGoohan had a seven episode mini-series in mind, but ITC wanted 26. Seventeen episodes were made, which is an unusual amount. There are different reports as to why. Some say that they ran out of story ideas, and others say the show cost too much money and was taking too long in production.

Despite the choppy production schedule, the show is given a resolution of sorts. Of course, the ending is very open for interpretation and has been debated by fans and critics over the years.

Whatever the story behind the number of episodes or how the show ended, The Prisoner is still one of the most interesting and unique shows ever made. I discovered the show about 20 years ago and found it intriguing, entertaining, and thought provoking. The show reflected the issues of its time -- the Vietnam War, recreational drug use, and alternative life styles, among others. It also takes a look at the control that organizations can have over people. Number Six fights against whoever is trying to manipulate him. As he so famously says in many episodes, "I am not a number, I am a free man!"

The popularity of the show has endured for almost 50 years. Like many other cult shows, there is a fan club (Six of One) which holds an annual convention in Portmeirion, Wales, the filming location for the Village.

If you like your television thought-provoking as well as highly entertaining, then make sure to check out this incredible show.


-- Post by Tracy

Summer In The City

Starting Friday, June 7, The Three Rivers Arts Festival will run for 10 days, ending on June 16. This popular, annual event will feature live music, an artist market, gallery exhibitions and films suitable for the whole family.

Make sure to take advantage of this and many other events happening around Western Pennsylvania. We live in a great area, so go out and enjoy!

Fairs and Festivals
Who doesn't love a carnival? Below are just a few of the fairs and festivals that will be happening this summer.

--Big Butler Fair (June 28 - July 6)

--Pittsburgh Pride Fest (June 16)

--Fort Armstrong Folk Festival (August 1 thru August 4)

--The Art Festival on Walnut (August 24 and 25)


Museums
Western PA has many museums to cover almost all interests.

--Carnegie Museums (Art, Natural History, The Andy Warhol, The Science Center)

--Senator John Heinz History Center

--The Fort Pitt Musuem

--The Westmoreland Museum of American Art

--Pennsylvania Trolley Museum

Sports
There is a long history of sports in Pittsburgh and the summer is a great time to take in a game or two.

--Pittsburgh Pirates

--Pittsburgh Passion

--Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Outdoor Music Festivals and Concerts
In addition to the live music at the Three Rivers Arts Festival, there are plenty of other local music events going on this summer.

--Monroeville Summer Concert Series

--First Fridays at the Frick

--Allegheny County Summer Concert Series

--Laurel Highlands Bluegrass Festival

--Summer Sounds (Greensburg)

And Even More Interesting Places and Things to Do!

--Phipps Conservatory

--Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village

--Fort Ligonier

--Farmer's Markets (interactive map from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. And don't forget we have a wonderful farmer's market, right here in Monroeville!)

--Drive Ins (still a great way to spend a summer evening)


May sure you check out VisitPittsburgh for even more events going on around the city.



-- Post by Tracy