(COLD SHOW OPEN)
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
Pan's People do the "Monster Mash" -
Bobby "Boris" Pickett And The Crypt-Kickers
(Halloween 1962, highest chart pos. #1,
ver. 2 of dance perf. by Pan's People on
Sept. 13, 1973, ep. of Top Of The Pops)
Sept. 13, 1973, ep. of Top Of The Pops)
Halloween's fast approaching and what better way to get into the spirit
than with a zesty dance routine by the lovely and talented Pan's People
from the English music television series Top Of The Pops? In that
vintage clip from Halloween season 1973, Pan's Peeps did the
"Mash"... they did the "Monster Mash," shaking their groove
things to Bobby (Boris) Pickett's nifty novelty number,
a record that originally charted at Halloween 1962.
than with a zesty dance routine by the lovely and talented Pan's People
from the English music television series Top Of The Pops? In that
vintage clip from Halloween season 1973, Pan's Peeps did the
"Mash"... they did the "Monster Mash," shaking their groove
things to Bobby (Boris) Pickett's nifty novelty number,
a record that originally charted at Halloween 1962.
Hi there. I'm
Alan Shore
Alan Shore
and you're not.
I got that one
from Chevy Chase.
I got that one
from Chevy Chase.
(BA-DUM-BUMP)
Unless you've been hiding out on planet Pluto for the last hundred years,
you know that I'm the hot shot lawyer who starred in not one but two
hit courtroom dramedies, namely The Practice and Boston Legal.
On season 8 of The Practice, I swept in, grabbed the reins and singlehandedly
resurrected the struggling Boston law firm of Young, Frutt, and Berluti. When
that blew up I moved across town, shook up the establishment and proved
myself the best and most libidinous lawyer at my BFF Denny Crane's
myself the best and most libidinous lawyer at my BFF Denny Crane's
shop Crane, Poole & Schmidt as the star of Boston Legal.
A little more about me: My hobbies are women, incessant flirting, women,
getting even, women, invading personal space, women and crossing
the line in imaginative ways. Did I mention women? Scroll down
to view more examples of my libertine libido in action:
the line in imaginative ways. Did I mention women? Scroll down
to view more examples of my libertine libido in action:
As you can see, I never got the memo about political correctness.
When I'm not busy going rogue... I'm a loose cannon.
I smoke nasty cigars.....
I consume mass quantities of alcohol. I have even been known
to jaywalk on occasion... and these are my good qualities.
Gotta love me... or not.
Be that as it may, I am the most loyal
friend you'll ever find, and trust me,
you don't want me as an enemy.
Recently Shady Del Knight hired me to
spice up his Bandstands in Foreign Lands
series. My first order of business was to
raid the archives and seize the clips of
dancing damsels on Top Of The Pops.
You see, I am absolutely ob-SESSED
with attractive women, especially
when they are whirling and twirling
and jiggling and gyrating on stage.
Which brings me to the point of this post. Effective immediately I'll be hosting
Letch Dance, a new Shady's Place feature that shines the spotlight on the lovely
ladies of Pan's People, Ruby Flipper and Legs & Co, the happy hoofers who
appeared on Top Of The Pops from 1968 through 1981. Letch Dance is
a blog series that thinks it's a radio show. Big fun is literally waiting
in the wings, but first allow me to deliver my opening statement.
ladies of Pan's People, Ruby Flipper and Legs & Co, the happy hoofers who
appeared on Top Of The Pops from 1968 through 1981. Letch Dance is
a blog series that thinks it's a radio show. Big fun is literally waiting
in the wings, but first allow me to deliver my opening statement.
PAN'S PEOPLE (JULY 1968 TO APRIL 1976)
Your honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, over the years these young women
have been looked down upon by certain segments of society. Essentially they
have been tried and convicted in the court of public opinion. I say don't
hate them just because they're beautiful and graceful on their feet.
I say don't judge them just because they chose to make a few
extra pounds sterling shaking their booties on TV.
I say don't judge them just because they chose to make a few
extra pounds sterling shaking their booties on TV.
I can cite precedent. In a landmark
decision in 1956, Supreme Court
Justice Richard Penniman wrote
the following opinion, and I quote:
The girl can't help it if she was born to please
She can't help it, the girl can't help it
And if she's got a figure made to squeeze
She can't help it, the girl can't help it
Now I'm not about to subject you to the same old tired song and dance routine.
These bopping, Bunny Hopping Brit birds are fresh faced, vivacious and exciting.
LEGS & CO (NOVEMBER 1976 TO OCTOBER 1981)
For years they helped make Top Of The Pops the toast of the town,
and they made a little bread in the process. I'm on a roll... so without
further ado... letch the music play and letch the dancing begin!
and they made a little bread in the process. I'm on a roll... so without
further ado... letch the music play and letch the dancing begin!
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
Here's the ideal music bed for a fan-made tribute to the classy lassies
of Pan's People and Legs & Co. It's "Hot Legs," a rowdy song from
of Pan's People and Legs & Co. It's "Hot Legs," a rowdy song from
Rod Stewart's 1977 album Foot Loose & Fancy Free. Have at it!
"Hot Legs" - Rod Stewart
(Mar./Apr. 1978, highest chart pos. #25 Cash Box/#28 Hot 100,
(Mar./Apr. 1978, highest chart pos. #25 Cash Box/#28 Hot 100,
fan tribute to Pan's People and Legs & Co on Top Of The Pops)
RUBY FLIPPER (MAY TO OCTOBER 1976)
Now let's give Ruby Flipper some sugar and watch them perform.
Remember, if the Ruby Flipper doesn't fit... you must acquit.
Ask me what I'm thinking as the girls get their kicks to
this hit tune by Walter Murphy, and I'll plead the fifth!
"A Fifth Of Beethoven" - Walter Murphy & the Big Apple Band
(Aug thru Oct. 1976, highest chart pos. #1 Hot 100 & Cash Box,
dance perf. by Ruby Flipper on Top Of The Pops)
I hope you enjoyed this sneak preview
of my new blog series that thinks
it's a radio show. The evidence
presented proves beyond a shadow
that Pan's People, Ruby Flipper
and Legs & Co... troupers one
and all, are highly skilled in the
art of terpsichore, and they
aren't bad at dancing either.
BA-DUM-BUMP)
I'm Alan Shore bidding you farewell. I promise
there'll be much more music and merriment
when I make my next appearance
at Shady's Place and cry:
Letch Dance!
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
To play us off, here again are Pan's People
with a second Halloween treat, a different
version of their "Monster Mash" routine.
Bye bye!
"Monster Mash" - Bobby "Boris" Pickett And The Crypt-Kickers
(ver. 1 promo of dance perf. by Pan's People on
Sept. 13, 1973, ep. of Top Of The Pops)
Tom,
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting CAAC this morning. I'm sorry for the disappointment with no Friendly Fillins. Yesterday I forgot to borrow them to put in my post in time but I corrected my goof after reading your comment. ;)
What a fun new series! Great mewsic with beautiful, scantily dressed women with legs!!
I love James Spader as Raymond Reddington in Blacklist! We haven't watched either of these courtroom dramas but I'm quite interested in checking them out.
Before I leave, let me remind you assuming I told you in the first place, that starting tonight we'll be on vacation...okay, it's a staycation but anytime we can get some R&R days then I don't care what it is called. I'm ready to unwind with my hon! Not to worry, I have a plenty of scheduled content ready to publish even though I won't be around, much, in Blogosphere for the next two weeks.
Have a good weekend, my friend. Stay safe and healthy!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThanks for making time for a visit and claiming the early bird spot this week, dear friend!
Maybe it's a good thing I visit your blog so early in the morning so that I can alert you about missing segments before other readers arrive. :) I'll be back over to CAAC shortly to check out the material I missed.
I'm glad you're excited about Alan Shore's new series at Shady's Place. Yessum, Alan loves the ladies, and he will be bringing you the best of the female dance troupe performances from Top Of The Pops and other mewsic TV shows of the 70s.
If you enjoy Spader in Blacklist (which Mrs. Shady and I also do), then I think you'll love his antics on The Practice and Boston Legal. William Shatner (as Denny Crane) is a hoot in Boston Legal, and Denny will be poking his head in on every volume of Alan's series "Letch Dance," so stay tuned.
Yessum, I know you are beginning a staycation with DH. I wish you both lots of good times and great food during your break. I will check out your posts while you are away, especially the results of your band battle which looks like it's going be another nail biter.
Thanks again for coming so early and have a safe and happy weekend, dear friend Cathy!
Ah, James Spader, who was (is) beyond great at playing rogues. You don’t like his character, but can’t help watching and secretly look forward to seeing more. (Don’t tell anybody that I said that)
ReplyDeleteThank you for putting the spotlight on the dancers who seldom got the publicity they deserved. What would pop music have been yesterday and today without the energy, grace and fun that the dancers add to the music. Michael Jackson showed us that.
I haven’t been around Blogger much the past few weeks and I am sorry that I missed some of your posts. I will go back and check them out.
Hi, Arleen!
DeleteI'm delighted to see you, dear friend. Welcome back to Shady's Place!
I'm happy to know you appreciate James Spader's ability to flesh out rogue characters. Remember him giving Molly Ringwald fits as Steff McKee in Pretty in Pink? Two of my other favorite Spader films are the 1996 psycho thriller Crash with Holly Hunter and the 2002 movie Secretary opposite the amazing Maggie Gyllenhaal.
I am also pleased that you appreciate this new Alan Shore series which will primarily pay tribute to the dancing women on Top Of The Pops. I am sad to say that several of the gals you will see in the vintage clips in this series died too young (in the 60 to 70 age range), making their performances all the more meaningful to those of us who admired their beauty and talent.
I hope you are getting used to the new Blogger interface. Me no likey! I value your friendship and support and always appreciate your visits and comments, Arleen. Thank you again for dropping by. Take care and have a wonderful weekend, dear friend!
Ha, well it's interesting how visuals can change our entire perception of a song... whether music videos or dancing Pan's People. ;)
ReplyDeleteThe Monster Mash is always welcome this time of the year!
Hi, Kelly!
DeleteThanks for coming over on day one, dear friend!
Yessum, you are certainly right about that. The TOTP dance troupes featured in Alan Shore's new series performed their interpretations of hit recordings. Led by choreographer Flick Colby, founding member of Pan's People who died too soon at the age of 65, the ladies typically had only a couple of days to prepare their dance routines for the show and find the right costumes. Now that I have seen Pan's People perform two different versions of Bobby Pickett's "Monster Mash" horror hit, I will never again hear the song w/o thinking of the costumes and dance steps in these two PP performances on TOTP during Halloween season 1973.
Thanks again for being here for the first installment of "Letch Dance," a blog series that THINKS it's a radio show. Enjoy your weekend, dear friend Kelly!
Ahh this is like the old fashioned burlesque but with their clothes on and they are good dancers especially the one who does ballet. I wonder whatever happened to them? I never watched Boston legal because I don't like James Spader but I heard about his bromance with William Shatner
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
DeleteWelcome back to Shady's Place, dear friend!
Gee, I'm surprised you don't care for James Spader. Off the top of my head, he's my favorite actor. Yessum, on Boston Legal, Spader's character Alan Shore and Shatner's character Denny Crane are BFFs. The chemistry between the two is essential to the series, and in one episode they actually sleep together. I urge you to give Boston Legal a try. The Practice is another great legal dramedy that Mrs. Shady and I highly recommend.
Some of the women who danced on Top Of The Pops from the 60s thru early 80s are still around, doing public appearances and granting interviews.
Sadly three principal members of the Pan's People troupe succumbed to illness while still in the 60 to 70 year age range. They include PP founder and choreographer Flick Colby and members Louise Clarke and Ruth Pearson.
Thanks again for your visit and comment, dear friend BB!
Happy Halloween...almost! I do love Monster Mash and it appears at our parties every year. We don't have the dancers but the decor is similar! James Spader is creepy/sleazy enough for any creepy party! I think it's his eyes. I hope he's a nicer person in person for goodness sakes! I give big kudos to anyone who can dance in spike heels, or platform heels, or even flats! The last chair group reminded me of a class I want to take...Choga...yoga in a chair is my speed! I'm glad I came for the preview and the Mash on this beautiful Fall Friday. Have a great weekend Shady! Big hugs and spooky greetings!
ReplyDeleteHi, YaYa!
DeleteHappy H-ween to you, dear friend! Thanks for coming over to experience the first installment of lovable lecherous lawyer Alan Shore's new series which shines the spotlight on the talented dancers that performed on the British TV music show Top Of The Pops. Every boomer knows the novelty horror hit "Monster Mash," and Pan's People put together not one, but two different dance routines using the song. Each version has its own set, props and costumes. I was thrilled to find both versions available on YouTube and plug them into the debut of Alan Shore's Letch Dance.
Like you I have often wondered what James Spader is like in real life. On IMDB I found the following:
<< Is quick to point out that, unlike the sleazy, sneaky characters he is best known for playing, he is actually a nice, friendly man in real life. >>
That's reassuring! Spader certainly is a gifted actor, one who has given us many great performances and memorable characters over the years. I mentioned some of his standout projects in my reply to Arleen. To that list I would like to add the films Less Than Zero, Sex, Lies & Videotape, White Palace and Critical Care with Kyra Sedgwick.
I'll have to ask Mrs. Shady if she ever did Choga. I know she recently attended a yoga class that was conducted in a "sweat lodge" with the temp set above 90 degrees! Sound like fun????? :)
I'm glad you are having a beautiful fall Friday up your way, and I hope the fine weather holds over the weekend. Thanks again for coming, dear friend YaYa!
Good afternoon friend Shady! Hot Legs is one of my favorite Rod Stewart songs! James Spader plays a great bad guy. I remember him from Sex, Lies and Videotape, a movie I considered pretty racy at the time. Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteJanet’s Smiles
Hi, Janet!
DeleteThanks for swinging over, dear friend!
I'm happy to have you on hand for the debut of Alan Shore's Letch Dance, a series that thinks it's a radio show (and seems destined to become one someday). I love the original music video for "Hot Legs" which shows Rod and his boys hanging out with locals in the town of Piru, California, outside of Los Angeles. Rod calls "Hot Legs" one of his "dirty, rude, shagging songs."
Yessum, I listed Sex, Lies as one of my favorite James Spader films. I read that Spader refuses to watch any of his movies. Go figure! If you want to see Spader at his twisted best, watch his movie Crash co-starring Holly Hunter and his movie Secretary with Maggie Gyllenhaal.
I hope you like the concept of Alan Shore's series that will pay tribute to the three main dance companies on London's Top Of The Pops, some members still living, some sadly departed.
Thanks again for coming by, dear friend Janet. I wish you and Benny a terrific weekend as well!
I feel like I'm in 1920s Berlin.
ReplyDeleteI forgot about "A Fifth of Beethoven". I would have just been entering the ninth grade. "Hot Legs" when I was in the tenth grade. "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy", I believe, was shortly thereafter. Also, Rod Stewart married George Hamilton's ex, a fact that for some reason has stayed with me all these years.
I read somewhere that, rather than have somebody imitate him, Boris Karloff himself once performed the "Monster Mash" on some TV show in the 1960s. I've looked in vain for that performance, but it doesn't seem to have been recorded for posterity, i.e., exist on the internet.
Hi, Kirk!
DeleteThanks for coming by, good buddy!
I'm happy to have you here to experience Alan Shore's burlesque show, the first edition of his new series Letch Dance featuring the wiggling, jiggling damsels of Legs & Co, Ruby Flipper and Pan's People.
I'm pleased that you haven't heard "A Fifth" in a while and that it brought back memories. I'm sure you remember Hooked on Classics which was also part of the classical disco craze of the period. Hooked on Classics was released the same year that Stars on 45 rose to fame and released albums and extended play singles covering the Beatles, ABBA, Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder and many other artists in seamless medley format. Rod Stewart was at his swaggering, rowdy best from the late 70s to mid 80s. I recall it as an exciting time in music because those were my clubbing years.
I vaguely recall Boris imitating himself singing "The Monster Mash," but I can't name the program. I certainly hope you have watched The Practice and Boston Legal, two of the finest shows ever brought to television. If not I hope you'll check your listings and run through the series in that order, because Spader's character Alan Shore and Shatner's Denny Crane are both introduced on The Practice and spun-off to Boston Legal.
Thanks again for joining the fun, good buddy Kirk!
Hi Alan! Congratulations on your new post to post! Letch Dance is a pretty catchy name for your new series. I have to say you remind me a bit of one of my favorite "younger" actors, James Spader! He was a pretty hot dude back in the day, and still catches my eye some. I never did watch Boston Legal much, just a few episodes. I think the series interfered with another program that I was watching.
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of Bobby "Boris" Pickett's "Monster Mash". I also have a video of his song on You Tube showing photos I took at a famous haunted place called "The Baker Hotel", that sits in Mineral Wells, Texas. Your closing video of the song with Pan's People is my favorite on your post.
Rod Stewart's "Hot Legs" is a rowdy song, and a great one. I don't hear much of Rod's music on my classic station, so I really enjoyed hearing this one with Legs & Co. "A Fifth of Beethoven" is truly one cool song. It's not easy for the lay person to dance to, but the talented Ruby Flippers pulled it off.
Well, Mr. Wheedles, it was fun! I am so glad to see you as a host at Shady's Place. Have a great weekend, and say hello to Shady for me!
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteThanks for making time to come by on your weekend and check out Alan Shore's new series which will feature the professional female dancers on England's music TV series Top Of The Pops as well as those on Germany's Beat-Club, Musikladen and other Euro music programs from the late 60s thru the early 80s.
I'm glad you like James Spader. Mrs. Shady and I are currently binge watching Boston Legal for the third or fourth time. It's available on Hulu if you subscribe to that service and we highly recommend it.
I'm also glad you are a fan of the novelty horror ditty "Monster Mash" and that your Pick to Click for the post is the closing video of Pan's People dancing to the song. I went to YouTube just now and searched for that video you mentioned showing the haunted Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells. I couldn't find it. Next I visited your Kard Korner blog and hunted for your YouTube link but couldn't find it either. Can you please provide me with a link to your video? While on Kard Korner I noticed in the right column that you paid tribute to Bobby "Boris" Pickett and his immortal monster song. That's nice of you, dear friend! For the first time I also saw that prize winning pic of you dressed as a witch - "The Prettiest Witch in the West." :)
It's funny. Pan's People were a smash hit with fans, especially the men. In interviews decades later, the women said men would come to the studio and watch them rehearse, and that marriage proposals were common. In the spring of 1976, choreographer/founder Flick Colby decided to retire Pan's People and form another group called Ruby Flipper that introduced male dancers into the mix. (See photo in the post.) The male members of Ruby Flipper didn't go over as well with viewers, and soon Ruby Flipper gave way to Legs & Co which regained the approval of fans and saw the series through to Halloween 1981. By that time MTV was a phenomenon and female dancers were featured in music videos, rendering the TOTP dancers obsolete. Regardless another mixed gender dance troupe called The Zoo was introduced on the show and they carried on for two more years until H-ween 1983. From that point through 1986, various professional dancers occasionally appeared on stage and some were also planted among the studio dancers, but they remained unnamed.
Thank you again for checking out Alan Shore's Letch Dance. Rumor has it that Alan will be back with another "sneak preview," and after that he will join The Shady Bunch staff as a full time DJ. Stick around for my next post on Thursday when a famous and much loved DJ will be spinning some of his favorite oldies. I hope you like his lineup of artists and songs.
Thanks again for your kind visit and generous comment, dear friend Suzanne. Take care of Scootie and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
https://youtu.be/9pP_QD__kyE Hi Shady. I hope this is the link to my Baker Hotel video on YouTube. It is under the title The Baker Hotel Mineral Wells, TX. I took the photos, even manipulated a couple of them with bats and fog and a Frankenstein sitting in a window.
DeleteHave a great Sunday, dear friend!
Hi again, Suzanne!
DeleteThanks for returning with that link. I enjoyed your video! It prompted me to go to Wiki and trace the history of the grand Baker Hotel. It must have been a spectacular place to stay (and soak) in those early years. I am surprised that a facility located in a smaller community yet offering so much room capacity and extravagance was able to thrive so long before going into decline. How about that large prickly pear cactus growing in the roof gutter? It's a shame the ravages of time and vandalism have taken their toll on the great building. I read that plans are moving forward to restore and reopen the Baker by 2022. Keep me posted on the progress.
While I was on your channel I also reviewed some of your other videos. They bring back memories of happy years when Karo was still with you. Those videos were produced when you and I were first becoming friends. I am thankful to have your ongoing friendship and support all these years, Suzanne. Thanks again for your visits and comments and have a nice Sunday, dear friend!
Thank you for going back to review some of the fun Karo and I had. Actually, recording and putting music together is a job, and that makes one appreciate the work that goes into a successful song and album.
DeleteHere is the actually link to the blog post I wrote on the Baker Hotel, and I manipulated some of my photos for Halloween kicks.
Thank you Shady, and have a nice Sunday!
https://kardkornerkrib.blogspot.com/2011/10/old-tricksnew-treats.html
Thanks, dearie!
DeleteI read your old post and enjoyed it. You added some chilling H-ween FX to those first two pictures. I don't remember if I told you, but when Mrs. Shady and I visited Mexico last year, we went to place where you could soak your tired bones in mineral spring pools. As I recall there were five pools in all. Each had its own water temperature and mineral concentration with natural additives. We got in all five pools and it was heavenly. We wished we could stay in them all day. Afterward we found a quiet, private spot in the park, stretched out on recliners and fell asleep in the shade. I think it was the best nap I ever took.
Thanks again for being a true blue friend, Suzanne. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and the week ahead!
Hello from Winterland Alberta, Canada, friend Shady :) Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteHi, cat!
DeleteHow are you, dear friend? I hope you are in good health, keeping your spirits up and spending quality time with your kitty Theo Thunderbutt. It's hot down here, making it easy to forget that colder weather and snow are returning to your part of Canada. Bundle up and hunker down.
Thank you for your kind visit, dear friend cat!