Pop Culture from an Alternate Dimension

         I previously mentioned that CBS made two pilot movies for a Captain America series that wasn't picked up. The year before they made a pilot for Dr. Strange that wasn't greenlit either. The story goes that after having Wonder Woman, The Hulk and Spider-Man, they didn't want to be known as the "superhero channel". What if they had leaned into it? They could have been CW before CW. So, before Netflix decided to put their heroes together as the Defenders, I present a crossover that should have been. It might even have been better than this:  The 1987 MARVEL Universe Macy’s THANKSGIVING Day Parade Float Is The GREATEST Thing You've Ever SEEN  

       I can find compilation CDs of music from the 40s, greatest hits of the 80s even, but I like something somewhat niche, so I had to make to my own CD. I like retro covers of modern music. I have an album Max Raabe and his orchestra, who does some covers of pop tunes, so he is included here. I found Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox on YouTube years ago and enjoyed many of his genre changing covers. Robyn Adele used to sing with him and started her own band. Richard Cheese and Black Velvet Flag tend to harsh sings and juxtapose them with a swinging sound. Artificial intelligence has changed the game and now there are MANY AI genre bending songs. I include one from WhatIfMusic. So, click below to listen versions of Suicidal Tendencies, Britney Spears, Limp Bizkit, Pearl Jam and more: Then That's What I Called Music - YouTube

      I have been doing a lot of DC comic characters so here's one for the Marvel fans. In 1977 CBS aired a pilot movie of Spider-Man that turned into a series that lasted two seasons. They aired two pilot movies of the Incredible Hulk that became a series lasting five seasons. They tried again in 1979 with Captain America. Two pilot movies were made with Reb Brown as the titular character, but it was not picked up as a series. Here is the DVD cover of the series that could have been.

  Today is Valentine's Day. Playlists of love songs will be recommended to you. Couples will send each other a playlist they collated for each other. Lovers will be listing to "their song". THIS is for the rest of us, songs that chronicle a break-up. From growing apart to moving on. If you feel like crying while listening to it, go ahead, let it out.  Put your earbuds in and listen to it here: Broken Hearted - YouTube

       In 1997's Spice World movie George Wendt ( Cheers ) and Mark McKinney ( The Kids in the Hall ) play two Hollywood types pitching a movie for the Spice Girls called Spice Force Five . What if that movie was made? I combined elements from Spice World  and the music video "Say You'll Be There" to make this version. Spice Girls - Say You'll Be There (Official Music Video)

       Soundtracks filled with popular music didn't start until the 1950s and rock 'n' roll. Before that, it was either musicals (where people sang their thoughts) or something like The Big Sleep , which had a score by Max Steiner and Lauren Bacall singing a song to patrons at a club. What if it was done the modern way but with songs from 1945/1946? For the opening credits I would have "Dreams" from the Pied Pipers. When Carmen Sternwood comes down the stairs and tries to sit on Philip Marlowe's lap while he is standing, I chose "Temptation". After Marlowe talks to General Sternwood and before he talks to Vivian Rutledge I have "Warm Mood". The scene with Dorothy Malone in the bookstore across from Geiger's would end with Stan Kenton's rendition of "Cocktails for Two". About 28 minutes into the film Marlowe returns to Geiger's house to look for clues which I have underscored with "Mysterioso". Bogart sitting ...