Topic

Art, Culture & Design

A collection of 74 issues

The Pavlova Wars: Unraveling the Sweet Mystery of a Trans-Tasman Dessert

The Pavlova, a meringue dessert named for ballerina Anna Pavlova, is fiercely claimed by both Australia and New Zealand. While the debate rages, research suggests its true origins are European, predating the iconic dancer's tour and making this a truly international affair.

Hollywood's Age-Bending Secret: How Johnny Depp Was Older Than His On-Screen Mother in 'Blow'

In the 2001 film 'Blow,' Johnny Depp was surprisingly five years older than Rachel Griffiths, the actress who played his mother. This fascinating bit of movie trivia highlights the magic of performance, makeup, and Hollywood's unique approach to casting across different ages.

Watching Paint Dry: The Story of a 10-Hour Protest Film That Trolled the Censors

To protest the UK's expensive film classification system, filmmaker Charlie Lyne crowdfunded a 10-hour movie of paint drying. He then forced the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) to watch the entire tedious spectacle to grant it a rating, highlighting censorship by cost.

From a Breakup to a Breakthrough: The Wild Transformation of The Doors' 'The End'

The Doors' 12-minute epic 'The End' is famed for its dark, Oedipal themes. But it began as a simple, sad song Jim Morrison wrote about a breakup with his girlfriend, Mary Werbelow, before live improvisation on the Sunset Strip transformed it into a mythological masterpiece.

Beyond Pulp Fiction: The Ancient, Multicultural Journey of 'Misirlou'

The iconic surf-rock anthem 'Misirlou' from *Pulp Fiction* wasn't born in 1960s California. It's an ancient folk song from the Ottoman Empire, shared by Greek, Arab, and Jewish cultures for centuries. Its name, 'Misirlou,' simply means 'Egyptian Woman.'

Your Childhood Was a Lie: Grimm's Fairy Tales are French and King Arthur is Fan-Fiction

Your favorite 'German' fairy tales? Many were French stories collected from Huguenot descendants by the Grimms. And King Arthur? The legendary British king's most famous tales, including Lancelot and the Grail quest, were essentially popular French fanfiction from the 12th century.

How a German 'Sound of Music' Replaced 'Do-Re-Mi' with a Stroke of Genius

A 2005 German production of 'The Sound of Music' cleverly replaced the iconic 'Do-Re-Mi' song. Instead of solfège, it used mnemonics to teach the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, H, making the musical lesson culturally relevant and understandable for a German-speaking audience.