Cracked Rear Viewer’s 2018 Year in Review

Happy New Year, Dear Readers! 2018 was a banner year here at Cracked Rear Viewer, with a record-breaking 58,214 views from 36,781 visitors. As Sally Field said, “You like me, you really like me!”. I appreciate all the support for my efforts to entertain and enlighten you about classic film, TV, music, and pop culture. In fact, I appreciate you so much, it’s time to put the spotlight on YOU…

WHO ARE YOU?

You’re obviously a diverse and intelligent group of people who visit this site from various sources. Most of you arrive via Google Search, though following close behind is the Cracked Rear Viewer Facebook Page, where you also enjoy some bonus features. WordPress Reader is next, then CRV’s sister site Through the Shattered Lens , where Lisa, Arleigh, and the gang allow me to repost my musings (thanks, guys and gals!). The WordPress Android App was next, something that surprised me… guess you’re busy, on-the-go people like me!

What really never ceases to amaze me is all you Dear Readers around the globe! Though the United States remains first in readership (USA! USA!), rounding out the top ten are the UK, Canada, India, Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, France, Japan, and Italy. A special shout-out goes to those solo viewers in Cuba, Antigua, Granadines, Angola, San Marino, Bhutan, Fiji, Belize, Sudan, Mongolia, St. Kitts, Brunei, Gambia, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Guam, Tanzania, Caicos Islands, Botswana, and Moldova… please start spreading the word!

WHAT YOU LIKE 

Instead of the usual Top Ten of 2018 litany (everybody does that), I thought it would be interesting to see what you liked most on a month-by-month basis this past year:

January: Pre-Code Confidential #16: Gable & Harlow in RED DUST

Though you’re an eclectic bunch to be sure, I can tell by looking at this year’s stats you really dig films of the Pre-Code Era. There’ll be more to come in 2019, I promise!

February: Moanin’ Low: On Claire Trevor and KEY LARGO

You also liked different takes on classic films, such as this post spotlighting Claire Trevor’s Oscar-winning performance as the boozy gangster’s moll Gaye Dawn. I’m going to continue to challenge myself with more posts in this vein…

March: SUNSET BOULEVARD: Film Noir or Hollywood Horror Story?

…like this “Fresh Take” on an old favorite! Finding a way to add to the classic film conversation is my goal for 2019.

April: The Horror Stars of THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Believe it or not, this was a “throwaway” post I came up with after my annual Easter viewing of the Cecil B. DeMille epic, which surprised me when it became the most-viewed new post of the year! (Second place was another surprise: Familiar Faces #8: In Search of Angelique Pettyjohn . See, eclectic!)

     May: Drive-In Saturday Night: DR. GOLDFOOT AND THE BIKINI MACHINE & DR. GOLDFOOT AND THE GIRL BOMBS

I began a new series to go along with all the others (That’s Blaxploitation!,  Pre Code Confidential,  Rockin’ in the Film World, etc), and since I grew up loving those low budget 60’s & 70’s drive-in/exploitation movies, rest assured there’ll be more to come.

June: Forgotten Horror: THIRTEEN WOMEN

I’d never heard of this minor 30’s proto-slasher starring the exquisite Myrna Loy before, and was thrilled to bring some attention to it!

July: Pre Code Confidential #21: Wheeler & Woolsey in DIPLOMANIACS

I’m a latecomer to the comedy team of Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey, but quickly became a fan. Apparently, I’m not alone!

August: Pre Code Confidential #22: GABRIEL OVER THE WHITE HOUSE

See what I mean about you loving those Pre-Code films! This post caused a bit of controversy over on Facebook… but hey, what doesn’t these days, right?!?

September: Star Vehicle: Burt Reynolds in WHITE LIGHTNING

This 2017 post gained traction with the death of superstar Burt Reynolds. To find out how Burt landed me in Facebook jail, click this link!

October: Halloween Havoc: THE BLACK CAT

This year’s annual Halloween Havoc frightfest (31 horror movies in 31 days!) was devoted to Universal Horrors, and this first pairing of horror legends Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi (directed by Edgar G. Ulmer) topped the list. Halloween Havoc is a labor of love for me, not to mention a lot of work! I think I’ll start planning it sooner this year – like, next week!

November: The Origin of Billy Jack: BORN LOSERS

TCM ran a Billy Jack fest, and this post from 2016 became a popular read. For more on Tom Laughlin’s mystical martial arts master, see The Legend of BILLY JACK Continues,  Heavy Hitter: THE TRIAL OF BILLY JACK,  and Strange Bedfellows: BILLY JACK GOES TO WASHINGTON.  Now, if someone would air THE MASTER GUNFIGHTER…

December: 12 Days of Random Christmas Songs: “Santa Claus and His Old Lady” by Cheech & Chong

From 2017, the Godfathers of Stoner Humor’s Xmas comedy hit was the Yuletide season’s most popular post. More C&C, anybody?

WHAT’S NEXT?

Well, for me personally, I’m starting a new job tomorrow. It’s quite an ambitious project I’m pretty excited about, but it may have an effect on my postings for a time. I’ll be busy, busy, busy, but I’m going to keep the blog going as much as time permits. The Friday afternoon posts will probably fall by the wayside, and I really can’t say whether I’ll be able to maintain the three-times-a-week schedule. Time will tell…

I recently did an interview via email with John Greco over at the Classic Movie Blog Association – be on the lookout for that soon! Meanwhile, I’ll continue my mission to bring you Dear Readers the things you want to read. Let me know what you want more of (or less of, for that matter), and thank you all for your continued support – especially that guy over in Moldova! Happy 2019!