Holiday: Peter Weyland Day

On this day in 1977, Close Encounters of The Third Kind premiered in Los Angeles, California. Directed and largely written by Steven Spielberg, this movie introduced an edgy awe and wonder to the possibility of alien abduction, which was otherwise considered to be an unfortunate fate, or at least an awkward topic at mixers. The film also did a great job displaying the obsessive side of the characters, Roy and Jillian, who were “called” to be involved through their persistent drive and through their artwork—mashed potatoes became a viable sculpture medium after this film.
An encounter of “the third kind” means a human observation of extraterrestrials as animate beings, as defined by Project Blue Book Ufologist, J. Allen Hynek. Spielberg had been fascinated by space and UFOs since his father took him to watch a meteor shower as a kid. He managed to stay within a $19 million production budget for Close Encounters, despite all the special effects.
Steve McQueen, James Caan, Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson, and Gene Hackman all turned down the lead role. Richard Dreyfuss convinced Spielberg to cast him while he was working on the movie Jaws. “I would walk by Steve’s office and say stuff like ‘Al Pacino has no sense of humor’ or ‘Jack Nicholson is too crazy,’” Dreyfuss said. “I eventually convinced him to cast me.”

Music Du Jour: John Williams’ Close Encounters Soundtrack

Films Du Jour:

• Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
• Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Ultra HD)

Miscellaneous:

• President Teddy Roosevelt established Devils Tower as the first national monument in the U.S. in 1906
• Potato sculptor, Ray Villafane, and mashed potato sculptures from the Culinary Academy of India
• Close Encounters Trivia
• Kate McKinnon’s Close Encounter sketches on SNL
• Movie poster

Snacks Du Jour:  Mashed potatoes, McDonalds

Cocktail Du Jour – Close Encounters of the Slurred Kind Cocktail

This recipe is from Gone with the Gin: Cocktails with a Hollywood Twist

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz grapefruit juice
• 4 oz hefeweizen beer
• 1 oz club soda

Stir tequila, juice, and beer in a weird looking glass with ice. Top with club soda. Alien straw is optional.

Mocktail Du Jour – Close Encounters of the Slurred Kind Mocktail

• 2 oz Ritual Zero Proof Tequila
• 1 oz grapefruit juice
• 4 oz Weihenstephaner Hefe Non-Alcoholic Beer
• 1 oz club soda

Stir tequila alternative, juice, and near beer in a weird looking glass with ice. Top with club soda. Alien straw is optional.

Beer Du Jour

Any UFO label

Wine Du Jour

Châteauneuf-du-Pape (here’s why)

Also Forte Incanto Salice Salentino Bianco pairs well with potato sculptures

Use freshly squeezed citrus in your cocktails and mocktails when called for – It makes such a difference! Here’s a reliable and inexpensive juicer.

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Photo by Vasilis Karkalas: https://www.pexels.com/photo/low-angle-shot-of-the-devils-tower-in-wyoming-11531440