¸ The words to Little Richard's "Tutti Frutti" were initially so risqué they had to be completely rewritten - in the hallway of the studio, as time was running out - before the song could be recorded. (He wrote the original version while working as a dishwasher in a bus station in Georgia.) ¸ Paul Simon's 1972 hit "Mother and Child Reunion" takes its name from an elaborate chicken and egg dish served at Say Eng Look Restaurant in New York City. ¸ Nirvana's huge hit "Smells Like Teen Spirit," interpreted by music critics and fans alike as an angst-ridden cry of teen rebellion, actually sprang from a bit of graffiti accusing Kurt Cobain of smelling like an antiperspirant for young women.From the Trade Paperback edition.

Offbeat movie buffs, discerning video renters, and critical viewers will benefit from this roll call of the best overlooked films of the last 70 years. Richard Crouse, film critic and host of television’s award-winning Reel to Real, details his favorite films, from the sublime Monsoon Wedding to the ridiculous Eegah! The Name Written in Blood. Each movie is featured with a detailed description of plot, notable trivia tidbits, critical reviews, and interviews with actors and filmmakers. Featured interviews include Bill Wyman on a little-known Rolling Stones documentary, schlockmeister Lloyd Kaufman on the history of the Toxic Avenger, reclusive writer and director Hampton Fancher on his film The Minus Man, and B-movie hero Bruce Campbell on playing Elvis Presley in Bubba Ho-Tep. Sidebars feature quirky details, including legal disclaimers and memorable quotes.