A moonlit movie premiere, a bright blue Charger, and a hilltop song you still catch yourself humming.

Evening, friend, Jack Reynolds checking in. Something about December 11 always puts me back in a crowded theater, kids rustling candy wrappers while a new Disney picture flickers to life. Tonight we will slip from that old movie house to a bright blue Charger that could shake your chest, and a hilltop song you might still hum while you wash the dishes. Those really were the days, am I right?

On December 11, 1970, Disney's The Aristocats lit up a Los Angeles movie house for its premiere. It was the studio's 20th animated feature, made for about 4 million dollars and earning roughly 191 million worldwide. My kids wore out the record. Click for the story behind those high-stepping cats.

1969 Dodge Charger R/T in bright blue was the bully of the boulevard. The R/T package started around $3,575 new and brought a 440 Magnum rated at 375 horsepower. Today good cars often sit in the $50,000 to $90,000 range. My brother dreamed of one. Click for specs, value charts, and buying tips.

Get Our Free AI Stock Report Before It’s Gone

Our latest Market Maven Insights report reveals 3 small-cap stocks triggering early buy-side signals. Access is free — but only for the next 48 hours.

By clicking this link you will automatically be subscribed to the Market Maven Newsletter. Privacy Policy

A&P on Crescent Street in Queens smelled like fresh bread and coffee when this shot was taken, and every mom knew the walk across those tracks. The self-serve A&P here later turned into a Key Food, and the block still sells groceries today. My wife remembers stores like this. Click for the full photo and the story on this block.

"I'd like to buy the world a Coke" floated off that hillside in 1971 and never really left our heads. Coke spent about $250,000 to finish the spot, big money then, and got more than 100,000 letters praising it. I still hum along. Click to watch the whole hilltop sing again.

Back in 1977, Mark Hamill was the young fellow playing Luke Skywalker and earning about $650,000 plus a tiny slice of the profits. These days his net worth sits around $20 million and he is still working in films and voice booths. I like seeing good guys land on their feet. Click to read his full story.

Invest Before the Crowd — Private Market Edge

Our latest report reveals how early-stage investing really works — the access, the risks, and the upside. If you’ve ever wondered how the big players get in before the headlines, this is a must-read.

By following the link above or using any of the links provided below, you're choosing to opt in to receive insightful updates from Wealth Creation Investing + 2 free bonus subscriptions! Privacy Policy.

Tonight's "Your Memory" comes from Ray in Missouri, thinking back to summer porch nights in 1963. He remembers a wooden swing, a box fan humming in the window, and fireflies blinking over the yard while the ballgame played on a little radio. My dad always said the best talks happened on porches. I think Ray would agree.

Tonight’s Quote comes from Yogi Berra, who liked to say, “If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.” I think of kids picking schools, or a young couple planning their first home. My dad always said to choose a road and stay steady. If you want his full story, you can read more about him here.

See you tomorrow. Same time, same station.

– Jack

Images are AI-generated or sourced from public-domain archives. Reader photos used with permission.