Classic film fans, prepare to have the hap-hap-happiest September since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny effing Kaye!

That’s because Kaye’s arguably most-beloved film that doesn’t involve a white Christmas, “The Inspector General,” earns a collector’s edition from Shout! Factory, due Sept. 20. In the 1949 musical comedy, Kaye plays an illiterate doofus mistaken for the title person by a town’s corrupt officials. They try to kill them. Yes, that’s right: assassination attempts mixed with musical comedy.

Shout!’s disc features a newly remastered print of the film, 17 minutes of color home movies taken on the set, and the 1938 comedy short “Money on Your Life,” in which Kaye also is chased by people who want to kill him. I’m sensing a pattern. —Rod Lott
 

I was lucky enough to get to hang out with Okie singer Samantha Crain recently, as she recorded her contribution to this year's Fowler Volkswagen Christmas compilation. You might recall last year's edition — of silly cover — which was recorded by Chris Harris at Hook Echo Sound and even spawned a really great free holiday concert. 

This year's edition currently is being recorded at Blackwatch Studios, and owner/producer Jarod Evans says the album will feature Colourmusic, Sherree Chamberlain, Chrome Pony, Ol' Savior and more, including Ryan Lindsey singing the wonderfully titled "I'm Coming Down Your Chimney." Nathan Poppe's been tapped to shoot a promotional music video for the album, and he subsequently tapped yours truly to help out.

Watching Sam work on her Oklahoma-themed girl-crush seasonal song with Jarod and Daniel Foulks, her friendly fiddle player was a delight. At first, they considered doing a Lucinda Williams number, but decided it'd be more fun to layer a bunch of vocals over a steady, crackling-fire beat with plenty of sleigh bells, like a '60s girl-group song. Of the tracks I've heard, it's my favorite so far. Looking forward to picking up a copy come Christmastime! Watch video of her and Daniel recording their parts. Apologies for me being a bit of a wobbly videographer. Musicians make me nervous:

Remember Stone Temple Pilots? How about Velvet Revolver? Magnificent Bastards? If not, then you’re too young to be using the Internet.

The rest of you then will recall Scott Weiland, who fronted those cock-rockin’ bands. The glammy, oft-arrested-for-cocaine-and-or-alcohol-related issues, writer of the lyrics to “Sex Type Thing,” has announced a Christmas album. Of course! Because when I think Christmas, I think of the guy who claimed to move into a hotel to shoot up with Courtney Love for two whole months in 1995.

Well, like it or not (I encourage you to join me in loving it because it’s just so much more fun that way), we’ve got this fantastic video of Weiland responsibly enjoying eggnog, sharing gifts and riding in an ostensibly horse-drawn carriage with friends in approximately 1963.

Also, the “Yeah!” that caps this video is the perfect, corny end. Watch "Winter Wonderland":