Spoof whodunnit featuring a host of stars playing variations on well-known fictional detectives. Reclusive millionaire Lionel Twain (Truman Capote) invites a selection of famous sleuths to his mansion and subjects them all to a number of perilous and puzzling scenarios. The guests include Chinese crimefighter Sidney Wang (Peter Sellers), hardboiled detective Sam Diamond (Peter Falk), high society sleuths Dick and Dora Charleston (David Niven and Maggie Smith), and for Agatha Christie fans, the Marple and Poirot clones Jessica Marbles (Elsa Lanchester) and Milo Perrier (James Coco). Written by Neil Simon.

A fictionalised musical drama about the formation of legendary disco band The Village People. Samantha Simpson (Valerie Perrine) decides to help her songwriting flatmate by gathering together some of her bohemian friends to record his songs, as she tries to convince uptight lawyer Ron White (Bruce Jenner) to put some money behind them.

Rankin has wanted to join the crew on the Oneida since the first time he saw the ship anchored in Black River Bay. But what can a ten-year-old do on a warship? He hangs around outside the tavern listening to the farmers talk of the coming war with the British, hoping to find out. The brig Oneida has been built to patrol Lake Ontario and protect Sackets Harbor from an attack. Local farmers are frustrated with restrictions against trading with Canada which cause them to resort to smuggling in order to survive. When the ship's captain finally calls for recruits nearly a year later, many men want to sign up in hopes of putting an end to these rules. Pa gives Rankin's older brother Will permission to do so. Rankin badgers Will to take him along. On the day set by the captain of the Oneida, Rankin and Will are the first to sign on. During their first months on board, the new crew members gain experience as the Oneida patrols the lake. Too late, they find out that until the war begins, her mission is to apprehend potash smugglers. Rankin learns to run gunpowder up from the hold to the guns on deck. He sulks when months pass with no battles on the lake. Things change soon after the United States declares war against the British. On the morning of July 19, 1812, the lookout on Oneida spots five British warships heading toward Sackets Harbor. The brig prepares to defend the village. Rankin is assigned to carry powder to the huge three-ton long gun up on the cliff. Royal George comes into range and the locals open fire. The unique way the battle is fought and the unusual way it ends surprises both sides. Although this is a work of fiction, the historical events portrayed and the persons named are real.

To help students understand content, don't throw out the old, just add the new "Exposing students to various ways to express a thought or idea gives them the opportunity to be successful and share their experiences in ways that resonate. The range of options is expanding so quickly that it can be both exciting and intimidating. Which tools will work best for a particular assignment? How should you use them? That's what this book is about." -Nancy Walker, Thomas Bean, and Benita Dillard What do you do "When Textbooks Fall Short"? When students can't or won't engage with content-area textbooks that seem like artifacts filled with disconnected facts? You stay with the old and add a little something new. Nancy Walker, Thomas Bean, and Benita Dillard show how to go beyond the textbook with print and online resources that reflect how adolescents read today. You don't have to spend thousands or rewire your classroom-you only have to be willing to support core texts with shorter readings that build comprehension and competency with key concepts in your content area. Nancy, Tom, and Benita combine years of research and the experiences of numerous teachers and reading specialists to share: classroom examples that model ways to go beyond the textbook to reach all students-especially struggling readers research-based strategies that support deeper learning and connection with the core curriculum recommendations for print and online resources proven to engage adolescents ideas for collaborative activities that help content stick by putting the primary sources, articles, and other media you share with students to use. "When Textbooks Fall Short" isn't just for those who have already embedded new literacies into the curriculum. It's also for veterans committed to their content-area textbook. It meets teachers where they are-and shows how to meet students where they are-by bringing in a little something new that can do what the textbook can't do by itself.