Video: 'Sullivan's Travels' trailer
(Friday, December 5, 1941) — Sullivan’s Travels, a comedy about a movie director who longs to make a socially relevant drama but eventually learns that comedies are his more valuable contribution to society, opened today in Portugal. Continue reading ‘Sullivan’s Travels’ opens in Portugal 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 5 1941)
Video: 'Maltese Falcon' trailer
(Thursday, October 2, 1941) — The Maltese Falcon, an American film noir about hard-boiled detective who gets caught up in the murderous search for a priceless statue, opened tonight as a special “preview” showing at the Strand Theatre at 1579 Broadway, at the northwest corner of 47th Street and Broadway in Times Square, New York City. Continue reading ‘The Maltese Falcon’ opens in New York City 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 2 1941)
Video: 'Citizen Kane' trailer
(Thursday, May 1, 1941, 8:30 p.m. EDT) — Citizen Kane, an American drama film about a group of reporters who are trying to decipher the last word ever spoke by Charles Foster Kane, the millionaire newspaper tycoon, premiered tonight at the RKO Palace at 1564 Broadway (at West 47th Street) in New York City.
Continue reading ‘Citizen Kane’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDate #OTD (May 1 1941)
Video: 'Fantasia' trailer
(Wednesday, November 13, 1940, 8:40 p.m. EST) — Fantasia, an American animated film produced by Walt Disney featuring eight animated segments set to pieces of classical music conducted by Leopold Stokowski, seven of which are performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra, premiered tonight at the Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway (at 53rd Street) in New York City. Continue reading ‘Fantasia’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 13 1940)
(Saturday, October 19, 1940) — “Only Forever” by Bing Crosby With John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Selling Singles chart for nine consecutive weeks (Oct. 19/26, Nov. 2/9/16/23/30, Dec. 7/14, 1940). Continue reading ‘Only Forever’ by Bing Crosby peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 19 1940)
Video: 'The Great Dictator' trailer
(Thursday, October 15, 1940, 8:30 p.m. EST; during World War II) — The Great Dictator, an American political satire comedy-drama film about a Jewish barber who takes the place of a war-hungry dictator, premiered tonight in New York City at the Astor Theatre at 1537 Broadway, at West 45th Street in Times Square and the Capitol Theatre at 1645 Broadway, just north of Times Square. Continue reading ‘The Great Dictator’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 15 1940)
(Saturday, July 27, 1940) — A Wild Hare, a Merrie Melodies cartoon supervised by Tex Avery (credited as Fred Avery on the original issue) and featuring Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny, the latter making what is considered his first official appearance, debuted today. Continue reading Bugs Bunny makes his debut in animated short ‘A Wild Hare’ 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 27 1940)
Video: 'Rebecca' trailer
(Thursday, March 21, 1940, 8:45 p.m. EST) — Rebecca, an American romantic psychological thriller film about a young bride who is terrorized by the memories of her husband’s glamorous first wife, premiered tonight at the Lincoln Theater in Miami. Continue reading ‘Rebecca’ premieres in Miami 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1940)
Video: 'Hattie McDaniel winning Best Supporting Actress'
(Thursday, February 29, 1940, 8:30 p.m. PST) — Hattie McDaniel became the first African-American to win an Oscar tonight when she was named Best Supporting Actress for her performance as a house servant in Gone With The Wind, which won eight awards, including Best Picture. Continue reading Hattie McDaniel becomes first African-American to win Academy Award 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 29 1940)
Video: 'The Grapes of Wrath' trailer
(Wednesday, January 24, 1940, 9:30 a.m. EST) — The Grapes of Wrath, an American drama film about Oklahoma farmers dispossessed during the Depression who fight for better lives in California, opened this morning at Rivoli Theatre in New York City. Continue reading ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ opens in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 24 1940)
