Category Archives: movies 1930s

First drive-in movie theater opens in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 6 1933)


Video: 'This Week in History: First Drive-in Movie Theater Opened'

(Tuesday, June 6, 1933, the first film began at 8:30 p.m. EDT) — The first drive-in movie theater, created by Richard Hollingshead, opened tonight outside of Camden, New Jersey, on Crescent Boulevard in Pennsauken Township. Continue reading First drive-in movie theater opens in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 6 1933)

‘King Kong’ adventure fantasy horror monster film starring Fay Wray opens in New York City 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1933)


Video: 'King Kong' trailer

(Thursday, March 2, 1933, 10:30 a.m. EST)King Kong, an American adventure fantasy horror monster film about a gigantic island-dwelling ape creature called Kong who attempts to possess a beautiful young woman, opened today at the 6,200-seat Radio City Music Hall in New York City and the 3,700-seat RKO Roxy across the street. Continue reading ‘King Kong’ adventure fantasy horror monster film starring Fay Wray opens in New York City 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1933)

Horror film ‘Frankenstein’ premieres in Detroit 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 19 1931)


Video: 'Frankenstein' trailer

(Thursday, November 19, 1931, 11:55 a.m. EST)Frankenstein, an American pre-Code science fiction horror film about an ardent young scientist and his devoted assistant who piece together a human body from pieces collected from various sources, not realizing it has a madman’s brain, premiered today at the RKO Downtown in Detroit. Continue reading Horror film ‘Frankenstein’ premieres in Detroit 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 19 1931)

Charlie Chaplin’s ‘City Lights’ premieres in Los Angeles 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 30 1931)


Video: 'City Lights' trailer

(Friday, January 30, 1931, 8:30 p.m. PST)City Lights, an American pre-Code silent romantic comedy film about the misadventures of Charlie Chaplin’s Tramp as he falls in love with a blind girl and develops a turbulent friendship with an alcoholic millionaire, premiered tonight at the new Los Angeles Theater on Broadway between Sixth and Seventh streets.
Continue reading Charlie Chaplin’s ‘City Lights’ premieres in Los Angeles 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 30 1931)

‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ premieres in Los Angeles 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 21 1930)


Video: 'All Quiet on the Western Front' trailer

(Monday, April 21, 1930, 8:30 p.m. PST) — Young German soldiers try to adjust to the horrors of World War I in All Quiet on the Western Front, an American epic pre-Code anti-war film that premiered tonight at Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles. Continue reading ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ premieres in Los Angeles 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 21 1930)

‘Gone with the Wind’ premiere sparks racial tension in Atlanta 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1939)


Video: ''Gone With the Wind' trailer

(Friday, December 15, 1939, 8:30 p.m. EST)Gone with the Wind, an American epic historical romance film about Scarlett O’Hara’s battle to save her beloved Tara and find love during the American Civil War, premiered tonight at the Loew’s Grand Theatre at the corner of Peachtree and Forsyth Streets in downtown Atlanta. Continue reading ‘Gone with the Wind’ premiere sparks racial tension in Atlanta 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1939)

‘Day In, Day Out’ by Bob Crosby peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 21 1939)

(Saturday, October 21, 1939)“Day In, Day Out” by Bob Crosby And His Orchestra (Helen Ward, vocal) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Day In, Day Out’ by Bob Crosby peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 21 1939)

‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’ premieres in Washington, D.C. 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 17 1939)


Video: 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' trailer

(Tuesday, October 17, 1939, evening EDT)Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, an American political comedy-drama film about a newly appointed United States Senator who fights against a corrupt political system, premiered tonight at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. Continue reading ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’ premieres in Washington, D.C. 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 17 1939)

‘Over the Rainbow’ by Glenn Miller peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 9 1939)

(Saturday, September 9, 1939)“Over the Rainbow” by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra (Ray Eberle, vocal) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for seven non-consecutive weeks (Sep. 9/16/23/30, Oct. 7/14/28, 1939). Continue reading ‘Over the Rainbow’ by Glenn Miller peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 9 1939)