‘My Man Godfrey’ screwball comedy film premieres in Hollywood 90 years ago this hour (Sep 8 1936)

1930s, movies 1930s


Video: 'My Man Godfrey' trailer

(Tuesday, September 8, 1936, 8:30 p.m. PDT) — My Man Godfrey, a screwball comedy film about a zany heiress who tries to help a tramp by making him the family butler, premiered tonight at Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Boulevard, near Hollywood and Vine, in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Continue reading ‘My Man Godfrey’ screwball comedy film premieres in Hollywood 90 years ago this hour (Sep 8 1936) →

Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, 82, dies in Beijing 50 years ago this hour (Sep 9 1976)

1970s, Cold War


Video: 'NBC Nightly News 9/9/1976 (Death of Mao Zedong)'

(Thursday, September 9, 1976, 12:10 a.m. China Standard Time) — Mao Zedong, the pre-eminent figure of the Chinese Communist revolution and the leader of his country since 1949, died today in Beijing four days after suffering third heart attack since May 1976. Chairman Mao was 82. Continue reading Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, 82, dies in Beijing 50 years ago this hour (Sep 9 1976) →

George Harrison found liable of ‘subconsciously’ plagiarizing ‘My Sweet Lord’ 50 years ago today (Sep 7 1976)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s, The Beatles 1970s


Video: 'The greatest songwriting theft of all time'

(Tuesday, September 7, 1976) — Former Beatle George Harrison was found liable today for copyright infringement after a federal judge ruled that the musician “subconsciously plagiarized” the 1963 hit “He’s So Fine” when composing his chart-topping solo single, “My Sweet Lord.” Continue reading George Harrison found liable of ‘subconsciously’ plagiarizing ‘My Sweet Lord’ 50 years ago today (Sep 7 1976) →

Rock music legend Buddy Holly born in Lubbock, Texas 90 years ago today (Sep 7 1936)

1930s, Popular Music 1930s


Video: 'The Real Buddy Holly Story (1987)'

(Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 1936; during the Great Depression) — American singer, songwriter, and musician Buddy Holly, who was a central and pioneering figure of rock and roll, was born Charles Hardin Holley to a musical family today in Lubbock, Texas. Continue reading Rock music legend Buddy Holly born in Lubbock, Texas 90 years ago today (Sep 7 1936) →

‘Star Trek’ science-fiction television series debuts on Canada’s CTV 60 years ago this hour (Sep 6 1966)

1960s, Television 1960s


Video: 'Star Trek - TV intro (season 1) (1966)'

(Tuesday, September 6, 1966, 7:30-8:30 p.m. EDT) — Star Trek, a science-fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry that follows the adventures of the starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) and its crew (starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley), premiered tonight on Canada’s CTV network, (two nights before it premiered in the U.S. on NBC at 8:30 p.m. EDT). Continue reading ‘Star Trek’ science-fiction television series debuts on Canada’s CTV 60 years ago this hour (Sep 6 1966) →

The Monkees complete early version of ‘Ladies Aid Society’ 60 years ago this hour (Sep 6 1966)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, The Monkees


Video: 'Ladies Aid Society (Original Mono Mix) [2006 Remaster]'

(Tuesday, September 6, 1966, 2:00 p.m.-? PDT) — The Monkees completed an early version “Ladies Aid Society” today at RCA Victor Studio A in Hollywood but it would not be released until 1969.

Beatle John Lennon gets new look for film role 60 years ago today (Sep 6 1966)

1960s, Movies 1960s, Popular Music 1960s, The Beatles 1960s


Video: 'John Lennon and the Making of "How I Won the War" (1966)' (Sept. 6, 1966, at 0:06)

(Tuesday, September 6, 1966) — In preparation for his supportive acting role in Richard Lester’s film How I Won The War, John Lennon of The Beatles was given an army-style haircut and a pair of new “granny” glasses (which would become a trademark of his public image) to wear today in the breakfast room of the bar The Inn On The Heath hotel in Celle, near Hanover, West Germany. Continue reading Beatle John Lennon gets new look for film role 60 years ago today (Sep 6 1966) →

‘Intolerance’ anthology silent film premieres in New York City 110 years ago this hour (Sep 5 1916)

1910s, Movies 1910s


Video: 'Intolerance' trailer

(Saturday, August 5, 1916, 8:10 p.m. EST) — Intolerance, an epic silent film featuring four stories from different eras intertwined to depict man’s inhumanity to man, premiered at the Liberty Theatre, 234 West 42nd Street, on the south side between Seventh Avenue and Eighth Avenue near the southern end of Times Square, in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York (it had been “previewed” Aug. 5, 1916, in Riverside, California). Continue reading ‘Intolerance’ anthology silent film premieres in New York City 110 years ago this hour (Sep 5 1916) →

Sam Houston elected first president of the Republic of Texas 190 years ago today (Sep 5 1836)

1830s


Video: 'September 5, 1836 – Texans Elected Sam Houston'

(Monday, September 5, 1836) — Popular war hero Samuel Houston was elected today the first president of the Republic of Texas in a decisive victory over Henry Smith and Stephen F. Austin. Continue reading Sam Houston elected first president of the Republic of Texas 190 years ago today (Sep 5 1836) →