Daily Archives: April 23, 2013

‘Shane’ premieres in New York City 60 years ago today (1953)


Video: 'Shane' trailer

(Thursday, April 23, 1953)Shane, a Western film about a mysterious drifter who helps farmers fight off a vicious gunman, premiered today at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Directed by George Stevens, the film starred Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, Van Heflin, Brandon deWilde and Jack Palance.

JFK assumes command of PT-109 in the Solomon Islands 70 years ago today (1943)


Video: 'PT 109'

(Friday, April 23, 1943, part of the Pacific Theater of World War II) — U.S. Navy Lt. (jg) John F. Kennedy assumed command today of PT-109, a motor torpedo boat, in the Solomon Islands during World War II. On Aug. 2, 1943, PT-109 was rammed and sunk by a Japanese destroyer, the Amagiri, killing two crew members; the future U.S. president and 10 others managed to survive.