Category Archives: 1930s

‘The Way You Look Tonight’ by Fred Astaire peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Oct 24 1936)

(Saturday, October 24, 1936) — “The Way You Look Tonight” by Fred Astaire with Johnny Green and His Orchestra (recorded in Los Angeles July 28, 1936; from the soundtrack of the film Swing Time) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for six consecutive weeks (Oct. 24/31, Nov. 7/14/21/28, 1936). Continue reading ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ by Fred Astaire peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Oct 24 1936) →

‘When Did You Leave Heaven’ by Guy Lombardo peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Oct 10 1936)

(Saturday, October 10, 1936) — “When Did You Leave Heaven” by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians (vocal by Carmen Lombardo; recorded in Chicago on July 2, 1936, and from the soundtrack of the film Sing, Baby, Sing) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for two consecutive weeks (Oct. 10/17, 1936). Continue reading ‘When Did You Leave Heaven’ by Guy Lombardo peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Oct 10 1936) →

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


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) →

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


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) →

‘Did I Remember’ by Shep Fields peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Aug 29 1936)

(Saturday, August 29, 1936) — “Did I Remember” by Shep Fields and his Rippling Rhythm Orchestra (vocal by Charles Chester; recorded in New York City on July 3, 1936) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for six consecutive weeks (Aug. 29, Sept. 5/12/19/26, Oct. 3, 1936). Continue reading ‘Did I Remember’ by Shep Fields peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Aug 29 1936) →

‘Swing Time’ musical comedy film opens in New York City 90 years ago this hour (Aug 27 1936)


Video: 'Swing Time' trailer

(Thursday, August 27, 1936, 10:05 a.m. EDT) — Swing Time, a musical comedy film about a dancer who tries to make it big to prove himself worthy of his fiancee only to fall for his dancing partner, opened this morning at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Continue reading ‘Swing Time’ musical comedy film opens in New York City 90 years ago this hour (Aug 27 1936) →

Joseph Kennedy endorses FDR policies in new book 90 years ago today (Aug 21 1936)


Video: '"American Experience" THE KENNEDYS: Part 1, The Father, (1900-1961)' (Aug. 21, 1936, at 23:16)

(Friday, August 21, 1936) — Former SEC Chairman Joseph P. Kennedy released a new book today making a direct pitch to the business community: support the New Deal and re-elect President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Continue reading Joseph Kennedy endorses FDR policies in new book 90 years ago today (Aug 21 1936) →

‘When I’m With You’ by Hal Kemp peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Aug 15 1936)

(Saturday, August 15, 1936) — “When I’m With You” by Hal Kemp & His Orchestra (vocal by Skinny Ennis; recorded in New York City on May 13, 1936) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for two consecutive weeks (Aug. 15/22, 1936). Continue reading ‘When I’m With You’ by Hal Kemp peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Aug 15 1936) →

Rainey Bethea hangs in last public execution in U.S. 90 years ago (Aug 14 1936)


Video: 'Rainey Bethea: The photographic story of America’s last public execution, 1936'

(Friday, August 14, 1936, pronounced dead at 5:44 a.m. EST) — Rainey Bethea, an African-American who was about 27 years old, became the last man to be publicly executed in the United States today as he was hanged in Owensboro, Kentucky, for raping and murdering Lischia Edwards, a 70-year-old white woman. Continue reading Rainey Bethea hangs in last public execution in U.S. 90 years ago (Aug 14 1936) →