Category Archives: 1930s

‘Anna Karenina’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour (Aug 30 1935)


Video: 'Anna Karenina' trailer

(Friday, August 30, 1935, 10:45 a.m. EDT)Anna Karenina, a film adaptation of Tolstoy’s classic tale of a woman who deserts her family for an illicit love, premiered this morning at the Capitol theater in New York.

Directed by Clarence Brown, the film starred Greta Garbo, Fredric March, Maureen O’Sullivan, Freddie Bartholomew, Basil Rathbone and Reginald Owen.

‘Top Hat’ opens in New York City 80 years ago today (Aug 29 1935)


Video: 'Top Hat' trailer

(Thursday, August 29, 1935, 10:05 a.m. EDT)Top Hat, a screwball musical comedy film about a woman who thinks the man who loves her is her best friend’s husband, opened today at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Continue reading ‘Top Hat’ opens in New York City 80 years ago today (Aug 29 1935)

Will Rogers, Wiley Post killed when their airplane crashed 80 years ago this hour (Aug 15 1935)


Video: 'Will Rogers & Wiley Post Killed - 1935 Newsreel'

(Thursday, August 15, 1935, 8:18 p.m. AKST; during the Great Depression) — Will Rogers, beloved humorist, and Wiley Post, master aviator, were crushed to death tonight when a shiny, new airplane motor faltered and became an engine of tragedy near Point Barrow in the Alaska Territory. Continue reading Will Rogers, Wiley Post killed when their airplane crashed 80 years ago this hour (Aug 15 1935)

FDR signs Social Security bill, providing pensions to aged, jobless 80 years ago today (Aug 14 1935)


Video: 'Depression - Social Security Act 1935'

(Wednesday, August 14, 1935, during the Great Depression) — The Social Security Act, providing a broad program of unemployment insurance and old-age pensions, and counted upon to benefit some 30 million persons, became law today when it was signed today by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the presence of those chiefly responsible for putting it through Congress. Continue reading FDR signs Social Security bill, providing pensions to aged, jobless 80 years ago today (Aug 14 1935)

Jimmy Stewart’s first film ‘Murder Man’ released 80 years ago today (July 12 1935)


Video: 'Murder Man' trailer

(Friday, July 12, 1935)The Murder Man, a crime-drama film about a hard-drinking reporter who specializes in murder cases and then becomes a suspect in one himself, was released today in the U.S.

Directed by Tim Whelan, the film starred Spencer Tracy, Virginia Bruce, Lionel Atwill, Harvey Stephens, Robert Barrat and James Stewart in his first feature film.

FDR signs National Labor Relations Act 80 years ago today (July 5 1935)


Video: 'U1TV - Supreme Court Approves National Labor Relations Act' (case decided April 12, 1937)

(Friday, July 5, 1935, during the Great Depression) — The National Labor Relations Act of 1935, a foundational statute of U.S. labor law which guarantees basic rights of private sector employees to organize into trade unions, engage in collective bargaining for better terms and conditions at work, and take collective action including strike if necessary was signed today by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The act also created the National Labor Relations Board, which conducts elections that can require employers to engage in collective bargaining with labor unions (also known as trade unions).

‘Becky Sharp,’ first three-strip Technicolor movie, opens in New York City 80 years ago today (June 13 1935)


Video: 'Becky Sharp (1935)'

(Thursday, June 13, 1935)Becky Sharp, the first movie photographed in “three-strip” Technicolor, opened today at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Directed by Rouben Mamoulian, the film starred Miriam Hopkins, Alan Mowbray, Frances Dee and Cedric Hardwicke.