Category Archives: 1930s

Democrats open convention by assailing Hoover and calling for repeal of Prohibition 80 years ago today (1932)

1930s, U.S. Presidents


Video: Barkley speech (at 1:46)

(Monday, June 27, 1932) — Democrats opened the 1932 Democratic National Convention today at Chicago Stadium in Chicago, with New York Gov. (and 1920 vice presidential nominee) Franklin D. Roosevelt viewed as virtually certain of nomination for president.

In a keynote speech bristling with denunciation of the Hoover administration, Sen. Alben W. Barkley today urged the convention to favor repealing the Eighteenth Amendment and called upon the nation to turn the Republicans out of office.

‘We was robbed!’ claims Max Schmeling’s manager 80 years ago tonight (1932)

1930s


Video: 'Max Schmeling vs Jack Sharkey II' (silent)

(Tuesday, June 21, 1932) — Heavyweight boxer Max Schmeling lost a title fight rematch tonight in New York by decision to Jack Sharkey, prompting Schmeling’s manager, Joe Jacobs, to exclaim: “We was robbed!”

Hoover, Curtis nominated for second terms at Republican National Convention 80 years ago today (1932)

1930s, U.S. Presidents


Audio: Hoover formally accepts presidential nomination (Aug. 11, 1932)

(Thursday, June 16, 1932) — U.S. President Herbert Hoover and Vice President Charles Curtis were nominated for second terms of office today by delegates to the Republican National Convention at Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois. Continue reading Hoover, Curtis nominated for second terms at Republican National Convention 80 years ago today (1932) →

World War I veterans arrive in Washington to demand cash bonuses 80 years ago today (1932)

1930s


Video: 'The March of the Bonus Army' (late May 1932 at 9:39)

(Sunday, May 29, 1932, during the Great Depression) — With American flags flying before them, sixteen truckloads of World War I veterans arrived in Washington today to demand cash bonuses they weren’t scheduled to receive until 1945. Eventually, 43,000 “Bonus Army” marchers – 17,000 World War I veterans, their families, and affiliated groups – would gather in Washington.

Roosevelt, 26 other governors dine at Hoover White House 80 years ago this hour (1932)

1930s, U.S. Presidents


Video: FDR at White House, April 28, 1932 (at 2:33)

(Thursday, April 28, 1932, 8:00 p.m. EDT) — 27 governors, including New York’s Franklin D. Roosevelt, a Democratic candidate for president, sat down dinner tonight at the White House as guests of President and Mrs. Hoover, thus closing their 24th annual conference, which began Apr. 25 in Richmond.

‘Grand Hotel ‘ premieres in New York 80 years ago today (1932)

1930s, movies 1930s


Video: 'Grand Hotel' trailer

(Tuesday, April 12, 1932) — Grand Hotel , a film about guests at a posh Berlin hotel who struggle through scandal and heartache, premiered tonight at the Astor in New York. Continue reading ‘Grand Hotel ‘ premieres in New York 80 years ago today (1932) →

‘Scarface’ premiered in the U.S. 80 years ago today (1932)

1930s, movies 1930s

(Thursday, March 31, 1932) — Scarface, a film about gang warfare and police intervention when rival gangs fight over control of a city, premiered today in the U.S.

Directed by Howard Hawks and Richard Rosson, the film stars Ann Dvorak, Karen Morley, Osgood Perkins, C. Henry Gordon, Vince Barnett, Edwin Maxwell, and Boris Karloff.

‘One Hour with You’ premiered in the U.S. 80 years ago today (1932)

1930s, movies 1930s


Video: 'One Hour With You' clip

(Tuesday, March 22, 1932) — One Hour with You, a musical comedy about a married couple who find themselves attracted to other people, premiered today in the U.S.

Directed by Ernst Lubitsch (“with the assistance of” George Cukor), the film stars Maurice Chevalier, Jeanette MacDonald, Genevieve Tobin and Charles Ruggles.

In 1932, it was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture (click here to watch the complete film).