Video: 'Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein' trailer (plus 11 clips)
(Wednesday, July 14, 1948) — Count Dracula plots to put a simpleton”s brain into the body of the Frankenstein monster in Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, an American horror comedy that opened today at the Paramount Theater in Syracuse, New York. Continue reading ‘Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein’ opens in Syrause, New York 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 14 1948)
(Saturday, July 3, 1948) — “Woody Wood-Pecker” by Kay Kyser and His Orchestra (with Harry Babbitt’s laugh interrupting vocalist Gloria Wood) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for six consecutive weeks (July 3/10/17/24/31, Aug. 7, 1948). Continue reading ‘Woody Wood-Pecker’ by Kay Kyser and His Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 3 1948)
Video: 'American Experience The Berlin Airlift' (Berlin Airlift at 9:15)
(Saturday, June 26, 1948; during the Berlin Blockade, part of the Cold War) — Two days after the Soviets halted land and water access to the sectors of Berlin under Western control in the multinational occupation of post–World War II Germany, American planes began flying milk, flour and medical supplies today to alleviate the plight of 2.5 million residents affected by the Russian effort to squeeze out the Western Allies. Continue reading U.S. mobilizes planes to supply West Berlin 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 26 1948)
Video: '1948 Thomas Dewey Republican Convention Acceptance Speech'
(Thursday, June 24, 1948, evening EDT) — Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York accepted the presidential nomination tonight at the 1948 Republican National Convention and immediately appealed to the party and the country for unity on the basis of a new spiritual faith. Continue reading Thomas Dewey accepts GOP nomination for POTUS 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 24 1948)
Video: 'The Berlin Blockade (10m)'
(Thursday, June 24, 1948; during the Cold War) — The Berlin Blockade began today in the multinational occupation of post–World War II Germany as the Soviet Union blocked the Western Allies’ land and water access to the sectors of Berlin under Western control. Continue reading Soviets impose land, water blockade of West Berlin 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 24 1948)
(Monday, June 21, 1948, evening EDT) — In a blistering address tonight at the 1948 Republican National Convention, former Rep. Clare Boothe Luce of Connecticut drew burst after burst of appreciative laughter, calling Democratic President Harry S. Truman a “gone goose” (Click here to watch the video at 15:01).
(Monday, June 21, 1948, evening EDT) — Gov. Dwight H. Green, of Illinois, keynoting the 1948 Republican National Convention which opened today at Convention Hall in Philadelphia, accused the Democratic administration of President Harry S. Truman tonight of squandering the victory of the Second World War, and pledged the GOP to pursue “every avenue of peace” (Click here to watch the video at 18:20). Continue reading GOP keynoter blames ‘New Deal’ for ‘Cold War’ 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 21 1948)
Video: 'The Ed Sullivan Show - Vol. 1 (Hosted by Carol Burnett)' (June 20, 1948, at 10:17)
(Sunday, June 20, 1948, 9:00-10:00 p.m. EDT) — Toast of the Town, an American television variety show hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan, debuted tonight on CBS, broadcast live from CBS Studio 51, The Maxine Elliott Theater at Broadway and 39th St. in New York City. Continue reading ‘Toast of the Town’ debuts on CBS-TV 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 20 1948)
Video: 'PBS Documentary "Television" - Episode 3 of 8' (June 8, 1948, at 47:03)
(Tuesday, June 8, 1948, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT) — The television version of the American comedy-variety radio series Texaco Star Theatre debuted tonight on NBC with Milton Berle as the first host (Berle was named the permanent host that fall). Continue reading ‘Texaco Star Theatre’ debuts on NBC-TV 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 8 1948)
Video: 'Dewey Stassen Debate (1948) First Presidential Election Debate'
(Monday, May 17, 1948, 6:00 p.m. PST/10:00 p.m. EDT; during the Republican Party presidential primaries, 1948) — New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey and former Minnesota Governor Harold Stassen discussed the legal status of the Communist Party of the U.S. during the first audio-recorded presidential debate to ever take place in the United States tonight in Portland, four days before the 1948 Oregon Republican presidential primary. Continue reading First audio-recorded presidential debate in U.S. held 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1948)
