Video: 'Monsieur Verdoux' trailer
(Friday, April 11, 1947, 8:45 p.m. EST) — Monsieur Verdoux, a black comedy film directed by and starring Charles Chaplin, who plays a bigamist wife killer inspired by serial killer Henri Désiré Landru, premiered tonight at Broadway Theatre located in midtown Manhattan. Continue reading ‘Monsieur Verdoux’ premieres in New York City 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 11 1947)
Video: 'Tony Awards History on Broadway Blogspot' (Apr. 6, 1947, at 2:33)
(Easter Sunday, April 6, 1947, 8:30 p.m. EST) — New York’s theatre honored twenty men and women tonight with the first presentation of the annual Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards for outstanding contributions to the current theatrical season. Continue reading First Tony Awards held in New York 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 6 1947)
Video: 'Centralia Coal Mine No 5 Disaster / Explosion ~ March 25, 1947 ~ Woody Guthrie'
(Tuesday, March 25, 1947, 3:26 p.m. CST) — A coal-dust explosion inside the Centralia No. 5 coal mine exploded today near the town of Centralia, Illinois, killing 111 people; only 31 miners escaped. Continue reading 111 miners killed in 1947 Centralia mine disaster 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 25 1947)
(Saturday, March 22, 1947) — Viscount Mountbatten, who on March 24, 1947, will become the twenty-ninth and presumably the last British Viceroy of India, arrived today in New Delhi by special plane from London to oversee the transition of British India to independence no later than June 30, 1948.
Video: 'The Loyalty Program'
(Friday, March 21, 1947, during the Cold War) — Against his own better judgment, U.S. President Harry S. Truman today signed Executive Order 9835, sometimes known as the “Loyalty Order,” making the political beliefs of every federal employee subject to investigation by the FBI in order to root out communist influence in the U.S. federal government (click here for a clip about this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 2:50:28). Continue reading President Truman establishes federal employee loyalty program 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1947)
(Saturday, March 15, 1947) — “Heartaches” by Ted Weems and His Orchestra (whistling by Elmo Tanner) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for 12 consecutive weeks (Mar. 15/22/29, Apr. 5/12/19/26, May 3/10/17/24/31, 1947). Continue reading ‘Heartaches’ by Ted Weems and His Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 15 1947)
Video: 'Ann Sheridan - Academy Awards For 1946 - March 13, 1947'
(Thursday, March 13, 1947, 8:45-11:37 p.m. PST) — The Best Years of Our Lives, an American drama film about three returning servicemen who fight to adjust to life after World War II, won seven Oscars tonight, including Best Motion Picture, Best Director (William Wyler) Best Actor (Fredric March) and Best Supporting Actor (Harold Russell) at the 19th Academy Awards ceremony at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Continue reading ‘The Best Years of Our Lives’ wins Best Motion Picture at 19th Academy Awards 70 years ago this hour (Mar 13 1947)
Video: 'Brigadoon (Original Broadway Cast Recording)' (10 videos)
(Thursday, March 13, 1947, 8:30 p.m. EST) — The Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe musical Brigadoon, about a Scottish village which magically reappears once every hundred years, opened tonight on Broadway at the Ziegfeld Theatre, where it ran for 581 performances. Continue reading ‘Brigadoon’ musical opens on Broadway 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 13 1947)
'Video: 'Truman Doctrine'
(Wednesday, March 12, 1947, 1:00 p.m. EST; during the Cold War) — In a historic message to Congress, President Harry S. Truman announced todaywhat became known as the Truman Doctrine to help Greece and Turkey resist Communism. (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 2:43:43). Continue reading Truman Doctrine proclaimed to help stem the spread of Communism 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 12 1947)
(Saturday, March 1, 1947) — “Managua, Nicaragua” by Freddy Martin and His Orchestra (vocal refrain by Stuart Wade and ensemble) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for two consecutive weeks (Mar. 1/8, 1947).
