Category Archives: 1950s

‘Marty’ romantic drama film premieres in New York City 70 years ago this hour (Apr 11 1955)

1950s, Movies 1950s


Video: 'Marty' trailer

(Monday, April 11, 1955, 11:00 a.m. EST) — Marty, a romantic drama film about a lonely butcher who finds love despite the opposition of his friends and family, premiered today at the Sutton theater in New York City. Continue reading ‘Marty’ romantic drama film premieres in New York City 70 years ago this hour (Apr 11 1955) →

Rosemary Clooney performs on ‘Toast of the Town’ 70 years ago this hour (Apr 10 1955)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s, Television 1950s


Video: 'Rosemary Clooney "Mambo Italiano" on The Ed Sullivan Show'

(Sunday, April 10, 1955, 8:00 p.m. EST) — Rosemary Clooney performed “Mambo Italiano” and “This Ole House” on tonight’s live edition of the CBS-TV variety show Toast of the Town, hosted by Ed Sullivan. Continue reading Rosemary Clooney performs on ‘Toast of the Town’ 70 years ago this hour (Apr 10 1955) →

Winston Churchill, 80, resigns as UK Prime Minister after health issues 70 years ago this hour (Apr 5 1955)

1950s


Video: 'Sir Winston Churchill Resigns (1955) | British Pathé'

(Tuesday, April 5, 1955, Churchill left the for Buckingham Palace at 4:22 p.m. and returned at 5:15 p.m. GMT, having spent 41 minutes with Queen Elizabeth II) — Sir Winston Churchill, 80, resigned today as British prime minister, aware that he was slowing down both physically and mentally. Continue reading Winston Churchill, 80, resigns as UK Prime Minister after health issues 70 years ago this hour (Apr 5 1955) →

‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ opens on Broadway 70 years ago this hour (Mar 24 1955)

1950s, Broadway


Video: 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Original Cast Clip.avi'

(Thursday, March 24, 1955, 8:00 p.m. EST) — Tennessee Williams’ play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, the story of a Southern family in crisis starring Barbara Bel Geddes and Ben Gazzara, opened tonight on Broadway at the Morosco Theater, located at 217 West 45th St. in Times Square in New York City. Continue reading ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ opens on Broadway 70 years ago this hour (Mar 24 1955) →

Elvis Presley makes his television debut 70 years ago this hour (Mar 5 1955)

1950s, Elvis Presley, Popular Music 1950s, Television 1950s


Image: 'Elvis Presley - Complete Louisiana Hayride performance (March 5, 1955)'

(Saturday, March 5, 1955, 8:00 p.m. CST) — Singer Elvis Presley made his television debut tonight on the regional show Louisiana Hayride carried by KSLA-TV Shreveport (although audio recordings exist, there is no known video footage of this appearance).

Claudette Colvin arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to move to the back of the bus 70 years ago this hour (Mar 2 1955)

1950s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'Civil rights pioneer Claudette Colvin honored for bus protest'

(Wednesday, March 2, 1955, approximately 2:30 p.m. CST; during the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1954–68)) — Nine months before Rosa Parks’ famous act of defiance, Claudette Colvin, a 15-year-old black high school student in Montgomery, Alabama, was arrested today after refusing to give up her seat on a public bus to a white passenger.