Category Archives: 1950s

Frankie Lymon performs on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 22 1957)

1950s, Christmas, Popular Music 1950s, Television 1950s


Video: 'Frankie Lymon - Goody Goody HD (The Ed Sullivan Show (December 22, 1957)'

(Sunday, December 22, 1957, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT) — Frankie Lymon performed “Goody Goody” and “It’s Christmas Time Once Again” on tonight’s edition of the CBS-TV variety show The Ed Sullivan Show live from CBS Studio No. 50 in New York City. Continue reading Frankie Lymon performs on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 22 1957) →

‘The Music Man’ musical opens on Broadway 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1957)

1950s, Broadway


Video: 'The Music Man (Original Broadway Cast)' (18 videos)

(Thursday, December 19, 1957, 1957, 7:30 p.m. EST) — The Music Man, a musical with book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey about a con artist who hawks musical instruments and band uniforms to small-town America, opened tonight on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. Continue reading ‘The Music Man’ musical opens on Broadway 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1957) →

‘Witness for the Prosecution’ opens in Los Angeles 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1957)

1950s, Movies 1950s


Video: 'Witness for the Prosecution' trailer

(Friday, December 17, 1957) — Witness for the Prosecution, an American courtroom drama film about a British lawyer who gets caught up in a couple’s tangled marital affairs when he defends the husband for murder, opened today in Los Angeles. Continue reading ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ opens in Los Angeles 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1957) →

U.S. successfully launches first Atlas ICBM 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1957)

1950s, Cold War


Video: 'Atlas Missile: "Project Atlas Report 4th Quarter 1957" Convair; 1st Successful Flight, 3rd Launch' (Dec. 17, 1957, at 20:45)

(Tuesday, December 17, 1957, 17:39 UTC; during the Cold War) — The United States successfully test-fired the Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time today at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Continue reading U.S. successfully launches first Atlas ICBM 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1957) →

‘Kisses Sweeter than Wine’ by Jimmie Rodgers peaks at #3 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 16 1957)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Monday, December 16, 1957) — “Kisses Sweeter than Wine” by Jimmie Rodgers peaked at #3 on today’s Billboard Most Played by Jockeys chart for three weeks. Continue reading ‘Kisses Sweeter than Wine’ by Jimmie Rodgers peaks at #3 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 16 1957) →

Rock star Jerry Lee Lewis secretly marries 13-year-old cousin 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 12 1957)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s


Video: 'Jerry Lee Lewis & Myra Gale Brown (Tradução)'

(Thursday, December 12, 1957, 1:10 p.m. CST) — Rock star Jerry Lee Lewis, 22, secretly married 13-year-old Myra Gale Brown, his first cousin once removed, today in Hernando, Mississippi, before his divorce from his second wife, Jane Mitchum, was completed. Continue reading Rock star Jerry Lee Lewis secretly marries 13-year-old cousin 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 12 1957) →

Pearson claims JFK’s ‘Profiles in Courage’ book was ghostwritten by aide 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1957)

1950s, Television 1950s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'American Experience The Kennedys 1' ('Profiles' controversy at 1:10:21)

(Saturday, December 7, 1957, 10:00-10:30 p.m. EST) — Journalist Drew Pearson claimed Senator John F. Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize winning book Profiles in Courage was “ghostwritten for him” by Kennedy speechwriter Ted Sorensen during a live interview on tonight‘s The Mike Wallace Interview program on ABC-TV (click here to watch the interview, the Kennedy reference begins at 12:25). Continue reading Pearson claims JFK’s ‘Profiles in Courage’ book was ghostwritten by aide 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1957) →

America’s first attempt to launch a satellite fails 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 1957)

1950s, Cold War, space exploration


Video: 'Vanguard TV3 Rocket Launch Explosion'

(Friday, December 6, 1957, 16:44:34 UTC; during the Cold War) — America’s first attempt at putting a satellite into orbit around the Earth failed today as Vanguard TV3 rose about four feet off a Cape Canaveral, Florida, launch pad before crashing down and exploding. Continue reading America’s first attempt to launch a satellite fails 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 1957) →