Video: 'Khrushchev Secret Speech'
(Saturday, February 25, 1956) — In a sensational “Secret Speech” to the 20th Congress of the Communist Party, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev denounced Joseph Stalin today as a brutal despot, painting a graphic picture of a regime of “suspicion, fear, and terror” built up under the former dictator, who died three years ago.
(Saturday, February 18, 1956) — “The Great Pretender” by The Platters peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Top 100 chart for two consecutive weeks (Feb. 18/25, 1956). In 2004, the song was voted 360th greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone.
(Saturday, February 18, 1956) — “Rock and Roll Waltz” by Kay Starr peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week.
(Saturday, February 18, 1956) — “Tutti Frutti” by Pat Boone peaked at #12 on today’s Billboard pop chart for two weeks.
Video: 'I Put A Spell On You-Sreamin' Jay Hawkins-'56-Okeh 7072'
(Wednesday, February 12, 1956) — Screamin’ Jay Hawkins recorded “I Put A Spell On You” today in New York City.
It was ranked No. 313 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”
(Saturday, February 11, 1956) — “See You Later, Alligator” by Bill Haley & His Comets peaked at #6 on today’s Billboard pop chart for four weeks.
Video: 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956 science fiction film + trailer audio eng) - Don Siegel' (16 videos)
(Wednesday, February 5, 1956) — Invasion of the Body Snatchers, a science fiction film about soulless pods that take over the inhabitants of a small California town, was released in the U.S. today.
Directed by Don Siegel, the film starred Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Larry Gates, King Donovan and Carolyn Jones.
(Saturday, February 4, 1956) — “Tutti Frutti” by Little Richard peaked at #17 on today’s Billboard pop chart for one week.
Video: 'The Court Jester' trailer
(Wednesday, February 1, 1956, doors opened at 9:30 a.m. EST) — The Court Jester, a musical-comedy film about a traveling actor who is mistaken for a medieval rebel, opened in New York this morning at Paramount Theater (it had been released in Japan on Dec. 24, 1955).
Directed by Melvin Frank and Norman Panama, the film starred Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Basil Rathbone, Angela Lansbury and Cecil Parker.
Video: 'Elvis Presley - Blue Suede Shoes'
(Monday, January 30, 1956, at around 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. EST) — Elvis Presley, 21, recorded a cover version of Carl Perkins’ “Blue Suede Shoes” today during a seven-hour session at the RCA Studio, 155 E. 24th Street in New York City.
Three other tunes were recorded this day, including “My Baby Left Me,” “One-Sided Love Affair,” and “So Glad You’re Mine.”
