Category Archives: 1950s

‘House Of Wax’ premieres in 3-D color in New York City 60 years ago today (1953)


Video: 'House Of Wax' trailer

(Friday, April 10, 1953)House Of Wax, a horror film about a vengeful sculptor who rebuilds his fire-destroyed showplace by using human victims as wax figures, premiered today at the Paramount in New York City. It was the first 3-D color feature from a major American studio.

Directed by André de Toth, the film starred Vincent Price, Frank Lovejoy, Charles Bronson, Carolyn Jones and Phyllis Kirk.

Kubrick’s ‘Fear and Desire’ opens in New York City 60 years ago today (1953)


Video: 'Fear and Desire' trailer

(Tuesday, March 31, 1953)Fear and Desire, a military action/adventure film about four soldiers trapped behind enemy lines who must confront their fears and desires, arrived today at the Guild Theatre in New York City.

Directed by Stanley Kubrick (his first feature film), the movie starred Frank Silvera, Kenneth Harp, Paul Mazursky, Steve Coit and Virginia Leith.

Chinese, North Koreans accept POW trade offer, propose peace talks be resumed 60 years ago today (1953)


Video: 'Korean War - PART 28, End of the War, 6.25' (at 0:42-0:53)

(Saturday, March 28, 1953; during the Korean War, part of the Cold War) — The Chinese and North Korean Communist commanders accepted today a long-standing United Nations proposal for an immediate exchange of sick and wounded prisoners of war by both sides in Korea, and at the same time proposed immediate resumption of suspended armistice talks.

‘The Greatest Show On Earth’ wins Best Picture at 25th Academy Awards 50 years ago this hour (1953)


Video: '1952 Oscar Winners'

(Thursday, March 19, 1953, 10:30 p.m. EST)The Greatest Show On Earth won two Oscars tonight at the 25th Academy Awards, including Best Picture. John Ford won Best Director for The Quiet Man, Gary Cooper won Best Actor for High Noon and Shirley Booth won Best Actress for Come Back, Little Sheba. Continue reading ‘The Greatest Show On Earth’ wins Best Picture at 25th Academy Awards 50 years ago this hour (1953)

Lucille Ball big winner at Emmys 60 years ago tonight (1953)


Video: 'I Love Lucy Job Switching Recap' (Sep. 15, 1952)

(Thursday, February 5, 1953) — Lucille Ball, the red-haired star of television’s I Love Lucy show, won two awards tonight at the 5th Annual Emmy Awards at the Hotel Statler in Los Angeles. Continue reading Lucille Ball big winner at Emmys 60 years ago tonight (1953)

‘Peter Pan’ released in U.S. theaters 60 years ago today (1953)


Video: 'Peter Pan' trailer

(Thursday, February 5, 1953)Peter Pan, an animated film produced by Walt Disney about a girl named Wendy and her brothers who are whisked away to the magical world of Neverland with the hero of their stories, Peter Pan, was released today in U.S. theaters.

Directed by Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson and Hamilton Luske, the film starred Bobby Driscoll, Kathryn Beaumont, Hans Conried, Paul Collins and Tommy Luske.

‘The Mousetrap’ musical comedy opens in London’s West End 60 years ago today (1952)


Video: 'The Mousetrap'

(Tuesday, November 25, 1952) — The play The Mousetrap, a murder mystery by Agatha Christie, first opened today in London’s West End at the New Ambassadors Theatre. It is the longest continuously running show in history with over 24,500 performances so far.

Stevenson concedes defeat in presidential election 60 years ago this hour (1952)


Video: Nov. 5, 1952 (at 3:44)

(Wednesday, November 5, 1952, shortly after midnight CST, during the 1952 U.S. presidential campaign) — Democratic presidential nominee Adlai Stevenson conceded the race to Repubican nominee Dwight Eisenhower this morning in Springfield, Illinois, saying he felt like a little boy who stubbed his toe in the dark–but who was too old to cry and “it hurt too much to laugh.”