Category Archives: 1950s

‘High Noon’ premieres in New York 60 years ago today (1952)


Video: 'High Noon' trailer

(Thursday, July 24, 1952)High Noon, a Western film that tells in real time the story of a town marshal forced to face a gang of killers by himself, premiered today at the Mayfair theater in New York City.

The film was directed by Fred Zinnemann and stars Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly. It won four Academy Awards, including Best Actor in a Leading Role (Gary Cooper), Best Film Editing, Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture, and Best Music, Song.

Nixon nominated, urges GOP sweep in acceptance speech at convention 60 years ago tonight (1952)


Video: Nixon nominated, accepts (at 0:58-1:22)

(Friday, July 11, 1952) — Sen. Richard M. Nixon of California was nominated by acclamation today as the Republican nominee for Vice President of the United States. Nixon, 39, accepted the nomination at the Republican National Convention in Chicago, calling for a landslide victory that would carry a Republican Congress into office as well as capture the White House. Continue reading Nixon nominated, urges GOP sweep in acceptance speech at convention 60 years ago tonight (1952)

Ike reaches out to Taft after winning GOP nomination 60 years ago today (1952)


Video: Eisenhower, Taft (at 0:00-0:57)

(Friday, July 11, 1952, 1:15 p.m. CDT) — Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower called on Sen. Robert A. Taft today shortly after his triumph over the senator for the Republican presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in Chicago in an apparent effort to smooth over the bitterness of the convention contest. The two emerged at 1:15 p.m. CDT, both smiling broadly as they posed together before television cameras.

Eisenhower nominated on first ballot by GOP convention 60 years ago this hour (1952)


Video: Voting, nomination (at 1:36)

(Friday, July 11, 1952, 2:49 p.m. EDT) — General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower won a hard-fought first-ballot nomination today as the Republican candidate for president, beating Sen. Robert Taft of Ohio 595-500 on the first ballot (nine short of the 604 needed for nomination) before Minnesota started a shift of votes, which ended in an 845-280 Eisenhower victory.

Stassen goes in new huddle with Gen. Ike 60 years ago this morning (1952)


Video: Stassen, Eisenhower (at 1:29-1:36)

(Thursday, July 11, 1952, morning) — Former Minnesota Gov. Harold E. Stassen conferred again with Dwight D. Eisenhower today as the general drove for the Republican presidential nomination on the first ballot at the Republican National Convention in Chicago and his aides predicted sure victory on the second or third.

Taft, Eisenhower put in nomination at GOP convention 60 years ago tonight (1952)


Video: Demonstrations/nominating speeches (at 0:00-1:29)

(Thursday, July 10, 1952) — The names of General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower and Senator Robert A. Taft of Ohio were placed formally before the Republican National Convention in Chicago tonight (and early July 11) in nominating speeches indicative of the fighting election campaign to which both were pledged.

Dewey gets barrage of boos, yells during Dirksen speech at Republican National Convention 60 years ago tonight (1952)


Video: Dirksen speech July 9, 1952

(Wednesday, July 9, 1952) — Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York incurred yelling disapproval tonight at the Republican National Convention in Chicago. Continue reading Dewey gets barrage of boos, yells during Dirksen speech at Republican National Convention 60 years ago tonight (1952)

Joseph McCarthy sticks to fight on Reds at Republican National Convention 60 years ago today (1952)


Video: McCarthy speech July 9, 1952

(Wednesday, July 9, 1952) — Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy of Wisconsin told a cheering Republican National Convention today he would not soften his blows on the communist issues because “a rough fight is the only fight communists can understand.”

Republican National Convention opens in Chicago 60 years ago today (1952)


Video: Republicans convene (at 0:07)

(Monday, July 7, 1952) — The Republican National Convention opened today at International Amphitheatre in Chicago with both General Dwight D. Eisenhower of Kansas and Sen. Robert A. Taft of Ohio locked in a tight battle for the presidential nomination. Continue reading Republican National Convention opens in Chicago 60 years ago today (1952)

‘The Guiding Light’ debuts on CBS-TV 60 years ago this hour (1952)


Video: '1952: Guiding Light in TV'

(Monday, June 30, 1952, 2:30 p.m. EST) — Meta laments to her sister Trudy that she has left her husband Joe and her step-daughter Kathy hates her on today’s CBS television debut of The Guiding Light, a popular radio program for 15 years now. The soap opera is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running drama in television history, running 57 years until 2009.