Category Archives: 1950s

‘The African Queen’ premieres in Los Angeles 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1951)


Video: 'The African Queen' trailer

(Wednesday, December 26, 1951, 12:45 p.m. PST) — A grizzled skipper and a spirited missionary take on the Germans in Africa during World War I in The African Queen, an adventure drama film adapted from the 1935 novel of the same name by C. S. Forester that premiered today at the Fox Wilshire Theater in Beverly Hills, California. Continue reading ‘The African Queen’ premieres in Los Angeles 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1951)

‘Dragnet’ debuts as a television series on NBC 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 16 1951)


Video: 'Dragnet S01E01 The Human Bomb'

(Sunday, December 16, 1951, 7:00 p.m. EST)Dragnet, an American television series, based on the Jack Webb-created crime drama radio series of the same name that follows Sgt. Joe Friday as he and his partners methodically investigate crimes in Los Angeles, debuted tonight on NBC. Continue reading ‘Dragnet’ debuts as a television series on NBC 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 16 1951)

‘Cold, Cold Heart’ by Tony Bennett peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 3 1951)

(Saturday, November 3, 1951) — “Cold, Cold Heart” by Tony Bennett peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of six consecutive weeks (Nov. 3/10/17/24, Dec. 1/8, 1951). Continue reading ‘Cold, Cold Heart’ by Tony Bennett peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 3 1951)

‘I Love Lucy’ television sitcom starring Lucille Ball debuts on CBS 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 15 1951)


Video: '"I LOVE LUCY" - Episode Spotlight: "The Girls Want to Go to a Nightclub"'

(Monday, October 15, 1951, 9 p.m. EST)I Love Lucy, an American television series often regarded as one of the greatest and most influential sitcoms in history, debuted tonight on CBS. Continue reading ‘I Love Lucy’ television sitcom starring Lucille Ball debuts on CBS 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 15 1951)

New York Giant Bobby Thomson hits ‘Shot Heard ‘Round the World’ 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 3 1951)


Video: 'The Shot Heard 'Round The World'

(Wednesday, October 3, 1951, 3:58 p.m. EST) — New York Giants outfielder Bobby Thomson hit the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” — a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of a playoff game off Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca today at the Polo Grounds in Upper Manhattan, New York City — to send the New York Giants into the World Series. Continue reading New York Giant Bobby Thomson hits ‘Shot Heard ‘Round the World’ 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 3 1951)

‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’ opens in New York City 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 18 1951)

(Tuesday, September 18, 1951, 8:30 a.m. EDT; during the Cold War)The Day the Earth Stood Still, an American science fiction film about an alien who demands that Earth’s leaders choose between peace and destruction, opened this morning at the Mayfair Theatre in Times Square in the Midtown Manhattan section of New York City. Continue reading ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’ opens in New York City 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 18 1951)

‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ premieres at Venice Film Festival 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 9 1951)

(Sunday, September 9, 1951, evening Central European Time)A Streetcar Named Desire, an American drama film about a fading southern belle who tries to build a new life with her sister in New Orleans, premiered tonight at the 12th Venice International Film Festival.

Adapted from Tennessee Williams’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1947 play of the same name, the film was directed by Elia Kazan and starred Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter and Karl Malden.

Streetcar‘s official premiere was held nine days later on Sept. 18, 1951, at Warner Bros. Beverly Theater in Beverly Hills, California, and then opened in New York on the following day.

‘Because of You’ by Tony Bennett peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 8 1951)

(Saturday, September 8, 1951) — “Because of You” by Tony Bennett peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of eight weeks (Sept. 8/15/22/29, Oct. 6/13/20/27, 1951). Continue reading ‘Because of You’ by Tony Bennett peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 8 1951)

‘Come on-a My House’ by Rosemary Clooney peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 28 1951)

(Saturday, July 28, 1951) — “Come on-a My House” by Rosemary Clooney peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of six consecutive weeks (July 28, Aug. 4/11/18/25, Sept. 1, 1951). Continue reading ‘Come on-a My House’ by Rosemary Clooney peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 28 1951)