Category Archives: 1950s

‘This Is Cinerama’ premieres in New York 60 years ago today (1952)


Video: 'This is Cinerama' trailer

(Tuesday, September 30, 1952) — The motion picture This Is Cinerama, which introduced the triple-camera, triple-projector Cinerama widescreen process, premiered today at the New York Broadway theatre in New York City.

Directed by Merian C. Cooper, the film is narrated by travel writer and newscaster Lowell Thomas.

Nixon to Eisenhower: ‘Shit or get off the pot’ 60 years ago this hour (1952)


Video: Sept. 21, 1952 (at 4:30)

(Sunday, September 21, 1952, 10:00 p.m. PDT, during the 1952 U.S. presidential campaign) — During a telephone call, GOP vice presidential nominee Richard Nixon, who had decided to make a television/radio broadcast to defend himself against charges he had improperly kept a “secret” fund, asked GOP presidential nominee Dwight D. Eisenhower if the general would be able to make a decision on Nixon’s fate immediately after the broadcast.

When Eisenhower hesitated, Nixon angrily burst out: “General, there comes a time in matters like this when you’ve either got to shit or get off the pot.”

Eisenhower replied that it might take three or four days to gauge public reaction.

Nixon denies ‘secret’ fund was illegal or unethical 60 years ago tonight (1952)


Video: Sept. 20, 1952 (at 3:08)

(Saturday, September 20, 1952, during the 1952 U.S. presidential campaign) — Two days after the New York Post reported a “secret” campaign fund for Richard Nixon, the GOP vice presidential nominee told supporters in Portland, Oregon, that it was a lie that he took the money for his personal use and he denied that it was illegal and unethical as charged.

New York Post reveals ‘Secret Nixon Fund’ 60 years ago today (1952)


Video: Sept. 18, 1952 (at 2:58)

(Thursday, September 18, 1952, during the 1952 U.S. presidential campaign) — The New York Post today ran the front-page headline: “Secret Nixon Fund,” with a detailed story charging that wealthy Californians had given $18,235 to a secret campaign fund for GOP vice presidential nominee Richard Nixon in return for political favors.

While the “secret fund” was perfectly legal, the story left the impression that Nixon was on the take; being paid to do the bidding of special interests.

Nixon makes first appearance on ‘Meet The Press’ 60 years ago today (1952)

(Sunday, September 14, 1952, during the 1952 U.S. presidential campaign) — Republican vice presidential nominee Richard Nixon made his first appearance today on Meet The Press, a weekly American television news/interview program produced by NBC.

‘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.