Category Archives: 1960s

‘My Fair Lady’ closes on Broadway after record 2,717 performances 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: 'My Fair Lady "Wouldn't It Be Lovely" on The Ed Sullivan Show' (Mar. 19, 1961)

(Saturday, September 29, 1962) — The musical My Fair Lady closed on Broadway (at The Broadway Theatre) today after 2,717 performances, a record at the time.

‘The Beverly Hillbillies’ debuts on CBS-TV 50 years ago this hour (1962)


Video: 'The Clampetts Strike Oil' (Sept. 26, 1962)

(Wednesday, September 26, 1962, 9:00 p.m. EDT)The Beverly Hillbillies, a television sitcom series about a poor backwoods family transplanted to Beverly Hills, California, after striking oil on their land, debuted tonight on CBS-TV. It starred Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Donna Douglas, Max Baer, Jr., Raymond Bailey and Nancy Kulp.

‘The Longest Day’ premieres in France 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: 'The Longest Day' trailer

(Tuesday, September 25, 1962)The Longest Day, a war film about D-Day, the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944, during World War II, had its world premiere today in France (it would open in the U.S. on Oct. 4).

Directed by Ken Annakin (British and French exteriors), Andrew Marton (American exteriors), Gerd Oswald (parachute drop scene), Bernhard Wicki (German scenes), and Darryl F. Zanuck (uncredited), the film stars John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, Sean Connery, Eddie Albert, Curd Jürgens, Richard Burton, Donald Houston, Peter Lawford, Rod Steiger, Irina Demick, Gert Fröbe, Edmond O’Brien and Kenneth More.

‘The Jetsons’ debuts on ABC 50 years ago this hour (1962)


Video: 'The Jetsons ep Rosey the Robot' (Sept. 23, 1962)

(Sunday, September 23, 1962, 6:30 p.m. EDT)The Jetsons, an animated television sitcom series projecting contemporary culture and lifestyle into another time period, debuted tonight as the very first program to air in color on ABC-TV.

‘The Virginian’ debuts on NBC 50 years ago this hour (1962)


Video: 'The Virginian Opening Theme Season One'

(Wednesday, September 19, 1962, 7:30 p.m. EDT) — The Western television series The Virginian debuted tonight on NBC starring Lee J. Cobb, Doug McClure, Gary Clarke and James Drury (click here to watch a clip from the first episode, The Executioners).

Americans discover Soviet SA-2 missiles in Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: Aug. 29, 1962 (at 6:41)

(Wednesday, August 29, 1962, during the Cold War) — Photographs taken by an American U-2 spyplane over Cuba first revealed today the presence there of Soviet SA-2 missiles, for anti-aircraft defense. Offensive missiles would not be discovered until later flights.

Frankfurter resigns from Supreme Court; Goldberg named as replacement 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: 'Arthur Goldberg resigns from UN 1968'

(Tuesday, August 28, 1962) — Ailing Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter resigned today after serving 23 years and President John F. Kennedy promptly nominated Arthur Goldberg to succeed him.

Ted Kennedy takes jabs in Senate primary debate 50 years ago this hour (1962)

(Monday, August 27, 1962, 8:00 p.m. EDT) — State Attorney General Edward J. McCormack Jr., challenging Edward Moore Kennedy (the 30-year-old brother of President John F. Kennedy) in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts, accused Kennedy in a TV debate tonight of attempting to get elected on his brother’s coattails. Continue reading Ted Kennedy takes jabs in Senate primary debate 50 years ago this hour (1962)