Video: 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' trailer
(Tuesday, October 17, 1939, evening EDT) — Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, an American political comedy-drama film about a newly appointed United States Senator who fights against a corrupt political system, premiered tonight at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. Continue reading ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’ premieres in Washington, D.C. 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 17 1939)
(Saturday, September 9, 1939) — “Over the Rainbow” by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra (Ray Eberle, vocal) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for seven non-consecutive weeks (Sep. 9/16/23/30, Oct. 7/14/28, 1939). Continue reading ‘Over the Rainbow’ by Glenn Miller peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 9 1939)
Video: 'The Wizard of Oz' trailer
(Tuesday, August 15, 1939, 8:30 p.m. PDT) — The Wizard of Oz, an American musical fantasy film about a Kansas farm girl who dreams herself into a magical land where she must fight a wicked witch to escape, premiered tonight at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Continue reading ‘The Wizard of Oz’ premieres in Hollywood 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 15 1939)
(Saturday, June 17, 1939) — “Wishing (Will Make It So)” by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra (Ray Eberle, vocal) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for four consecutive weeks (May 20/27, June 3/10, 1939). Continue reading ‘Wishing (Will Make It So)’ by Glenn Miller peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 17 1939)
Video: 'Stagecoach' trailer
(Thursday, March 2, 1939, 11:40 a.m. EDT) — Stagecoach, an American Western film about a group of disparate passengers who battle personal demons and each other while racing dangerous Apache territory, opened this morning at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Continue reading ‘Stagecoach’ opens in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1939)
Video: 'Bette Davis, Spencer Tracy and Deanna Durbin winning Oscars'
(Thursday, February 23, 1939, 8:30-10:36 p.m. PST) — You Can’t Take It with You, a 1938 American romantic comedy film about a man from a family of rich snobs who becomes engaged to a woman from a good-natured but decidedly eccentric family, won Outstanding Production tonight at the 11th Academy Awards at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. Continue reading ‘You Can’t Take It with You’ wins Outstanding Production at 11th Academy Awards 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 23 1939)
Video: 'You Can't Take It with You' trailer
(Thursday, September 1, 1938, 11:15 a.m. EDT) — You Can’t Take It with You, an American romantic comedy film about a girl from a family of freethinkers who falls for the son of a conservative banker, premiered today at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Continue reading ‘You Can’t Take It with You’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 1 1938)
Video: 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' trailer
(Thursday, May 12, 1938, 11:45 a.m. EDT) — The Adventures of Robin Hood, an American Technicolor swashbuckler film about the bandit king of Sherwood Forest who leads his Merry Men in a battle against the corrupt Prince John, premiered today at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Continue reading ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’ opens in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 12 1938)
Video: 'Olympia Part 1 Fest der Völker 1938 with English Subs'
(Wednesday, April 20, 1938) — Olympia, a German documentary film about the 1936 Berlin Olympic games, featuring many advanced motion picture techniques which later became industry standards, was released today in Nazi Germany on Adolf Hitler’s 49th birthday. Continue reading Groundbreaking documentary ‘Olympia’ released 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 20 1938)
Video: 'The 1938 Oscars - in Color'
(Thursday, March 10, 1938, 8:15-10:11 p.m. PST) — The Life of Emile Zola, a biographical film about French author Émile Zola, won three Oscars, including Outstanding Production, tonight at the 10th Academy Awards at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. Continue reading ‘The Life of Emile Zola’ wins Outstanding Production at 10th Academy Awards 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 10 1938)
