Category Archives: Movies 1940s

‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour (Mar 1 1945)

1940s, Movies 1940s


Video: 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' (trailer)

(Thursday, March 1, 1945, doors were scheduled to open at 10:00 a.m. EWT) — The Picture of Dorian Gray, a horror-drama film about a man who remains young and handsome while his portrait shows the ravages of age and sin, premiered today at the Capitol Theatre at 1645 Broadway, just north of Times Square in New York City, across from the Winter Garden Theatre. Continue reading ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour (Mar 1 1945) →

‘I’ll Walk Alone’ by Dinah Shore peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 14 1944)

1940s, Movies 1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(Saturday, October 14, 1944) — “I’ll Walk Alone” by Dinah Shore peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Selling Retail Records chart for four non-consecutive weeks (Oct. 14, Nov. 4/11/18, 1944). Continue reading ‘I’ll Walk Alone’ by Dinah Shore peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 14 1944) →

‘Swinging on a Star’ by Bing Crosby peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 5 1944)

1940s, Movies 1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(Saturday, August 5, 1944) — “Swinging on a Star” by Bing Crosby (with The Williams Brothers Quartet, orchestra conducted by John Scott Trotter) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard National List of Best Selling Retail Records chart for nine consecutive weeks (Aug. 5/12/19/26, Sept. 2/9/16/23/30, 1944). Continue reading ‘Swinging on a Star’ by Bing Crosby peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 5 1944) →

‘Sunday, Monday, or Always’ by Bing Crosby peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 11 1943)

1940s, Movies 1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(Saturday, September 11, 1943) — “Sunday, Monday, or Always” by Bing Crosby (with the Ken Darby Singers) was the #1 song on today’s Billboard National List of Best Selling Retail Records chart for the first of seven consecutive weeks (Sept. 11/18/25, Oct. 2/9/16/23, 1943). Continue reading ‘Sunday, Monday, or Always’ by Bing Crosby peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 11 1943) →

‘Taking a Chance on Love’ by Benny Goodman peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 12 1943)

1940s, Movies 1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(Saturday, June 12, 1943) — “Taking a Chance on Love” by Benny Goodman and his Orchestra (vocal chorus by Helen Forrest) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard National List of Best Selling Retail Records chart for the first of three consecutive weeks (June 12/19/26, 1943). Continue reading ‘Taking a Chance on Love’ by Benny Goodman peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 12 1943) →

‘I Had the Craziest Dream’ by Harry James peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 13 1943)

1940s, Movies 1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(Saturday, February 13, 1943) — “I Had the Craziest Dream” by Harry James and his Orchestra (vocal chorus by Helen Forrest) was the #1 song on today’s Billboard National Best Selling Retail Records chart for the first of two consecutive weeks (Feb. 13/20, 1943). Continue reading ‘I Had the Craziest Dream’ by Harry James peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 13 1943) →

‘Casablanca’ romantic drama film opens at Hollywood Theater in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 26 1942)

1940s, Movies 1940s


Video: 'Casablanca' (trailer)

(Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 1942, 12 noon EST) — Casablanca, a romantic drama film about an American saloon owner in North Africa who is drawn into World War II when his lost love turns up, opened today at the Hollywood Theater at 237 W. 51st Street in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Continue reading ‘Casablanca’ romantic drama film opens at Hollywood Theater in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 26 1942) →

‘(I’ve Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo’ by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 12 1942)

1940s, Movies 1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(Saturday, September 12, 1942) — “(I’ve Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo” by Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (vocal refrain by Tex Beneke, Marion Hutton, and The Modernaires) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of seven consecutive weeks (Sept. 12/19/26, Oct. 3/10/17/24, 1942). Continue reading ‘(I’ve Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo’ by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 12 1942) →

Bing Crosby records ‘White Christmas,’ best-selling single of all-time, in Los Angeles 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 29 1942)

1940s, Christmas, Movies 1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(Friday, May 29, 1942) — “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby, the world’s best-selling single (in terms of sales of physical media), was recorded today with the John Scott Trotter Orchestra and the Ken Darby Singers at the Radio Recorders recording studio, 932 N. Western Avenue in Los Angeles. Continue reading Bing Crosby records ‘White Christmas,’ best-selling single of all-time, in Los Angeles 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 29 1942) →

‘Tangerine’ by Jimmy Dorsey peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 9 1942)

1940s, Movies 1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(Saturday, May 9, 1942) — “Tangerine” by Jimmy Dorsey And His Orchestra (vocal choruses by Bob Eberly and Helen O’Connell) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of six consecutive weeks (May 9/16/23/30, June 6/13, 1942). Continue reading ‘Tangerine’ by Jimmy Dorsey peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 9 1942) →