Category Archives: Movies 1940s

‘Gilda’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour (Mar 14 1946)


Video: 'Gilda' trailer

(Thursday, March 14, 1946, 10:35 a.m. EST)Gilda, a film noir about a gambler who discovers an old flame in South America, premiered this morning at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Continue reading ‘Gilda’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour (Mar 14 1946)

‘Personality’ by Johnny Mercer and The Pied Pipers peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago today (Mar 9 1946)

(Saturday, March 9, 1946) — “Personality” by by Johnny Mercer and The Pied Pipers (with Paul Weston and his Orchestra) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week.

‘Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief’ by Betty Hutton peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago today (Mar 2 1946)

(Saturday, March 2, 1946) — “Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief” by Betty Hutton (with Paul Weston and his Orchestra; recorded June 29, 1945) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief’ by Betty Hutton peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago today (Mar 2 1946)

‘I Can’t Begin to Tell You’ by Bing Crosby and Carmen Cavallaro peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago today (Jan 19 1946)

(Saturday, January 19, 1946) — “I Can’t Begin to Tell You” by Bing Crosby with Carmen Cavallaro at the piano was the #1 song on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week.

Actress Diane Keaton born in Los Angeles 80 years ago today (Jan 5 1946)


Video: 'Diane Keaton: On Her Own (Biography, A&E Network, 2002)'

(Saturday, January 5, 1946) — Film actress, director, producer and screenwriter Diane Keaton was born Diane Hall today in Los Angeles. Continue reading Actress Diane Keaton born in Los Angeles 80 years ago today (Jan 5 1946)

‘Scarlet Street’ film noir premieres in Baltimore 80 years ago today (Dec 25 1945)


Video: 'Scarlet Street' trailer

(Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25, 1945)Scarlet Street, a crime film noir about a middle aged would-be painter who falls into the clutches of an unscrupulous woman, premiered today at Keith’s Theatre at 114 West Lexington Street in Baltimore. Continue reading ‘Scarlet Street’ film noir premieres in Baltimore 80 years ago today (Dec 25 1945)

Casper debuts in ‘The Friendly Ghost’ 80 years ago today (Nov 16 1945)


Video: 'The Friendly Ghost restored'

(Friday, November 16, 1945)The Friendly Ghost, an animated short featuring the debut of Casper, was released today by Paramount’s cartoon division. Continue reading Casper debuts in ‘The Friendly Ghost’ 80 years ago today (Nov 16 1945)

‘Mildred Pierce’ opens in New York City 80 years ago this hour (Sep 28 1945)


Video: 'Mildred Pierce' trailer

(Friday, September 28, 1945, doors opened at 9:00 a.m. EDT)Mildred Pierce, a drama film about a woman who turns herself into a business tycoon to win her selfish daughter a place in society, opened today at the Strand Theatre at 1579 Broadway, at the northwest corner of 47th Street and Broadway in Times Square, New York City. Continue reading ‘Mildred Pierce’ opens in New York City 80 years ago this hour (Sep 28 1945)

‘On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe’ by Johnny Mercer peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago today (July 28 1945)

(Saturday, July 28, 1945) — “On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe” by Johnny Mercer (with backing vocals by The Pied Pipers) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Selling Retail Records chart for seven consecutive weeks (July 28, Aug. 4/11/18/25, Sept. 1/8, 1945).

Abbott and Costello’s ‘The Naughty Nineties’ film opens in New York’s Times Square 80 years ago this hour (June 20 1945)


Video: 'The Naughty Nineties (1945) ORIGINAL TRAILER'

(Wednesday, June 20, 1945, scheduled for 9:00 a.m. EDT)The Naughty Nineties, a film containing perhaps the best recorded rendition of the Abbott and Costello comedy team’s classic “Who’s on First?” routine, opened this morning at Loew’s Criterion at Broadway and 45th St. in the Times Square neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. Continue reading Abbott and Costello’s ‘The Naughty Nineties’ film opens in New York’s Times Square 80 years ago this hour (June 20 1945)