Category Archives: Movies 1940s

‘Rebecca’ premieres in Miami 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1940)


Video: 'Rebecca' trailer

(Thursday, March 21, 1940, 8:45 p.m. EST)Rebecca, an American romantic psychological thriller film about a young bride who is terrorized by the memories of her husband’s glamorous first wife, premiered tonight at the Lincoln Theater in Miami. Continue reading ‘Rebecca’ premieres in Miami 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1940)

Hattie McDaniel becomes first African-American to win Academy Award 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 29 1940)


Video: 'Hattie McDaniel winning Best Supporting Actress'

(Thursday, February 29, 1940, 8:30 p.m. PST)Hattie McDaniel became the first African-American to win an Oscar tonight when she was named Best Supporting Actress for her performance as a house servant in Gone With The Wind, which won eight awards, including Best Picture. Continue reading Hattie McDaniel becomes first African-American to win Academy Award 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 29 1940)

‘The Grapes of Wrath’ opens in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 24 1940)


Video: 'The Grapes of Wrath' trailer

(Wednesday, January 24, 1940, 9:30 a.m. EST)The Grapes of Wrath, an American drama film about Oklahoma farmers dispossessed during the Depression who fight for better lives in California, opened this morning at Rivoli Theatre in New York City. Continue reading ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ opens in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 24 1940)

‘White Heat’ opens in New York City 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 2 1949)


Video: 'White Heat' trailer

(Friday, September 2, 1949, 8:30 a.m. EDT)White Heat, a film noir about a government agent who infiltrates a gang run by a mother-fixated psychotic, opened this morning at the Strand Theater on Broadway at W. 47th Street in New York City. Continue reading ‘White Heat’ opens in New York City 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 2 1949)

‘The Third Man’ premieres in Hastings, England 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 1 1949)


Video: 'The Third Man' trailer

(Thursday, September 1, 1949, 8:30 p.m. BST) — A man’s investigation of a friend’s death uncovers corruption in post-World War II Vienna in The Third Man, a British film noir that premiered today at the Ritz Cinema in Hastings, East Sussex, on the south coast of England. Continue reading ‘The Third Man’ premieres in Hastings, England 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 1 1949)

‘Bicycle Thieves’ released in Italy 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 24 1948)


Video: 'Bicycle Thieves' trailer

(Wednesday, November 24, 1948)Bicycle Thieves, an Italian drama film about a working man whose livelihood is threatened when someone steals his bicycle, was released today in Italy. Continue reading ‘Bicycle Thieves’ released in Italy 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 24 1948)

‘Red River’ opens in four states along Chisholm Trail 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 26 1948)


Video: 'Red River' trailer

(Thursday, August 26, 1948)Red River, an American western film about a young cowhand who rebels against his rancher stepfather during a perilous cattle drive, opened today in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and New Mexico, to commemorate the 83rd anniversary of the opening of the Chisholm Trail, used in the post-Civil War era to drive cattle overland. Continue reading ‘Red River’ opens in four states along Chisholm Trail 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 26 1948)

‘Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein’ opens in Syrause, New York 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 14 1948)

Video: 'Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein' trailer (plus 11 clips)

(Wednesday, July 14, 1948) — Count Dracula plots to put a simpleton”s brain into the body of the Frankenstein monster in Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, an American horror comedy that opened today at the Paramount Theater in Syracuse, New York. Continue reading ‘Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein’ opens in Syrause, New York 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 14 1948)

Laurence Olivier’s ‘Hamlet’ premieres in London 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 6 1948)


Video: 'Hamlet' trailer

(Thursday, May 6, 1948, evening BST)Hamlet, a British film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play of the same name about a melancholy Dane who flirts with insanity while trying to prove his uncle murdered his father, premiered today at The Odeon, Leicester Square, London. Continue reading Laurence Olivier’s ‘Hamlet’ premieres in London 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 6 1948)

‘Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House’ opens 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 25 1948)


Video: 'Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House' trailer

(Thursday, March 25, 1948, doors opened at 9:30 a.m. EST)Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, an American comedy film about a New York businessman whose dream of a country home is shattered when he buys a tumbledown rural shack, opened today at the Astor Theatre in New York City. Continue reading ‘Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House’ opens 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 25 1948)