Video: 'Fantasia' trailer
(Wednesday, November 13, 1940, 8:40 p.m. EST) — Fantasia, an American animated film produced by Walt Disney featuring eight animated segments set to pieces of classical music conducted by Leopold Stokowski, seven of which are performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra, premiered tonight at the Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway (at 53rd Street) in New York City. Continue reading ‘Fantasia’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 13 1940)
(Saturday, October 19, 1940) — “Only Forever” by Bing Crosby With John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Selling Singles chart for nine consecutive weeks (Oct. 19/26, Nov. 2/9/16/23/30, Dec. 7/14, 1940). Continue reading ‘Only Forever’ by Bing Crosby peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 19 1940)
Video: 'The Great Dictator' trailer
(Thursday, October 15, 1940, 8:30 p.m. EST; during World War II) — The Great Dictator, an American political satire comedy-drama film about a Jewish barber who takes the place of a war-hungry dictator, premiered tonight in New York City at the Astor Theatre at 1537 Broadway, at West 45th Street in Times Square and the Capitol Theatre at 1645 Broadway, just north of Times Square. Continue reading ‘The Great Dictator’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 15 1940)
(Saturday, July 27, 1940) — A Wild Hare, a Merrie Melodies cartoon supervised by Tex Avery (credited as Fred Avery on the original issue) and featuring Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny, the latter making what is considered his first official appearance, debuted today. Continue reading Bugs Bunny makes his debut in animated short ‘A Wild Hare’ 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 27 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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
