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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Video: 'The 20th Academy Awards in 1948'
(Saturday, March 20, 1948, 8:15-10:13 p.m. PST) — Gentleman’s Agreement, a drama film about a reporter who pretends to be Jewish in order to cover a story on anti-Semitism, won three Oscars tonight, including Best Motion Picture, Best Director (Elia Kazan) and Best Supporting Actress (Celeste Holm) at the 20th Academy Awards ceremony at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Continue reading ‘Gentleman’s Agreement’ wins Best Picture 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 20 1948)
Video: 'The Treasure of the Sierra Madre' trailer
(Thursday, January 15, 1948) — The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, an American dramatic adventurous neo-western film about two financially desperate Americans who in the 1920s join an old-timer to prospect for gold, was released today in Los Angeles. Continue reading ‘The Treasure of the Sierra Madre’ released in Los Angeles 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 15 1948)
Video: 'Gentleman's Agreement' trailer
(Tuesday, November 11, 1947, doors opened at 8:30 a.m. EST) — Gentleman’s Agreement, a drama film about a reporter who pretends to be Jewish in order to cover a story on anti-Semitism, opened this morning at Mayfair Theatre in New York City. Continue reading ‘Gentleman’s Agreement’ opens in New York City 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 11 1947)
Video: 'Ronald_Reagan HUAC Testimony Excerpt, 1947'
(Thursday, October 23, 1947; during the Second Red Scare and the Cold War) — Film actor Ronald Reagan, President of the Screen Actors Guild and future President of the United States, appeared before the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) today as a “friendly” witness, testifying “I do not believe the Communists have ever at any time been able to use the motion-picture screen as a sounding board for their philosophy or ideology.” Continue reading Reagan testifies on pro-Communist influences in Hollywood 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 23 1947)
Video: 'The Ghost and Mrs. Muir' trailer
(Thursday, June 26, 1947, 10:40 a.m. EDT) — The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, a fantasy romantic comedy-drama film about a spirited widow who rents a haunted cottage and builds an emotional bond with the resident ghost, opened this morning at Radio City Music Hall in Rockefeller Center in New York City. Continue reading ‘The Ghost and Mrs. Muir’ opens in New York City 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 26 1947)
