Category Archives: Movies 1950s

‘House Of Wax’ premieres in 3-D color in New York City 60 years ago today (1953)


Video: 'House Of Wax' trailer

(Friday, April 10, 1953)House Of Wax, a horror film about a vengeful sculptor who rebuilds his fire-destroyed showplace by using human victims as wax figures, premiered today at the Paramount in New York City. It was the first 3-D color feature from a major American studio.

Directed by André de Toth, the film starred Vincent Price, Frank Lovejoy, Charles Bronson, Carolyn Jones and Phyllis Kirk.

Kubrick’s ‘Fear and Desire’ opens in New York City 60 years ago today (1953)


Video: 'Fear and Desire' trailer

(Tuesday, March 31, 1953)Fear and Desire, a military action/adventure film about four soldiers trapped behind enemy lines who must confront their fears and desires, arrived today at the Guild Theatre in New York City.

Directed by Stanley Kubrick (his first feature film), the movie starred Frank Silvera, Kenneth Harp, Paul Mazursky, Steve Coit and Virginia Leith.

‘The Greatest Show On Earth’ wins Best Picture at 25th Academy Awards 50 years ago this hour (1953)


Video: '1952 Oscar Winners'

(Thursday, March 19, 1953, 10:30 p.m. EST)The Greatest Show On Earth won two Oscars tonight at the 25th Academy Awards, including Best Picture. John Ford won Best Director for The Quiet Man, Gary Cooper won Best Actor for High Noon and Shirley Booth won Best Actress for Come Back, Little Sheba. Continue reading ‘The Greatest Show On Earth’ wins Best Picture at 25th Academy Awards 50 years ago this hour (1953)

‘Peter Pan’ released in U.S. theaters 60 years ago today (1953)


Video: 'Peter Pan' trailer

(Thursday, February 5, 1953)Peter Pan, an animated film produced by Walt Disney about a girl named Wendy and her brothers who are whisked away to the magical world of Neverland with the hero of their stories, Peter Pan, was released today in U.S. theaters.

Directed by Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson and Hamilton Luske, the film starred Bobby Driscoll, Kathryn Beaumont, Hans Conried, Paul Collins and Tommy Luske.

‘Limelight’ premieres in London 60 years ago today (1952)


Video: 'Limelight' trailer

(Thursday, October 16, 1952)Limelight, a comedy-drama film about a broken-down comic who sacrifices everything to give a young dancer a shot at the big time, premiered today in London.

Directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin, the film also stars Claire Bloom, Nigel Bruce, Buster Keaton, Sydney Earle Chaplin, Wheeler Dryden and Norman Lloyd.

‘This Is Cinerama’ premieres in New York 60 years ago today (1952)


Video: 'This is Cinerama' trailer

(Tuesday, September 30, 1952) — The motion picture This Is Cinerama, which introduced the triple-camera, triple-projector Cinerama widescreen process, premiered today at the New York Broadway theatre in New York City.

Directed by Merian C. Cooper, the film is narrated by travel writer and newscaster Lowell Thomas.

‘High Noon’ premieres in New York 60 years ago today (1952)


Video: 'High Noon' trailer

(Thursday, July 24, 1952)High Noon, a Western film that tells in real time the story of a town marshal forced to face a gang of killers by himself, premiered today at the Mayfair theater in New York City.

The film was directed by Fred Zinnemann and stars Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly. It won four Academy Awards, including Best Actor in a Leading Role (Gary Cooper), Best Film Editing, Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture, and Best Music, Song.

‘The Quiet Man’ opens in Dublin and London 60 years ago today (1952)


Video: 'The Quiet Man' trailer

(Wednesday, June 6, 1952)The Quiet Man, a romantic comedy-drama film about a retired American boxer who returns to the village where he was born in Ireland and finds love, opened today in Dublin and London.

The film was directed by John Ford and stars John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Victor McLaglen and Barry Fitzgerald. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning Best Director and Best Cinematography.

‘An American In Paris’ wins Best Picture at 24th Academy Awards 60 years ago today (1952)

(Thursday, March 20, 1952)An American In Paris, a musical about an American artist who finds love in Paris but almost loses it to conflicting loyalties, was named Best Picture of 1951 tonight at the 24th Academy Awards at RKO Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. Continue reading ‘An American In Paris’ wins Best Picture at 24th Academy Awards 60 years ago today (1952)