Category Archives: Movies 1950s

‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ premieres at Venice Film Festival 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 9 1951)

(Sunday, September 9, 1951, evening Central European Time) — A Streetcar Named Desire, an American drama film about a fading southern belle who tries to build a new life with her sister in New Orleans, premiered tonight at the 12th Venice International Film Festival.

Adapted from Tennessee Williams’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1947 play of the same name, the film was directed by Elia Kazan and starred Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter and Karl Malden.

Streetcar‘s official premiere was held nine days later on Sept. 18, 1951, at Warner Bros. Beverly Theater in Beverly Hills, California, and then opened in New York on the following day.

‘The Thing from Another World’ opens in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 5, 1951)


Video: ‘The Thing from Another World’ trailer

(Thursday, April 5, 1951) — The Thing from Another World, an American black-and-white science fiction-horror film about an Air Force crew and scientists at a remote Arctic research outpost who fight a malevolent plant-based alien being, opened today in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio.
Continue reading ‘The Thing from Another World’ opens in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 5, 1951) →

‘Be My Love’ by Mario Lanza peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 10 1951)

(Saturday, March 10, 1951) — “Be My Love” by Mario Lanza peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week.
Continue reading ‘Be My Love’ by Mario Lanza peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 10 1951) →

‘All About Eve’ opens in New York City 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 13 1950)


Video: 'All About Eve' trailer

(Friday, October 13, 1950, 11:30 a.m. EST) — All About Eve, a American drama film about an ambitious young actress who tries to take over a star’s career and love life, opened this morning at the Roxy Theatre at 153 W. 50th Street in New York City’s Times Square. Continue reading ‘All About Eve’ opens in New York City 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 13 1950) →

‘Mona Lisa’ by Nat King Cole peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 15 1950)

(Saturday, July 15, 1950) — “Mona Lisa” by Nat King Cole With Orchestra conducted by Les Baxter peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for five consecutive weeks (July 15/22/29, Aug. 5/12, 1950). Continue reading ‘Mona Lisa’ by Nat King Cole peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 15 1950) →

‘The Third Man Theme’ by Anton Karas peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 29 1950)

(Saturday, April 29, 1950) — “The Third Man Theme” by Anton Karas peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for 11 consecutive weeks (Apr. 29, May 6/13/20/27, June 3/10/17/24, July 1/8, 1950). Continue reading ‘The Third Man Theme’ by Anton Karas peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 29 1950) →

‘Ben-Hur’ premieres in New York City 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 18 1959)


Video: 'Film Premiere Of 'Ben-Hur' (1959)'

(Wednesday, November 18, 1959, 8:00 p.m. EST) — While seeking revenge, a rebellious Israelite prince crosses paths with Jesus Christ in Ben-Hur, an American epic historical drama film that premiered tonight at Loew’s State Theatre at 1540 Broadway in Times Square, Manhattan in New York City. Continue reading ‘Ben-Hur’ premieres in New York City 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 18 1959) →

‘High Hopes’ by Frank Sinatra peaks at #30 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 7 1959)

(Monday, September 7, 1959) — “High Hopes” by Frank Sinatra “and a bunch of kids” with orchestra conducted by Nelson Riddle peaked at #30 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘High Hopes’ by Frank Sinatra peaks at #30 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 7 1959) →

‘Anatomy of a Murder’ premieres in Detroit 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 1 1959)


Video: 'Vintage 'Anatomy of a Murder' Michigan premiere'

(Wednesday, July 1, 1959, 7:15 p.m. EDT) — Anatomy of a Murder, an American courtroom drama crime film about a small-town lawyer who gets the case of a lifetime when a military man avenges an attack on his wife, premiered tonight at the United Artists Theater in Detroit. Continue reading ‘Anatomy of a Murder’ premieres in Detroit 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 1 1959) →

‘North by Northwest’ premieres in Chicago 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 1 1959)


Video: 'North by Northwest' trailer

(Wednesday, July 1, 1959, 5:50 p.m. CDT) — North by Northwest, an American thriller film about an advertising man who is mistaken for a spy, triggering a deadly cross-country chase, premiered tonight at the United Artists theater in Chicago. Continue reading ‘North by Northwest’ premieres in Chicago 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 1 1959) →