Category Archives: Movies 1980s

‘Magic’ by Olivia Newton-John peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1980)

1980s, Movies 1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, August 2, 1980) — “Magic” by Olivia Newton-John peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for four consecutive weeks (Aug. 2/9/16/23, 1980). Continue reading ‘Magic’ by Olivia Newton-John peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1980) →

‘I’m Alive’ by Electric Light Orchestra peaks at #16 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 12 1980)

1980s, Movies 1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, July 12, 1980) — “I’m Alive” by Electric Light Orchestra peaked at #16 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘I’m Alive’ by Electric Light Orchestra peaks at #16 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 12 1980) →

‘Airplane!’ opens in New York City 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 2 1980)

1980s, Movies 1980s


Video: 'Airplane!' trailer

(Wednesday, July 2, 1980, 12 noon EDT) — When a flight crew falls ill, the only man who can land the plane is afraid of flying in Airplane!, an American parody film that opened today at Forum 47th Street theater at 1567 Broadway in Times Square, located in the Midtown Manhattan section of New York City. Continue reading ‘Airplane!’ opens in New York City 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 2 1980) →

‘The Shining’ opens in New York City 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 23 1980)

1980s, Movies 1980s


Video: 'The Shining' trailer

(Friday, May 23, 1980, noon EDT) — Jack Torrance becomes winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel in Colorado, hoping to cure his writer’s block in The Shining, an psychological horror film that opened today at Moss’ Criterion Theatre in New York City. Continue reading ‘The Shining’ opens in New York City 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 23 1980) →

‘The Empire Strikes Back’ premieres at Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1980)

1980s, Movies 1980s


Video: 'The Empire Strikes Back' trailer

(Saturday, May 17, 1980, 2:30 p.m. EDT) — Three years after the events of Star Wars, Imperial forces continue to pursue the Rebels in The Empire Strikes Back, an American epic space opera film that premiered this afternoon at a benefit premiere for Special Olympics at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Continue reading ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ premieres at Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1980) →

Paul McCartney appears at Cannes Film Festival 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 14 1980)

1980s, Movies 1980s, Popular Music 1980s, The Beatles 1980s


Video: 'Paul & Linda McCartney Interview 1980'

(Wednesday, May 14, 1980) — Former Beatle Paul McCartney and his wife, Linda, were interviewed today by American columnist Rex Reed the 33rd annual Cannes Film Festival in the South of France. Continue reading Paul McCartney appears at Cannes Film Festival 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 14 1980) →

‘Glory’ premieres in New York City 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 10 1989)

1980s, American Civil War, Movies 1980s


Video: 'Glory' trailer

(Sunday, December 10, 1989, evening EST) — Glory, an American war film about a young, white army officer is assigned to lead an all-black unit in the American Civil War, premiered tonight at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City. Continue reading ‘Glory’ premieres in New York City 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 10 1989) →