Category Archives: Movies 1980s

Comedian John Belushi, 33, found dead of a drug overdose in rented Hollywood bungalow 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 5 1982)

1980s, Movies 1980s, Television 1980s


Video: 'John Belushi - Milton Berle + Bob Greene on his passing - Nightline 3/5/82'

(Friday, March 5, 1982, 12:15 p.m. PST) — Comedian John Belushi, whose wayward eyebrows and bulging belly animated his portrayal of the consummate slob on the NBC-TV sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live and in the movie Animal House, was found dead today in his garden bungalow at the Chateau Marmont hotel on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, California. He was 33 years old. Continue reading Comedian John Belushi, 33, found dead of a drug overdose in rented Hollywood bungalow 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 5 1982) →

Actress Natalie Wood, 43, found dead in waters off California’s Santana Catalina Island 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 29 1981)

1980s, Movies 1980s


Video: '1981 SPECIAL REPORT: "THE DEATH OF NATALIE WOOD"'

(Sunday, November 29, 1981, 7:44 a.m. PST) — The body of American actress Natalie Wood, 43, was discovered this morning in a rocky cove off Santa Catalina Island, California, one mile from her husband’s 58-foot motoryacht Splendour, with a small Valiant-brand inflatable dinghy beached nearby. Continue reading Actress Natalie Wood, 43, found dead in waters off California’s Santana Catalina Island 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 29 1981) →

‘For Your Eyes Only’ by Sheena Easton peaks at #4 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 17 1981)

1980s, James Bond, Movies 1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, October 17, 1981) — “For Your Eyes Only,” the title song from the latest James Bond film by Sheena Easton, peaked at #4 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for four weeks. Continue reading ‘For Your Eyes Only’ by Sheena Easton peaks at #4 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 17 1981) →

‘Endless Love’ by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 15 1981)

1980s, Movies 1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, August 15, 1981) — “Endless Love” by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for the first of nine weeks (Aug. 15/22/29, Sept. 5/12/19/26, Oct. 3/10, 1981). Continue reading ‘Endless Love’ by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 15 1981) →

‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ opens in New York City 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 12 1981)

1980s, Movies 1980s


Video: 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' trailer

(Friday, June 12, 1981, 11:00 a.m. EDT) — Raiders of the Lost Ark, an American action-adventure film that pits Indiana Jones against the Nazis who search for the Ark of the Covenant because Adolf Hitler believes it will make their army invincible, opened today at Loews Astor Plaza movie theater at 1515 Broadway, between West 44th and 45th Streets, in the Times Square area of Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Continue reading ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ opens in New York City 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 12 1981) →

‘Caveman’ comedy film starring ex-Beatle Ringo Starr opens in New York City 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 17 1981)

1980s, Movies 1980s, The Beatles 1980s


Video: 'Caveman' trailer

(Friday, April 17, 1981, scheduled to open at noon EST) — Caveman, an American slapstick comedy film about a prehistoric, social outcast (played by former Beatle Ringo Starr) who, along with other misfits, forms his own tribe and finds various comic adventures, opened today at Bay Cinema in the Kips Bay section of Manhattan, New York City.
Continue reading ‘Caveman’ comedy film starring ex-Beatle Ringo Starr opens in New York City 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 17 1981) →

Ex-Beatle Ringo Starr, Barbara Bach tape joint interview for ‘The Phil Donahue Show’ 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 23 1981)

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


Video: 'WGN Channel 9 - Donahue - "Ringo Starr & Barbara Bach" (Open & Break, 1981)'

(Monday, March 23, 1981) — Former Beatle Ringo Starr and his fiancée, actress Barbara Bach, taped an appearance on the The Phil Donahue Show syndicated TV talk show today in Chicago to promote their film Caveman, which would open in New York on Apr. 17, 1981.
Continue reading Ex-Beatle Ringo Starr, Barbara Bach tape joint interview for ‘The Phil Donahue Show’ 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 23 1981) →

Ex-Beatle Ringo Starr grants first interview since John Lennon’s assassination 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 7 1981)

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


Video: 'Ringo Starr Interviewed By Barbara Walters (Talking About John Lennon's Death) - 31 March 1980'

(Saturday, March 7, 1981) — Former Beatle Ringo Starr and his fiancée, actress Barbara Bach, were interviewed today for the Mar. 31, 1981, edition of ABC’s The Barbara Walters Special to promote their film Caveman, which would open in New York City on Apr. 17, 1981.
Continue reading Ex-Beatle Ringo Starr grants first interview since John Lennon’s assassination 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 7 1981) →

‘9 to 5’ by Dolly Parton peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 21 1981)

1980s, Movies 1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, February 21, 1981) — “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two non-consecutive weeks (Feb. 21, Mar. 14, 1981).
Continue reading ‘9 to 5’ by Dolly Parton peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 21 1981) →

‘It’s My Turn’ by Diana Ross peaks at #9 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 24 1981)

1980s, Movies 1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, January 24, 1981) — “It’s My Turn” by Diana Ross peaked at #9 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for three weeks.
Continue reading ‘It’s My Turn’ by Diana Ross peaks at #9 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 24 1981) →