Category Archives: Popular Music 1930s

‘You Can’t Take It with You’ wins Outstanding Production at 11th Academy Awards 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 23 1939)

1930s, movies 1930s, Popular Music 1930s


Video: 'Bette Davis, Spencer Tracy and Deanna Durbin winning Oscars'

(Thursday, February 23, 1939, 8:30-10:36 p.m. PST) — You Can’t Take It with You, a 1938 American romantic comedy film about a man from a family of rich snobs who becomes engaged to a woman from a good-natured but decidedly eccentric family, won Outstanding Production tonight at the 11th Academy Awards at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. Continue reading ‘You Can’t Take It with You’ wins Outstanding Production at 11th Academy Awards 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 23 1939) →

‘Jeepers Creepers’ by Al Donahue peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 21 1939)

1930s, Popular Music 1930s

(Saturday, January 21, 1939) — “Jeepers Creepers” by Al Donahue and his Orchestra (vocal chorus by Paula Kelly) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for five non-consecutive weeks (Jan. 21, Feb. 4/11/18/25, 1939). Continue reading ‘Jeepers Creepers’ by Al Donahue peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 21 1939) →

Composer George Gershwin, 38, dies of brain tumor 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 11 1937)

1930s, Popular Music 1930s


Video: 'George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue'

(Sunday, July 11, 1937, 10:35 a.m. PDT) — American composer and pianist George Gershwin, 38, died today five hours after being operated on for removal of a brain tumor at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Los Angeles. Continue reading Composer George Gershwin, 38, dies of brain tumor 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 11 1937) →

‘Captains Courageous’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 11 1937)

1930s, Popular Music 1930s


Video: 'Captains Courageous' trailer

(Thursday, May 11, 1937, 8:45 p.m. EDT) — Captains Courageous, an adventure film about a spoiled rich boy who is lost at sea and rescued by a fishing boat, where hard work and responsibility help him become a man, had its world premiere tonight at the Astor theater in New York City. Continue reading ‘Captains Courageous’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 11 1937) →

‘Shall We Dance’ opens in Baltimore, Chicago 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 29 1937)

1930s, movies 1930s, Popular Music 1930s


Video: 'Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers - Let's Call The Whole Thing Off HQ'

(Thursday, April 29, 1937) — Shall We Dance, the seventh of the ten Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers musical comedy films, opened today in Baltimore and Chicago. Continue reading ‘Shall We Dance’ opens in Baltimore, Chicago 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 29 1937) →

Rock legend Buddy Holly born in Lubbock, Texas 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 7 1936)

1930s, Popular Music 1930s


Video: 'The Real Buddy Holly Story (Parts 1-10)'

(Monday, September 7, 1936, Labor Day, 3:30 p.m. local time) — Rock legend Buddy Holly, was born Charles Hardin Holley today in Lubbock, Texas. Continue reading Rock legend Buddy Holly born in Lubbock, Texas 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 7 1936) →

Apollo Theater opens in Harlem 80 years ago today (Jan 26 1934)

1930s, Popular Music 1930s


Video: 'Apollo Theater Tour with Billy Mitchell' (7 videos in playlist)

(Friday, January 26, 1934) — The Apollo Theater opened today in New York City’s Harlem district with the show “Jazz a la Carte” headlined by Benny Carter and his Orchestra, Ralph Cooper and Aida Ward.

Country music’s first superstar Jimmie Rodgers, 35, died 80 years ago today (1933)

1930s, Popular Music 1930s


Video: 'Jimmie Rodgers - Blue Yodel No 1 (T For Texas)'

(Friday, May 26, 1933) — The man credited with being country music’s first superstar died today of tuberculosis from a pulmonary hemorrhage while staying at the Taft Hotel in New York City at the age of 35. Jimmie Rodgers’ first million-seller was “T for Texas,” also known as “Blue Yodel.”