Video: 'Stalag 17' trailer
(Friday, May 29, 1953) — Stalag 17, a war film about a group of American airmen held in a German World War II prisoner of war camp who come to suspect that one of their number is an informant, premiered today in London. Continue reading ‘Stalag 17’ premieres in London 60 years ago today (1953)
Video: 'Rosie the Riveter: Real Women Workers in World War II'
(Saturday, May 29, 1943; during World War II) — Norman Rockwell’s portrait of “Rosie the Riveter” appeared today on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post.
Video: 'Igor Stravinsky The Rite of Spring (Gergiev/ Tolmachev)'
(Thursday, May 29, 1913) — The ballet “Le Sacre du printemps” (The Rite of Spring), with music by Igor Stravinsky and choreography by Vaslav Nijinsky, had its chaotic world premiere today at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris.
Video: 'American Experience: The Massachusetts 54th Colored Infantry' (May 28, 1863, at 32:55)
(Thursday, May 28, 1863; during the American Civil War) — The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, made up of freed blacks, left Boston today to fight for the Union in the Civil War.
Video: 'JAMES BOND OO7: The First 21 Years - Part 1 of 5'
(Friday, May 27, 1983) — James Bond: The First 21 Years, a documentary designed to promote the upcoming release of the film Octopussy, premiered today on ITV in the UK. The program featured many celebrities, including former Beatle Paul McCartney (on part 3 at 7:30). Continue reading ‘James Bond: The First 21 Years’ debuts on ITV 30 years ago today (1983)
Video: 'THREE LITTLE PIGS 1933'
(Saturday, May 27, 1933) — Walt Disney’s Academy Award-winning animated short The Three Little Pigs, about a hungry wolf that blows down some pigs’ houses, was first released today. Directed by Burt Gillett, the film was animated by Fred Moore, Art Babbitt, Dick Lundy and Norm Ferguson.
Video: '1933 Chicago "Century of Progress" World's Fair - Part 1'
(Saturday, May 27, 1933) — The Chicago World’s Fair, celebrating “A Century of Progress,” officially opened today to celebrate the city’s centennial. Continue reading Chicago World’s Fair celebrating ‘A Century of Progress’ opens 80 years ago today (1933)
Video: 'The Defenders TV Intro'
(Sunday, May 26, 1963, 10 p.m. EDT) — The courtroom drama The Defenders captured top honors tonight at the 15th Primetime Emmy Awards, winning five Emmys including Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Drama for the second year in a row.
The Dick Van Dyke Show, the situation comedy about a television comedy writer, was hailed as the Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Humor. Continue reading ‘The Defenders’ and ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ top Emmys 50 years ago this hour (1963)
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.”
Video: '2013 Helen Hayes Tribute to Actors' Equity Association'
(Monday, May 26, 1913) — The Actors’ Equity Association, a labor union representing the world of live theatrical performance, was organized today by a group of actors at the Pabst Grand Circle Hotel in New York. The union’s first president was Francis Wilson.
