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Today's History Lesson...memorable photographs
There are numerous photographs that have earned the tag famous: History and Memory: Iwo Jima, Kissing the War Goodbye, The Smiles of Diana, just to name a few. One of the most famous photographs of all time occurred on this day, September 15, 1954. The picture captured the sex appeal and mystique of Marilyn Monroe during the filming of The Seven Year Itch. "The scene infuriated her husband, Joe DiMaggio, who felt she was quite the exhibitionist, and the couple divorced shortly afterward."
This Day in History: September 15, 1954
When you hear the name Frankenstein, the 'monster' image probably appears as a mask for Halloween or any of the many movies of which he was/is the star: the silent film era, 1910-1921; a film series by Universal Studios, 1931-1997 (plus TV); a film series by Hammer Film Productions, 1957-1974; other adaptations, 1973-2015; plus the loose adaptations (mostly spoofs), 1958-1985. He has indeed been (still is) one popular 'man-made man' so to speak. Of course, movies are not his origin. He was not cast from some screenwriters imagination. Rather, the horror novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley was the inspiration behind the scenes. But why celebrate Frankenstein in August?
August 30 is...
FRANKENSTEIN DAY
OR
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARY SHELLEY!
Today's History Lesson...music & the movies
Through the decade that changed the nation - the 60s, musical hits of Broadway were routinely successful as Hollywood big-budget screen versions. Such films as West Side Story (1961), My Fair Lady (1964), The Sound of Music (1965), Funny Girl (1968) were among the biggest commercial hits of their era. In the early 70s, successful adaptations of Fiddler on the Roof (1971) and Cabaret (1972) proved successful. Out of each of the films evolved some of the most phenomenal soundtracks. However, by the middle of the 70s, Hollywood had all but given up Broadway.
Today in Music History: August 26, 1978
In 1978, Paramount Pictures placed a big bet on a small musical called...
Today's History Lesson...the movies
Sometimes it takes only one movie...just one...to kick start the careers of film actors and directors. Then, the movie itself goes on to become a classic, an American icon. These are the films that truly bring back the memories as you stroll down memory lane revisiting the scenes and listening to the music of the era!
This Day in History: August 11, 1973
Today's History Lesson...movies
History delegates we step back in time...often way back in time...decades upon decades, centuries upon centuries in the past. That does not have to always be the case. Today we are going to remain in the 21st century with a look back to a movie produced 11 years ago. Not a thriller, a horror flick nor one of romantic nature (among humans anyway). It does depict a lot of action, adventure, drama, at times rather comical and you might even encounter a bit of dance. Its specific category is not even listed among Main Film Genres until you dig deeper into Genre Sub-Sections (Other Major Categories).
This Day in History: July 22, 2005
Today's History Lesson...the movies
From the humble beginnings of the cinema have been films with memorable movie lines, those that spark moments of happiness, laughter, sadness and tears. Then, there are the movies themselves...the unforgettable ones, the ones we watch time and time again never growing tired of any dialogue, scene, action or romance...Gone With the Wind (1939), Casablanca (1942), The Sound of Music (1965), Grease (1978), Top Gun (1986), Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) and Titanic (1997), The Pianist (2002) just to name a few. Notice two were mentioned from the 90s and such is decade for the movie on this day in history.
This Day in History: July 6, 1994
"Today's History Lesson...the movies
A great way to celebrate Father's Day is to gather the family together for movie time. Treat Dad, or perhaps even Granddad, to one of his favorite movies of all time along with the popcorn, beer, wine or whatever beverage of his choice. Before the movie starts, engage everyone in conversation about the early stages of moviedom. It is very possible a "Dad" in your family might have recollections from a granddad, great Uncle, etc. that will whet your historical appetite.
This Day in History: June 19, 1905"
"Today's History Lesson
Do you remember watching movies under the stars, in your automobile? That's right, the drive-in movies, aka Park-In Theaters! The concession stand offered the best popcorn around along with true fountain drinks made from dark, rich syrup. Some of the best times were not so much watching the movie while sitting inside the automobile as sitting on the hood of the car!
Where and by whom did the first drive-in movie get started?
This Day in History: June 6, 1933"
"Growing up in the 50s and 60s meant cowboys and Indians, instead of iPhones and iPads! Time was spent outdoors playing the games children should play, enjoying nature and getting dirty. Mud on our faces, dirt in our shoes, soiled shirts and grass-stained jeans...that's what childhood life was all about!
When time was allowed for television, some of the best shows on TV were the Westerns...the shoot 'em ups where the bad guys were shot but always lived to play another 'baddie' in yet another Western movie. NO foul language, NO obscene sex."
This Day in History: April 7, 1970
This Day in History: March 11, 1818
What comes to mind when you hear the name Mary Shelley? Of course, if I asked the same question but referenced Frankenstein instead, you might get a clearer mental image. It is like comparing Bram Stoker to Dracula.
Do you think the picture above is the image Shelley had in mind when she wrote the book? Frankenstein was published in 1818 and the picture is from Frankenstein 1931 (Movie).
This Day in History: January 16, 1942
A TWA skyliner crashed suddenly against an icy Nevada mountain killing 22 persons, including Carole Lombard, her mother and 15 Army men. The incident happened during the return flight from a World War II War Bond tour. The disaster was so devastating it destroyed every ship's paper that would be of aid in solving the puzzle of the crash.
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"This Day in (Old West) History: September 12, 1972
Ah-h-h! Nostalgia at its finest and completely irreplaceable...that's the Westerns! The advent of motion pictures, the senses of cinema, brought history to life, especially back in the days of the ol' West. The rugged mountainous terrain, a rough-and-tumble dusty life, travel by foot, horseback, covered wagon or stagecoach, and the sound of the swinging saloon doors reverberating as they whipped open...Enter the tough cowboy with a huge chip on his shoulder."
"It is not unusual for a novel to become a movie. Many classics have resounded their presence decade after decade upon the silver screen. Among the greats are Gone With the Wind, The Great Gatsby, The Last Picture Show, To Kill a Mockingbird, just to name a few. There are also movie series, such as Harry Potter and Twilight. Less known are the songs that have been made into movies. A few that immediately come to mind are Stand By Me, La Bamba, Walk the Line, Cold Miner's Daughter and The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia. The song in the spotlight today is still going strong over 50 years after its release with the movie being an all-time favorite.
Today in Music History: August 29, 1964
Welcome into the Spotlight...Roy Orbison
"This Day in History: August 21, 1987
A massive, unexpected box-office hit, one of the greatest movies of all times, Dirty Dancing, opens in theaters across the nation. Originally billed as a low-budget film by a new studio, Great American Films Limited Partnership, its expectations consisted of the film being shown in theaters for one weekend only, then, direct-to-video. To lessen its hopes of success even more was the fact that the cast consisted of no major stars at the time (except Broadway legend Jerry Orbach in a supporting role)."
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