March 16, 1940 – The Merrie Melodies cartoon, Cross Country Detours, a wacky travelogue parody, directed by Tex Avery, opened on this date. This is the second longest Golden Age Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies short, clocking short of 10 minutes on its original theatrical release, only behind Horton Hatches the Egg.
Author Archives: dcaligari
East of Eden premiered
March 16, 1955 –Elia Kazan’s powerful family drama, East of Eden, opened in Los Angeles on this date (this is the only one of the “big three” James Dean films to be released before his death.) In the scene where Adam refuses to accept Cal’s money, the script called for Cal to turn away inContinue reading “East of Eden premiered”
À Bout de Souffle opened
March 16, 1960 –One of the iconic films of the French New Wave, À Bout de Souffle (Breathless), directed by Jean-Luc Godard, starring Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg was released in France on this date. Jean-Paul Belmondo was very surprised by the warm reception the film received. Immediately after production he was convinced it wasContinue reading “À Bout de Souffle opened”
Try the Valsalva maneuver
It’s National Hiccup Day today (apparently, according to the interweb, this is a cure for hiccups – Pinch your nose, close your mouth and pretend to blow up a balloon. Well, either that, or a digital rectal massage.) It’s also known as synchronous diaphragmatic flutter or singultus.
Tomato Sauce vs. Gravy (or taking Pascal’s Wager)
March 15, 1972 –The greatest film ever about pasta sauce making and risk aversion management, The Godfather, premiered in New York City on this date. There are many great religious debates that have rages throughout the world – the Great Schism, the entire plot of The Mahabharatathe, Diet of Worms, Henry VIII vs Pope Clement,Continue reading “Tomato Sauce vs. Gravy (or taking Pascal’s Wager)”
We do this kinda stuff to him all through the picture!
March 15, 1941 – The first of three appearances of Cecil Turtle, Tortoise Beats Hare, premiered on this date. This is the first time Bugs Bunny loses in the end, proving that Bugs isn’t completely indestructible; Cecil is one of the very few characters who was actually able to beat Bugs Bunny not once butContinue reading “We do this kinda stuff to him all through the picture!”
Claim you seat now
The Oscars are on tonight on ABC-TV. Remember It’s just an honor to wins your Oscar pool – actual betting on the results of the Oscars is illegal in most states.
The offer no one could refuse
March 15, 1972 –The greatest film ever about cooking for a large group and risk aversion management, The Godfather, premiered in New York City on this date. Marlon Brando wanted to make Don Corleone “look like a bulldog,” so he stuffed his cheeks with cotton wool for the audition. For the actual filming, he woreContinue reading “The offer no one could refuse”
Forbidden Planet opened
March 15, 1956 – The landmark science-fiction film, Forbidden Planet (think The Tempest in Outer Space), premiered on this date. The famous poster for the film shows a menacing robot carrying a struggling pretty girl – a staple of “monster movie” posters from the 1950’s. In fact, no such scene occurs in the film itselfContinue reading “Forbidden Planet opened”
Gilda, are you decent?
March 15, 1946 – Columbia Pictures released Charles Vidor’s film-noir classic, Gilda, starring Rita Hayworth and Glen Ford on this date. Harry Cohn was worried about bad publicity affecting Rita Hayworth’s box-office pull; her marriage to Orson Welles was a constant worry for him. Hayworth and Welles were, in fact, in the middle of oneContinue reading “Gilda, are you decent?”
