Author Archives: dcaligari

January 23, 1965 –Petula Clark’s song Downtown, hit No. #1 on the Billboard Charts on this date. This was Petula Clark’s first hit in the US, which was slow to discover her talents. In the UK, she was a star as a singer and as a television performer, where she was a regular on theContinue reading “Downtown topped the charts”

January 22, 1968 –The comedy show Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, hosted by Dan Rowan and Dick Martin, first aired on it’s regularly scheduled night on NBC, on this date. One of the trademarks of the series was the fast cutting that happened in between videotaped segments. Blackouts, one-liners and sketches were edited together in suchContinue reading “You bet your sweet bippy”

January 22, 1972 –The Jack Webb midseason replacement series, Emergency!, starring Randolph Mantooth and Kevin Tighe first aired in it’s regularly scheduled time on NBC TV on this date. The series originated when producer Robert A. Cinader was in the Los Angeles area researching for a new medical drama series that took place in anContinue reading “Emergency! series premiered”

January 22, 1977 –Wings‘ triple live album Wings Over America, recorded during the American leg of the band’s 1975–76 Wings Over the World tour, hits #1 on the Billboard Charts, in the US, on this date. Wings over America provided the total Paul McCartney experience. It showcased the full range of his musical skills asContinue reading “Wings Over America topped the charts”

January 21, 1968 –The soundtrack album for the film The Graduate was released on this date. The Graduate was one of the first major films to use rock music in its soundtrack, using songs written by Paul Simon (notably, Mrs Robinson, which became a hit).

January 21, 1957 –NBC recorded and later broadcasted the second inaugural ceremonies of US President Dwight D. Eisenhower. It is the first national broadcast of a previously recorded event.

January 21, 1957 –Patsy Cline sang Walking After Midnight on Arthur Godfrey’s nighttime television show, quickly launching her career on this date. The song became a crossover hit, charting at #2 Country and #12 Pop, and established Cline as a Country singer capable of mainstream success.

To A City-Park Squirrel Dear little exile from woodlands dear,How can you keep your wilderness grace,How can you bound so merrily here,Shut in this narrow and formal place? Still your fancies are forest-free,Still as gallant you swing and glide From dusty tree to skeleton treeAs once you roamed through the woodlands wide Surely you must,Continue reading “A rat with a cuter outfit!”

January 20, 1949 –A surprise hit for writer/ director Joseph L. Mankiewicz (which garnered for him his first two Oscars,) A Letter to Three Wives, first opened on this date. Joseph L. Mankiewicz had a real battle with the American censors at the time who would not permit him to use words like “laxative” andContinue reading “A Letter to Three Wives premiered”

January 20, 1941 – Raoul Walsh’s crime-drama High Sierra, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ida Lupino opened on this date. In addition to Hal B. Wallis, Humphrey Bogart also sent several telegrams to studio head Jack L. Warner, begging to be cast as Roy Earle. After Paul Muni left Warner Bros. in a contract dispute andContinue reading “High Sierra premiered”