Author Archives: dcaligari

October 8, 1975 –While a critical success, the comedy film, Hearts of the West, directed by Howard Ziff, and starring Jeff Bridges, Andy Griffith, Blythe Danner, Donald Pleasence, and Alan Arkin, which opened on this date, was a financial disaster. It has since become a cult classic. The film was a remake of the 1932Continue reading “Hearts of the West premiered”

October 8, 1980 –… And you may ask yourself, “Well, how did I get here? … Today is the 45th anniversary of Talking Heads‘ fourth studio Remain in Light was released on this date

October 8, 1871 –Mrs O’Leary’s cow started The Great Chicago Fire that destroyed more than 17,000 buildings, killed more than 300 people and left 90,000 homeless, on this date. Bad cow. Catherine O’Leary seemed the perfect scapegoat: she was a woman, immigrant, and Catholic – a combination which did not fare well in the politicalContinue reading “It was a very hot time in the old town that night”

In a test performed by Canadian scientists, using various different styles of music, it was determined that chickens lay the most eggs when pop music was played. They could have just asked Porky Pig.

October 7, 1957 –The first movie to be adapted to become a TV series, How to Marry a Millionaire, starring Lori Nelson, Merry Anders, and Barbara Eden premiered on this date. It was syndicated and not on a regular network. A moderate success during its initial run, the show was renewed to return for anContinue reading “I never heard of this series before”

October 7, 1960 –Route 66 starring Martin Milner and George Maharis premiered on CBS TV, on this date. Three future movie stars nearly became regulars on this series. When the show was first getting off the ground, a young unknown named Robert Redford auditioned for the role of Tod Stiles, but was beaten out byContinue reading “The Corvette was actually light blue”

October 7, 1950 – The character of Granny appeared for the first time in a Looney Tunes Cartoon when Canary Row, directed by Friz Freleng and starring Sylvester and Tweety, debuted on this date. Mel Blanc’s voice for Tweety, except when singing, was edited to an extra higher pitch than usual for this cartoon, butContinue reading “Canary Row premiered”

October 7, 1964 –The Beatles appear on episode of ABC-TV’s Shindig, (filmed on October 3rd in London, in front of the adoring Beatles Fan Club,) on this date. The Beatles were at the top of the bill on the show; the other acts were Sandie Shaw, PJ Proby, The Karl Denver Trio, Tommy Quickly, SoundsContinue reading “The Beatles were on TV, again”

October 7, 1979 –Factory Records released Transmission, the debut single (the 7″ disc version) by seminal post-punk band Joy Division, on this date. In May 2007, NME magazine placed Transmission at No.20 in its list of the 50 “Greatest Indie Anthems Ever“, one place below their third single Love Will Tear Us Apart .

October 6, 1969 –The Beatles release a double A-side single Something and Come Together on this date. It was the only song written by George Harrison released as a single by The Beatles. George Harrison wrote this during a break while The Beatles were working on The White Album. It was not recorded in timeContinue reading “It was finally George’s turn”