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April 11, 1942 – Bob Clampett was the first to tackle an adaption of a Dr. Seuss book when Merrie Melodies released Horton Hatches the Egg, on this date. Peter Lorre was a favorite characterization for the famed Warner Bros. cartoonists, as he tangled several times with Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.

April 11, 1955 – The Paddy Chayefsky drama, Marty, premiered in New York City on this date. It stars Ernest Borgnine (the man who taught Ethel Merman the lessons of love) and Betsy Blair. The film was directed by Delbert Mann. Film historians have credited this film for demonstrating the viability of low budget filmsContinue reading “… you become a professor of pain.”

April 11, 1947 –Charlie Chaplin’s very dark comedy, Monsieur Verdoux, opened on this date in NYC. The film was a colossal box-office flop on its 1947 release. This was despite being ardently championed by writer-critic James Agee. He considered Charles Chaplin’s acting performance the greatest male performance he had ever seen in films.

April 11, 1954 –According to a team of Cambridge University scientists, this date in history was the most boring day during the entire 20th Century. It appears to have been so boring that it had to be named National Cheese Fondue Day (and 8-track Tape Day) just so those people living through it didn’t killContinue reading “Today was a yawn fest”

April 10, 1953 – Warner Bros.‘ first 3-D movie, House of Wax, starring Vincent Price, opened on this date. The director Andre DeToth was unable to see in 3D himself, having lost an eye at an early age. (The film revived Vincent Price’s career, positioning him as the go-to guy when you needed a madContinue reading “The House of Wax premiered”

April 10, 1992 –One of Robert Altman’s most successful films, the biting comedy about Hollywood, The Player, starring Tim Robbins, Greta Scacch, Fred Ward, Whoopi Goldberg, Peter Gallagher, and Cynthia Stevenson (and just about every actor who happened to be in Hollywood that week), opened in NYC on this date. The celebrity cameos were notContinue reading “The Player premiered”

April 10, 1970 –Elton John released his self-titled second studio album which included the breakthrough single Your Song, on this date. Grammy nominated for Album of the Year and certified 2x Platinum, it was Elton’s debut LP in the U.S. and established the singer–songwriter’s career.

April 10, 1964 –The Polo Grounds was demolished on this date and a public housing project was erected on the site. Demolition of the Polo Grounds began with the same wrecking ball that had been used four years earlier on Ebbets Field. The wrecking crew wore Giants jerseys and tipped their hard hats to theContinue reading “There used to be a ballpark”

April 10, 1925 –“…So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past…” F. Scott Fitzgerald’s third novel, The Great Gatsby, was published on this date. Several titles were considered before the final one was chosen, including Among Ashheaps and Millionaires, Gold-Hatted Gatsby, The High-Bouncing Lover, On the Road to WestContinue reading “No — Gatsby turned out all right at the end…”

April 9, 1977 –ABBA had their only no. #1 US hit on the Billboard Charts – Dancing Queen, on this date. ABBA recorded this about a year before it was released. It was written and recorded around the same time as Fernando, which was chosen as the single. They knew Dancing Queen would also beContinue reading “Feel the beat from the tambourine …”