“A lie who always speaks the truth”
Born on this day in 1889 writer, filmmaker and designer Jean Cocteau.
On This Day
Murder’s never perfect
On this day in 1944 the film noir Double Indemnity directed by Billy Wilder was released in Baltimore, Maryland
An improbable farce
On this day in 1941 Noel Coward‘s play Blithe Spirit premiered in London.
The good girl
Born on this day in 1916 actress Olivia de Havilland.
Traubel in mind
On this day in 1956 Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical Pipe Dream closed at Shubert Theater, NYC, after 245 performances.
Star of eve
Born on this day in 1901 baritone and film star Nelson Eddy.
Sax education
On this day in 1846 Adolphe Sax received a patent for what would become his greatest invention.
High flying bird
Born on this day in 1932 soprano Anna Moffo.
How often I think of the past!
On this day, The Ziegfeld Follies of 1924 opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre with a cast including Billie Burke, W. C. Fields, Will Rogers, Vivienne Segal, Ethel Shutta and Louise Brooks.
Rainbow connection
Happy Pride! On this day in 1978 the rainbow flag representing gay pride was presented for the first time during the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade.
Theme park
On this day in 1967 the Metropolitan Opera presented its first “Met in the Parks” performance in Crocheron Park, Bayside, Queens. La bohème featured Anna Moffo, Sandor Konya, Laurel Hurley and Frank Guarrera.
Born in ultry-sultry Martinique
Born on this day in 1763 Joséphine de Beauharnais.
Is something funny?
On this day in 2006 The Devil Wears Prada premiered in Los Angeles.
If you existed, I’d divorce you
On this day in 1966 Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, film directorial debut of Mike Nichols, is released.
“It’s a flaw in the iris”
On this day in 1974 the ultimate film noir, Chinatown, was released.
Babs and the night and the music
On this day in 1967 Barbra Streisand played her “Happening in Central Park” for an audience of 135,000.
Freedom fighter
On this day in 1989 “actress and socialite” Zsa Zsa Gabor was arrested for slapping a Beverly Hills motorcycle patrolman.
“I don’t know who the hell Paul Lynde is”
Born on this day in 1913 comedian and actor Paul Lynde.
Rome wasn’t built in a day
On this day in 1963 the fabulously expensive but less than satisfying film epic Cleopatra premiered in New York City.
Diamonds are forever
According to the MGM press office, today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Judy Garland.
“It was the drag queens who taught me glamour”
On this day in 1995 Wigstock The Movie premiered in the United States.
Flagellum dei
On this day in 452 AD, Attila the Hun invaded Italy.
Listen to the lullaby
On this day in 1981 42nd Street won the Tony Awards for “Best Musical” and “Best Choreography.”
Free bird
On this day in 1975 Joan Sutherland sang La traviata during the Metropolitan Opera’s tour in Tokyo.
I’ll take the fall
The days are getting shorter, but you can keep the prattle going this fall’s Talk of the Town! You will, you can, you must join in the discussion about: Great mezzo soprano performances (October),
Gained in translation (November), Teleport me back to… (December).