on this day in showbiz-related history...
1944 Yul Brynner marries his first wife, actress Virginia Gilmore, in Los Angeles. They're both in their mid 20s. She's already made 15 movies but he's just starting out with two Broadway shows under his belt. Their marriage will last 16 years and they will have one child together. Rock Brynner (their son) will go on to write a book about his dad and their family history.
1954 Federico Fellini's La Strada premieres at the Venice Film Festival and goes on to win the Best Foreign Film Oscar. Fellini will go on to completely own that category, winning thrice more with The Nights of Cabiria (1957), 8½ (1963), and Amarcord (1974)
Macy Gray, The King's Speech, and more after the jump...
1967 Macy Gray is born. Do you think her first scream was already delivered with the trademark raspiness? Happy 50th Macy! She's largely stuck to music but she's also quite a charismatic screen presence. See: The Paperboy and her award worthy cameo in For Colored Girls
1984 Amadeus has its world premiere in Los Angeles and opens two weeks later. It will go on to a near sweep of the Oscars losing only two of its categories (Cinematography and Editing both go to The Killing Fields instead)
2002 Swimfan opens in movie theaters. I have no idea why we're marking the occasion but to say Helloooo Jesse Bradford circa 2002.
2010 The King's Speech premieres at Telluride (though it officially premiered at TIFF four days later) starting their 'Best Picture's premiere at Telluride' legend/myth. (Yes, they usually show there. No, they don't always premiere there.)
Kalani QueypoHappy Birthday to Them!
Oscar Nominees: Rosie Perez and Naomie Harris
Other Actors: Swoosie Kurtz (!!!), Idris Elba, Anika Noni Rose, Jane Curtin, Justina Machado, Kalani Queypo (The New World and the new series Jamestown), Yang Kuei-mei, and Jo Anne Worley from Laugh-In.
Gone But Not Forgotten: Max Schreck of Nosferatu legend (Willem Dafoe was Oscar-nominated playing him in Shadow of the Vampire), John Mitchum (brother of Robert and frequent Clint Eastwood co-star), frequent studio era villain Otto Kruger (High Noon, Dracula's Daughters, Saboteur).