October 16, 1923: The Walt Disney Company is FoundedOn this day in 1923, Walt and Roy Disney created the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, which later became known as the Walt Disney Company. The Walt Disney Company established itself as a leader in the animation industry and subsequently branched into live-action film production, television and other forms of entertainment. Mickey Mouse, an early and well-known cartoon creation of the Walt Disney Company, is the official mascot. The Walt Disney Company is currently one of the largest media conglomerates in the world in terms of revenue.Explore this Who Made America biography on Walt Disney, which details the genius behind the Disney entertainment empire. Photo: Producer, director, and animator Walt Disney (1901 - 1966) uses a baton to point to sketches of Disneyland, 1955. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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October 16, 1923: The Walt Disney Company is Founded

On this day in 1923, Walt and Roy Disney created the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, which later became known as the Walt Disney Company.

The Walt Disney Company established itself as a leader in the animation industry and subsequently branched into live-action film production, television and other forms of entertainment.

Mickey Mouse, an early and well-known cartoon creation of the Walt Disney Company, is the official mascot. The Walt Disney Company is currently one of the largest media conglomerates in the world in terms of revenue.

Explore this Who Made America biography on Walt Disney, which details the genius behind the Disney entertainment empire.

Photo: Producer, director, and animator Walt Disney (1901 - 1966) uses a baton to point to sketches of Disneyland, 1955. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Source: to.pbs.org

Aug. 31, 1998: Titanic Becomes First Film to Make $600 Million in North AmericaOn this day in 1998, Titanic became the first film to make $600 million in North America. Earlier this year, in anticipation of the film’s 3-D release, the PBS NewsHour explored why Titanic’s story still resonates 100 years later. NewsHour’s Margaret Warner and writer Daniel Mendelsohn, author of the recent New Yorker piece “Unsinkable: Why We Can’t Let Go of the Titanic,” discuss the story’s staying power. Photo: Twentieth Century Fox
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Aug. 31, 1998:

Titanic Becomes First Film to Make $600 Million in North America

On this day in 1998, Titanic became the first film to make $600 million in North America.

Earlier this year, in anticipation of the film’s 3-D release, the PBS NewsHour explored why Titanic’s story still resonates 100 years later.

NewsHour’s Margaret Warner and writer Daniel Mendelsohn, author of the recent New Yorker piece “Unsinkable: Why We Can’t Let Go of the Titanic,” discuss the story’s staying power.

Photo: Twentieth Century Fox

Source: to.pbs.org

August 23, 2012:  100th Anniversary of Gene Kelly’s Birth On this day in 1912, American performer and choreographer Eugene “Gene” Kelly was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Most known today for his starring roles in Singin’ in the Rain and An American in Paris, Gene Kelly is regarded as one of the greatest male stars of all time. Check out this American Masters timeline of Gene Kelly’s life and career.
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August 23, 2012:  100th Anniversary of Gene Kelly’s Birth

On this day in 1912, American performer and choreographer Eugene “Gene” Kelly was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Most known today for his starring roles in Singin’ in the Rain and An American in Paris, Gene Kelly is regarded as one of the greatest male stars of all time.

Check out this American Masters timeline of Gene Kelly’s life and career.

Source: to.pbs.org

August 16, 1888:  Lawrence of Arabia Born On this day in 1888, British Army officer T.E. Lawrence (later nicknamed Lawrence of Arabia) was born in Wales.  Lawrence was known for his ability to vividly describe in writing his life and role in the Arab Revolt of 1916-1918. Lawrence’s writing inspired the 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia starring Peter O’Toole, which depicted his experience in Arabia during World War I. Did you know that T.E. Lawrence only stood at 5-foot 5-inches in height, even though he was depicted in the film as 6-foot 2-inches tall?  Find out other lesser-known facts about Lawrence here.
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August 16, 1888:  Lawrence of Arabia Born

On this day in 1888, British Army officer T.E. Lawrence (later nicknamed Lawrence of Arabia) was born in Wales.  Lawrence was known for his ability to vividly describe in writing his life and role in the Arab Revolt of 1916-1918.

Lawrence’s writing inspired the 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia starring Peter O’Toole, which depicted his experience in Arabia during World War I.

Did you know that T.E. Lawrence only stood at 5-foot 5-inches in height, even though he was depicted in the film as 6-foot 2-inches tall?  Find out other lesser-known facts about Lawrence here.

Source: to.pbs.org

August 15, 1939: The Wizard of Oz Premieres in Hollywood On this day in 1939, The Wizard of Oz was shown in Hollywood for the first time at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. The popular American musical fantasy film stars Judy Garland, who was 17 at the time of the film’s release, as Dorothy Gale. After her role in The Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland went on to become one of the greatest entertainers of her time. Follow the American icon’s life and career with this timeline from American Masters.
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August 15, 1939: The Wizard of Oz Premieres in Hollywood

On this day in 1939, The Wizard of Oz was shown in Hollywood for the first time at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. The popular American musical fantasy film stars Judy Garland, who was 17 at the time of the film’s release, as Dorothy Gale.

After her role in The Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland went on to become one of the greatest entertainers of her time. Follow the American icon’s life and career with this timeline from American Masters.

Source: to.pbs.org

July 29, 1953:  Happy Birthday Ken Burns PBS documentary film director and producer Ken Burns turns 59 today!  His acclaimed documentaries showcase archival footage and photographs, and offer an unflinching perspective on the most important moments in American history. Burns’s much awaited film, The Dust Bowl, premieres on November 18 and 19 on PBS.  Create personalized Dust Bowl email postcards (with audio!) to remind your friends and family! Also, catch the re-airing of the The War, Ken Burns’s seven-part documentary on World War II, on your local PBS station in the coming weeks (July 31-August 2, August 5-8).  Check your local listings here.
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July 29, 1953:  Happy Birthday Ken Burns

PBS documentary film director and producer Ken Burns turns 59 today!  His acclaimed documentaries showcase archival footage and photographs, and offer an unflinching perspective on the most important moments in American history.

Burns’s much awaited film, The Dust Bowl, premieres on November 18 and 19 on PBS.  Create personalized Dust Bowl email postcards (with audio!) to remind your friends and family!

Also, catch the re-airing of the The War, Ken Burns’s seven-part documentary on World War II, on your local PBS station in the coming weeks (July 31-August 2, August 5-8).  Check your local listings here.

Source: to.pbs.org

June 26, 1998: “Gone with the Wind” Re-Released
 
On this day in 1998, the then-60-year-old film Gone with the Wind was digitally restored, its sound was remastered, and for the first time was shown in its original aspect ratio that didn’t leave the characters’ heads cut off.

Originally released in 1939, Gone with the Wind, adapted from a Pulitzer-winning novel of the same name, went on to receive ten Academy Awards and retains a constant place in the top ten of the American Film Institute’s “100 Movies” list.

Explore the biography of the Pulitzer Prize-winning woman behind the classic novel and watch footage of the original Gone with the Wind grand premiere.

Source: to.pbs.org

Happy Birthday Meryl Streep!

The celebrated actress is 63 today.

In 2009, Meryl Streep played PBS’ favorite cook, Julia Child.

Watch her talk about the role Julia Child played in her life and why she wanted to play the culinary legend in the film Julie & Julia.

Source: to.pbs.org

June 20, 1975:  “Jaws” Released On this day in 1975, director Steven Spielberg released the summer blockbuster “Jaws,” which became the highest-grossing film in history at the time. The film, along with “Star Wars,” was considered the beginning of a new era of Hollywood filmmaking.Earlier this year, Inside Nature’s Giants brought you “Great White Shark.” Experts traveled to South Africa to dissect a 15-foot-long great white shark to study the amazing array of senses a shark possesses. Watch it here. Photo: Scene from Inside Nature’s Giants’ “Great White Shark.”
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June 20, 1975:  “Jaws” Released
 
On this day in 1975, director Steven Spielberg released the summer blockbuster “Jaws,” which became the highest-grossing film in history at the time. The film, along with “Star Wars,” was considered the beginning of a new era of Hollywood filmmaking.

Earlier this year, Inside Nature’s Giants brought you “Great White Shark.” Experts traveled to South Africa to dissect a 15-foot-long great white shark to study the amazing array of senses a shark possesses. Watch it here.

Photo: Scene from Inside Nature’s Giants’ “Great White Shark.”

Source: to.pbs.org

April 16: HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLIE CHAPLIN!On this day in 1889, actor and director Charlie Chaplin was born.Charlie Chaplin was one of the greatest and widely loved silent movie stars.Watch Laura Woolley’s appraisal of a collection of signed film director and actor photographs, including Charlie Chaplin’s, from tonight’s Antiques Roadshow episode,  Atlanta Hour 1. Read Chaplin’s full bio on the American Masters site.
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April 16: HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLIE CHAPLIN!

On this day in 1889, actor and director Charlie Chaplin was born.

Charlie Chaplin was one of the greatest and widely loved silent movie stars.

Watch Laura Woolley’s appraisal of a collection of signed film director and actor photographs, including Charlie Chaplin’s, from tonight’s Antiques Roadshow episode,  Atlanta Hour 1.



Read Chaplin’s full bio on the American Masters site.

Source: to.pbs.org

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