1960s Timeline

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2 days ago

Hollywood Director John Farrow Is Dead

Jan. 28, 1963 - John Farrow (pictured in 1946), motion picture director and producer, was found dead of an apparent heart attack today at his home in Beverly Hills. He was 56 years old. Mr. Farrow’s wife, Maureen O’Sullivan, was in New York, appearing in the play “Never Too Late,” when she was notified. She is expected in California tomorrow, accompanied by her daughter Mia. Since 1937, John Farrow had directed and produced scores of motion pictures. He interrupted his career

3 days ago

Critics Vote Bancroft and Lancaster Top Movie Performers of 1962

Jan. 27, 1963 - Anne Bancroft (pictured in New York City) and Burt Lancaster were picked today as the best movie performers of 1962 in the annual poll of critics conducted by the trade publication Film Daily. Lancaster was selected for his portrayal of the “Bird Man of Alcatraz,” and Miss Bancroft for her performance in “The Miracle Worker” as Anne Sullivan, tutor of Helen Keller (Patty Duke). The thirty-year-old Miss Bancroft, who was raised in the Belmont neighborhood of th

5 days ago

Movies: “The Raven”

Jan. 25, 1963 - Opening in local theaters today is “The Raven,” a comedy horror film produced and directed by Roger Corman. The film stars Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, and Boris Karloff as a trio of rival sorcerers. The supporting cast includes Jack Nicholson (pictured) as the son of Lorre’s character. This is the fifth Poe-themed film from Mr. Corman. It was written by Richard Matheson, based on references to Poe’s 1845 poem “The Raven.” #hollywood #1960s #OTD #movies

Jan 22

Movies: “Sodom and Gomorrah”

Jan. 22, 1963 - It cost more than $6 million to bring to the wide screen the story of “Sodom and Gomorrah,” Joseph E. Levine’s production opening Friday. Filmed in De Luxe color, the film tells the story of the destruction of the twin cities of evil and wickedness. The cast includes Stewart Granger as Lot, Pier Angeli (right) as the slave girl who becomes Lot’s wife, Stanley Baker as the Prince of Sodom, Rossana Podesta as Lot’s daughter, and Anouk Aimee (left) as the pleasur

Jan 20

Kubrick Signs Sterling Hayden for “Doctor Strangelove”

Jan. 20, 1963 - Director Stanley Kubrick (right) has signed Sterling Hayden (left) to appear with Peter Sellers and George C. Scott in “Doctor Strangelove: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.” The film, which is being produced at Shepperton Studios near London, is a black comedy that satirizes nuclear conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States. Mr. Kubrick previously cast Mr. Hayden in “The Killing,” his 1956 film about a racetrack heist. “I have

Jan 17

Eddie Fisher on Liz Taylor Wedding Rumors: “Haven’t Heard Anything About It”

Jan. 17, 1963 - If Elizabeth Taylor plans to marry Richard Burton, as reported this morning, she still has not told her husband. “I haven’t heard anything about it,” said singer Eddie Fisher (pictured with Ann-Margret) in Hollywood today. “She’s still my wife.” Even if, as reported, Burton’s wife, Sybil, has agreed to a divorce, Miss Taylor would still have to gain her freedom from Mr. Fisher, and that can’t be right away. “I’m going to Las Vegas for four weeks, and two weeks

Jan 15

Jack Warner Details Production Plans for 1963

Jan. 15, 1963 - The president of Warner Brothers Studios predicted today that “exceptional production and release plans” in the next year will make the studio Hollywood’s center of activity. Jack L. Warner said his optimism is reflected by numerous movies ready for release or that are being lined up for production. Warners has led off the new season with the release of “Gypsy,” starring Rosalind Russell, Natalie Wood (pictured), and Karl Malden. Heading the spring release sch

Jan 14

Movies: “Lawrence of Arabia”

Jan. 14, 1963 - Omar Sharif (pictured left with David Lean), Egyptian film idol of the Middle East, is seen by American audiences for the first time as a key performer in “Lawrence of Arabia,” now playing in theaters nationwide. Besides giving a stellar performance as Ali, friend of T.E. Lawrence, Sharif doubled as interpreter for director David Lean during filming of the desert battle scenes. Before each scene, Sharif would explain the action in Arabic to the 1,600 Bedouin t

Jan 12

Movies: “Cleopatra” To Premiere June 12

Jan. 12, 1963 - The world premiere of “Cleopatra,” the $35 million Twentieth Century-Fox film starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rex Harrison, and Richard Burton, will take place on June 12 in 70 cities in the U.S. This was announced today by Seymour Poe, vice president in charge of distribution for the company. Mr. Poe said he confidently expected the film to be completed in time for the extraordinary “saturation premiere,” which bids to be the most elaborate ever arranged. As soon

Jan 10

Gregory Peck to Star in “Captain Newman, M.D.”

Jan. 10, 1963 - Gregory Peck has been set to star in “Captain Newman, M.D.,” a Universal-International film to be based on the novel by Leo Rosten. Robert Arthur will produce, starting photography next month. In 1944, an Army doctor (Peck) is in charge of a neuropsychiatric ward at an Army Air Corps hospital in Arizona, and he must deal with a variety of tough cases. #hollywood #1960s #OTD #movies

Jan 9

Peter Ustinov Sued Over “The Pink Panther”

Jan. 9, 1963 - The Mirisch Company announced today that it was suing Peter Ustinov (pictured with his wife Suzanne) for $175,000. The independent movie company charged that the actor-writer had violated a contract. According to the Mirisch Company, Mr. Ustinov was committed to star in its film, “The Pink Panther,” which is being made in Rome. Just before the picture was to go before the cameras last Nov. 5, the company was told that Mr. Ustinov would not report for work. Pete

Jan 9

Debbie Reynolds Speaks Out On Younger Men

Jan. 9, 1963 - Debbie Reynolds (right) says she has been suspicious of younger men ever since she lost Eddie Fisher to Elizabeth Taylor. The actress broke her silence about the affair for the first time today in a book entitled “If I Knew Then.” The experience was so painful, she says, that it took her a year and a half to recover. Miss Reynolds turned to an older man after Fisher left her. She married Harry Karl (left), a wealthy shoe merchant 18 years her senior. Fisher mar

Jan 6

Brigitte Bardot to Star in Jean-Luc Godard’s “Contempt”

Jan. 6, 1963 - Brigitte Bardot (left) changed her mind about taking a prolonged holiday from filmmaking and announced today that she had signed a contract for a film based on Alberto Moravia’s novel “Le Mepris” (“Contempt”). The film will be directed by French “New Wave” director Jean-Luc Godard (right). Also cast in the film are Jack Palance, Michel Piccoli, and Fritz Lang. The story deals with screenwriter Paul Javal (Piccoli), whose marriage to his wife Camille (Bardot) di

Jan 6

Director Frank Tuttle is Dead

Jan. 6, 1963 - Frank Tuttle (pictured left in 1942), a movie director who made more than 70 films, died today at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles following a heart attack. he was 70 years old. Tuttle, who at one time earned $3,000 a week and worked with many of Hollywood’s biggest stars, was hospitalized Dec. 19 when he was stricken by a coronary thrombosis. One of the founders of the Screen Directors Guild, Tuttle began his movie career after World War I and worked with Cla

Jan 5

Tony Curtis Engaged

Jan. 5, 1963 - Actor Tony Curtis, 37, and German starlet Christine Kaufmann (right), 17, probably will be married next month, it was reported today. Curtis, who was divorced from actress Janet Leigh four months ago, co-starred with Miss Kaufmann in the current film “Taras Bulba.” The girl’s mother, Genevieve Kaufmann, said in Tengernsee, Germany, that she expects the couple to marry in February. Both Curtis and Miss Kaufmann are living in Los Angeles but were not available fo

Jan 5

Jack Carson Eulogized in Hollywood

Jan. 5, 1963 - Jack Carson (pictured in 1955), the fourth Hollywood star to die of cancer in 18 days, was eulogized today as “a big man with a big heart that was open and always available to everyone.” Dr. Raymond Lindquist, pastor of Hollywood Presbyterian Church, told 150 mourners at the funeral services in Forest Lawn, Calif., that the 52-year-old performer also was a “religious man with a mystical streak in him.” “He believed that God had put a spark of response in every

Jan 4

Steve McQueen to Co-Star with Natalie Wood in “Love With the Proper Stranger”

Jan. 4, 1963 - Steve McQueen, current star in “The War Lovers,” will appear opposite Natalie Wood in “Love With the Proper Stranger,” which Robert Mulligan will direct for Paramount. The comedy-drama, which will go before the cameras in March, has been written by Arnold Schulman. A salesclerk (Wood) at Macy's department store finds herself pregnant after a one-night stand with a musician (McQueen) who does not remember her. #hollywood #1960s #OTD #movies

Jan 4

Hollywood Stars Attend Dick Powell’s Funeral

Jan. 4, 1963 - Scores of Hollywood’s vintage stars attended memorial services today for one of their own — Dick Powell — and left with moist eyes and saddened hearts. It was one of the largest turnouts of stars in recent Hollywood history. More than 800 persons filled the chapel of All Saints Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills. Dr. Kermit Castellanos, assistant rector of the church, told the mourners: “This is a Christian farewell to one whom countless thousands enjoyed, loved

Jan 3

Doris Day Most Popular Film Star

Jan. 3, 1963 - Doris Day, who appeared during 1962 in “Lover Come Back,” “That Touch of Mink,” and “Jumbo,” is the top audience-attracting film star in the U.S. and Canada, according to the annual poll conducted by the Motion Picture Herald. Rock Hudson, who appeared with Miss Day in “Lover Come Back,” was second in the popularity poll. Cary Grant, who was her leading man in “That Touch of Mink,” was third. Rated in order thereafter were John Wayne, Elvis Presley, Elizabeth T

Jan 3

Hollywood Mourns Loss of Dick Powell

Jan. 3, 1963 - Hollywood’s movie and television industries are mourning today the loss of Dick Powell, who died last night at his Los Angeles apartment of cancer at the age of 58. Apart from having been a movie and television star, Mr. Powell became the head of Four Star, one of the most important producers of television shows in the world. His death was made particularly poignant since it followed so closely on the death of Jack Carson earlier in the day, also of cancer. The