First Drive-in Movie Theater Opened in Camden, New Jersey
The first drive-in movie theater opened in Camden, New Jersey, in 1933, providing a new way for people to enjoy films. Invented by Richard M. Hollingshead Jr., the concept of the drive-in theater quickly gained popularity and spread across the United States, becoming a staple of American culture.
Richard M. Hollingshead Jr. proposed a drive-in theater as a solution for his mother, who found traditional movie theater seats uncomfortable.
Hollingshead experimented in his driveway, using a Kodak projector mounted on the hood of his car and a screen hung between two trees.
He patented the concept on May 16, 1933, and the first drive-in theater opened on June 6, 1933, in Camden, New Jersey.
The first film shown at the drive-in was “Wife Beware,” a British comedy
Drive-in theaters quickly gained popularity and peaked in the 1950s and 1960s, with over 4,000 drive-ins across the United States
Drive-ins became popular hangout spots for families, teenagers, and young couples, creating a unique social environment
Theaters often featured playgrounds, concession stands, and other amenities to attract customers
The advent of color television, VCRs, and multiplex theaters led to a decline in drive-in popularity starting in the 1970s
Today, fewer than 350 drive-in theaters remain in operation in the United States, but they still hold nostalgic appeal for many people
Drive-in theaters have experienced a resurgence in interest due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as they provide a safer, socially distanced entertainment option
In summary, the opening of the first drive-in movie theater in Camden, New Jersey, in 1933 revolutionized the film-going experience and became an iconic part of American culture. Though their numbers have dwindled, drive-in theaters still hold nostalgic appeal and have found renewed relevance in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The “Century of Progress” World’s Fair in Chicago was a significant event in the 1930s that celebrated the city’s progress and showcased science, technology, and architecture innovations.
Dates: The fair took place from May 27, 1933, to November 12, 1933, and later reopened for a second season on May 26, 1934, until October 31, 1934.
Location: The fair was held on Northerly Island and surrounding Burnham Park in Chicago, Illinois.
Theme: The event’s central theme was “A Century of Progress,” which aimed to showcase advancements and innovations made since the city’s founding in 1833.
Attendance: The fair attracted approximately 48 million visitors over its two seasons.
Architecture: The fair featured several striking examples of Art Deco architecture, including the Sky Ride, a futuristic cable car system, and the Hall of Science, which showcased scientific advancements.
Notable exhibits: The fair included a variety of exhibits from different industries, such as General Motors’ “Futurama,” which imagined a futuristic city with advanced transportation systems. The fair also featured the “Homes of Tomorrow” exhibit, which displayed innovative home design and construction ideas.
Impact on pop culture: The “Century of Progress” World’s Fair influenced popular culture by focusing on technology and innovation. It inspired futuristic visions of society and impacted architecture, design, and urban planning.
Prominent people: Several notable people attended the fair, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who gave the opening address. Many prominent architects and designers contributed to the fair’s buildings and exhibits, such as industrial designer Norman Bel Geddes and architect Raymond Hood.
In summary, the “Century of Progress” World’s Fair in Chicago was a significant event that celebrated innovation and progress in various industries. Its influence on popular culture can still be seen today through its impact on architecture, design, and urban planning.
Establishment of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was established as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program to provide affordable electricity, flood control, and economic development to the impoverished Tennessee Valley region. The TVA became an influential model for regional development and infrastructure projects in the United States and worldwide.
Details:
The Tennessee Valley Authority Act created the TVA, signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on May 18, 1933.
The TVA’s primary goals were to provide affordable electricity, manage the Tennessee River’s resources, and promote economic development in the region.
TVA built a network of dams, hydroelectric power plants, and coal-fired and nuclear power plants to generate electricity.
The TVA played a crucial role in rural electrification, providing power to remote areas that private utilities deemed unprofitable.
The TVA is the largest public power provider in the United States, serving over 10 million people in seven states.
The TVA’s service area covers approximately 80,000 square miles, including parts of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The TVA’s hydroelectric system includes 29 dams, generating about 10% of its electricity.
Effects on Pop Culture:
The TVA’s innovative approach to regional development has been featured in numerous books, documentaries, and films, highlighting its historical significance and impact on American society.
The TVA inspired similar regional development projects worldwide, such as the Damodar Valley Corporation in India and the Snowy Mountains Scheme in Australia.
Prominent People and Countries Involved:
Franklin D. Roosevelt: As President of the United States, Roosevelt played a key role in establishing the TVA as part of his New Deal program to combat the Great Depression.
David E. Lilienthal: He was the first director of the TVA and played a crucial role in shaping the organization’s policies and goals. Later, he became the first chairman of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.
United States: The establishment of the TVA marked a significant shift in the U.S. government’s approach to economic development and infrastructure projects, emphasizing public investment and regional planning.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was established on May 18, 1933, as a cornerstone of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program. The TVA aimed to provide affordable electricity, flood control, and economic development in the Tennessee Valley region. It became a model for regional development and infrastructure projects in the United States and around the world, and its network of dams and power plants significantly contributed to rural electrification.
The Nazi Gestapo, or the Geheime Staatspolizei (Secret State Police), was founded by Hermann Göring in 1933 to enforce political conformity and suppress dissent in Nazi Germany. The Gestapo played a key role in the Holocaust and the widespread persecution of Jews, communists, and other targeted groups. Its operations left a lasting impact on the world and reminded them of the atrocities committed under the Nazi regime.
Hermann Göring, a prominent Nazi leader and close associate of Adolf Hitler, founded the Gestapo on April 26, 1933
The Gestapo’s initial purpose was to suppress political opposition to the Nazi regime, primarily targeting communists, socialists, and trade unionists.
In 1934, the Gestapo was incorporated into the Sicherheitspolizei (Security Police) under the leadership of Heinrich Himmler, the head of the SS.
The Gestapo operated without judicial oversight, giving its agents wide-ranging powers to arrest, interrogate, and imprison individuals without due process.
The Gestapo used various methods of torture and intimidation to extract information and confessions from suspects.
The organization played a significant role in the Holocaust, coordinating the arrests, deportations, and extermination of Jews and other targeted groups, such as Romani people, homosexuals, and people with disabilities.
The Gestapo also targeted religious organizations and individuals that opposed the Nazi regime, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Catholic clergy.
The organization had a network of informants and encouraged citizens to report on their neighbors, fostering an atmosphere of fear and mistrust in German society.
After the end of World War II, the Gestapo was declared a criminal organization at the Nuremberg Trials, and many of its leaders were convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The founding of the Nazi Gestapo by Hermann Göring in 1933 led to widespread persecution and atrocities under the Nazi regime. The organization’s brutal tactics and its role in the Holocaust left a lasting impact on the world and remain a stark reminder of the horrors of unchecked power and state-sanctioned terror.
Introduction: The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a work-relief program established in the United States during the Great Depression. It aimed to provide employment opportunities for young, unemployed men while addressing the country’s environmental and infrastructure needs. The program was a part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal and left a lasting legacy on America’s public lands and forests. In this article, we will explore the CCC’s key dates, details, trivial facts, effects on pop culture, and the prominent people and countries involved.
Details:
The CCC was established on March 31, 1933, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of his New Deal to combat the economic crisis of the Great Depression.
The program provided employment and vocational training for young, unemployed men between 18 and 25.
Over its nine-year existence, the CCC employed around 2.5 million men who worked on various projects such as building roads, bridges, trails, and campgrounds, planting trees, and fighting soil erosion.
The CCC was disbanded in 1942, as World War II shifted the government’s focus and provided employment opportunities in the defense industry.
The CCC workers were called “CCC boys” or “tree soldiers.”
The enrollees were provided with food, shelter, clothing, and a small monthly stipend of $30, out of which they were required to send $25 back to their families.
The program was racially segregated, and African American enrollees were placed in separate camps.
Effects on Pop Culture:
The CCC has been featured in various books, documentaries, and films, highlighting its impact on the lives of millions of Americans and the conservation of natural resources.
The program’s legacy can be seen in the continued existence of conservation corps across the United States, which provide employment and training opportunities in environmental stewardship and resource management.
Prominent People and Countries Involved:
Franklin D. Roosevelt: As President of the United States, Roosevelt established the CCC as a cornerstone of his New Deal policies to combat the Great Depression.
United States: The CCC was a federal program created to address the country’s economic and environmental challenges during the 1930s.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a Democrat and former Governor of New York, was inaugurated as the 32nd President of the United States on March 4, 1933. The event took place during the height of the Great Depression, a period of severe economic downturn that affected millions of Americans. With banks collapsing, unemployment rates soaring, and the country in despair, Roosevelt’s inauguration marked a turning point in American history.
Details:
The inauguration occurred on a rainy, cold day in Washington, D.C. Despite the weather, a large crowd gathered to witness the historic event.
This was the last presidential inauguration to be held on March 4th. The 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution ratified in 1933, moved the date of future inaugurations to January 20th
Roosevelt delivered his famous line during his inaugural address, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” This phrase reassured the American public and became one of the most memorable quotes in U.S. history.
Effects on Pop Culture:
Roosevelt’s inauguration marked the beginning of a new era in American politics, characterized by a more active federal government and numerous social programs to alleviate poverty and stimulate economic growth. This period, known as the New Deal, profoundly impacted American society and culture.
Roosevelt’s fireside chats, a series of radio addresses delivered throughout his presidency, became an important means of communication between the president and the American public. These broadcasts helped to humanize the presidency and build trust between Roosevelt and the people.
Prominent People and Countries Involved:
Franklin D. Roosevelt – The 32nd President of the United States, served four terms in office from 1933 until he died in 1945.
During FDR’s presidency, Eleanor Roosevelt – The First Lady of the United States, played an active role in her husband’s administration, advocating for civil rights, women’s rights, and social welfare programs.
John Nance Garner – Roosevelt’s first vice president, who served from 1933 to 1941. He later became critical of the New Deal policies and did not support Roosevelt for a third term.
The United States – The country was deeply affected by the Great Depression, and Roosevelt’s inauguration marked a new beginning for the nation as it sought to recover and rebuild.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s First Inaugural Address
Given on March 4, 1933, in Washington, DC
I am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our Nation impels. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself-nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.
In such a spirit on my part and on yours we face our common difficulties. They concern, thank God, only material things. Values have shrunken to fantastic levels; taxes have risen; our ability to pay has fallen; government of all kinds is faced by serious curtailment of income; the means of exchange are frozen in the currents of trade; the withered leaves of industrial enterprise lie on every side; farmers find no markets for their produce; the savings of many years in thousands of families are gone.
More important, a host of unemployed citizens face the grim problem of existence, and an equally great number toil with little return. Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment.
Yet our distress comes from no failure of substance. We are stricken by no plague of locusts. Compared with the perils which our forefathers conquered because they believed and were not afraid, we have still much to be thankful for. Nature still offers her bounty and human efforts have multiplied it. Plenty is at our doorstep, but a generous use of it languishes in the very sight of the supply. Primarily this is because the rulers of the exchange of mankind’s goods have failed, through their own stubbornness and their own incompetence, have admitted their failure, and abdicated. Practices of the unscrupulous money changers stand indicted in the court of public opinion, rejected by the hearts and minds of men.
True they have tried, but their efforts have been cast in the pattern of an outworn tradition. Faced by failure of credit they have proposed only the lending of more money. Stripped of the lure of profit by which to induce our people to follow their false leadership, they have resorted to exhortations, pleading tearfully for restored confidence. They know only the rules of a generation of self-seekers. They have no vision, and when there is no vision the people perish.
The money changers have fled from their high seats in the temple of our civilization. We may now restore that temple to the ancient truths. The measure of the restoration lies in the extent to which we apply social values more noble than mere monetary profit.
Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. The joy and moral stimulation of work no longer must be forgotten in the mad chase of evanescent profits. These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to ourselves and to our fellow men.
Recognition of the falsity of material wealth as the standard of success goes hand in hand with the abandonment of the false belief that public office and high political position are to be valued only by the standards of pride of place and personal profit; and there must be an end to a conduct in banking and in business which too often has given to a sacred trust the likeness of callous and selfish wrongdoing. Small wonder that confidence languishes, for it thrives only on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection, on unselfish performance; without them it cannot live.
Restoration calls, however, not for changes in ethics alone. This Nation asks for action, and action now.
Our greatest primary task is to put people to work. This is no unsolvable problem if we face it wisely and courageously. It can be accomplished in part by direct recruiting by the Government itself, treating the task as we would treat the emergency of a war, but at the same time, through this employment, accomplishing greatly needed projects to stimulate and reorganize the use of our natural resources.
Hand in hand with this we must frankly recognize the overbalance of population in our industrial centers and, by engaging on a national scale in a redistribution, endeavor to provide a better use of the land for those best fitted for the land. The task can be helped by definite efforts to raise the values of agricultural products and with this the power to purchase the output of our cities. It can be helped by preventing realistically the tragedy of the growing loss through foreclosure of our small homes and our farms. It can be helped by insistence that the Federal, State, and local governments act forthwith on the demand that their cost be drastically reduced. It can be helped by the unifying of relief activities which today are often scattered, uneconomical, and unequal. It can be helped by national planning for and supervision of all forms of transportation and of communications and other utilities which have a definitely public character. There are many ways in which it can be helped, but it can never be helped merely by talking about it. We must act and act quickly.
Finally, in our progress toward a resumption of work we require two safeguards against a return of the evils of the old order; there must be a strict supervision of all banking and credits and investments; there must be an end to speculation with other people’s money, and there must be provision for an adequate but sound currency.
There are the lines of attack. I shall presently urge upon a new Congress in special session detailed measures for their fulfillment, and I shall seek the immediate assistance of the several States.
Through this program of action we address ourselves to putting our own national house in order and making income balance outgo. Our international trade relations, though vastly important, are in point of time and necessity secondary to the establishment of a sound national economy. I favor as a practical policy the putting of first things first. I shall spare no effort to restore world trade by international economic readjustment, but the emergency at home cannot wait on that accomplishment.
The basic thought that guides these specific means of national recovery is not narrowly nationalistic. It is the insistence, as a first consideration, upon the interdependence of the various elements in all parts of the United States-a recognition of the old and permanently important manifestation of the American spirit of the pioneer. It is the way to recovery. It is the immediate way. It is the strongest assurance that the recovery will endure.
In the field of world policy I would dedicate this Nation to the policy of the good neighbor-the neighbor who resolutely respects himself and, because he does so, respects the rights of others- the neighbor who respects his obligations and respects the sanctity of his agreements in and with a world of neighbors.
If I read the temper of our people correctly, we now realize as we have never realized before our interdependence on each other; that we can not merely take but we must give as well; that if we are to go forward, we must move as a trained and loyal army willing to sacrifice for the good of a common discipline, because without such discipline no progress is made, no leadership becomes effective. We are, I know, ready and willing to submit our lives and property to such discipline, because it makes possible a leadership which aims at a larger good. This I propose to offer, pledging that the larger purposes will bind upon us all as a sacred obligation with a unity of duty hitherto evoked only in time of armed strife.
With this pledge taken, I assume unhesitatingly the leadership of this great army of our people dedicated to a disciplined attack upon our common problems.
Action in this image and to this end is feasible under the form of government which we have inherited from our ancestors. Our Constitution is so simple and practical that it is possible always to meet extraordinary needs by changes in emphasis and arrangement without loss of essential form. That is why our constitutional system has proved itself the most superbly enduring political mechanism the modern world has produced. It has met every stress of vast expansion of territory, of foreign wars, of bitter internal strife, of world relations.
It is to be hoped that the normal balance of executive and legislative authority may be wholly adequate to meet the unprecedented task before us. But it may be that an unprecedented demand and need for undelayed action may call for temporary departure from that normal balance of public procedure.
I am prepared under my constitutional duty to recommend the measures that a stricken nation in the midst of a stricken world may require. These measures, or such other measures as the Congress may build out of its experience and wisdom, I shall seek, within my constitutional authority, to bring to speedy adoption.
But in the event that the Congress shall fail to take one of these two courses, and in the event that the national emergency is still critical, I shall not evade the clear course of duty that will then confront me. I shall ask the Congress for the one remaining instrument to meet the crisis-broad Executive power to wage a war against the emergency, as great as the power that would be given to me if we were in fact invaded by a foreign foe.
For the trust reposed in me I will return the courage and the devotion that befit the time. I can do no less.
We face the arduous days that lie before us in the warm courage of the national unity; with the clear consciousness of seeking old and precious moral values; with the clean satisfaction that comes from the stem performance of duty by old and young alike. We aim at the assurance of a rounded and permanent national life.
We do not distrust the future of essential democracy. The people of the United States have not failed. In their need they have registered a mandate that they want direct, vigorous action. They have asked for discipline and direction under leadership. They have made me the present instrument of their wishes. In the spirit of the gift I take it.
In this dedication of a Nation we humbly ask the blessing of God. May He protect each and every one of us. May He guide me in the days to come.
“King Kong” is a classic adventure film that captivated audiences in the 1930s and continues influencing popular culture. Directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, the movie tells the story of an enormous, prehistoric ape, Kong, who is brought to New York City from his mysterious island home. The film’s groundbreaking visual effects and thrilling storyline made it a box-office sensation and a cultural icon.
“King Kong” was produced by RKO Radio Pictures.
The film stars Fay Wray as Ann Darrow, the woman Kong becomes infatuated with, Robert Armstrong as filmmaker Carl Denham, and Bruce Cabot as Jack Driscoll, the ship’s first mate that travels to Skull Island.
The movie’s special effects, including stop-motion animation, miniatures, and rear-screen projection, were groundbreaking for their time and were overseen by Willis O’Brien.
Max Steiner composed the film’s original score, one of the first synchronized soundtracks in movie history.
“King Kong” was a box office success, grossing around $2 million during its initial release, a significant sum during the Great Depression.
The film was re-released several times over the years and has been restored and preserved by the Library of Congress.
“King Kong” has inspired numerous sequels, remakes, and adaptations, including the 1976 and 2005 remakes and the recent “MonsterVerse” films, such as “Kong: Skull Island” (2017) and “Godzilla vs. Kong” (2021)
The character of Kong has become a pop culture icon, appearing in various forms of media, including comic books, video games, and theme park attractions.
The Empire State Building, the site of the film’s climax, has become synonymous with King Kong, further cementing the movie’s place in popular culture.
The debut of “King Kong” in 1933 introduced audiences to an unforgettable cinematic experience with groundbreaking special effects and a captivating story. The film’s success and lasting impact on popular culture have solidified its place as a classic and influential piece of cinema history.
The Reichstag Fire in Germany was a significant event in the rise of the Nazi Party and Adolf Hitler’s consolidation of power. The fire broke out on February 27, 1933, at the German parliament building in Berlin. Its aftermath led to the suspension of civil liberties and a crackdown on political opposition. This crucial historical event has had lasting effects on popular culture, exploring themes of manipulation and the erosion of democratic institutions.
Details:
The Reichstag Fire occurred on February 27, 1933, when the German parliament building in Berlin was set ablaze.
The fire was a pivotal event in the establishment of Nazi Germany, as Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party used it as a pretext to suspend civil liberties and crack down on their political opponents.
A young Dutch communist, Marinus van der Lubbe, was arrested at the scene and later convicted and executed for arson. However, the extent of his involvement in the fire and whether the Nazis themselves played a role in starting it remains a subject of debate among historians.
The Reichstag building was designed by architect Paul Wallot and completed in 1894. It was heavily damaged during the fire and was later restored after World War II.
The fire occurred just four weeks after Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany, providing him with a convenient opportunity to consolidate power.
President Paul von Hindenburg issued the Reichstag Fire Decree the day after the fire, which suspended civil liberties, including freedom of speech, assembly, and the press.
Effects on Pop Culture:
The Reichstag Fire has been the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries exploring the theories and controversies surrounding the event.
It serves as a cautionary tale about the manipulation of public opinion and the erosion of democratic institutions, themes that continue to resonate in contemporary political discussions and popular culture.
Prominent People and Countries Involved:
Adolf Hitler: As Chancellor of Germany, Hitler used the Reichstag Fire as a pretext to consolidate power and further his authoritarian agenda.
Marinus van der Lubbe: The Dutch communist who was convicted of setting the fire, although the extent of his involvement remains a subject of debate.
Germany: The Reichstag Fire marked a turning point in German history, as it led to the suspension of civil liberties and the establishment of a one-party dictatorship under the Nazi regime.
The Boeing 247 was a groundbreaking aircraft in aviation history, setting new standards for speed, comfort, and reliability in commercial air travel. Its first flight and subsequent developments would significantly impact the aviation industry and pave the way for modern airliners.
Dates: The Boeing 247 made its first flight on February 8, 1933.
Design and features: The aircraft was an all-metal, twin-engine, low-wing monoplane with retractable landing gear, a first for a commercial airliner. It could carry up to ten passengers and featured several innovations, such as variable-pitch propellers, autopilot, and advanced soundproofing for passenger comfort.
Speed and range: With a cruising speed of 189 mph (305 km/h) and a range of 745 miles (1,200 km), the Boeing 247 significantly outperformed its contemporaries, cutting cross-country travel time in the United States by more than half.
Main customer: United Air Lines (later United Airlines) was the primary customer for the Boeing 247, initially ordering 60 aircraft. However, this exclusivity led to other airlines seeking alternatives, which eventually resulted in the development of the Douglas DC-2 and DC-3 aircraft that would surpass the 247 in terms of performance and popularity.
Trivial facts: The Boeing 247 is sometimes referred to as the first “modern” airliner, given its numerous advancements in design and technology. Also, the aircraft was involved in the 1934 MacRobertson Air Race, where it finished third, beaten by two specially designed racing aircraft.
Effects on pop culture: The Boeing 247, while not as iconic as some other aircraft of its era, was a key milestone in the history of aviation and commercial air travel. Its technological advancements helped make air travel more accessible and comfortable, influencing future aircraft design and development.
Prominent people and countries: The Boeing 247 was designed by a team led by Boeing engineer Arthur E. Raymond. The United States was the primary country involved in developing and using the aircraft, with United Air Lines being the main customer.
The Boeing 247 was a revolutionary aircraft that marked a significant step forward in commercial aviation. Its first flight in 1933 introduced numerous innovations that would influence future aircraft design. Although eventually surpassed by other airliners, the Boeing 247 remains an important milestone in the history of aviation and a testament to the rapid technological advancements of the time.
Adolf Hitler’s Appointment as Chancellor of Germany
Details:
Adolf Hitler, the leader of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazi Party), was appointed as Chancellor of Germany by President Paul von Hindenburg on January 30, 1933.
The appointment came after a series of political maneuvers, economic crises, and growing support for the Nazi Party, which had become the largest party in the German parliament (Reichstag) in the elections of 1932.
Trivial Facts:
Some political elites initially saw Hitler’s appointment as chancellor as a way to control him and the Nazi Party, as they believed they could manipulate him from behind the scenes.
Hitler’s appointment marked the end of the Weimar Republic, the democratic government established in Germany after World War I, and the beginning of the Third Reich.
Within a few months of his appointment, Hitler and the Nazi Party consolidated power, suspended civil liberties, and established a dictatorship.
Hitler’s rise to power profoundly impacted global politics, culture, and art. Many artists and intellectuals fled Germany, spreading their influence to other countries.
Nazi propaganda and aesthetics influenced numerous aspects of popular culture, including film, literature, and design.
The horrors of the Holocaust and the atrocities committed by the Nazis during World War II continue to be a significant theme in movies, books, and other art forms.
Prominent People and Countries Involved:
Adolf Hitler: Leader of the Nazi Party and Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when he committed suicide as Allied forces closed in on his bunker in Berlin.
Paul von Hindenburg: President of Germany from 1925 to 1934, who appointed Hitler as chancellor in a last-ditch effort to maintain stability in the country. Hindenburg died in August 1934, and Hitler assumed the title of Führer, combining the roles of president and chancellor.
Germany: The country was experiencing a period of political and economic instability during the Weimar Republic, and Hitler’s appointment as chancellor marked the beginning of a dark chapter in German history, culminating in World War II and the Holocaust.
The Crime of the Century: Charles Lindbergh Jr., the infant son of Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, was kidnapped from the family home near Hopewell, New Jersey.
Influential Songs include Brother Can You Spare a Dime by Bing Crosby, and Night and Day by Cole Porter.
The Movies to Watch include Grand Hotel, Emma, Freaks, Scarface, The Mummy, Blonde Venus, White Zombie, Island of Lost Souls, and Tarzan the Ape Man.
The Most Infamous Person in America was probably Al Capone
Notable books include Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Price of 1 12 oz Perrier Water in 1932: 25 cents
The Funny Duo was: Laurel and Hardy The Funny Guy was W.C. Fields
The Revenue Act of 1932 created the first gas tax in the United States at 1 cent per gallon.
Top Ten Baby Names of 1932
Mary, Betty, Barbara, Dorothy, Joan, Robert, James, John, William
US Life Expectancy
(1932) Males: 61.0 years, Females: 63.5 years
The Stars
Josephine Baker, Joan Blondell, Claudette Colbert, Greta Garbo, Louise Brooks, Joan Crawford, Marion Davies, Dolores Del Rio, Marlene Dietrich, Kay Francis, Jean Harlow, Katharine Hepburn, Myrna Loy, Barbara Stanwyck, Thelma Todd, Mae West
Entertainment History: The Oscars
The 5th Academy Awards unfolded on November 18, 1932, at the Fiesta Room of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Lionel Barrymore served as the host. The movie eligibility period was August 1, 1931, to July 31, 1932. Grand Hotel won Best Picture but, interestingly, didn’t receive any other nominations, a feat unmatched in Oscar history. Walt Disney scored big with Flowers and Trees, the first-ever color cartoon, grabbing the first Academy Award for Animated Short Subject. Fredric March and Wallace Beery both won Best Actor, marking the only time in Oscar history that the category had co-winners. The ceremony also celebrated a milestone in technical advancements with the introduction of the Academy Award for Best Sound Recording.
Miss America
none
Time Magazine’s Man of the Year
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Firsts, Inventions, and Wonders
The 1932 Indian movie Indrasabha contained 72 songs, a record for most songs in a movie that still stands today. 2016’s Sing features 64 songs.
The word “gunk” is a genericized trademark name for a “degreasing solvent” dating from 1932.
The text “This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental” is at the end of film came about because the Russian prince who killed Rasputin sued MGM for not accurately depicting Rasputin’s murder in their 1932 film Rasputin and the Empress.
The University of Southern California (USC) was the first to print “property of” on their t-shirts in 1932.
When the BBC World Service started broadcasting in 1932, it announced five times, “The programs will neither be very interesting nor very good.”
The Staple Remover was invented.
The first science fiction program on radio, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, debuted.
Goofy’s original name was “Dippy Dawg” when he debuted in 1932’s Mickey’s Review.
Nielsen company founder, Arthur C. Nielsen invented “market share” in 1932, becoming the first to offer market research that now covers most TV ratings and radio charts.
1932’s White Zombie (Directed by Victor Halperin and starring Bela Lugosi) is considered the first feature-length zombie film.
Radio City Music Hall opened in New York City.
Walt Disney’s Flowers and Trees, the first animated cartoon to be presented in full Technicolor, premiered in Los Angeles.
Eddie Eagan is the only athlete to have won gold in different events, at both the Summer and Winter Olympics, winning his first while boxing in 1920, and his second while on the 4-man bobsled in 1932.
The Betty Boop short Minnie the Moocher features the earliest known film of Cab Calloway performing. You can watch him Moonwalk during the opening credits.
The Quote
Grand Hotel directed by Edmund Goulding and starring Greta Garbo and John Barrymore, premiered in New York. “I want to be alone” – Great Garbo, as Grusinskaya.
The Biggest Pop Artists of 1932 include
Louis Armstrong, Ted Black & His Orchestra, Bing Crosby, Jack Denny & His Orchestra, Duke Ellington, Jimmie Grier & His Orchestra, Jack Hylton and His Orchestra, Art Kassel and His Kassels-in-the-Air, Wayne King and His Orchestra, Ted Lewis and His Band, Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians, The Mills Brothers, Ruby Newman & His Orchestra, Ray Noble and His Orchestra, George Olsen and His Orchestra, Leo Reisman and His Orchestra, Peter van Steeden & His Orchestra, Rudy Vallée & His Connecticut Yankees, Paul Whiteman, and His Orchestra
The Strange
US Navy Apprentice Seaman Charles M. “Bud” Cowart was trying to land the military airship USS Akron in New Jersey and failed to let go of the rope and had to hold on for two hours as it rose to 2000 feet over the sea until he was hoisted up. Two other men fell to their deaths.
Despite losing 2 to 9 to Japan and 1 to 24 to India, the United States still won bronze in the field hockey competition of the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles because only three teams participated.
Before 1932, Macy’s Parade balloons were intentionally released into the air after the event until one wrapped itself around an airplane wing, causing a tailspin and a near-fatal crash.
On January 15, 1932, Pasadena Junior College students left their classes and began a snowball fight that escalated into a riot that took over thirty policemen and teargas to disperse.
The Australian Military fought against the Emu birds in 1932 in an attempt to cull the population in The Great Emu War. It was said that “The Emu command had ordered guerrilla tactics.” Not even the Royal Artillery helped. TLDR: The Emus beat the Australian Military.
Welsh actress Peg Entwistle committed suicide by jumping from the Hollywood Sign. She jumped from the letter “H.”
Lilly Lindeström was found murdered in her small apartment in Stockholm, Sweden. Her body had been drained of some, if not all, of her blood. Police suspected the perpetrator used the implement to drink Lilly’s blood. The case remains unsolved.
The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker was believed to be extinct since the early 1900s. In 1932, however, to refute these claims, Mason Spencer, a Louisiana state legislator, shot and killed one of the last birds and brought the remains to their local wildlife office. The bird has been spotted as recently as 2004.
Pop Culture Facts & History
The text “This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental” at the end of the film credits came about because the Russian prince who killed Rasputin sued MGM for not accurately depicting Rasputin’s murder in their 1932 film, Rasputin and the Empress. (also, Princess Irina Yusupova sued MGM for implying that Rasputin had seduced her).
The cost of tuition for one year at Yale was $1,056 for a year.
Carl Magee invented the first parking meter used in Oklahoma City in 1935.
Ed McGivern could fire five shots at five yards into a silver dollar in 45/100ths of a second, shoot six hand-thrown clays, shoot a dime on the fly, and hold The Guinness World Record for “The greatest rapid-fire feat.”
Shemp was an original member of The Three Stooges- before Curly. Curly took Shemp’s place in 1932, and Shemp returned to the role in 1946 when Curly left.
James Chadwick discovered the neutron. Carl David Anderson discovered the positron.
The demand for cash was so low during the Great Depression, the US Mint stopped the production of nickels between 1932-33.
Babe Ruth made his famous “called shot” in the fifth inning of game 3 of the 1932 World Series.
Eddie Eagan is the only athlete to have won gold for different events at the Summer and Winter Olympics, winning his first while boxing in 1920, and his second while on the 4-man bobsled in 1932.
In 1932, the cost of tuition for one year at Yale was $1,056 for a year.
5 NFL Games have ended with a 2-0 score:
November 29, 1923: Akron Pros 2, Buffalo All-Americans 0
November 21, 1926: Kansas City Cowboys 2, Buffalo Rangers 0
November 29, 1928: Frankford Yellow Jackets 2, Green Bay Packers 0
October 16, 1932: Green Bay Packers 2, Chicago Bears 0
September 18, 1938: Chicago Bears 2, Green Bay Packers 0
Ethan Allen Interiors opened in Beecher Falls, Vermont.
Radio City Music Hall opened on December 27, 1932. The first show featured Ray Bolger (vaudeville song-and-dance man, Wizard of Oz‘s Scarecrow) and dancing great Martha Graham.
The Gift
Neils Bohr was gifted a house with free beer for life on winning the Nobel Prize. A beer pipeline was connected to this house from the Carlsberg brewery next door. Bohr stayed there from 1932 until he died in 1962.
Nobel Prize Winners
Physics – Werner Karl Heisenberg Chemistry – Irving Langmuir Physiology or Medicine – Sir Charles Scott Sherrington, Edgar Douglas Adrian Literature – John Galsworthy Peace – not awarded
Popular and Best-selling Books From 1932
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley The Fountain by Charles Langbridge Morgan The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck Inheritance by Phyllis Bentley Magnificent Obsession by Lloyd C. Douglas Magnolia Street by Louis Golding Mary’s Neck by Booth Tarkington Old Wine and New by Warwick Deeping The Sheltered Life by Ellen Glasgow Sons by Pearl S. Buck Three Loves by A. J. Cronin
Sports
World Series Champions: New York Yankees Stanley Cup Champs: Toronto Maple Leafs U.S. Open Golf: Gene Sarazan U.S. Tennis (Men/Ladies): H. Ellsworth Vines/Helen H. Jacobs Wimbledon (Men/Women): Ellsworth Vines/Helen Moody NCAA Football Champions: Michigan & USC Kentucky Derby Winner: Burgoo King Boston Marathon Winner: Paul de Bruyn 2:33:36
The 5th Academy Awards ceremony took place on November 18, 1932.
Host Conrad Nagel returned to MC the event, which was located in the Fiesta Room at the Ambassador Hotel.
Films released between August 1, 1931, and July 31, 1932, were eligible for awards.
Noteworthy Moments:
Walt Disney won his first ever Oscar for the animated short Flowers and Trees, under a new category called Best Animated Short Film.
Grand Hotel won Best Picture without winning any other Oscars, a feat unmatched to this day.
Helen Hayes won Best Actress for her role in The Sin of Madelon Claudet, a film that was initially a commercial failure.
Flowers and Trees was the first color Academy Award winner and first animated short winner.
Arrowsmith and The Champ each earned 4 nominations.
Grand Hotel was the only Best Picture winner to be nominated for Best Picture and nothing else.
Trivia:
This was the first ceremony where the winners were kept a secret until the event.
This is the only year that the Academy did not award a Best Director.
The Best Actor category included three nominees who were non-American: Alfred Lunt, Lawrence Tibbett, and Wallace Beery.
This was the last year that write-in votes were allowed, enabling Hal Mohr to win Best Cinematography for A Midsummer Night’s Dream in a later ceremony.
The ceremony was broadcast by Los Angeles radio station KNX.
5th Academy Awards Oscar Nominees and Winners
Outstanding Production: Grand Hotel – Irving Thalberg for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (WINNER) Arrowsmith – Samuel Goldwyn for Samuel Goldwyn Prod. Bad Girl – Winfield Sheehan for Fox Film Corp. The Champ – King Vidor for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Five Star Final – Hal B. Wallis for First National One Hour with You – Ernst Lubitsch for Paramount Publix Shanghai Express – Adolph Zukor for Paramount Publix The Smiling Lieutenant – Ernst Lubitsch for Paramount Publix
Best Director: Frank Borzage – Bad Girl (WINNER) King Vidor – The Champ Josef von Sternberg – Shanghai Express
Best Actor: Fredric March – Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as Dr. Henry Jekyll/Mr Edward Hyde (WINNER) Wallace Beery – The Champ as Champ (WINNER) Alfred Lunt – The Guardsman as The Actor
Best Actress: Helen Hayes – The Sin of Madelon Claudet as Madelon Claudet (WINNER) Marie Dressler – Emma as Emma Thatcher Smith Lynn Fontanne – The Guardsman as The Actress
Best Original Story: The Champ – Frances Marion (WINNER) Lady and Gent – Grover Jones and William Slavens McNutt The Star Witness – Lucien Hubbard What Price Hollywood? – Adela Rogers St. Johns and Jane Murfin
Best Adaptation: Bad Girl – Edwin J. Burke, based on the novel and play by Viña Delmar (WINNER) Arrowsmith – Sidney Howard, based on the novel by Sinclair Lewis Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde – Percy Heath and Samuel Hoffenstein, based on Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Best Art Direction: Transatlantic – Gordon Wiles (WINNER) À Nous la Liberté – Lazare Meerson Arrowsmith – Richard Day
Best Cinematography: Shanghai Express – Lee Garmes (WINNER) Arrowsmith – Ray June Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde – Karl Struss
Best Sound Recording: Paramount Publix Studio Sound Department (WINNER) MGM Studio Sound Department RKO Radio Studio Sound Department Walt Disney Productions Warner Bros. First National Studio Sound Department
Best Short Subject, Cartoon: Flowers and Trees – Walt Disney, Walt Disney Productions, United Artists (WINNER) It’s Got Me Again! – Leon Schlesinger, Leon Schlesinger Productions, Warner Bros. Mickey’s Orphans – Walt Disney, Walt Disney Productions, Columbia Pictures
Best Live Action Short Subject, Comedy: The Music Box – Hal Roach (WINNER) The Loud Mouth – Mack Sennett Scratch-As-Catch-Can – RKO Radio
Best Live Action Short Subject, Novelty: Wrestling Swordfish – Mack Sennett (WINNER) Screen Souvenirs – Paramount Publix Swing High – Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Academy Honorary Award: Walt Disney, for the creation of Mickey Mouse
This song could be considered the theme song of the entire decade of the 1930s. The ’30s was the era of the Great Depression where millions of Americans were out of work and some incredibly successful people found themselves in bread lines. The lyrics to this song and the very sad music reflect the desperation of the times. Written in 1931 by lyricist E. Y. “Yip” Harburg and composer Jay Gorney, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” was introduced in the 1932 musical New Americana. The song would go on to be recorded by such artists as Rudy Vallee and Bing Crosby. It would continue to be recorded throughout the century. George Michael would record the song for his 1999 album Songs from the Last Century. The song was used in a poignant moment in the television comedy The Golden Girls.
Cab Calloway I’ve Got The World on a String The song was written in 1932 and composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics written by Ted Koehler. The song was introduced by Cab Calloway and Bing Crosby and would continue to be recorded throughout the decade by many popular songsters including Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow and Michael Buble.
Fred Astaire and Leo Reisman Night and Day This song was written by Cole Porter and performed in the musical The Gay Divorcee. Fred Astaire recorded the song and it made it to the # 1 spot. He would again perform the song in the film version of the show. This song is considered to be one of Cole Porter’s finest songs. This song was so connected to Cole Porter that the biopic made in the 1940s about the composer was titled Night and Day. The song would go on to be recorded by celebrities as diverse as Frank Sinatra and Ringo Starr. The song would be recorded and song again in a second biography film of Cole Porter called Devovely. This time the song was sung by John Barrowman, TVs Captain Jack Harkness, and Keven Kline
Paul Whiteman Willow Weep For Me The song was written by Ann Ronell. Willow Weep For ME would be considered a jazz standard but would be recorded again in 1964 by Chad and Jeremy and would make it into the top 40s that year.
How Deep Is The Ocean is a love song by Irving Berlin. This is one of the few Berlin songs that was introduced directly by the radio and not part of a Broadway show. The song is a series of questions that describe love by comparison. “The first line sets the tone for the song, “How much do I love you, I’ll tell you no lie, how deep is the Ocean, how high is the sky?” The song would be recorded by such great 20th century artists as Frank Sinatra, Julie Andrews and Eric Clapton. Recently the song was added to the Broadway show Irving Berlins White Christmas. So the song made it to Broadway seventy years later.
Tommy Dorsey Take My Hand Precious Lord The music for this song was adapted from a song written in the 1800s called Maitland by George N. Allen. The Lyrics are by Tommy Dorsey and were in response to the death of his wife while giving birth to a child, the child would ultimately die as well. The song would be embraced by Christians and would be recorded by many artists such as Anne Murray and Elvis Presley. The song would follow a tradition in Christian Music which started as far back as Martin Luther. The originator of the Reformation would take popular music of the day and give the tune Christian lyrics. The Hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” is a good example of this.
Top Artists and Songs of 1932
Al Jolson Hallelujah, I’m A Bum
Bert Ambrose and his Orchestra The Clouds Will Soon Roll By
Bing Crosby and the Mills Brothers Dinah
Bing Crosby Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? Love Me Tonight, Please Where The Blue Of The Night (Meets The Gold of the Day)
Cab Calloway and his Cotton Club Orchestra I’ve Got The World On A String
Charlie Kunz Lovely To Look At Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
Duke Ellington Blue Ramble Moon Over Dixie Rose Room (In Sunny Roseland),
Fred Astaire and Leo Reisman Night and Day
George Olson Say It Isn’t So, Lullaby of the Leaves
Guy Lombardo How Deep Is The Ocean? Paradise Too Many Tears We Just Couldn’t Say Goodbye
Joe Rines and his Orchestra Underneath the Harlem Moon
Kate Smith and Guy Lombardo River, Stay ‘Way From My Door
Kate Smith River, Stay ‘Way My Door, Too late
Leo Reisman Paradise
Louis Armstrong All of Me Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea Body and Soul China My Chinatown Home Keeping Out of Mischief Now Kickin’ The Gong Around Lawd, You Made the Night Too Long Love You Funny Thing Shine Sweethearts on Parade You Can Depend On Me
Maurice Chevalier MiMi
Pat O’Malley Goopy Geer
Paul Whiteman All of Me How Deep Is The Ocean? I’ll Follow You I’ll Never Be The Same Let’s Put Out The Lights Three On a Match We Just Couldn’t Say Goodbye Willow Weep For Me
Ray Noble Try A Little Tenderness
Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut Yankees Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Ruth Etting It WAs So Beautiful
Ted Fio Rito Willow Weep For Me
Ted Lewis and his Orchestra In a Shanty In a shanty Old Town
Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die.
By Mary Elizabeth Frye (November 13, 1905 – September 15, 2004) was an American housewife and florist, best known as the author of the poem Do not stand at my grave and weep, written in 1932. She was born in Dayton, Ohio, United States, and was orphaned at the age of three. She moved to Baltimore, Maryland, when she was twelve. She was an avid reader with a remarkable memory. She married Claud Frye, who ran a clothing business, while she grew and sold flowers. The 12 line poem for which she became famous was originally written on a brown paper shopping bag and she never published or copyrighted the poem. In 1995, a BBC poll found that the poem “became the nation’s favorite poem”.
The Holodomor: The Man-made Famine in Soviet Ukraine
The Holodomor was a devastating man-made famine that occurred in Soviet Ukraine from 1932 to 1933, causing the deaths of millions of Ukrainians. It is widely regarded as a tragic example of how government policies can lead to catastrophic consequences for a nation’s people.
Dates: The Holodomor occurred between 1932 and 1933, during Joseph Stalin’s rule in the Soviet Union.
Causes: The famine was primarily caused by Soviet policies, including forced collectivization of agriculture and harsh grain requisition quotas imposed on Ukrainian farmers. These policies led to widespread food shortages and starvation.
Death toll: Estimates of deaths resulting from the Holodomor vary, but most sources place the figure between 3.5 and 7 million Ukrainians.
Soviet denial and cover-up: The Soviet government denied the existence of the famine, suppressed information about it, and punished those who spoke out about the crisis. This cover-up contributed to the lack of international awareness and assistance during the famine.
Recognition as genocide: In recent years, many countries and organizations have recognized the Holodomor as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people perpetrated by the Soviet government. However, Russia continues to dispute this characterization.
Effects on pop culture: The Holodomor has been depicted in various films, books, and other artistic works, raising awareness of this tragic event and its impact on the Ukrainian people. Examples include the 2009 film “Bitter Harvest” and the 2017 graphic novel “Red Famine: Stalin’s War on Ukraine” by Anne Applebaum.
Prominent people: Key figures involved in the Holodomor include Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union at the time, and his close associate Vyacheslav Molotov, who played a significant role in implementing the policies that led to the famine. Ukrainian writer and activist Vasily Grossman also played a crucial role in documenting and exposing the Holodomor to the world.
In summary, the Holodomor was a man-made famine in Soviet Ukraine that killed millions of people. Caused by destructive government policies and exacerbated by the Soviet regime’s cover-up, the famine has been recognized as an act of genocide by many countries and organizations. The Holodomor has had a lasting impact on Ukraine’s national consciousness and has been depicted in various forms of popular culture, ensuring that the memory of this tragic event endures.
Amazing Event: It took only 13 months to complete the Empire State Building, the tallest structure in the world for most of the 20th century.
Influential Songs include Minnie the Moocher by Cab Calloway and Pop Standards As Time Goes By and Dancing in the Dark.
The Movies to Watch include I’m No Angel, M, City Lights, Frankenstein, The Public Enemy, Monkey Business, Little Caesar, Night Nurse, and The 3 Penny Opera.
The Most Famous Person in America was probably Nikola Tesla.
Notable books include The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck and Grand Hotel by Vicki Baum.
Warner Brothers released the first Merrie Melodies cartoon, Lady, Play Your Mandolin.
Price of a man’s tuxedo in 1931: $25.00
The Funny Observational Humorist was Will Rogers
The hottest new movie star was: Jean Harlow
A 17-year-old female baseball pitcher, Jackie Mitchell, struck out both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in the same exhibition game.
The Conversation: The Star-Spangled Banner officially became the US national anthem. Many thought (and still think) it should be America the Beautiful or God Bless America.
Top Ten Baby Names of 1931
Mary, Betty, Dorothy, Barbara, Joan, Robert, James, John, William, Richard
US Life Expectancy
(1931) Males: 59.4 years, Females: 63.1 years
The Stars
Josephine Baker, Joan Blondell, Claudette Colbert, Greta Garbo, Louise Brooks, Joan Crawford, Marion Davies, Dolores Del Rio, Marlene Dietrich, Kay Francis, Jean Harlow, Myrna Loy, Barbara Stanwyck, Thelma Todd
Entertainment History: The Oscars
The 4th Academy Awards were held on November 10, 1931, at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Conrad Nagel returned as host for the ceremony. This time, the film eligibility period was August 1, 1930, to July 31, 1931. Cimarron won the Best Picture award, becoming the first Western to win. This year was also significant for Marie Dressler, who won Best Actress for her role in Min and Bill, becoming the oldest woman to win the award—a record that stood for decades. The ceremony was also noted for the absence of a Best Director nomination for Cimarron, even though the film won Best Picture. A small piece of trivia: this was the first time the awards were broadcast on the radio, allowing fans to participate in the event from their homes.
Miss America
none
Time Magazine’s Man of the Year
Pierre Laval
Firsts, Inventions, and Wonders
1931’s Golden Bat, created in Japan, is considered by many to be the world’s first true comic superhero. Golden Bat predates Superman (debut 1938) and Batman (debut 1939).
The Joy of Cooking was self-published in 1931, by Irma Rombauer.
The first time term, American Dream, was coined in James Truslow Adams’ Epic of America: “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. … It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, … regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.”
Alka Seltzer was introduced.
The Empire State Building was completed. It was nicknamed the “Empty State Building” by New Yorkers and didn’t become profitable until 1950.
The first Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center was erected by construction workers in 1931 during the Depression. Workers pooled their money to buy the tree and decorated it with tin cans and garlands made by their families.
Dick Tracy, the comic strip detective character, by cartoonist Chester Gould, debuted in the Detroit Mirror newspaper.
The “never date anyone under half your age plus seven” rule of thumb appeared in 1931, said Maurice Chevalier, a French actor, singer, and entertainer.
Times New Roman typeface was commissioned by The Times of London in 1931.
Coaxial Cable (#1,835,031) was patented, basically running a wire wrapped around another wire.
DeVry University was established in 1931, by Herman A. DeVry.
The iconic film images of Dracula, starring Bela Lugosi, and Frankenstein’s Monster (Boris Karloff) were released within just months of each other in 1931, both by Universal Pictures.
Salvador Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory was displayed in Paris at the Galerie Pierre Colle for the first time.
The Biggest Pop Artists of 1931 include
Gus Arnheim & His Orchestra, Ben Bernie & His Orchestra, The Boswell Sisters, Cab Calloway, Russ Columbo, Bing Crosby, Duke Ellington, Ruth Etting, Libby Holman, Hal Kemp, and His Orchestra, Wayne King and His Orchestra, Ted Lewis and His Band, Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians, Bert Lown & His Orchestra, Clyde McCoy & His Orchestra, The Mills Brothers, Ray Noble, and His Orchestra, Kate Smith, Rudy Vallée & His Connecticut Yankees, Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians
Pop Culture Facts & History
Considered his finest film by many, Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights was released. Charlie believed that ‘talking’ was a lesser form of performing in movies, so he didn’t talk, but he did include a soundtrack and sound effects.
Airstream trailers were introduced to the public, invented by Wally Meryle Byam. They say that 2/3 of every one of these vehicles ever produced is still in use.
Hail Columbia was considered (among other songs) as the unofficial national anthem of the United States until 1931, when The Star-Spangled Banner was officially designated.
17-year-old female baseball pitcher Jackie Mitchell struck out both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in the same exhibition game.
Betty Robinson, an Olympic runner, was involved in a plane crash in 1931 and was wrongly pronounced dead upon first being discovered. She spent seven months in a coma and it took her two years to learn to walk normally again. In 1936, she returned to the US Olympic team and won gold in the relay.
Alka-Seltzer was made available in 1931. The original ingredients included 325 milligrams of aspirin, 1,000 milligrams of citric acid, and 1,916 milligrams of sodium bicarbonate.
CBS went on the air.
Alice in Wonderland was banned in the Hunan province of China, because the Governor, Ho Chien, felt that: “animals should not use human language”, and that it was “disastrous to put animals and human beings on the same level.”
Karl Freund, cinematographer on Metropolis (1927), and Dracula (1931), also shot most of the I Love Lucy episodes.
In Frankenstein, the line “Now I know what it feels like to be God!” following “It’s alive! It’s alive!” was censored by audio of a clap of thunder because it was considered blasphemous and was restored decades later. Most props used in Mel Brook’s Young Frankenstein were from the original 1931 Frankenstein film. The “bolts” in the Monster’s neck in Frankenstein, are electrodes. One is positive and the other, negative.
RIP
New Zealand’s Mount Victoria Tunnel is also known as “The tooting tunnel,” and when you start tooting in there, people start tooting with you. Tooting in there is a way to pay tribute to pregnant murdered teenager Phillis Symons in 1931.
Ninety-six workers died while constructing the Hoover Dam from 1931-1935.
An 11-year-old boy, Wilbur Brink, was killed during the 1931 Indy 500 race when a tire from a race wreck flew out of the Speedway, across the street, and over his house, landing on his head as he played in his backyard.
When Thomas Edison died in 1931, Nikola Tesla was the only one to submit an unfavorable opinion of him to the NY Times: “He had no hobby, cared for no sort of amusement of any kind, and lived in utter disregard of the most elementary rules of hygiene … His method was inefficient in the extreme, for an immense ground had to be covered to get anything at all unless blind chance intervened and, at first, I was almost a sorry witness of his doings, knowing that just a little theory and calculation would have saved him 90 percent of the labor. But he had a veritable contempt for book learning and mathematical knowledge, trusting himself entirely to his inventor’s instinct and practical American sense.”
Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep
Mary Elizabeth Frye was an American housewife and florist who scribbled a poem (‘Do not stand at my grave and weep’) on a paper bag. She circulated the poem privately, but never published or copyrighted it.
Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die.
Nobel Prize Winners
Physics – not awarded Chemistry – Carl Bosch, Friedrich Bergius Physiology or Medicine – Otto Heinrich Warburg Literature – Erik Axel Karlfeldt Peace – Jane Addams, Nicholas Murray Butler
Jane Addams was nominated 91 times for the Nobel Peace Prize before becoming the first American woman to receive the award in 1931. She was the first American Woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Popular and Best-selling Books From 1931
A White Bird Flying by Bess Streeter Aldrich Back Street by Fannie Hurst The Bridge of Desire by Warwick Deeping Finch’s Fortune by Mazo de la Roche The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck Grand Hotel by Vicki Baum Maid in Waiting by John Galsworthy The Road Back by Erich Maria Remarque Shadows on the Rock by Willa Cather Years of Grace by Margaret Ayer Barnes
Sports
World Series Champions: St. Louis Cardinals Stanley Cup Champs: Montreal Canadiens U.S. Open Golf: Billy Burke U.S. Tennis (Men/Ladies): H. Ellsworth Vines/Helen Wills Moody Wimbledon (Men/Women): Sidney Wood/Cilly Aussem NCAA Football Champions: USC Kentucky Derby Winner: Twenty Grand Boston Marathon Winner: James Henigan Time: 2:46:45
The 4th Academy Awards took place on November 10, 1931.
The ceremony was hosted in the Sala D’Oro at the Biltmore Hotel.
Lawrence Grant, a British character actor, took on hosting duties.
Eligibility for awards was for films released between August 1, 1930, and July 31, 1931.
Noteworthy Moments:
Cimarron became the first Western to win Best Picture.
Marie Dressler won Best Actress for her role in Min and Bill, making her the oldest actress to win this category.
Wesley Ruggles won Best Director for Cimarron.
Cimarron earned 7 nominations, winning 3. It was the first Western to win Best Picture. The second was Dances With Wolves in 1990.
Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights received no nominations.
Also Snubbed: Dracula, Frankenstein, Little Caesar, Public Enemy, Applause
Trivia:
This was the first year where the awards started acknowledging sound in a separate category: Best Sound Recording.
The film The Front Page was nominated for three major awards but won none. It would later be remade as His Girl Friday in 1940.
Skippy, based on a comic strip, is the earliest film to receive a Best Director nomination that is still copyrighted.
This year was the first and only time the Academy handed out an award for Best Assistant Director.
This ceremony was among the shortest, lasting only about an hour.
4th Academy Awards Oscar Nominees and Winners
Outstanding Production: Cimarron – William LeBaron for RKO Pictures (WINNER) East Lynne – Winfield Sheehan for Fox Film Corporation The Front Page – Howard Hughes for United Artists Skippy – Adolph Zukor for Paramount Pictures Trader Horn – Irving Thalberg for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Best Director: Norman Taurog – Skippy (WINNER) Wesley Ruggles – Cimarron Clarence Brown – A Free Soul Lewis Milestone – The Front Page Josef von Sternberg – Morocco
Best Actor: Lionel Barrymore – A Free Soul as Stephen Ashe (WINNER) Jackie Cooper – Skippy as Skippy Skinner Richard Dix – Cimarron as Yancey Cravat Fredric March – The Royal Family of Broadway as Tony Cavendish Adolphe Menjou – The Front Page as Walter Burns
Best Actress: Marie Dressler – Min and Bill as Min Divot (WINNER) Marlene Dietrich – Morocco as Amy Jolly Irene Dunne – Cimarron as Sabra Ann Harding – Holiday as Linda Seton Norma Shearer – A Free Soul as Jan Ashe
Best Original Story: The Dawn Patrol – John Monk Saunders (WINNER) The Doorway to Hell – Rowland Brown Laughter – Harry d’Abbadie d’Arrast, Douglas Doty, and Donald Ogden Stewart The Public Enemy – John Bright and Kubec Glasmon Smart Money – Lucien Hubbard and Joseph Jackson
Best Adaptation: Cimarron – Howard Estabrook, based on the novel by Edna Ferber (WINNER) The Criminal Code – Seton I. Miller and Fred Niblo Jr., based on the play by Martin Flavin Holiday – Horace Jackson, based on the play by Philip Barry Little Caesar – Francis Edward Faragoh and Robert N. Lee, based on the novel by William R. Burnett Skippy – Joseph L. Mankiewicz and Sam Mintz, based on the comic strip by Percy Crosby
Best Sound Recording: Paramount Publix Studio Sound Department (WINNER) MGM Studio Sound Department RKO Radio Studio Sound Department Samuel Goldwyn-United Artists Studio Sound Department
Best Art Direction: Cimarron – Max Rée (WINNER) Just Imagine – Stephen Goosson and Ralph Hammeras Morocco – Hans Dreier Svengali – Anton Grot Whoopee! – Richard Day
Best Cinematography: Tabu – Floyd Crosby (WINNER) Cimarron – Edward Cronjager Morocco – Lee Garmes The Right to Love – Charles Lang Svengali – Barney McGill
Bing Crosby Dancing in the Dark
The music for this song was by Arthur Schwartz and lyrics by Howard Dietz and was originally performed by John Barker in the 1931 revue The Band Wagon. Besides Bing Crosby, the song was recorded by Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennet. The song was also used as a ballet sequence danced by Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse in the 1953 MGM film version of The Band Wagon.
Cab Calloway and his Cotton Club Orchestra Minnie the Moocher This song would be song recorded and re-recorded by Cab Calloway. The song would be known for its skat lyrics which would have Callaway sing a phrase and then the audience would repeat the phrase. Calloway would make the phrases more and more complicated until the audience could no longer follow him. Max Fleischer would animate the song using Betty Boop as its main character.
The song would be used in many TV shows such as That Girl and Family Guy. In movies the song would be used in The Blues Brothers, Calloway would sing the song himself in the film. Cab Calloway would have a long and successful career. He would even star with Pearl Bailey in an all-black version of Jerry Herman’s Hello Dolly.
Ethel Waters I Got Rhythm
This song would span the decades. Written by The Gershwin brothers, the song was originally sung by the great Ethel Merman in the show Girl Crazy. It would be used in An American in Paris starring Gene Kelly and made it to # 3 on the charts in 1967 when sung by The Happenings. Barbra Streisand and Brian Wilson also recorded the song and Merman would record a disco version in the 1970s.
Guy Lombardo Goodnight Sweet Heart
The song was written by the British songwriting team of Ray Noble, Jimmy Campbell and Reg Connelly, and performed by such artists as Rudy Vallée, Bing Crosby, and Dean Martin, among others. The song appeared in two different films Stage Door Canteen and Holiday in Mexico.
Jacques Renard and his Orchestra As Time Goes By
As Time Goes By was written by Herman Hupfeld and performed as hit by Jacques Renard and his Orchestra as well as Rudy Vallee that year. The song was performed first in the Broadway musical Everybody’s Welcome. This song would come into its full popularity in 1942 when it was sung in the film Casablanca. This song would appear on AFI’s 100 years 100 songs at #2.
Libby Holman Love For sale
This was written in 1930 for the Broadway musical The New Yorkers. although it became popular it was considered scandalous at the time as it was sung by a prostitute describing her profession. The song was banned by radio stations at the time, but it would go on to be recorded many times in subsequent years.
Louis Armstrong Lazy River This song was written by Hoagy Carmichael and Sidney Arodin and published in 1930. The song began making it’s mark in 1931 when it was recorded by Louis Armstrong. The song would be recorded over and over by such artists as The Mills Brothers and Harry Connick Jr. The song was sung as a duet by Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett in an episode of The Lucy Show.
Paul Whiteman Cuban Love Song
This song was the title for a 1931 film that told the story of a U.S. soldier who returns to Cuba to seek his illegitimate child. Directed by W.S. Van Dyke, and produced at MGM in 1931, the film starred Lawrence Tibbett, Lupe Velez, Jimmy Durante.
Ray Noble Lady Of Spain
This song was written in 1931 by Robert Hargreaves, Tolchard Evans, Stanley J. Damerell, and Henry Tilsley. It would continue to be recorded and gain in popularity over the next decade and more. Artists like Bing Cosby, Eddie Fisher. The song was a sort of signature song for Lawrence Welk’s Accordionist Myron Floren.
Top Artists and Songs of 1931
Ben Selvin
Smile Darn Ya Smile
Bing Crosby
At Your Command
Dancing in the Dark
Just a Gigilo
Just One More Chance
Out of Nowhere
Cab Calloway and his Cotton Club Orchestra
Betwen the Devil and the Deep Blue SeaDoin’ The Rhumba
Kickin The Gong Around
Minnie The Moocher
Nobody’s Sweetheart
Six or Seven Times
St. James Infirmary
Tickeration
Clyde McCoy and his Orchestra
Sugar Blues
Duke Ellington
Blue Again
Creole Rhapsody (parts 1 & 2)
Limehouse Blues
Mood Indigo
Rockin’ In Rhthym
Ethel Waters
I Got Rhthym
Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians
Dancing in the Dark
I Found A Million Dollar Baby (In A Five and Dime Store)
Gene Autry and Jimmy Long
That Silver haired Daddy of Mine
Gus Arnheim and his Orchestra
I Surrender Dear
Sweet and Lovely
Guy Lombardo
By The River St. Marie
Good Night, Sweetheart
(There Ought To Be A) Moonlight Savings Time
Isham Jones
Stardust
Jacques Renard and his Orchestra
As Time Goes By
Cuban Love Song Kate Smith
When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain
Layton and Johnstone
Oh Donna Clara
Libby Holman
Love For Sale
Louis Armstrong
(I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead) You Rascal You
Lazy River
Stardust
The Peanut Vendor
Mills Brothers
Tiger Rag
Paul Whiteman
Cuban Love Song
Ray Noble
Lady of Spain
Red Nichols
I Got Rhthym
Rudy Vallee
As Time Goes By
Russ Columbo
Goodnight Sweetheart
Ruth Etting
Goodnight Sweetheart
Ruth Willis
Experience Blues
Smith Ballew
Time on my Hands (You in My Arms)
Ted Lewis and his Orchestra
Just A Gigilo
Somebody Loves You
The Carter Family
Lonesome Valley
Wayne King
Dream A Little Dream of Me
Good Night, Sweetheart
Wabash Moon
January 26 – Indian National Congress Declared Independence: The Indian National Congress proclaimed January 26 as Independence Day, resolving for Purna Swaraj (complete independence) from British rule.
February 18 – Discovery of Pluto: Astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, expanding our understanding of the solar system.
March 12 – Gandhi’s Salt March Began: Mahatma Gandhi commenced the 241-mile Salt March to Dandi, protesting the British monopoly on salt in India, a pivotal event in the Indian independence movement.
April 22 – London Naval Treaty Signed: The United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States signed the London Naval Treaty, aiming to regulate submarine warfare and limit naval shipbuilding.
May 6 – Salmas Earthquake in Iran: A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck northwestern Iran and southeastern Turkey, resulting in significant casualties and destruction.
May 15 – First Female Flight Attendant Took to the Skies: Ellen Church became the world’s first female flight attendant, working on a Boeing Air Transport flight, marking a milestone in aviation history.
May 24 – Amy Johnson’s Solo Flight to Australia: British aviator Amy Johnson landed in Darwin, becoming the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia, covering approximately 11,000 miles.
June 17 – Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act Enacted: President Herbert Hoover signed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act into law, raising U.S. tariffs on imported goods, which many believe exacerbated the Great Depression.
July 7 – Construction of Hoover Dam Began: Work commenced on the Hoover Dam (initially known as Boulder Dam) on the Colorado River, a significant engineering project aimed at flood control and electricity generation.
July 13 – Inaugural FIFA World Cup Kicked Off: The first FIFA World Cup tournament began in Montevideo, Uruguay, marking the start of the world’s premier international football competition.
July 30 – Uruguay Won First FIFA World Cup: Uruguay defeated Argentina 4-2 in the final match, becoming the first nation to win the FIFA World Cup.
August 7 – R. B. Bennett Became Canadian Prime Minister: Richard Bedford Bennett took office as the 11th Prime Minister of Canada, leading the country during the early years of the Great Depression.
September 6 – Argentine Coup d’État: A military coup in Argentina overthrew President Hipólito Yrigoyen, leading to a period of military rule under José Félix Uriburu.
September 14 – Nazi Party Gained Seats in German Reichstag: In federal elections, the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazi Party) increased its representation, becoming the second-largest party in the Reichstag.
October 5 – British Airship R101 Crashed: The world’s largest airship at the time, R101, crashed in France during its maiden overseas voyage, resulting in 48 fatalities.
November 2 – Haile Selassie Crowned Emperor of Ethiopia: Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I, initiating a reign that would last until 1974.
November 25 – Izu Peninsula Earthquake in Japan: A significant earthquake struck the Izu Peninsula, causing extensive damage and over 200 deaths.
December 2 – Great Depression Public Works Program Proposed: President Herbert Hoover addressed Congress, requesting a $150 million public works program to stimulate the economy during the Great Depression.
December 19 – Mount Merapi Erupted in Indonesia: The eruption of Mount Merapi in central Java led to the destruction of numerous villages and the loss of approximately 1,300 lives.
December 24 – First Demonstration of Cloud Projection: Inventor Harry Grindell Matthews showcased a device in London capable of projecting images onto clouds, an early exploration into large-scale image projection.
December 29 – Allama Iqbal Proposed the Idea of Pakistan: In his presidential address at the Allahabad conference, poet and philosopher Allama Iqbal outlined the vision for a separate Muslim state, later becoming Pakistan.
Great Depression Deepened Globally: The global economic downturn intensified, leading to widespread unemployment, poverty, and political instability in numerous countries.
Rise of Totalitarian Movements: Fascism, Nazism, and other authoritarian ideologies gained momentum across Europe, with leaders like Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini consolidating power.
Technicolor Film Technology Advanced: Films such as King of Jazz showcased the growing use of Technicolor, revolutionizing the motion picture industry with vivid color imagery.
Advances in Aviation: Charles Lindbergh and other aviation pioneers broke records for speed and distance, symbolizing progress in air travel and technology.
Josephine Baker, Joan Blondell, Clara Bow, Louise Brooks, Joan Crawford, Marion Davies, Dolores Del Rio, Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, Jean Harlow, Myrna Loy, Barbara Stanwyck, Thelma Todd
Miss America
none
Time Magazine’s Man of the Year
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Entertainment History: The Academy Awards
The 2nd Academy Awards occurred on April 3, 1930, at an extravagant dinner at the Cocoanut Grove of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California. William C. DeMille, older brother of the famed director Cecil B. DeMille, acted as the evening’s host. This event marked the first time the eligibility period was extended to more than one year, covering films released between August 1, 1928, and July 31, 1929. Interestingly, the ceremony was private, attended mostly by industry insiders, and not broadcast on radio or television. The Best Picture winner was The Broadway Melody, and it also was the first sound film to win the top honor. One trivia nugget—there was no Best Actor or Best Actress category; instead, winners received an “Academy Award for Best Acting.”
The 3rd Academy Awards were held on November 5, 1930, at the iconic Fiesta Room of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Conrad Nagel, a prominent actor of that era, hosted the ceremony. The eligibility year for the films was from August 1, 1929, to July 31, 1930, which was a departure from the previous year’s extended eligibility period. This year featured the first-ever awards for Best Sound Recording and Best Art Direction, adding some new categories. All Quiet on the Western Front took home the Best Picture award and was also notable for its anti-war narrative. Another fascinating piece of trivia: The awards ceremony was the shortest in history, lasting just 15 minutes. There were no acceptance speeches, and winners were announced in advance, stripping the event of some of its modern-day suspense.
Firsts, Inventions, and Wonders
Cartoon hottie Betty Boop first appeared in 1930, in Dizzy Dishes, although she was more like a poodle. She became more human-like in 1932.
The first appearance of comic strip Blondie by Chic Young.
January 13 – The first Mickey Mouse comic strip was published.
The radio mystery program The Shadow aired for the first time.
Scotch cellophane tape was invented in 1930 by 3M engineer Richard Drew. The ‘3M’ is the original company name – Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company.
Twinkies, a “Golden Sponge Cake with Creamy Filling,” was invented.
MGM’s first color (Technicolor) sound cartoon, Fiddlesticks, was made by Ub Iwerks.
KFC, also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, was founded by Colonel Harland David Sanders. He was not a military colonel.
Clarence Birdseye was granted a US Patent (#1773079A) for his method of quick freezing food.
Clyde Tombaugh was photographing the sky and comparing the pictures. He noticed a faint dot that had moved. The young man from Kansas discovered Pluto, named by 11-year-old Venetia Burney. Percival Lowell thought something was up between Neptune and Uranus and had been looking for the planet since 1905.
The Irish Free State Hospitals’ Sweepstakes (Irish Sweepstakes) was founded.
Paul and Joseph Galvin and William Lear created the first car radio called a “motorized victrola,” which they shortened to Motorola.
In 1924, Kleenex was invented and advertised as a cold cream remover. It was rebranded in 1930 after many customers reported using the product primarily for blowing their noses.
DuPont invented Neoprene (a versatile rubber).
Spaulding developed the Kro-Flight golf ball, the first wound ball with a liquid center. The ball increased distance and control for golfers.
The Biggest Pop Artists of 1930 include
Arden-Ohman Orchestra, Earl Burtnett & His Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel Orchestra, Duke Ellington, Libby Holman, Isham Jones and His Orchestra, Wayne King and His Orchestra, Ted Lewis and His Band, Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians, Red Nichols & His Five Pennies, Regent Club Orchestra, Harry Richman, Leo Reisman Orchestra, Jacques Renard and His Orchestra, Nat Shilkret & the Victor Orchestra, Rudy Vallée & His Connecticut Yankees, Ted Wallace & His Campus Boys, Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians, Ted Weems and His Orchestra, Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra Charts based on Billboard music charts.
Strange News
On April 18, 1930, the BBC announced, “There is no news today,” and played piano music instead.
A mysterious man visited Edgar Allen Poe’s grave every year from 1930-1998 and offered a toast with a glass of Cognac.
Elm Farm Ollie was the first cow to fly in a fixed-wing aircraft and the first cow to be milked in an airplane.
War Plan Red was a hypothetical plan for the U.S. invasion of Canada approved in 1930 by the American Secretary of War.
George Stathakis died after going over Niagara Falls in a barrel, suffocating after becoming trapped behind a water curtain upon impact. His 150-year-old turtle, which came with him, survived.
The Four identical Genain Quadruplet sisters born in 1930 all developed schizophrenia, suggesting a vital genetic component to schizophrenia.
Pop Culture Facts & History
In 1930, Babe Ruth made more than the President ($80,000 vs $75,000); when asked about it, he responded, “I know, but I had a better year.”
The first commercially released “Looney Tunes” cartoon was 1930’s Sinkin’ in the Bathtub. Looney Tunes was created to promote WB’s music catalog in 1930. That’s why it’s “Tunes” and not “Toons.”
The Motion Pictures Production “Hayes Code” was instituted, imposing guidelines on treating sex, crime, religion, and violence in films. It was in place until 1968.
Agatha Christie, G. K. Chesterton, and other British mystery writers formed the Detection Club. Members swore to not use “Divine Revelation, Feminine Intuition, Mumbo Jumbo, Jeggiry-Pokery, Coincidence, or Act of God” in stories. Founded in 1930, the club still exists.
Sir Frank Whittle (RAF) invented the modern jet engine, using a gas turbine to provide forward thrust.
In 1919, Michael Keogh stopped an angry mob of men from killing two right-wing political agents they were beating up. In 1930, at a Nuremberg rally, Keogh recognized one of the agents he had saved. It was Adolf Hitler.
The world’s “longest-running laboratory experiment” demonstrates the fluidity and high viscosity of pitch, a derivative of tar once used for waterproofing boats.” In 1930, pitch was left in a glass funnel to drip out and has only dropped nine times: about once every ten years.
In 1930, there were only 14 Shih Tzu’s left in the world due to restrictions in dog breeding. All modern-day Shih Tzu’s are direct descendants of those 14 dogs.
In North America and most other places, Hamsters are descended from one pregnant female, captured in Syria in 1930.
The Bank of Italy (founded in San Francisco, California, in 1904) was renamed Bank of America.
The Hotel Pennsylvania was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad and operated by Ellsworth Statler. It opened on January 25, 1919, and has used the Phone Number Pennsylvania 6-5000 (212-736-5000) since ~1930. It was also the title of a hit song for Glenn Miller.
Nobel Prize Winners
Physics – Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman Chemistry – Hans Fischer Physiology or Medicine – Karl Landsteiner Literature – Sinclair Lewis Peace – Nathan Söderblom
November 29, 1930 – December 19, 1930 Duke Ellington – Three Little Words
December 30, 1930 – January 16, 1931 Guy Lombardo – You’re Driving Me Crazy (What Did I Do?)
Popular and Best-selling Books From 1930
Angel Pavement by J. B. Priestley Chances by A. Hamilton Gibbs Cimarron by Edna Ferber The Door by Mary Roberts Rinehart Exile by Warwick Deeping The Hidden Staircase (Nancy Drew #2) by Carolyn Keene The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper Rogue Herries by Hugh Walpole The Secret of the Old Clock (Nancy Drew #1) by Carolyn Keene Twenty-Four Hours by Louis Bromfield The Woman of Andros by Thornton Wilder Years of Grace by Margaret Ayer Barnes Young Man of Manhattan by Katharine Brush
FIFA World Cup (Soccer)
Uruguay This was the first ‘World Cup.’ It was started because the United States, the 1932 Olympic Host, would not feature the game in the 1932 Olympiad.
1930 United States Census
Total US Population: 123,202,624 1. New York, New York – 6,930,446 2. Chicago, Illinois – 3,376,438 3. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – 1,950,961 4. Detroit, Michigan – 1,568,662 5. Los Angeles, California – 1,238,048 6. Cleveland, Ohio – 900,429 7. St. Louis, Missouri – 821,960 8. Baltimore, Maryland – 804,874 9. Boston, Massachusetts – 781,188 10. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – 669,817
Sports
World Series Champions: Philadelphia Athletics Stanley Cup Champs: Montreal Canadiens U.S. Open Golf: Bobby Jones U.S. Tennis (Men/Ladies): John H. Doeg/Betty Nuthall Wimbledon (Men/Women): Bill Tilden/Helen Moody NCAA Football Champions: Alabama & Notre Dame Kentucky Derby Winner: Gallant Fox Boston Marathon Winner: Clarence DeMar Time: 2:34:48
Outstanding Production: All Quiet on the Western Front – Carl Laemmle Jr., for Universal Studios (WINNER) The Big House – Irving Thalberg for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Disraeli – Jack L. Warner and Darryl F. Zanuck for Warner Bros. The Divorcee – Robert Z. Leonard for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer The Love Parade – Ernst Lubitsch for Paramount Pictures
Best Director: Lewis Milestone – All Quiet on the Western Front (WINNER) Clarence Brown – Anna Christie Robert Z. Leonard – The Divorcee King Vidor – Hallelujah Ernst Lubitsch – The Love Parade Clarence Brown – Romance
Best Actor: George Arliss – Disraeli as Benjamin Disraeli (WINNER) George Arliss – The Green Goddess Wallace Beery – The Big House Maurice Chevalier – The Big Pond and The Love Parade Ronald Colman – Bulldog Drummond and Condemned Lawrence Tibbett – The Rogue Song
Best Actress: Norma Shearer – The Divorcee as Jerry Martin (WINNER) Nancy Carroll – The Devil’s Holiday Ruth Chatterton – Sarah and Son Greta Garbo – Anna Christie and Romance Norma Shearer – Their Own Desire Gloria Swanson – The Trespasser
Best Writing: The Big House – Frances Marion (WINNER) All Quiet on the Western Front – George Abbott, Maxwell Anderson, and Del Andrews, based on the novel by Erich Maria Remarque Disraeli – Julien Josephson, based on the play by Louis N. Parker The Divorcee – John Meehan, based on the novel Ex-Wife by Ursula Parrott Street of Chance – Howard Estabrook, based on a story by Oliver H. P. Garrett
Best Sound Recording: The Big House – Douglas Shearer (WINNER) The Case of Sergeant Grischa – John E. Tribby The Love Parade – Franklin Hansen Raffles – Oscar Lagerstrom Song of the Flame – George Groves
Best Art Direction: King of Jazz – Herman Rosse (WINNER) Bulldog Drummond – William Cameron Menzies The Love Parade – Hans Dreier Sally – Jack Okey The Vagabond King – Hans Dreier
Best Cinematography: With Byrd at the South Pole – Joseph T. Rucker and Willard Van der Veer (WINNER) All Quiet on the Western Front – Arthur Edeson Anna Christie – William Daniels Hell’s Angels – Tony Gaudio and Harry Perry The Love Parade – Victor Milner
The first FIFA World Cup, held in 1930 (July 13, 1930 – July 30, 1930) marked the beginning of the most prestigious and widely-followed international football tournament. Hosted by Uruguay, the inaugural competition saw 13 teams, including seven from South America, four from Europe, and two from North America, vying for the title. Uruguay emerged as the first World Cup champions, which further contributed to the sport’s growing popularity.
Details:
The decision to host the first World Cup in Uruguay was made in 1929 during FIFA’s congress in Barcelona, Spain. Uruguay was chosen due to its strong football team and the nation’s celebration of its 100th anniversary of independence.
The tournament took place in three cities: Montevideo, Colonia, and Maldonado.
The Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, which hosted most of the matches, was specifically built for the event. However, the first matches were held in other stadiums due to construction delays.
The 13 participating teams were Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, France, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Romania, the United States, Uruguay, and Yugoslavia.
No qualifying rounds took place for the 1930 World Cup. Instead, countries were invited to participate.
The tournament consisted of four groups, with the winners advancing to the semifinals.
Frenchman Lucien Laurent scored the first-ever World Cup goal in a match between France and Mexico.
The final match was held between Uruguay and Argentina on July 30, 1930. Uruguay won 4-2, becoming the first FIFA World Cup champions.
The tournament’s top scorer was Argentina’s Guillermo Stábile, who scored eight goals.
Effects on Pop Culture and Prominent People:
The success of the first FIFA World Cup paved the way for the event to become a major international sports competition held every four years.
The tournament contributed to the global spread of football as a popular sport, attracting fans from around the world.
Prominent figures from the first World Cup included Uruguay’s coach Alberto Suppici, who led the team to victory, and Argentina’s Guillermo Stábile, who emerged as the tournament’s top goal scorer.
Jules Rimet, the FIFA president then, was crucial in organizing the event and promoting international football.
The first FIFA World Cup in 1930 marked the beginning of the most prestigious international football tournament. Hosted by Uruguay, the event featured 13 teams competing for the title. Uruguay emerged as the first champions, and the competition played a significant role in popularizing football worldwide. The event also laid the foundation for the tournament’s continued success, as it is now held every four years and followed by millions of fans globally.
Al Jolson Let Me Sing and I’m Happy
This song is another written by Irving Berlin. As the new decade started, Berlin had his hand in shaping American music, especially American popular songs. Let Me Sing and I’m Happy is sort of an ode to anyone who loves to sing. People who sing in Community Theater, in choirs, and in the shower, and this song was made for them. The song was recently resurrected for the stage musical Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.
Benny Menoff and his Orchestra Happy Days Are Here Again
The song was copyrighted in 1929 by Milton Ager (music) and Jack Yellen (lyrics). The song is best remembered as the campaign song for Franklin Delano Roosevelt. It has often been called the unofficial anthem for the Democratic Party. The song would be resurrected in the early 1960s by Barbra Streisand first as a single and then on her first album. Her take on the song would make it a ballad instead of the upbeat happy, hopeful song it was originally written as. Streisand would sing the song as a duet with Judy Garland. The song would be a Garland’s Get Happy medley in counterpoint to Streisand’s Happy Days. The performance would be recreated for an episode of GLEE and song by Rachel Berry and Kurt Hummel
Earl Burnett and his Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel Orchestra Puttin on the Ritz
This song was another hit for Berlin and is most associated with Fred Astaire. The title refers to the idea of getting dressed up to go out to someplace really nice or “swanky,” as the slang was used at the time. The Ritz was and is a very upscale hotel. The song would continue to be used. In films, it would be sung by Clark Gable in the film Idiot’s Delight. It would again be filmed in Mel Brookes’ Young Frankenstein. Puttin on the Ritz would hit the charts again in 1983 as recorded by Taco. It would be peak at # 4
Nat Shilkret Get Happy
Get Happy was composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics written by Ted Koehler. It was originally performed in the musical The Nine Fifteen Revue by Ruth Etting. The song is most associated with Judy Garland from the film Summer Stock, which co-starred Gene Kelly. In 1939, Arlen would write the music for another Judy Garland standard, Somewhere over the Rainbow.
Red Nichols Embraceable You
Written by George and Ira Gershwin for an operetta called East is West. Ginger Rogers would perform it again in the Broadway musical Girl Crazy. The song would continue to be recorded by artists like Frank Sinatra, Liberace, and Liza Minnelli. Liza’s mother, Judy Garland, performed the song in the film version of Girl Crazy.
Ruth Etting Ten Cents A Dance
Written by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Lorenz Hart, the song was published in 1930 and was first performed by Ruth Etting in the musical Simple Simon. The song is a lament sung by a woman who makes her living by dancing with strange men for money.
Ted Lewis and his Orchestra On The Sunny Side of the Street
On The Sunny Side Of The Street was composed by Jimmy McHugh with lyrics by Dorothy Fields and introduced in the Broadway musical Lew Leslie’s International Revue, starring Harry Richman and Gertrude Lawrence. The song would be recorded many times by artists such as Willie Nelson, The Manhattan Transfer, and Rod Stewart.
Duke Ellington Three Little Words
With music by Harry Ruby and lyrics by Bert Kalmar, the song would be used again and again and eventually become the name of a movie based on the lives of the songwriting team that created it. In the middle of the 1970s, the Advertising Council used a fully orchestrated version of the song in a series of Public Service Announcements about seat belt safety; the slogan for these commercials was “Seat belts: a nice way to say ‘I Love You’.”
Paul Whiteman After You’ve Gone
Was actually written in 1918 by Turner Layton, with lyrics written by Henry Creamer and was originally recorded by Marion Harris in 1922. It would be recorded by Benny Goodman, Fats Waller and Phil Collins. It would be used by Ethel Merman in the TV show That Girl when Merman describes to Ann Marie (Marlo Thomas) how she was fired from her first night club job for singing too loud.
The Dust Bowl was a severe environmental disaster that took place in the American Midwest during the Great Depression. A prolonged drought, poor agricultural practices, and economic hardship led to widespread dust storms, soil erosion, and devastation for farmers and communities.
The Dust Bowl primarily affected the Great Plains region, including parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico.
The drought began in 1930 and continued throughout the 1930s, with the worst period of dust storms occurring between 1934 and 1936
The combination of drought, high winds, and over-plowed fields led to the creation of massive dust storms, which became known as “black blizzards”
The storms caused significant damage to farmland and homes, with dust sometimes reaching as far as the East Coast and even affecting ships in the Atlantic Ocean.
During the Dust Bowl, approximately 2.5 million people were forced to leave the Great Plains, many became migrant workers or “Okies” and traveled to California for work.
The disaster prompted the US government to establish the Soil Conservation Service (now the Natural Resources Conservation Service) in 1935, which promoted sustainable farming practices to prevent further soil erosion.
John Steinbeck’s novel “The Grapes of Wrath,” published in 1939, depicted the struggles of a family of Okies during the Dust Bowl era and became a symbol of the period.
Dorothea Lange’s iconic photograph “Migrant Mother” captured the hardship of displaced families during the Dust Bowl.
Woody Guthrie, a folk musician, wrote songs about the Dust Bowl experience, such as “Dust Bowl Refugee” and “Dust Pneumonia Blues”
The Dust Bowl’s environmental and human toll highlighted the importance of conservation and sustainable land management practices.
The Dust Bowl was a catastrophic environmental event in the American Midwest during the 1930s, with severe drought and dust storms causing widespread devastation. The disaster led to significant population displacement, influenced popular culture, and ultimately spurred the creation of conservation initiatives to protect against future ecological crises.
The 2nd Academy Awards took place on April 30, 1930.
The ceremony was hosted at the Cocoanut Grove of the Ambassador Hotel.
William C. DeMille, older brother of the famous Cecil B. DeMille, was the host.
The eligibility year for the awards was from August 1, 1928, to July 31, 1929.
Noteworthy Moments:
The Broadway Melody won Best Picture, notable for being the first sound film to win this category.
The award categories were simplified compared to the first ceremony. For instance, there was only one acting category each for men and women.
Warner Baxter won Best Actor for his role in In Old Arizona, playing the Cisco Kid.
Trivia:
This was the first time the Academy used sealed envelopes to announce winners.
The ceremony was broadcast on radio, a significant technological advancement for the time.
The awards recognized both sound and silent films, reflecting the industry’s transition.
Mary Pickford won Best Actress for her talkie debut in Coquette, making her one of the first Hollywood “talkie” stars to win an Oscar.
Despite being a talkie, The Broadway Melody actually had no spoken dialogue, only music and sound effects.
Observation: I wonder if people got susshhh’d in the cinema when only silent movies were around?
1930 Oscar Nominees and Winners
Outstanding Picture: The Broadway Melody – Irving Thalberg and Lawrence Weingarten for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (WINNER) Alibi – Roland West for United Artists The Hollywood Revue of 1929 – Irving Thalberg and Harry Rapf for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer In Old Arizona – Winfield Sheehan for Fox Film Corporation The Patriot – Ernst Lubitsch for Paramount Pictures
Best Director: Frank Lloyd – The Divine Lady (WINNER) Harry Beaumont – The Broadway Melody Frank Lloyd – Drag Irving Cummings – In Old Arizona Lionel Barrymore – Madame X Ernst Lubitsch – The Patriot Frank Lloyd – Weary River
Best Actor: Warner Baxter – In Old Arizona as The Cisco Kid (WINNER) George Bancroft – Thunderbolt as Thunderbolt Jim Lang Chester Morris – Alibi as Chick Williams Paul Muni – The Valiant as James Dyke Lewis Stone – The Patriot as Count Pahlen
Best Actress: Mary Pickford – Coquette as Norma Besant (WINNER) Ruth Chatterton – Madame X as Jacqueline Floriot Betty Compson – The Barker as Carrie Jeanne Eagels (posthumous nomination) – The Letter as Leslie Crosbie Corinne Griffith – The Divine Lady as Emma Hart Bessie Love – The Broadway Melody as Harriet “Hank” Mahoney
Best Writing: The Patriot – Hanns Kräly, based on Ashley Dukes’ translation of the play Der Patriot by Alfred Neumann, and the story “Paul I” by Dmitry Merezhkovsky (WINNER) The Cop – Elliot Clawson In Old Arizona – Tom Barry, based on the story “The Caballero’s Way” by O. Henry The Last of Mrs. Cheyney – Hanns Kräly, based on the play by Frederick Lonsdale The Leatherneck – Elliot Clawson Our Dancing Daughters – Josephine Lovett Sal of Singapore – Elliot Clawson, based on the story “The Sentimentalists” by Dale Collins Skyscraper – Elliot Clawson, based on a story by Dudley Murphy The Valiant – Tom Barry, based on the play by Halworthy Hall and Robert Middlemass A Woman of Affairs – Bess Meredyth, based on the novel The Green Hat by Michael Arlen Wonder of Women – Bess Meredyth, based on the novel Die Frau des Steffen Thromholt by Hermann Sudermann
Best Art Direction: The Bridge of San Luis Rey – Cedric Gibbons (WINNER) Alibi – William Cameron Menzies The Awakening – William Cameron Menzies Dynamite – Mitchell Leisen The Patriot – Hans Dreier Street Angel – Harry Oliver
Best Cinematography: White Shadows in the South Seas – Clyde De Vinna (WINNER) 4 Devils – Ernest Palmer The Divine Lady – John F. Seitz In Old Arizona – Arthur Edeson Our Dancing Daughters – George Barnes Street Angel – Ernest Palmer
World Changing Event: The Wall Street Crash of 1929, also known as the Great Crash, or the Stock Market Crash of 1929, began on October 24 and peaked on October 29, 1929.
Influential Songs include Pop Standards Singin’ in the Rain and When You’re Smiling.
The Movies to Watch include The Cocoanuts, Pandora’s Box, Blackmail, Hallelujah, and The Hollywood Revue of 1929
The Most Famous Person in America was probably Al Jolson
From 1928-1933, giant balloons were released into the air at the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In 1929, they were postmarked with a return address, and you won a prize if you found one and sent it back.
Notable books include All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque and A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway.
Price of Jell-O in 1929: 20 cents/3 packs
The Funny Duo were George Burns and Gracie Allen
The Galactic Observation: Astronomer Edwin Powell Hubble proposed the expanding universe theory.
Top Ten Baby Names of 1929
Mary, Betty, Dorothy, Helen, Margaret, Robert, James, John, William, Charles
US Life Expectancy
(1929) Males: 55.8 years, Females: 58.7 years
The Stars
Josephine Baker, Clara Bow, Dolores Costello, Louise Brooks, Joan Crawford, Marion Davies, Dolores Del Rio, Mary Eaton, Greta Garbo, Myrna Loy, Thelma Todd, Anna May Wong
The Oscars
The 1st Academy Awards rolled out the red carpet on May 16, 1929, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel’s Blossom Room with actor Douglas Fairbanks hosting the event. Wings, a silent war film, clinched the Best Picture category, making it the only silent film to win the prestigious award. Frank Borzage bagged the Best Director title for Seventh Heaven, a romantic drama that set trends for the genre. Regarding acting, Emil Jannings was the star, winning Best Actor for his roles in The Last Command and The Way of All Flesh. Janet Gaynor made history as the youngest Best Actress winner and was then, honored for her roles in Seventh Heaven, Street Angel, and Sunrise.
Unlike today’s sprawling ceremonies, the initial event was a 15-minute affair attended by fewer than 300 guests. The term “Oscar” hadn’t even been coined yet, and the awards were officially known as “Academy Awards of Merit.” Interestingly, the awards had more nuanced categories in their early days; for example, there were two types of Best Picture awards—Outstanding Picture and Unique and Artistic Production. While Wings swooped the Outstanding Picture, Sunrise captured the Unique and Artistic category. So, the Academy Awards, initially a small, private affair, have evolved into a global spectacle, continuing to captivate audiences nearly a century later.
Miss America
none
Time Magazine’s Man of the Year
Owen D. Young
Firsts, Inventions, and Wonders
When first created in 1929, 7-Up (7 ounces of “Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda.”) contained the mood-enhancing drug lithium citrate and did so until it was removed from the formula in 1950.
Mickey Mouse was the first-ever cartoon character to speak. In The Karnival Kid, Mickey’s first words were, “Hot dogs!”
Times New Roman is a modified version of Times Roman, a font created in 1929 for the British newspaper The Times. It was designed by Monotype to be used by rivals at Linotype on their typesetting machines.
Popeye first appeared in the daily King Features comic strip Thimble Theatre, on January 17, 1929.
Pine-Sol cleaner was invented.
On November 9, in New York City, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) opened to the public.
Tarzan and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century A.D. comic strips debuted.
Vatican City was founded in 1929.
Alfred Hitchcock made the first recorded “That’s what she said” (as the girl said to the soldier) joke while filming his movie Blackmail.
The Biggest Pop Artists of 1929 include
Gus Arnheim & His Orchestra, Gene Austin, Eddie Cantor, Cliff Edwards, Ruth Etting, Johnny Hamp & His Orchestra, Bob Haring and His Orchestra, Libby Holman, Al Jolson, Helen Kane, Ted Lewis, and His Band, Nick Lucas, George Olson, and His Orchestra, Leo Reisman and His Orchestra, Nat Shilkret & the Victor Orchestra, Rudy Vallée & His Connecticut Yankees, Ethel Waters, Ted Weems and His Orchestra, Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra
Scandalous News
On March 31, at New York City’s Easter Parade, a small group of young women proudly smoked cigarettes as they marched. Since smoking was considered a male-dominated activity then, these cigarettes were marketed as “Torches of Freedom” to help break the taboo and convince women to buy them. Edward Bernays, a nephew of Sigmund Freud, who was nicknamed “the father of public relations,” created the #marketingploy
Women were not legally considered ‘Persons’ in Canada until 1929.
The US Supreme Court voted 8 -1 in favor of a Eugenics program requiring forced sterilization of citizens deemed not intelligent enough to reproduce.
The Quote
Mobster Frank Gusenberg told police, “Nobody shot me,” after being shot eight times at the St Valentine’s Day Massacre.
US Politics
March 4, 1929 (Monday): Inauguration of Herbert Hoover
Pop Culture History
John F Kennedy’s father, Joe Kennedy, sold his entire stock portfolio before the 1929 crash because “a shoeshine boy gave him some stock tips. And He figured that when the shoeshine boys have tips, the market is too popular for its good.”
From 1928-1933, giant balloons were released into the air at the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In 1929, they were postmarked with a return address, and you won a prize if you found one and sent it back.
THE SAINT VALENTINE’S DAY MASSACRE – Al Capone’s men allegedly killed seven other alleged gangsters in an apparent shooting on February 14th. This would have given Mr. Capone control of Chicago’s mob underworld, if such a thing, in fact, actually existed.
The United States Congress established the Grand Teton National Park.
Vladimir Zworykin invented the cathode-ray tube called the kinescope, the basis for 20th-century television screens.
The Zildjian musical instrument company, which started in 1623 in Turkey and moved to the US in 1929, is widely recognized as the oldest family-owned business in America.
An estimated 50% of all American films made before 1950 and over 90% of those made before 1929 are forever lost.
The practice of identifying baseball players by number was started by the Yankees in 1929. (originally corresponding to a player’s position in the batting order).
Music and the Spoken Word is the longest-running continuous network program in the world. It debuted in 1929 and has made over 4,400 weekly broadcasts.
When the Levee Breaks is a country blues song written and first recorded by Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie in 1929, inspired by the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. Led Zeppelin covered it on their Led Zeppelin IV album.
‘Zombie’ was introduced to the Western world in The Magic Island by W.B. Seabrook in 1929.
The first public demonstration of color TV was held at Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York. The first images were a bouquet of roses and an American flag.
Coco the Clown debuted at Bertram Mills Circus in Manchester, England.
All Quiet on the Western Front (Im Westen nichts Neues) by Erich Maria Remarque, was published in book form.
“Blue Chip” refers to high-value poker chips at the turn of the 20th century. It was first applied to stocks in 1929, shortly before the great stock market crash.
The Countdown we use today was first seen in Fritz Lang’s Woman on the Moon.
Strange, But True
General Motors and Chevrolet were founded by the same man, William Durant, who later lost all his money in the stock market crash in 1929 and died nearly bankrupt while managing a bowling alley.
Roger Babson correctly predicted the Wall Street Crash of 1929 using the unorthodox notion that gravity and Sir Isaac Newton’s law of action and reaction can be used to explain movement in the stock markets.
Princeton researchers successfully turned a live cat into a functioning telephone.
Nobel Prize Winners
Physics – Louis de Broglie Chemistry- Arthur Harden, Hans Karl August Simon von Euler-Chelpin Physiology or Medicine – Christiaan Eijkman, Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins Literature – Thomas Mann Peace – Frank Billings Kellogg
Popular and Best-selling Books From 1929
A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque The Bishop Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine Dodsworth by Sinclair Lewis Dark Hester by Anne Douglas Sedgwick Peder Victorious by O. E. Rolvaag Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett Roper’s Row by Warwick Deeping The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
Sports
World Series Champions: Philadelphia Athletics Stanley Cup Champs: Boston Bruins U.S. Open Golf: Bobby Jones U.S. Tennis (Men/Ladies): William (Bill) T. Tilden/Helen Wills Wimbledon (Men/Women): Henri Cochet/Helen Wills NCAA Football Champions: Notre Dame Kentucky Derby Winner: Clyde Van Dusen Boston Marathon Winner: Johnny Miles Time: 2:33:08
Popular and Best-selling Books From 1920: A Man for the Ages by Irving Bacheller The Great Impersonation by E. Phillips Oppenheim Kindred of the Dust by Peter B. Kyne The Man of the Forest by Zane Grey Mary-Marie by Eleanor H. Porter Harriet and the Piper by Kathleen Norris The Lamp in the Desert by Ethel M. Dell The Portygee by Joseph C. Lincoln The Re-Creation of Brian Kent by Harold Bell Wright The River’s End by James Oliver Curwood
Take our 1920 Quiz!
Popular and Best-selling Books From 1921: A Poor Wise Man by Mary Roberts Rinehart The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton The Brimming Cup by Dorothy Canfield Her Father’s Daughter by Gene Stratton-Porter The Kingdom Round the Corner by Coningsby Dawson Main Street by Sinclair Lewis The Mysterious Rider by Zane Grey The Sheik by Edith M. Hull The Sisters-in-Law by Gertrude Atherton The Valley of Silent Men by James Oliver Curwood
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Popular and Best-selling Books From 1922: Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis The Breaking Point by Mary Roberts Rinehart Gentle Julia by Booth Tarkington The Head of the House of Coombe by Frances Hodgson Burnett Helen of the Old House by Harold Bell Wright If Winter Comes by A. S. M. Hutchinson Maria Chapdelaine by Louis Hémon The Sheik by Edith M. Hull Simon Called Peter by Robert Keable This Freedom by A. S. M. Hutchinson To the Last Man by Zane Grey
Take our 1922 Quiz!
Popular and Best-selling Books From 1923: Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis Black Oxen by Gertrude Atherton The Breaking Point by Mary Roberts Rinehart His Children’s Children by Arthur Train The Dim Lantern by Temple Bailey The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim This Freedom by A. S. M. Hutchinson The Mine with the Iron Door by Harold Bell Wright The Prophet by Kahil Gibran The Sea Hawk by Rafael Sabatini Spring and All by William Carlos Williams Wanderer of the Wasteland by Zane Grey
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Popular and Best-selling Books From 1924: A Gentleman of Courage by James Oliver Curwood The Call of the Canyon by Zane Grey The Coast of Folly by Coningsby Dawson The Heirs Apparent by Philip Gibbs The Homemaker by Dorothy Canfield Fisher The Little French Girl by Anne Douglas Sedgwick So Big by Edna Ferber The Midlander by Booth Tarkington Mistress Wilding by Rafael Sabatini The Plastic Age by Percy Marks When We Were Very Young by A.A. Milne and Ernest Shepard
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Popular and Best-selling Books From 1925: Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis The Carolinian by Rafael Sabatini The Constant Nymph by Margaret Kennedy Glorious Apollo by E. Barrington The Green Hat by Michael Arlen The Keeper of the Bees by Gene Stratton-Porter The Little French Girl by Anne Douglas Sedgwick The Mark of Zorro by Johnston McCulley One Increasing Purpose by A. S. M. Hutchinson The Perennial Bachelor by Anne Parrish Soundings by A. Hamilton Gibbs The Weary Blues by Langston Hughes
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Popular and Best-selling Books From 1926: After Noon by Susan Ertz Beau Geste by P. C. Wren Beau Sabreur by P. C. Wren The Blue Window by Temple Bailey Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos The Hounds of Spring by Sylvia Thompson The Private Life of Helen of Troy by John Erskine Show Boat by Edna Ferber The Silver Spoons by John Galsworthy Sorrell and Son by Warwick Deeping Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne and Ernest Shepard
Take our 1926 Quiz!
Popular and Best-selling Books From 1927: A Good Woman by Louis Bromfield Doomsday by Warwick Deeping Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis The House on the Cliff (Hardy Boys #2) by Franklin Dixon Jalna by Mazo de la Roche Lost Ecstasy by Mary Roberts Rinehart The Plutocrat by Booth Tarkington Sorrell and Son by Warwick Deeping The Old Countess by Anne Douglas Sedgwick To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf Tomorrow Morning by Anne Parrish The Tower Treasure (Hardy Boys #1) by Franklin Dixon Twilight Sleep by Edith Wharton
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Popular and Best-selling Books From 1928: All Kneeling by Anne Parrish Bad Girl by Vina Delmar The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder Claire Ambler by Booth Tarkington The Greene Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne and Ernest Shepard Jalna by Mazo de la Roche Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne and Ernest Shepard
Old Pybus by Warwick Deeping Swan Song by John Galsworthy The Strange Case of Miss Annie Spragg by Louis Bromfield Wintersmoon by Hugh Walpole
Take our 1928 Quiz!
Popular and Best-selling Books From 1929: A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque The Bishop Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine Dodsworth by Sinclair Lewis Dark Hester by Anne Douglas Sedgwick Peder Victorious by O. E. Rolvaag Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett Roper’s Row by Warwick Deeping The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
Take our 1929 Quiz!
The Great Depression was the most severe economic downturn in modern history, lasting for a decade and affecting countries worldwide. It began in the United States after the stock market crash of 1929 and eventually led to profound social, political, and economic changes.
The stock market crash on “Black Tuesday,” October 29, 1929, marked the beginning of the Great Depression.
Several factors contributed to the crisis, including a decline in consumer spending, a severe drought causing the Dust Bowl, and a collapse in global trade due to protectionist policies.
The unemployment rate in the United States peaked at around 25% in 1933, with millions of people losing their jobs, homes, and life savings.
The Depression affected countries around the world, including European nations struggling with the aftermath of World War I and reparations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” program, launched in 1933, introduced a series of social, economic, and regulatory reforms aimed at providing relief, recovery, and reform.
The New Deal established key institutions and programs such as the Social Security Administration, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
The Great Depression had a significant impact on popular culture, with movies, music, and literature reflecting the hardships and hope of the era; examples include the films “The Grapes of Wrath” and “It Happened One Night,” the song “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” and John Steinbeck’s novels.
The Depression also led to the rise of labor unions and the creation of social safety nets, including unemployment insurance and welfare programs.
It took the onset of World War II and increased government spending on defense to finally pull the world economy out of the Great Depression.
In summary, the Great Depression was a devastating global economic crisis that lasted a decade and had far-reaching social, political, and economic consequences. The period saw the implementation of significant reforms, the rise of labor unions, and an impact on popular culture that still resonates today.
Bert Ambrose Tip Toe Through The Tulips Written by Al Dubin (lyrics) and Joe Burke (music), the song was recorded by Nick Lucas in May of 1929. Lucas introduced the song in the 1929 talkie Gold Deggirs of Broadway. The song would stay at number one for 10 weeks on the charts. In 1969 Tiny Tim would bring this song back to charts with his recording. The song became popular again after Tiny Tim performed it on Rowan and Martins Laugh-In.
Cliff Edwards Singin’ in the Rain
Not many songs have as varied a history as Singin in the Rain. It’s up-tempo music with lyrics full of hope that would continue to be remembered throughout the 20th century and into the 21st. The song was turned into a film in 1952 starring Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly. The film is considered by many as one of the best movies ever made.
The song was originally written by Arthur Freed lyrics and music by Nacio Herb Brown, and published in 1929. There are suggestions that the song was written and performed as early as 1927. Cliff Edwards would perform the song in the 1929 film musical The Hollywood Revue of 1929. This performance would be the opening of the film That’s Entertainment a retrospective of MGM musicals. The song would again be used in the film Speak Easily starring Jimmy Durante and again by Judy Garland in the film Little Nellie Kellie.
The song was used in the second season of GLEE as a mash-up with Umbrella. The song was sung by Mathew Morrison and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Eddie Cantor Makin Whoopie First popularized by Eddie Cantor in the 1928 musical Whoopee!. Walter Donaldson (music) and Gus Kahn( lyrics) for the song as well as for the entire musical. The song would go on to be recorded by Frank Sinatra, and as a duet by Danny Thomas and Doris Day. The song is about sexual intimacy both its good and its bad sides.
Johnny Hamp’s Kentucky Serenaders If I Had A Talking Picture of You If I Had a Talking Picture of You was by Lew Brown, B.G. Desilva, Ray Henderson. This song was probably inspired by the introduction of talking movies in 1929. It would later be sung as a period song for Peter Davidson’s title character of Campion in the BBC series.
Fats Waller Ain’t Misbehavin Fats Waller was a composer and songwriter that left a large library of great music that will live on forever after his much too short a life. Waller would be the first to record the song but he also performed the song in the 1943 film Stormy Weather. The song would go on to be recorded by such different artists as Johnny Ray and Bill Haley and The Comets. The song would also be the title of a musical revue in 1978 that showcased the jazz songs on the period.
Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut Yankees Marie This song was written by the great Irving Berlin in 1929. It would go on to be recorded by such artists as The Mills Brothers and Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra. One reason this recording is particularly memorable is because it is the first time Rudy Vallee would make his mark on the charts. Vallee would go on to make quite an impression on American culture as many would enjoy his songs as well as his personal style. One of the big crazes he started was the full-length raccoon coat.
Louis Armstrong The Basin Street Blues This song was originally written and published in 1926 but made its hit when Louis Armstrong made his recording in 1929. The song is actually about the Red Light District in The French Quarter of New Orleans.
Top Artists and Songs of 1929
Al Jolson I’m In Seventh Heaven Little Pal Liza (All The Clouds’ll Roll)
Arnold Johnson and his Orchestra Breakaway
Ben Selvin My Sin
Bert Ambrose and his Orchestra Tip-Toe Thru The Tulips With Me
Bessie Smith Nobody Knows When You’re Down and Out Take It Right Back
Bob Harring and the Copley Plaza Orchestra Pagan Love Song
Charley Patton Pony Blues
Clarence Smith Pine Top’s Boogie Woogie
Cliff Edwards (Ukelele Ike) Singin’ In The Rain
Coon-Sanders Orchestra Little Orphan Annie
Eddie Cantor Makin’ Whoopee
Ethel Waters Am I Blue?
Fats Waller Ain’t Misbehaving Handful of Keys
Gene Austin Carolina Moon Wedding Bells Are Breaking Uo That Old Gang of Mine
George Olson A Precious Little Thing Called Love
Gus Arnheim and his Orchestra Sleepy Valley
Guy Lombardo Sweethearts on Parade
Jimmy Rogers Waiting For A Train
Johnny Hamp’s Kentucky Serenaders If I Had A talking Picture of You
Leo Reisman Ain’t Misbehavin’ The Wedding of the Painted Doll
Louis Armstrong Basin Street Blues St James Infirmary When You’re Smiling
Marion Harris Nobody’s Using It Now
Maurice Chevalier Louise
Meade Lux Lewis Honky Tonk Train Blues
Nat Shilkret You Were Meant For Me
Nick Lucas Painting the Clouds With Sunshine Tip Toe Thru The Tulips With Me
Paul Whiteman Great Day
Peter Dawson The Admiral’s Room
Rudy Valley and his Connecticut Yankees Coquette Deep Night Honey Lonely Troubador Marie
Ruth Etting Exactly Like You
Stanley Lupino I Lift Up My Finger and I Say Tweet Tweet
The Carter Family I’m Thinking Tonight of Two Blue Eyes
Winners announced on May 16, 1929
Held at: Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel’s Blossom Room.
Host: Actor Douglas Fairbanks.
Eligibility Year: 1927/1928
Trivia:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Foundation were started by MGM boss, Louis B. Mayer.
There were 230 original members of the Academy.
Adolph Hitler was such a big fan of Charlie Chaplin that he trimmed down his handlebar mustache.
The Oscar Statuette was designed by MGM’s art director, Cedric Gibbons. It is 14 inches tall and weighs 7 pounds.
Best Actor Emil Jannings could not compete for talking roles with his German accent. He went back to Germany and became a Nazi propagandist. After the war, we had very little demand for his talents.
“You Ain’t Heard Nothin’ Yet” was the first line ever heard in a feature film, The Jazz Singer
7th Heaven earned 5 nominations, winning 3
1929 Oscar Nominees and Winners
Outstanding Picture:
Wings – Lucien Hubbard for Paramount Pictures (WINNER)
7th Heaven – William Fox for Fox Film Corporation
The Racket – Howard Hughes for The Caddo Company
Best Unique and Artistic Picture:
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans – William Fox for Fox Film Corporation (WINNER)
Chang: A Drama of the Wilderness – Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack for Paramount Pictures
The Crowd – Irving Thalberg for MGM
Best Director, Comedy Picture:
Lewis Milestone – Two Arabian Knights (WINNER)
Ted Wilde – Speedy
Best Director, Dramatic Picture:
Frank Borzage – 7th Heaven (WINNER)
King Vidor – The Crowd
Herbert Brenon – Sorrell and Son
Best Actor:
Emil Jannings – The Last Command and The Way of All Flesh (WINNER)
Richard Barthelmess – The Noose and The Patent Leather Kid
Best Actress:
Janet Gaynor – 7th Heaven, Street Angel, and Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (WINNER)
Louise Dresser – A Ship Comes In
Gloria Swanson – Sadie Thompson
Best Original Story:
Underworld – Ben Hecht (WINNER)
The Last Command – Lajos Bíró
Best Adaptation:
7th Heaven – Benjamin Glazer, based on the play by Austin Strong (WINNER)
Glorious Betsy – Anthony Coldeway, based on the play by Rida Johnson Young
The Jazz Singer – Alfred A. Cohn, based on the story “The Day of Atonement” and the play The Jazz Singer by Samson Raphaelson
Best Art Direction:
The Dove and Tempest – William Cameron Menzies (WINNER)
7th Heaven – Harry Oliver
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans – Rochus Gliese
Best Cinematography:
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans – Charles Rosher and Karl Struss (WINNER)
The Devil Dancer – George Barnes
The Magic Flame – George Barnes
Sadie Thompson – George Barnes
Best Engineering Effects:
Wings – Roy Pomeroy (WINNER)
(No specific film) – Ralph Hammeras
(No specific film) – Nugent Slaughter
Best Title Writing:
(No specific film) – Joseph W. Farnham (WINNER)
(No specific film) – George Marion Jr.
The Private Life of Helen of Troy – Gerald Duffy (posthumous nomination)
Honorary Awards:
Charlie Chaplin “For versatility and genius in acting, writing, directing and producing The Circus”.
Warner Brothers Production “For producing The Jazz Singer, the pioneer outstanding talking picture, which has revolutionized the industry”.
