What's all you good people watching on the telly ? Shorter title next time !
14 October 1965. Steve Coogan was born in Middleton. He’s best known as the politically incorrect TV and radio presenter, Alan Patridge. Coogan has also played many film dramatic roles, including 24 Hour Party People, What Maisie Knew, The Look of Love, and Stan & Ollie. pic.twitter.com/y5CRbgFnX5
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) October 14, 2022
Charlie Chaplin’s Great Dictator was released in the USA #OTD in 1940. It included this inspiring speech against totalitarianism. pic.twitter.com/ef4dWxw8Qn
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) October 15, 2022
15 October 1971. The first episode of BBC drama series, The Onedin Line, was broadcast. It was set in Liverpool from 1860 to 1886, revolving around a fictional shipping company. There were 8 series, totalling 91 episodes until 26 October 1980.
pic.twitter.com/871xFAyZd3— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) October 15, 2022
15 October 2011. British actress, Betty Driver, died (aged 91). Best known as Betty Williams (previously Betty Turpin) on the British soap opera, Coronation Street from 1969 to 2011. pic.twitter.com/vEUpOZOK2B
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) October 15, 2022
16 October 1958. Britain’s most popular children’s television programme, Blue Peter, was first broadcast on BBC TV. Its first presenters were, Christopher Trace, a relatively unknown actor, and the model, Leila Williams, best known for winning the 1957 Miss Great Britain contest. pic.twitter.com/3ma9bEwgAj
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) October 16, 2022
16 October 2007. Popular British actress, Deborah Kerr, died (aged 86). He most acclaimed performances was in the musical The King and I. She was nominated 6 times for the Oscar for Best Actress, but never won, placing her 2nd behind Glenn Close, who has 8 failed nominations. pic.twitter.com/fXw5JgBVkc
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) October 16, 2022
16 October 1922. Singer and comedian, Max Bygraves, was born in London. He had his own TV shows and was a regular guest on other TV variety shows. He made 20 Royal Variety Show appearances. He introduced his comic monologues with the catchphrase: “I wanna’ tell you a story.” pic.twitter.com/rMk6G6E47F
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) October 16, 2022
17 October 1920. Hollywood legend, Montgomery Clift, was born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. He was one of the first method actors to appear in Hollywood films. His films include: The Heiress, A Place in the Sun, I Confess, From Here to Eternity, Judgment at Nuremberg, and The Misfits. pic.twitter.com/zFziBhunct
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) October 17, 2022
17 October 1918. Hollywood icon, Rita Hayworth, was born in Brooklyn, New York, USA. She appeared in 61 films over a 37 year career, and was one of the most glamorous screen idols of the 1940s, becoming the top pin-up girl for American GIs during World War 2. pic.twitter.com/ebISphaIUR
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) October 17, 2022
17 October 1925. Boxing commentator, Harry Carpenter, was born in London. He was the BBC’s leading boxing commentator from the early 1950s until his retirement in 1994. He also presented sports programmes such as Sportsnight and Grandstand, and led BBC TV coverage of Wimbledon. pic.twitter.com/lr0uPsN11Z
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) October 17, 2022
17 October 1978. The first episode of the innovative 10-part scientific documentary series, Connections, written and presented by science historian James Burke was broadcast on BBC1. It attempted to show how major scientific changes were interconnected.
pic.twitter.com/MYOo5KAPMM— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) October 17, 2022
18 October 1964. The first episode of the English language version of Magic Roundabout was broadcast on BBC1. It used footage from French animation show Le Manège enchanté, with scripts written and voiced by Eric Thompson. pic.twitter.com/BFIYxedORc
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) October 18, 2022
20 October 1946. Muffin the Mule, a popular wooden puppet, first appeared in a children’s programme on BBC TV. The series was presented by Annette Mills, the sister of the actor John Mills, from 1946 to 1952, The series then transferred to ITV in 1956 and 1957. pic.twitter.com/CqIV1sHbxt
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) October 20, 2022
20 October 1956. Film director Danny Boyle was born in Bury. His films include Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire and Shallow Grave. He was also the artistic director of the spectacular opening ceremony at the 2012 London Olympics. pic.twitter.com/O0K321eWFn
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) October 20, 2022
20 October 1994. Hollywood legend, Burt Lancaster, died (aged 80). He won one Oscar for his role as biblical con-man, Elmer Gantry. Other films include: From Here to Eternity, Gunfight at the OK Corral, Sweet Smell of Success, and Birdman of Alcatraz. pic.twitter.com/qFWD3XNvrf
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) October 20, 2022
Jane Wyatt b.12 August 1910 in New Jersey. Died 2006 aged 96. Lost Horizon, Gentleman’s Agreement, Boomerang, House by the River etc #filmnoir Pitfall, The Man Who Cheated Himself, Criminal Lawyer….and played Spock’s mother. pic.twitter.com/RzeHj77OEO
— Dalston Boy (@dalston_boy) August 12, 2022
21 October 1926. Leonard Rossiter was born in Liverpool. He gained his greatest fame for TV comedy roles, most notably, as Rupert Rigsby in Rising Damp (1974 to 1980), and Reginald Perrin in The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (1976 to 1979). He also featured in Cinzano TV ads. pic.twitter.com/eJfyoh5bNr
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) October 21, 2022
21 October 1957. Hollywood legend, Carrie Fisher, was born in Burbank, California, USA. She was best known as Princess Leia in the Star Wars film series. Other films include: Shampoo, The Blues Brothers, Hannah and Her Sisters, and When Harry Met Sally. pic.twitter.com/1aniMiysiR
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) October 21, 2022
21 October 1964. The musical, My Fair Lady, had its premiere in New York City. It’s based on George Bernard Shaw’s 1913 play, Pygmalion. It depicts a Cockney flower-seller Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn) who is taught to “speak proper” by Professor Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison). pic.twitter.com/Uqvj1qdr79
— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) October 21, 2022