#OTD in 1955: the premiere of THE PRIVATE WAR OF MAJOR BENSON, among 140 screen roles for William Demarest (1892-1983). He spent 20 years in vaudeville, started in silent films, and achieved TV fame as Uncle Charley in 215 episodes of MY THREE SONS (1965-72). He was also the youngest of 3 sons! /1

Dame Olivia de Havilland DBE etched indelible memories for us across 50+ years. #OTD in 2020 at age 104 we lost a true icon who lit up stage &screens with nuanced brilliance, poise, grace, and (for my teenage self) the pluck of adventurous heroines with the humor of someone I’d like to hang with. /1

Happy Tuesday birthday Don Knotts! (born 7/21/24). He was a rare comedic actor loved by kids as Mr. Limpet (1964), Luther Heggs/Mr. Chicken (1966), Roy Fleming/The Reluctant Astronaut (1967), Dr. Heywood/ The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968) etc. & beloved by all as Deputy Barney Fife (1960-65+). /1

Happy Birthday Uncle Miltie, Milton Berle born #OTD in 1908. He blazed a trail as tv’s 1st superstar from 1948-1956. Some quip he may have flamed out early from overexposure, but his impact is undeniable. He is credited as doubling/tripling yearly tv set ownership from 3% to 85% of US households. /1

Singer/bandleader/actor Rudy Vallée died 40 years ago on July 3, 1986 at 85 while watching the Statue of Liberty Centennial ceremonies. His last words were: "I wish we could be there; you know how I love a party.” To my grandparents’ generation, he was the first pop star/teen idol of millions. /1

#1776 redux (a la Mad) The Bad Egg We’re pushing out that Twerp, Twerp, Twerp That big POT-ass will be gone Pushing out the Twerp, Twerp, Twerp Cross this empty State Fair lawn, he’s a con- -niving manipulator God knows the temperature’s hot enough To bleach a pool Now please impeach this fool

Remembering the comedic barbs and acting chops of Jack Carter who passed #OTD at 93 (1922-2015). One of TV’s first variety hosts in 1949 (CAVALCADE OF STARS on DuMont), he worked it for the next 65 years until his last appearance in 2014 on NORM MACDONALD LIVE. He was such a familiar face & voice…/1

#OTD 1946 LOVER COME BACK premiered starring George Brent & Lucille Ball, along with many familiar faces. One belonged to George Chandler (1898-1985). Counting uncredited roles & shorts, he was on the silver screen 350+ times (starting with silents, 1928-79) & on TV more than 100 times (1950-79). /1

Not a Match Game, or Three On A Match- just the perfect match: celebrating the marriage of Betty White & Allen Ludden #OTD in 1963. Remember when Betty was "the first lady of game shows" & Allen the host of PASSWORD? They met in 1961 when she guested on his show & enjoyed nearly 20 yrs together. /1

Remembering the wonderful Swedish actress SIGNE HASSO, who we lost #OTD at 86 (8/15/15-6/7/02.) Howard Hughes encouraged her move to the US in 1941, promoted by RKO as the next Greta Garbo. Signe made a memorable impact in gripping genres (crime noir, spy thrillers, historical dramas, adventure). /1

Remembering the beautiful & talented Martha Hyer whom we lost 5/31/2014 at nearly 90 yrs. From 1946 she co-starred in 100+ films & tv shows, progressing from B Westerns to big name features (Oscar nom supporting Frank Sinatra in SOME CAME RUNNING 1958), before ending up in Euro-schlock & horror. /1

Who better to deal with life’s challenges: Martians, Magic, Single Parenting (and Hulking Out!) than BILL BIXBY. #OTD in 1962 his film debut in "Lonely Are The Brave" (Outstanding postmodern Western w/ stellar cast). Bill only made 9 films (2 with Elvis), but he was Mr. TV during my childhood. /1

Celebrating the subtle, simmering brilliance of JAMES MASON (b. 5/15/09) during his long b-day weekend. No Norman Maine-style benders! How was he not royally honored over 50+ yrs on stage, screen, tv? Critics/peers DID recognize him with multiple noms (3 Oscars, 3 Globes/1 win, 2 BAFTAs, etc.) /1

80 yrs ago #OTD the Marx Bros. A NIGHT IN CASABLANCA was released (the last w/ all 3 interacting & Groucho as lead.) The Nation’s James Agee noted then: “... it isn't one of their best movies; for the worst they might ever make would be better worth seeing than most other things I can think of.” /1

Happy Birthday Bing Crosby #botd 1903 – as noted by @citizenscreen.bsky.social the same date GOING MY WAY premiered in 1944 (for which he was the first singer to win the Best Actor Oscar). His influence & impact on pop music from the 20’s onward is hard to overstate – even after Sinatra & Elvis. /1

Extending the weekend celebration for Shirley MacLaine’s 92nd birthday (April 24)! She has graced our screens with indelible impact since 1955. Her 1st impression on me was as Princess Aouda Around The World In 80 Days (1956) & most recently among my favorite cast on Only Murders In The Building. /1

Honoring Eddie Albert ahead of his 120th birthday April 22 (d. 2005 at 99). Brilliant straight-man in Green Acres who was always stymied but let the zaniness around him drive the show. Later he charmed in Switch (1975) & earned multiple noms for Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA, critics awards, & more. /1

Late-night post celebrating all-time genius late-night TV guest: the brilliant improv/impersonator comedian Jonathan Winters (d. 4/11/13). Beyond a stream of consciousness, he was 7 Seas. Over 60+-yr career he inspired Robin Williams, Johnny Carson, Tracey Ullman, Lily Tomlin, Steve Martin & more./1

#botd Happy 118th Birthday Bette Davis (1908-1989). She won the Academy Award for Best Actress twice, was the first person to earn 10 Oscar noms for acting, & was the first woman to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute. Overall she won 56 awards out of 89 noms. / 1

#Womens History Month Happy Birthday April 1 to Debbie Reynolds: an Unsinkable Singing Nun in the Rain, a TERRIFIC RADIANT HUMBLE web-spinner, and always a dynamic uplifting presence. Across 65+ years, she received a 1965 Oscar nom & 2016 Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award + 20 more wins/48 noms. /1

Celebrating #Women’sHistoryMonth with distinguished actress Dame Sybil Thorndike, whose career lasted from 1904-1969. I cannot do justice to her stage accomplishments, social impact, & reputation as UK’s most beloved actress of her time (I had only seen her in 3-4 films when I wrote her at 14.) /1

An #Oscar -worthy performance in a film about family set in the 30s? Honoring the youngest-ever #AcademyAward winner #TatumONeal for her role as Addie in Paper Moon (1973). Wishing Tatum O'Neal all the best on her continuing journey toward health & happiness. She’s given us so many happy memories./1

On International Women’s Day, celebrating the grace & GRACIE of Burns & Allen’s funniest partner. George was the straight man for 40 years (lost @100, 30 years ago on 3/9/96). Gracie made his career; he struggled before they met, & achieved his 3-decade legendary solo status after her 1964 death. /1

The citizens of Mel Brooks’ Rock Ridge were rightly reverent about “Randolph Scott!” (who died 3/2/87 at 89). 100 film credits included comedy turns in Follow The Fleet (1936) & My Favorite Wife (1940), but his 60 Westerns established his iconic cowboy star bona fides on many alltime top-10 lists /1

Honoring a powerful voice for representation & justice during Black History Month: the legendary Ms. Cicely Tyson, igniting stage/screens over 2/3 of her 96 yrs. She played the strongest women I saw early on, Rebecca Morgan (Sounder, 1972) & Miss Jane Pittman (1974). Both would’ve kicked MAGA ass…/1

Celebrating a President & Founding Father, separately: remembering Howard da Silva (d. 2/16/86). A protean talent over 50+ year career who played FDR (1977) & fondly remembered as Ben Franklin in 1776 (stage & screen). He also originated Jud in Oklahoma! (1943) & directed Ossie Davis on Broadway. /1

When life gives you Lemons: celebrating: Don, Liz (Tina), & #BOTD #JackLemmon (extra m for Magic Time, his catchphrase before each take.) Happy 101st to ultimate everyman whose tragicomedic gifts netted 2 Oscars (8 noms), 4 Globes (21 noms), 3 BAFTAS (8 noms), 2 Emmys (6 noms), 2 Tony noms, etc. /1

While the world fights to end MAGA nightmares– & Minneapolis ensures ICE gets no sleep –celebrating a queen of the Wake-Up/Call Back: Suzanne Pleshette (1/31/37-1/19/08). She & Bob created my all-time favorite final episode coda (Newhart, ‘90), built on their strong beginning together (TBNS, ‘72) /1

Honoring our Nordic allies & historic Minnesota immigrants in remembering superb Swedish actress Ingrid Thulin, born a century ago January 27. Her brilliant multinational career included seminal work with Bergman, Visconti, Resnais, Minnelli, etc. (performing in Swedish, Italian, French, English) /1

Happy Birthday Danny Kaye (born David Kaminsky, 2011). POTUS 45/47 will never match his legacy: Danny was asked to accept the 1965 Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of UNICEF ("for its effort to enhance solidarity between nations & reduce the difference between rich & poor states.") He didn’t keep it. /1