Anais Nin, on books:

I have this weird obsession about buying books and looking at them with a smile, even if I won't read them soon.

At least they are mine now.

- Anais Nin.

Born on this day – Franz Schubert:

Franz Schubert

Composer

January 31, 1797 – November 19, 1828

Born on this day – Jane Johnston Schoolcraft:

 

Jane Johnston Schoolcraft

Writer

January 31, 1800 – May 22, 1842

a.k.a. Bamewawagezhikaquay.

Translation: Woman of the Sound That the Stars Make Rushing Through the Sky.

Credits:

Invocation; Lines Written at Castle Island, Lake Superior; The Sound the Stars Make Rushing Through the Sky: The Writings of Jane Johnston Schoolcraft; To the Miscodeed; To the Pine Tree.

Born on this day – Tallulah Bankhead:

 

Tallulah Bankhead

Actress

January 31, 1902 – December 12, 1968

Credits:

A Royal Scandal (1945); A Streetcar Named Desire (1956); Antony and Cleopatra (1937); Batman (1967); Clash by Night (1942); Dark Victory (1934); Dear Charles (1955); Devil and the Deep (1932); Die! Die! My Darling! (1965); Eugenia (1957); Everyday (1921–1922); Faithless (1932); Foolish Notion (1945); Footloose (1920); Forsaking All Others (1933); General Electric Theater (1957); Her Cardboard Lover (1929); His House in Order (1928); Kraft Theatre (1954–1962); Lifeboat (1944); Main Street to Broadway (1953); Make Me a Star (1932); Midgie Purvis (1961); My Sin (1931); Nice People (1921); Private Lives (1949); Rain (1935); Reflected Glory (1937); Schlitz Playhouse (1957); Something Gay (1935); Stage Door Canteen (1943); Tarnished Lady (1931); The Boy Who Owned a Melephant (1959); The Cheat (1931); The Circle (1938); The Daydreamer (1966); The Eagle Has Two Heads (1947); The Exciters (1922); The Little Foxes (1940); The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (1957); The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore (1964); The Red Skelton Hour (1965); The Skin of Our Teeth (1942–1943); The Squab Farm (1918); The Trap (1919); Thirty a Week (1918); Thunder Below (1932); When Men Betray (1918); Who Loved Him Best? (aka His Inspiration) (1918).

Born on this day – Roosevelt Sykes:

Roosevelt Sykes

Blues singer

Pianist

Songwriter

January 31, 1906 – July 17, 1983

Credits:

Albums:

Barrelhouse Blues (2011); Blues (1961); Blues by Roosevelt "The Honeydripper" Sykes (1995); Blues Masters Vol. 23 - Roosevelt Sykes (2009); Blues Piano and Guitar (2019); Boot That Thing (1929-1941) (2008); Chicago Blues Festival (1970); Chicago Blues Festival '70 (Blues Reference) (2002); Chicago Boogie (2004); Dirty Double Mother (1973); Dirty Mother for You (2013); Double Barreled Boogie (2004); Eight Ball Blues (2007); Face to Face with the Blues (1961); Feel Like Blowing My Horn (1973); Fine And Brown (2008); Gold Mine (1992); Grind It! (1996); Happy Hours (2015); Hard Drivin' Blues (1964); Honeydripper (2015); Is it True 'Bout the Man Roosevelt? (2020); Memphis Blues (1974); Memphis Slim Presents Roosevelt "The Honeydripper" Sykes (2014); Music Is My Business (1996); Night Time Is the Right Time (2019); Raining in My Heart (2000); Roosevelt Sykes "Live" At Webster College 1974 (2014); Roosevelt Sykes Selected Favorites (2006); Roosevelt Sykes Sings the Blues (2006); Roosevelt Sykes the Honey Dripper, Vol. 1: 1934-1942 (Blues Collection Historic Recordings) (1999); Roosevelt Sykes Vol. 10 (1951-1957) (2005); Roosevelt Sykes Vol. 3 (1931-1933) (2005); Roosevelt Sykes Vol. 4 (1934-1936) (2005); Roosevelt Sykes Vol. 5 (1937-1939) (2005); Roosevelt Sykes Vol. 7 (1941-1944) (2005); Roosevelt Sykes Vol. 9 (1947-1951) (2005); Sings the Blues (1998); Slave for Your Love (2021); The Honey Dripper's Ball (1970); The Honeydripper (1962); The Honeydripper's Duke's Mixture (1971); The Original Honeydripper (2013); The Return of Roosevelt Sykes (1960); The Ultimate Jazz Archive (Vol 15) (2010); Wild Side (2020).

Movies and television:

All You Need Is Love (1977); Bandstand (1966); Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music (1993); David Makes Man (2019); Denise Calls Up (1995); En remontant le Mississippi (1973); Good Hair (2009); Last Flag Flying (2017); Long John Baldry: In the Shadow of the Blues (2000); Mafia III (2016); Manchester by the Sea (2016); Mississippi Grind (2015); Mr. Mercedes (2017); Nothing But the Blues (1966); Outcast (2016); Pretend It's a City (2021); Shindig! (1965); The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966 - Volume 1 (2003); The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1966 - Volume 2 (2003); The American Folk Blues Festival 1962-1969 - Volume 3 (2004); The Blues Under the Skin (1973); The Deuce (2018).

Born on this day – Jack Mercer:

Jack Mercer

Voice actor

Animator

Writer

January 31, 1910 – December 7, 1984

Born on this day – William Sylvester:

William Sylvester

Actor

January 31, 1922 – January 25, 1995

Born on this day – Marie Sabouret:

 

Marie Saboure

Actress

January 31, 1924 – July 23, 1960

Credits:

Les femmes savantes (1959); Would-Be Gentleman (1958); The Mask of the Gorilla (1958); Trois jours à vivre (1957); Dany Robin in Frou-Frou (1955); Rififi (1955); La bella Otero (1954); Royal Affairs in Versailles (1954); The Three Musketeers (1953); Mina de Vanghel (1953); Violetas imperiales (1952).

Born on this day – Jean Simmons:

Jean Simmons

Actress

Singer

January 31, 1929 – January 22, 2010

Born on this day – James Franciscus:

James Franciscus

Actor

January 31, 1934 – July 8, 1991

Born on this day – Suzanne Pleshette:

Suzanne Pleshette

Actress

January 31, 1937 – January 19, 2008

Credits:

Will & Grace (2002–2004); 8 Simple Rules (2003); Good Morning, Miami (2002–2003); Spirited Away (2001); The Lion King: Simba's Mighty Adventure (2000); The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998); Trigun (1998); The Single Guy (1996–1997); The Boys Are Back (1994–1995); Diagnosis Murder: Diagnosis of Murder (1993); Battling for Baby (1992); Leona Helmsley: The Queen of Mean (1990); Newhart (1990); Nightingales (1989); Alone in the Neon Jungle (1988); A Stranger Waits (1987); Bridges to Cross (1986); Kojak: The Belarus File (1985); For Love or Money (1984); One Cooks, the Other Doesn't (1983); Dixie: Changing Habits (1983); Fantasies (1982); Help Wanted: Male (1982); The Star Maker (1981); Arch of Triumph (1980); Oh, God! Book II (1980); If Things Were Different (1980); Flesh & Blood (1979); Hot Stuff (1979); Kate Bliss and the Ticker Tape Kid (1978); The Bob Newhart Show (1972–1978); The Shaggy D.A. (1976); Richie Brockelman: The Missing 24 Hours (1976); Law and Order (1976); The Legend of Valentino (1975); Bonanza (1972); Ironside (1971); Medical Center (1971); Columbo (1971); In Broad Daylight (1971); Support Your Local Gunfighter (1971); River of Gold (1971); The Name of the Game (1969–1971); The F.B.I. (1966–1970); The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1970); Marcus Welby, M.D. (1970); Gunsmoke (1970); Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came (1970); Love, American Style (1970); Hunters Are for Killing (1970); Along Came a Spider (1970); Target: Harry (1969); If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium (1969); It Takes a Thief (1968); The Invaders (1967–1968); The Power (1968); Blackbeard's Ghost (1968); Flesh and Blood (1968); Cimarron Strip (1967); The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin (1967); Wings of Fire (1967); Run for Your Life (1967); Mister Buddwing (1966); Nevada Smith (1966); The Ugly Dachshund (1966); Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963–1966); The Fugitive (1964–1965); A Rage to Live (1965); The Wild Wild West (1965); Youngblood Hawke (1964); Fate Is the Hunter (1964); A Distant Trumpet (1964); Dr. Kildare (1961–1964); Channing (1963); Wagon Train (1963); Wall of Noise (1963); The Birds (1963); 40 Pounds of Trouble (1962); Alcoa Premiere (1962); The Dick Powell Theatre (1962); Rome Adventure (1962); Ben Casey (1962); Target: The Corruptors! (1962); Route 66 (1960–1961); General Electric Theater (1958–1961); The Tab Hunter Show (1961); Hong Kong (1961); The Islanders (1960); Naked City (1960); Riverboat (1960); Play of the Week (1960); Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1960); Summer of Decision (1959); Adventures in Paradise (1959); Sunday Showcase (1959); Black Saddle (1959); One Step Beyond (1959); Playhouse 90 (1959); The Third Man (1959); Have Gun - Will Travel (1959); Omnibus (1959); The Geisha Boy (1958); Matinee Theatre (1958); Decoy (1958); Harbourmaster (1957).

Born on this day – Stuart Margolin:

Stuart Margolin

Actor

Director

January 31, 1940 – December 12, 2022

Born on this day – Ron Thompson:

Ron Thompson

Actor

Singer

Songwriter

Dancer

January 31, 1941 – April 13, 2024

Credits:

American Me (1992); American Playhouse / This Ain't Bebop (1989); American Pop (1981); Amy Prentiss (1974); An Interview with Joe Black (2017); Armstrong Circle Theatre (1962); Baretta (1975–1976); Bottleneck (2006); Bronk (1975); Brown Eye, Evil Eye (1968); Cagney & Lacey (1985); [Cargo] (2018); Chicks, Man (2018); Crisis Center (1997); Death Ring (1992); Deep Cover (1992); Ethnically Ambiguous (2020); Fallen Arches (2000); Gena (2018); Happy Winter Solstice (2014); Hate Horses (2017); Ironside (1974); Last Days of Coney Island (2015); Low Town (2017); Mannix (1974); Natasha Hall (2021); Quincy M.E. (1977); Stitches (2017); Suffrage (2023); Tellers (2019); The Actor's Choice (2018–2019); The Dream Makers (1975); The Greatest American Hero (1982); The Gun (1974); The Jimmy Star Show with Ron Russell (2023); The No Mercy Man (1973); The Only One in the Room (2020); The Rebels (1976); The Streets of San Francisco (1975); The Waltons (1980); The White Buffalo (1977); This Ain't Bebop (1989).

Born on this day – Jessica Walter:

Jessica Walter

Actress

January 31, 1941 – March 24, 2021

Born on this day – Torsten Michaelis:

 

Torsten Michaelis

Actor

January 31, 1970 – August 17, 2025

Credits:

1. Mai (2008); Ägyptens versunkene Hafenstadt - Ein Mythos taucht auf (2013); Angst in meinem Kopf (2018); Arme Millionäre (2006); Bella Block (2012); Berlin Station (2018); Bronstein's Children (1991); Castles and Palaces of Europe (2013); Close (2004); Cologne P.D. (2011); Das Joshua-Profil (2018); Der Clown (2000); Der kleine Herr Friedemann (1990); Der Kriminalist (2011–2016); Der letzte Zeuge (2007); Der Raketenmann - Wernher von Braun und der Traum vom Mond (2009); Der Staatsanwalt hat das Wort (1988); Der Uranberg (2010); Der Verleger (2001); Die gestundete Zeit (1989); Die Männer vom K3 (2000); Die Stunde des Wolfes (2011); Die unheimliche Leichtigkeit der Revolution (2021); Die vielen Gesichter der USA: Der Fotograf Martin Schoeller (2023); Drachenlanze (2012); Drakensang: The Dark Eye (2008); Ein Dorf schweigt (2009); Eine Stadt wird erpresst (2006); Engel mit einem Flügel (1991); Ernst Thälmann (1986); Five Years (2013); Frantz (2016); Geheimnisvolle Orte (2004); Geisterjäger John Sinclair: Edition 2000 (2005–2013); Genug ist nicht genug (2009); Germany 09: 13 Short Films About the State of the Nation (2009); Gold für den König (1987); Greed: Black Border (2009); Großstadtrevier (2004); Hai-Alarm am Müggelsee (2013); Hallo, Onkel Doc! (1998); Heiter bis tödlich - Hauptstadtrevier (2012–2014); Hotel Lux (2011); In aller Freundschaft (1999–2019); Inspektor Rolle (2002–2004); Kabale und Liebe (2005); Kafka's the Burrow (2014); Kai aus der Kiste (1988); Konrads Erbtanten (1982); Legendäre Raddampfer (2012); Leipzig Homicide (2020); Let the Cat Out of the Bag (2005); Letzte Spur Berlin (2015); Lila, Lila (2009); Lotte Jäger und das tote Mädchen (2016); March of the Penguins (2005); Merle Trilogy: Hörspielserie (2017); My Führer (2007); Naked Among Wolves (2015); Never Too Late for Justice (2017); Nord bei Nordwest (2015); Notruf Hafenkante (2012); NVA (2005); Offroad (2012); Police Call 110 (1987–2011); Polnische Ostern (2011); Praxis mit Meerblick (2022); R.I.S (2007); Rache (1996); Raus aus dem Käfig - Wohin mit Europas Affen (2005); Sarah Kohr (2022); Schatten der Gerechtigkeit (2009); Shores of Hope (2012); SOKO Wismar (2004–2019); Special Unit (2007–2008); Spielzeugland (2007); Star Wars: Dark Lord / Podcast Series (2008); Star Wars: Rebels / Podcast Series (2014–2015); Sturmzeit (1999); Tatort (1998–2022); Terra X - Rätsel alter Weltkulturen (2014); The Final Days (2008); The Fox (2015–2018); The Reader (2008); The Same Sky (2017); The Skin of Others (2018); Theresa Wolff - Waidwund (2022); This Is Not a Hotel (1996); Trauzeugen (2023); Unknown (2011); Victor Vran (2015); WaPo Berlin (2020); We Children from Bahnhof Zoo (2021); Wendland - Stiller und der rote Faden (2024); Where's Wanda? (2024); Wie ein Vogel im Schwarm (1990); Wilsberg (2009); Wolffs Revier (2003); Zwölf Winter (2009).

On this day in movie and book history - Touch of Evil (1958) and Badge of Evil (1956):

Touch of Evil

directed and written by Orson Welles,

based on the novel Badge of Evil by Whit Masterson,

was released in the United States on January 31, 1958.

Music by Henry Mancini.

Cast:

Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, Orson Welles, Joseph Calleia, Akim Tamiroff, Joanna Cook Moore, Ray Collins, Dennis Weaver, Val de Vargas, Mort Mills, Victor Millan, Lalo Rios, Phil Harvey, Joi Lansing, Harry Shannon, Rusty Wescoatt, Wayne Taylor, Ken Miller, Raymond Rodriguez, Arlene McQuade, Dan White, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Marlene Dietrich, Mercedes McCambridge, William Tannen, Joseph Cotton.

Recommended reading - Badge of Evil

Badge of Evil

by Whit Masterson.

Filmed as Touch of Evil (1958), directed by Orson Welles.

Published by Adams Media.

First published 1956.

ASIN: 1440560919

ISBN-10: 9781440560910

ISBN-13: 978-1440560910

Description:

“Orson Welles based his noir masterpiece on this equally fine novel.” – The Washington Post.

Quinlan and McCoy – veteran cops who could smell out a murderer …

A dark, swift-running tale of love and hate and death under the bright California sun.

Assistant District Attorney Mitch Holt suspects the wrong people have been arrested in the murder of Rudy Linneker. But if it wasn't Linneker's daughter and her fiance, who was it? And why do two of the city's most decorated and beloved cops look like they're not shooting straight? If they've planted evidence in this case, what else are they guilty of in the past?

On this day in movie history - The Border:

The Border

directed by Tony Richardson,

written by Deric Washburn, Walon Green and David Freeman,

was released in the United States on January 31, 1982.

Music by Ry Cooder.

Cast:

Jack Nicholson, Harvey Keitel, Valerie Perrine, Warren Oates, Elpidia Carrillo, Shannon Wilcox, Manuel Viescas, Jeff Morris, Mike Gomez, Dirk Blocker, Lonny Chapman, Stacey Pickren, Floyd Levine, James Jeter, Alan Fudge, William Russ, Gary Grubbs, Gary Sexton, Campbell De Silva, Bill McLaughlin, David Beecroft, Esther Sylvey, Luis Mejía, Roberto Rivera, Jay Thurman, Craig Terry, Juan Ramírez, Adalberto Cortez, Concepción Palmeres, Juan Salas, Norma Mayo, Paula Ruiz,Carlos Bruno Villaneuva, Ronne Drummond, Richard Watts, Bernice E. Shamaley, Kenna Espersen, Glenda Meadows, Joe Zizik, Maria Delgado, Lupe Ontiveros, Francisco Farias, Edmundo Alonzo, Alan Gibbs, Don Charles, Beverly Overstreet.