Groundhog Day – February 2:

Happy Groundhog Day!

On this day in movie history - Groundhog Day (1993)

Groundhog Day

directed by Harold Ramis,

written by Harold Ramis and Danny Rubin,

based on a story by Danny Rubin,

was released in the United States on February 2, 1993.

Music by George Fenton.

Cast:

Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, Stephen Tobolowsky, Brian Doyle-Murray, Marita Geraghty, Angela Paton, Rick Ducommun, Rick Overton, Robin Duke, Ken Hudson Campbell, David Pasquesi, Richard Henzel, Rob Riley, Hynden Walch, Michael Shannon, Les Podewell, Rod Sell, Harold Ramis.

What’s On? - A Guide to Movies and TV Shows, by Jack Kost (2025)

What's On? 
A Guide to Movies and TV Shows

by Jack Kost.
 
What’s On? … is the timeless question we have all asked ourselves almost every day of our lives, as we reach for the remote control and settle in front of the TV screen.

Jack Kost, a life-long movie buff and coffee addict, offers his choice of favorite movie and television masterpieces.

Providing possible answers to the question of What’s On? with over one thousand nine hundred titles, from golden oldies and timeless classics, to more recent releases, all meticulously logged and summarized.

An invaluable and collectable go-to source for discovering new favorites and revisiting old ones.

Perfect for film enthusiasts and casual viewers alike, this guide will spark conversations, bring back memories, and help you navigate the ever-evolving world of screen entertainment.

A wealth of recommendations and insights from a passionate movie buff to enrich your viewing experience, complete with personal reminiscences and nostalgic reflections, told with a world-wise critical eye, sardonic dry wit, a healthy dose of cynicism, biting observations, and a well-founded rant here and there.

Just don’t challenge or get him started on his personal favorites, like The Shining, Point Blank, Jaws, The Exorcist, The Duellists, Romeo Is Bleeding, or The Ninth Configuration. His opinions on these and other iconic titles are as intense and unyielding as the movies themselves.

All compiled by an author who not only watched the movies, but also read the books on which they were based, did his research, drank a lot of coffee in the process, and advocates for the importance and value of reading.

A glimpse into the over-caffeinated mind of a writer with a passion for great stories.

What’s On? is a celebration of the intersection between page and screen, and a reminder that great on-screen adaptations often start with a great book and a strong cup of coffee.

Kick back, grab your coffee, and enjoy the show!

As author Jack Kost says:
“Happy viewing … and do yourself a favor … read the books.”
 
Video by Jack Kost.
2025.
 
Music credit:
Rainy Noon – Relaxing Uplifting Piano
by Clavier-Music.
From Pixabay.

Naomi Shihab Nye, on reading:

I love the solitude of reading.

I love the deep dive into someone else's story, the delicious ache of a last page.

- Naomi Shihab Nye.

Born on this day – Walter Vinson:

Walter Vinson

Blues singer

Guitarist

Songwriter

February 2, 1901 – April 22, 1975

Born on this day – Casey Bill Weldon:

 

Casey Bill Weldon

Blues singer

Guitarist

February 2, 1901 – September 28, 1972

Born on this day – Frank Gruber:

 

Frank Gruber

Writer

February 2, 1904 – December 9, 1969

Credits:

Beagle Scented Murder (1946); Billy the Kid (1957); Bitter Sage (1954); Bitter Sage and the Bushwhackers (1984); Black Cat Weekly #98 (2023); Brass Knuckles (1966); Bridge of Sand (1963); Broken Lance (1949); Brothers of Silence (1962); Buffalo Grass aka The Big Land (1956); Bugles West (1961); Classic Detective Stories From a Suitcase of Suspense (1999); Fall-Guy for a Killer aka The Yellow Overcoat (1942); Fighting Man (1948); Fort Starvation (1953); Fourth Postman / Among Those Absent / Lock and the Key (1948); Gunsight (1953); Horatio Alger, Jr (1961); Johnny Vengeance (1954); Little Hercules (1965); Lonesome River (1957); Market for Murder (1947); Missing Widow / Scarlet Feather / I Want to Go Home (1948); Murder '97 (1948); Outlaw (1941); Peace Marshal (1957); Quantrell's Raider / Town Tamer (1984); Quantrell's Raiders (1953); Ride to Hell (1955); Ride to Hell / Lonesome River (1983); Run, Fool, Run aka The Lock and the Key (1948); Simon Lash: Private Detective (1945); Sleeping Sphinx / Beagle Scented Murder / Death of a Doll (1948); Swing Low, Swing Dead (1964); Tales of Terror (1967); Tales of Wells Fargo (1958); The Books of Horatio Alger, Jr (1948); The Boris Karloff Horror Anthology (1965); The Buffalo Box (1942); The Bushwhackers (1959); The Corpse Moved Upstairs (1964); The Curly Wolf (1969); The Dawn Riders (1968); The Etruscan Bull (1969); The Fourth Letter (1947); The French Key aka The French Key Mystery (1940); The Gift Horse (1942); The Gold Gap (1968); The Greek Affair (1965); The Highwayman (1955); The Honest Dealer aka Double Dealer (1947); The Hungry Dog Murders aka Die Like a Dog (1941); The Laughing Fox (1943); The Leather Duke aka A Job of Murder (1950); The Limping Goose aka Murder One (1955); The Lone Gunhawk aka Smoky Road (1949); The Lonesome Badger aka Mood for Murder (1954); The Man From Missouri (1956); The Marshal (1958); The Mighty Blockhead (1945); The Navy Colt (1941); The Pulp Jungle (1967); The Scarlet Feather (1948); The Silver Jackass (1947); The Silver Tombstone Mystery (1948); The Spanish Prisoner (1969); The Talking Clock (1944); The Thirteenth Floor (1948); The Twilight Man (1967); The Whispering Master (1956); This Gun Is Still (1967); Town Tamer (1957); Twenty Plus Two (1961); Wanted (1971); Zane Grey (1928).

Born on this day – James Dickey:

James Dickey

Writer

February 2, 1923 – January 19, 1997

Credits: 

Books:

Alnilam (1987); Buckdancer's Choice (1965); Deliverance (1970); Drownings (1981); For a Time and Place (1983); From the Green Horseshoe (1987); Night Hurdling (1983); Sorties (1971); The Eagle's Mile (1981); The Selected Poems (1979); The Zodiac (1976); To the White Sea (1993).

Movies:

The Call of the Wild (1976); Deliverance (1972).

Born on this day – Bonita Granville:

Bonita Granville

Actress

Producer

Director

February 2, 1923 – October 11, 1988

Credits:

AFI Life Achievement Award (1987–1988); Ah Wilderness! (1935); Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble (1944); Angels of Mercy (1940); Angels Wash Their Faces (1939); Anne of Green Gables (1934); Armstrong Circle Theatre (1951); Beauty for Sale (1933); Behind the Attraction (2021); Biography (1995); Breakdowns of 1938 (1938); Breakfast in Hollywood (1946); Broadway Television Theatre (1953); Call It a Day (1937); Campbell Summer Soundstage (1952); Cavalcade (1933); Chevron Theatre (1952); Climax! (1955–1956); Cradle Song (1933); Crown Theatre with Gloria Swanson (1955); Dateline: Disneyland (1955); Down in San Diego (1941); Escape (1940); Ethel Barrymore Theater (1956); Flight of the Cougar (1967); Forty Little Mothers (1940); Gallant Sons (1940); Gruen Guild Theater (1951–1952); Guilty of Treason (1950); H.M. Pulham, Esq. (1941); Hard to Get (1938); Hitler's Children (1943); Hollywood and the Stars (1964); Hollywood Talent Scouts (1966); Hollywood's Children (1982); It's Love I'm After (1937); Kraft Theatre / The United States Steel Hour (1957); Land of Liberty (1939); Lassie (1959–1973); Lassie: A Christmas Tail (1963); Lassie: Peace is Our Profession (2006); Lassie: The Adventures of Neeka (1968); Lassie: Well of Love (1970); Lassie's Great Adventure (1963); Little Women (1933); Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (1946); Lux Video Theatre (1951–1957); Maid of Salem (1937); Matinee Theatre (1956); Merrily We Live (1938); My Bill (1938); Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (1939); Nancy Drew... Reporter (1939); Nancy Drew... Trouble Shooter (1939); Nancy Drew: Detective (1938); Now, Voyager (1942); One Rogue Reporter (2014); Picture People Vol. 2 No. 6: Hollywood War Efforts (1942); Playhouse 90 (1959); Quality Street (1937); Schlitz Playhouse (1955); Science Fiction Theatre (1957); Screen Snapshots Series 18, No. 12 (1939); Screen Snapshots: Jimmy McHugh's Song Party (1951); Senorita from the West (1945); Seven Miles from Alcatraz (1942); Silver Dollar (1932); Soaring Stars (1942); Somerset Maugham TV Theatre (1951); Song of the Open Road (1944); Song of the Saddle (1936); Strike It Rich (1948); Studio One (1958); Suspense (1946); Syncopation (1942); Target (1958); The Beautiful Cheat (1945); The Beloved Brat (1938); The Best of the Post (1961); The Bigelow Theatre (1951); The Eddie Cantor Comedy Theater (1955); The Ford Television Theatre (1953); The Garden of Allah (1936); The Glass Key (1942); The Guilty (1947); The Ken Murray Show (1950); The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981); The Life of Vergie Winters (1934); The Lone Ranger (1956); The Magic of Lassie (1978); The Merv Griffin Show (1971); The Mike Douglas Show (1970–1979); The Mortal Storm (1940); The People vs. Dr. Kildare (1941); The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse (1954); The Plough and the Stars (1936); The Schaefer Century Theatre (1952); The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1964); The Truth About Murder (1946); The Unexpected (1952); The Wild Man of Borneo (1941); These Three (1936); Third Finger, Left Hand (1940); This Is the Life (1956); This Is Your Life (1953); Those Were the Days! (1940); V.I.P.-Schaukel (1974); Westward Passage (1932); White Banners (1938); Youth Runs Wild (1944).

Born on this day – Dorian Gray:

Dorian Gray

Actress

February 2, 1928 – February 16, 2011

Credits:

I criminali della metropoli (1967); Thrilling (1965); Avventura al motel (1963); Commando (1962); Peccati d'estate (1962); Finden sie, daß Constanze sich richtig verhält? (1962); Gli attendenti (1961); Destination Fury (1961); ...And Suddenly It's Murder! (1960); Il carro armato dell'8 settembre (1960); Colossus and the Amazon Queen (1960); Love and Larceny (1960); Le sorprese dell'amore (1959); Brevi amori a Palma di Majorca (1959); Vacanze d'inverno (1959); Love on the Riviera (1958); Mogli pericolose (1958); Domenica è sempre domenica (1958); Il Grido (1957); Nights of Cabiria (1957); Totò, Peppino e i fuorilegge (1956); Guaglione (1956); Totò, Peppino e la... malafemmina (1956); Toto Double or Nothing (1956); Io piaccio (1955); Poppy (1952); The Queen of Sheba (1952); Vendetta... sarda (1952); My Heart Sings (1951); Appointment for Murder (1951); l mago per forza (1951); Accidenti alle tasse!! (1951).

Born on this day – Terrence Beasor:

Terrence Beasor

Actor

February 2, 1935 – May 28, 2024

Voice of The Borg in Star Trek.

Credits:

A Perfect Ending (2012); A Woman Called Golda (1982); Angel (2000); Angie Tribeca (2016); Cheers (1986); Chicago Hope (1996); Columbo: Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star (1991); Coupe de Ville (1990); Crazy Like a Fox (1985); Dallas (1983); Dash and Lilly (1999); Days of Our Lives (1985–1990); Demon Hunter (2005); Documentary Now! (2015); Dynasty (1987); Everybody's All-American (1988); Eyes of an Angel (1991); Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling Mystery (1991); Flying Blind (1989); Forever Young (1992); Frank's Place (1987); Fully Loaded (2011); George Wallace (1997); George Washington (1984); Gilmore Girls (2004); Girl, Interrupted (1999); Hardcastle and McCormick (1985); Hearts Afire (1994); Hearts in Atlantis (2001); Hill Street Blues (1985); Homefront (1992); Homeland Security (2004); Hot in Cleveland (2011); House (2012); House Calls (1981); How Do You Know (2010); Hunter (1985); Hustle (2018); I Didn't Do It (2015); Is That a Gun in Your Pocket? (2016); Jaws: The Revenge (1987); Jennifer 8 (1992); Jessica Novak (1981); Karen's Song (1987); Kidding (2020); Knots Landing (1987–1990); L.A. Law (1987); Little Satchmo (2021); Max Headroom (1987); McBride: The Chameleon Murder (2005); Meet Joe Black (1998); Memento (2000); Miles from Home (1988); Miracle Landing (1990); Monster in the Closet (1986); Murder, She Wrote (1989); Mystery Men (1999); Native Son (1986); Palmerstown, U.S.A. (1981); Paris (1980); Parks and Recreation (2011); Passions (2000); Pennies from Heaven (1981); Pet Sematary (1989); Please Don't Hit Me, Mom (1981); Police Squad! (1982); Raising Hope (2011–2013); Reasonable Doubts (1991); Remington Steele (1986); Rockets' Red Glare (2000); Runaway (1984); Salvage 1 (1979); Scandal (2015); Scrubs (2004); Simon & Simon (1982–1988); Small Soldiers (1998); Solar Crisis (1990); Spies (1987); Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force (2000); Star Trek: Armada II (2001); Star Trek: Elite Force II (2003); Star Trek: Invasion (2000); Star Trek: Starfleet Command III (2002); Star Trek: The Next Generation (1992); Star Trek: Voyager (1998); Stigmata (1999); Strange Wilderness (2008); Suddenly Susan (1997); Sweet Justice (1994); The A-Team (1983); The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire (2003); The Burning Season: The Chico Mendes Story (1994); The Commission (2003); The District (2003); The Fake News with Ted Nelms (2017); The Gangster Chronicles (1981); The Greatest American Hero (1981–1983); The Green Mile (1999); The Grinder (2016); The Incredible Hulk (1980); The Law and Harry McGraw (1987); The Middle (2010–2018); The Office (2008); The Phantom of the Opera (1989); The Postman (1997); The Powers of Matthew Star (1982); The Practice (2002); The Return of the Living Dead (1985); The Return of the Six-Million-Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman (1987); The Shadow Effect (2006); The Warriors of the 14th Fairway (2002); The Young and the Restless (1981); Time Trackers (1989); Today's F.B.I. (1982); Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke (1999); Tuff Turf (1985); Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007); Walking the Edge (1985); Washington Square (1997); White Dog (1982); Winchell (1998); Winning Ugly (2016).

Born on this day – Bo Hopkins:

Bo Hopkins

Actor

February 2, 1938 – May 28, 2022

Born on this day – Jackie Burroughs:

Jackie Burroughs

Actress

February 2, 1939 – September 22, 2010

Born on this day – J. E. Freeman:

J. E. Freeman

Actor

Writer

February 2, 1946 – August 9, 2014

Born on this day – Farrah Fawcett:

 

Farrah Fawcett

Actress

February 2, 1947 – June 25, 2009

Credits:

1997 VH1 Fashion Awards (1997); A Wing & a Prayer: Farrah's Fight for Life (2008); ABC 25th Anniversary (1978); ABC's 50th Anniversary Celebration (2003); Access Hollywood (2005); All-Star Party for Aaron Spelling (1998); All-Star Party for James Stewart (1978); All-Star Party for Lucille Ball (1984); Ally McBeal (1999); An Almost Perfect Affair (1979); Apple's Way (1974); Baby (2000); Battle of the Network Stars (1976); Between Two Women (1986); Celebrity Challenge of the Sexes (1977); Celebrity Challenge of the Sexes 2 (1977); Charlie's Angels (1976–1980); Charlie's Angels: TV Tales (2002); Chasing Farrah (2005); Children of the Dust (1995); Clive James' Postcard from... (1990); Comedy Central Roasts (2006); Criminal Behavior (1992); Dalva (1996); Days of Our Lives (1970); Donahue (1978); Donny and Marie (1976); Dr. T & the Women (2000); Dubonnet: Aperitif Wine Commercial (1972); E! True Hollywood Story (1999–2001); Entertainment Tonight (2006–2008); Entertainment Tonight Presents: Charlie's Angels – Uncovered (1999); Extremities (1986); Farrah's Story (2009); Good Morning America (1979–1989); Good Sports (1991); Harry O (1975–1976); Hollywood Wives: The New Generation (2003); Hour Magazine (1980); Howard Stern (1997); I Dream of Jeannie (1969); Inside O.U.T. (1971); Intimate Portrait (2004); It's Your Bet (1971); James Bond: The First 21 Years (1983); Jewel (2001); Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2004–2005); Johnny Bravo (1997); Just a Little Inconvenience (1977); Killer Fish (1979); Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1994–1997); Late Show with David Letterman (1997–2005); Les rendez-vous du dimanche (1978); Live with Kelly and Mark (2005); Logan's Run (1976); Love Is a Funny Thing (1969); Man of the House (1995); Marcus Welby, M.D. (1974); Margaret Bourke-White (1989); Mayberry R.F.D. (1969); McCloud (1974); Murder in Texas (1981); Murder on Flight 502 (1975); Myra Breckinridge (1970); Nancy (1970); Nazi Hunter: The Beate Klarsfeld Story (1986); Nightlife (1986); Of Men and Women / The Interview (1973); Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law (1971); Playboy: Farrah Fawcett, All of Me (1997); Playboy: Farrah Fawcett, All of Me (1997); Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story (1987); S.W.A.T. (1975); SAG Foundation Conversations (1979); Saturn 3 (1980); See You in the Morning (1989); Silk Hope (1999); Small Sacrifices (1989); So Notorious (2006); Somebody Killed Her Husband (1978); Spin City (2001); Steel (1979); Sunburn (1979); The 17th Annual TV Week Logie Awards (1975); The 29th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1977); The 2nd Annual TV Land Awards (2004); The 34th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1977); The 35th Annual Genii Awards (1990); The 37th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1985); The 3rd Annual People's Choice Awards (1977); The 44th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1987); The 46th Annual Tony Awards (1992); The 50th Annual Academy Awards (1978); The 52nd Annual Academy Awards (1980); The 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (2006); The 61st Annual Academy Awards (1989); The Apostle (1997); The Arsenio Hall Show (1989–1991); The Barbara Walters Summer Special (1980–1995); The Boodle (1969); The Brady Bunch Variety Hour (1977); The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars (1998); The Burning Bed (1984); The Cannonball Run (1981); The Captain and Tennille (1976); The Charles Grodin Show (1995); The Cookout (2004); The Dating Game (1969); The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003); The Fall Guy (1981); The Feminist and the Fuzz (1971); The Flunky (2000); The Flying Nun (1969–1970); The Girl Who Came Gift-Wrapped (1974); The Girl with Something Extra (1973); The Great American Beauty Contest (1973); The Guardian (2002–2003); The Journey of 'the Apostle' (1998); The Larry Sanders Show (1995); The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn (1999); The Lovemaster (1997); The Making of 'Dr. T and the Women' (2001); The Merv Griffin Show (1976–1978); The More You Know (1989); The Norseman (1978); The Partridge Family (1970); The Red-Light Sting (1984); The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1997–2000); The Six Million Dollar Man (1974–1976); The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour (1977); The Substitute Wife (1994); The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1974–1992); The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1994–2005); ; The Vienna Opera Ball (aka Wiener Opernball) (2001); The World Sports Awards (2001); The Young Rebels (1970); Three's a Crowd (1969); Time & Again (2000); Today (1980–1984); Top Ten (2001); Tribute to a TV Legend: Aaron Spelling (2006).

On this day in movie history - Stagecoach (1939)

Stagecoach

directed by John Ford,

written by Dudley Nichols and Ben Hecht,

based on the short story Stage to Lordsburg by Ernest Haycox,

was released in the United States on February 2, 1939.

Music by Gerard Carbonara.

Cast:

Claire Trevor, John Wayne, Andy Devine, John Carradine, Thomas Mitchell, Louise Platt, George Bancroft, Donald Meek, Berton Churchill, Tim Holt, Tom Tyler, Dorothy Appleby, Frank Baker, Chief John Big Tree, Ted Billings, Wiggie Blowne, Danny Borzage, Ed Brady, Fritzi Brunette, Yakima Canutt, Nora Cecil, Steve Clemente, Bill Cody, Jack Curtis, Marga Ann Deighton, Patricia Doyle, Tex Driscoll, Johnny Eckert, Franklyn Farnum, Francis Ford, Brenda Fowler, Olin Francis, Helen Gibson, Don Hawks, Robert Homans, William Hopper, George Huggins, Si Jenks, Cornelius Keefe, Florence Lake, Al Lee, Duke R. Lee, Theodore Lorch, Chris-Pin Martin, Jim Mason, Louis Mason, Merrill McCormick, J.P. McGowan, Walter McGrail, Paul McVey, Jack Mohr, Kent Odell, Artie Ortego, Vester Pegg, Jack Pennick, Chris Phillips, Joe Rickson, Buddy Roosevelt, Elvira Ríos, Mickey Simpson, Margaret Smith, Chuck Stubbs, Harry Tenbrook, Leonard Trainor, Dorothy Vernon, Mary Kathleen Walker, Blackjack Ward, Bryant Washburn, Whitehorse, Hank Worden.

On this day in movie history - Snow Job (1972)

Snow Job

directed by George Englund,

written by Jeffrey Bloom and Ken Kolb,

based on a story by Richard Gallagher,

was released in the United States on February 2, 1972.

Music by Jacques Loussier.

Cast:

Jean-Claude Killy, Danièle Gaubert, Cliff Potts, Vittorio De Sica, Lelio Luttazzi, Delia Boccardo, Umberto D'Orsi, Giancarlo Prete.

On this day in television history - M Squad (1960)

M Squad
Season 3. Episode 20.

Episode entitled: A Debt of Honor.

Released February 2, 1960.

Directed by Herman Hoffman and Francis D. Lyon.

Written by Whitman Chambers and Arthur Rowe.

Music by Benny Carter.

 

Cast:

Lee Marvin, Paul Newlan, William Phipps, Nesdon Booth, Robert Clarke, Judy Bamber, Eddie Foster, Larry J. Blake, Sy Prescott. 

On this day in television history – James Ellroy's L.A.: City of Demons (2011)

 

James Ellroy's L.A.: City of Demons

Documentary.

Season 1. Episode 3.
Episode entitled: L.A. Serial Killers.

Released: February 2, 2011.

Series directors: Brian Coughlin, Gabe Torres, Brian Coughlin and Robert Kirk.
 
Cast:
James Ellroy, Shaun Gerardo, Tiffany Turner, Ryan Beard, Kenneth Bianchi, Roger W. Boren, Pamela Bozanich, Angelo Buono Jr., Saul Faerstein, Jared Jacobs, Ted Jonas, Phil LaMarr, Glynn Martin, Danny McCluskey, Martin T. Orne, Eliana Saenz, Mitchell Salberg, Frank Salerno.

On this day in music history - The album Star Crossed Lovers, by Plácido Domingo and Renée Fleming (1999)

Star Crossed Lovers

by Plácido Domingo and Renée Fleming

was released on February 2, 1999.

Track list:

West Side Story: Prologue; West Side Story: Tonight; West Side Story: Rumble; West Side Story: Somewhere; Faust: Il se fait tard...O nuit d'amour; El dia que me quieras; Quisiera verte y no verte; Jota castellana; Otello: Gia nella notte densa; In a Sentimental Mood; Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me; Prelude to a Kiss; Das Land des Lachelns: Dein ist mein ganzes Herz; Die lustige Witwe: Lippen schweigen.