E. L. Konigsburg, on writing:

 

Finish.

The difference between being a writer and being a person of talent is the discipline it takes to apply the seat of your pants to the seat of your chair and finish.

Don't talk about it.

Do it.

Finish.

- E. L. Konigsburg.

Recommended reading - The Garden Murder Case

 

The Garden Murder Case

by S.S. Van Dine.

# 9 in the Philo Vance mystery series.

Published by Felony & Mayhem Press.
First published 1935.
Paperback.

ISBN-10: 1631942050
ISBN-13: 9781631942051
 
Description:

In the ninth novels in the series, "The Garden Murder Case," Philo Vance investigates a murder and other suspicious events connected with the rooftop garden of the Garden’s New York penthouse, where a group friends gather to listen to the result of horse races.

According to one review, Garden runs on “passion, avarice, ambition and horse-racing.” It also runs on pure 1930s octane, because this is a classic house-party murder mystery, that staple of the Golden Age. As befitting a Philo yarn, of course, it’s a very Manhattan house-party, with an actress and a socialite on hand, and a bookie on the telephone. There’s also a losing bet on the ponies, and an ensuing suicide…but Philo, natch, is not sure just who pulled the trigger. A joy, as always, for readers who delight in Philo’s spectacular brand of awfulness – is there anyone snootier’ Snobbier’ More taken with himself’ – but also for fans of the Impossible Crime.

Born on this day – Léo Delibes:

 

Léo Delibes

Composer

February 21, 1836 – January 16, 1891

Born on this day – Celia Lovsky:

 

Celia Lovsky

Actress

February 21, 1897 – October 12, 1979

In Star Trek (1967).

Credits:

36 Hours (1964); 77 Sunset Strip (1959); Adventures in Paradise (1961); Aimee De Rivery (1955); Airport (1970); Alcoa Premiere (1963); Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1959); Arrest and Trial (1964); Because You're Mine (1952); Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1965–1966); Bonanza (1960); Bourbon Street Beat (1960); Bright Leaf (1950); Captain Carey, U.S.A. (1949); Champ for a Day (1953); Channing (1963); Checkmate (1961); Chicago Deadline (1949); Crash Landing (1958); Crusader (1955); Death of a Scoundrel (1956); Dragnet (1953–1959); Dragnet 1967 (1968); Duel on the Mississippi (1955); Emergency! (1974); Fireside Theatre (1952); Flaming Fury (1949); For the Love of Spock (2016); Four Star Playhouse (1955); Foxfire (1955); Front Row Center (1956); G.E. True (1963); Garrison's Gorillas (1967); General Electric Theater (1957–1960); Going My Way (1962); Goodyear Theatre (1959); Gunslinger (1961); Hank (1965); Harlow (1965); Harrigan and Son (1961); Have Gun - Will Travel (1958); Hitler (1962); Hong Kong (1960); I Mobster (1959); Insight (1965); It Takes a Thief (1970); Johnny Staccato (1960); Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948); Lux Video Theatre (1954); Magnificent Obsession (1954); Make Haste to Live (1954); Man of a Thousand Faces (1957); Marcus Welby, M.D. (1970–1974); Me and the Colonel (1958); Michael Shayne (1961); Mr. Lucky (1960); Mystery Is My Business (1954); New York Confidential (1955); Night Into Morning (1951); One Step Beyond (1959); Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law (1973); Passport to Danger (1954); Playhouse 90 (1958–1960); Producers' Showcase (1956); Public Defender (1955); Rhapsody (1954); Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1959); Riverboat (1960); Rumble on the Docks (1956); Run for Your Life (1967); Schlitz Playhouse (1957); Screen Directors Playhouse (1956); Sealed Verdict (1948); Shirley Temple's Storybook (1958); Soylent Green (1973); Star Trek (1967); Steve Canyon (1958–1959); Studio 57 (1955); Studio One (1948); Target: The Corruptors (1962); Telephone Time (1956–1957); Texas Lady (1955); The Adventures of Jim Bowie (1956); The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962–1963); The Barbara Stanwyck Show (1961); The Big Heat (1953); The Big Valley (1966); The Blue Gardenia (1953); The Bold Ones: The New Doctors (1972); The Californians (1958); The Court of Last Resort (1957); The Dick Powell Theatre (1962); The Doomsday Flight (1966); The DuPont Show with June Allyson (1959–1960); The F.B.I. (1966–1968); The Farmer's Daughter (1964); The Flying Nun (1967); The Foxes of Harrow (1947); The Frank Sinatra Show (1957); The Garment Jungle (1957); The Gene Krupa Story (1959); The Great Adventure (1963); The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965); The Jumping Jack (1930); The Killer That Stalked New York (1950); The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954); The Lineup (1957); The Lone Wolf (1954); The Millionaire (1957–1959); The New Phil Silvers Show (1963); The Opposite Sex (1956); The People Against O'Hara (1951); The Power (1968); The Scarf (1951); The Snake Pit (1948); The St. Valentine's Day Massacre (1967); The Star and the Story (1955); The Story of Three Loves / Segments: The Jealous Lover / Mademoiselle (1953); The Streets of San Francisco (1974); The Texan (1960); The Third Man (1959); The Twilight Zone (1964); The Untouchables (1960); The Waltons (1973); This Is the Life (1955); Three Coins in the Fountain (1954); Tightrope (1960); Trooper Hook (1957); Twilight for the Gods (1958); Wagon Train (1958); While the City Sleeps (1956); Whirlybirds (1958); Zweimal Hochzeit (1930).

Born on this day – Scrapper Blackwell:

 

Scrapper Blackwell

Blues singer

Guitarist

February 21, 1903 – October 7, 1962

Credits:

Albums:

A Blues (2018); ABC Of The Blues Vol 7 (2010); Blue Night Blues (2000); Blues Before Sunrise + Mr. Scrapper's Blues (2014); Blues Night Blue (2019); Kokomo (2021); Penal Farm Blues (2021); Presenting Scrapper Blackwell (1929); Rocks In My Bed (2016); Scrapper Blackwell - Music History (2021); Scrapper Blackwell 1959-1960 (2005); Scrapper Blackwell Vol. 1 (1928-1932) (2005); The Blues Collective -Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell (2023); The Very Best Of (2009); The Virtuoso Guitar Of Scrapper Blackwell (2006); Trouble Blues (2019); Volume 1: "How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone", CD A (2008); Volume 1: "How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone", CD B (2008); Volume 1: "How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone", CD C (2008); Volume 1: "How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone", CD D (2008).

Songs:

Alabama Women Blues; Back Door Blues; Be-Da-Da-Bum; Blue Day Blues; Blue Night Blues; Blues Before Sunrise; Cold Blooded Murder; D Blues; Down and Out Blues; Down South Blues; Four Day Rider; Goin' Where the Monon Crosses the Yellow Dog; Hard Time Blues; How About Me; How Long Blues No. 1; I Believe I'll Make a Change; I Won't Miss You When You're Gone; Lifeboat Blues; Low Down Dog Blues; Mean Mistreater Mama; My Dream Blues; My Heart Struck Sorrow; My Old Pal; My Old Pal Blues; Naptown Blues; Nobody Knows When You're Down and Out; Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out; Pack Up Her Trunk Blues; Papa's on the House Top; Scrapper Blackwell; Shady Lane; When the Sun Goes Down; Whiskey Man Blues.

Born on this day – Anaïs Nin:

Anaïs Nin

Writer

February 21, 1903 – January 14, 1977

Born on this day – Ann Sheridan:

Ann Sheridan

Actress

Singer

February 21, 1915 – January 21, 1967

Credits:

Pistols 'n' Petticoats (1966–1967); Another World (1965–1966); Wagon Train (1962); Kraft Theatre (1956–1960); Pursuit (1958); Armchair Theatre (1958); Woman and the Hunter (1957); The Ford Television Theatre (1953–1957); Playhouse 90 (1957); Lux Video Theatre (1953–1957); The Opposite Sex (1956); Calling Terry Conway (1956); Sneak Preview (1956); Celebrity Playhouse (1956); Come Next Spring (1956); Appointment in Honduras (1953); Schlitz Playhouse (1953); Take Me to Town (1953); Just Across the Street (1952); Steel Town (1952); Woman on the Run (1950); Stella (1950); I Was a Male War Bride (1949); Good Sam (1948); Silver River (1948); Nora Prentiss (1947); The Unfaithful (1947); One More Tomorrow (1946); Cinderella Jones (1946); The Doughgirls (1944); Shine on Harvest Moon (1944); Thank Your Lucky Stars (1943); Edge of Darkness (1943); George Washington Slept Here (1942); Wings for the Eagle (1942); Juke Girl (1942); Kings Row (1942); The Man Who Came to Dinner (1941); Navy Blues (1941); Honeymoon for Three (1941); City for Conquest (1940); They Drive by Night (1940); Torrid Zone (1940); It All Came True (1940); Castle on the Hudson (1940); Angels Wash Their Faces (1939); Winter Carnival (1939); Indianapolis Speedway (1939); Naughty But Nice (1939); Dodge City (1939); They Made Me a Criminal (1939); Angels with Dirty Faces (1938); Broadway Musketeers (1938); Letter of Introduction (1938); Cowboy from Brooklyn (1938); Little Miss Thoroughbred (1938); Mystery House (1938); Out Where the Stars Begin (1938); The Patient in Room 18 (1938); She Loved a Fireman (1937); Alcatraz Island (1937); Wine, Women and Horses (1937); The Footloose Heiress (1937); San Quentin (1937); The Great O'Malley (1937); Black Legion (1937); Sing Me a Love Song (1936); Fighting Youth (1935); Hollywood Extra Girl (1935); The Crusades (1935); The Glass Key (1935); The Red Blood of Courage (1935); Mississippi (1935); Rocky Mountain Mystery (1935); Car 99 (1935); Rumba (1935); Home on the Range (1935); Enter Madame! (1934); One Hour Late (1934); Limehouse Blues (1934); Behold My Wife! (1934); Star Night at the Cocoanut Grove (1934); College Rhythm (1934); Ready for Love (1934); Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch (1934); The Lemon Drop Kid (1934); Wagon Wheels (1934); You Belong to Me (1934); Ladies Should Listen (1934); The Notorious Sophie Lang (1934); Kiss and Make-Up (1934); Shoot the Works (1934); Many Happy Returns (1934); Murder at the Vanities (1934); Come On, Marines! (1934); Bolero (1934); Search for Beauty (1934); Hollywood on Parade No. A-6 (1933).

Born on this day – Jean Heather:

Jean Heather

Actress

February 21, 1921 – October 29, 1995

Credits:

Double Indemnity (1944); Duffy's Tavern (1945); Going My Way (1944); Holiday Inn (1942); Knots Landing (1989); Murder, He Says (1945); National Barn Dance (1944); Our Hearts Were Young and Gay (1944); Red Stallion in the Rockies (1949); The Last Round-up (1947); The Well Groomed Bride (1946).

Born on this day – Sam Peckinpah:

Sam Peckinpah

Director

Writer

February 21, 1925 – December 28, 1984

Credits:

Essential Music Videos: Classic '80s / Too Late for Goodbyes (2004); Julian Lennon: Valotte (1984); Julian Lennon: Too Late for Goodbyes (1984); The Osterman Weekend (1983); Sparks: Funny Face (1981); Convoy (1978); Cross of Iron (1977); The Killer Elite (1975); Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974); Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973); The Getaway (1972); Junior Bonner (1972); Straw Dogs (1971); The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970); The Wild Bunch (1969); Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963); ABC Stage 67 (1966); The Cincinnati Kid (1965); Major Dundee (1965); The Dick Powell Theatre (1961); Ride the High Country (1962); Route 66 (1960); The Deadly Companions (1961); The Westerner (1960); Klondike (1960); Zane Grey Theatre (1956); The Rifleman (1958–1959), Broken Arrow (1958).

Born on this day – Bob Rafelson:

Bob Rafelson

Director

Writer

Producer

February 21, 1933 – July 23, 2022

Born on this day – John Lewis:

John Lewis

Congressman

Civil rights activist

Writer

Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2011

 February 21, 1940 – July 17, 2020

Credits:

Across That Bridge (2012); Carry On (2021); Freedom Riders: 1961 and the Struggle for Racial Justice (2006); March: Book One (2013); March: Book Three (2016); March: Book Two (2015); Run: Book One (2021); Walking with the Wind (1998).

Born on this day – Adrian Schiller:

 

Adrian Schiller

Actor

February 21, 1964 – April 2024

Credits:

A Cure for Wellness (2016); A Girl Goes for Dinner (2016); A Little Chaos (2014); A Touch of Frost (2000); Ashes in the Snow (2018); Ashes to Ashes (2009); Assassin's Creed III (2012); Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (2013); Assassin's Creed: Unity (2014); Beauty and the Beast (2017); Being Human (2010); Best of the Companions (2011); Best of the Doctor (2011); Black Earth Rising (2018); Bright Star (2009); Brighton Rock (2010); Bugs (1996); Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate (2013); Castlevania: Lords of Shadow (2010); Censor (2021); Coming Up (2010); Death in Paradise (2021); Doctor Who (2011); Doctor Who: The Monthly Adventures (2006); Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor Adventures (2021); Doctor Who: The Ultimate Companion (2014); Dog Days (2025); Endeavour (2014); Fable III (2010); Father Brown (2024); Fields of Gold (2002); Genius (2018); George Eliot: A Scandalous Life (2002); Ghosts (1995); Going Postal (2010); GoldenEye 007 (2010); Good (2008); Goodbye Mondays (2018); Holby City (2012); In Search of Shakespeare (2004); Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings (2009); Inside Suffragette (2016); Jester (2024); Judge John Deed (2002); Lot254 (2012); Man in an Orange Shirt (2017); My Family (2001); New Tricks (2010); Nostradamus (2006); Prime Suspect 2 (1992); Prime Suspect 3 (1993); Public Information Film (PIF) / Moment of Doubt / Department of Transport / Think! Road Safety / (2007); Raid: World War II (2017); Raised by Wolves (2020); Remainder (2015); Residue (2015); RKO 281 (1999); Screen One (1993); Significance (2015); Silent Witness (1996–2007); Silk (2011); Son of God (2014); Spotless (2015); Suburban Shootout (2007); Suffragette (2015); Suffragette: Looking Back, Looking Forward (2016); Surrealissimo: The Scandalous Success of Salvador Dali (2002); Talking to the Dead (2013); The Bible (2013); The Bill (1995–2009); The Chelsea Detective (2023); The Crucible (2014); The Danish Girl (2015); The Devil's Mistress (2008); The Hollow Crown (2012); The IT Crowd (2007); The Kidnap (2000); The Last Kingdom (2018–2022); The Marlowe Sessions (2024); The Mercy (2018); The Musketeers (2014); The New Look (2024); The Secret Agent (2015); The Ten Commandments (2006); This Morning (2016); Tolkien (2019); Undercover (2016); Van der Valk (2022); Victor Frankenstein (2015); Victoria (2016–2019); Wild Target (2010); Zen (2011).

On this day in movie history - The Garden Murder Case (1936)

 

The Garden Murder Case

directed by Edwin L. Marin,

written by Bertram Millhauser,

based on the novel by S.S. Van Dine,

was released in the United States on February 21, 1936.

Music by William Axt.

 

Cast:

Edmund Lowe, Virginia Bruce, Benita Hume, Douglas Walton, Nat Pendleton, Gene Lockhart, H. B. Warner, Kent Smith, Grant Mitchell, Frieda Inescort, Henry B. Walthall, Jessie Ralph, Charles Trowbridge, Etienne Girardot, William Austin, Olaf Hytten.

On this day in movie history - The Hitcher (1986)

The Hitcher

directed by Robert Harmon,

written by Eric Red,

was released in the United States on February 21, 1986.

Music by Mark Isham.

Cast:

Rutger Hauer, C. Thomas Howell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jeffrey DeMunn, John M. Jackson, Billy Greenbush, Jack Thibeau, Armin Shimerman, Gene Davis, Jon Van Ness, Henry Darrow, Tony Epper.

On this day in movie history - Nikita (1990)

Nikita

French title: La Femme Nikita,

directed and written by Luc Besson,

was released in France on February 21, 1990.

Music by Éric Serra.

 

Cast:

Anne Parillaud, Marc Duret, Patrick Fontana, Alain Lathière, Laura Chéron, Jacques Boudet, Helene Aligier, Pierre-Alain de Garrigues, Patrick Pérez, Bruno Randon, Roland Blanche, Joseph Teruel, Jacques Disses, Stéphane Fey, Philippe Dehesdin, Michel Brunot, Rodolph Freytt, Pavel Slabý, Tchéky Karyo, Jean-Luc Caron, Renos Mandis, Jean-Marc Merchet, Jeanne Moreau, Philippe Leroy, Patrick Serrière, Iska Khan, Heike Fisher, Patrick Buiquangda, Eddie Gaydu, Jose Steinmann, Philippe Hernando, Gerard Touratier, Jean Bedin, Edith Perret, Jean-Hugues Anglade, Jean-Pierre Pauty, Michel Campa, Murray Gronwall, Pierrick Charpentier, Rafael Sultan, Hubert Gillet, Fausto Costantino, Roberto Talanno, Pétronille Moss, Eric Prat, Mia Frye, Olivier Hémon, Philippe du Janerand, Christian Gazio, Jérôme Chalou, Jean Reno, Jean-Claude Bolle-Reddat, Jean Bouise, Patrick Chauveau, Maurice Antoni, Mathieu Archer, Alexis Dupuy, Michèle Amiel, Guy Van Riet, Xavier Bonastre.