Stephen King, on writing:

Find a subject you care about and which you in your heart feel others should care about.

It is this genuine caring, not your games with language, which will be the most compelling and seductive element in your style.

- Stephen King

James Ellroy, on writing:

 

Cats gotta scratch.
Dogs gotta bite.
I gotta write.
- James Ellroy.

Born on this day – A. B. Guthrie Jr.:

A. B. Guthrie Jr.

Writer

Historian

January 13, 1901 – April 26, 1991

Credits:

Wild Pitch (1973); The Genuine Article (1977); No Second Wind (1980); Playing Catch-Up (1985); Murder in the Cotswolds (1989); The Big Sky (1947); The Way West (1949); Fair Land, Fair Land (1982); Murders at Moon Dance (1943); Twenty-Six Years After (1949); Kentucky (1951); These Thousand Hills (1956); The West Is Our Great Adventure of the Spirit (1959); Arfive (1970); Once Upon a Pond (1973); The Last Valley (1975); Four Miles From Ear Mountain (1987); The Big It and Other Stories (1972); The Blue Hen's Chick (1965); Big Sky, Fair Land (1974); Images from the Great West (1990); A Field Guide to Writing Fiction (1991).

Born on this day – Kay Francis:

Kay Francis

Actress

January 13, 1905 – August 26, 1968

Credits:

Lux Video Theatre (1951); The Prudential Family Playhouse (1950); Wife Wanted (1946); Allotment Wives (1945); Divorce (1945); Four Jills in a Jeep (1944); Between Us Girls (1942); Always in My Heart (1942); The Feminine Touch (1941); Charley's Aunt (1941); The Man Who Lost Himself (1941); Play Girl (1941); Little Men (1940); When the Daltons Rode (1940); It's a Date (1940); In Name Only (1939); Women in the Wind (1939); King of the Underworld (1939); Comet Over Broadway (1938); Secrets of an Actress (1938); My Bill (1938); Women Are Like That (1938); First Lady (1937); Confession (1937); Another Dawn (1937); Stolen Holiday (1937); Give Me Your Heart (1936); The White Angel (1936); I Found Stella Parish (1935); The Goose and the Gander (1935); Stranded (1935); Living on Velvet (1935); British Agent (1934); Dr. Monica (1934); Wonder Bar (1934); Mandalay (1934); The House on 56th Street (1933); I Loved a Woman (1933); Mary Stevens, M.D. (1933); Storm at Daybreak (1933); The Keyhole (1933); Cynara (1932); Trouble in Paradise (1932); One Way Passage (1932); Jewel Robbery (1932); Street of Women (1932); Man Wanted (1932); Strangers in Love (1932); The False Madonna (1931); Girls About Town (1931); 24 Hours (1931); Guilty Hands (1931); Transgression (1931); The Vice Squad (1931); Ladies' Man (1931); Scandal Sheet (1931); Passion Flower (1930); The Virtuous Sin (1930); Let's Go Native (1930); For the Defense (1930); Raffles (1930); A Notorious Affair (1930); Paramount on Parade (1930); Street of Chance (1930); Behind the Make-Up (1930); The Marriage Playground (1929); Illusion (1929); Dangerous Curves (1929); The Cocoanuts (1929); Gentlemen of the Press (1929).

Born on this day – Herbert L. Strock:

Herbert L. Strock

Producer

Director

January 13, 1918 – November 30, 2005

Born on this day – Robert Stack:

 

Robert Stack

Actor

January 13, 1919 – May 14, 2003

Born on this day – Rosemary Murphy:

Rosemary Murphy

Actress

January 13, 1925 – July 5, 2014

Born on this day – Gwen Verdon:

Gwen Verdon

Actress

Dancer

January 13, 1925 – October 18, 2000

Born on this day – Gregory Walcott:

 

Gregory Walcott

Actor

January 13, 1928 – March 20, 2015

Born on this day – Françoise Prévost:

Françoise Prévost

Actress

Writer

January 13, 1929 – November 30, 1997

Credits:

Les gens de Faillac (1995); Vive la mariée (1985); La côte d'amour (1982); L'amour nu (1981); Merry-Go-Round (1980); Le soleil en face (1980); Miss (1979); Apostrophes (1978); Bonjour Amour (1977); Mala, amore e morte (1977); The Pink Telephone (1975); The Return of the Exorcist (1975); Pas de frontières pour l'inspecteur: Le bouc émissaire (1975); Mais où sont passées les jeunes filles en fleurs (1975); La prova d'amore (1974); The Sinful Nuns of Saint Valentine (1974); Van der Valk und die Reichen (1973); Le violon de Vincent (1973); Les anges (1973); When Love Is Lust (1973); Témoignages (1973); Van der Valk und das Mädchen (1972); Le inibizioni del dottor Gaudenzi, vedovo col complesso della buonanima (1971); The Contract (1971); Le belve (1971); The Hideout (1971); La prima notte del Dottor Danieli, industriale, col complesso del... giocattolo (1970); Mont-Dragon (1970); Il tuo dolce corpo da uccidere (1970); Un caso di coscienza (1970); La donna a una dimensione (1969); Naked Violence (1969); It Takes a Thief (1969); Les vieilles lunes (1969); The Fourth Wall (1969); Winter Wind (1969); Rabbit in the Pit (1969); A Woman on Fire! (1969); Spirits of the Dead (1968); Johnny Hamlet (1968); Italian Secret Service (1968); L'espace d'une nuit (1967); Pronto... c'è una certa Giuliana per te (1967); The Other One (1967); Enter Inspector Maigret (1966); Via Macau (1966); The Murder Clinic (1966); Galia (1966); La cage de verre (1965); Ein Mann im schönsten Alter (1964); Vacances portugaises (1963); Un tentativo sentimentale (1963); Il processo di Verona (1963); Bekenntnisse eines möblierten Herrn (1963); Il mare (1962); The Condemned of Altona (1962); Bon Voyage! (1962); Sign of the Lion (1962); Gli anni ruggenti (1962); L'inspecteur Leclerc enquête (1962); Paris Belongs to Us (1961); Le jeu de la vérité (1961); Kraft Mystery Theater (1961); Par-dessus le mur (1961); The Girl with the Golden Eyes (1961); The Season for Love (1961); La reine Margot (1961); Love Play (1961); La caméra explore le temps (1959–1961); Time Out for Love (1961); I Promised to Pay (1961); Merci Natercia! (1960); Women Are Like That (1960); The Enemy General (1960); Le bel âge (1960); Le second souffle (1959); Cette nuit là... (1958); Foreign Intrigue (1953–1954); Virgile (1953); The Three Musketeers (1953); Nez de cuir (1952); The King's Musketeers (1951); Clara de Montargis (1951); Les miracles n'ont lieu qu'une fois (1951); Jean de la Lune (1949).

Born on this day – Frances Sternhagen:

Frances Sternhagen

Actress

January 13, 1930 – November 27, 2023

Credits:

And So It Goes (2014); The Closer (2006–2012); Pearl (2012); Parenthood (2012); Dolphin Tale (2011); Julie & Julia (2009); The Mist (2007); Becker (2004); ER (1997–2003); Sex and the City (2000–2002); The Simpsons (2002); Highway (2002); The Laramie Project (2002); Landfall (2001); The Rising Place (2001); Midnight Gospel (2000); It All Came True (1998); To Live Again (1998); The Con (1998); Law & Order (1991–1997); The Outer Limits (1995); Reunion (1994); The Road Home (1994); Labor of Love: The Arlette Schweitzer Story (1993); Cheers (1986–1993); Raising Cain (1992); Tales from the Crypt (1992); She Woke Up (1992); Walking the Dog (1991); Golden Years (1991); Doc Hollywood (1991); The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd (1991); Misery (1990); Sibling Rivalry (1990); Follow Your Heart (1990); Communion (1989); See You in the Morning (1989); Bright Lights, Big City (1988); Once Again (1987); At Mother's Request (1987); Resting Place (1986); Spencer (1985); The Dining Room (1984); Prototype (1983); Romantic Comedy (1983); Independence Day (1983); Outland (1981); The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg (1980); Mother and Daughter: The Loving War (1980); Starting Over (1979); Who'll Save Our Children? (1978); Fedora (1978); The Andros Targets (1977); The American Parade (1975); Great Performances (1972–1974); Two People (1973); The Hospital (1971); NET Playhouse (1964); The Doctors (1963); New York Television Theatre (1965); The Tiger Makes Out (1967); Up the Down Staircase (1967); Soldier in Love (1967); For the People (1965); Profiles in Courage (1964); Another World (1964); The Defenders (1964); The Doctors and the Nurses (1962); The Broadway of Lerner and Loewe (1962); Play of the Week (1959–1961); Goodyear Playhouse (1957); Studio One (1956–1957); Omnibus (1956); Producers' Showcase (1955); The Secret Storm (1954); Love of Life (1951).

Born on this day – Leonora Ruffo:

 

Leonora Ruffo

Actress

January 13, 1935 – May 25, 2007

Credits:

A Woman on Fire! (1969); Amori di mezzo secolo / Segment: L'amore romantic (1954); Aprite: Polizia (1958); Ciao, pais... (1956); Due selvaggi a corte (1959); Giallo club - Invito al poliziesco (1960); Gli amanti di Ravello (1951); Goliath and the Dragon (1960); Goliath and the Vampires (1961); Hercules in the Haunted World (1961); I Vitelloni (1953); Le avventure di Nicola Nickleby (1958); Le meravigliose avventure di Guerrin Meschino (1952); Ricordami (1955); Sergente d'ispezione (1958); Star Pilot (1966); Sword Without a Country (1961); The Black Devil (1957); The Queen of Sheba (1952); The Widower (1959); Time and Place for Killing (1968); Un dollaro di fifa (1960).

Born on this day – Richard Moll:

Richard Moll

Actor

January 13, 1943 – October 26, 2023

Born on this day – Kim Manners:

Kim Manners

Producer

Director

Actor

January 13, 1951 – January 25, 2009

Credits:

21 Jump Street (1987–1990); Alaska (2003); Automan (1983–1984); Baywatch (1989); Booker (1989–1990); Breaking Bad (2009); Broken Badges (1990); Can't Be Stopped (2022); Charlie's Angels (1977–1981); Delta County, U.S.A. (1977); Divorce Wars: A Love Story (1982); Empire (2005); Finder of Lost Loves (1985); Fortune Hunter (1995); Greyhounds (1994); Halls of Anger (1970); Hardcastle and McCormick (1985–1986); Harsh Realm (2000); Hart to Hart (1981); Hawaiian Heat (1984); Headmaster (1970); Hunter (1986–1987); Implanted Memories: 25 Years of the X-Files (2018); J.J. Starbuck (1987–1988); K-9000 (1990); Kate McShane (1975); Locusts (1974); M.A.N.T.I.S. (1994–1995); Matt Houston (1982–1985); Mission: Impossible (1988); Over There (2005); Paradise (1988); Riptide (1985–1986); Scared Silly (1982); Sidekicks (1986–1987); Simon & Simon (1984–1986); Sledge Hammer! (1986); Star Trek: The Next Generation (1988); Stingray (1986–1987); Street Hawk (1985); Supernatural (2005–2009); The 100 Lives of Black Jack Savage (1991); The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. (1993–1994); The Cigarette Smoking Man Revealed (1999); The Commish (1991–1994); The Hat Squad (1992–1993); The Killer Who Wouldn't Die (1976); The Pride of Jesse Hallam (1981); The Return of Mod Squad (1979); The Unseen (2016); The Users (1978); The X-Files (1995–2004); Valdez Is Coming (1971); Wiseguy (1988).

Born on this day – Silvana Gallardo:

Silvana Gallardo

Actress

Producer

Director

January 13, 1953 – January 2, 2012

Credits:

21 Jump Street (1987–1990); Alaska (2003); Automan (1983–1984); Baywatch (1989); Booker (1989–1990); Breaking Bad (2009); Broken Badges (1990); Can't Be Stopped (2022); Charlie's Angels (1977–1981); Delta County, U.S.A. (1977); Divorce Wars: A Love Story (1982); Empire (2005); Finder of Lost Loves (1985); Fortune Hunter (1995); Greyhounds (1994); Halls of Anger (1970); Hardcastle and McCormick (1985–1986); Harsh Realm (2000); Hart to Hart (1981); Hawaiian Heat (1984); Headmaster (1970); Hunter (1986–1987); Implanted Memories: 25 Years of the X-Files (2018); J.J. Starbuck (1987–1988); K-9000 (1990); Kate McShane (1975); Locusts (1974); M.A.N.T.I.S. (1994–1995); Matt Houston (1982–1985); Mission: Impossible (1988); Over There (2005); Paradise (1988); Riptide (1985–1986); Scared Silly (1982); Sidekicks (1986–1987); Simon & Simon (1984–1986); Sledge Hammer! (1986); Star Trek: The Next Generation (1988); Stingray (1986–1987); Street Hawk (1985); Supernatural (2005–2009); The 100 Lives of Black Jack Savage (1991); The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. (1993–1994); The Cigarette Smoking Man Revealed (1999); The Commish (1991–1994); The Hat Squad (1992–1993); The Killer Who Wouldn't Die (1976); The Pride of Jesse Hallam (1981); The Return of Mod Squad (1979); The Unseen (2016); The Users (1978); The X-Files (1995–2004); Valdez Is Coming (1971); Wiseguy (1988).

On this day in movie history - Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)

Bad Day at Black Rock

directed by John Sturges,

written by Millard Kaufman and Don McGuire,

was released in the United States on January 13, 1955.

Based on the short story Bad Time at Honda by Howard Breslin,

published in The American Magazine (1947).

Music by André Previn.

Cast:

Spencer Tracy, Robert Ryan, Anne Francis, Dean Jagger, Walter Brennan, John Ericson, Ernest Borgnine, Lee Marvin, Russell Collins, Walter Sande, Walter Beaver, Billy Dix, Mickey Little, K.L. Smith, Robert Griffin, Harry Harvey, Bobby Johnson, Francis McDonald.

On this day in movie history - The Cowboys (1972)

The Cowboys

directed by Mark Rydell,

written by Irving Ravetch, Harriet Frank Jr. and William Dale Jennings,

based on the novel by William Dale Jennings,

was released in the United States on January 13, 1972.

Music by John Williams.

Cast:

John Wayne, Roscoe Lee Browne, Bruce Dern, Colleen Dewhurst, Alfred Barker Jr., Nicolas Beauvy, Steve Benedict, Robert Carradine, Norman Howell, Stephen R. Hudis, Sean Kelly, A. Martinez, Clay O’Brien, Sam O’Brien, Mike Pyeatt, Slim Pickens, Lonny Chapman, Charles Tyner, Sarah Cunningham, Allyn Ann McLerie, Matt Clark, Jerry Gatlin, Walter Scott, Richard Farnsworth, Wallace Brooks, Charise Cullin, Collette Poeppel, Norman Howell Sr., Rita Hudis, Margaret Kelly, Larry Randles, Larry Finley, Jim Burk, Fred Brookfield, Tap Canutt, Chuck Courtney, Gary Epper, Tony Epper, Kent Hays, Glenn Randall Jr., Henry Wills, Joe Yrigoyen, Ivan Brutsche, Ralph Volkie.

On this day in movie history - Incident on a Dark Street (1973)

Incident on a Dark Street

directed by Buzz Kulik,

written by E. Jack Neuman,

was released in the United States on January 13, 1973.

Music by Elmer Bernstein.

Cast:

James Olson, David Canary, Robert Pine, Richard S. Castellano, William Shatner, Murray Hamilton, Gilbert Roland, David Doyle, James Davidson, Kathleen Lloyd, John Kerr, Marlene Clark, Jerome Thor, Valentin de Vargas, Susan Stafford, Tony Giorgio, Jay W. MacIntosh, Marian Collier, Jennifer Kulik, Wesley Lau, Roland La Starza, Earl Eby, Nickolas Konakas, Mike Stokey, Michele Nichols, Owen Orr, Jed Allan, Robyn Millan, Don Barry, Gordon Pinsent, Mark Jenkins, Eddie Quillan, James A. Watson Jr.

On this day in music history - Stay, by Shakespears Sister (1992)

Stay

by Shakespears Sister

was released on January 13, 1992.