Susan Sontag, on reading and writing:

Reading usually precedes writing.

And the impulse to write is almost always fired by reading.

Reading, the love of reading, is what makes you dream of becoming a writer.

 
- Susan Sontag.

Recommended reading - Balboa Films

Balboa Films
A History and Filmography of the Silent Film Studio

by Jean-Jacques Jura & Rodney Norman Bardin II.

 

Published by McFarland.

Published 2007.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 0786430982

ISBN-13: 9780786430987

Description:

From 1913 through 1918, Long Beach, California, was home to the largest independent film company in the world, the largely forgotten Balboa Studio. Founder Herbert M. Horkheimer bought the studio from Edison Company in 1913, and by 1915 Balboa's expenses exceeded $2,500 a day and its output hit 15,500 feet of film per week. Bert Bracken, Fatty Arbuckle, Henry King, Baby Marie Osborne, Thomas Ince, and William Desmond Taylor began their careers with the studio.

In 1918, Horkheimer stunned the industry by declaring bankruptcy, shutting down Balboa, and walking away from moviemaking. The closing of the studio effectively ended Long Beach's runs as a major film location and left many wondering about the true reasons behind Horkheimer's decision. Most of Balboa's films have been lost, and little has until now been written about the studio. This book first explores the history of filmmaking in Long Beach and then fully details the story of Balboa. The extensive filmography includes length, copyright date when available, cast and credits, and a plot summary.

Born on this day – Telly Savalas:

Telly Savalas

Actor

Singer

January 21, 1922 – January 22, 1994

Credits:

Backfire! (1995); Mind Twister (1993); The Commish (1991); Ein Schloß am Wörthersee (1990); Rose Against the Odds (1991); Kojak: None So Blind (1990); Kojak: It's Always Something (1990); Kojak: Flowers for Matty (1990); Kojak: Fatal Flaw (1989); Kojak: Ariana (1989); The Hollywood Detective (1989); Faceless (1988); The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission (1988); J.J. Starbuck (1987); The Equalizer (1987); The Dirty Dozen: The Deadly Mission (1987); Kojak: The Price of Justice (1987); GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords (1986); Solomon's Universe (1985); Alice in Wonderland (1985); George Burns Comedy Week (1985); Beyond Reason (1985); Kojak: The Belarus File (1985); The Love Boat (1977); The Cartier Affair (1984); Cannonball Run II (1984); Afghanistan pourquoi? (1983); Fake-Out (1982); American Playhouse (1982); Tales of the Unexpected (1979); Hellinger's Law (1981); Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story (1980); Border Cop (1980); The French Atlantic Affair (1979); Alice (1979); The Muppet Movie (1979); Beyond the Poseidon Adventure (1979); Escape to Athena (1979); Windows, Doors & Keyholes (1978); Kojak (1973–1978); Capricorn One (1977); Killer Force (1976); Inside Out (1975); Lisa and the Devil (1973); She Cried Murder (1973); The Marcus-Nelson Murders (1973); Redneck (1973); Pancho Villa (1972); A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die (1972); Visions... (1972); The Killer Is on the Phone (1972); Horror Express (1972); onny and Jed (1972); Crime Boss (1972); Mongo's Back in Town (1971); Clay Pigeon (1971); A Town Called Hell (1971); ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969); Pretty Maids All in a Row (1971); Violent City (1970); Kelly's Heroes (1970); On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969); Land Raiders (1969); Sophie's Place (1969); Mackenna's Gold (1969); The Assassination Bureau (1969); Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell (1968); The Scalphunters (1968); Sol Madrid (1968); Cimarron Strip (1967); Garrison's Gorillas (1967); The Dirty Dozen (1967); Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963); The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1967); The F.B.I. (1967); Combat! (1964–1967); Beau Geste (1966); The Fugitive (1964–1966); The Virginian (1966); Battle of the Bulge (1965); The Slender Thread (1965); Run for Your Life (1965); Bonanza (1965); Genghis Khan (1965); John Goldfarb, Please Come Home! (1965); Burke's Law (1963–1965); The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965); The Rogues (1964); Fanfare for a Death Scene (1964); The New Interns (1964); Kraft Suspense Theatre (1964); Breaking Point (1964); The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1964); Arrest and Trial (1964); Channing (1964); The Twilight Zone (1963); 77 Sunset Strip (1963); Grindl (1963); Johnny Cool (1963); Love Is a Ball (1963); The Man from the Diners' Club (1963); Empire (1963); The Dakotas (1963); The Eleventh Hour (1962); The Untouchables (1961–1963); The Sin of Jesus (1962); Alcoa Premiere (1961); The Interns (1962); Birdman of Alcatraz (1962); Cape Fear (1962); Cain's Hundred (1961–1962); Ben Casey (1961); The Detectives (1961); The Dick Powell Theatre (1961); King of Diamonds (1961); The New Breed (1961); The Young Savages (1961); Mad Dog Coll (1961); Acapulco (1961); The Aquanauts (1961); Kraft Theatre (1960); The Witness (1960); Naked City (1960); Armstrong Circle Theatre (1959–1960); Dow Hour of Great Mysteries (1960); Diagnosis: Unknown (1960); Deadline (1959); Sunday Showcase (1959).

Born on this day – Denis Sanders:

 

Danis Sanders

Director

Producer

Writer

January 21, 1929 – December 10, 1987

Credits:

A Film on Hitchhiking (1974); A Time Out of War (1954); Assignment: Underwater (1961); Computers Are People, Too! (1982); Computers: The Friendly Invasion (1982); Crime & Punishment, USA (1959); Czechoslovakia 1918-1968 (1969); Elvis: That's the Way It Is (1970); Ford Star Jubilee (1956); Have Gun - Will Travel (1959); Invasion of the Bee Girls (1973); Mannix (1968); Naked City (1962); One Man's Way (1964); Ripcord (1962); Route 66 (1964); Shock Treatment (1964); Soul to Soul (1971); Subject: Narcotics (1951); The American West of John Ford (1971); The Defenders (1962); The Great Adventure (1964); The Naked and the Dead (1958); Trial: the City and County of Denver vs. Lauren R. Watson (1970); War Hunt (1962); What's the Big Hurry? (1974).

Born on this day – Ann Wedgeworth:

 

Ann Wedgeworth

Actress

January 21, 1934 – November 16, 2017

Credits:

The Hawk Is Dying (2006); The Hunter's Moon (1999); The Whole Wide World (1996); Fight for Justice: The Nancy Conn Story (1995); A Burning Passion: The Margaret Mitchell Story (1994); Love and a .45 (1994); Evening Shade (1990–1994); Harlan & Merleen (1993); Cooperstown (1993); Hard Promises (1991); Green Card (1990); Roseanne (1989); Steel Magnolias (1989); Miss Firecracker (1989); Far North (1988); The Equalizer (1987); Made in Heaven (1987); A Tiger's Tale (1987); A Stranger Waits (1987); The Twilight Zone (1986); The Men's Club (1986); Sylvan in Paradise (1986); Sweet Dreams (1985); My Science Project (1985); Right to Kill? (1985); No Small Affair (1984); Filthy Rich (1982–1983); Trapper John, M.D. (1982); Killjoy (1981); Soggy Bottom, U.S.A. (1981); Elvis and the Beauty Queen (1981); When the Whistle Blows (1980); Bogie (1980); Three's Company (1979); The War Between the Tates (1977); Citizens Band (1977); Thieves (1977); Birch Interval (1976); Dragonfly (1976); Bronk (1975); Law and Disorder (1974); The Catamount Killing (1974); Bang the Drum Slowly (1973); Scarecrow (1973); Madigan (1972); Another World (1968–1970); Somerset (1970); One Life to Live (1968); Hawk (1966); Andy (1965); The Defenders (1964); Startime (1959); Kraft Theatre (1957); The Edge of Night (1956).

Born on this day – Joe Marinelli:

Joe Marinelli

Actor

Writer

Producer

January 21, 1957 – June 22, 2025

Credits:

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2014); Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures (1992); Cagney & Lacey (1984); Carmen (1985); Castle (2009); Cutting Room (2006); DEA (1991); Desperate Housewives (2011); Disjointed (2018); Donor Unknown (1995); Equal Justice (1991); ER (1997); General Hospital (1999–2001); Giuseppe's Opus (2019); Guiding Light (1952–2009); Hill Street Blues (1985); Hollywood (2020); House (2008); Hunter (1991); Insecure (2016); JAG (2000); Just Roll with It (2021); L.A. Law (1987); Legends (2014); Lethal Weapon (2018); Love Made Easy (2006); Mann & Machine (1992); Midnight Caller (1991); Models Inc. (1995); Numb3rs (2007); NYPD Blue (1997–2002); One Last Ride (2004); Paper Dolls (1984); Parenthood (2010); Ray Donovan (2013); Reboot (2022); Santa Barbara (1988–1990); Sideways (2004); Skylab (2005); Stingray (1986); Switched at Birth (2015); The Assassination of Richard Nixon (2004); The District (2002); The King of Queens (1999); The Morning Show (2019–2023); The Offer (2022); The Passion of Martin (1991); The Practice (2004); The West Wing (2002); They Came from Outer Space (1991); Two Lies (1990); Victorious (2011).

On this day in movie history - The Stickup (2002)

The Stickup

directed and written by Rowdy Herrington,

was released in the United States on January 21, 2002.

Music by David Kitay.

Cast:

James Spader, Leslie Stefanson, David Keith, John Livingston, Robert Miano, Alf Humphreys, Tim Henry, Mark Holden, Scott Heindl, Alex Zahara, Alvin Sanders, Cindy Maines, Karin Konoval, Christina Jastrzembska, Chief Leonard George, Curtis Ahenakew, Richard Ian Cox, Kathryn Kirkpatrick, Moneca Stori, Danny Wattley, Jay Kramer, Paul Dignard, Michael Roberds, Elan Ross Gibson, Kenneth G. McIntyre, Ellen Kennedy, Dalias Blake, Keith Dallas.

On this day in movie history - Niagara (1953)

 

Niagara

directed by Henry Hathaway,

written by Charles Brackett, Walter Reisch and Richard L. Breen,

was released in the United States on January 21, 1953.

Music by Sol Kaplan.

Cast:

Marilyn Monroe, Joseph Cotton, Jean Peters, Max Showalter, Denis O'Dea, Richard Allan, Don Wilson, Lurene Tuttle, Russell Collins, Will Wright, John 'Scotty' Watson, Leon Alton, Henry Beckman, John Brascia, Harry Carey Jr., Bill Coontz, Roy Damron, Robert Ellis, Howard Engel, Neil Fitzgerald, Gloria Gordon, Patricia Henderson, Winifield Hoeny, George Ives, Arch Johnson, Lester Matthews, Sean McClory, Norman McKay, Audre Monture, Patrick O'Moore, Tom Reynolds, Willard Sage, Bert Stevens, Minerva Urecal, Nina Varela, Gene Wesson.

On this day in movie history - The Guilty (2018)

The Guilty

directed by Gustav Möller,

written by Gustav Möller and Emil Nygaard Albertsen,

was released at the Sundance Film Festival in the United States on January 21, 2018.

Music by Carl Coleman and Caspar Hesselager.

Cast:

Jakob Cedergren, Jessica Dinnage, Omar Shargawi, Johan Gotthardt Olsen, Jacob Lohmann, Katinka Evers-Jahnsen, Jeanette Lindbæk, Simon Bennebjerg, Laura Bro, Morten Suurballe, Guuled Abdi Youssef, Caroline Løppke, Peter Christoffersen, Nicolai Wendelboe, Morten Thunbo, Maria Gersby, Anders Brink Madsen, Tommy Bach, Jan Christensen, Christian Lassen, Michael Rud, Jørgen Niclasen, Helena Malmros, Axel Christensen, Libby Brien, Matt Fowler, Philip Hersh, Christopher John Karr.

On this day in the Star Trek universe - The Next Generation (1989), Voyager (1998), Enterprise (2004, 2005), Discovery (2018)

Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 2. Episode 6.

Episode entitled: The Schizoid Man.

Released January 21, 1989.

Directed by Les Landau.

Written by Tracy Tormé, Richard Manning, Hans Beimler, Leonard Mlodinow, Scott Rubenstein.

Created by Gene Roddenberry.

Music by Dennis McCarthy.

Cast:

Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, Wil Wheaton, Diana Muldaur, William Morgan Sheppard, Suzie Plakson, Barbara Alyn Woods, Rachen Assapiomonwait, Michael Braveheart, Dexter Clay, Denise Crosby, Randy James, Scott Leva, Lorine Mendell, Guy Vardaman.

Star Trek: Voyager
Season 4. Episode 14.

Episode entitled: Message in a Bottle.

Released January 21, 1998.

Directed by Nancy Malone.

Created by Rick Berman, Michael Piller, Jeri Taylor.

Written by Lisa Klink, Rick Williams, Bryan Fuller.

Based on Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry.

Music by Paul Baillargeon.

Cast:

Kate Mulgrew, Robert Beltran, Roxann Biggs-Dawson, Robert Duncan McNeill, Ethan Phillips, Robert Picardo, Tim Russ, Garrett Wang, Jeri Ryan, Judson Scott, Valerie Wildman, Andy Dick, Tony Sears, Tiny Ron, Majel Barrett, John Austin, Lynne Burnett, Dianne Harper, Todd Leatherbury, Angus McLellan, Joey Sakata.

 

Star Trek: Enterprise
Season 3. Episode 13.

Episode entitled: Proving Ground.

Released January 21, 2004.

Directed by David Livingston.

Written by Chris Black, André Bormanis.

Created by Rick Berman, Brannon Braga.

Based on Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry.

Opening theme song: Faith of the Heart, performed by Russell Watson.

Closing theme: Archer's Theme, by Dennis McCarthy.

Music by John Frizzell.

Cast: 

Scott Bakula, John Billingsley, Jolene Blalock, Dominic Keating, Anthony Montgomery, Linda Park, Connor Trinneer, Molly Brink, Randy Oglesby, Scott MacDonald, Tucker Smallwood, Rick Worthy, Granville Van Dusen, Jeffrey Combs, Josh Drennen, Alexandrea Ortiz, Mark Correy, Evan English, Hilde Garcia, Glen Hambly.

Star Trek: Enterprise
Season 4. Episode 11.

Episode entitled: Observer Effect.

Released January 21, 2005.

Directed by Michael/Mike Vejar.

Written by Garfield Reeves-Stevens, Judith Reeves-Stevens.

Created by Rick Berman, Brannon Braga.

Based on Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry.

Opening theme song: Faith of the Heart, performed by Russell Watson.

Closing theme: Archer's Theme, by Dennis McCarthy.

Music by Kevin Kiner, Dennis McCarthy.

Cast:

Scott Bakula, John Billingsley, Jolene Blalock, Dominic Keating, Anthony Montgomery, Linda Park, Connor Trinneer, Alexandrea Ortiz, Solomon Burke Jr., Evan English.

Star Trek: Discovery
Season 1. Episode 12.

Episode entitled: Vaulting Ambition.

Released January 21, 2018.

Directed by Hanelle M. Culpepper.

Created by Bryan Fuller, Alex Kurtzman.

Written by Jordon Nardino, Bo Yeon Kim, Erika Lippoldt, Kirsten Beyer, Sean Cochran.

Based on Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry.

Music by Jeff Russo.

Cast:

Sonequa Martin-Green, Doug Jones, Shazad Latif, Anthony Rapp, Mary Wiseman, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Yeoh, Mary Chieffo, Wilson Cruz, Sam Asante, Jeremy Crittenden, Raven Dauda, Billy MacLellan, Dwain Murphy, Tasia Valenza, Marie Ward, Marco Perretta, Clayton Scott.

On this day in television history - Justified (2014)

Justified

Season 5. Episode 3.

Episode entitled: Good Intentions.

Released January 21, 2014.

Directed by Dean Parisot.

Written by Graham Yost, Benjamin Cavell, Leonard Chang.

Based on the short story Fire in the Hole by Elmore Leonard.

Music by Steve Porcaro.

Cast:

Timothy Olyphant, Nick Searcy, Jere Burns, Joelle Carter, Jacob Pitts, Erica Tazel, Walton Goggins, Michael Rapaport, James Le Gros, Edi Gathegi, Sam Anderson, Xander Berkeley, A.J. Buckley, Gabrielle Dennis, Damon Herriman, Scott Anthony Leet, Jesse Luken, Don McManus, Amy Smart, Bill Tangradi, Karolina Wydra, William Gregory Lee, Justin Welborn, Cathy Baron, Jonathan Kowalsky, Tyson Turrou, Russell Bertolino, Patrick Hume, David Meunier, Lisa Pevc.

On this day in music history:

Bon Jovi by Bon Jovi (1984)

Chrysalis by 2002 (1997)

In A Time Lapse by Ludovico Einaudi (2013)

Radiant Sky by Sherry Finzer (2014)

Underwater by Ludovico Einaudi (2022)

Bon Jovi

by Bon Jovi

was released on January 21, 1984.

Track list:

Runaway; Roulette; She Don't Know Me; Shot Through the Heart; Love Lies; Breakout; Burning for Love; Come Back; Get Ready; Runaway; Come Back; Roulette; Breakout; Runaway; Get Read.

Chrysalis

Album by 2002,
released January 21, 1997.

Track list:

To Touch the Sky; Chrysalis; A Gift of Life; Greater Than the Sum; Spinning the Silk; Journey Within; Dream Come True; Healing Rain; Cocoon; Magic Flower.

 

In A Time Lapse

Album by Ludovico Einaudi,
released January 21, 2013.

Track list:

Corale; Time Lapse; Life; Walk; Discovery at Night; Run; Brothers; Orbits; Two Trees; Newton’s Cradle; Waterways; Experience; Underwood; Burning; Bever; The Dark Bank of Clouds; Sarabande; Ronald’s Dream; Corale Solo.

 

Radiant Sky

Album by Sherry Finzer,
released January 21, 2014.

Track list:

Maya; Jal; Johnnie; Caliente; Rejoice; Amor Perdido; Caleo; Por Simpre Para Siempre; Ardiente; Invitacion; Los Tres Golpes; Mediatatzione; La Primavera; Contigo.
 

Underwater

Album by Ludovico Einaudi,

released January 21, 2022.

Track list:

Luminous; Rolling Like a Ball; Indian Yellow; Flora; Natural Light; Almost June; Swordfish; Wind Song; Atoms; Temple White; Nobody Knows; Underwater.