René Descartes, on books:

 

The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries.

- René Descartes.

Recommended reading - Killer in the Rain

 

Killer in the Rain

by Raymond Chandler.
 
Published by Ballantine Books.
First published 1964.
Mass Market Paperback.

ISBN-10: 0345320204
ISBN-13: 978-0345320209
 
Description:
 
Anything Chandler writes about grips the mind from the first sentence. – Daily Telegraph.
 
One of the greatest crime writers, who set standards others still try to attain. – Sunday Times.

Chandler is an original stylist, creator of a character as immortal as Sherlock Holmes. – Anthony Burgess.
 
Killer in the Rain collects together eight classic short stories by Raymond Chandler.

It was in the pulp detective magazines of the 1930s that Raymond Chandler's definitive take on the hard-boiled detective story first appeared.

Here then, from the well-thumbed pages of 'Black Mask' and 'Dime Detective Magazine', are eight of his finest stories including 'The Man Who Liked Dogs', 'The Lady in the Lake' and 'Bay City Blues'.

Sharper than a hoodlum's switchblade, more exciting than an unexpected red-head and stronger than a double shot of whisky, they are packed full of the punchy poetry and laconic wit that makes Chandler the undisputed master of his genre.

Best-known as the creator of the original private eye, Philip Marlowe, Raymond 

Chandler was born in Chicago in 1888 and died in 1959.

Many of his books have been adapted for the screen, and he is widely regarded as one of the very greatest writers of detective fiction.

His books include The Big Sleep, The Little Sister, Farewell, My Lovely, The Long Good-bye, The Lady in the Lake, Playback, Killer in the Rain, The High Window and Trouble is My Business.

Born on this day – Edith Wharton:

 

Edith Wharton

Writer

Designer

January 24, 1862 – August 11, 1937

Credits:

Books:

A Backward Glance (1934); A Motor-Flight Through France (1908); A Son at the Front (1923); Artemis to Actaeon and Other Verse (1909); Bunner Sisters (1916); Certain People (1930); Crucial Instances (1901); Edith Wharton Abroad: Selected Travel Writings: 1888–1920 (1995); Edith Wharton: The Uncollected Critical Writings (1996); Ethan Frome (1911); Fast and Loose: A Novelette (1938); Fighting France: From Dunkerque to Belfort (1915); French Ways and Their Meaning (1919); Ghosts (1937); Here and Beyond (1926); Hudson River Bracketed (1929); Human Nature (1933); In Morocco (1920); Italian Backgrounds (1905); Italian Villas and Their Gardens (1904); Madame de Treymes (1907); Madame de Treymes and Others: Four Novelettes (1970); Old New York (1924); Roman Fever and Other Stories (1964); Sanctuary (1903); Shadow of a Doubt (1901); Summer (1917); Tales of Men and Ghosts (1910); The Age of Innocence (1920); The Book of the Homeless (1916); The Buccaneers (1938); The Children (1928); The Collected Stories of Edith Wharton (1998); The Cruise of the Vanadis (1910); The Custom of the Country (1913); The Decoration of Houses (1897); The Descent of Man and Other Stories (1904); The Fruit of the Tree (1907); The Ghost Stories of Edith Wharton (1973); The Glimpses of the Moon (1922); The Gods Arrive (1932); The Greater Inclination (1899); The Hermit and the Wild Woman and Other Stories (1908); The House of Mirth (1905); The Marne (1918); The Mother's Recompense (1925); The New York Stories of Edith Wharton (2007); The Old Maid (1924); The Reef (1912); The Spinster (1921); The Touchstone (1900); The Valley of Decision (1902); The World Over (1936); The Writing of Fiction (1925); Twelve Poems (1926); Twilight Sleep (1927); Verses (1878); Xingu and Other Stories (1916).

Movies and television:

The Buccaneers (2023); Roman Fever (2014); Life (2011); Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome (2010); The House of Mirth (2000); Passion's Way (1999); The Buccaneers (1995); The Age of Innocence (1993); Ethan Frome (1992); The Children (1990); Shades of Darkness (1983); Great Performances (1971); The House of Mirth (1981); The DuPont Show of the Month (1960); Matinee Theatre / The House of Mirth (1955–1956); Ponds Theater (1954); General Electric Theater (1953); Goodyear Playhouse (1952); Lights Out / Pomegranate Seed (1951); The Ford Theatre Hour (1951); Starlight Theatre (1950); The Old Maid (1939); Strange Wives (1934); The Age of Innocence (1934); The Marriage Playground (1929); The Age of Innocence (1924); The Glimpses of the Moon (1923); The House of Mirth (1918).

Born on this day – Henry King:

 

Henry King

Actor

Director

Producer

January 24, 1886 – June 29, 1982

Credits:

23 1/2 Hours' Leave (1919); A Bell for Adano (1945); A Bolt from the Sky (1915); A False Friend (1913); A Fugitive from Matrimony (1919); A Game of Wits (1917); A Mexican Tragedy (1913); A Midnight Call (1913); A Perilous Ride (1913); A Romance of the Ozarks (1913); A Sporting Chance (1919); A Tenderfoot Hero (1913); A Woman's Heart (1913); A Yank in the RAF (1941); Abide with Me (1914); Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938); All the World to Nothing (1918); An Actor's Strategy (1913); Any Woman (1925); Back to Primitive (1913); Beauty and the Rogue (1918); Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925); Big Brother (1916); Bitter Sweets (1914); Black Beauty (1913); Blue Blood and Yellow (1915); Brass Buttons (1919); By Impulse (1913); Called Back (1914); Captain from Castile (1947); Carolina (1934); Carousel (1956); Chad Hanna (1940); Crooked Road (1916); David and Bathsheba (1951); Deep Waters (1948); Dice of Destiny (1920); Eyes That Cannot See (1915); Faith's Reward (1916); For Her Brother's Sake (1913); For the Commonwealth (1915); Fury (1923); Harbor (1930); Haunting Shadows (1919); Hearts or Diamonds? (1918); Hell Harbor (1930); Help Wanted - Male (1920); Her Atonement (1913); Her Father (1913); His Excellency (1914); His Last Crooked Deal (1913); Hobbs in a Hurry (1918); Houses of Glass (1915); I Loved You Wednesday (1933); I'd Climb the Highest Mountain (1951); In Humble Guise (1915); In Old Chicago (1938); In the Hands of the Law (1917); Jesse James (1939); Jim's Reward (1913); Joy and the Dragon (1916); King of the Khyber Rifles (1953); King Social Briars (1918); Letters Entangled (1915); Life, Love and Liberty (1913); Lightnin' (1930); Little Mary Sunshine (1916); Little Old New York (1940); Lloyd's of London (1936); Love and War in Mexico (1913); Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955); Magic Melody (1913); Margie (1946); Marie Galante (1934); Maryland (1940); Melita's Sacrifice (1913); Merely Mary Ann (1931); My Lips Betray (1933); Nerve (1914); O. Henry's Full House (1952); One Hour Before Dawn (1920); One More Spring (1935); Over the Hill (1931); Partners Again (1926); Pay Dirt (1916); Powers That Prey (1918); Prince of Foxes (1949); Ramona (1936); Remember the Day (1941); Romola (1924); Sackcloth and Scarlet (1925); Sacrificial Fires (1914); Salvage (1921); Saved from Himself (1915); Scepter of Suspicion (1917); Seventh Heaven (1937); Shadows and Sunshine (1916); She Goes to War (1929); Should a Wife Forgive? (1915); Six Feet Four (1919); Social Briars (1918); Some Liar (1919); Sonny (1922); Souls in Pawn (1917); Southern Pride (1917); Stanley and Livingstone (1939); State Fair (1933); Stella Dallas (1925); Sunshine and Gold (1917); Tender Is the Night (1962); The Acid Test (1915); The Apache Kid (1913); The Birthmark (1913); The Black Swan (1942); The Bliss of Ignorance (1915); The Bond Boy (1922); The Bravados (1958); The Breed of the West (1913); The Bride's Silence (1917); The Burden Bearer (1913); The Butterfly (1915); The Camera's Testimony (1913); The Climber (1917); The Country Doctor (1936); The Coveted Heritage (1914); The Crooked Road (1916); The Cruise of the Hell Ship (1914); The Devil's Bait (1917); The Dolls of Intrigue (1915); The Dream of Loco Juan (1914); The Eternal Duel (1914); The Eyes of the World (1930); The Fallen Standard (1915); The Fruit of Folly (1915); The Ghost of Rosy Taylor (1918); The Gunfighter (1950); The Imprint (1914); The Legend of Lovers Leap (1913); The Locked Heart (1918); The Love Liar (1915); The Magic Flame (1927); The Maid of the Wild (1915); The Mainspring (1917); The Mask (1914); The Mate of the Sally Ann (1917); The Mate of the Schooner 'Sadie' (1913); The Measure of a Man (1914); The Medal of Honor (1913); The Message of the Rose (1913); The Mistress of Shenstone (1921); The Moth and the Flame (1913); The Mysterious Hand (1913); The Nemesis (1915); The Oath of Hate (1916); The Outlaw's Gratitude (1913); The Padre's Strategy (1913); The Path of Sorrow (1913); The Pomp of Earth (1915); The Power of Evil (1916); The Power of Print (1914); The Price of Fame (1915); The Pursuit of Pleasure (1915); The Rat (1914); The Sand Lark (1916); The Sands of Life (1914); The Seventh Day (1922); The Silver Lining (1914); The Snows of Kilimanjaro (1952); The Song of Bernadette (1943); The Split Nugget (1913); The Stained Pearl (1916); The Sting of the Lash (1921); The Stranger (1914); The Sun Also Rises (1957); The Test of Manhood (1914); The Tomboy (1915); The Unexpected (1914); The White Dove (1920); The White Sister (1923); The Will o' the Wisp (1914); The Winning of Barbara Worth (1926); The Woman Disputed (1928); The Woman in Room 13 (1932); This Earth Is Mine (1959); This Hero Stuff (1919); To Love and Cherish (1913); Today and Tomorrow (1915); Toil and Tyranny (1915); Tol'able David (1921); Told at Twilight (1917); Turning the Table (1913); Twelve O'Clock High (1949); Twin Kiddies (1917); Uncharted Channels (1920); Untamed (1955); Unto Herself Alone (1915); Up Romance Road (1918); Vengeance of the Dead (1917); Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie (1952); Way Down East (1935); When a Man Rides Alone (1919); When Brothers Go to War (1913); When Fate Was Kind (1914); When He Sees (1913); When Justice Sleeps (1915); When Might Is Right (1916); When the Clock Stopped (1913); When We Were 21 (1921); Where the West Begins (1919); Who Knows? (1916); Who Pays? (1915); Wilson (1944); You've Got to Pay (1913).

Born on this day – Gladys Lehman:

Gladys Lehman

Writer

January 24, 1892 – April 7, 1993

Credits:

20th Century Fox Promotional Film (1936); A Lady Surrenders (1930); A Message to Garcia (1936); Captain January (1936); Back Street (1932); Blondie Brings Up Baby (1939); Broadway Scandals (1929); Clear the Decks (1929); Death Takes a Holiday (1934); Double Door (1934); Hired Wife (1940); His Lucky Day (1929); Hold Me Tight (1933); In Old Kentucky (1935); Embarrassing Moments (1930); Enter Madame! (1934); Fast and Furious / Red Hot Speed (1928); George White's 1935 Scandals (1935); Golden Girl (1951); Good Girls Go to Paris (1939); Her First Beau (1941); Her Highness and the Bellboy (1945); It's a Small World (1935); La voluntad del muerto (1930); Poor Little Rich Girl (1936); Presenting Lily Mars (1943); Reunion (1936); Little Accident (1930); Little Miss Marker (1934); Lux Video Theatre (1956); Luxury Liner (1948); Meet Joe Black (1998); Mexicali Rose (1929); Midnight Madonna (1937); Nice Girl? (1941); Nice Women (1931); On Your Toes (1927); Out All Night (1927); The Broadway Hoofer (1929); The Cat Creeps (1930); The County Chairman (1935); Papa sans le savoir (1932); Personality (1930); Rio Rita (1942); Seed (1931); White Woman (1933); She Married an Artist (1937); Slave Ship (1937); Song and Dance Man (1936); Sorrowful Jones (1949); Strictly Dishonorable (1931); The Fall of Eve (1929); The Ice Flood (1926); The Lady Objects (1938); The Shield of Honor (1927); The Thin Man (1959); There's Always a Woman (1938); There's That Woman Again (1938); They Just Had to Get Married (1932); This Time for Keeps (1947); Thrill of a Romance (1945); Two Girls and a Sailor (1944).

Born on this day – Viora Daniel:

Viora Daniel

Actress

January 24, 1902 – May 9, 1980

Credits:

Bulldog Pluck (1927); One Chance in a Million (1927); Quarantined Rivals (1927); Old Shoes (1925); The Cowboy and the Lady (1922); The Son of a Sheik (1922); Cold Feet (1922); 'Twas Ever Thus (1922); Saturday Night (1922); A Barnyard Cavalier (1922); Be My Wife (1921); A Pair of Sexes (1921); In for Life (1921); Let Me Explain (1921); The Easy Road (1921); The Life of the Party (1920); The Fourteenth Man (1920); The Sins of St. Anthony (1920); Thou Art the Man (1920); Young Mrs. Winthrop (1920).

Born on this day – Ernest Borgnine:

Ernest Borgnine

Actor

January 24, 1917 – July 8, 2012

Credits:

SpongeBob SquarePants (1999–2012); The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez (2012); Snatched (2011); Love's Christmas Journey (2011); SpongeBob SquarePants: Heroes of Bikini Bottom (2011); The Lion of Judah (2011); Night Club (2011); Another Harvest Moon (2010); RED (2010); The Genesis Code (2010); Enemy Mind (2010); SpongeBob's Boating Bash (2010); The Wishing Well (2009); SpongeBob's Truth or Square (2009); ER (1994); The Prologue to Houdini Magic's Expert at the Card Table (2008); Frozen Stupid (2008); Aces 'N' Eights (2008); Strange Wilderness (2008); A Grandpa for Christmas (2007); Oliviero Rising (2007); La cura del gorilla (2006); That One Summer (2005); Rail Kings (2005); 3 Below (2005); The Blue Light (2004); Barn Red (2004); The Trail to Hope Rose (2004); Renegade (2004); The Long Ride Home (2003); The District (2000); Whiplash (2002); September 11 (2002); Family Law (1999); 7th Heaven (1996); Touched by an Angel (1994); SpongeBob SquarePants: SuperSponge (2001); The Kiss of Debt (2000); Castle Rock (2000); Hoover (2000); Walker, Texas Ranger (1993); The Last Great Ride (2000); Chicken Soup for the Soul (1999); The Lost Treasure of Sawtooth Island (1999); Shadows of the Past (1999); Early Edition (1996); An All Dogs Christmas Carol (1998); All Dogs Go to Heaven: The Series (1996); Mel (1998); 12 Bucks (1998); BASEketball (1998); Small Soldiers (1998); JAG (1995); Gattaca (1997); McHale's Navy (1997); The Single Guy (1995); Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders (1996); Pinky and the Brain (1995); All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 (1996); Captiva Island (1995); Veterinarian Christine II: The Temptation (1995); Outlaws: The Legend of O.B. Taggart (1995); The Commish (1991); Spirit of the Season (1994); Der blaue Diamant (1993); Verinarian Christine (1993); The Simpsons (1989); Mistress (1992); Home Improvement (1991); Mountain of Diamonds (1991); The Last Match (1991); Tides of War (1990); Any Man's Death (1990); Ocean (1989); Laser Mission (1989); Jake and the Fatman (1987); Jake Spanner, Private Eye (1989); Real Men Don't Eat Gummi Bears (1989); The Big Turnaround (1988); Moving Target (1988); Bensonhurst (1988); Qualcuno pagherà (1988); Skeleton Coast (1988); The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission (1988); Treasure Island in Outer Space (1987); The Dirty Dozen: The Deadly Mission (1987); Murder, She Wrote (1984); Highway to Heaven (1984); Airwolf (1984–1986); Alice in Wonderland (1985); The Dirty Dozen: Next Mission (1985); The Manhunt (1984); Love Leads the Way: A True Story (1984); Code Name: Wild Geese (1984); The Last Days of Pompeii (1984); Masquerade (1983); Carpool (1983); Young Warriors (1983); Blood Feud (1983); Matt Houston (1982); Magnum, P.I. (1980); The Love Boat (1977); Deadly Blessing (1981); High Risk (1981); Escape from New York (1981); Super Fuzz (1980); When Time Ran Out... (1980); The Black Hole (1979); All Quiet on the Western Front (1979); The Double McGuffin (1979); Ravagers (1979); Convoy (1978); Cops and Robin (1978); The Ghost of Flight 401 (1978); Crossed Swords (1977); The Greatest (1977); Future Cop (1976); Fire (1977); Jesus of Nazareth (1977); Holiday Hookers (1976); Shoot (1976); Hustle (1975); The Devil's Rain (1975); Little House on the Prairie (1974); Sunday in the Country (1974); Law and Disorder (1974); Twice in a Lifetime (1974); Legend in Granite (1973); The Neptune Factor (1973); Emperor of the North (1973); The Poseidon Adventure (1972); The Revengers (1972); The Boxer (1972); The Trackers (1971); Hannie Caulder (1971); Bunny O'Hare (1971); Rain for a Dusty Summer (1971); Willard (1971); Who Killed the Mysterious Mr. Foster? (1971); Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came (1970); The Adventurers (1970); A Bullet for Sandoval (1969); The Wild Bunch (1969); The Split (1968); Ice Station Zebra (1968); The Legend of Lylah Clare (1968); Get Smart (1965); The Dirty Dozen (1967); Chuka (1967); Run for Your Life (1965); Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963); McHale's Navy (1962); The Oscar (1966); The Flight of the Phoenix (1965); Wagon Train (1957); McHale's Navy (1964); General Electric Theater (1953); Alcoa Premiere (1961); Barabbas (1961); I briganti italiani (1961); Il re di Poggioreale (1961); The Last Judgment (1961); The Blue Angels (1960); Go Naked in the World (1961); Laramie (1959); Zane Grey Theatre (1956); Pay or Die! (1960); Man on a String (1960); Season of Passion (1959); The Rabbit Trap (1959); Torpedo Run (1958); The Badlanders (1958); The Vikings (1958); Schlitz Playhouse (1951); The O. Henry Playhouse (1957); Three Brave Men (1956); The Best Things in Life Are Free (1956); The Catered Affair (1956); Jubal (1956); The Square Jungle (1955); The Last Command (1955); Violent Saturday (1955); Run for Cover (1955); Marty (1955); Fireside Theatre (1949); Bad Day at Black Rock (1955); The Lone Wolf (1954); Vera Cruz (1954); The Bounty Hunter (1954); Waterfront (1954); Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954); Johnny Guitar (1954); The Ford Television Theatre (1952); The Danny Thomas Show (1953); From Here to Eternity (1953); The Stranger Wore a Gun (1953); Rocky King, Detective (1950); Kraft Theatre (1947); Shadow of the Cloak (1951); Goodyear Playhouse (1951); The Mob (1951); Captain  and His  Rangers (1949); The Whistle at Eaton Falls (1951); China Corsair (1951).

Born on this day – Coleman Francis:

Coleman Francis

Actor

Writer

Director

January 24, 1919 – January 15, 1973

Credits:

The Dirtiest Game (1970); Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970); Body Fever (1969); The Lemon Grove Kids Meet the Monsters (1968); The Last American Hobo (1967); P.J. (1967); Red Zone Cuba (1966); Motorpsycho! (1965); The Thrill Killers (1964); The Skydivers (1963); Tales of Wells Fargo (1961); The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961); The Rifleman (1961); Spring Affair (1960); Cimarron (1960); The Jailbreakers (1960); From the Terrace (1960); The Man and the Challenge (1960); M Squad (1960); Tombstone Territory (1960); Goodyear Theatre (1960); Highway Patrol (1959); Dragnet (1957–1959); T-Bird Gang (1959); The Book of Acts Series: The Old Testament Scriptures (1958); Twilight for the Gods (1958); Stakeout on Dope Street (1958); The Book of Acts Series (1957); Sergeant Preston of the Yukon (1955–1957); The Phantom Stagecoach (1957); Burden of Truth (1957); Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe (1955); This Island Earth (1955); Killers from Space (1954); She Couldn't Say No (1953); Scarlet Angel (1952); The Girl in White (1952); Leadville Gunslinger (1952); The Tattooed Stranger (1950).

Born on this day – Kip Anderson:

 

Kip Anderson

Blues singer

Pianist

Songwriter

January 24, 1938 – August 29, 2007

Credits:

Music:

A Dog Don't Wear No Shoes (1992); A Knife and a Fork (1993); Blue Moon / Unchained Melody (1967); Frozen Heart / Abide in Me (1969); I Can't / I'll Get Along (1965); I Could'a Been Sleepin' / He Never Left Me Alone (1989); I Feel Good / I Will Cry (1961); I Get Carried Away / Here I Am, Try Me (1965); I Wanna Be the Only One / Making Tracks (1959); I Wanna Be the Only One / The Home Fires Are Brighter After All (1959); If That Don't Make You Cry / Without a Woman (1966); Jesus Sings with Me (Part 1) / Jesus Sings with Me (Part 2) (1988); Letter From my Darling / Watch You Work it Out (1968); Oh My Linda / 'Til Your Love is Mine (1960); Take It Like a Man / A Knife and a Fork (1967); Tell Her I Love Her / Woman How Do You Make Me Love You Like I Do (1965); That's All I Can Do / I Went Off and Cried (1968); That's When the Crying Begins / I Done You Wrong (1964); You'll Lose a Good Thing / I'm Out of Love (1967); Your Sweetness Is My Weakness / A Dog Don't Wear No Shoes (1992).

On this day in movie history - La Notte (1961)

 

La Notte

a.k.a. The Night

directed by Michelangelo Antonioni,

written by Michelangelo Antonioni, Ennio Flaiano and Tonino Guerra,

was released in Italy on January 24, 1961.

Music by Giorgio Gaslini.

Cast:

Marcello Mastroianni, Jeanne Moreau, Monica Vitti, Bernhard Wicki, Rosy Mazzacurati, Maria Pia Luzi, Guido A. Marsan, Vittorio Bertolini, Vincenzo Corbella, Ugo Fortunati, Gitt Magrini, Giorgio Negro, Roberta Speroni, Valentino Bompiani, Roberto Danesi, Umberto Eco, Giansiro Ferrata, Giorgio Gaslini, Alceo Guatelli, Odile Jean, Ottiero Ottieri, Salvatore Quasimodo, Ettore Univelli, Eraldo Volonté.

On this day in television history - M Squad (1958)

 

M Squad
Season 1. Episode 18.

Episode entitled: The Long Ride.

Released January 24, 1958.

Directed by David Rich.

Written by Merwin Gerard.

Music by Stanley Wilson.

 
Cast:

Lee Marvin, Joe Maross, Nancy Hale, Benny Baker, Ann Morrison, Tiger Fafara, Frank J. Scannell, William Lally, Gordon Mills, Frank Sully, Clark Howat, David Gorcey, Don Blackman.

On this day in television history - Justified (2012)

Justified
Season 3. Episode 2.

Episode entitled: Cut Ties.

Released January 24, 2012.

Directed by Michael Watkins.

Written by Graham Yost, Benjamin Cavell, Nichelle Tramble Spellman, Ingrid 

Escajeda, Ryan Farley and Jon Worley.

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

Music by Steve Porcaro.

Cast:

Timothy Olyphant, Nick Searcy, Joelle Carter, Jacob Pitts, Erica Tazel, Natalie Zea, Walton Goggins, Mykelti Williamson, Jeremy Davies, Clayne Crawford, Michael Harding, Damon Herriman, Frank John Hughes, Bonnie Root, Todd Stashwick, Lenny Citrano, Demetrius Grosse, Cleavon McClendon, Carla Gugino, Justin Cuomo, Rachel Eggleston, Mel Fair, David Fernandez Jr., Peter Gantenbein, Derrick L. McMillon, Hector Atreyu Ruiz, Maura Soden.