Roald Dahl, on books:

So please, oh please, we beg, we pray,

go throw your TV set away,
and in its place you can install,
a lovely bookcase on the wall.
– Roald Dahl.

Born on this day – Richard Strauss:

Richard Strauss

Composer

June 11, 1864 – September 8, 1949

Credits:

Compositions:

Allerseelen; Also sprach Zarathustra; An Alpine Symphony; An die Nacht; Arabella; Ariadne auf Naxos; Aus Italien; Befreit; Burleske; Cäcilie; Capriccio; Daphne; Death and Transfiguration; Der Rosenkavalier; Der Rosenkavalier (Suite), TrV 227d, AV 145; Die ägyptische Helena; Die Frau ohne Schatten; Die Liebe der Danae; Die Nacht; Die schweigsame Frau; Don Juan; Don Quixote; Duet concertino for clarinet and bassoon; Ein Heldenleben; Elektra; Epheu; Feuersnot; Four Last Songs; Friedenstag; Guntram; Horn Concerto No. 1; Horn Concerto No. 2; Horn Concertos (Strauss); Im Abendrot; Intermezzo; Josephs Legende; Le bourgeois gentilhomme; Macbeth; Mädchenblumen; Metamorphosen; Oboe Concerto; Salome; Schlagobers; Schlichte Weisen; Sechs Lieder, Op. 68; Serenade; Serenade for Winds; Symphonia Domestica; Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks; Violin Concerto; Zueignung.

Movies and television:

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968); 2010: The Odyssey Continues (1984); 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984); 30 Rock (2009–2012); 31 Minutes (2003–2004); 3rd Rock from the Sun (1997); 0009: The Sharks Make Contact (2019); 0010: The Sharks Make Contact - Part 2 (2019); 11 juli-programma (1962); A Esperança é a Última que Morre (2015); A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (2019); A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries (1998); A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001); Abracadabra (2017); Alain Altinoglu dirige Mozart et Strauss - Festival de Colmar 2023 (2023); All in the Family (1971); AM HQ Weekend (2022); American Crime Story (2018); Amoklauf (1994); April Fool's Day (1986); Arabella (1960 / 1977 / 1984 / 2008 / 2014 / 2023); Ariadne auf Naxos (1965 / 1978 / 2000 / 2001 / 2004 / 2006 / 2014); Ariane (1931); Armação Ilimitada (1985); Arròs covat (2012); Artemisia (1997); Atop the Fourth Wall (2013); Au théâtre ce soir (1984); Barbie (2023); Battle Chess 4000 (1992); BBC Proms (2012); Beauty & the Beat: Tarja Turunen & Mike Terrana (2014); Begone Satan (1973); Being There (1979); Berlin 1936: Games of the XI Olympiad (1936); Beware of My Love (1998); Beyond Ipanema (2013); Big River Man (2009); Black Widow (1954); Blackwater (2023); Blazing Zippers (1976); Bluff Stop (1977); Bones (2016); Boomers (2014); Botschafter der Musik (1952); Brandon's Cult Movie Reviews (2011); Britain's Got More Talent (2016–2019); Britain's Got Talent (2015); Bronson (2008); Brows Held High (2013); Burger Quiz (2020); Caddicarus (2013); Capriccio (1964 / 1976 / 1990 / 1993 / 2004 / 2013 / 2018); Cars 3 (2017); Cartoon Sushi (1997); Casino (1995); Cassandra/Elektra (2010); Catch-22 (1970); CBS News Sunday Morning with Jane Pauley (2021); Chapter Three (1971); Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005); Chicken Invaders (1999); Cinemassacre 101 (2002); Civilisation (1969); Claudio Abbado: Die Stille nach der Musik (1998); Clueless (1995); Coda (1987); Color Me Kubrick (2005); Commedia dell'arte (1986); Concert for a Rat (1995); Continue? (2012); Cosmic Scrat-tastrophe (2015); Daddy Day Care (2003); Damsels in Distress (2011); Daphne (1964 / 2004 / 2005); Darah Muda (1963); Das Wahlergebnis (1987); DC's Legends of Tomorrow (2017); Death to Smoochy (2002); Der Bürger als Edelmann (1969); Der Paradiesgarten (1970); Der Rosenkavalier (1949 / 1961 / 1979 / 1984 / 1985 / 1994 / 1998 / 2004 / 2007 / 2009 / 2011 / 2015 / 2020); Designing Women (1991–1992); Die Frau ohne Schatten (1963 / 1992 / 1994 / 2011 / 2013); Die Fremde aus Paris (1961); Die Schweigsame Frau (1972 / 2007); Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau: La voix de l'âme (1995); Dina chez les rois (1968); Dispatches (2007); Domino Day (2008); Don Juan Tenorio (1952); DON'T Do This Math at Home! (2025); Dorbees: Making Decisions (1998); Dougal and the Blue Cat (1970); Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999); Dzi Croquettes (2009); Eika Katappa (1969); Elektra (1970 / 1981 / 1989 / 1994 / 2005 / 2010 / 2020); Elektra, tragédie en un acte (2013); Elisabeth Heller: Die Jahrhundertfrau (2012); Elvis (2022); Eternity (2016); Eugene Ormandy Conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra (1978); Evening at Symphony (1975); Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022); Fairy Tail (2010); Fan des années 90 (2011); Festival (1961); Feuersnot (1964); Fitzcarraldo (1982); Flow State (2012); For All Mankind (1989); Forza Horizon 3 (2016); Franco Ferrara - Il maestro caduto dal podio (2013); Fruit Stairs (2005); Full House (1987); Fun with Dick and Jane (1977); Funny Show Part Two: The Video - Movie (2012); Futurama (2000–2003); Gabriel Iglesias: Stadium Fluffy (2022); Galaxina (1980); Garbage People: The Movie (2025); Gatti Strauss Salome - Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (2017); Ghosts (2020); Gintberg på kanten (2012); Godard Mon Amour (2017); Good Luck! Ninomiya-kun (2007); Good Morning Britain (2018); Granada Reports (2018); Great Performances (1995 / 2004); Greater (2016); Grigorian & Salonen (2025); Growing Pains (1990); Guardians of the Galaxy (2017); Happy! (2018); Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004); Harvie and the Magic Museum (2017); Heartbreak Hotel (1988); Helmut (2026); Help! My In-Laws Are Vampires! (2021); Hermann Hesse - Brennender Sommer (2020); Hermann Prey singt Lieder von... (1963–1964); History Rings True: Red Sox Opening Day Ring Ceremony (2005); Hollywood (2020); Hollywood in Vienna (2016); Homo Erectus (2007); Hope@Home (2020); Hot Stuff (1979); Hot Tub Britain (2014); House of Villains (2023); House! (2000); Howard Goodall's Story of Music (2013); Hype House (2022); I Dreamed of Africa (2000); Ice Age: Collision Course (2016); I'm a Celebrity... Extra Camp (2017); Im Olymp der Kunst (2013); Imagine Uma Menina Com Cabelos De Brasil... (2010); Inspector Morse (1991); Instant Hotel (2019); Intermezzo (1963 / 1983); Invasion of the Bee Girls (1973); Invincible (2023); Island of Lemurs: Madagascar (2014); Jackass Number Two (2006); Jeopardy! (2010); Joint Venture (2019); Karl Böhm bei den Proben zu 'Don Juan' (1970); Karlsbad und das böhmische Bäderdreieck (2011); Kikoriki: Legend of the Golden Dragon (2016); Komi Can't Communicate (2022); Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016); Kuustudio (1969); L.A. Law (1992–1993); La femme sans ombre (1980); La neuvième (2004); Land der Berge (2015); Land of the Lost (2009); Last Night (1963); Le mirage (1992); Le miroir à trois faces: Don Juan (1965); Le miroir à trois faces: Hérodiade (1967); L'étrangère (2006); Limitless (2015); Little Sisters (1972); LittleBigPlanet 2 (2011); Lopey (2024); Lords of Dogtown (2005); Lost Love (2003); Love & Other Drugs (2010); Love Is Colder Than Death (1969); Love Stinks (1999); Mad (2011); Mad Dogs and Englishmen (1995); Magnolia (1999); Man on the Moon (1999); Mana: Beyond Belief (2004); Mandy (2022); Mascara (1987); Met Stars Live in Concert (2020); Michael Francis dirigiert Richard Strauss und Gustav Holst - Technik Museum Speyer (2023); Midsomer Murders (2010); Mike & Mike (2014); Milo Murphy's Law (2017); Misfits (2010); Monty Python Live (Mostly) (2014); Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982); Monty Python's Flying Circus (1970); Moonraker (1979); Moonwalkers (2015); Mother of George (2013); MTV: n juhlakonsertti (1977); München (1938); Music on 2 (1970); Music, passion, sharing (2003); My Favorite Martian (1999); My Friend Nietzsche (2012); Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1989–2018); MythBusters (2016); NBC Television Opera Theatre (1953–1955); Neon Genesis Evangelion: ReDeath (2000); New World Symphony Wallcast Concert 7 (2011); New World Symphony Wallcast Tm Concert 7 (2013); New York Philharmonic Young People's Concerts (1958–1971); New York Philharmonic Young People's Concerts (1968); Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards '04 (2004); Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014); Norlela (1962); Nostalgia Critic (2007); Official Revenge of the Nerds Parody (2011); Olympia Part One: Festival of the Nations (1938); Omnibus (1970); Once Upon a Time in Jersey (2025); One Foot in the Grave (2000); One More Time (1970); Onegai My Melody (2005); Orange Juice in Bishop's Garden (2011); Palace Hill (1991); Panorama Blue (1974); Pastor Mike Online (2013); Perfect Strangers (1990); Perfectly Normal (1990); Peter Strohm (1991); Phettbergs nette Leit Show (1994); Philharmoniker (1944); Phineas and Ferb (2011–2012); Piazza Fellini (2011); Planet 51 (2009); Pledge Sister (1973); Prestige de la musique (1964–1971); Priscilla (2023); Q5 (1979); QI: na vse máme odpoved (2013); Rapport fra Nr. 24 (1994); Rebound (2005); Revenge of the Boarding School Dropouts (2009); Richard Strauss - Kein Heldenleben (1979); Richard Strauss - Skizze eines Lebens (2014); Richard Strauss im Zwielicht - Der Komponist und das Dritte Reich Richard Strauss: am ende des Regenbogens (2015); Richard Strauss: Ariadne Auf Naxos, Opera in One Act, Op. 60 (Original Version) (2012); Richard Strauss: Der Risenkavalier (2014); Richard Strauss: Die schweigsame Frau - Staatsoper unter den Linden, Berlin (2025); Richard Strauss: Salome - Staatsoper Hamburg (2023); Ring of Steel (1994); Ripping Yarns (1979); Rising Storm (1989); Robot Chicken (2011); Robot Chicken: Star Wars (2007); Romanticism in Music (1961); Romeo (1990); Room 237 (2012); Royal Rumble (1993 / 2002); Rude Tube (2009–2012); S.F.W. (1994); Salome (1957 / 1960 / 1970 / 1972 / 1975 / 1989 / 1990 / 1992 / 1995 / 1997 / 2008 / 2012 / 2019); Salzburger Festspiele (2020); Satisfaction (1974); Saturday Night Live (1978–1991); Schlagobers (1964); Schwaz (2002); Scoob! (2020); Screenplay (1986); Seaside Special (1976); Semi-Pro (2008); Seref Bey (2021); Serenade (1956); Seven Veils (2023); Sharri (2024); Shaun the Sheep: Adventures from Mossy Bottom (2020); Sidonie in Japan (2023); Simple Simon (2010); Slow Horses (2022); Small Soldiers (1998); Smurfily Ever After (1985); Some Jerk with a Camera (2011); Souperman (1976); South Park (2023); Space Ghost Coast to Coast (1996); Space Oddity (2001); Spise med Price (2010); Spore (2008); Squish Story (1996); Stargate Universe (2011); Stargirl (2020); Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos (1969); Strauss: Elektra (2016 / 2021); Strauss: Salome (2007 / 2010); Stupid (2004); Survival (1975); Swingersi (2020); Sydney White (2007); Sykes (1972); T in the Park 2010 (2010); Tarkan: Viking Kani (1971); The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania (2009); The Accidental Death of Joey by Sue (2010); The Accompanist (1992); The Amazing Bulk (2012); The Amazing World of Gumball (2013); The Angry Video Game Nerd (2008); The Answer to the Lost Riddle (2009); The Bad Education Movie (2015); The Bear (2024); The Best of IWA Wrestling Vol. 1 (2005); The Big Bang Theory (2008–2016); The Big Bus (1976); The Blackout (2013); The Boys in the Boat (2023); The Cine-Masochist (2018); The Den (2013); The Epic That Never Was (1965); The Ferals (1995); The First $20 Million Is Always the Hardest (2002); The Forevers (2020); The Frank Rosenthal Show (1977); The Gaming Historian (2011); The Guardians (1971); The Hours (2002); The Imaginary (2023); The Infinite Variety of Music (1959); The Island (1980); The Killer Inside Me (2010); The Knight of the Rose (1925); The Last Elvis (2012); The Late Debate (2024); The Legacy (2009); he Lobster (2015); The Magic Roundabout (2004); The Magic School Bus (1994–1995); The Magicians Dreams (2020); The Man Between (1953); The Mark of Beauty (2013); The Masked Singer (2022); The Metropolitan Opera HD Live (2008–2025); The Metropolitan Opera Presents (1994–2022); The Morecambe & Wise Show (1970); The Munsters (2022); The New Guy (2002); The Omen (2006); The Patrick Star Show (2023); The Pirates! Band of Misfits (2012); The Power of Nightmares (2004); The Projectionist (1970); The Ren & Stimpy Show (1993–1995); The Restaurant (2019); The Rita Panahi Show (2024); The Rugrats Movie (1998); The Salzburg Festival (2006); The Santa Clauses (2022); The Scarred Crest (1964); The Seven Ages of Elvis (2017); The Simpsons (1991–2017); The Simpsons Movie (2007); The Sky on Location (1983); The Smurfs (1981–1987); The Stöned Age (1994); The Story of Tracy Beaker (2003); The Strawberry Statement (1970); The Substance (2024); The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2015); The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (2011–2013); The Trip to Greece (2020); The Trip to Italy (2014); The Wonder Years (1990); The World's Greatest Magic (1994); The Worst Movies of All Time (2021); The X Factor UK (2016); The Year of Living Dangerously (1982); The Young Hitchikers (1971); Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould (1993); This Is My Life (1992); Thomas & Friends (2017); Thomas Bernhard - Die Kunstnaturkatastrophe (2011); Threads (1984); Three Daring Daughters (1948); Thunderpants (2002); To Build a Better Mousetrap (1999); Top Gear (2007); Toy Story 2 (1999); Troldspejlet (2000); Turkey and Cheese Sandwiches (2010); Turner & Hooch (1989); TwentyFourSeven (1997); U Are the Universe (2024); Udo Proksch: Out of Control (2010); Uit Den Ouden Doos (2013); Under the Volcano (1984); Unsound (2007); Von Reinhardt bis Karajan - 50 Jahre Salzburger Festspiele (1970); Waking Up in Reno (2002); WALL·E (2008); Wallace and Gromit's World of Invention (2010); Waxwork II: Lost in Time (1992); What Happened on the Moon? - An Investigation Into Apollo (2000); What's Up Doc? (1994); Who's Your Daddy? (2002); Wild at Heart (1990); Win or Lose (2025); Wir sind Kaiser (2007); Women in Love (2011); Wonderstruck (2017); World of Tomorrow (2015); WrestleMania 22 (2006); WrestleMania X8 (2002); WrestleMania XIX (2003); WrestleMania XXIV (2008); WWE Backlash (2006); WWE Raw (2005); WWE Raw 2: Ruthless Aggression (2003); WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth (2002); WWF Royal Rumble (1993); Yogi Bear (2010); Young Einstein (1988); Young Sheldon (2018–2021); Yudum Yudum Sev (1979); Zoolander (2001).

Born on this day – Virginia Brissac:

 

Virginia Brissac

Actress

June 11, 1883 – July 26, 1979

Credits:

The Disaster Artist (2017); These Amazing Shadows (2011); The Lone Wolf (1954–1955); Rebel Without a Cause (1955); Studio 57 (1955); Mayor of the Town (1954); Crown Theatre with Gloria Swanson (1953–1954); About Mrs. Leslie (1954); I Love Lucy (1954); The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse (1953–1954); Ma and Pa Kettle at Home (1954); Phantom of the Rue Morgue (1954); Executive Suite (1954); Dragnet (1953); Chevron Theatre (1953); Your Favorite Story (1953); All I Desire (1953); Bandits of Corsica (1953); Meet Me at the Fair (1953); Fair Wind to Java (1953); Woman of the North Country (1952); Bugles in the Afternoon (1952); Racket Squad (1952); Flame of Araby (1951); Two of a Kind (1951); Stars Over Hollywood (1951); Three Guys Named Mike (1951); Operation Pacific (1951); Harriet Craig (1950); Edge of Doom (1950); Cheaper by the Dozen (1950); No Man of Her Own (1950); Tension (1949); The Doolins of Oklahoma (1949); Mother Is a Freshman (1949); The Last Bandit (1949); An Act of Murder (1948); The Snake Pit (1948); The Untamed Breed (1948); Old Los Angeles (1948); The Mating of Millie (1948); Summer Holiday (1948); Three Daring Daughters (1948); Captain from Castile (1947); Secret Beyond the Door... (1947); Monsieur Verdoux (1947); Pursued (1947); Sister Kenny (1946); The Mysterious Mr. Valentine (1946); The Mysterious Mr. M (1946); Hot Cargo (1946); Renegades (1946); The Daltons Ride Again (1945); Why Girls Leave Home (1945); The Dolly Sisters (1945); That Night with You (1945); State Fair (1945); Bewitched (1945); Captain Eddie (1945); That's the Spirit (1945); Thrill of a Romance (1945); Three's a Crowd (1945); The Scarlet Clue (1945); G.I. Honeymoon (1945); A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945); Night Club Girl (1945); Together Again (1944); Faces in the Fog (1944); Bowery to Broadway (1944); Marriage Is a Private Affair (1944); Sing, Neighbor, Sing (1944); Song of the Open Road (1944); This Is the Life (1944); Phantom Lady (1944); Moonlight in Vermont (1943); The Crime Doctor's Strangest Case (1943); My Kingdom for a Cook (1943); The Iron Major (1943); Someone to Remember (1943); The Hard Way (1943); Shadow of a Doubt (1943); Mug Town (1942); Star Spangled Rhythm (1942); Lucky Jordan (1942); The Mummy's Tomb (1942); Get Hep to Love (1942); The Big Shot (1942); Tough As They Come (1942); Take a Letter, Darling (1942); Lady Gangster (1942); Remember the Day (1941); They Died with Their Boots On (1941); Appointment for Love (1941); One Foot in Heaven (1941); Unfinished Business (1941); The Little Foxes (1941); Dressed to Kill (1941); Bad Men of Missouri (1941); The Nurse's Secret (1941); Washington Melodrama (1941); The Great Lie (1941); Chad Hanna (1940); Lady with Red Hair (1940); Always a Bride (1940); Strike Up the Band (1940); Hired Wife (1940); All This, and Heaven Too (1940); Wagons Westward (1940); Cinderella's Feller (1940); The Ghost Breakers (1940); Alias the Deacon (1940); If I Had My Way (1940); It's a Date (1940); Little Orvie (1940); The House Across the Bay (1940); Black Friday (1940); Little Old New York (1940); Remember the Night (1939); The Cisco Kid and the Lady (1939); A Child Is Born (1939); Destry Rides Again (1939); First Love (1939); Parents on Trial (1939); Think First (1939); Stop, Look and Love (1939); I Stole a Million (1939); The Forgotten Woman (1939); Invitation to Happiness (1939); Young Mr. Lincoln (1939); They Shall Have Music (1939); Dark Victory (1939); Woman Doctor (1939); Wings of the Navy (1939); Jesse James (1939); Up the River (1938); Secrets of a Nurse (1938); Young Dr. Kildare (1938); Gateway (1938); The Magician's Daughter (1938); Delinquent Parents (1938); The Bad Man of Brimstone (1937); The Man in the Barn (1937); The Adventurous Blonde (1937); Idol of the Crowds (1937); Give Till It Hurts (1937); Artist and Models (1937); White Bondage (1937); Mountain Justice (1937); Stolen Holiday (1937); Love Letters of a Star (1936); Down the Stretch (1936); The Texas Rangers (1936); The Song of a Nation (1936); The Big Noise (1936); We Went to College (1936); Counterfeit (1936); Murder by an Aristocrat (1936); Three Godfathers (1936); Two Against the World (1936); Honeymoon Limited (1935); Hawaiian Love (1913); The Shark God (1913).

Born on this day – Jules Sylvain:

 

Jules Sylvain

Composer

Screenwriter

Musician

June 11, 1900 – October 29, 1968

Born on this day – Carmine Coppola:

Carmine Coppola

Composer

Flautist

Pianist

Songwriter

June 11, 1910 – April 26, 1991

 

Born on this day – Jane Bryan:

 

Jane Bryan

Actress

Philanthropist

Arts patron

June 11, 1918 – April 8, 2009

Credits:

A Slight Case of Murder (1938); AFI Life Achievement Award (1974); Breakdowns of 1937 (1937); Brother Rat (1938); Brother Rat and a Baby (1940); Confession (1937); Each Dawn I Die (1939); Girls on Probation (1938); Invisible Stripes (1939); Kid Galahad (1937); Marked Woman (1937); Murderers, Mobsters & Madmen: Fatal Females (1992); TCM Remembers 2009 (2009); The Captain's Kid (1936); The Case of the Black Cat (1936); The Cherokee Strip (1937); The Man Who Dared (1939); The Old Maid (1939); The Sisters (1938); These Glamour Girls (1939); Under Southern Stars (1937); We Are Not Alone (1939).

Born on this day – Robert Hutton:

 

Robert Hutton

Actor

June 11, 1920 – August 7, 1994

Born on this day – Arlette Poirier:

 

Arlette Poirier

Actress

June 11, 1926 – May 30, 2012

Born on this day – Ellen Schwiers:

 

Ellen Schwiers

Actress

June 11, 1930 – April 26, 2019

Born on this day – Gene Wilder:

Gene Wilder

Actor

Comedian

Writer

Director

June 11, 1933 – August 29, 2016

Born on this day – Annabella Incontrera:

 

Annabella Incontrera

Actress

June 11, 1943 – September 19, 2004

Born on this day – Marie Gruber:

 

Marie Gruber

Actress

June 11, 1955 – February 8, 2018

On this day in movie and book history - True Grit (1969)

True Grit

directed by Henry Hathaway,

written by Marguerite Roberts,

based on the novel by Charles Portis,

was released in the United States on June 11, 1969.

Music by Elmer Bernstein.

Cast:

John Wayne, Glen Campbell, Kim Darby, Jeremy Slate, Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper, Alfred Ryder, Strother Martin, Jeff Corey, Ron Soble, John Fiedler, James Westerfield, John Doucette, Donald Woods, Edith Atwater, Carlos Rivas, Isabel Boniface, H.W. Gim, John Pickard, Elizabeth Harrower, Ken Renard, Jay Ripley, Kenneth Becker, Leon Alton, Wilford Brimley, Forest Burns, Albert Cavens, Gene Coogan, Myron Healey, James McEachin, Dennis McMullen, Boyd ‘Red’ Morgan, Robin Morse, Edna O’Dell, John Pedrini, General Sterling Price (Ginger Cat), Stuart Randall, Clark Ross, Connie Sawyer, Jeffrey Sayre, Jay Silverheels, Dean Smith, Max Wagner.

Recommended reading:

 

True Grit

by Charles Portis.

Filmed as True Grit (1969), directed by Henry Hathaway.

Published by The Overlook Press.

First published 1968.

ISBN-10: 159020459X

ISBN-13: 9781590204597
 
Description:

“Quite simply, an American masterpiece.” – Boston Globe.

“Charles Portis had a wonderful talent—original, quirky, exciting.” – Larry McMurtry.

Charles Portis has long been acclaimed as one of America’s most enduring and incomparable literary voices, and his novels have left an indelible mark on the American canon. True Grit, his most famous novel, was first published in 1968, and has garnered critical acclaim as well as enthusiastic praise from countless passionate fans for more than 50 years.

True Grit tells the story of Mattie Ross, who is just 14 when the coward Tom Chaney shoots her father in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and robs him of his life, his horse, and $150 in cash. Filled with an unwavering urge to avenge her father’s blood, Mattie finds and, after some tenacious finagling, enlists one-eyed Rooster Cogburn, the meanest available US Marshal, as her partner in pursuit, and they head off into Indian Territory after the killer.

True Grit is essential reading. Not just a classic Western, but an undeniable classic of American literature as eccentric, cool, funny, and unflinching as Mattie Ross herself. For fans of either the John Wayne classic or the Coen brothers’ movie, it’s a chance to relive the story of Mattie and Rooster and experience their story as it was originally told. For fans of taut, funny storytelling, it will be a joy to experience in its original form.

This edition includes an afterword by bestselling author Donna Tartt (The Secret History and The Goldfinch) and a reading group guide.

On this day in movie history - Night Moves (1975)

Night Moves

directed by Arthur Penn,

written by Alan Sharp,

was released in the United States on June 11, 1975.

Music by Michael Small.

Cast:

Gene Hackman, Susan Clark, Jennifer Warren, Edward Binns, Harris Yulin, Kenneth Mars, Janet Ward, James Woods, Anthony Costello, John Crawford, Melanie Griffith, Ben Archibek.

On this day in movie history - Bronco Billy (1980)

Bronco Billy

directed by Clint Eastwood,

written by Dennis Hackin,

was released in the United States on June 11, 1980.

Music by Snuff Garrett.

Cast:

Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Geoffrey Lewis, Scatman Crothers, Bill McKinney, Sam Bottoms, Dan Vadis, Sierra Pecheur, Walter Barnes, Woodrow Parfrey, Beverlee McKinsey, Doug McGrath, Hank Worden, William Prince, Pam Abbas, Eyde Byrde, Douglas Copsey, John Wesley Elliott Jr., Chuck Hicks, Bob Hoy, Jefferson Jewell, Dawneen Lee, Don Mummert, Lloyd Nelson, George Orrison, Michael Reinbold, Tessa Richarde, Cha Cha Sandoval-McMahon, Valerie Shanks, Sharon Sherlock, James Simmerman, Roger Dale Simmons, Jenny Sternling, Chuck Waters, Jerry Wills, Diablo Dean, Scott Atkins, Alison Eastwood, Kyle Eastwood, Scott Glatt III, Merle Haggard, Danny Jensen, R.C. Keene, Juliette Lewis, David Reed, Thomas Iloe Rose, Arlis Tranmer, George Wendt, Gayla Wilson-Corbin.