Napoleon Hill, on imagination and writing:

First comes thought;
then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans;
then transformation of those plans into reality.
The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.
- Napoleon Hill.

Born on this day – Dana Reeve:

 

Dana Reeve

Singer

Actress

March 17, 1961 – March 6, 2006

Credits:

13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2007); ABC News Breakfast (2024); Above Suspicion (1995); Autopsy: The Last Hours of (2019); Christopher Reeve: A Celebration of Hope (1998); Corazón de... (2005 / 2006); Entertainment Tonight (2006–2024); Everyone's Hero (2006); Feds (1997); Freedom: A History of US (2003); Hope in Motion (2007); Howard Stern (2002); In the Gloaming (1997); Larry King Live (2002); Law & Order (1990–1997); Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001); Lifestories: Families in Crisis (1996); Oz (2000); Smallville (2006–2007); Steel Magnolias (1990); Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (2024); Superman Reborn (2025); Superman Returns (2006); The 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1999); The Brooke Ellison Story (2004); The GQ Men of the Year Awards (1997); The Most Fascinating Women of 1996 (1996); The New Medicine (2006); The Oprah Winfrey Show (2005); Vietnam Long Time Coming (1998); Working in the Theatre (1998); You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman (2006).

Author humor:

 

How I look when someone asks me what I’m writing about … and their reaction.

On this day in movie and book history - Straight Time (1978)

Straight Time

directed by Ulu Grosbard and Dustin Hoffman,

written by Alvin Sargent, Edward Bunker and Jeffrey Boam,

based on the novel No Beast So Fierce by Edward Bunker,

was released in the United States on March 17, 1978.

Music by David Shire.

Cast:

Dustin Hoffman, Theresa Russell, Gary Busey, Harry Dean Stanton, M. Emmet Walsh, Rita Taggart, Kathy Bates, Sandy Baron, Jake Busey, Tina Menard, Stephanie Ericsson, Dave Kelly, Don Sommese, Kit Jee Wong, Peter Kwong, Jane Howard, Ronald L. Mellinger, Michael Blakley, John Colton, Edward Bunker, Corey Rand, John Gilgreen, Mary Craven, Peter Jurasik, Enid Hendershot, James Ray, Stuart I. Berton, Barry Cahill, Susan Sherman, Francesca Drown, Emily Le Rue, Ernest Taylor III, Fran Ryan, Bob Jarvis, Mark F. Hill, Mags Kavanaugh, Daniel Nunez, John McKinley Robertson, Mary Margaret Robinson, Deborah Sahagun.

Recommended reading:

No Beast So Fierce

by Edward Bunker.
 
Filmed as Straight Time (1978), directed by Ulu Grosbard and Dustin Hoffman.

Published by NO EXIT PRESS.
First published 1973.
Paperback.

ISBN-10: 1842432664
ISBN-13: 978-1842432662

Description:

“One of the great crime novels.” – James Ellroy.

An angry and mercilessly suspenseful novel about an ex-con's attempt to negotiate the "straight world" and his swan dive back into the paradoxical security of crime. It is airtight in its construction, almost photorealistic in its portrayal of L. A. lowlife and utterly knowledgeable about the terrors of liberty, the high of the quick score and the rage that makes the finger tighten on the trigger of the gun.

Born on this day – Patrick Hamilton:

 

Patrick Hamilton

Writer

March 17, 1904 – September 23, 1962

Credits:
 
Books and plays:
 

Craven House (1926); Gas Light / aka Angel Street (1942); Hangover Square (1941); Impromptu in Moribundia (1939); John Brown's Body (1930); Monday Morning (1925); Money with Menaces (1939); Rope / aka Rope's End (1929); The Charmer / aka Mr Stimpson and Mr Gorse (1953); The Duke in Darkness (1942); The Man Upstairs (1954); The Midnight Bell (1929); The Plains of Cement (1934); The Siege of Pleasure (1932); The Slaves of Solitude (1947); The West Pier (1952); Twopence Coloured (1928); Unknown Assailant (1955).

 

Movies and television:
 

Alta comedia (1971); Anatomie eines Unfalls (1965); Angel Street (1946); Au théâtre ce soir (1971); BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950–1957); Bitter Harvest (1963); Broadway Television Theatre (1952–1953); Craven House (1950); De strop (1965 / 1968); Der Herr im ersten Stock (1957); Drohung bei Mondlicht (1987); El mundo del espectáculo (1979); Encounter (1952–1954); Gas Light (1939 / 1948); Gaslicht (1956 / 1960 / 1962 / 1977); Gaslight (1940 / 1944 / 1947 / 1958 / 1959); Gaslight / Podcast Series (2023); Gaslys (1957); Grande Teatro Tupi (1952–1958); Hangover Square (1945 / 2009); ITV Play of the Week / Angel Street; Rope's End (1957–1960); ITV Television Playhouse (1963); Köysi (1967); Luce a gas (1958 / 1966); Matinee Theatre (1958); Obsession (1966); Ponds Theater (1954); Rope (1939 / 1947 / 1948 / 1953 / 1957 / 2020); Saturday Playhouse (1958); Shell Presents (1959); Suspense (1963); Suspicion (1958); Teatro de misterio (1970); The Charmer (1987); The Duke in Darkness (1948 / 1957); The Ford Theatre Hour (1950); The Governess (1949 / 1957 / 1958); The Man Upstairs (1954); To the Public Danger (1948); To theatro tis Defteras (1981); Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky (2005).

On this day in movie history – Lee Unkrich Presents The Shining (2023)

Lee Unkrich Presents The Shining

A presentation by Lee Unkrich, of his book Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining.

The venue was the David Geffen Theater, The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, in the United States, on March 17, 2023.

Part of the Spotlights series.

Lee Unkrich is the Director, Animator and Editor of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining.

Presentation introduced by Bernardo Rondeau, Senior Director, Film Programs.

After the presentation, a screening of The Shining (1980) was shown to the audience.

Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining.

Written by Lee Unkrich and J. W. Rinzler.
Published by Taschen.

Born on this day – Patty Maloney:

Patty Maloney

Actress

March 17, 1936 – March 31, 2025

Credits:

A.J.'s Time Travelers (1995); Amazing Stories (1985); Barnum (1986); Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979–1980); Casper (1995); Charlie's Angels (1977 / 1979); Cheryl Ladd: Scenes from a Special (1982); Circus (1988); Donny and Marie (1976); Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (1973); Don't Call Us (1976); Dumbo's Circus (1985–1986); Ernest Saves Christmas (1988); Far Out Space Nuts (1975); Fol-de-Rol (1972); Hanlet: Episode 4 & 1/2 - Attack of the Phantom Special (2011); Legend (1995); Little House on the Prairie (1982); Madame's Place (1982); Magic in Midtown: The World of Sid & Marty Krofft (1976); Married... with Children (1990); Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1977); McDonaldland (1988); Mondays with Marty (2021); My Name Is Earl (2005); Nash Bridges (1998); Out of This World (1987); Pac Preview Party (1982); Pearl (1997); Pryor's Place (1984); Punch and Jody (1974); Rhoda (1977); Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School (1988); Short Ribbs (1989); Side Show (1981); Star Trek: Voyager (1996); Swing Shift (1984); Tales from the Crypt (1989–1993); The Addams Family (1991); The Bay City Rollers Meet the Saturday Superstars (1978); The Bay City Rollers Show (1978); The Brady Bunch Variety Hour (1976–1977); The F.B.I. Files (1999); The Flimflam and Gorky Show (2021); The Ice Pirates (1984); The Little Rascals (1982–1983); The Lord of the Rings (1978); The Love Boat (1978); The Mother Goose Video Treasury (1987); The New Batman Adventures (1997); The Smurfs (1984); The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978); Throb (1987); Too Smart for Strangers (1985); Trapper John, M.D. (1984); Twin Falls Idaho (1999); Under the Rainbow (1981); Welcome to Pooh Corner (1983-1984); Zoobilee Zoo (1986).

Today's cat picture

 

Bodhi, our crazy cat, asking for treats.

On this day in television history - Justified (2015)

Justified
Season 6. Episode 9.

Episode entitled: Burned.

Released March 17, 2015.

Directed by Don Kurt.

Written by Graham Yost, Dave Andron, Leonard Chang, Jenny DeArmitt, Keith Schreier.

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, Mary Steenburgen, Justin Welborn, Kaitlyn Dever, Ryan Dorsey, Jeff Fahey, Rick Gomez, Scott Grimes, Jonathan Tucker, Sam Elliott, Jonathan Kowalsky, Jamie Love, Russell Bertolino.

On this day in movie history - John Ford: The Man Who Invented America (2019)

 

John Ford: The Man Who Invented America

documentary directed by Jean-Christophe Klotz,

written by François Bringer and Jean-Christophe Klotz,

was released in Germany on March 17, 2019.

Narrated by Paul Bandey.

Music by Jean-Christophe Klotz.

 
Cast:

Paul Bandey, John Ford, Joseph McBride, Cécile Gornet, Michel Cieutat, Jennifer Ortiz, Fermin Ortiz, Nancy Schoenberger, Darryl F. Zanuck, Dan Ford, Henry Fonda, John Wayne, Angelo Baca, Chale Nafus, Cecil B. DeMille, James Stewart.

On this day in the Star Trek universe - The Next Generation, Discovery, Picard

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1990)

Star Trek: Discovery (2022)

Star Trek: Picard (2022)

Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 3. Episode 17.

Episode entitled: Sins of the Father.

Released March 17, 1990.

Directed by Les Landau.

Written by Ronald D. Moore, W. Reed Moran, Drew Deighan.

Created by Gene Roddenberry.

Music by Dennis McCarthy.

Cast: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, Wil Wheaton, Gates McFadden, Charles Cooper, Tony Todd, Patrick Massett, Thelma Lee, J. Teddy Davis, Rachen Assapiomonwait, Majel Barrett, Michael Braveheart, BJ Davis, Bud Davis, Christopher Doyle, Eben Ham, Mark Lentry, James McElroy, Joseph Michael Roth, Mark Wilson, Natalie Wood.

Star Trek: Discovery
Season 4. Episode 13.

Episode entitled: Coming Home.

Released March 17, 2022.

Directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi.

Created by Bryan Fuller, Alex Kurtzman.

Written by Michelle Paradise, Glenise Mullins, Brandon Schultz, Carlos Cisco.

Based on Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry.

Music by Jeff Russo.

Cast: Sonequa Martin-Green, Doug Jones, Anthony Rapp, Mary Wiseman, Wilson Cruz, Blu del Barrio, Tig Notaro, David Ajala, Oded Fehr, Stacey Abrams, Shawn Doyle, Chelah Horsdal, Tara Rosling, Annabelle Wallis, Hiro Kanagawa, Phumzile Sitole, Emily Coutts, Patrick Kwok-Choon, Oyin Oladejo, Sara Mitich, Orville Cummings, Raven Dauda, David Benjamin Tomlinson, Seamus Patterson, Adrian Walters, Michael Chan, Emmanuel John, Jean-Paul Najm, Fabio Tassone, Robinne Fanfair.

Star Trek: Picard

Season 2. Episode 3.

Episode entitled: Assimilation.

Released March 17, 2022.

Directed by Lea Thompson.

Created by Akiva Goldsman, Michael Chabon, Kirsten Beyer, Alex Kurtzman.

Written by Kiley Rossetter, Christopher Monfette, Matt Okumura, Chris Derrick, Juliana James.

Based on Star Trek: The Next Generation, created by Gene Roddenberry.

Music by Jeff Russo.

Cast: Patrick Stewart, Jeri Ryan, Alison Pill, Annie Wersching, Michelle Hurd, Santiago Cabrera, Evan Evagora, John de Lancie, Jon Jon Briones, Chloé Wepper, Sol Rodriguez, Richard Chiu, Gattlin Griffith, Steve Gutierrez, Matt Kaminsky, Peter Lindstedt, Maggie Pacleb, Marcelo Tubert, Kay Bess, Chris Bores, Floyd Anthony Johns Jr. 

Born on this day – Alfred Newman:

Alfred Newman

Composer

Conductor

March 17, 1900 – February 17, 1970

Credits:

Airport (1970); Firecreek (1968); Camelot (1967); Nevada Smith (1966); The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965); How the West Was Won (1962); The Counterfeit Traitor (1962); State Fair (1962); Flower Drum Song (1961); The Pleasure of His Company (1961); The Best of Everything (1959); The Diary of Anne Frank (1959); A Certain Smile (1958); The Bravados (1958); South Pacific (1958); The Gift of Love (1958); Anastasia (1956); Bus Stop (1956); The King and I (1956); Carousel (1956); Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955); The Seven Year Itch (1955); Daddy Long Legs (1955); A Man Called Peter (1955); There's No Business Like Show Business (1954); The Egyptian (1954); Hell and High Water (1954); The CinemaScope Parade (1954); How to Marry a Millionaire (1953); The Robe (1953); The President's Lady (1953); Call Me Madam (1953); Tonight We Sing (1953); Stars and Stripes Forever (1952); The Prisoner of Zenda (1952); O. Henry's Full House (1952); What Price Glory (1952); Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie (1952); With a Song in My Heart (1952); The Guest (1951); Elopement (1951); Golden Girl (1951); David and Bathsheba (1951); Take Care of My Little Girl (1951); On the Riviera (1951); Fourteen Hours (1951); For Heaven's Sake (1950); All About Eve (1950); No Way Out (1950); Panic in the Streets (1950); The Gunfighter (1950); The Big Lift (1950); Cheaper by the Dozen (1950); When Willie Comes Marching Home (1950); Twelve O'Clock High (1949); Prince of Foxes (1949); Pinky (1949); Thieves' Highway (1949); You're My Everything (1949); Mr. Belvedere Goes to College (1949); Mother Is a Freshman (1949); Down to the Sea in Ships (1949); A Letter to Three Wives (1949); Chicken Every Sunday (1949); Yellow Sky (1948); The Snake Pit (1948); Road House (1948); Cry of the City (1948); That Lady in Ermine (1948); The Walls of Jericho (1948); Deep Waters (1948); Give My Regards to Broadway (1948); Sitting Pretty (1948); Call Northside 777 (1948); Captain from Castile (1947); Gentleman's Agreement (1947); I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now (1947); The Razor's Edge (1946); Margie (1946); Centennial Summer (1946); Dragonwyck (1946); Leave Her to Heaven (1945); The Dolly Sisters (1945); State Fair (1945); A Bell for Adano (1945); A Royal Scandal (1945); A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945); Know Your Ally: Britain (1944); The Keys of the Kingdom (1944); Sunday Dinner for a Soldier (1944); Irish Eyes Are Smiling (1944); Wilson (1944); The Purple Heart (1944); December 7th (1943); The Gang's All Here (1943); The Song of Bernadette (1943); Claudia (1943); Heaven Can Wait (1943); My Friend Flicka (1943); At the Front in North Africa with the U.S. Army (1943); The Moon Is Down (1943); Life Begins at Eight-Thirty (1942); The Black Swan (1942); Springtime in the Rockies (1942); It's Everybody's War (1942); Girl Trouble (1942); The Battle of Midway (1942); Orchestra Wives (1942); The Loves of Edgar Allan Poe (1942); The Pied Piper (1942); Ten Gentlemen from West Point (1942); Why We Fight (1942); This Above All (1942); To the Shores of Tripoli (1942); Secret Agent of Japan (1942); Roxie Hart (1942); Son of Fury: The Story of Benjamin Blake (1942); Ball of Fire (1941); Remember the Day (1941); Rise and Shine (1941); How Green Was My Valley (1941); Week-End in Havana (1941); A Yank in the RAF (1941); Belle Starr (1941); Wild Geese Calling (1941); Charley's Aunt (1941); Moon Over Miami (1941); Man Hunt (1941); Blood and Sand (1941); That Night in Rio (1941); Hudson's Bay (1940); Tin Pan Alley (1940); They Knew What They Wanted (1940); Public Deb No. 1 (1940); The Westerner (1940); Brigham Young (1940); Foreign Correspondent (1940); Maryland (1940); The Mark of Zorro (1940); Earthbound (1940); Lillian Russell (1940); Vigil in the Night (1940); Little Old New York (1940); The Grapes of Wrath (1940); The Blue Bird (1940); Drums Along the Mohawk (1939); The Real Glory (1939); The Rains Came (1939); The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939); The Star Maker (1939); Beau Geste (1939); Young Mr. Lincoln (1939); Wuthering Heights (1939); Gunga Din (1939); They Shall Have Music (1939); The Goldwyn Follies (1938); Trade Winds (1938); The Cowboy and the Lady (1938); Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938); 52nd Street (1937); The Hurricane (1937); The Prisoner of Zenda (1937); Dead End (1937); Stella Dallas (1937); Wee Willie Winkie (1937); Slave Ship (1937); Woman Chases Man (1937); History Is Made at Night (1937); When You're in Love (1937); You Only Live Once (1937); Beloved Enemy (1936); Come and Get It (1936); The Gay Desperado (1936); Ramona (1936); Dodsworth (1936); Dancing Pirate (1936); One Rainy Afternoon (1936); These Three (1936); Strike Me Pink (1936); The Melody Lingers On (1935); Barbary Coast (1935); Red Salute (1935); The Dark Angel (1935); Call of the Wild (1935); Cardinal Richelieu (1935); Les Misérables (1935); The Wedding Night (1935); Folies Bergère de Paris (1935); Clive of India (1935); The Mighty Barnum (1934); Kid Millions (1934); We Live Again (1934); Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round (1934); The Affairs of Cellini (1934); Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back (1934); The Count of Monte Cristo (1934); Our Daily Bread (1934); The Cat's-Paw (1934); Born to Be Bad (1934); The Last Gentleman (1934); Looking for Trouble (1934); The House of Rothschild (1934); Nana (1934); Gallant Lady (1933); Advice to the Forlorn (1933); Roman Scandals (1933); Blood Money (1933); Broadway Thru a Keyhole (1933); The Bowery (1933); The Masquerader (1933); I Cover the Waterfront (1933); Secrets (1933); Hallelujah I'm a Bum (1933); Cynara (1932); Flesh (1932); The Kid from Spain (1932); Rain (1932); Mr. Robinson Crusoe (1932); Movie Crazy (1932); Night World (1932); Sky Devils (1932); The Greeks Had a Word for Them (1932); Cock of the Air (1932); Tonight or Never (1931); Arrowsmith (1931); Corsair (1931); Around the World with Douglas Fairbanks (1931); The Age for Love (1931); The Unholy Garden (1931); Palmy Days (1931); Street Scene (1931); Kiki (1931); The Devil to Pay! (1930).