On this day in movie history - Moonstruck (1988)

Moonstruck

directed by Norman Jewison,

written by John Patrick Shanley,

was released in the United States on January 15, 1988.

Music by Dick Hyman.

Cast:

Cher, Nicolas Cage, Olympia Dukakis, Vincent Gardenia, Danny Aiello, Julie Bovasso, Louis Guss, John Mahoney, Feodor Chaliapin Jr., Anita Gillette, Leonardo Cimino, Paula Trueman, Nada Despotovich, Joe Grifasi, Gina DeAngeles, Robin Bartlett, Helen Hanft, David S. Howard, Robert Weil.

On this day in movie and book history - The Hurricane (1999)

The Hurricane

directed by Norman Jewison,

written by Armyan Bernstein and Dan Gordon,

was released in the United States on December 14, 1999.

Based on the books:

The Sixteenth Round by Rubin “Hurricane” Carter

and

Lazarus and the Hurricane by Sam Chaiton and Terry Swinton.

Music by Jeremy Sweet and Christopher Young.

Cast:

Denzel Washington, Vicellous Shannon, Deborah Kara Unger, Liev Schreiber, John Hannah, Dan Hedaya, Debbi Morgan, Clancy Brown, David Paymer, Harris Yulin, Rod Steiger, Badja Djola, Al Waxman, David Lansbury, Garland Whitt, Chuck Cooper, Brenda Denmark, Marcia Bennett, Beatrice Winde, Mitchell Taylor Jr., Bill Raymond, Merwin Goldsmith, John A. MacKay, Donnique Privott, Moynan King, Gary DeWitt Marshall, John Christopher Jones, Gwendolyn McCann, Richard M. Davidson, George T. Odom, Tonye Patano, Fulvio Cecere, Phillip Jarrett, Rodney ‘Bear’ Jackson, Judi Embden, Terry Claybon, Ben Hernandez Bray, Mike Justus, Kenneth McGregor, Frank Proctor, Peter Wylie, David Wm Gray, Joe Matheson, Bill Lake, Robin Ward, Harry Davis, Pippa Pearthree, Jean Daigle, Rob Evans, Scott Gibson, Ann Holloway, Bruce McFee, Conrad Bergschneider, Satori Shakoor, Zoran Radusinovic, Stephen Lee Wright, Michael Bodnar, Carson Manning, Debrah Ellen Waller, Richard Litt, Adam Large, Peter Graham, George Masswohl, Lawrence Sacco, David Frisch, Ralph Brown, Dyron Holmes, Ryan Williams, Bruce Vavrina, Brenda Braxton, Christopher Riordan, Guy Ale, Muhammad Ali, Ellen Burstyn, Kevin Carrigan, Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter, Bob Dylan, Joe Frazier, Vinson German, Matt Graver, Michael Harkins, David Headon, Robert Mauzell, Alex Oliveira, Craig Snoyer, David Sparrow, Michael Stevens.

Recommended reading - The Sixteenth Round & Lazarus and the Hurricane

Both books filmed as The Hurricane (1999), directed by Norman Jewison.

The Sixteenth Round

From Number 1 Contender to Number 45472

by Rubin “Hurricane” Carter. 

First published 1974.

Published by Chicago Review Press.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 1569765677

ISBN-13: 978-1569765678

Description:

A document of life lived in the center of hell. – Sports Illustrated.

When they come to list the greatest boxers, Hurrican's name isn't likely to pop up in the Top 10. But when they come to list the greatest figures of the 20th century, he'll be alone at the peak. – Boston Globe.

A shocking, savage and brilliant indictment of racial injustice and the inhumanity of the prison. – Globe and Mail.

Carter's scorching and poetic autobiography. – Toronto Sun.

Rubin "Hurricane" Carter was riding a wave of success. The survivor of a difficult youth, he rose to become a top contender for the middleweight boxing crown. But his career crashed to a halt on May 26, 1967, when he and another man were found guilty of the murder of three white people and sentenced to three consecutive life terms. Written from prison and first published in 1974, The Sixteenth Round chronicles Hurricane's journey from the ring to solitary confinement. The book was his cry for help to the public, an attempt to set the record straight and force a new trial. Bob Dylan wrote his classic anthem "Hurricane" about his struggle, and Muhammad Ali and thousands of others took up his cause. The power of Carter's voice, as well as his ironic humor, makes this an eloquent, soul-stirring account of a remarkable life.

Lazarus and the Hurricane

The Freeing of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter

by Sam Chaiton and Terry Swinton.

First published 1991.

Published by St. Martin's Griffin.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 0312253974

ISBN-13: 978-0312253974

Description:

A moving chronicle of the seven-year-battle to free boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter from wrongful imprisonment reveals the role of a group of Canadians in winning Carter's release.

On this day in movie history - Send Me No Flowers (1964)

Send Me No Flowers

directed by Norman Jewison,

written by Julius Epstein,

based on the play by Norman Barasch and Carroll Moore,

was released in the United States on October 14, 1964.

Music by Frank De Vol.

Cast:

Doris Day, Rock Hudson, Tony Randall, Paul Lynde, Clint Walker, Hal March, Edward Andrews, Clive Clerk, Patricia Barry, Dave Willock.

On this day in movie history - And Justice for All (1979)

And Justice for All

directed by Norman Jewison, and written by Valerie Curtin and Barry Levinson,

was released in the United States on September 15, 1979.

Music by Dave Grusin.

Cast:

Al Pacino, Jack Warden, John Forsythe, Lee Strasberg, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Lahti, Sam Levene, Robert Christian, Thomas Waites, Larry Bryggman, Craig T. Nelson, Dominic Chianese, Victor Arnold, Vincent Beck, Michael Gorrin, Baxter Harris, Joe Morton, Alan North, Tom Quinn, Beverly Sanders, Connie Sawyer, Charles Siebert, Robert Symonds, Keith Andes.

On this day in movie history - In the Heat of the Night (1967)

In the Heat of the Night

directed by Norman Jewison,

written by Stirling Silliphant, and based on the novel by John Ball,

was released in the United States on August 2, 1967.

Music by Quincy Jones.

Theme song In the Heat of the Night written by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman.

Sung by Ray Charles.

Cast:

Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates, Lee Grant, Larry Gates, James Patterson, William Schallert, Beah Richards, Peter Whitney, Kermit Murdock, Larry D. Mann, Matt Clark, Arthur Malet, Fred Stewart, Quentin Dean, Scott Wilson, Timothy Scott, William C. Watson, Eldon Quick, Stuart Nisbet, Khalil Bezaleel, Peter Masterson, Jester Hairston, Phil Adams, Nikita Knatz, Sam Reese, Anthony James, Clegg Hoyt, Alan Oppenheimer, Buzz Barton.

Born on this day – Norman Jewison:

Noman Jewison

Director

Producer

Writer

Founder of the Canadian Film Centre

July 21, 1926 – January 20, 2023

James Caan (left) and Norman Jewison (right), on the set of Rollerball (1975).

Olympia Dukakis (left) and Norman Jewison (right), on the set of Moonstruck (1987).

Denzel Washington (left) and Norman Jewison (right), on the set of The Hurricane (1999).

Credits:

The Statement (2003); Two Nudes Bathing (2001); Dinner with Friends (2001); Walter and Henry (2001); The 20th Century: Funny Is Money (1999); The Hurricane (1999); An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn (1997); The Rez (1996); Bogus (1996); Picture Windows (1994–1995); Dance Me Outside (1994); Only You (1994); Geronimo (1993); Other People's Money (1991); In Country (1989); The January Man (1989); Moonstruck (1987); Agnes of God (1985); Iceman (1984); A Soldier's Story (1984); Best Friends (1982); The 53rd Annual Academy Awards (1981); The Dogs of War (1980); And Justice for All (1979); F.I.S.T. (1978); Rollerball (1975); Billy Two Hats (1974); Jesus Christ Superstar (1973); Fiddler on the Roof (1971); The Landlord (1970); Gaily, Gaily (1969); The Thomas Crown Affair (1968); In the Heat of the Night (1967); The Stupids (1996); The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming (1966); The Cincinnati Kid (1965); The Art of Love (1965); Send Me No Flowers (1964); The Thrill of It All (1963); The Judy Garland Show (1962–1964); 40 Pounds of Trouble (1962); The Broadway of Lerner and Loewe (1962); The Million Dollar Incident (1961); Bulova Watch Time with Pat Boone (1961); Belafonte, New York 19 (1960); An Hour with Danny Kaye (1960); The Secret World of Eddie Hodges (1960); The Fabulous Fifties (1960); The Revlon Revue (1959); The Big Party (1959); The Chevy Showroom Starring Andy Williams (1959); Your Hit Parade (1950–1958); The Adventures of Chich (1958); The Barris Beat (1956); The Wayne & Shuster Show (1955); The Denny Vaughan Show (1954); On Stage (1954); The Big Revue (1952); Let's See (1952); Canadian Pacific (1949).

On this day in movie history - The Thrill of It All (1963)

The Thrill of It All

directed by Norman Jewison,

written by Carl Reiner,

based on a story by Larry Gelbart,

was released in the United States on July 17, 1963.

Music by Frank De Vol.

Cast:

Doris Day, James Garner, Arlene Francis, Edward Andrews, Reginald Owen, ZaSu Pitts, Elliott Reid, Alice Pearce, Kym Karath, Brian Nash, Lucy Landau, Paul Hartman, Burt Mustin, Carl Reiner.