Monday, January 5, 2026

Born on this day – Jane Wyman:


Jane Wyman


Actress

January 5, 1917 – September 10, 2007

Credits:
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993); Falcon Crest (1981); Charlie's Angels (1976); The Love Boat (1977); The Incredible Journey of Doctor Meg Laurel (1979); Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law (1971); The Bold Ones: The New Doctors (1969); Amanda Fallon (1973); The Sixth Sense (1972); The Failing of Raymond (1971); Insight (1960); My Three Sons (1960); How to Commit Marriage (1969); The Red Skelton Hour (1951); Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963); Wagon Train (1957); Bon Voyage! (1962); The Investigators (1961); Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (1958); Checkmate (1960); Pollyanna (1960); Holiday for Lovers (1959); Lux Playhouse (1958); Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theatre (1955); Miracle in the Rain (1956); Lucy Gallant (1955); All That Heaven Allows (1955); General Electric Theater (1953); Summer Playhouse (1954); Magnificent Obsession (1954); So Big (1953); Let's Do It Again (1953); Just for You (1952); Campbell Summer Soundstage (1952); The Story of Will Rogers (1952); Starlift (1951); The Blue Veil (1951); Here Comes the Groom (1951); Three Guys Named Mike (1951); The Glass Menagerie (1950); Stage Fright (1950); The Lady Takes a Sailor (1949); It's a Great Feeling (1949); A Kiss in the Dark (1949); Johnny Belinda (1948); Magic Town (1947); Cheyenne (1947); The Yearling (1946); Night and Day (1946); One More Tomorrow (1946); The Lost Weekend (1945); Hollywood Canteen (1944); Crime by Night (1944); The Doughgirls (1944); Make Your Own Bed (1944); Princess O'Rourke (1943); Footlight Serenade (1942); My Favorite Spy (1942); Larceny, Inc (1942); You're in the Army Now (1941); The Body Disappears (1941); Bad Men of Missouri (1941); Honeymoon for Three (1941); Tugboat Annie Sails Again (1940); My Love Came Back (1940); Gambling on the High Seas (1940); Flight Angels (1940); An Angel from Texas (1940); Alice in Movieland (1940); Brother Rat and a Baby (1940); Private Detective (1939); Kid Nightingale (1939); Torchy Blane.. Playing with Dynamite (1939); The Kid from Kokomo (1939); Tail Spin (1939); Brother Rat (1938); The Crowd Roars (1938); Wide Open Faces (1938); Fools for Scandal (1938); He Couldn't Say No (1938); The Spy Ring (1938); Over the Goal (1937); Mr. Dodd Takes the Air (1937); The Singing Marine (1937); Little Pioneer (1937); Slim (1937); Public Wedding (1937); The King and the Chorus Girl (1937); Ready, Willing and Able (1937); Smart Blonde (1937); Gold Diggers of 1937 (1936); Polo Joe (1936); The Sunday Round-Up (1936); Here Comes Carter (1936); Cain and Mabel (1936); Stage Struck (1936); My Man Godfrey (1936); Bengal Tiger (1936); Anything Goes (1936); King of Burlesque (1936); Freshman Love (1935); Broadway Hostess (1935); Stolen Harmony (1935); George White's 1935 Scandals (1935); All the King's Horses (1935); Rumba (1935); College Rhythm (1934); Harold Teen (1934); Elmer, the Great (1933); The Kid from Spain (1932).

Born on this day – Maurizio Pollini:


Maurizio Pollini


Pianist

Conductor

Actor

January 5, 1942 – March 23, 2024
Credits:
 
Albums:
 
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.5; Beethoven: Piano Sonata Nos.13, 14 & 15; Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos.17 "The Tempest", 21 "Waldstein", 25 & 26 "Les Adieux"; Beethoven: Symphony No.6 "Pastorale"; Choral Fantasy; Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage; BRAHMS Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 83, IJB 83: I. Allegro non troppo; Brahms: Piano Concerto No.1; Brahms: Piano Quintet Op.34; Chopin: Etudes; Préludes; Polonaises; Chopin: Scherzi; Berceuse; Barcarolle; Edmond Appia, Maurizio Pollini & Orchestre de la Suisse Romande; FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN; Liszt: Sonata in B minor; Nuages gris; Unstern! Sinistre; La lugubre gondola; R.W.-Venezia; Manzoni: Masse: Omaggio a Edgard Varèse / Schoenberg: Kammersymphonie op.9; Maurizio Pollini & Frédéric Chopin; Maurizio Pollini & Ludwig van Beethoven; Maurizio Pollini, Berliner Philharmoniker & Claudio Abbado; Maurizio Pollini, Berliner Philharmoniker & Giuseppe Sinopoli; Maurizio Pollini, Johannes Brahms & Quartetto Italiano; Maurizio Pollini, Johannes Brahms, Wiener Philharmoniker & Karl Böhm; Maurizio Pollini, Wiener Philharmoniker & Karl Böhm; Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 23 & 19; Schoenberg: The Piano Music; Schubert: Piano Sonatas D958 & D959; Schubert: The Late Piano Sonatas D 958, 959 & 960; 3 Piano Pieces D 946; Allegretto D 915; Schumann: Piano Concerto Op.54 / Schoenberg: Piano Concerto Op.42; Schumann: Piano Concerto; Symphonic Etudes; Schumann: Sonata for Piano Op.11; Fantasia Op.17; Wiener Philharmoniker, Claudio Abbado, Maurizio Pollini, Gabriela Lechner, Gretchen Eder, Elisabeth Mach, Jorge Pita, Andreas Esders, Gerhard Eder, Wiener Staatsopernchor & Walter Hagen-Groll.
 
Movies, television and video:
 
Che tempo che fa (2009); Freunde fürs Leben (1999); Maurizio Pollini & Christian Thielemann: Brahms Piano Concerto No.1 (2013); Maurizio Pollini spielt Beethoven (2020); Maurizio Pollini: De Main De Maître (2014); Music on 2 (1972); Mythos Mozart - Musik für die Welt (2006); Récital Maurizio Pollini (2012); The Lively Arts (1976).

Born on this day – Diane Keaton:


Diane Keaton


Actress

Director

Producer

January 5, 1946 – October 11, 2025 
Credits:
100 Years at the Movies (1994); 10th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2004); 2020 Writers Guild West Awards (2020); 3rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (1997); 48 Hours (2004); 5 Flights Up (2014); 50 Years of Funny Females (1995); 71st Golden Globe Awards (2014); A Breath of Fresh Air with Jon and Nkechi (2010); ABC News Breakfast (2024); ABC's Wide World of Sports (1974); Access Hollywood (2022–2023); AFI Life Achievement Award (1994–2018); Ali-Frazier I: One Nation... Divisible (2000); Allen v. Farrow (2021); Amelia Earhart: The Final Flight (1994); American Masters (2009 / 2011); And So It Goes (2014); Annie Hall (1977); Arena (1977); Arthur's Whisky (2024); Baby Boom (1987); Because I Said So (2007); Belinda Carlisle: Heaven Is a Place on Earth (1987); Belinda Carlisle: I Get Weak (1988); Belinda Carlisle: Runaway Videos (1990); Biography (2003–2008); Book Club (2018); Book Club: The Next Chapter (2023); Bravo Profiles: The Entertainment Business (1998); CBS Mornings (2005); CBS News Sunday Morning with Jane Pauley (2024); CBS Schoolbreak Special (1990); Celebrity Page (2017 / 2018); Charlie Rose (2003–2011); Chelsea Lately (2013–2014); China Beach (1990); Chris Plante: The Right Squad (2023); Corazón de... (2005 / 2006); Crimes of the Heart (1986); Crossed Over (2002); Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000); Darling Companion (2012); De película (1987); De qué te ríes (2006); Die Goldene Kamera (2014); Discovering Film (2020); E! True Hollywood Story (2005–2008); El oficio de actor (2005); Elephant (2003); Ellie Parker (2005); Entertainment Tonight (1999–2023); Everything Is Copy (2015); Extra (2014–2018); Facing Ali (2009); Father of the Bride (1991); Father of the Bride Part 3 (ish) (2020); Father of the Bride Part II (1995); Fight of the Century (1971); Film… (1995–2004); Final Cut: The Making and Unmaking of Heaven's Gate (2004); Finding Dory (2016); For the Love of Spock (2016); Front Row (2017); Gala Paramount Pictures Celebrates 90th Anniversary with 90 Stars for 90 Years (2002); Glenn Beck (2009); Good Morning America (2004–2022); Green Eggs and Ham (2019–2022); Hair, Let the Sun Shine In (2007); Hampstead (2017); Hanging Up (2000); Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976); HBO First Look (2000); Heart of the Festival (2002); Heaven (1987); Hollywood First Look (2022); Hollywood Insider (2020–2022); Hollywood Mavericks (1990); Hollywood: The Gift of Laughter (1982); Hollywood's Diamond Jubilee (1978); Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief (2010); I Am Divine (2013); I Will... I Will... For Now (1976); Inside Edition (2015–2020); Interiors (1978); Intimate Portrait (2001); Janela Indiscreta (2014); Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2017–2019); Justin Bieber: Ghost (2021); Kinotipp (2011); Larry King Live (2000–2008); Late Night with David Letterman (1985–1987); Late Show with David Letterman (2008); Leonardo DiCaprio: In His Own Words (1998); Leute heute (2022); Live with Kelly and Mark (2014); Look Who's Talking Now (1993); Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977); Loose Women (2018); Los 10 magníficos (2008); Love and Death (1975); Love the Coopers (2015); Love, American Style / Segment: Love and the Pen Pals (1970); Love, Weddings & Other Disasters (2020); Lovers and Other Strangers (1970); Mack & Rita (2022); Mad Money (2008); Made in Hollywood (2019); Mama's Boy (2007); Manhattan (1979); Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993); Mannix (1971); Marvin's Room (1996); Maury (1996–1998); Maybe I Do (2023); Maynard Dixon: Art and Spirit (2007); Men of Crisis: The Harvey Wallinger Story (1972); Monty and the Movies (2025); Morning Glory (2010); Mrs. Soffel (1984); Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight (2013); Mundo VIP (1997); Music Box (2021); New Mexico Rising! (2023); Night Gallery / Segment: Room with a View (1970); Night of 100 Stars (1982); Northern Lights (1997); Oh What a Time It Was (1999); On Thin Ice (2003); On-Air with Ryan Seacrest (2004); Oscar's Greatest Moments (1992); Pasadena (2001–2002); Plan B (2001); Play It Again, Sam (1972); Poms (2019); Rachael Ray (2008); Radio Days (1987); Reds (1981); RTL Nachtjournal (1995); Running Mates (1992); ScreenSlam (2015); Sensational Shocking Wonderful Wacky 70's (1980); Shoot the Moon (1982); Siskel & Ebert (1995); Sister Mary Explains It All (2001); Sleeper (1973); Smother (2008); Something's Gotta Give (2003); Stand Up to Cancer (2008); Steve! (Martin): A Documentary in 2 Pieces (2024); Summer Camp (2024); Surrender, Dorothy (2005); Terminal Impact (2004); The 16th Annual CableACE Awards (1994); The 21st Annual Women in Film Crystal Awards (1997); The 23rd Annual Tony Awards (1969); The 36th Annual Kennedy Center Honors (2013); The 37th Annual Kennedy Center Honors (2014); The 48th Annual Academy Awards (1976); The 50th Annual Academy Awards (1978); The 51st Annual Academy Awards (1979); The 51st Annual Golden Globe Awards (1994); The 54th Annual Academy Awards (1982); The 59th Annual Academy Awards (1987); The 61st Annual Golden Globe Awards (2004); The 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards 2005 (2005); The 65th Annual Academy Awards (1993); The 69th Annual Academy Awards (1997); The 72nd Annual Academy Awards (2000); The 76th Annual Academy Awards (2004); The 79th Annual Academy Awards (2007); The 80th Annual Academy Awards (2008); The Annual AFI Awards (2002); The Annual Hollywood Film Awards (2003); The Annual National Board of Review Awards (2004); The Annual Oceana Partners Awards Gala (2008); The Annual Women in Film Crystal and Lucy Awards (2007); The Big Wedding (2013); The Big Weekend Show (2025); The Daily Show (2011); The Dick Cavett Show (1972–1982); The Dr. Oz Show (2014); The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003–2022); The F.B.I. (1971); The Factor (2008); The Family Stone (2005); The Family Stone: Behind the Scenes (2006); The Film Society of Lincoln Center Annual Gala Tribute to Diane Keaton (2007); The First Wives Club (1996); The Godfather (1972); The Godfather Family: A Look Inside (1990); The Godfather Part II (1974); The Godfather Part III (1990); The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (1992); The Godfather: A Novel for Television (1977); The Godfather: Behind the Scenes (1971); The Good Mother (1988); The Graham Norton Show (2017); The History of Comedy (2017); The Insider (2014–2017); The Kelly Clarkson Show (2023); The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts (2011 / 2010 / 2009 / 2008 / 2006 / 2003); The Late Late Show with James Corden (2018); The Lemon Sisters (1989); The Little Drummer Girl (1984); The Making of 'Hanging Up' (2000); The Making of 'Mrs. Soffel' (1984); The Mark Twain Prize: Steve Martin (2005); The Martin Short Show (1999); The Masterpiece That Almost Wasn't (2008); The Merv Griffin Show (1969–1970); The Mike Douglas Show (1974–1976); The Movies (2019); The New Pope (2020); The Only Thrill (1997); The Oprah Winfrey Show (2000); The Oscars (2020); The Other Sister (1999); The Reichen Show (2005); The Talk (2015); The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014); The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1971–1975); The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1993–2013); The Very Very Best of the 70s (2019–2020); The View (2014–2023); The Wizard of Malta (1981); The Young Pope (2016); Thom Browne: The Man Who Tailors Dreams (2024); Thrilla in Manila (2008); Tilda (2011); Tinseltown TV (2004); Today (1985–2023); Town & Country (2001); Tu cara me suena - Argentina (2014); Twin Peaks (1991); Unforgettable (2010); Unstrung Heroes (1995); Up Close (1978); Wanna Bet? (2014); Weekend Breakfast (2025); What Does Dorrie Want? (1982); Wildflower (1991).

On this day in movie history – The Purple Gang (1960)


The Purple Gang (1959)


directed by Frank McDonald

written by Jack DeWitt

was released in the United States on January 5, 1960.

Music by Paul Dunlap.


Cast:
Barry Sullivan, Robert Blake, Elaine Edwards, Marc Cavell, Jody Lawrance, Suzanne Ridgway, Joe Turkel, Victor Creatore, Paul Dubov, Ray Boyle, Kathleen Lockhart, Nestor Paiva, Lou Krugman, Robert Anderson, Mauritz Hugo, James Roosevelt.

On this day in the Star Trek universe - Star Trek (1967, 1968), The Next Generation (1991)

Star Trek
Season 1. Episode 16.

Episode entitled: The Galileo Seven.

Released January 5, 1967.

Directed by Robert Gist.

Written by Oliver Crawford, Shimon Wincelberg / S. Bar-David.

Created by Gene Roddenberry.

Music by Alexander Courage.

Cast:
William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols, DeForest Kelley, Don Marshall, James Doohan, George Takei, John Crawford, Peter Marko, Phyllis Douglas, Rees Vaughn, Grant Woods, Robert 'Big Buck' Maffei, David L. Ross, Majel Barrett, Bill Blackburn, Frank da Vinci, Eddie Paskey, Ron Veto.
 

Star Trek
Season 2. Episode 16.

Episode entitled: The Gamesters of Triskelion.

Released January 5, 1968.

Directed by Gene Nelson.

Written by Margaret Armen.

Created by Gene Roddenberry.

Music by Alexander Courage.

Cast:
William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Majel Barrett, Joseph Ruskin, Angelique Pettyjohn, Steve Sandor, Walter Koenig, Jane Ross, Victoria George, Dick Crockett, Mickey Morton, Bill Blackburn, Frank da Vinci, Walker Edmiston, Roger Holloway, Bob Johnson, Bart La Rue, Jeannie Malone, Eddie Paskey, Frieda Rentie.
 

Star Trek: The Next Generation
Season 4. Episode 11.

Episode entitled: Data’s Day.

Released January 5, 1991.

Directed by Robert Wiemer.

Written by Harold Apter, Ronald D. Moore, Joe Menosky, David Carren, J. Larry Carroll.

Created by Gene Roddenberry.

Music by Ron Jones.

Cast:
Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, Rosalind Chao, Colm Meaney, Sierra Pecheur, Alan Scarfe, Shelly Desai, April Grace, Majel Barrett, Michael Braveheart, Tracee Cocco, Denise Deuschle, Jeremy Doyle, Eben Ham, Melanie Hathorn, Randy James, Teri Noel, Keith Rayve, Denise Lynne Roberts, Jane Sibbett, Maureen Tamblyn, Matt Tufo, K. Uchizono.

Sunday, January 4, 2026

Patricia Highsmith, on being an introvert and a writer:

 My imagination functions much better when I don't have to speak to people.

- Patricia Highsmith.


Recommended reading - Fright Night on Channel 9

 

Fright Night on Channel 9

Saturday Night Horror Films on New York's WOR-TV, 1973-1987

by James Arena.
 
Published by McFarland & Company.
Published 2011.
Paperback.

ISBN-10: 0786466782
ISBN-13: 978-0786466788
 
Description:
 
"If you're a horror fan, regardless of whether or not you had access to WOR, you should give Fright Night on Channel 9 a look. It will bring back a lot of memories and a smile to your face." – This Old Haunted House.
 
"Irresistible" – Video Watchdog (Issue #167).
 
"...a mouthwatering history of New York City's WOR-TV...will be a magical trip down memory lane" – Scary Monsters Magazine.
 
"In his friendly and warm (and sometimes delightfully humorous) writing style, Arena tells the inside story of one of New York TV's most fondly recalled one-stop for a wide variety of genre flicks...a must...there is a story to be told here, and Arena was born to write it...highly recommended...indispensable" – DVD Drive-in.
 
From 1973 to 1987, Fright Night was a fixture of the late Saturday evening schedule on independent New York television station WOR-TV, Channel 9. A genre fan's nightmare come true, the modestly produced showcase featured horror films both classic and obscure, from Universal and RKO golden oldies such as Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman, King Kong and Dracula's Daughter to lesser-known delights, including Wild Women of Wongo, The Living Coffin and Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things. Fright Night suffered no delusions of grandeur and never claimed to be anything more than what it was: great entertainment on a Saturday night. This thorough and affectionate tribute to Fright Night's glory days includes a complete listing (and critiques) of all films shown on the series, as well as discussion of WOR-TV's other horror movie programs from the 1970s and 1980s. Details of how the program was developed over 16 years are revealed in depth. Also featured are interviews with the major surviving players, including Fright Night creator Lawrence P. Casey and cult film producer Samuel M. Sherman (Brain of Blood).