August 1926 in Film & Television History

Events in Film & TV

Film & TV History

Aug 5 Harry Houdini stays in a coffin under water for 1½ hrs before escaping

Film Release

Aug 6 "Don Juan" starring John Barrymore is released by Warner Bros, the 1st feature-length film to utilize the Vitaphone sound-on-disc sound system with a synchronized musical score and sound effects

Aug 18 Weather map televised for 1st time

Birthdays in Film & TV

Aug 3 Gordon Scott [Werschkul], American actor (Tarzan series), born in Portland, Oregon (d. 2007)
Aug 6 Frank Finlay, British actor (Robbery, Lifeforce), born in Farnworth Lancashire (d. 2016)
Aug 6 Norman Wexler, American screenwriter (d. 1999)
Aug 7 Stan Freberg, American satirist/ad executive/cartoon voice (Bertie), born in Los Angeles, California
Aug 8 Richard Anderson, American actor (Oscar Goldman- The 6 Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman television series), born in Long Branch, New Jersey (d. 2017)
Aug 12 John Derek, American actor, director and photographer (Knock on Any Door, All the King's Men, Rogues of Sherwood Forest), born in Los Angeles, California (d. 1998)

René Goscinny (1926-1977)

Aug 14 French cartoonist (Asterix), born in Paris, France

Aug 15 Georgann Johnson, American actress (Marge-Mr Peepers, Star Trek, Midnight Cowboy), born in Decorah, Iowa (d. 2018)
Aug 17 Jean Poiret [Jean-Gustave Poiré], French actor, director, and screenwriter (La Cage Aux Folles), born in Paris, France (d. 1992)
Aug 27 Patricia "Pat" Coombs, British comedienne and actress (Carry On Again Doctor, Cranford), born in Camberwell, London (d. 2002)
Aug 29 Elizabeth "Betty" Lynn, American actress (The Andy Griffith Show), born in Kansas City, Missouri
Aug 29 María Dolores Pradera, Spanish melodic singer and actress, born in Madrid, Spain (d. 2018)
Aug 30 Ernie Roth, American wrestling manager (ring name "The Grand Wizard of Wrestling"), born in Canton, Ohio (d. 1983)