January 1940 in Film & Television History

Events in Film & TV

Jan 9 James Thurber and Elliott Nugent's stage comedy "The Male Animal" premieres at the Cort Theater. NYC; runs for 243 performances

Film Release

Jan 19 The Three Stooges film "You Nazty Spy!" about the Nazis released with the disclaimer "Any resemblance between the characters in this picture and any persons, living or dead, is a miracle."

Jan 22 1st radio broadcast of "Road to Happiness" on CBS

Film Release

Jan 24 "The Grapes of Wrath", directed by John Ford and based on John Steinbeck's novel of the same name, starring Henry Fonda and Jane Darwell, is released

Birthdays in Film & TV

Jan 3 Thelma Schoonmaker, actress/editor (Casino, Cape Fear, Good Fellas)
Jan 4 Anthony "Skooter" Teague, American screen and stage actor (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying; No, No, Nanette), born in Jacksboro, Texas (d. 1989)
Jan 5 Michael O'Donoghue, American writer and performer (Saturday Night Live, Scrooged), born in Sauquoit, New York (d. 1994)
Jan 9 Jimmy Boyd, American singer ("I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"), and actor (Bachelor Father - "Howard"), born in Jayess, Mississippi (d. 2009)
Jan 19 Mike Reid, English comedian (d. 2007)
Jan 20 Krishnam Raju, Indian actor & politician, born in Mogalthur, India
Jan 22 John Hurt, English actor (Elephant Man, Alien, Midnight Express), born in Chesterfield (d. 2017)
Jan 26 Harold Lederman, American boxing judge, analyst (HBO), born in NYC, NY (d. 2019)
Jan 27 James Cromwell, American actor (Babe, The Green Mile), born in Los Angeles, California
Jan 29 Katharine Ross, American actress (Graduate, Francesca-Colbys), born in Hollywood, California
Jan 31 Stuart Margolin, American Emmy Award-winning actor (The Rockford Files - "Angel"; Love American Style), and director, born in Davenport, Iowa (d. 2022) [1]