Film Release
1949 "On the Town", the film adaptation of the Broadway musical, starring Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Ann Miller and Vera-Ellen, is released
- 1954 WPTZ TV channel 5 in Plattsburgh, NY (NBC) begins broadcasting
Film Release
1955 Black Ealing comedy "The Ladykillers", directed by Alexander Mackendrick and starring Alec Guinness is released in the UK
Alec Guinness
Film Premier
1978 "The Deer Hunter", directed by Michael Cimino and starring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken and Meryl Streep, premieres in Los Angeles (Academy Awards Best Picture 1979)
- 1980 "Bravo" network premieres on cable TV
Film Release
1982 "Sophie's Choice", directed by Alan J. Pakula and based on William Styton's 1979 novel of the same name, starring Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline, is released (Academy Awards Best Actress 1983)
Meryl Streep
Kevin Kline
Event of Interest
1984 Ringo Starr appears on "Saturday Night Live"
Ringo Starr
Lorne Michaels
- 1985 NBC premiere of thriller "Final Jeopardy", starring Richard Thomas and Mary Crosby
- 1986 NBC premiere of miniseries "Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna" (Part 2)
- 1992 NBC announces that "Cheers" will go off the air in May 1993
December in History
Mozart, the Incomparable Musical Genius
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a musical genius who composed over 600 works in his short lifetime, died mysteriously on this day and was buried unceremoniously.
December 5, 1791Real-life Tragedy for Theatrical Family
On this day a tragedy engulfed one of Britain’s noted theatrical families of the early 20th century.
December 8, 1926Coronation Street, King of the Soaps
Thought to have no great future when launched on this day, Coronation Street still reigns supreme
December 9, 1960Marconi's Dream: Telegraphy Without Wires
Italian radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi's career received a big boost on this day with backing from the British Post Office.
December 11, 1896
