Born on this day – Rainer Werner Fassbinder:

Rainer Werner Fassbinder

Director

Actor

Composer

Writer

May 31, 1945 – June 10, 1982

Credits:

Querelle (1982); Veronika Voss (1982); Theater in Trance (1981); Lola (1981); Lili Marleen (1981); Berlin Alexanderplatz (1980); The Third Generation (1979); The Marriage of Maria Braun (1979); In a Year with 13 Moons (1978); Despair (1978); Deutschland im Herbst (1978); The Stationmaster's Wife (1977); Women in New York (1977); Chinese Roulette (1976); Satan's Brew (1976); I Only Want You to Love Me (1976); Fear of Fear (1975); Mother Kusters Goes to Heaven (1975); Fox and His Friends (1975); Like a Bird on a Wire (1975); Effi Briest (1974); Martha (1974); Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1974); Nora Helmer (1974); World on a Wire (1973); Eight Hours Don't Make a Day (1972–1973); Jail Bait (1972); Bremen Freedom (1972); The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (1972); The Merchant of Four Seasons (1972); Beware of a Holy Whore (1971); Whity (1971); Pioneers in Ingolstadt (1971); Rio das Mortes (1971); The Niklashausen Journey (1970); The American Soldier (1970); Warum läuft Herr R. Amok (1970); Das Kaffeehaus (1970); Gods of the Plague (1970); Katzelmacher (1969); Love Is Colder Than Death (1969); The Little Chaos (1967); This Night (1966); The City Tramp (1966).

Born on this day – Renate Krößner:

Renate Krößner

Actress

May 17, 1945 – May 25, 2020

Born on this day – August Wilson:

August Wilson

Writer

April 27, 1945 – October 2, 2005

Credits:

Written work:

Black Bart and the Sacred Hills; Fences; Fullerton Street; Gem of the Ocean; How I Learned What I Learned; Jitney!; Joe Turner's Come and Gone; King Hedley II; Ma Rainey's Black Bottom; Placebo; Profiles in Science: One Man and One Woman / William Harvey; Radio Golf; Recycle; Seven Guitars; The Coldest Day of the Year; The Ground on Which I Stand; The Homecoming; The Janitor; The Piano Lesson; Two Trains Running.

Movies, video and television:

60 Minutes / Viola / August Wilson (2002–2021); American Masters (2015); Charlie Rose (1998); Ebony/Jet Showcase (1990); Fences (2012); Fences (2016); Literary Visions (1992); Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020); On Broadway (2019); PBS NewsHour (2020–2024); The 41st Annual Tony Awards (1987); The 43rd Annual Tony Awards (1989); The 55th Annual Tony Awards (2001); The Naked Proof (2003); The Piano Lesson (1995); Working in the Theatre (1987–2001).

Born on this day – Cleo Sylvestre:

Cleo Sylvestre

Actress

Writer

April 19, 1945 – September 20, 2024

Credits:

Book:

The Marvellous Adventures of Mary Seacole (2021).

Movies and television:

14th Screen Nation Film and Television Awards 2019 (2019); Against the Crowd (1975); Alf 'n' Family (1968); All Creatures Great and Small (2020–2023); An Anorexic's Tale: The Brief Life of Catherine (1988); Armchair 30 (1973); Beautiful Things (2024); Beyond the Lake (2022); Black and White in Colour (1992); Bliss! (2016); Bloods (2021); Boyz Unlimited (1999); Brookside (1998); Callan (1972); Casualty (1988); Coronation Street (1966); Crossroads (1964–1988); Doctor Who (1965); Doctors (2007–2016); Five by Five (2017); Forever Young (2023); Grange Hill (1979–1990); Happy Families (1990); If You See God, Tell Him (1993); Johnny on the Run (1953); Kate (1972); Kidulthood (2006); Life Begins at Forty (1980); Marked Personal (1974); Merry-Go-Round (1975–1976); Minder (1985); Mogul (1965–1967); National Theatre Live: Allelujah! (2018); New Tricks (2006); Paddington (2014); Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire (2018); Platform 7 (2023); Play School (1984–1985); Police Patrol (1965); Public Eye (1972); Rock 'n' Roll Island: Where legends were born (2020); Rockliffe's Babies (1988); Rolling Stone: Life and Death of Brian Jones (2019); Rose Tyler: The Dimension Cannon (2023); Sammy and Rosie Get Laid (1987); Sanctuary (1967); School for Unclaimed Girls (1969); Silent Witness (2000); Some Women (1969); Strange Report (1969); Sweetness in the Belly (2019); Television Club (1969); The Alf Garnett Saga (1972); The Attendant (1993); The Bill (1988–2004); The Curry Club (2007); The Day of the Triffids (1981); The Expert (1968); The Gemini Factor (1987); The Guilty (2013); The Idris Takeover (2017); The Leaving Party (2019); The Love Child (1987); The Punk (1993); The Rough with the Smooth (1975); The Split (2022); The Wednesday Play (1965–1969); Thick as Thieves (1974); Till Death Us Do Part (1967–1972); Torchwood: Monthly Range (2022); Trog (1970); Tube Tales / Segment: A Bird in the Hand (1999); Uncle (2014); Waiting (2019); You're Only Young Twice (1978); Z Cars (1967).

On this day in movie history - Two O’clock Courage (1945):

Two O’clock Courage

directed by Anthony Mann,

written by Gordon Kahn and Robert E. Kent,

based on the novel by Gelett Burgess,

was released in the United States on April 13, 1945.
Music by Roy Webb.

Cast:

Tom Conway, Ann Rutherford, Richard Lane, Lester Matthews, Roland Drew, Emory Parnell, Jane Greer, Jean Brooks.

Born on this day – Curtis Hanson:

Curtis Hanson

Director

Writer

Producer

March 24, 1945 – September 20, 2016

Born on this day – Susan Tyrrell:

Susan Tyrrell

Actress

March 18, 1945 – June 16, 2012

Born on this day – Carol Speed:

Carol Speed

Actress

Singer

Writer

March 14, 1945 – January 14, 2022

Credits:

Songs:

I Can Make It (1973); My Soul is a Witness (1974).

Books:

Gods in Polyester, or a Survivors’ Account of 70s Cinema Obscura (2004); Inside Black Hollywood (1980); The Georgette Harvey Story (2002).

Movies and television:

Abby (1974); American Pimp (1999); Black Samson (1974); Bummer (1973); Days of Our Lives (1970); Disco Godfather (1979); Dynamite Brothers (1974); Getting Away from It All (1972); Julia (1970); Love Hate Love (1971); Sanford and Son (1972); Savage! (1973); TCM Remembers 2022 (2022); Tenafly (1973); The Big Bird Cage (1972); The Girls of Huntington House (1973); The Mack (1973); The New Centurions (1972); The Paul Lynde Show (1972); The Psychiatrist (1970); Village Vengeance (2006).

Born on this day – Whitney Rydbeck:

Whitney Rydbeck

Actor

Director

Cinematographer

March 13, 1945 – July 15, 2024

Credits:

1941 (1979); 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996); 7th Heaven (1996); A Mime's Life (2009); A Very Brady Sequel (1996); Angels with Angles (2005); Apollo 11 (1996); Battle Beyond the Stars (1980); Big John, Little John (1976); Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979); Cagney & Lacey (1982); City Guys (2000); Copacabana (1985); Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th (2013); Far Out Space Nuts (1975); Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986); Fudge (1995); Grace Under Fire (1995); Grand Jury (1976); Highway to Heaven (1987); Hold That Pose (1971); I Know My First Name Is Steven (1989); In the House (1996); Kenny Rogers as The Gambler: The Adventure Continues (1983); Lassie (1972); Lassie: Peace is Our Profession (2006); Living Single (1997); Love at First Bite (1979); M*A*S*H (1979); Man from Atlantis (1977); Master Class: Impersonal Actor (2011); Monster Squad (1976); Murder of Innocence (1993); Murder, She Wrote (1989–1994); Nanny and the Professor (1970); Oliver & Company (1988); On the Line (1997); Party of Five (1999); Phyllis (1976); Rocky II (1979); Scrubs (2005); Simon & Simon (1982–1988); Sisters (1995); Slasher Scotty (2018); Sleeper (1973); ssn / video game (1996); Star Trek: The Next Generation (1989); Striking Resemblance (1997); Superior Court (1987); Switch (1975); The Baltimore Bullet (1980); The Brady Bunch (1971); The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island (1981); The Jayne Mansfield Story (1980); The Jimmy Stewart Show (1972); The Krofft Supershow / Segment: Wonderbug (1976); The Magical World of Disney (1981); The Next Step Beyond (1978); The Oates' Valor (2007); The Oldest Rookie (1987); The Sonnet (2012); The Sunday Show (1976); What I Did for Love (1998); Whitney and the Robot (1979); Wonderbug (1976); You Can Learn A Lot from A Dummy (1985–1998).

Born on this day – Hilary Heath:

Hilary Heath

Actress

Producer

March 6, 1945 – April 3, 2020

Credits:

About Religion (1965); An Awfully Big Adventure (1995); Arthur of the Britons (1973); Callan (1969); Canterbury Tales (1969); Criminal Law (1988); Cry of the Banshee (1970); Eurotika! (1999); Fortress (1985); Frenchman's Creek (1998); Hadleigh (1973); ITV Play of the Week (1967); ITV Playhouse (1969); ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969); Jamaica Inn (1983 / 2014); Man at the Top (1972); Mogul (1969–1970); Nil by Mouth (1997); Rain Stops Play (2019); Real Stories of the Highway Patrol (1993–1999); Rebecca (1997); Space: 1999 (1976); Special Branch (1969); Swamp Men (2011); The Avengers (1967); The Body Stealers (1969); The Challengers (1972); The Dead Files (2012); The File of the Golden Goose (1969); The Fringe Dwellers (1986); The Oblong Box (1969); The Prisoner (1967); The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone (2003); The Worst Witch (1986); THS Investigates (2005); Two Gentlemen Sharing (1969); United! (1966); Van der Valk (1972); Villains (1972); Wah-Wah (2005); Witchfinder General (1968); Women on Death Row 3 (2008); Wuthering Heights (1970); Z Cars (1968).

Born on this day – Leslie Charleson:

Leslie Charleson

Actress

February 22, 1945 – January 12, 2025

Credits:

5th Annual Soap Opera Awards (1989); 88th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade (2019); A Flame in the Wind (1964–1966); A Lovely Way to Die (1968); Adam-12 (1972); Another April (1974); As the World Turns (1966); Barnaby Jones (1975); Bert D'Angelo/Superstar (1976); Black Sheep Squadron (1976); Cannon (1972–1975); Caribe (1975); CBS Daytime 90 (1973); Celebrity Page (2018); Cheering Section (1977); Dharma & Greg (2001); Diagnosis Murder (1997); Emergency! (1972); Emergency! (1978); Family Feud (1982–1984); Friends (2004); General Hospital (1977–2023); General Hospital: Night Shift (2008); Girl Talk (1968); Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1975); Happy Days (1975); Hour Magazine (1980–1986); How2 Make It in Film and Television (2004); Intimate Portrait (1998–2003); Ironside (1973); Kung Fu (1975); Love Is a Many Splendored Thing (1967–1973); Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1993); Mannix (1970); Marcus Welby, M.D. (1972–1973); McMillan & Wife (1977); Medical Center (1972); Medical Story (1975); Most Wanted (1976); N.Y.P.D. (1967); O'Hara, U.S. Treasury (1972); Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law (1973–1974); Port Charles (1997–2001); Revenge! (1971); Search (1972); SoapTalk (2005); Star's Table (1986); The 22nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (1995); The Day of the Dolphin (1973); The F.B.I. (1973); The Joan Rivers Show (1993); The Merv Griffin Show (1986); The Return of the Muskrats (2005); The Rockford Files (1977); The Rookies (1972); The Streets of San Francisco (1974–1976); The Wide World of Mystery (1975); The Wild Wild West (1968); The Young on the Run (1989); Woman on the Ledge (1993).

Born on this day – Brion James:

Brion James

Actor

February 20, 1945 – August 7, 1999

Credits:

48 Hrs. (1982); A Breed Apart (1984); A Place Called Truth (1998); Aaahh!!! Real Monsters (1996); Amazing Stories (1985); American Playhouse (1982); American Strays (1996); Annihilator (1986); Another 48 Hrs. (1990); Armed and Dangerous (1986); Art Deco Detective (1994); Arthur's Quest (1999); Assault on Dome 4 (1996); B.J. and the Bear (1979); Back in Business (1997); Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1993); Benson (1981); Big Shamus, Little Shamus (1979); Billy Lone Bear (1996); Black Magic (1992); Black Sea 213 (2000); Blade Runner (1982); Blade Runner / Video Game (1997); Blade Runner: Deleted and Alternate Scenes (2007); Blue Sunshine (1977); Bombshell (1997); Border to Border (1998); Bound for Glory (1976); Brain Smasher... A Love Story (1993); Brown's Requiem (1998); Cabin Boy (1994); Cagney & Lacey (1983); Cherry 2000 (1987); Chico and the Man (1978); CHiPs (1979–1981); Circles in a Forest (1989); City of Angels (1976); Conquest of the Earth (1980); Corvette Summer (1978); Crimewave (1985); Cyberjack (1995); D.O.A. (1988); Dark Justice (1993); Dead Man Walking (1988); Deadly Ransom (1998); Desperado: The Outlaw Wars (1989); Diplomatic Siege (1999); Dirt Merchant (1999); Dominion (1995); Dynasty (1986); Enemy Mine (1985); Enid Is Sleeping (1990); Evil Obsession (1996); F.T.W. (1994); Farewell, My Love (2000); Flesh+Blood (1985); Flying High (1978); Foolish (1999); Frogtown II (1992); Future Shock (1994); Galactica 1980 (1980); General Hospital (1980); Get Christie Love! (1974); Goober & the Truckers' Paradise (1978); Gunsmoke (1975); Hard Times / aka Street Fighter (1975); Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976); Hear No Evil (1982); Heist (1998); Highlander (1994); Hong Kong 97 (1994); House III: The Horror Show (1989); Hunter (1988–1991); In God's Hands (1998); Indecent Behavior III (1995); Jekyll Island (1998); Joe Bob's Drive-In Theater (1995); Johnny Bago (1993); Johnny Staccato (1977); Joseph's Gift (1999); Kai Rabe gegen die Vatikankiller (1998); Kenny Rogers as The Gambler: The Adventure Continues (1983); Killing at Hell's Gate (1981); Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park (1978); Knight Rider 2010 (1994); Little House on the Prairie (1982); Lone Star (1983); Love Among Thieves (1987); M.A.N.T.I.S. (1994); Malevolence (1999); Marco Polo: The Missing Chapter (1996); Matlock (1987); Men in Black: The Series (1998); Men in White (1998); Miami Vice (1988); Millennium (1998); Miracles (1986); Mom (1990); Mork & Mindy (1978); Movie Nights (2012); Mutator (1989); Nemesis (1992); Nickelodeon (1976); Nightmare at Noon (1988); On My Honor (1988); Overkill: The Aileen Wuornos Story (1992); Palmerstown, U.S.A. (1980); Phoenix Point (2005); Precious Find (1996); Precious Victims (1993); Pterodactyl Woman from Beverly Hills (1996); Quincy, M.E. (1982); Radioland Murders (1994); Red Heat (1988); Red Scorpion (1988); Renegade (1993); Rio Diablo (1993); Roots (1977); Savage Land (1994); Scanner Cop (1994); Showdown (1993); Sidekicks (1986); Silk Stalkings (1994); Silverado (1985); Sketch Artist II: Hands That See (1995); Slaughter Inc.: The Horrors of 'The Horror Show' (2017); Sledge Hammer! (1986–1988); Snide and Prejudice (1997); Soggy Bottom, U.S.A. (1981); Southern Comfort (1981); Spawn (1997–1999); Special Collector's Edition (2010); Spitfire (1995); Steel Dawn (1987); Steel Frontier (1995); Street Asylum (1990); Striking Distance (1993); Strip 'n Run (2000); Superman (1999); Superman: The Animated Series (1996–1997); Tales from the Crypt (1991); Tango & Cash (1989); The A-Team (1983–1985); The Companion (1994); The Dark (1993); The Dukes of Hazzard (1982–1984); The F.B.I. (1974); The Fall Guy (1985); The Fifth Element (1997); The Hitchhiker (1987); The Hunter's Moon (1999); The Incredible Hulk (1978); The Invasion of Johnson County (1976); The Jazz Singer (1980); The Jeffersons (1980); The Kansas City Massacre (1975); The Killing Jar (1997); The King Is Alive (2000); The Lazarus Man (1996); The Magical World of Disney (1977); The Magnificent Seven (1998–1999); The Making of 'Steel Dawn' (1987); The Marshal (1995); The Nature of the Beast (1995); The Operator (2000); The Player (1992); The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981); The Renegades (1983); The Rockford Files (1977); The Sentinel (1998); The Setting Son (1997); The Soft Kill (1994); The Underground (1997); The Waltons (1974); The Wrong Guys (1988); The Young Riders (1990); Time Runner (1993); Treasure of Matecumbe (1976); Trouble in High Timber Country (1980); Ultimate Desires (1991); Vengeance Unlimited (1998); Walker, Texas Ranger (1997); Webster (1988); When the Whistle Blows (1980); Wholly Moses! (1980); Wishman (1992); Z-TV (1989).

Born on this day – Richard Romanus:

Richard Romanus

Actor

Writer

Producer

February 8, 1945 – December 23, 2023

With Harvey Keitel and Martin Scorsese, in Mean Streets (1973).

Credits:

The Young Black Stallion (2003); The Sopranos (1999–2002); Nailed (2001); Providence (2001); Carlo's Wake (1999); If You Believe (1999); Giving Up the Ghost (1998); Urban Relics (1998); NYPD Blue (1996); Diagnosis Murder (1996); Charlie Grace (1995); The Rockford Files: A Blessing in Disguise (1995); Northern Exposure (1995); Chicago Hope (1994); Cops and Robbersons (1994); Johnny Bago (1993); Point of No Return (1993); Reasonable Doubts (1992); To Protect and Serve (1992); The Entertainers (1991); Jake and the Fatman (1991); Oscar (1991); Final Stage (1990); Hollywood Heartbreak (1990); Married to the Mob (1989); Mission: Impossible (1989); Midnight Caller (1989); The Couch Trip (1988); Cagney & Lacey (1983–1987); Ghost of a Chance (1987); The A-Team (1983–1986); MacGyver (1985–1986); Murphy's Law (1986); Hill Street Blues (1986); Shadow Chasers (1985); Stir Crazy (1985); Tales from the Darkside (1985); Fame (1985); Crackups (1984); Protocol (1984); Hunter (1984); Second Sight: A Love Story (1984); More Than Murder (1984); Hardcastle and McCormick (1983); Strangers Kiss (1983); Matt Houston (1982); Hey Good Lookin' (1982); Strike Force (1981–1982); Pandemonium (1982); Foul Play (1981); Fantasy Island (1981); Heavy Metal (1981); Hart to Hart (1980); Sitting Ducks (1980); Tenspeed and Brown Shoe (1980); Gold of the Amazon Women (1979); The Rockford Files (1978); Hawaii Five-O (1978); Outtakes (1977); Starsky and Hutch (1977); Night Drive (1977); Wizards (1977); Charlie's Angels (1977); Russian Roulette (1975); Kojak (1974); Rhoda (1974); The Dion Brothers (1974); Mean Streets (1973); Mod Squad (1970–1971); Night Chase (1970); Walk the Walk (1970); Mission: Impossible (1970); The Ghastly Ones (1968).

Born on this day - Frank Doubleday:

Frank Doubleday

Actor

January 28, 1945 – March 3, 2018

Credits:

John Wayne Made Me Cry: Our Western Heros (2002); Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction (1997); Shakespeare's Plan 12 from Outer Space (1991); Dollman (1991); L.A. Bounty (1989); Our House (1988); Longarm (1988); Broadcast News (1987); Amazing Stories (1987); Sledge Hammer! (1986); Stingray (1986); Nomads (1986); Space Rage (1985); T.J. Hooker (1983–1985); Avenging Angel (1985); Trauma Center (1983); Hill Street Blues (1983); The Greatest American Hero (1982); CHiPs (1981–1982); Archie Bunker's Place (1981); Escape from New York (1981); The Incredible Hulk (1981); Butch and Sundance: The Early Days (1979); Charlie's Angels (1978); The Big Fix (1978); Wonder Woman (1978); A Killing Affair (1977); Abar (1977); Starsky and Hutch (1977); The Quest (1976); Assault on Precinct 13 (1976); Alex & the Gypsy (1976); Johnny Staccato (1976); Delvecchio (1976); The First Nudie Musical (1976); Police Story (1975); Lucas Tanner (1975).

Born on this day – Christine Kaufmann:

Christine Kaufmann

Actress

Writer

January 11, 1945 – March 28, 2017

Recommended reading - Mad with Much Heart (1945):

Mad with Much Heart

By Gerald Butler.

First published 1945.
ASIN: B0006AQZEY
Published by: Rinehart & company, inc.
Hardcover.

Description:

Filmed as On Dangerous Ground (1951), directed by Nicholas Ray and Ida Lupino.

On this day in movie history - Detour (1945):

Detour

directed by Edgar G. Ulmer,

written by Martin Goldsmith,

based on the novel Detour: An Extraordinary Tale by Martin Goldsmith,

was released in the United States on November 30, 1945.
Narrated by Tom Neal.
Music by Leo Erdody.

Cast:

Tom Neal, Ann Savage, Claudia Drake, Edmund MacDonald, Tim Ryan, Esther Howard, Pat Gleason, Don Brodie, Roger Clark, Eddie Hall, Harry Mayo, Harry Strang.

Born on this day – Billy Drago:

Billy Drago

Actor

November 30, 1945 – June 24, 2019

On this day in movie history - The Lost Weekend (1945):

The Lost Weekend

directed by Billy Wilder,

written by Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder,

based on the novel by Charles R. Jackson,

was released in the United States on November 29, 1945.
Music by Miklós Rózsa.

Cast:

Ray Milland, Jane Wyman, Phillip Terry, Howard Da Silva, Doris Dowling, Frank Faylen, Mary Young, Anita Bolster, Lilian Fontaine, Frank Orth, Lewis Russell, Harry Tenbrook, Gene Ashley, Walter Baldwin, Harry Barris, Ian Begg, Eddie Borden, Jess Lee Brooks, Jack Rube Clifford, David Clyde, James Conaty, Willa Pearl Curtis, John Deauville, Helen Dickson, Clark Eggleston, Franklyn Farnum, John Garris, Dick Gordon, Jayne Hazard, Ted Hecht, Ernest Hilliard, Earle Hyman, Jerry James, Stan Johnson, Jack W. Johnston, Karl 'Karchy' Kosiczky, Eddie Laughton, Perc Launders, Theodora Lynch, Bertram Marburgh, William Meader, James Millican, Frank Mills, Pat Moriarity, William Newell, William O'Leary, Peter Potter, Mark Power, Stanley Price, Craig Reynolds, The San Francisco Opera Company, Lester Sharpe, Lee Shumway, Sophie (the dog), Douglas Spencer, Al Stewart, Bunny Sunshine, Fred 'Snowflake' Toones, Emmett Vogan, Max Wagner, Milton Wallace, Gisela Werbisek, Crane Whitley, Ernest Whitman, Isabel Withers, Audrey Young.

Born on this day – Terence Davies:

Terence Davies

Writer

Director

November 10, 1945 – October 7, 2023