Recommended reading - Blue City, by Ross Macdonald (1947):

Blue City

By Ross Macdonald.

Published by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.

First published 1947.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 0307740730

ISBN-13: 978-0307740731

Description:

“[The] American private eye, immortalized by Hammett, refined by Chandler, brought to its zenith by Macdonald.” – New York Times Book Review.

“Macdonald should not be limited in audience to connoisseurs of mystery fiction.  He is one of a handful of writers in the genre whose worth and quality surpass the limitations of the form.” – Los Angeles Times.

“Most mystery writers merely write about crime.  Ross Macdonald writes about sin.” – The Atlantic.

“Without in the least abating my admiration for Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, I should like to venture the heretical suggestion that Ross Macdonald is a better novelist than either of them.” – Anthony Boucher.

“[Macdonald] carried form and style about as far as they would go, writing classic family tragedies in the guise of private detective mysteries.” – The Guardian (London).

“[Ross Macdonald] gives to the detective story that accent of class that the late Raymond Chandler did.” – Chicago Tribune.

He was a son who hadn’t known his father very well.  It was a town shaken by a grisly murder – his father’s murder.  Johnny Weatherly was home from a war and wandering.  When he found out that his father had been assassinated on a street corner and that his father’s seductive young wife had inherited a fortune, he started knocking on doors.  The doors came open, and Johnny stepped into a world of gamblers, whores, drug-dealers, and blackmailers, a place in which his father had once moved freely.  Now Johnny Weatherly was going to solve this murder – by pitting his rage, his courage, and his lost illusions against the brutal underworld that has overtaken his hometown.

Born on this day – Wayne Northrop:

Wayne Northrop

Actor

April 12, 1947 – November 29, 2024

Credits:

Anything to Win (2006); Baretta (1978); Beggarman, Thief (1979); Cold Case (2004); Days of Our Lives (1963–2006); Dynasty (1981–1987); Eight Is Enough (1977); Go (1983); Going for the Gold: The Bill Johnson Story (1985); Hotel (1985–1987); Hour Magazine (1983–1987); Intimate Portrait (2001); Just Men! (1983); L.A. Firefighters (1996); L.A. Law (1988–1989); Match Game/Hollywood Squares Hour (1984); Never Say Never: The Deidre Hall Story (1995); Port Charles (1997–1998); The 21st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (1994); The Haunting of Lisa (1996); The Merv Griffin Show (1983); The Waltons (1979); The Young Riders (1989); This Is Your Life (1987); You Are the Jury (1986).

On this day in movie history - Fear in the Night (1946):

Fear in the Night

directed and written by Maxwell Shane,

based on the story Nightmare by Cornell Woolrich,

was released in the United States on April 10, 1947.
Music by Rudy Schrager.

Cast:

Paul Kelly, Kay Scott, DeForest Kelley, Ann Doran, Charles Victor, Robert Emmett Keane, Jeff York, Joey Ray, Loyette Thomson, Gladys Blake, Jack Collins, Leander De Cordova, Christian Drake, Stanley Farrar, Julia Faye, John Harmon, Michael Harvey, Stuart Holmes, Richard Keene, Janet Warren.

Recommended reading - The Harder They Fall, by Budd Schulberg (1947):

The Harder They Fall

By Budd Schulberg.

First published 1947.

Published by Ivan R. Dee.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 1566631076

ISBN-13: 978-1566631075

Description:

Brilliant, witty, and amusing...the best book on fighting that I have read. – Gene Tunney.

The book will stand not only as the novel about boxing but also as a book that indirectly tells more about civilization than do most books about civilization itself. – Arthur Miller.

The quintessential novel of boxing and corruption. – USA Today.

Budd Schulberg's celebrated novel of the prize ring has lost none of its power since its first publication almost fifty years ago. Crowded with unforgettable characters, it is a relentless expose of the fight racket. A modern Samson in the form of a simple Argentine peasant is ballyhooed by an unscrupulous fight promoter and his press agent - and then betrayed and destroyed by connivers. Mr. Schulberg creates a wonderfully authentic atmosphere for this book that many critics hailed as even better than What Makes Sammy Run? The wrongs of the boxing business that the book illuminates are still with us.

Born on this day – Michael Dibdin:

Michael Dibdin

Writer

March 21, 1947 – March 30, 2007

Credits:

Books:

A Long Finish (1998); A Rich Full Death (1986); And Then You Die (2002); Back to Bologna (2003); Blood Rain (1999); Cabal (1992); Così Fan Tutti (1996); Dark Spectre (1996); Dead Lagoon (1994); Dirty Tricks (1991); End Games (2007); Medusa (2003); Ratking (1988); Thanksgiving (2001); The Dying of the Light (1993); The Last Sherlock Holmes Story (1978); The Picador Book of Crime Writing (1993); The Tryst (1990); The Vintage Book of Classic Crime (1997); Vendetta (1990).

Movies and television:

Zen (2011); Lucy in the Sky (2008); Dirty Tricks (2000).

Born on this day – Roger Pratt:

Roger Pratt

Cinematographer

February 27, 1947 – December 31, 2024

Credits:

102 Dalmatians (2000); 12 Monkeys (1995); 4 Play (1989); Batman (1989); Bernard and the Genie (1991); Bethune: The Making of a Hero (1990); Beyond Batman: Visualizing Gotham - The Production Design of Batman (2005); Black Angel (1980); Bleak Moments (1971); Brazil (1985); Build a Scene (2003); Chocolat (2000); Closing the Ring (2007); Concert for George (2003); Consuming Passions (1988); Dorian Gray (2009); Dutch Girls (1985); Frankenstein (1994); French Exchange (2017); Grey Owl (1999); Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002); Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005); High Hopes (1988); In Love and War (1996); In Too Deep: The Second Task (2006); Inkheart (2008); Iris (2001); Jabberwocky (1977); Jadoo (2013); Joséphine, ange gardien (2006); Keeping Rosy (2014); Meantime (1983); Mona Lisa (1986); Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975); Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979); Monty Python’s the Meaning of Life (1983); Mr. Bean (1991–1992); My Childhood (1972); Not I (2000); Paris by Night (1988); Performance (1998); Scoop (1987); Shadowlands (1993); Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight - The Legend Reborn (2005); Snow White and the Huntsman (2012); Swan National Office (1985); The 72nd Annual Academy Awards (2000); The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988); The Avengers (1998); The Crimson Permanent Assurance (1983); The D.A. (1971); The Dollar Bottom (1981); The End of the Affair (1999); The Fisher King (1991); The Karate Kid (2010); The Line, the Cross & the Curve (1993); The Planets (1985); The Sender (1982); The Short & Curlies (1987); The Spirit of Cheshire (1980); The Storyteller: Greek Myths (1991); The Tractor Factor (1982); Troy (2004); V. (1987); Year of the Comet (1992).

On this day in movie history - The Devil Thumbs a Ride (1947):

The Devil Thumbs a Ride

directed and written by Felix E. Feist,

based on the novel by Robert C. Du Soe,

was released in the United States on February 20, 1947.
Music by Paul Sawtell and Roy Webb.

Cast:

Lawrence Tierney, Ted North, Nan Leslie, Betty Lawford, Andrew Tombes, Harry Shannon, Glen Vernon, Marian Carr, William Gould, Josephine Whittell, Phil Warren, Robert Malcolm, Arthur Q. Bryan, Roger Creed, Harry Depp, George Dockstader, Dick Edwards, Sarah Edwards, Dick Elliott, Carl Faulkner, Lee Frederick, Raoul Freeman, Dorothy Granger, Chuck Hamilton, William Joy, Perc Launders, Bert LeBaron, Lee Phelps, Tom Pilkington, Victor Potel, Harry Raven, John Roy, Dick Rush, Cy Slocum, Tex Swan, Minerva Urecal.

On this day in movie history - The Brasher Doubloon (1947):

The Brasher Doubloon

directed by John Brahm,

written by Leonard Praskins and Dorothy Bennett,

based on the novel The High Window by Raymond Chandler,

was released in the United States on February 6, 1947.
Music by David Buttolph.

Cast:

George Montgomery, Nancy Guild, Conrad Janis, Roy Roberts, Fritz Kortner, Florence Bates, Marvin Miller, Reed Hadley.

Born on this day – Richard J. Anobile:

Richard J. Anobile

Writer

Producer

February 6, 1947 – February 10, 2023

Credits:

Books:

A Flask of Fields: Verbal and Visual Gems from the Films of W.C. Fields (1972); Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1974); Alien: Movie Novel (1979); Casablanca (1974); Ernst Lubitsch's Ninotchka Starring Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas (1975); Hooray For Captain Spaulding (1974); James Whale's Frankenstein (The Film Classics Library) (1974); Play It Again, Sam: A Romantic Comedy in Three Acts (1969); Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Photostory (1982); Star Trek: The Motion Picture: The Photostory (1980); The Maltese Falcon [Picador Film Classics Library] (1974); The Marx Bros. Scrapbook (1973); The Official Rocky Horror picture show movie novel (1980); Who's on First? Verbal and Visual Gems from the Films of Abbott & Costello (1972); Why a Duck? (1971).

Movies and television:

1-800-Missing (2003–2006); 1st & Ten (1988–1990); A Family Lost (2007); A Friend of the Family (2005); A Husband, a Wife and a Lover (1996); Aaron Stone (2010); Acapulco H.E.A.T. (1998); Adventure Inc. (2002); Aladdin (1990); Atomic Twister (2002); Before You Say 'I Do' (2009); Blackout (2001); Brave New Girl (2004); Captive Heart: The James Mink Story (1996); Catwalk (1992–1995); Cinema and Sanctuary (2019); Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber (2005); Cool Money (2005); Cypher (2002); Fellow Travelers (2023); Fighting the Odds: The Marilyn Gambrell Story (2005); Flashpoint (2011–2012); Going for Broke (2003); High Tide (1994 / 1995); Holiday Switch (2007); Liberace: Behind the Music (1988); Living with the Dead (2002); Lucky Christmas (2011); Matters of Life & Dating (2007); Murder at the Presidio (2005); Murdoch Mysteries (2011); My Babysitter's a Vampire (2011–2012); Never Cry Werewolf (2008); On Strike for Christmas (2010); On Thin Ice (2003); Picture Claire (2001); Plague City: SARS in Toronto (2005); Pound Puppies and the Legend of Big Paw (1988); Sex/Life (2021); Smoke Screen (2010); Stunt Dawgs (1992); Submerged (2001); Sweet Bird of Youth (1989); The Big Door Prize (2023); The Bridge (2010); The Gathering (2007); The Hoop Life (1999–2000); The House Next Door (2006); The Kings of Napa (2022); The Listener (2011); The Strain (2014–2017); Til Death Do Us Part (2007); Unnatural History (2010); X Company (2015–2017).

Born on this day – Melanie Anne Safka-Schekeryk:

Melanie Anne Safka-Schekeryk

aka Melanie or Melanie Safka

Singer

Songwriter

February 3, 1947 – January 23, 2024

Credits:

Am I Real or What (1985); Antlers (1997); Arabesque (1982); As I See It Now (1974); Ballroom Streets (1978); Beautiful People (1999); Born to Be (1968); Candles in the Rain (1970); Cowabonga – Never Turn Your Back on a Wave (1988); Crazy Love (2002); Ever Since You Never Heard of Me (2010); Garden in the City (1971); Gather Me (1971); Low Country (1997); Madrugada (1974); Melanie (1987); Melanie (aka Affectionately Melanie) (1969); Moments from My Life (2002); Old Bitch Warrior (1996); Paled by Dimmer Light (2004); Phonogenic – Not Just Another Pretty Face (1978); Photograph (1976); Seventh Wave (1983); Silence Is King (1993); Silver Anniversary (1993); Stoneground Words (1972); Sunset and Other Beginnings (1975); The Good Book (1971).

Born on this day – Paul Auster:

Paul Auster

Writer

Director

February 3, 1947 – April 30, 2024

Credits:

Books and plays:

110 Stories (2004); 4 3 2 1 (2017); A Life in Words (2017); Auggie Wren's Christmas Story (1990); Baumgartner (2023); Bloodbath Nation (2023); Blue in the Face (1990); Burning Boy: The Life and Work of Stephen Crane (2021); Central Park: An Anthology (2012); City of Glass (1985); Collected Prose (2003); Collected Screenplays (2010); Dream Days in Hotel (1998); Ghosts (1986); Granta 58: Ambition (1997); Groundwork (2020); Hand to Mouth (1997); Here and Now (2012); In the Country of Last Things (1987); Invisible (2009); Leviathan (1992); Long Live King Kobe (2022); Lulu on the Bridge (1998); Man in the Dark (2008); Moon Palace (1989); Mr. Vertigo (1994); Oracle Night (2004); Paul Auster's New York (1997); Report from the Interior (2013); Smoke (1995); Sophie Calle: Double Game (1999); Strange Stories for Strange Kids (2001); Sunset Park (2010); Talking to Strangers (2019); The Art of Hunger (1983); The Book of Illusions (2002); The Brooklyn Follies (2005); The Future Dictionary of America (2004); The Inner Life of Martin Frost (2000); The Invention of Solitude (1985); The Locked Room (1986); The Music of Chance (1990); The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert (1983); The Red Notebook (1993); The Story of My Typewriter (2002); Timbuktu (1999); Translations (1997); Travels in the Scriptorium (2005); White Spaces (1980); Why Write? (1996); Winter Journal (2012).

Movies and television:

20 heures le journal (2001); 21 cm (2018); 50 anys en companyia (2009); 60 Minutes / Smoke Screen (1996); Act of God (2009); Amos Oz: The Nature of Dreams (2009); Ànima (2012); Apos' (1987); Apostrophes (1990); As Smart As They Are: The Author Project (2005); Avisa'ns quan arribi el 2000 (1998); Babel (2017); Bestseller (2002 / 2003); Blue in the Face (1995); Bonnie (2022); Broken Flowers (2005); C politique (2020); Café littéraire (2009); Ce soir (ou jamais!) (2009); Ceremonia de apertura - 55º Festival internacional de cine de San Sebastián (2007); Ceremonia de clausura - 55º festival internacional de cine de San Sebastián (2007); Charlie Rose (1997–2004); Cinema 3 (2007); Continuarà... (2008); Conversas de Escritores (2009); David Blaine: Beyond Magic (2016); Doc (2008); Double je (2002); Druckfrisch (2013); Edge of Outside (2006); El blog de Cayetana (2007); Èxit (2008); Fluxus (2004); Gomorron (2011); Hjemkomst (2004); I Remember (1999); In the Country of Last Things (2020); It Was Mine (2015); Joan Mitchell: Woman in Abstraction (2022); Kulturplatz (2013); Kulturzeit (2017); La grande librairie (2009–2022); La tarda (2008); La tele de tu vida (2007); Le carnet rouge (2004); Le cercle (1998); Le cercle de minuit (1997); Le Conversazioni, Close Up (2015); Les Carnets de route de François Busnel (2011); L'hora del lector (2008); Los 10 magníficos (2008); Los Siete Locos (2018); Lulu on the Bridge (1998); Mein Leben (2006); Newsnight (2017); Out of My Head (2018); Página 2 (2008–2017); Park Bench with Steve Buscemi (2015); Paul Auster: Le jeu du hasard (2019); Por Outro Lado (2005); Qwerty (2008–2012); Sabine Christiansen in Sabine Christiansen (2001); Saturday Review (1987); Skavlan (2013); Smoke (1995); Sqizo (2020); Talking Books (2012); The Accompanist (1992); The Center of the World (2001); The DVD Collection (2005); The Fall (1969); The Inner Life of Martin Frost (2007); The Look / Age (2011); The Music of Chance (1993); Titel, Thesen, Temperamente (2020); Tot el temps del món (2018); Un siècle d'écrivains (1999); Via llibre (2012).

Born on this day – Farrah Fawcett:

Farrah Fawcett

Actress

February 2, 1947 – June 25, 2009

Credits:

1997 VH1 Fashion Awards (1997); A Wing & a Prayer: Farrah's Fight for Life (2008); ABC 25th Anniversary (1978); ABC's 50th Anniversary Celebration (2003); Access Hollywood (2005); All-Star Party for Aaron Spelling (1998); All-Star Party for James Stewart (1978); All-Star Party for Lucille Ball (1984); Ally McBeal (1999); An Almost Perfect Affair (1979); Apple's Way (1974); Baby (2000); Battle of the Network Stars (1976); Between Two Women (1986); Celebrity Challenge of the Sexes (1977); Celebrity Challenge of the Sexes 2 (1977); Charlie's Angels (1976–1980); Charlie's Angels: TV Tales (2002); Chasing Farrah (2005); Children of the Dust (1995); Clive James' Postcard from... (1990); Comedy Central Roasts (2006); Criminal Behavior (1992); Dalva (1996); Days of Our Lives (1970); Donahue (1978); Donny and Marie (1976); Dr. T & the Women (2000); Dubonnet: Aperitif Wine Commercial (1972); E! True Hollywood Story (1999–2001); Entertainment Tonight (2006–2008); Entertainment Tonight Presents: Charlie's Angels – Uncovered (1999); Extremities (1986); Farrah's Story (2009); Good Morning America (1979–1989); Good Sports (1991); Harry O (1975–1976); Hollywood Wives: The New Generation (2003); Hour Magazine (1980); Howard Stern (1997); I Dream of Jeannie (1969); Inside O.U.T. (1971); Intimate Portrait (2004); It's Your Bet (1971); James Bond: The First 21 Years (1983); Jewel (2001); Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2004–2005); Johnny Bravo (1997); Just a Little Inconvenience (1977); Killer Fish (1979); Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1994–1997); Late Show with David Letterman (1997–2005); Les rendez-vous du dimanche (1978); Live with Kelly and Mark (2005); Logan's Run (1976); Love Is a Funny Thing (1969); Man of the House (1995); Marcus Welby, M.D. (1974); Margaret Bourke-White (1989); Mayberry R.F.D. (1969); McCloud (1974); Murder in Texas (1981); Murder on Flight 502 (1975); Myra Breckinridge (1970); Nancy (1970); Nazi Hunter: The Beate Klarsfeld Story (1986); Nightlife (1986); Of Men and Women / The Interview (1973); Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law (1971); Playboy: Farrah Fawcett, All of Me (1997); Playboy: Farrah Fawcett, All of Me (1997); Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story (1987); S.W.A.T. (1975); SAG Foundation Conversations (1979); Saturn 3 (1980); See You in the Morning (1989); Silk Hope (1999); Small Sacrifices (1989); So Notorious (2006); Somebody Killed Her Husband (1978); Spin City (2001); Steel (1979); Sunburn (1979); The 17th Annual TV Week Logie Awards (1975); The 29th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1977); The 2nd Annual TV Land Awards (2004); The 34th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1977); The 35th Annual Genii Awards (1990); The 37th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1985); The 3rd Annual People's Choice Awards (1977); The 44th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1987); The 46th Annual Tony Awards (1992); The 50th Annual Academy Awards (1978); The 52nd Annual Academy Awards (1980); The 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (2006); The 61st Annual Academy Awards (1989); The Apostle (1997); The Arsenio Hall Show (1989–1991); The Barbara Walters Summer Special (1980–1995); The Boodle (1969); The Brady Bunch Variety Hour (1977); The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars (1998); The Burning Bed (1984); The Cannonball Run (1981); The Captain and Tennille (1976); The Charles Grodin Show (1995); The Cookout (2004); The Dating Game (1969); The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003); The Fall Guy (1981); The Feminist and the Fuzz (1971); The Flunky (2000); The Flying Nun (1969–1970); The Girl Who Came Gift-Wrapped (1974); The Girl with Something Extra (1973); The Great American Beauty Contest (1973); The Guardian (2002–2003); The Journey of 'the Apostle' (1998); The Larry Sanders Show (1995); The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn (1999); The Lovemaster (1997); The Making of 'Dr. T and the Women' (2001); The Merv Griffin Show (1976–1978); The More You Know (1989); The Norseman (1978); The Partridge Family (1970); The Red-Light Sting (1984); The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1997–2000); The Six Million Dollar Man (1974–1976); The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour (1977); The Substitute Wife (1994); The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1974–1992); The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1994–2005); ; The Vienna Opera Ball (aka Wiener Opernball) (2001); The World Sports Awards (2001); The Young Rebels (1970); Three's a Crowd (1969); Time & Again (2000); Today (1980–1984); Top Ten (2001); Tribute to a TV Legend: Aaron Spelling (2006).

On this day in movie history - The Unfaithful (1947):

The Unfaithful

directed by Vincent Sherman,

written by David Goodis and James Gunn,

based on the 1927 play The Letter by W. Somerset Maugham,

was released in the United States on January 28, 1947.
Music by Max Steiner.

Cast:

Ann Sheridan, Lew Ayres, Zachary Scott, Eve Arden, Jerome Cowan, Steven Geray, John Hoyt, Peggy Knudsen, Marta Mitrovich, Douglas Kennedy, Claire Meade, Frances Morris, Jane Harker, Heinie Conklin, Jack Mower, Leo White.

Born on this day – Mike Milligan:

Mike Milligan

Writer

Producer

Director

January 28, 1947 – December 20, 2024

Credits:

704 Hauser (1994); All in the Family (1976); Checking In (1981); Chico and the Man (1975); Dear John (1989–1991); Fatherhood (2004–2005); Good Times (1974); Here and Now (1992); Joe and Sons (1975); Live in Front of a Studio Audience: 'All in the Family' and 'Good Times' (2019); Los Beltrán (1999–2000); Maude (1975); Melba (1986); That's My Mama (1974–1975); That's My Mama Now! (1986); The Jeffersons (1975–1981); The Royal Family (1991–1992); Unsung Hollywood (2017); What's Happening Now! (1985–1988).

On this day in movie history - Lady in the Lake (1947):

Lady in the Lake

directed by Robert Montgomery,

written by Steve Fisher,

based on the novel The Lady in the Lake by Raymond Chandler,

was released in the United States on January 23, 1947.
Music by David Snell.

Cast:

Robert Montgomery, Audrey Totter, Lloyd Nolan, Tom Tully, Leon Ames, Jayne Meadows, Richard Simmons, Morris Ankrum, Lila Leeds, Robert Williams, Kathleen Lockhart.