Born on this day – C.J. Sansom:

C.J. Sansom

Writer

December 9, 1952 – April 27, 2024

Credits:

Books:

Dark Fire (2004); Dissolution (2003); Dominion (2012); Heartstone (2010); Hill of Bones (2011); House of Shadows (2007); King Arthur's Bones (2009); Lamentation (2014); Revelation (2008); Shardlake Books 1-3 (2014); Sovereign (2006); Sword of Shame (2006); The Deadliest Sin (2014); The False Virgin (2013); The First Murder (2012); The Lost Prophecies (2008); The Sacred Stone (2010); The Tainted Relic (2005); Tombland (2018); Winter in Madrid (2006).

Television:

Shardlake (2024).

On this day in movie history - The Turning Point (1952):

The Turning Point

directed by William Dieterle,

written by Warren Duff,

based on a story by Horace McCoy,

was released in the United States on November 14, 1952.
Music by Irvin Talbot, Miklós Rózsa and Victor Young.

Cast:

William Holden, Edmond O’Brien, Alexis Smith, Tom Tully, Ed Begley, Danny Dayton, Adele Longmire, Ray Teal, Ted de Corsia, Don Porter, Howard Freeman, Neville Brand, Carolyn Jones.

On this day in movie history - Kansas City Confidential (1952):

Kansas City Confidential

directed by Phil Karlson,

written by George Bruce and Harry Essex,

based on a story by Rowland Brown and Harold Greene,

was released in the United States on November 11, 1952.
Music by Paul Sawtell.

Cast:

John Payne, Coleen Gray, Preston Foster, Neville Brand, Lee Van Cleef, Jack Elam, Dona Drake, Mario Siletti, Howard Negley, Carleton Young, Don Orlando, Ted Ryan, Orlando Beltran, Ray Bennett, Chet Brandenburg, Barry Brooks, Charles Cane, Edward Coch, James Conaty, Tom Dillon, George Dockstader, Paul Dubov, Paul Fierro, Eddie Foster, Dick Gordon, Tom Greenway, William Haade, Al Hill, Harry Hines, Paul Hogan, Don House, Vivi Janiss, Helen Kleeb, Paul Kruger, Mike Lally, Roger Moore, House Peters Jr., Lee Phelps, Sam Pierce, Paul Ravel, Joey Ray, Carlos Rivero, Ric Roman, Frank J. Scannell, Sam Scar, Jack Shea, Charles Sherlock, Brick Sullivan, Charles Sullivan, Phil Tead, Archie Twitchell, George D. Wallace, Kay Wiley, Jeff York.

Born on this day – Christopher Reeve:

Christopher Reeve

Actor

Director

September 25, 1952 – October 10, 2004

On this day in movie history - The Quiet Man (1952):

The Quiet Man

directed by John Ford,

written by Frank S. Nugent,

was released in the United States on September 14, 1952.
Based on the short story by Maurice Walsh, originally published in the Saturday Evening Post (1933).
Narrated by Ward Bond.
Music by Victor Young.

Cast:

John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Barry Fitzgerald, Victor McLaglen, Ward Bond, Mildred Natwick, Francis Ford, Arthur Shields, Eileen Crowe, Charles FitzSimons, James Fitzsimons, Sean McClory, Emily Eby, Jack MacGowran, Philip Stainton, May Craig, Paddy O'Donnell, Eric Gorman, Kevin Lawless, Joseph O'Dea, Tony Canzoneri, Frank Baker, Ruth Clifford, Maureen Coyne, Mimi Doyle, Ken Curtis, Douglas Evans, Charles Ferguson, Robert Foy, Sam Harris, D.R.O. Hatswell, John Horan, David Hughes, Billy Jones, Tiny Jones, Colin Kenny, Patrick Wayne, Michael Wayne, Toni Wayne, Melinda Wayne, Mae Marsh, Jim Morrin, Jim McVeigh, Harry Tenbrook, Harry Tyler, Al Murphy, Hank Worden, Michael O'Brian, Pat O'Malley, Frank O'Connor, Web Overlander, Bob Perry, Darla Ridgeway, Freddy Ridgeway, Philip Stainton, Jack Roper, Brick Sullivan.

Born on this day – David R. Ellis:

David R. Ellis

Director

Stuntman

September 8, 1952 – January 7, 2013

Born on this day – Michael Massee:

Michael Massee

Actor

September 1, 1952 – October 20, 2016

On this day in movie history - Beware, My Lovely (1952):

Beware, My Lovely

directed by Harry Horner,

written by Mel Dinelli,

based on the play The Man by Mel Dinelli,

was released in the United States on August 29, 1952.
Music by Leith Stevens.

Cast:

Ida Lupino, Robert Ryan, Taylor Holmes, Barbara Whiting, James Willmas, O. Z. Whitehead.

Born on this day – Patrick Swayze:

Patrick Swayze

Actor

Dancer

Singer

August 18, 1952 – September 14, 2009

Recommended reading - The Ivory Grin, by Ross MacDonald (1952):

The Ivory Grin, by Ross MacDonald (1952).

aka Marked for Murder.

By Ross MacDonald.

ISBN-10: 0307278999

ISBN-13: 978-0307278999

Back cover description:

“Archer-Macdonald are working together at their peak, piecing together a most modern American Tragedy, making literature out of the thriller form, gazing more clearly than ever into the future as it rolls through the smog.” – Newsweek.

A hard-faced woman clad in a blue mink stole and dripping with diamonds hires Lew Archer to track down her former maid, who she claims has stolen her jewelry. Archer can tell he's being fed a line, but curiosity gets the better of him and he accepts the case. He tracks the wayward maid to a ramshackle motel in a seedy, run-down small town, but finds her dead in her tiny room, with her throat slit from ear to ear. Archer digs deeper into the case and discovers a web of deceit and intrigue, with crazed number-runners from Detroit, gorgeous triple-crossing molls, and a golden-boy shipping heir who's mysteriously gone missing.

Traveling from sleazy motels to stately seaside manors, The Ivory Grin is one of Lew Archer's most violent and macabre cases ever.

“Ross Macdonald must be ranked high amongst American thriller writers.” – The Times Literary Supplement.

Born on this day – Mary Ellen Trainor:

Mary Ellen Trainor

Actress

July 8, 1952 – May 20, 2015

Credits:

1941 (1979); A Face to Die For (1996); Action Jackson (1988); Amazing Stories (1987); Amy's Orgasm / aka Amy’s O (2001); Anywhere But Here (1999); Back to the Future Part II (1989); Big Wednesday (1978); Cake: A Wedding Story (2007); CBS Schoolbreak Special (1986); Cheers (1983); Congo (1995); Crazy Like a Fox (1985); Death Becomes Her (1992); Die Hard (1988); Executive Decision (1996); Fear Stalk (1989); Fire Birds (1990); Forrest Gump (1994); Freaky Friday (2003); Ghostbusters II (1989); Grand Canyon (1991); Greedy (1994); Hardcore (1979); Hope (1997); Kuffs (1992); L'antre du Mea (2015); Lethal Weapon (1987); Lethal Weapon 2 (1989); Lethal Weapon 3 (1992); Lethal Weapon 4 (1998); Little Giants (1994); McBride: Requiem (2006); Mi casa, su casa (1998); Moonlight Mile (2002); Parker Lewis Can't Lose (1990–1993); Relativity (1996–1997); Remington Steele (1986–1987); Ricochet (1991); Rock Hudson (1990); Romancing the Stone (1984); Roswell (1999–2002); Scrooged (1988); Seduced and Betrayed (1995); Someone to Love Me (1998); Tales from the Crypt (1989); The 52nd Annual Golden Globe Awards (1995); The 67th Annual Academy Awards (1995); The Goonies (1985); The History of Coolness: A Look Back at 'Parker Lewis Can't Lose' (2009); The Monster Squad (1987); The Music Inside (2005); The Outsiders (1990); The Stone Boy (1984).

Born on this day – Laura Branigan:

Laura Branigan

Singer

Songwriter

Actress

July 3, 1952 – August 26, 2004

Credits:

Albums:

Branigan (1982); Branigan 2 (1983); Hold Me (1985); Laura Branigan (1990); Over My Heart (1993); Self Control (1984); Touch (1987).

Movies, television and music videos:

30 Favoriten (2020–2022); Alan Jones: Direct to the People (2021); All My Friends Are Dead (2020); American Bandstand (1982–1988); American Bandstand's 33 1/3 Celebration (1985); American Crime Story (2018); American Dad! (2006); An Uncommon Love (1983); Automan (1984); Backstage (1988); Baywatch (1996); Beat Shazam (2018); Body Rock (1984); Boundaries (2018); Bravo TV (1985); Calling Automan: The Auto Feature (2012); Cantantes y sonantes (1985); Cap d'any a TV3 (1985); Car Share (2015); Champs-Elysées (1984); Chewingum (1984); CHiPs (1982–1983); Cold Case (2007); Coming to America (1988); Daria (1997–2002); Delta Pi (1984); Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 1984 (1983); Die verflixte 7 (1987); Dirty John (2020); Doctors (2015); Dynasty (2022); Everybody Hates Chris (2007); Femme Fatales (2011); Festival de Viña del Mar (1988–1996); Flashdance (1983); Ghostbusters (1984); Gloria Bell (2018); Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002); Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (2006); Guapas (2014); Hittimittari (1984–1985); Hollywood Wives (1985); I Love the '80s Strikes Back (2003); I, Tonya (2017); In Love with an Older Woman (1982); It's a Sin (2021); Jack Unplugged (2018); Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon (1997); Job Site (1984); Jones & Co (2020); Kapag wala nang batas (1990); Killer Party (1986); Knight Rider (1984); Laura Branigan & Cerrone: Heart of Me (1989); Laura Branigan in Concert Atlantic City, New Jersey 1990 (1990); Laura Branigan Live in Concert at Caesars Tahoe (1984); Laura Branigan: All Night with Me (1982); Laura Branigan: Cry Wolf (1987); Laura Branigan: Didn't We Almost Win It All (1993); Laura Branigan: Dim All the Lights (1995); Laura Branigan: Dim All the Lights (Remix) (1995); Laura Branigan: Don't Show Your Love (1983); Laura Branigan: Fool's Affair (1981); Laura Branigan: Gloria (1982); Laura Branigan: How Am I Supposed to Live Without You (1983); Laura Branigan: I Wish We Could Be Alone (1984); Laura Branigan: Maybe Tonight (1985); Laura Branigan: Moonlight on Water (1990); Laura Branigan: Self Control (1984); Laura Branigan: Shattered Glass (1987); Laura Branigan: Solitaire (1983); Laura Branigan: Spanish Eddie (1985); Laura Branigan: The Lucky One (1984); Laura Branigan: Ti amo (1984); Laura Branigan: Your Love (1988); Leo Sayer (1983); Lieder & Leute (1982); Live with Kelly and Mark (1990); Living Seas (1986); Love Is Forever (1983); MacGruber (2021); Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1982); Mario (1984); Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015); Miami Vice (1984); Midnight Heat (2007); Monsoon (2019); Monsters (1991); Mr. Robot (2017); MTV 80s - 1982 Wrapped! (2023); MTV 80s - 1983 Wrapped! (2023); MTV 80s - 1984 Wrapped! (2023); MTV 80s - Happy New Year from MTV 80s! (2022); MTV 80s - I Want My MTV 80s Wonder Women! (2022); MTV 80s - It's an 80s New Year's Party! (2023); MTV 80s - Let's Hear It for the Girls! (2023); MTV 80s - Top 40 Modern Girls of the 80s! (2021); MTV 80s - Top 50 1984 Vs 1988! (2022); MTV 80s - Top 50 Best 80s Debuts! (2020); MTV 80s - Top 50 Boys vs Girls of the 80s! (2020); MTV 80s - Top 50 Global No. 1s of the 80s! (2021); MTV 80s - Top 50 Hits of 1982! (2022); MTV 80s - Top 50 Hits of 1984! (2022); MTV 80s - Top 50 Modern Girls of the 80s! (2022); MTV 80s - Top 50 Super 80s Pop Hits! (2021); MTV 80s - Top 50 Wonder Women of the 80s! (2024); Musikladen (1983); Night of 100 Stars II (1985); Nöjesmassakern (1985); On Becoming a God in Central Florida (2019); On Stage America (1984); Porte-bonheur (1985); Sábado noche (1987); Salsa (1988); Saturday Night Live (1982–2005); Scorpion (2017); Seeing Allred (2018); Show & Co. mit Carlo (1984); Solid Gold (1984–1985); South Park (2017); Super Bloopers and Practical Jokes (1985); Supermodels of the World (1987); Superstore (2020); The 11th Annual American Music Awards (1984); The 13th Annual American Music Awards (1986); The 15th Annual American Music Awards (1988); The 28th Annual American Music Awards (2001); The 47th Annual Grammy Awards (2005); The American Music Awards (1983); The Killing (2012); The Lather Effect (2006); The Magic of David Copperfield VII: Familiares (1985); The Mirage (2015); The Preppie Murder (1989); The RuPaul Show (1998); The Shrink Next Door (2021); The Tempestt Bledsoe Show (1996); The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1984–1990); Today (1984); Top of the Pops (1984); Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer (1983); Tu cara me suena - Argentina (2015); Turn It Up: Ascending to a higher level (2022); Una vez más (1988–1990); VH-1 Where Are They Now? (2002); Violets Are Blue... (1986); Welcome to the Basement (2014); Wetten, dass..? (1985); Wie wär's heut mit Revue? (1983); Young Rock (2021).

On this day in movie history - Loan Shark (1952):

Loan Shark,

directed by Seymour Friedman,

written by Eugene Ling and Martin Rackin,

based on a story by Martin Rackin,

was released in the United States on May 23, 1952.
Music by Heinz Roemheld.

Cast:
George Raft, Dorothy Hart, Paul Stewart, John Hoyt, Helen Westcott, Henry Slate, Russell Johnson, Margia Dean, Benny Baker, Lawrence Dobkin, Robert Bice, Ralph Brooks, Claire Carleton, Virginia Carroll, Russell Custer, Jack Daley, Mike Donovan, George Eldredge, Ross Elliott, Rudy Germane, Dick Gordon, Jack Gordon, Herschel Graham, Joe Hinds, Robert Karnes, Robert Lawson, Charles Meredith, Spring Mitchell, Hans Moebus, William H. O'Brien, Frank O'Connor, William 'Bill' Phillips, William Phipps, Mike Ragan, Keith Richards, John Roy, Brick Sullivan, William Tannen, Harlan Warde, Robert B. Williams, Barbara Wooddell.

Born on this day – Caitlin Clarke:

Caitlin Clarke

Actress

Teacher

May 3, 1952 – September 9, 2004

Credits:

Movies and television:

A Cure for Serpents (1997); Blown Away (1994); CBS Summer Playhouse (1987); Cost of Living (1997); Crocodile Dundee (1986); Dellaventura (1998); Dragonslayer (1981); Gabriel's Fire (1991); Joe the King (1999); Kiss and Tell (1996); Law & Order (1997–2000); Love, Lies and Murder (1991); Matlock (1990); Mayflower Madam (1987); Moonlighting (1987); Never Again (2001); New York Undercover (1995); Northern Exposure (1991); Nurse (1982); Once a Hero (1987); Penn & Teller Get Killed (1989); Sex and the City (2000); The Big Picture (1989); The Cosby Mysteries (1994); The Equalizer (1986); The Kid Brother (1987); The Stepford Husbands (1996).

On stage:

Aristocrats (2002); Arms and the Man (1985); As You Like It (1984); Bal (1980); Griller (1999); Indiscretions (1997); Mrs. Warren's Profession (1996); No End of Blame (1981); Not Quite Jerusalem (1984); Othello (1979); Our Country's Good (1989); Plenty (1981); Quartermaine's Terms (1984); Strange Interlude (1985); Summer (1983); Summer Vacation Madness (1982); Tales from the Vienna Woods (1978); Teaneck Tanzi: The Venus Flytrap (1983); The Gigli Concert (2002); The Glass Menagerie (1997); The Marriage of Figaro (1985); The Queen And The Rebels (1991); The Winter's Tale (1979); Thin Ice (1984); Three Birds Alighting On A Field (1994); Titanic: A New Musical (1998); Total Eclipse (1984); Unexpected Tenderness (1994); Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf (2000).

On this day in movie history - The Narrow Margin (1952):

The Narrow Margin,

directed by Richard Fleischer,

written by Earl Felton,

based on story by Martin Goldsmith and Jack Leonard,

was released in the United States on April 23, 1952.
Music by Gene Rose, Leith Stevens, Dave Torbett and Roy Webb.

Cast:
Charles McGraw, Marie Windsor, Jacqueline White, Queenie Leonard, David Clarke, Peter Virgo, Don Beddoe, Paul Maxey, Harry Harvey, Gordon Gebert, Peter Brocco, Ivan Browning, George Chandler, James Conaty, Don Dillaway, Franklyn Farnum, Bess Flowers, Don Haggerty, Clarence Hargrave, Art Howard, Bobby Johnson, Milton Kibbee, Mike Lally, Johnny Lee, William A. Lee, Walter Merrill, Harold Miller, Howard M. Mitchell, Edgar Murray, Franklin Parker, George Sawaya, Jeffrey Sayre, Ray Spiker, Jasper Weldon, Napoleon Whiting, Bob Whitney.

On this day in movie history - Hoodlum Empire (1952):

Hoodlum Empire,

directed by Joseph Kane,

written by Bruce Manning and Bob Considine,

based on a story by Bob Considine,

was released in the United States on April 15, 1952.
Music by Nathan Scott.

Cast:
Brian Donlevy, Claire Trevor, Forrest Tucker, Vera Ralston, Luther Adler, John Russell, Gene Lockhart, Grant Withers, Taylor Holmes, Roy Barcroft, William Murphy, Richard Jaeckel, Don Beddoe, Roy Roberts, Richard Benedict, Phillip Pine, Damian O'Flynn, Pat Flaherty, Gertrude Astor, Walter Bacon, Joe Bailey.