Born on this day – Philece Sampler:

Philece Sampler

Actress

Director

Writer

Producer

July 16, 1953 – July 1, 2021

Credits:

A Fortunate Man (2018); A Letter to Momo (2011); A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures (2010); Aaahh!!! Real Monsters (1994–1996); Adventures in Odyssey Club: One More Name (2017); Adventures in Voice Acting (2008); Aggretsuko (2019); Ai Yori Aoshi (2002); AI: The Somnium Files (2019); Air Bound (2015); All Grown Up! (2004); Angelium (2004); Another World (1987–1989); Arc the Lad (1999); Arcania: Gothic 4 (2010); Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura (2001); Argentosoma (2000); B.J. and the Bear (1979); Ba Da Bean (2021); Babes in Toyland (1997); Battle B-Daman (2002); Berserk (2017); Black Angel Vol. 1 (1998); Black Jack (1998); BlazBlue: Alter Memory (2013); BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger (2008); BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma (2012); BlazBlue: Continuum Shift (2010); BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend (2011); Bleach (2004–2005); Blue Dragon (2006); Blue Exorcist (2011); Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo (2003–2005); Bottle Fairy (2003); Brigadoon: Marin to Melan (2000); Burn-Up Scramble (2004); Cardcaptor Sakura: Leave it to Kero! (2000); Cardcaptor Sakura: The Sealed Card (2000); Castlevania: Harmony of Despair (2010); Castlevania: Judgment (2008); Celebrity Deathmatch (2000); Code Geass (2006–2008); Cutter to Houston (1983); Darling (2003); Days of Our Lives (1981–1984); Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise (2020); Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles (2021); Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Mugen Train (2020); Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019); Detatoko Princess (1997); Diablo III (2012); Digimon Adventure (1999); Digimon Adventure 02 (2000–2001); Digimon Adventure 02: Revenge of Diaboromon (2001); Digimon Adventure tri. Part 1: Reunion (2015); Digimon Adventure tri. Part 2: Determination (2016); Digimon Adventure Tri. Part 3: Confession (2016); Digimon Adventure tri. Part 4: Loss (2017); Digimon Adventure tri. Part 5: Coexistence (2017); Digimon Adventure tri. Part 6: Future (2018); Digimon Data Squad (2008); Digimon Racing (2004); Digimon Tamers: Battle of Adventurers (2001); Digimon Tamers: Runaway Locomon (2002); Digimon: Digital Monsters (1999–2003); Digimon: The Movie (2000); DinoZaurs (2000); Dragon Ball Super (2015–2016); Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man (1994); Duel Masters (2006); Early Reins (2003); Eiken (2003); El retorno de D'Artacan (1990); Eureka Seven (2005–2006); Evil Dead: A Fistful of Boomstick (2003); eX-Driver (2000–2001); EX-Driver the Movie (2002); Ex-Driver: Nina and Rei Danger Zone (2002); Fantasy Island (1980); Father of the Pride (2004); Figure 17 (2001–2002); Final Fantasy XI (2002); Fire Emblem Heroes (2017); Ghost in the Shell SAC_2045 (2020); Gladiator Academy (2002); God Eater 2: Rage Burst (2015); God Eater: Resurrection (2015); Gods Eater Burst (2010); Goldie and Bear (2015–2018); Great Teacher Onizuka (1999–2000); Green Green (2003); .hack//G.U. Last Recode (2017); .hack//G.U. Vol.2//Reminisce (2006); .hack//G.U. Vol.3//Redemption (2007); .hack//Liminality Vol. 1: In the Case of Mai Minase (2002); Hanaukyô meido-tai (2001); Haré+Guu (2001); Haré+Guu Deluxe (2002); Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft (2014); Heat Guy J (2002–2004); Here Is Greenwood (1991); Heroes of the Storm (2015); Heroes: Legend of the Battle Disks (2015); Home for Christmas (2019); Hotel (1983); Hunter (1986); Hyouka (2012); Idaten Jump (2005–2006); Idol Project - Super Pop Anthology (1995); Invader ZIM (2001); Jason and the Heroes of Mount Olympus (2001); JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2015); Kaze No Yojimbo (2001); KILL la KILL (2013–2014); King's Quest VIII: Mask of Eternity (1998); Knots Landing (1981); Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Furious Five (2008); Last Exile (2003); League of Legends (2009); Legends of Runeterra (2020); Lego Friends: Girls on A Mission (2018); Lilly's Light (2010); Lilly's Light: The Movie (2020); Live Twice, Love Once (2019); Love Hina (2000–2001); Lucky Star (2007); Lupin the 3rd (1978–1979); Madagascar (2005); Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008); MahoRomatic (2001); Marine-a-Go-Go (2001); Marmalade Boy (1994–2005); Mars Daybreak (2004); Midnight Sleazy Train (2002); Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, the Movie (2023); Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir (2015–2022); Mix Master (2006); Mob Psycho 100 (2016); Mobile Suit Gundam F91 (1991); Mon Colle Knights (2001–2002); Moonlight Lady (2000); Mouse (2003); Mr. Brooks (2007); Nightmares Come at Night (1970); NiNoKuni (2019); O Grilo Feliz (2001); Overkill's The Walking Dead (2018); Please Twins! (2003–2004); Pom Poko (1994); Pororo to the Cookie Castle (2004); Pretty Smart (1987); Radiata Stories (2005); Requiem from the Darkness (2003); Rituals (1984); Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997); Rugrats (1997); Rune Factory 4 (2012); Rune Factory 5 (2021); Rurouni Kenshin (1996–1998); Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love (2005); Sakura Wars: The Movie (2001); Samurai Girl: Real Bout High School (2001); s-CRY-ed (2001); SD Gundam Force (2003); SD Gundam Force: Showdown! (2004); Shadow Chasers (1985); Shadow of Destiny (2001); Shenmue III (2019); Shin Megami Tensei Devil Children (2001); Shinzo (2000–2001); Shopkins Wild (2018); Simsala Grimm - Die Märchen der Brüder Grimm (1999); Soul Meets (2018); Stanley (2001–2004); Stanley's Dinosaur Round-Up (2006); Sublustrum (2008); Suikoden V (2006); Sword Gai: The Animation (2018); T.J. Hooker (1983); Tales of Legendia (2005); Tales of the Abyss (2005); Teaching Mrs. Tingle (1999); The Academy of Magic (2020); The Angry Beavers (1997); The Audition (2014); The Bonfire of Destiny (2019); The Chronicles of Riddick (2004); The Follies Experience (2009); The Hunchback of Notre Dame II (2002); The Incredible Hulk (1980–1997); The Interior (2007); The Legend of Korra (2014); The Loud House (2019); The Marine (2006); The Merv Griffin Show (1985); The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (1980); The Nutcracker and the Mouseking (2004); The Office Party (2018); The Promised Neverland (2019); The Regis Philbin Show (1981); The Seniors (1978); The Twelve Kingdoms (2002–2003); Tokko - 特公 (2006); Tokyo Godfathers (2003); Tom and Huck (1995); Touhou Koumakyou: the Embodiment of Scarlet Devil (2002); Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2000); Treehouse Detectives (2018); Vampire Princess Miyu (1997–1998); Vandread (2000–2001); Viewtiful Joe (2004); Vinland Saga (2019); We Bare Bears (2016–2018); What Lies Beneath (2000); Wild Arms 4 (2005); Wild ARMs: Twilight Venom (1999); Wolf's Rain (2003); World of Warcraft (2005); World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth (2018); World of Warcraft: Legion (2016); X (2001–2002); X: An Omen (2001); Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht (2002); Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon (2020); Yukikaze (2003–2005); Zatch Bell! (2005); Zatch Bell!: Mamodo Fury (2005).

Born on this day – Guido Tenesi:

Guido Tenesi

Professional hockey player

actor

July 5, 1953 – June 19, 2025

Credits:

Movie:

Slap Shot (1977).

Born on this day – Valerie Mahaffey:

Valerie Mahaffey

Actress

Producer

June 16, 1953 – May 30, 2025

Credits:

A Previous Engagement (2008); After Amy (2001); Ally McBeal (2000); American Playhouse (1986); An Enemy of the People (1990); Baby Talk (1991); Better with You (2010); Big Sky (2020–2021); Boston Legal (2008); Camp California (1989); Caroline in the City (1996); Cheers (1991); Children of the Mist (1993); Code Name: Dancer (1987); Crazy Eyes (2012); Crumbs (2006); CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2006); Dead to Me (2019–2022); Desperate Housewives (2006–2012); Devious Maids (2013–2015); Dinner at Fred's (1997); Dream On (1992); Echo 3 (2022); ER (1999); Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling Mystery (1990); Franklin & Bash (2014); Frasier (2003); French Exit (2020); Fresno (1986); George & Leo (1997); Glee (2011–2013); Good Morning, Miami (2004); Grey's Anatomy (2013); GRQ the Movie (2025); Hannah Montana (2010); Hart of Dixie (2014); Hollywood First Look (2021); If I Were You (2012); Impastor (2015); In Creative Company (2021); Jack and Jill (2011); Jack and Mike (1987); Judging Amy (2001); Jungle 2 Jungle (1997); Kirstie (2014); L.A. Law (1994); Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2002); Less Than Kind (2012); Love & Money (2000); Monday Mornings (2013); Mr. Bill's Real Life Adventures (1986); Murphy's Law (1988); My First Wedding (2006); National Lampoon's Senior Trip (1995); Newhart (1987); Night Visions / Segment: Neighborhood Watch (2001); No Pay, Nudity (2016); Northern Exposure (1991–1994); Out of Practice (2005); Par 6 (2002); Perry Mason: The Case of the All-Star Assassin (1989); Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder (1989); Private Practice (2007); Quantum Leap (1990); Raines (2007); Raising Hope (2010); Seabiscuit (2003); Seinfeld (1991); Sully (2016); Summer Eleven (2010); Tales of the Unexpected (1984); Tell Me My Name (1977); That's My Bush! (2001); The 44th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1992); The 7th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (1980); The 8th Day (2025); The Client (1995–1996); The Doctors (1979–1980); The Exes (2012); The Man in the High Castle (2016); The Mindy Project (2016); The Powers That Be (1992–1993); The West Wing (2001); The Witch Files (2018); The Young Riders (1991); Till Death Us Do Part (1992); United States of Tara (2009); Wings (1993–1996); Witch Hunt (1994); Without a Trace (2004); Women of the House (1995); Women of Valor (1986); Workaholics (2015); Young Sheldon (2017–2020).

Born on this day – Robert Trebor:

Robert Trebor

Actor

Director

June 7, 1953 – March 11, 2025

Credits:

52 Pick-Up (1986); Baywatch (1989); Boomtown (2003); Dark Justice (1992); Dying on the Edge (2001); Empty Nest (1989); Face of Fire (1959); Frank's Place (1988); Gorp (1980); Hail, Caesar! (2016); Hercules and the Lost Kingdom (1994); Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995–1999); Hip-Hop Headstrong (2010); Jiminy Glick in Lalawood (2004); JoAnne (2011); Joe Bash (1986); Magnum Force (1973); Making Mr. Right (1987); Meet Market (2004); Miami Vice (1985 / 1988); Murphy Brown (1989); My Demon Lover (1987); Night Court (1990); Out of the Darkness (1985); Parker Lewis Can't Lose (1991); Raise Your Voice (2004); Simon & Simon (1986); Tales from the Crypt (1992); Talk Radio (1988); The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones (1999); The Devil's Rejects (2005); The First Time (1981); The Nutt House (1992); The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985); The Sex O'Clock News (1985); The Shadow (1994); The Streets of San Francisco (1973); The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1993); Turk 182 (1985); Universal Soldier (1992); Wedding Daze (2004); Xena: Warrior Princess (1996–1999).

Recommended reading - Meet Me at the Morgue, by Ross Macdonald (1953):

Meet Me at the Morgue

By Ross Macdonald.

Published by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.

First published 1953.

ISBN-10: 0307740773

ISBN-13: 9780307740779

Description:

“My favorite . . . [Macdonald] is first among those novelists who raised the genre from its roots in pulp fiction to serious literature.” – P.D. James, from Talking About Detective Fiction.

“[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.

Somebody in Pacific Point is guilty of a kidnapping, but what probation officer Howard Cross wants to find most is innocence: in an ex-war hero who has taken a tough manslaughter rap, in a wealthy woman with a heart full of secrets, and in a blue-eyed beauty who has lost her way. The trouble is that the abduction has already turned to murder, and the more Cross pries into the case the further he slips into a pool of violence and evil. Somewhere in the California desert the whole scheme may come down on the wrong man. Somewhere Cross is going to find the last piece of a bloody puzzle – a mystery of blackmail, passion, and hidden identities that might be better left unsolved.

Recommended reading - The Bloody Spur, by Charles Einstein (1953):

The Bloody Spur

By Charles Einstein.

Filmed as While the City Sleeps (1956), directed by Fritz Lang.

Inspired by the true 1946 case of the Chicago serial killer William Heirens.

Published by Black Curtain Press.
First published 1953.
ISBN-10: 1627551158
ISBN-13: 9781627551151

Description:

HELP ME FOR GOD’S SAKE.
Later the doctors would use these words to decipher the riddle of a perverted killer.
Right now, the lipstick scrawl signaled the start of New York's greatest manhunt.

On this day in movie history - Cry of the Hunted (1953):

Cry of the Hunted

directed by Joseph H. Lewis,

written by Jack Leonard,

based on a story by Marion Wolfe,

was released in the United States on May 8, 1953.
Music by Rudolph G. Kopp.

Cast:

Vittorio Gassman, Barry Sullivan, Polly Bergen, William Conrad, Mary Zavian, Robert Burton, Harry Shannon, Jonathan Cott, Frank Arnold, Sonia Charsky, Harry Cheshire, Jay Lawrence, Nolan Leary, Eugene Mazzola, Inez Palange, Fred Santley, George Selk, Bill Walker, Helen Winston.

Born on this day – Phillip Borsos:

Phillip Borsos

Director

Producer

Writer

May 5, 1953 – February 2, 1995

Credits:

Bethune: The Making of a Hero (1990); Cooperage (1976); Do It with Joy (1977); Far from Home: The Adventures of Yellow Dog (1995); Highway Heartbreaker (1992); Hollywood North (2003); Inventing Grace, Touching Glory (2003); Nails (1979); One Magic Christmas (1985); Spartree (1978); The Cider House Rules (1999); The Grey Fox (1982); The Mean Season (1985); The Night Before the Morning After (1980); The Shadow (1994); Tootsie (1982); Weird Science (1985); We're Talkin' Serious Money (1992).

On this day in movie history - The Wages of Fear (1953):

The Wages of Fear

French title: Le Salaire de la peur,

directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot,

written by Henri-Georges Clouzot and Jérome Geronimi,

based on the novel by Georges Arnaud,

was released at the Cannes Film Festival in France on April 15, 1953.
Music by Georges Auric.

Cast:

Yves Montand, Charles Vanel, Folco Lulli, Peter van Eyck, Véra Clouzot, William Tubbs, Darío Moreno, Jo Dest, Antonio Centa, Luis De Lima, Grégoire Gromoff, Josep Palau i Fabre, Faustini, Seguna, Darling Légitimus, René Baranger, Pat Hurst, Evelio Larenagas, Jeronimo Mitchell, Ricardo, François Valorbe, Rico Zermano.

On this day in movie history - One Girl’s Confession (1953):

One Girl’s Confession

directed and written by Hugo Haas,

was released in the United States on April 6, 1953.
Music by Václav Divina.

Cast:

Cleo Moore, Hugo Haas, Glenn Langan, Helene Stanton, Anthony Jochim, Burt Mustin, Leonid Snegoff, James Nusser, Russ Conway, Mara Lea, Gayne Whitman, Leo Mostovoy, Martha Wentworth, Roy Engel, Jan Englund, Joseph Mell, Frank Mills.

On this day in movie history - The Blue Gardenia (1953):

The Blue Gardenia

directed by Fritz Lang,

written by Charles Hoffman,

based on the novella The Gardenia by Vera Caspary,

was released in the United States on March 28, 1953.
Music by Raoul Kraushaar.

Cast:

Anne Baxter, Richard Conte, Ann Sothern, Raymond Burr, Jeff Donnell, Richard Erdman, George Reeves, Ruth Storey, Ray Walker, Nat King Cole, Dolores Fuller.