On this day in movie history - The Blob (1958):

The Blob

directed by Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr. and Russell S. Doughten Jr.,

written by Theodore Simonson and Kay Linaker,

based on an idea by Irvine H. Millgate,

was released in the United States on September 10, 1958.
Music by Ralph Carmichael.

Cast:

Steve McQueen, Aneta Corsaut, Earl Rowe, Olin Howland, Stephen Chase, John Benson, George Karas, Lee Payton, Elbert Smith, Hugh Graham, Vincent Barbi, Audrey Metcalf, Jasper Deeter, Tom Ogden, Elinor Hammer, Pamela Curran, Ralph Roseman, Charlie Overdorff, David Metcalf, Josh Randolph, George Gerbereck, Julie Cousins, Keith Almoney, Eugene Sabel, Robert Fields, James Bonnet, Tony Franke, Molly Ann Bourne, Diane Tabben, Russ Conway, Howard Fishlove, Jack H. Harris, Vincent J. Mastrangelo, Theodore Simonson.

Born on this day – L.J. Smith:

L.J. Smith

Writer

September 4, 1958 – March 8, 2025

Credits:

Books:

Black Dawn (1997); Bloodlust (2011); Dark Angel (1996); Dark Reunion (1992); Daughters of Darkness (1996); Destiny Rising / aka The Vampire Diaries: Volume 10 (2012); Heart of Valor (1990); Huntress (1997); Midnight (2011); Moonsong / aka The Vampire Diaries: Volume 9 (2012); Night World 1 (2008); Night World 2 (2008); Night World 3 (2009); Nightfall (2009); Origins (2010); Phantom / aka The Vampire Diaries: Volume 8 (2011); Secret Vampire / aka Night World (1996); Shadow Souls (2010); Soulmate (1997); Spellbinder (1996); Strange Fate (2010); The Asylum (2012); The Awakening (1991); The Captive (1992); The Chase (1994); The Chosen (1997); The Compelled (2012); The Craving (2011); The Divide (2012); The Fury (1991); The Hunt (2012); The Hunter (1994); The Initiation (1992); The Kill (1994); The Night of the Solstice (1987); The Night World Collection (2017); The Night World Series Books 1 -6 Collection Box Set (2023); The Passion (1995); The Possessed (1995); The Power (1992); The Ripper (2011); The Strange Power (1994); The Struggle (1991); The Temptation (2013); The Ultimate Fan Guide (2009); The Vampire Diaries: The Return & The Hunters Collection (2014); Unmasked (2012); Unseen (2013); Unspoken (2013); Witchlight (1998); Your Very Own Vampire Diary 2011 (2010).

Movies and television:

Legacies (2018–2022); The Originals (2013–2018); The Secret Circle (2011–2012); The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017); The Vampire Diaries / Video Game (1996).

Recommended reading - The Doomsters (1958):

The Doomsters

By Ross Macdonald.

ASIN: 0307279049

First published 1958.

Published by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 9780307279040

ISBN-13: 978-0307279040

Description:

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

“Ross 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.

Hired by Carl Hallman, the desperate-eyed junkie scion of an obscenely wealthy political dynasty, detective Lew Archer investigates the suspicious deaths of Hallman’s parents, Senator Hallman and his wife Alicia. Arriving in the sleepy town of Purissima, Archer discovers that orange groves may be where the Hallmans made their mint, but they’ve has been investing heavily in political intimidation and police brutality to shore up their rancid riches. However, after years of dastardly double-crossing and low down dirty-dealing, the family seem to be on the receiving end of a karmic death-blow. With two dead already and another consigned to the nuthouse, Archer races to crack the secret before another Hallman lands on the slab.

Murder, madness and greed grace The Doomsters, where a tony façade masks the rot and corruption within.

“Ross Macdonald is one of the best writers of the whipcord thriller.” – The Bookman.

On this day in movie history - The Big Country (1958):

The Big Country

directed by William Wyler,

written by James R. Webb, Sy Bartlett and Robert Wilder,

based on the novel Ambush at Blanco Canyon by Donald Hamilton,

was released in the United States on August 13, 1958.
Music by Jerome Moross.

Cast:

Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker, Charlton Heston, Burl Ives, Charles Bickford, Alfonso Bedoya, Chuck Connors, Chuck Hayward, Buff Brady, Jim Burk, Dorothy Adams, Chuck Roberson, Bob Morgan, John McKee, Slim Talbot, Richard Alexander, Rudy Bowman, Harry Cheshire, Chuck Hamilton, George Huggins, Jay W. Jensen, Donald Kerr, Burt Mustin, Carey Paul Peck, Jonathan Peck, Stephen Peck, Ralph Sanford, Scott Seaton.

Born on this day – David Steven Cohen:

David Steven Cohen

Writer

Producer

August 5, 1958 – March 17, 2025

Credits:

A Cool Like That Christmas (1993); ALF (1989); ALF Tales (1988); Arthur (2009–2015); Balto (1995); Cartoon Cartoon Fridays (2000–2001); Clifford's Really Big Movie (2004); Courage the Cowardly Dog (1999–2002); Fast Times (1986); George Burns Comedy Week (1985); Homeroom (1989); Kenny the Shark / Segment: Goodbye Ol' Chum (2004); Kirk (1995–1996); Little People (2016–2018); Living Single (1993–1995); Mr. President (1987); Parker Lewis Can't Lose (1991–1993); Pee-wee's Playhouse (1990); Peg+Cat (2014–2015); Phil of the Future (2006); Space Racers (2014–2017); Space Racers (2014–2017); Strangers with Candy (1999); The Ellen Burstyn Show (1986–1987); The Wickedest Witch (1989); The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss (1996–1997); Tiny Toon Adventures / Segment: Working Pig (1990); Treasure Trekkers (2019); Viva Piñata (2006–2007); Weird Science (1994).

Recommended reading - Shooting Star / Terror in the Night, by Robert Bloch (1958):

Shooting Star / Terror in the Night

By Robert Bloch.

ASIN: B000HWBAFU
Published by Ace Books, Inc.
Published 1958.

Two novels in one volume from the author of Psycho.

Born on this day – Barbara Rudnik:

Barbara Rudnik

Actress

July 27, 1958 – May 23, 2009

On this day in music history - The Blues, by B.B. King (1958):

The Blues

Album by B.B. King,

released June 23, 1958.

Track list:

Why Do Things Happen to Me; Ruby Lee; When My Heart Beats Like a Hammer; Past Day; Boogie Woogie Woman; Early Every Morning; I Want to Get Married; That Ain’t the Way to Do It; Troubles, Troubles, Troubles; Don’t You Want a Man Like Me; You Know I Go For You; What Can I Do.

On this day in television history - M Squad (1958):

M Squad

Season 1. Episode 38.
Episode entitled: Accusation.
Released June 13, 1958.
Directed by Don Taylor.
Written by Harry W. Junkin.
Music by Stanley Wilson.

Cast:

Lee Marvin, Fay Spain, Ken Clark, Paul Newlan, Larry J. Blake, Dan Riss, George Eldredge, Cindy Ames.

Born on this day – Barry Michael Cooper:

Barry Michael Cooper

Producer

Writer

Director

June 12, 1958 – January 21, 2025

Credits:

Above the Rim (1994); American Gangster (2006–2008); Blood on the Wall$ (2005); Bloomberg Game Changers (2010); Classic Albums (2007); Grand Daddy I.U.: Something New (1990); Guilt... (2019); Inside the Label (2016); It's Good to Be... (2003); NBA 2K16 (2015); New Jack City (1991); Planet Rock: The Story of Hip-Hop and the Crack Generation (2011); Private Times (1991); She's Gotta Have It (2017–2019); Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music (2005); Sugar Hill (1993); Tevin Campbell: For Your Love (1999).

On this day in television history - M Squad (1958):

M Squad

Season 1. Episode 37.
Episode entitled: The Woman from Paris.
Released June 6, 1958.
Directed by John Brahm.
Written by Oscar Millard.
Music by Stanley Wilson.

Cast:

Lee Marvin, Paula Raymond, Philip Ober, Paul Newlan, Jennifer Lea, Gine De Bard, Russ Bender, Paul Maxwell, Dan West.

On this day in television history - M Squad (1958):

M Squad

Season 1. Episode 36.
Episode entitled: The System.
Released May 30, 1958.
Directed by David Rich.
Written by Keith Hunter and Bernard C. Schoenfeld.
Music by Stanley Wilson.

Cast:

Lee Marvin, Tol Avery, Rose Marie, Ted de Corsia, Paul Newlan, Howard Wendell, Gregg Martell, Dehl Berti, Ann Doran, Paul Maxey, Joe McGuinn, Frank J. Scannell, Bess Flowers, Hans Moebus.

On this day in movie history - Vertigo (1958):

Vertigo

directed by Alfred Hitchcock,

written by Alec Coppel and Samuel Taylor,

based on the novel D’entre les morts,

translation: From Among the Dead, by Boileau-Narcejac (Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac),

was released in the United States on May 28, 1958.
Music by Bernard Herrmann.

Cast:

James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore, Henry Jones, Raymond Bailey, Ellen Corby, Konstantin Shayne, Lee Patrick, David Ahdar, Isabel Analla, Jack Ano, Margaret Bacon, John Benson, Danny Borzage, Margaret Brayton, Paul Bryar, Boyd Cabeen, Steve Conte, Jean Corbett, Bruno Della Santina, Roxann Delman, Harry Denny, Molly Dodd, Bess Flowers, Raoul Freeman, Joe Garcio, Joanne Genthon, Kenneth Gibson, Don Giovanni, Roland Gotti, Victor Gotti, Fred Graham, Robert Haines, Buck Harrington, Alfred Hitchcock, Jimmie Horan, Art Howard, Catherine Howard, June Jocelyn, Perk Lazelle, John Marlin, Miliza Milo, Lyle Moraine, Forbes Murray, Julian Petruzzi, Ezelle Poule, Kathy Reed, William Remick, Jack Richardson, Jeffrey Sayre, Nina Shipman, Dori Simmons, Ed Stevlingson, Sara Taft.