On this day in movie history - The Projectionist (1970):

The Projectionist

directed and written by Harry Hurwitz,

was released at the Rochester Film Festival in the United States on October 17, 1970.
Music by Igo Kantor and Erma E. Levin.

Cast:

Chuck McCann, Ina Balin, Rodney Dangerfield, Jára Kohout, Harry Hurwitz, Mike Gentry, Lucky Kargo, David Holliday, Sam Stewart, Alex Stevens, Robert Lee, Stephen Philips, Morocco, Clara Rosenthal, Jacqueline Glenn, Robert Staats, Robert King, Rita Bennett, João Fernandes.

On this day in movie history - Monte Walsh (1970):

Monte Walsh

directed by William A. Fraker,

written by David Zelag Goodman and Lukas Heller,

based on the novel by Jack Schaefer,

was released in the United States on October 7, 1970.
Music by John Barry.

Cast:

Lee Marvin, Jeanne Moreau, Jack Palance, Mitchell Ryan, Jim Davis, G.D. Spradlin, John Hudkins, Raymond Guth, John McKee, Michael Conrad, Tom Heaton, Ted Gehring, Bo Hopkins, John McLiam, Allyn Ann McLerie, Matt Clark, Charles Tyner, Jack Colvin.

On this day in movie history - Violent City (1970):

Violent City

Italian title: Città violenta,

aka The Family,

directed by Sergio Sollima,

written by Sauro Scavolini, Gianfranco Galligarich, Lina Wertmüller and Sergio Sollima,

based on a story by Dino Maiuri and Massimo De Rita,

was released in Italy on September 17, 1970.
Music by Ennio Morricone.

Cast:

Charles Bronson, Telly Savalas, Jill Ireland, Umberto Orsini, Michel Constantin, Ray Saunders, Benjamin Lev, Peter Dane, Corinne Dunne, Richard Dunne, Iver Gilborn, Denny Hulme, Rémy Julienne, Stirling Moss, Beryl Salvatore, George Savalas, Jo Siffert, Robert Spafford, Goffredo Unger, Arnold Williams.

On this day in movie history - Five Easy Pieces (1970):

Five Easy Pieces

directed by Bob Rafelson,

written by Adrien Joyce,

based on a story by Bob Rafelson and Adrien Joyce,

was released in the United States on September 12, 1970.

Music credits:
Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue, BWV 903, by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Fantasy in F minor, Op. 49, by Frédéric Chopin.
Prelude in E minor, Op. 28, No. 4, by Frédéric Chopin.
Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat major, K. 271, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Fantasy in D minor, K. 397, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Four songs by Tammy Wynette:
Stand by Your Man.
D-I-V-O-R-C-E.
Don't Touch Me.
When There's a Fire in Your Heart.

Cast:

Jack Nicholson, Karen Black, Susan Anspach, Lois Smith, Ralph Waite, Billy "Green" Bush, Irene Dailey, Toni Basil, Helena Kallianiotes, William Challee, John Ryan, Fannie Flagg, Marlena MacGuire, Sally Ann Struthers, Lorna Thayer, Richard Stahl, Garrett Cassell, Clay Greenbush, Bob Rafelson.

Born on this day – River Phoenix:

River Phoenix

Actor

Musician

August 23, 1970 – October 31, 1993

Credits:

Stand by Me: Deleted and Alternate Scenes (2019); Dark Blood (2012); The Thing Called Love (1993); Silent Tongue (1993); Sneakers (1992); Red Hot Chili Peppers: Breaking the Girl (1992); Dogfight (1991); My Own Private Idaho (1991); I Love You to Death (1990); Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989); Running on Empty (1988); Little Nikita (1988); A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon (1988); Ben E. King: Stand by Me (1986); The Mosquito Coast (1986); Circle of Violence: A Family Drama (1986); Stand by Me (1986); Family Ties (1985); Explorers (1985); Surviving (1985); Robert Kennedy and His Times (1985); Hotel (1984); It's Your Move (1984); ABC Afterschool Specials (1984); Celebrity (1984); Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1982–1983).

Born on this day – Malcolm-Jamal Warner:

Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Actor

Writer

Producer

Musician

August 18, 1970 – July 20, 2025

Credits:

Book:

Theo and Me: Growing up Okay (1988).

Movies and television:

14th Annual Inner City Destiny Awards (2006); 15 Minutes (2001); 18th Annual Trumpet Awards (2010); 19th Annual NAACP Image Awards (1987); 1st Annual Black Music Honors (2016); 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards (2011); 2011 Soul Train Awards (2011); 2015 Soul Train Awards (2015); 20th NAACP Image Awards (1988); 25th NAACP Image Awards (1993); 32nd NAACP Image Awards (2001); 3rd Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards (1997); 48 Hours 'til Monday (2015); 6th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards (2000); 9-1-1 (2024); A Different World (1988–1989); A Fare to Remember (1999); ABC Afterschool Specials (1986–1994); Access Daily (2015–2017); Accused (2023); Adventures from the Book of Virtues (1997); After Hours (1990); Alert: Missing Persons Unit (2025); All That (1995–2005); All That 10th Anniversary Reunion Special (2005); American Crime Story (2016); American Horror Story (2014–2015); An Evening at the Improv (1990); Andy Williams and the NBC Kids Search for Santa (1985); Apollo Theatre Hall of Fame (1994); As Written (2012); Bad Music Video Theatre (2021); Battle of the Network Stars XIX (1988); Be Inspired: The Life of Heavy D (2012); BET Awards 2011 (2011); Big Bird's Birthday or Let Me Eat Cake (1991); Biography (2001); Body Language (1985); Call to Glory (1984); Carol & The End of the World (2023); CBS Cares (2004); CBS Schoolbreak Special (1994); CBS Storybreak (1984); Celebrity Poker Showdown (2005); Chadtronic (2018); Child Stars: Then and Now (2003); Children's Miracle Network Telethon (1990); Community (2011–2012); Contradictions of the Heart (2009); DCE presents Black Music Month (2022); Def Comedy Jam (1992); Def Poetry (2002); Detroiters (2017); Dexter (2006); Directors on Directing 2: The Story of the Storytellers (2008); Disneyland's Summer Vacation Party (1986); Drop Zone (1994); E! True Hollywood Story (2001); Ebony/Jet Showcase (1986–1992); Ennis' Gift (2000); Entertainment Tonight (1986–2025); Essence Ninth Annual Black Women in Hollywood (2016); Extra (2015); Fame (1983); Fast Copy (1985); Find Your Future Reality (2018); Five Star: (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons (1994); Fool's Gold (2008); For Our Children: The Concert (1993); Found Footage Festival Volume 6: Live in Chicago (2012); Friends in Therapy (2013); Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce (2017–2018); GMA3: What You Need to Know (2018); Grown-ish (2024); Gylne tider (2010); Gylne Tider: Let It Be (2010); Happy Hour (1999); Hard: Life of a Bondservant (2012); Hawthorne (2009); Here and Now (1992–2024); Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay (2022); History of the Sitcom (2021); Hollywood Squares (1998–1999); Home Alone: A Kid's Guide to Playing It Safe When on Your Own (1990); House of Lies (2016); I Was a Network Star (2006); Inside Look: The People v. O.J. Simpson - American Crime Story (2016); Inside TV Land (2002); Invisible Blackness with Adrian Younge (2021); It's Hot in Here: UPN Fall Preview (1996); Jemele Hill Is Unbothered (2023); Jeremiah (2002–2004); John & Leeza from Hollywood (1993); Kenan & Kel (1996); Key and Peele (2013–2014); Kidds for Kids in Africa: Love's Gonna Find A Way (1985); King of the Underground (2011); Kwamé: The Man We All Know and Love (1989); La tele de tu vida (2007); Larry King Now (2017); Last Call with Carson Daly (2016); Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1995); Later with Bob Costas (1988); Legend of the Candy Cane (2001); Lethal Weapon (2017); Life After (2010); Listen Up (2004–2005); Live with Kelly and Mark (1989–2023); Lyric Cafe (2002–2003); Lyric Cafe (2008); Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (1985); Major Crimes (2013–2016); Making History in Hollywood (2021); Malcolm & Eddie (1996–2000); Matlock (1987); Matt Houston (1982); Megachurch Murder (2015); Men of Alaye: The Hottest Black Men in America (1998); Mentoring Kings (2018); Moloney (1997); Mother's Day (1989); Motown Returns to the Apollo (1985); MTV EMA Belfast 2011 (2011); Muted (2014); My Nappy Roots: A Journey Through Black Hair-itage (2010); NBA All-Star Stay in School Jam (1992); NBC 60th Anniversary Celebration (1986); NBC 75th Anniversary Special (2002); New Edition: N.E. Heart Break (1989); Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2000 (2000); Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards '95 (1995); Night of 100 Stars II (1985); Nightlife (1986); Not (Blank) Enough (2021); Not All Hood (NAH) (2024–2025); Olive Forever (2018); One on One with John Tesh (1992); One on One with Magic Johnson (1994); One to Grow On (1983–1989); Pioneers of Television (2014); Puppy Dog Pals (2020); Rachael Ray (2016–2018); Reed Between the Lines (2011–2015); Reflections: A Story of Redemption (2004); Restaurant (1998); Retrosexual: The 80's (2004); Saturday Morning Videos (1990–1992); Saturday Night Live (1986); Saturday Night Live: The Best of Phil Hartman (1998); Second City This Week (2012); Sesame Street (1985–1988); Sesame Street Jam: A Musical Celebration / Segment: Monster in the Mirror (1993); Sesame Street: Monster in the Mirror (1991); Sherri (2009–2025); Shot (2017); Show Off! How to Be Cool at Parties (1986); Showtime at the Apollo (1988–1991); Sliders (1999); Sneaky Pete (2017–2019); Sons of Anarchy (2014); Sons of Anarchy: Season 7 - Guests of Anarchy (2015); Sound, Verses, Fury (2007); Special Agent Oso (2010); Static Shock (2002); Stevie Wonder with Friends: Celebrating a Message of Peace (2013); Stripperella (2004); Suits (2016–2017); Super Bloopers and Practical Jokes (1985–1988); Tavis Smiley (2005); Teen Vid I (1991); Ten Days in the Valley (2017); The 11th Annual People's Choice Awards (1985); The 12th Annual Soul Train Music Awards (1998); The 14th Annual American Black Achievement Awards (1993); The 1999 Source Hip-Hop Music Awards (1999); The 31st Annual People's Choice Awards (2005); The 37th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1985); The 38th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1986); The 42nd Annual Golden Globe Awards (1985); The 5th Annual American Comedy Awards (1991); The 5th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards (1990); The '80s: The Decade That Made Us (2013); The 8th Annual Black Achievement Awards (1987); The 9th Annual TV Land Awards (2011); The Arsenio Hall Show (1989–2014); The Boris & Nicole Show (2015); The Chicken Squad (2021); The Cleaner (2008); The Cosby Outtakes Show (1990); The Cosby Show (1984–1992); The Cosby Show: 25th Anniversary Special (2009); The Cosby Show: A Look Back (2002); The Drop (2004); The Earth Day Special (1990); The Father Clements Story (1987); The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1992); The Greatest (2005); The Insider (2016); The Interviews: An Oral History of Television (2013); The Irrational (2023); The Last Laugh: Memories of the Cosby Show (1992); The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn (2004); The List (2007); The Magic School Bus (1994–1997); The Meredith Vieira Show (2016); The Michael J. Fox Show (2014); The Mo'Nique Show (2010); The NBC All Star Hour (1985); The New Hollywood Squares (1987); The Oprah Winfrey Show (2008); The Real (2016); The Real Malcolm X (1992); The Real Story of Itsy Bitsy Spider (1991); The Resident (2018–2023); The Resident Rulebreakers (2020); The Teen Files (1999); The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1988); The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992); The Tuskegee Airmen (1995); The View (2005–2015); The Wendy Williams Show (2009–2018); The Wonder Years (2023); The Word (1994); There's Hope (2007); This Old Man (1990); Time Out: The Truth About HIV, AIDS, and You (1992); Today (1985–2024); Touched by an Angel (1995); Tour of Duty (1989); True Blue (2010); TV Guide: 40th Anniversary Special (1993); TV Guide's 50 Best Shows of All Time: A 50th Anniversary Celebration (2002); TV Land's Top Ten (2005); TV's All-Time Funniest: A Paley Center for Media Special (2008); Tyson (1995); Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story (2010); Verses & Flow (2014); VH-1 Where Are They Now? (2000); Walt Disney World Celebrity Circus (1987); Wannabe (2016); White Famous (2017); Whodini: Funky Beat (1986); Word Warriors III (2016); You Can't Hear Me (2017); Your Favorite Commercials (1994).

On this day in movie history - Darker Than Amber (1970):

Darker Than Amber

directed by Robert Clouse,

written by Ed Waters,

based on the novel by John D. MacDonald,

was released in the United States on August 12, 1970.

Music by John Carl Parker.

Cast:

Rod Taylor, Theodore Bikel, Suzy Kendall, Ahna Capri, William Smith, Janet MacLachlan, Robert Phillips, Jane Russell, James Booth, Oswaldo Calvo, Sherry Faber, Marcia Knight, James H. Frysinger, Harry A. Wood, Jack Nagle, Judy Wallace, Michael DeBeausset, Jeff Gillen, Chris Robinson, Warren Bauer, Wayne Bauer, Don Schoff, Ted Swanson.

Recommended reading - The Friends of Eddie Coyle, by George V. Higgins (1970):

The Friends of Eddie Coyle

By George V. Higgins.

Filmed as The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973), directed by Peter Yates.

Introduction by Dennis Lehane.

Published by Picador.

Pubished 1970.

ISBN-10: 9780312429690

ISBN-13: 9780312429690

ASIN: 031242969X

Description:

George V. Higgins's seminal crime novel is a down-and-dirty tale of thieves, mobsters, and cops on the mean streets of Boston. When small-time gunrunner Eddie Coyle is convicted on a felony, he's looking at three years in the pen – that is, unless he sells out one of his big-fish clients to the DA. But which of the many hoods, gunmen, and executioners whom he calls his friends should he send up the river? Told almost entirely in crackling dialogue by a vivid cast of lowlifes and detectives, The Friends of Eddie Coyle is one of the greatest crime novels ever written.

On this day in movie history - Catch-22 (1970):

Catch-22

directed by Mike Nichols,

written by Buck Henry,

based on the novel by Joseph Heller,

was released in the United States on June 24, 1970.
Music by Richard Strauss.

Cast:

Alan Arkin, Martin Balsam, Richard Benjamin, Art Garfunkel, Jack Gilford, Buck Henry, Bob Newhart, Anthony Perkins, Paula Prentiss, Martin Sheen, Jon Voight, Orson Welles, Bob Balaban, Susanne Benton, Norman Fell, Charles Grodin, Austin Pendleton, Peter Bonerz, Jon Korkes, John Brent, Collin Wilcox Paxton, Philip Roth, Bruce Kirby, Jack Riley, Felice Orlandi, Marcel Dalio, Evi Maltagliati, Elizabeth Wilson, Richard Libertini, Liam Dunn, Olimpia Carlisi, Wendy D'Olive, Gina Rovere, Fernanda Vitobello, Seth Allen, Steve 'Bunker' de France.

On this day in movie history - Kelly’s Heroes (1970):

Kelly’s Heroes

directed by Brian G. Hutton,

written by Troy Kennedy Martin,

was released in the United States on June 23, 1970.
Music by Lalo Schifrin.

Cast:

Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Don Rickles, Carroll O'Connor, Donald Sutherland, Gavin MacLeod, Hal Buckley, Stuart Margolin, Jeff Morris, Richard Davalos, Perry Lopez, Tom Troupe, Harry Dean Stanton, Dick Balduzzi, Gene Collins, Len Lesser, David Hurst, Fred Pearlman, Michael Clark, George Fargo, Dee Pollock, George Savalas, John G. Heller, Shepherd Sanders, Karl-Otto Alberty, Ross Elliott, Phil Adams, Hugo De Vernier, Frank J. Garlotta, Harry Goines, David Gross, Sandy McPeak, James McHale, Robert MacNamara, Read Morgan, Tom Signorelli, Vincent Maracecchi, Paul Picerni, Zvonko Jovcic, John Landis, Joe Mantell, Lee Miller, Yves Montand, Tony Wheeler, Jerry Whittington.