On this day in movie history - The Driver (1978 movie & novel):

The Driver

directed and written by Walter Hill,

was released in the United States on July 28, 1978.
Music by Dominic Frontiere.

Cast:

Ryan O'Neal, Bruce Dern, Isabelle Adjani, Ronee Blakley, Matt Clark, Felice Orlandi, Joseph Walsh, Rudy Ramos, Denny Macko, Frank Bruno, Will Walker, Sandy Brown Wyeth, Tara King, Richard Carey, Fidel Corona, Victor Gilmour, Nick Dimitri, Bob Minor, Angelo Lamonea, Patrick Burns, Karen Kleiman, Thomas Myers, Bill McConnell, Peter Jason, William Hasley, Allan Graf, Peter Paul Eastman, Raven Grey Eagle, Bob Harks, Orwin C. Harvey, Steve Moriarty, Nico Stevens, Leland Sun, Anna Young.

Recommended reading:

Driver

By Clyde B. Phillips.

Published by Hamlyn Paperbacks.

Published 1978.

ISBN 10: 0600329739

Description:

It was a ruthless game between professionals.

Driver – the getaway expert whose skill was deadly. They said no one would ever catch him.

Detective – the cop who would let nothing stop him … not even the law. He was out to nail the Driver.

Neither could afford to lose – so they had to break each other.

On this day in movie history - Hooper (1978):

Hooper

directed by Hal Needham,

written by Thomas Rickman and Bill Kerby,

based on a story by Walt Green, Walter S. Herndon and James Best,

was released in the United States on July 28, 1978.
Music by Bill Justis.

Cast:

Burt Reynolds, Jan-Michael Vincent, Sally Field, Brian Keith, John Marley, Robert Klein, James Best, Adam West, Alfie Wise, Terry Bradshaw, Norman Grabowski, George Furth, Jim Burk, Don 'Red' Barry, Princess O'Mahoney, Robert Tessier, Richard Tyler, Tara Buckman, Hal Floyd, Ray Bickel, Rex Benson, R.G. Allen, Mark Montgomery, Linda McClure, Kent Lane, Christa Linder, Kris Goddard, Robert Hackman, John Marshall, Laura Lizer Sommers, Peter Craig, Soupy Sales, Roxanne Brewer, Alex Brown, William H. Burton Jr., Tom Cloud, Jadie David, David Ellis, Gary Epper, John Escobar, Len Glasgow, Raven Grey Eagle, Stefan Gudju, Freddie Hice, Buddy Joe Hooker, Hugh Hooker, Louise Johnson, Gary McLarty, Mary Moon, Bennie Moore, Dave Mungenast Sr., Sam Neville, Alan Oliney, Bob Orrison, Regis Parton, John Quijada, Ronnie Rondell Jr., Reid Rondell, Tim Rossovich, Fred Scheiwiller, Ron Stein, Charles A. Tamburro, Greg Topper, Jim Whitecloud, Walter Wyatt.

Born on this day – Rachael Lillis:

Rachael Lillis

Voice actress

Writer

July 8, 1978 – August 10, 2024

Credits:

A Sneak Peek at Pokémon (1998); Agent Aika (1997–1999); Alien Nine (2001); Andy Shane & the Very Bossy Dolores Starbuckle / Andy Shane & the Pumpkin Trick (2009); Andy Shane and the Barn Sale Mystery (2011); Andy Shane and the Queen of Egypt (2009); Andy Shane Is Not in Love (2011); Animation Runner Kuromi (2001); Animation Runner Kuromi 2 (2004); Ape Escape 2 (2002); Apocalypse Zero (1996); Bakuman. (2010); Berserk (1997–1998); Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I - The Egg of the King (2012); Bleached (1997); Boogiepop Never Laughs: Boogiepop Phantom (2000); Boys be... (2000); Carrie Measures Up (2009); Clean-Sweep Campers (2009); Cleopatra D.C. (1989–1991); Comic Party (2001); Comic Party Special (2001); Countdown to Kindergarten (2004); Cubix Robots for Everyone: Showdown (2002); Cubix: Robots for Everyone (2001–2002); Darkside Blues (1994); Death Battle (2014); Descendants of Darkness (2000); Diary of a Fairy Godmother (2004); Diminishing Returns (2018); Dinosaur King (2007); DNA² (1994); DNA²: Dokokade nakushita aitsu no aitsu (1995); Every Pokémon Ever (2021); Exte: Hair Extensions (2007); Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] I. presage flower (2017); Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] (2014–2015); Fighting Cooking Legend Bistro Recipe (2002); Gall Force: Destruction (1987); Gall Force: Earth Chapter (1989–1990); Gall Force: New Era (1991–1992); Gall Force: Stardust War (1988); Genshiken (2004–2007); Geobreeders (1998–2001); Gokudo (1999); Gravitation (1999–2001); Guardian of Darkness (1992); Harlock Saga (1999); Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001); Hey You, Pikachu! (1998); His and Her Circumstances (1998–1999); Hunter x Hunter (2011–2014); I Just Want to Eat My Sandwich (2007); Jewel BEM Hunter Lime (1996); K.O. Beast (1992–1993); Kenji Miyazawa's Night on the Galactic Railroad (1985); Kids WB Kooky Karolfest 'Meowth Singing' Commercial (1999); Kids WB Kooky Karolfest 'Misty Singing' Commercial (1999); Knight Hunters: Weiß Kreuz (2001); Lastman (2016); Lego Jurassic World (2015); M.U.G.E.N (1999); Maetel Legend (2000); Mangchi (2003); Midori Days (2004); Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (2010–2014); Mrs. Watson Wants Your Teeth (2006); Mrs. Watson Wants Your Teeth / Countdown to Kindergarten (2008); Nostalgia Critic (2015); Now and Then, Here and There (1999–2000); Ollie & Scoops (2019); Otsuyu: Kaidan botan-dôrô (1998); Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures (2013); Pikachu & Pichu (2000); Pikachu's Jukebox: Double Trouble (2001); Pokémon (1997–2015); Pokémon 3 the Movie: Spell of the Unown (2000); Pokémon 4Ever: Audio Commentary with Norman Grossfeld, Michael Haigney, Jim Malone, Veronica Taylor, Rachael Lillis, Maddie Blaustein and Eric Stuart (2001); Pokemon 4Ever: Celebi - Voice of the Forest (2001); Pokémon Channel (2003); Pokémon Chronicles (2001–2004); Pokemon de ingurisshu! Kazu iro-hen (2002); Pokémon Heroes (2002); Pokémon Karaokémon: Song of Jigglypuff (2000); Pokémon M2M Recording Commercial (1999); Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time & Darkness (2007); Pokémon Puzzle League (2000); Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea (2006); Pokémon Snap (1999); Pokémon the Movie 2000 (1999); Pokémon the Movie: Destiny Deoxys (2004); Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019); Pokémon: Gotta Dance!! (2003); Pokémon: Happy April Fools' Day Commercial (2000); Pokémon: Jirachi - Wish Maker (2003); Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (2005); Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns (2000); Pokémon: Misty is a Ticking Time Bomb Waiting to Explode! Commercial (2000); Pokémon: Pikachu's Jukebox - Double Trouble (1999); Pokemon: Pikachu's Rescue Adventure (1999); Pokémon: Pikachu's Vacation (1998); Pokémon: Pikachu's Winter Vacation (1998–1999); Pokémon: Team Rocket's Pokémon Salon Commercial (1999); Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back (1998); Pokémon: The Road to Indigo Commercial Version 1 (2002); Pokémon: The Road to Indigo Commercial Version 4 (2002); Rayearth (1997); Revolutionary Girl Utena (1997); Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Movie - Behind the Scenes with Kunihiko Ikuhara (2001); Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Movie (1999); RG Veda (1991); Seven of Seven (2002); Shadow of the Elves (2004); Shaman King (2002); Shamanic Princess (1996); Shingu: Secret of the Stellar Wars (2001); Shootfighter Tekken: Round 1 (2002); Sonic X (2003–2004); Stepmom (1998); Super Smash Bros. (1999); Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008); Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS (2014); Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (2014); Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001); Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018); Tama of Third Street: Have You Seen My Tama? (1993); Tamagotchi (2006); Tamagotchi the Movie (2007); Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003–2005); The Irresponsible Captain Tylor (1993–1996); The Ping-Pong Club (1995); The Slayers (1995–1996); The World of Narue (2003); Tokyo Mew Mew (2002–2003); Twin Signal (1996); Valkyrie Profile (1999); Venus Five (1994); Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer (1996); VS. Knight Ramune & 40 Fresh (1997); Welcome to the Space Show (2010); Winx Club (2004–2011); Your Lie in April (2014–2015); Yu-Gi-Oh! (2002).

On this day in movie history - Heaven Can Wait (1978 movie & play):

Heaven Can Wait

directed by Warren Beatty and Buck Henry,

based on the play by Harry Segall,

was released in the United States on June 28, 1978.
Music by Dave Grusin.

Cast:

Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, James Mason, Jack Warden, Charles Grodin, Dyan Cannon, Buck Henry, Vincent Gardenia, Joseph Maher, Hamilton Camp, Arthur Malet, Stephanie Faracy, Jeannie Linero, Harry D.K. Wong, George J. Manos, Larry Block, Frank Campanella, Bill Sorrells, Dick Enberg, Dolph Sweet, R.G. Armstrong, Ed Peck, John Randolph, Richard O'Brien, Joseph F. Makel, Will Hare, Lee Weaver, Roger Bowen, Keene Curtis, William Larsen, Morgan Farley, William Bogert, Robert E. Leonard, Joel Marston, Earl Montgomery, Robert C. Stevens, Bernie Massa, Peter Tomarken, William Sylvester, Lisa Blake Richards, Charlie Charles, Nick Outin, Jerry Scanlan, Jim Boeke, Marvin Fleming, Deacon Jones, Les Josephson, Jack Snow, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis, Benjie Bancroft, Arline Bletcher, Joe Corolla, Charlie Cowan, Garrett Craig, Paul D'Amato, Robert Fortier, Allan Graf, Bryant Gumbel, Jim Healy, Chick Hearn, Ray Pourchot, Nick Raymond, Elliott Reid, Roberto Rodriguez, Byron Webster.

Recommended reading:

Heaven Can Wait

Comedy-Fantasy in Three Acts

By Harry Segall.

Filmed as:

Here comes Mr. Jordan (1941), directed by Alexander Hall.

Heaven Can Wait (1978), directed by Warren Beatty and Buck Henry.

ASIN: B000GVIZMI

Published by Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

Published 1941.

Description:

Mr. Jordan is checking passengers who are to depart in an airplane for the Hereafter. The routine is interrupted by the arrival of Joe Pendleton, an attractive prizefighter, who refuses to admit he is dead and induces Jordan to look up the "records," which reveal that Joe is not scheduled to arrive for another 60 years! But, as Joe starts to return to earth to continue his fighting, word reaches Heaven that Max Levene, Joe's manager, thinking he had been killed, had Joe's body cremated, and Joe has no body to return to. Jordan promises to find Joe another body and is informed that the wealthy Jonathan Farnsworth is about to be murdered by his wife. So, Joe suddenly finds himself in the home of the financier, visible as Joe to the audience but apparently as Farnsworth to Mrs. Farnsworth, and the public. The comedy begins when the pompous "Farnsworth" unaccountably goes into training as a fighter. In addition, "Farnsworth" decides to share his wealth and right the wrong "he" did to charming Bette Logan's father. Bette, having despised Farnsworth, finds herself falling in love with him and he with her. Just as Joe (still in Farnsworth's body) is about to get a chance to become a fighter, Jordan reports that Farnsworth does not approve of Joe's treatment of his body (and money) and is raising a fuss to have it back. While deciding on another body for Joe, Jordan receives a flash that K.O. Murdock, the champion, has been mysteriously shot. As K.O. is about to be counted out Jordan transfers Joe's spirit into the body of K.O. in time to have K.O. remain champ. There are still problems to be straightened out when Joe really becomes Murdock and loses memory of his previous existence-includingBette. Fortunately, they meet and fall in love again-and Mr. Jordan is free to head for the Hereafter, his earthly task accomplished."

On this day in movie history - The Cheap Detective (1978):

The Cheap Detective

directed by Robert Moore,

written by Neil Simon,

was released in the United States on June 23, 1978.
Music by Patrick Williams.

Cast:

Peter Falk, Ann-Margret, Eileen Brennan, Sid Caesar, Stockard Channing, James Coco, Dom DeLuise, Louise Fletcher, John Houseman, Madeline Kahn, Fernando Lamas, Marsha Mason, Phil Silvers, Abe Vigoda, Paul Williams, Nicol Williamson, Emory Bass, Carmine Caridi, James Cromwell, Scatman Crothers, David Ogden Stiers, Vic Tayback, Carole Wells, John Calvin, Barry Michlin, Jonathan Banks, Lew Gallo, Lee McLaughlin, Zale Kessler, Jerrold Ziman, Wally K. Berns, Bella Bruck, Henry Sutton, Maurice Marks, Joe Ross, Dean Perry, George Rondo, Ronald L. Schwary, Louis H. Kelly, Charles Bastin, Armando Gonzales, Gary L. Dyer, Steven Fisher, Laurie Hagen, Lee Menning, Nancy Warren, Nancy Marlowe Coyne, Lynn Griffis, Paula Friel, Sheila Sisco, Lauren Simon, Cindy Lang, Martina Ritt, David Matthau, Gary Alexander, Michele Bernath, George Simmons, Joree Sirianni, Cornell Chulay, Edward Coch Jr., Bob Harks, Paul King, Murray Pollack, Arthur Tovey.

On this day in movie history - The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith (1978):

The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith

directed and written by Fred Schepisi,

was released in Australia on June 22, 1978.
Based on the novel by Thomas Keneally.
Inspired by the true 1900 Jimmy Governor murder case.

Music by Bruce Smeaton.

Cast:

Tommy Lewis, Freddy Reynolds, Ray Barrett, Jack Thompson, Angela Punch McGregor, Steve Dodd, Peter Carroll, Ruth Cracknell, Don Crosby, Elizabeth Alexander, Peter Sumner, Tim Robertson, Ray Meagher, Brian Anderson, Jane Harders, Julie Dawson, Jack Charles, Arthur Dignam, Robyn Nevin, Gregory Apps, Jillian Archer, John Bowman, Bryan Brown, Michael Carman, Bill Charlton, Liddy Clark, Aileen Corpus, Matthew Crosby, Marshall Crosby, Zona Dixon, Ian Gilmour, Ken Grant, Alan Hardy, Lauren Hutton, John Jarratt, Phemise Jonas, James Keneally, Thomas Keneally, Hagar Laikburner, Katie Lilley, Rose Lilley, Terry McDermott, Lorraine Mafi-Williams, Ray Marshall, Zac Martin, Justine Saunders, Alexandra Schepisi, Rob Steele, Richard Ussher, Wesley Williams, Barbara Wyndon, Mervyn Drake, Peter Farmer, Kevin Miles, Karlene Rogerson.

On this day in movie history - Document of the Dead (1980):

Document of the Dead

directed and written by Roy Frumkes,

was released in Germany on June 21, 1981.
Documentary on the making of Dawn of the Dead (1978),

directed by George A. Romero.
Narrated by Susan Tyrrell and Nicole Potter.
Music by Rick Ulfik.

Cast:

Susan Tyrrell, Nicole Potter, George A. Romero, Richard P. Rubinstein, Michael Gornick, Carl Augenstein, Tom Savini, Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger, David Emge, John Amplas, Roy Frumkes, Christine Forrest, Gahan Wilson, Steve Bissette, Joe Kane, Gregory Lamberson, Ben Barenholtz, Dave Bartholomew, Pasquale Buba, Butchie   Butchie, Diane Donati, Jimmy 'Killer' Evans, George Haeck, Dave Hawkins, 'Sidecar' John Helbig, Jeanie Jefferies, Tom Kapusta, Katherine Kolbert, Leonard Lies, Doug Mertz, Sukey Raphael, Rudy Ricci, John Rice, Cindy Roman, Lenny Roman, Gaylen Ross, Donna Siegel, Nick Tallo, Danny Vail, Larry Vaira, Sara Venable, Susan Vermazen.

Born on this day – Irwin Allen:

Irwin Allen

Photographed on the set of The Swarm (1978)

Director

Producer

June 12, 1916 – November 2, 1991

On this day in movie history - Damien: Omen II (1978):

Damien: Omen II

directed by Don Taylor and Mike Hodges,

written by Stanley Mann and Mike Hodges,

based on a story by Harvey Bernhard,

was released in the United States on June 9, 1978.
Music by Jerry Goldsmith.

Cast:

William Holden, Lee Grant, Jonathan Scott-Taylor, Robert Foxworth, Nicholas Pryor, Lew Ayres, Sylvia Sidney, Lance Henriksen, Elizabeth Shepherd, Lucas Donat, Allan Arbus, Fritz Ford, Meshach Taylor, John J. Newcombe, John Charles Burns, Paul Cook, Diane Daniels, Robert E. Ingham, William B. Fosser, Corney Morgan, Russell P. Delia, Judith Dowd, Thomas O. Erhart Jr., Sorin Serene Pricopie, Robert J. Jones Jr., Rusdi Lane, Charles Mountain, Cornelia Sanders, Felix Shuman, James Spinks, Owen Sullivan, William J. Whelehan, Ian Hendry, Gus Kaprales, Leo McKern.

On this day in movie history - The Shout (1978 movie & book):

The Shout

directed by Jerzy Skolimowski,

written by Michael Austin and Jerzy Skolimowski,

based on the short story by Robert Graves,

was released in the United Kingdom on June 1, 1978.
Music by Tony Banks.

Cast:

Alan Bates, Susannah York, John Hurt, Robert Stephens, Tim Curry, Julian Hough, Carol Drinkwater, John Rees, Jim Broadbent, Susan Wooldridge, Nick Stringer, Colin Higgins, Peter Benson, Joanna Szczerbic, Graham Kingsley Brown.

Recommended reading:

The Shout and Other Stories

By Robert Graves.

Short story anthology.

Paperback.

Published 1979.

Published by Penguin Books.

ISBN 13: 9780140048322

ISBN 10: 0140048324

ASIN: 0140048324

Description:

The shout can wound. The shout can kill. The shout can drive you mad. Unless the man who says he learned the magic shout eighteen years ago is only a lunatic. But is he? … ‘The Shout’ is the first of thirty intriguing stories collected here. They range from a tenement in ancient Rome to the trenches of World War I. Robert Graves assures us that most of them – even the most improbable ones – are true.

“Graves’s stories strike one … as the playfulness of an extremely lively, observant, and humorous spirit. … All of these tales must be read to be appreciated, let alone believed.” – Newsweek.

Originally published in hardcover under the title Collected Short Stories.

The film The Shout is distributed by Films incorporated and stars Alan Bates, Susannah York and John Hurt, with Robert Stephens and Tim Curry; produced by Jeremy Thomas; directed by Jerzy Skolimowski; screenplay by Michael Austin from the story by Robert Graves.