On this day in movie history - The Brink’s Job (1978 movie & book):

The Brink’s Job

directed William Friedkin,

written by Walon Green,

based on the book Big Stick-Up at Brinks by Noel Behn,

was released in the United States on December 8, 1978.
Music by Richard Rodney Bennett.

Cast:

Peter Falk, Peter Boyle, Allen Garfield, Warren Oates, Gena Rowlands, Paul Sorvino, Sheldon Leonard, Gerard Murphy, Kevin O'Connor, Claudia Peluso, Patrick Hines, Malachy McCourt, Walter Klavun, Randy Jurgensen, John Brandon, Robert Prosky.

Recommended reading:

Big Stick-Up at Brinks

By Noel Behn.

First published 1976.

Published by Putnam.

Hardcover.

ISBN-10: 0399118977

ISBN-13: 978-0399118975

Description:

A riveting and frequently hilarious insider account of one of the twentieth century’s most outrageous capers.

On the evening of January 17, 1950, armed robbers wearing Captain Marvel masks entered the Brink’s Armored Car building in Boston, Massachusetts. They walked out less than an hour later with more than $2.7 million in cash and securities. It was a brazen and expertly executed theft that captured the imaginations of millions of Americans and baffled the FBI and local law enforcement officials.

But what appeared on the surface to be the perfect crime was, in fact, the end result of a mind-boggling series of mistakes, miscalculations, and missteps. The men behind the masks were not expert bank robbers but a motley crew of small-time crooks who bumbled their way into a record-breaking payday and managed to elude the long arm of the law for six years.

New York Times bestselling author Noel Behn tape-recorded nearly one thousand hours of interviews with the surviving robbers, including motormouthed mastermind Tony Pino, a character so colorful he might have been dreamed up by a Hollywood screenwriter, to tell the uncensored story of the heist forever known as “the Great Brink’s Robbery.” Fun and suspenseful from first page to last, Behn’s true-crime classic was the basis for The Brink’s Job (1978), the Academy Award–nominated film directed by William Friedkin and starring Peter Falk and Peter Boyle.

“It had me riveted with suspense, but it also made me laugh until I got hiccups.” – Cosmopolitan.

“A King Kong of crime entertainment . . . that no movie could match . . . The Brink’s job [was] a kind of D-Day event in the annals of crime . . . Glorious.” – Kirkus Reviews.

“One minute you’re laughing your head off. The next minute you chill with fear. Crooks and crime at their best. Pure magic!” – Harold Robbins.

“The best book about criminals ever written, a rich and beautiful depiction of their lives as well as their work, a book that elevates them from moving-picture types to complete, vivid humans. Noel Behn has taken one of the most extraordinary crimes of the century and turned it into a living tapestry. It’s a wonderful book.” – Paddy Chayefsky, Academy Award–winning screenwriter of Network.

“Reads like a Hollywood screenplay, except that it really happened.” – John Barkham Reviews.

On this day in music history - Dog & Butterfly, by Heart (1978):

Dog & Butterfly

Album by Heart,

released October 7, 1978.

Track list:

Cook With Fire; High Time; Hijinx; Straight On; Dog & Butterfly; Lighter Touch; Nada One; Mistral Wind; Heartless (Live); Feels; A Little Bit.

On this day in movie history - Midnight Express (1978):

Midnight Express

directed by Alan Parker,

written by Oliver Stone,

based on the book by Billy Hayes and William Hoffer,

was released in the United States on October 6, 1978.
Music by Giorgio Moroder.

Cast:

Brad Davis, Irene Miracle, Bo Hopkins, Paolo Bonacelli, Paul L. Smith, Randy Quaid, Norbert Weisser, John Hurt, Kevork Malikyan, Yashaw Adem, Mike Kellin, Franco Diogene, Michael Ensign, Gigi Ballista, Peter Jeffrey, Michael Giannatos.

On this day in television history: Taxi (1978 - 1983):

Taxi

written by James L. Brooks, Stan Daniels, David Davis and Ed. Weinberger,

was released on September 12, 1978, and ran for five seasons, until June 15, 1983.
Theme music by Bob James.

Cast:

Judd Hirsch, Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner, Tony Danza, Andy Kaufman, Christopher Lloyd, J. Alan Thomas, Jeff Conaway, Carol Kane, Randall Carver, T.J. Castronovo, Rhea Perlman, Gene LeBell, Jimmy Lennon Sr., Al Rosen, Louise Lasser, Susan Kellermann, Vincent Schiavelli, Melanie Gaffin, Ed. Weinberger, David Mendenhall, Suzanne Kent, Ellen Regan, Andrea Marcovicci, Julia DeVito, Jack Gilford, Anne De Salvo, Jill Jaress, Marc Anthony Danza, Carmine Caridi, Wendell Wright, Talia Balsam, Michael Mann, Paula Victor, Ted Danson, Rebecca Holden, Bubba Smith, Fran Ryan, Charlayne Woodard, Mandy Patinkin, Arlene Golonka, Gail Edwards, Allan Arbus, Rita Taggart, William Bogert, Dee Wallace, Jeffrey Tambor, Joan Hackett, Ruth Gordon, Scott Brady, Amanda McBroom, Lenny Baker, Constance Forslund, John Dukakis, Nancy Steen, Liz Miller, Susan Sullivan, Priscilla Barnes, Julie Kavner, Beverly Ross, George Wendt, Martha Smith, Barry Nelson, Allen Garfield, Tom Selleck, Joanna Cassidy, Eileen Brennan, Bob Larkin, Tom Hanks, Gayle Hunnicutt, Keenan Wynn, Sherrie Wills, Jean Hayworth, Marcia Wolf, Penny Marshall, Tracey Walter, Scatman Crothers, Cathie Shirriff, Judith-Marie Bergan, Michael Saucedo, Howard Witt, Brad Kesten, Charles Bouvier, Sharon Madden, Elizabeth Hill, Wendy Jewell, Rose Marie Klespitz, Joyce Mandel, Marshall Jay Kaplan, Paul LeClair, Jim Brooks, Debra Satell.

Recommended reading - Play Misty for Me, by Paul J. Gillette (1978):

Play Misty for Me

By Paul J. Gillette.

Novelization of the movie Play Misty for Me (1971), directed by Clint Eastwood,

written by Jo Heims and Dean Riesner, based on a story by Jo Heims.

Published by Star Books.

Published 1978.

ISBN-10: 0352302739

ISBN-13: 9780352302731

Description:

A Hitchcockian psychological thriller. – Evening Standard.

The trap is baited …

A beautiful, lonely, possessive girl; a successful, popular disc-jockey.

The trap is set …

A night of casual lust – no complications, no strings attached.

The trap begins to close …

Jealousy and revenge boil over in a nightmare of terror.

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

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.

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):

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.

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.