On this day in movie history - Fort Apache, The Bronx (1981):

Fort Apache, The Bronx

directed by Daniel Petrie,

written by Heywood Gould,

was released in the United States on February 6, 1981.

Music by Jonathan Tunick.

Cast:

Paul Newman, Ed Asner, Ken Wahl, Danny Aiello, Rachel Ticotin, Pam Grier, Kathleen Beller, Tito Goya, Miguel Piñero, Jaime Tirelli, Clifford David, Sully Boyar, Dominic Chianese, Michael Higgins, Paul Gleason, Randy Jurgensen, Gilbert Lewis, Cleavant Derricks, Reynaldo Medina, Norman Matlock.

Recommended reading - The Big Knockover and Other Stories by Dashiell Hammett (1981):

The Big Knockover and Other Stories

By Dashiell Hammett.

Published by Harmondsworth: Penguin Books.

Published 1981.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 0140029419

ISBN-13: 978-0140029413

Description:

Nine short stories. Includes the unfinished novel, Tulip, and a memoir by Lillian Hellman. Short, thick-bodied, mulishly stubborn, and indifferent to physical pain, Dashiell Hammett's Continental Op was the prototype for generations of tough-guy detectives. He is also the hero of most of the nine stories in this volume. The Op's one enthusiasm is doing his job, and in The Big Knockover the jobs entail taking on a gang of modern-day freebooters, a vice-ridden hell's acre in the Arizona desert, and the bank job to end all bank jobs, along with such assorted grifters as Babe McCloor, Bluepoint Vance, Alphabet Shorty McCoy, and the Dis-and-Dat Kid.

On this day in music history - Kids in America, by Kim Wilde (1981):

Kids in America

by Kim Wilde,

released January 26, 1981.

Recommended reading - Little Caesar by W.R. Burnett (1929 & 1981):

Little Caesar

By W.R. Burnett.

ASIN: B0012363AA

Published by Dial.

Published 1929.

Hardcover.

First edition.

Description:

Rico is a small, pale man, but he has guts, endurance and a steely single-mindedness. When Vettori sends the gang out to rob a local nightclub, Rico shoots a cop who pulls a gun on him. They get away, but Vettori is shocked. He had told Rico, no gunplay. That’s when Rico realizes that Vettori has gone soft. He’s too old to control the gang anymore. So Rico takes over. With the faithful Otero at his side, the rest of them quickly shift their allegiances. Now the world is Rico’s. It’s his gang, and he’s calling all the shots. But there is always a weak link, someone who’s ready to spill when the bulls get tough. And sooner or later the nightclub killing is bound to catch up with him.

Little Caesar

By Gerald Peary.

Edited by Tino Balio.

Published by University of Wisconsin Press.

Wisconsin / Warner Bros. Screenplays.

Published 1981.

First edition.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 029908454X

ISBN-13: 978-0299084547

Description:

Little Caesar, a 1931 Hollywood gangster classic, is viewed in revivals today with nearly as much audience enthusiasm as it enjoyed a half-century ago, in the depths of the Great Depression.

In general, the Hollywood film industry responded to the dark economic conditions of the 1930s with escapist and non-topical films. The fascinating exception was the gangster film, through which the studios joined in the debate over the spiritual and economic health of the nation. Little Caesar, considered by many to be an architype of the genre, is one of the most memorable dramatizations of the discontent and alienation, the deep anxiety and hostility shared by millions of Americans during those dark years.

On this day in television history - Hill Street Blues (1981-1987):

Hill Street Blues

created by Steven Bochco and Michael Kozoll,

was released in the United States on January 15, 1981,

and ran for seven seasons until May 12, 1987.
Theme music by Mike Post.

Cast:

Daniel J. Travanti, Veronica Hamel, Michael Conrad, Bruce Weitz, Joe Spano, Michael Warren, Charles Haid, James B. Sikking, Betty Thomas, Kiel Martin, Taurean Blacque, René Enriquez, Ed Marinaro, Barbara Bosson, Robert Prosky, Ken Olin, Mimi Kuzyk, Dennis Franz, Robert Clohessy, Megan Gallagher, Jon Cypher, Robert Hirschfeld, Barbara Babcock, Trinidad Silva, Jeffrey Tambor, Dennis Dugan, George Wyner, Lisa Sutton, Jennifer Tilly, Del Zamora, Judith Hansen, Peter Jurasik, Panchito Gomez, Larry D. Mann, Lee Weaver, Deborah Richter, Pat Corley, David Caruso, Bobby Ellerbee, Alfre Woodard, Terry Alexander, Jonathan Banks, Michael Biehn, David Caruso, Don Cheadle, Vance Colvig, Bryan Cranston, James Cromwell, Hector Elizondo, Martin Ferrero, Laurence Fishburne, Jonathan Frakes, Robin Gammell, Andy Garcia, Paul Gleason, Crispin Glover, Danny Glover, Cuba Gooding Jr., Linda Hamilton, Penny Johnson Jerald, Anne-Marie Johnson, Jane Kaczmarek, Stanley Kamel, Terry Kiser, Yaphet Kotto, Michael Lerner, Whitman Mayo, Barney Martin, Paul McCrane, James McDaniel, Frances McDormand, Chuck Mitchell, Chris Noth, Edward James Olmos, Chazz Palminteri, Joe Pantoliano, Felton Perry, Joaquin Phoenix, CCH Pounder, Daphne Reid, James Remar, Michael Richards, Ron Rifkin, Tim Robbins, Mimi Rogers, Leo Rossi, Saul Rubinek, Joe Santos, Dwight Schultz, Helen Shaver, Ally Sheedy, Brent Spiner, Dolph Sweet, Joe E. Tata, Lawrence Tierney, Jennifer Tilly, Meg Tilly, James Tolkan, George Wallace, Tracey Walter, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Forest Whitaker.

On this day in movie history - Mad Max 2 (1981):

Mad Max 2

aka The Road Warrior,

directed by George Miller,

written by Robert Benton, Terry Hayes, George Miller and Brian Hannant,

was released in Australia on December 24, 1981.
Narrated by Harold Baigent.
Music by Howard Shore.

Cast:

Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Michael Preston, Max Phipps, Vernon Wells, Kjell Nilsson, Emil Minty, Virginia Hey, William Zappa, Arkie Whiteley, Steve J. Spears, Syd Heylen, Moira Claux, David Downer, David Slingsby, Kristoffer Greaves, Max Fairchild, Tyler Coppin, Jerry O'Sullivan, Tony Deary, Kathleen McKay, Guy Norris, Anne Jones, James McCardell, Harold Baigent, Stewart Finlay-McLennan, Joanne Samuel.

Born on this day – Adan Canto:

Adan Canto

Actor

December 5, 1981 – January 8, 2024

Credits:

The Cleaning Lady (2022); Agent Game (2022); Entertainment Tonight (2022); The Devil Below (2021); The Shot (2020); 2 Hearts (2020); Bruised (2020); The Hypnotist's Love Story (2019); Designated Survivor (2016–2019); The Marilyn Denis Show (2018); Amanda & Jack Go Glamping (2017); CTV's Big Fall Preview 2017 (2017); The Catch (2016); Second Chance (2016); Blood & Oil (2015); Narcos (2015); Before Tomorrow (2014); Pilot (2014); Almost Thirty (2014); Classification: M (2014); E! News (2014); Mixology (2014); X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014); Good Day L.A. (2013); The Following (2013); Al Ras (2012); Amar no es querer (2011); Santiago del otro lado (2011); Te presento a Laura (2010); Los Minondo (2010); Sin memoria (2010); Estado de Gracia (2009).

On this day in movie history - Whose Life Is It Anyway? (1981):

Whose Life Is It Anyway?

directed by John Badham,

written by Reginald Rose,

based on the play by Brian Clark,

was released in the United States on December 2, 1981.
Music by Arthur B. Rubinstein.

Cast:

Richard Dreyfuss, John Cassavetes, Christine Lahti, Bob Balaban, Thomas Carter, Kaki Hunter, Kenneth McMillan, Janet Eilber.

On this day in television history - Steve Garvey Celebrity Sports Classic for Multiple Sclerosis (1981):

Steve Garvey Celebrity Sports Classic for Multiple Sclerosis

hosted by Steve Garvey,

produced by Bill Fitts and Ralph Mole,

was released in the United States on November 26, 1981.
IMDB description: Steve Garvey hosts the 7th Annual Steve Garvey Multiple Sclerosis Sports Classic featuring sports and entertainment celebrities competing in athletic competitions for charity.

Cast:

Lloyd Bridges, James Franciscus, Steve Garvey, Ann Jillian, Deacon Jones, Harvey Korman, Janet Leigh, Connie Stevens, Dwight Stones, Dick Van Patten.

On this day in movie history - Ticket to Heaven (1981):

Ticket to Heaven

directed by Ralph L. Thomas,

written by Josh Freed, Anne Cameron and Ralph L. Thomas,

based on the book Moonwebs: Journey into the Mind of a Cult by Josh Freed,

was released in the United States on October 9, 1981.
Music by Micky Erbe and Maribeth Solomon.

Cast:

Nick Mancuso, Saul Rubinek, Meg Foster, Kim Cattrall, R.H. Thomson, Jennifer Dale, Guy Boyd, Dixie Seatle, Paul Soles, Harvey Atkin, Robert Joy, Stephen Markle, Timothy Webber, Patrick Brymer, Marcia Diamond, Michael Zelniker, Denise Naples, Angelo Rizacos, Cindy Girling, Gina Dick, Chris Britton, Margot Dionne, Claire Pimparé, Lynne Kolber, Lyn Harvey, Josh Freed, Candace O'Connor, Michael Wincott, Doris Petrie, Judy Marshak, David Main, Grant Slater, Les Rubie, Sandra Gies, Susan Hannon, Marie Lynn Hammond, Paul Booth, Charles Gray, Brian Leonard, Ron Nigrini, Craig Stephens.

Recommended reading - Moonwebs (1981):

Moonwebs: Journey into the Mind of a Cult

By Josh Freed.

Filmed as Ticket to Heaven (1981), directed by Ralph L. Thomas.

ISBN 13: 9780920528273

ISBN 10: 0920528279

ASIN: 0920528279

Published by Virgo.

First published 1981.

Paperback.

Description:

INSIDE THE MOONIES!

Benji Miller would still be entwined in the tentacles of the Unification Church, a victim of irresistible brainwashing techniques, if his friends as family had not risked thousands of dollars, criminal charges, and their own sanity, to kidnap Benji and ‘deprogram’ him. Author Josh Freed was with them.

He experienced the first stages of Moonie brainwashing and recounts in detail the harrowing techniques that thousands have fallen victim to. He described methods so powerful that anyone could succumb … your family … your friends … even you …

Praise for the book!

“…thought-provoking and persuasive…” – Books in Canada.

“… breathtaking and hilarious…” – Eve Drobot, The Globe and Mail.

“…this story is a valuable one…” – Quill and Quire.

“…one of the most frightening books on now on the market…” – Kitchener-Waterloo Record.

Praise for the movie!

“…riveting film …explosive depiction of a growing controversial issue.” – Rex Reed, New York Daily News.

“A first class social thriller.” – Variety.

“…completely absorbing…” – Chicago Sun-Times.

“…it is absorbing … touching on the chilling…” – Bruce Kirkland, Toronto Sun.

“An exciting, scary, psychological thriller.” – Martin Knelman, Toronto Life.

Moonwebs first appeared as a series of articles which won the National Newspaper Award as the best news story in Canada.

On this day in movie history - Southern Comfort (1981):

Southern Comfort

directed by Walter Hill,

written by Walter Hill, Michael Kane and David Giler,

was released in the United States on September 25, 1981.
Music by Ry Cooder.

Cast:

Keith Carradine, Powers Boothe, Fred Ward, Franklyn Seales, T.K. Carter, Lewis Smith, Les Lannom, Peter Coyote, Carlos Brown, Brion James, Sonny Landham, Jeanne-Louise Bulliard, Jeannie Spector, Orel Borel.