On this day in movie history - To Live and Die in L.A. (1985 movie & novel):

To Live and Die in L.A.

directed by William Friedkin,

written by William Friedkin and Gerald Petievich,

based on the novel by Gerald Petievich,

was released in the United States on November 1, 1985.
Music by Wang Chung.

Cast:

William Petersen, Willem Dafoe, John Pankow, Debra Feuer, John Turturro, Darlanne Fluegel, Dean Stockwell, Steve James, Robert Downey Sr., Michael Greene, Jack Hoar, Christopher Allport, Valentin de Vargas, Dwier Brown, Michael Chong, Gerald Petievich, Jane Leeves, Jacqueline Giroux, Dar Robinson, Thomas F. Duffy, Gary Cole.

Recommended reading:

To Live and Die in L.A.

By Gerald Petievich.

First published 1984.

Published by Pinnacle Books.

Mass Market Paperback.

ISBN-10: 0523423012

ISBN-13: 978-0523423012

Description:

The book that inspired the major motion picture.

“This is the real stuff. He’s not only a fine writer … his dialogue is pure entertainment.” – Elmore Leonard.

“A wham-bam thriller… vivid… proficient and sleek.” – Los Angeles Times.

To Live and Die in L.A. is a harrowing tale, which has become a major motion picture, of cult status, depicting the dark underside of America's "West Coast" metropolis.

Two U.S. Treasury agents, both partners and antagonists, are drawn into a matrix of violence and corruption, L.A. style, a journey through a sunlit hell. At the end, they become experts on the thin line which separates what it takes to live - and to die - in L.A.

On this day in movie history - Out of the Darkness (1985):

Out of the Darkness

directed by Jud Taylor,

written by T. S. Cook,

was released in the United States on October 12, 1985.
Based on the true 1977 David Berkowitz case.
Music by Billy Goldenberg.

Cast:

Martin Sheen, Hector Elizondo, Matt Clark, Jennifer Salt, Eddie Egan, Robert Trebor, Val Avery, Joe Spinell, Victor Arnold, Ann Talman, Bernie McInerney, Dick Latessa, Sam McMurray, Paul Jabara, Larry Atlas, Beege Barkette, Jim Borrelli, James Canning, Jane Cronin, Gina DeAngeles, Rosemary De Angelis, Harold Guskin, Lucinda Jenney, Sugar Johnson, Eriq La Salle, Joe Lisi, John McCurry, Kate Mulligan, Pam Nahal, Antonia Rey, Vincent Russo, Ann Sachs, Lauren Sautner, John Scott Martin, Ben Siegler, Andrew Spathis, Fritz Sperberg, D.B. Sweeney, Mark Tenore, Mickey Treanor, Martin Vidnovic, Olivia Ward, Caryn West, Ed Zigo, Joseph Oliveira, Daniel Ahearn, Thomas Calabro, Joe Chiaramonte, Jude Ciccolella, Sonny Grosso, Tony D. Head, William James Kennedy, Frank Licato, Dennis O'Neill, Marvin Scott, Larry Sharp, Charlie Sheen, Filomena Spagnuolo, Valerie Swift.

Born on this day – Michelle Trachtenberg:

Michelle Trachtenberg

Actress

October 11, 1985 – February 26, 2025

Credits:

70th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade (2001); 2004 Much Music Video Music Awards (2004); 2004 MTV Movie Awards (2004); 1996 Kids' Choice Awards (1996); 17 Again (2009); A Father's Choice (2000); A Holiday for Love (1996); ABC News Breakfast (2025–2026); Access Hollywood (2025); Against the Current (2009); All My Children (1994); Beautiful Ohio (2006); Behind the Scenes of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' (2003); Best Week Ever with Paul F. Tompkins (2004); Big Morning Buzz Live (2013); Biography (2003–2005); Black Christmas (2006); Black Christmas: Deleted Scenes (2006); Blue's Birthday (1998); Blue's Clues (1998); Bonne Nuit (1999); Buffy Goes to Work (2003); Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2000–2003); Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Behind the Scenes of 'Once More with Feeling' (2003); Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Dawn (2004); Buffy Wraps (2004); 'Buffy': Season 6 Overview (2004); 'Buffy': Season 7 Overview (2004); Buffy's Back - The E! Original Special (2001); Burger King: with Michelle Trachtenberg (1991); Caleigh Peters: Reach (2005); Can't Be Heaven (1999); Celebrity Page (2021); Celebrity Wheel of Fortune (2021); Chopped Junior (2016); Clarissa Explains It All (1993); Cop Out (2010); Criminal Minds (2013 / 2020); Daily Blast Live (2021); Dave's World (1996); DC Showcase Collection / Segment: Jonah Hex (2010); Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight (2008); E! Investigates (2012); E! True Hollywood Story (2006); Entertainment Tonight (2008–2025); Entertainment Weekly Cast Reunions (2017); EuroTrip (2004); EuroTrip: Deleted Scenes (2004); Eurotrip: Nude Beach Exposed (2004); Eurotrip: The Making of 'Eurotrip' (2004); Fall Out Boy: This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race (2007); Figure It Out (1998); Fuse Celebrity Playlist (2006); Global Citizen Festival (2012); Going Back to 17 (2009); Good Morning America (2025); Gossip Girl (2008–2012); Gossip Girl: Next Gen (2021) (2022–2023); Gossip Girl: Series Retrospective (2012); Gossip Girl: XO XO (2012); Guidance (2015); Guidance (2016–2017); Guys Like Us (1998); Harriet the Spy (1996 / 2023); Harriet the Spy: How to Be a Spy Tip - Gloves (1996); Hollywood Game Night (2014–2015); Hotel Gramercy Park (2008); House (2006); Human Kind Of (2018); HypaSpace (2002); Ice Princess (2005); Ice Princess: Audio Commentary (2005); Ice Princess: Deleted Scenes (2005); IMDb Originals (2025); Inside Edition (2025); Inspector Gadget (1999); Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2005); Jonah Hex (2010); Kathy (2013); Kickin' It Old Skool (2007); Kickin' It Old Skool: Deleted Scenes (2007); Killing Kennedy (2013); Kohl's: Candies Commercial (2008); Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (2016); Late Night with Conan O'Brien (2006); Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (2009); Law & Order (1991); Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2006); Love Bites (2011); Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (2009); Mad TV (2000–2001); Maximo TV Red Carpet Arrivals (2012–2019); May All Your Christmases Be Black (2007); Meego (1997); Meet, Marry, Murder Hosted by Michelle Trachtenberg (2021); Mercy (2009–2010); MTV Hits (2004); Mysterious Skin (2004); NCIS: Los Angeles (2013); Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards '99 (1999); NYC Prep (2009); On-Air with Ryan Seacrest (2004); Punk'd (2006); Rachael Ray (2010); Reading Rainbow (1998); Richie Rich's Christmas Wish (1998); Rick Santorum Aborts Presidential Campaign (2012); Robot Chicken (2006–2018); Save the Date (2014); Secret Sins (1995); Sexy Evil Genius (2013); Showbiz Junkies (2021); Sidewalks Entertainment (2025); Sister Cities (2016); Six Feet Under (2004); Sleepy Hollow (2015); Space Cases (1996); Space Top 10 Countdown (2007); Spyral (2024); StompOutBullying: with Michelle Trachtenberg (2013); Superman / Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam (2010); SuperMansion (2015); Take Me Home Tonight (2011); Talk Stoop (2010); Teenage Paparazzo (2010); The 1998 Annual Kid's Choice Awards (1998); The 2011 Independent Spirit Awards (2011); The 20th IFP Independent Spirit Awards / Segment: Primer (2005); The 27th Annual Saturn Awards (2001); The 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2003); The 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2007); The 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2011); The Adventures of Pete & Pete (1994–1996); The Annual AFI Awards (2002); The Annual Hollywood Film Awards (2003); The Annual Kids' Choice Awards 1997 (1997); The Annual Women in Film Crystal and Lucy Awards (2006 / 2007 / 2009); The Arsenio Hall Show (2013); The Bonnie Hunt Show (2009); The Christmas Gift (2015); The Circuit (2008); The City (2010); The Dive from Clausen's Pier (2005); The Hill (2007); The Hills (2008); The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn (2004); The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996–2001); The Scribbler (2014); The Second Annual Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards (2001); The Seven (2011); The Sharon Osbourne Show (2004); The Super Hero Squad Show (2009); The Teen Choice Awards 2001 (2001); The Teen Choice Awards 2002 (2002); The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1999); The View (2005); Tired of Being Sorry (2005); Total Request Live (2005); Trapt: Echo (2004); Truth or Scare (2001–2003); Unicorn Boy (2023); Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (2012); WatchMojo (2015); Weeds (2011); What Have You Done?: The Remaking of 'Black Christmas' (2006); Zac Goes Back (2009); Zac Posen: Z Spoke Spring / Summer 2011 Collection (2010).

On this day in music history:

The Wishing Chair by 10,000 Maniacs (1985)

Some Girls Do by Lee Aaron (1991)

The Wishing Chair

Album by 10,000 Maniacs,

released September 23, 1985.

Track list: Can't Ignore The Train; Scorpio Rising; Just As The Tide Was A Flowing; Lilydale; Back O' The Moon; Maddox Table; The Colonial Wing; Grey Victory; Among The Americans; Everyone A Puzzle Lover; Cotton Alley; Daktari; My Mother The War; Tension Makes A Tangle; Arbor Day.

Some Girls Do

Album by Lee Aaron,

Released September 23, 1991.

Track list: Some Girls Do; Crazy in Love; Hands Off the Merchandise; Wild at Heart; Sex with Love; You Make Me Wanna Be Bad; Tuff Love; Motor City Boy; Love Crimes; Can’t Stand the Heat; Dangerous; Tell Me Something Good; Peace on Earth.

On this day in movie history - After Hours (1985):

After Hours

directed by Martin Scorsese,

written by Joseph Minion,

based on a story by Joe Frank,

was released in the United States on September 11, 1985.
Music by Howard Shore.

Cast:

Griffin Dunne, Rosanna Arquette, Verna Bloom, Tommy Chong, Linda Fiorentino, Teri Garr, John Heard, Cheech Marin, Catherine O'Hara, Dick Miller, Will Patton, Robert Plunket, Bronson Pinchot, Rocco Sisto, Larry Block, Victor Argo, Murray Moston, John P. Codiglia, Clarke Evans, Victor Bumbalo, Bill Elverman, Joel Jason, Rand Carr, Clarence Felder, Henry Judd Baker, Margo Winkler, Victor Magnotta, Robin Johnson, Stephen Lim, Frank Aquilino, Maree Catalano, Paula Raflo, Rockets Redglare, Catherine Scorsese, Charles Scorsese, Martin Scorsese, John Spacely.

On this day in music history:

Macalla by Clannad (1985)

The Blues / documentary (2003)

Una Mattina by Ludovico Einaudi (2004)

Tranquil Times by Darlene Koldenhoven (2013)

Macalla

Album by Clannad,

released September 6, 1985.

Track list: Caislean Oir; The Wild Cry; Closer To Your Heart; In A Lifetime; Almost Seems (Too Late To Turn); Indoor; Buachaill On Eirne; Blackstairs; Journey’s End; Northern Skyline.

The Blues

7-part documentary series.

Released at the Venice Film Festival in Italy on September 6, 2003.

Aired on PBS television in the United States from September 28, 2003 – October 4, 2003.

Directed by: Charles Burnett, Clint Eastwood, Marc Levin, Martin Scorsese, Mike Figgis, Richard Pearce and Wim Wenders.

Written by: Charles Burnett, Peter Guralnick, Robert Gordon and Wim Wenders.

Series episode titles:

Feel Like Going Home

The Soul of a Man

The Road to Memphis

Warming by the Devil’s Fire

Godfathers and Sons

Red, White and Blues

Piano Blues

Cast: Ike Turner, B.B. King, Pinetop Perkins, Dick Waterman, Chris Thomas King, Tommy Redmond Hicks, Nathaniel Lee Jr., Keith B. Brown, Carl Lumbly, James Hughes, David F. Hughes, Ivy Cassel, Shayne Tingle, Frances Horton White, Susan McWilliams, Joy Brashears, Tommie Tc Carter, Goodman. Wille, Colleen White, Vasti Jackson, Nathaniel Lee Sr., Ted Davis, Ilona W. Wilkes, Jay R. Unger, Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, Common, Laurence Fishburne, Tom Jones, T Bone Burnett, Lulu, Nick Cave, Mick Fleetwood, Elvis Costello, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Beck, Lou Reed, Van Morrison, Jeff Beck, Eric Burdon, Keb’ Mo’, Dr. John, Steve Winwood, Eagle Eye Cherry, Chuck D, Dave Brubeck, Taj Mahal, Cassandra Wilson, Lucinda Williams, Los Lobos, KoKo Taylor, Lonnie Donegan, Bobby Rush, Rufus Thomas, Humphrey Lyttelton, John Mayall, Peter Green, Albert Lee, Vernon Reid, Sam Phillips, Jack Elliott, Georgie Fame, Ali Farka Touré, Chris Barber, Marc Ribot, Little Milton, Hubert Sumlin, George Melly, Magic Slim, Chris Farlowe, Ian Jennings, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Rahzel, Bert Jansch, Sam Carr, Joe Mulherin, Jon Cleary, Salif Keïta, Shemekia Copeland, Rosco Gordon, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Johnny Juice Rosado, Garland Jeffreys, Marshall Chess, Jay McShann, Cato Walker III, Pete Jolly, Corey Harris, Jim Dickinson, Otha Turner, Calvin Newborn, Henry Gray, Don Kern, Bernice Turner Pratcher, Pete King, Richard Shurman, Davy Graham, Habib Koité, Marcia Ball, Christine Tobin, Dr. Louis Cannonball Cantor, David Barnes, Bob Koester, Phil Chess, Seaberg Ronnog, Jesse Price, Willie King, Sam Lay, Steve Seaberg, Mark Mondesir, Ahmir, Morris Jennings, Toumani Diabaté, Jamar Chess, Phil Upchurch, James Blood Ulmer, Chris Spindel, Pete Johnson, Christine Spindel, Sharde Thomas, Mya, Rob Stone.

Una Mattina

Album by Ludovico Einaudi,

released September 6, 2004.

Track list: Una Mattina; Ora; Resta Con Me; Leo; A Fuoco; Dolce Droga; Dietro Casa; Come Un Fiore; Dna; Nuvole Nere; Questa Volta; Nuvole Bianche; Ancora.

Tranquil Times

Album by Darlene Koldenhoven,

released September 6, 2013.

Track list: Lucid See; Eternal Love; Greensleeves; Hypogeum; Surrender; Drifting With Bach; A Walk in Paradise; Atmosphere.

On this day in movie history - Vagabond (1985):

Vagabond

French title: Sans toit ni loi,

directed and written by Agnès Varda,

was released at the Venice Film Festival, in Italy, on August 30, 1985.
Music by Joanna Bruzdowicz.

Cast:

Sandrine Bonnaire, Setti Ramdane, Francis Balchère, Jean-Louis Perletti, Urban Causse, Christophe Alcazar, Dominique Durand, Joël Fosse, Patrick Schmit, Daniel Bos, Katy Champaud, Raymond Roulle, Henri Fridlani, Patrick Sokol, Pierre Imbert, Richard Imbert, Mar Jarnias, Yolande Moreau, Gabriel Mariani, Patrick Lepcynski, Sylvain, Savin, Michele Doumèche, Pierette Soler, Macha Méril, Pierre Emonnot, Stéphane Freiss, Laurence Cortadellas, Emmanuel Protopopoff, Vincent Sanchez, ‘Garibaldi’ Fernández, Michel Constantial, Alain Roussel, Yahiaoui Assouna, Aimée Chisci, Marguerite Chisci, Geneviève Bonfils, Christian Chessa, Setina Arhab, Jacques Berthier, Oliver Jongerlynck, Remi Leboucq, Jean Dambrin, Bébert Samcir.