On this day in movie history - A Clockwork Orange (1971 movie & novel):

A Clockwork Orange

directed by Stanley Kubrick,
based on the 1962 novel by Anthony Burgess,

premiered in Canada on December 19, 1971.

Music by Wendy Carlos.

Cast:

Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Michael Bates, Warren Clarke, John Clive, Adrienne Corri, Carl Duering, Paul Farrell, Clive Francis, Michael Gover, Miriam Karlin, James Marcus, Aubrey Morris, Godfrey Quigley, Sheila Raynor, Madge Ryan, Anthony Sharp, Philip Stone, Michael Tarn, David Prowse, Carol Drinkwater, Steven Berkoff, Margaret Tyzack, Pauline Taylor.

Recommended reading:

A Clockwork Orange

By Anthony Burgess.

Filmed in 1971 by Stanley Kubrick.

First published 1962.

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 0393341763

ISBN-13: 978-0393341768

Description:

One of Esquire's 50 Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time.

“A brilliant novel.… [A] savage satire on the distortions of the single and collective minds.” – New York Times.

In Anthony Burgess’s influential nightmare vision of the future, where the criminals take over after dark, the story is told by the central character, Alex, a teen who talks in a fantastically inventive slang that evocatively renders his and his friends’ intense reaction against their society. Dazzling and transgressive, A Clockwork Orange is a frightening fable about good and evil and the meaning of human freedom. This edition includes the controversial last chapter not published in the first edition, and Burgess’s introduction, “A Clockwork Orange Resucked.”

On this day in movie history - Barry Lyndon (1975 movie & novel):

Barry Lyndon

directed and written by Stanley Kubrick,

based on the novel The Luck of Barry Lyndon by William Makepeace Thackeray,

was released in the United States on December 18, 1975.
Music by Leonard Rosenman and Ralph Ferraro.
Main theme Sarabande by George Frideric Handel.
Women of Ireland by Peadar Ó Doirnín and Seán Ó Riada, performed by The Chieftains.

Cast:

Michael Hordern, Ryan O'Neal, Marisa Berenson, Patrick Magee, Hardy Krüger, Gay Hamilton, Godfrey Quigley, Steven Berkoff, Marie Kean, Murray Melvin, Frank Middlemass, Leon Vitali, Dominic Savage, Leonard Rossiter, André Morell, Anthony Sharp, Philip Stone, David Morley, Diana Koerner, Arthur O'Sullivan, Billy Boyle, Jonathan Cecil, Peter Cellier, Geoffrey Chater, Wolf Kahler, Liam Redmond, Roger Booth, Ferdy Mayne, John Sharp, Pat Roach, Hans Meyer.

Recommended reading:

The Luck of Barry Lyndon

By William Makepeace Thackeray.

Filmed as Barry Lyndon (1975), directed and written by Stanley Kubrick.

First published 1844.

Published by East India Publishing Company.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 1778940242

ISBN-13: 978-1778940248

Description:

Step into the world of 18th-century Europe with "The Luck of Barry Lyndon" by acclaimed author William Makepeace Thackeray. This captivating novel offers a mesmerizing glimpse into the life of its eponymous protagonist, Barry Lyndon, as he navigates the precarious paths of ambition, love, and fortune.

Thackeray's exquisite storytelling paints a vivid portrait of a charismatic and cunning protagonist, whose relentless pursuit of wealth and status takes him from the Irish countryside to the glittering courts of Europe. Through Barry's adventures, readers are immersed in a world of decadence, intrigue, and social climbing, where each twist of fate presents new opportunities and perilous challenges.

"The Luck of Barry Lyndon" is not merely a tale of personal ambition, but also a scathing social commentary on the moral bankruptcy and vanity of the aristocracy. Thackeray's sharp wit and incisive observations cut through the veneer of high society, exposing the hypocrisy and pitfalls that lie beneath.

With its rich historical backdrop and compelling characters, this novel stands as a testament to Thackeray's masterful storytelling. "The Luck of Barry Lyndon" is a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers, inviting them to reflect on the elusive nature of fortune and the consequences of relentless ambition.

Prepare to be enthralled by Thackeray's intricate narrative, as he weaves a tale of passion, deceit, and unexpected turns of fate. This extraordinary novel promises an unforgettable journey into a world where luck can both make and break a man.

On this day in movie history - The Masque of the Red Death (1964):

The Masque of the Red Death

directed by Roger Corman,

written by Charles Beaumont and R. Wright Campbell,

was released in the United States on June 24, 1964.

Based on The Masque of the Red Death and Hop-Frog by Edgar Allan Poe,

and Torture by Hope by Auguste Villiers de l’Isle-Adam.
Music by David Lee.

Cast:

Vincent Price, Hazel Court, Jane Asher, David Weston, Nigel Green, Patrick Magee, Paul Whitsun-Jones, Robert Brown, Julian Burton, David Davies, Skip Martin, Gaye Brown, Verina Greenlaw, Doreen Dawn, Brian Hewlett, Sarah Brackett.

On this day in movie history - The Black Cat (1981):

The Black Cat

directed by Lucio Fulci,

written by Biagio Proietti, Lucio Fulci and Biagio Proietti,

based on the short story by Edgar Allan Poe,

was released in Italy on April 4, 1981.
Music by Pino Donaggio.

Cast:

Patrick Magee, Mimsy Farmer, David Warbeck, Al Cliver, Dagmar Lassander, Bruno Corazzari, Geoffrey Copleston, Daniela Doria, Lucio Fulci, Vito Passeri.