Nicholson Baker, on books:

Books:

a beautifully browsable invention that needs no electricity and exists in a readable form no matter what happens.

- Nicholson Baker.

On this day in movie history - Road to Perdition (2002):

Road to Perdition,

directed by Sam Mendes,

written by David Self,

based on the graphic novel by Max Allan Collins and Richard Piers Rayner,

was released in the United States on July 12, 2002.
Music by Thomas Newman.

Cast:
Tom Hanks, Tyler Hoechlin, Paul Newman, Jude Law, Daniel Craig, Stanley Tucci, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Liam Aiken, Dylan Baker, Ciarán Hinds, David Darlow, Kerry Rossall, Anthony LaPaglia, Kevin Chamberlin, Harry Groener, JoBe Cerny.

On this day in movie history - Reign of Fire (2002):

Reign of Fire,

directed by Rob Bowman,

written by Gregg Chabot, Kevin Peterka and Matt Greenberg,

based on a story by Gregg Chabot and Kevin Peterka,

was released in the United States on July 12, 2002.

Music by Edward Shearmur, Brad Wagner, Grant Claytor and Mad at Gravity.

Cast:
Christian Bale, Matthew McConaughey, Izabella Scorupco, Gerard Butler, Scott Moutter, David Kennedy, Alexander Siddig, Ned Dennehy, Rory Keenan, Terence Maynard, Doug Cockle, Randall Carlton, Chris Kelly, Ben Thornton, Alice Krige, Malcolm Douglas, Dessie Gallagher, Martin Linnane, Denis Conway, Duncan Keegan, Laura Pyper, Berts Folan, Brian McGuinness, Barry Barnes, David Herlihy, Gerry O'Brien, Patrick Foy, Anne Maria McAuley, Maree Duffy, Alex Meacock, David Garrick, Andy Godbold, Conor Dean Smith, Ross Donnelly, Jack Gleeson, Sebastian Siegel.

On this day in movie history - News Is Made at Night (1939):

News Is Made at Night,

directed by Alfred L. Werker,

written by John Francis Larkin,

was released in the United States on July 12, 1939.
Music by Samuel Kaylin.

Behind the scenes photograph:

Cast:
Preston Foster, Lynn Bari, Russell Gleason, George Barbier, Eddie Collins, Minor Watson, Charles Halton, Paul Harvey, Richard Lane, Charles Lane, Betty Compson, Paul Fix, Paul Guilfoyle, Ernie Alexander, Irving Bacon, Eugene Borden, Wade Boteler, Harold Goodwin, George Guhl, J. Anthony Hughes, William Irving, Robert Emmett Keane, Alberto Morin, James C. Morton, David Newell, Jack Norton, George O'Hara, Imboden Parrish, Arthur Rankin, Jack Richardson, Harry Strang, Billy Wayne.

Born on this day – Christine McVie:

Christine McVie

Singer

Musician

Writer

July 12, 1943 — November 30, 2022

Credits:

Albums:

Albatross (1977); Bare Trees (1972); Behind the Mask (1990); Christine McVie (1984); Christine Perfect (1970); Fleetwood Mac (1975); Future Games (1971); Heroes Are Hard to Find (1974); In the Meantime (2004); Lindsey Buckingham Christine McVie (2017); Live (1980); Mirage (1982); Mystery to Me (1973); Penguin (1973); Rumours (1977); Songbird (2022); Tango in the Night (1987); The Dance (1997); Time (1995); Tusk (1979).

Movies, television and video:

100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll (1999); 1987 MTV Video Music Awards (1987); 2018 MusiCares Person of the Year: Fleetwood Mac (2018); 25th Annual Family Film Awards (2022); 9-1-1: Lone Star (2021); A Dog's Way Home (2019); A Family of Killers (2018); A Fine Mess (1986); A Year in Music (2019); Accepted (2006); Alias (2002); Aloha (2015); American Bandstand (1984); America's Got Talent (2019); Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway (2016); Atop the Fourth Wall (2011); B.J. and the Bear (1979); Bad Music Video Theatre (2021); Beat Shazam (2017–2018); Beat-Club (1971); Behind the Music (1997); Biggest Band Breakups and Make Ups (2015); Black Mass (2015); Black Monday (2021); Bob Welch and Friends: Live from the Roxy (1981); Britain's Got More Talent (2015–2018); Britain's Got Talent (2016); Chevy - EV (2022); Christine McVie: Got A Hold on Me (1984); Christine McVie: Love Will Show Us How (1984); Christine McVie: The Video Album (1984); City on a Hill (2019); Classic Albums (1997); Cold Case (2004–2007); Coronation Street (2014); Dancing on Ice (2010); Dancing with the Stars (2009); Danville 2nd Ward Young Men (2011); Dare to Be Different (2017); Definitely, Maybe (2008); Desert Island Discs (2017); Doctors (2012); EastEnders (2006–2007); Entertainment Tonight (2022); Final Score (2016); Fleetwood Mac in Concert: Mirage Tour '82 (1983); Fleetwood Mac: As Long As You Follow (1988); Fleetwood Mac: Big Love (1987); Fleetwood Mac: Don't Stop (2009); Fleetwood Mac: Don't Stop (Live) (1977); Fleetwood Mac: Dreams (Live) (1977); Fleetwood Mac: Everywhere (1987); Fleetwood Mac: Family Man (1987); Fleetwood Mac: Go Your Own Way (1977); Fleetwood Mac: Gold Dust Woman (1988); Fleetwood Mac: Gypsy (1982); Fleetwood Mac: Hold Me (1981); Fleetwood Mac: In the Back of My Mind (1990); Fleetwood Mac: Isn't It Midnight (1988); Fleetwood Mac: Little Lies (1987); Fleetwood Mac: Love Shines (1992); Fleetwood Mac: Man of the World (1969); Fleetwood Mac: Not That Funny (1979); Fleetwood Mac: Oh Diane (1982); Fleetwood Mac: Paper Doll (1992); Fleetwood Mac: Rhiannon (1976); Fleetwood Mac: Rumours (1997); Fleetwood Mac: Sara (1979); Fleetwood Mac: Save Me (1990); Fleetwood Mac: Seven Wonders (1987); Fleetwood Mac: Silver Springs, Live (1997); Fleetwood Mac: Skies the Limit (1990); Fleetwood Mac: Tango in the Night (1987); Fleetwood Mac: Temporary One (Live) (1997); Fleetwood Mac: The Chain, Live (1997); Fleetwood Mac: The Dance (1997); Fleetwood Mac: Their Own Way (2018); Fleetwood Mac: Tusk (1979); Fleetwood Mac's Songbird: Christine McVie (2019); FM (1978); Formula 1: 2013 (2013); Formula 1: BBC Sport (2009–2015); Galactica 1980 (1980); Glastonbury 2010 (2010); Glee (2011); Good Morning Britain (2019); Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017); Heart of Stone (2023); Heroes (2009); Hi havia una vegada el disc de La Marató (2009); Hilary Duff: Little Lies (2016); Hollywood Game Night (2017); Hollywood Stargirl (2022); Homecoming (2020); I, Tonya (2017); Idol - Jakten på en superstjerne (2005); Idols (2007 / 2008); Idool 2004 (2004); Irresistible (2006); iZombie (2017); Jesus Revolution (2023); Joe Somebody (2001); Judas (2019); Knight Rider (1982–1983); Leipzig Homicide (2024); Les invincibles (2007); Let It Be Me (1995); Lost in the Woods (2021); Love Actually (2003); Love and Lemons (2013); M.U.G.E.N (1999); Mick Fleetwood & Friends Celebrate the Music of Peter Green (2021); Mom's Day Away (2014); Morning Joe (2021); Mr. Music (1998); MTV 80s - Top 50 Greatest Voices of the 80s! (2020); Never Mind the Buzzcocks (2013); NOS Uit het Leven (2022); Olive Kitteridge (2014); Our Flag Means Death (2022); Parenthood (2013); Personal Best (1982); Peter Kay's Animated All Star Band: The Official BBC Children in Need Medley (2009); Playboy's Roller Disco & Pajama Party (1979); Roadies (2016); Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live: Start Me Up (2009); Rock Family Trees (1995); Rock Legends (2014); RTL DIREKT (2022); Rude Tube (2011); Sex Education (2020); Skins (2009); Slap Shot (1977); Solid Gold (1984); Sound City (2013); Sounds of Birmingham at the BBC (2022); SPF-18 (2017); Stevie Nicks: Sometimes It's A Bitch (1991); Stevie Nicks: Wild at Heart (2020); Supergirl (2017); Superstore (2015); TFI Friday (1996); The 52nd Presidential Inaugural Gala (1993); The 65th Annual Grammy Awards (2023); The '70s (2000); The Act (2019); The Americans (2015); The Beat with Ari Melber (2017); The Boy Castaways (2013); The BRITs at 40 (2020); The Bukharan (2021); The Cockfields (2019); The Dancing Man of L.A. (2021); The Drew Carey Show (1998); The End of the F***ing World (2017); The End of the Tour (2015); The Five (2022); The Fleetwood Mac Channel (2020); The Goldbergs' Excellent Adventure (2021); The Jump (2016); The Kitchen (2019); The Late Late Show with James Corden (2017); The Mick Fleetwood Story: Two Sticks and a Drum (2000); The Midnight Gang (2018); The Midnight Special (1973); The Old Grey Whistle Test (1976); The One Show (2017); The Seventies (2015); The Simpsons (1997–1999); The Story of Fleetwood Mac (2013); The Talk (2017); The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2017); The Voice (2012–2020); The War Room (1993); The X Factor UK (2008); The Year: 2022 (2022); Time of Our Lives (2019); Today (2014); Top Ten New York (1977); Triple Frontier (2019); UK Championship Snooker (2014); Under the Volcano (2021); Vanity Fair (2018); Victoria & Steve (2022); Wednesday (2022); Wimbledon (2017); Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (2022); Women in Rock (1986); Women Who Rock (2022); Younger (2016).

Born on this day – Ken Wlaschin:

Ken Wlaschin

Actor

Writer

July 12, 1934 – November 10, 2009

Credits:

Books:

Encyclopedia of American Opera (2006); Encyclopedia of Opera on Screen: A Guide to More Than 100 Years of Opera Films, Videos, and DVDs (2004); Gian Carlo Menotti on Screen: Opera, Dance and Choral Works on Film, Television and Video (1999); Opera on Screen: A Guide to 100 Years of Films and Videos (1997); Silent Mystery and Detective Movies: A Comprehensive Filmography (2009); The Bluffer's Guide to the Cinema / aka Bluff Your Way in the Cinema (1971); The Faber Book of Movie Verse / with Philip French (1993); The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World's Great Movie Stars (1979); The Silent Cinema in Song, 1896-1929: An Illustrated History and Catalog of Songs Inspired by the Movies and Stars (2008).

Movies and television:

Five More (1966); Jean Renoir: An Auteur to Remember (2007); Muffled Darkness (1987); Storyboard (1961); The History and Allure of Time Travel (2004); The Tramplers (1965); Valkokangas (1982).

Born on this day – Donald E. Westlake:

Donald E. Westlake

Writer

July 12, 1933 – December 31, 2008

Credits:

Books:

The Phil Crawford novel series: Backstage Love (1959); What Girls Will Do (1962). The Parker novel series, writing as Richard Stark: The Hunter (aka Point Blank / Payback) (1962); The Steel Hit (aka The Man With The Getaway Face) (1963); The Outfit (1963); The Mourner (1963); The Score (aka Killtown) (1963); The Jugger (1965); The Seventh (aka The Split) (1966); The Handle (aka Run Lethal) (1966); The Rare Coin Score (1967); The Green Eagle Score (1967); The Black Ice Score (1968); The Sour Lemon Score (1969); Slayground (1971); Deadly Edge (1971); Plunder Squad (1972); Butcher's Moon (1974); Comeback (1997); Backflash (1998); Flashfire (aka Parker) (2000); Firebreak (2001); Breakout (2002); Nobody Runs Forever (2004); Ask The Parrot (2006); Dirty Money (2008). The Mitch Tobin novel series: Kinds Of Love, Kinds Of Death (1966); Murder Among Children (1967); Wax Apple (1970); A Jade In Aries (1970); Don't Lie To Me (1972). The Alan Grofield novel series, writing as Richard Stark: The Damsel (1967); The Dame (1969); The Blackbird (1969); Lemons Never Lie (1971). The Dortmunder novel series: The Hot Rock (1970); Bank Shot (1972); Jimmy The Kid (1974); Nobody's Perfect (1977); Why Me? (1983); Good Behavior (1985); Drowned Hopes (1990); Don't Ask (1993); What's The Worst That Could Happen? (1996); Bad News (2001); The Road To Ruin (2004); Watch Your Back! (2005); What's So Funny? (2007); Get Real (2009). The Sam Holt novel series: One Of Us Is Wrong (1986); I Know A Trick Worth Two Of That (1986); What I Tell You Three Times Is False (1987); The Fourth Dimension Is Death (1989). The Sara & Jack novel series: Trust Me On This (1988); Baby, Would I Lie? (1994). Stand alone Novels: Sally (1959); Man Hungry (1959); All My Lovers (1959); SO WILLING (1960); All about Annette (1960); Virgin's Summer (1960); The Wife Next Door (1960); The Mercenaries (aka The Cutie) (1960); Passion's Playthings (1961); Call Me Sinner (1961); Campus Doll (1961); Brother and Sister (1961); Killing Time (1961); Young and Innocent (1961); 361 (1962); Strange affair (1962); Killy (1963); Campus Lovers (1963); Pity Him Afterwards (1964); The Fugitive Pigeon (1965); The Busy Body (1966); Spy in the Ointment (1966); God Save the Mark (1967); Anarchaos (1967); Philip (1967); Who stole Sassi Manoon? (1968); Up Your Banners (1969); Somebody Owes Me Money (1969); Adios Scheherazade (1970); Comfort Station (1970); Ex Officio (1970); I Gave at the Office (1971); Cops and Robbers (1972); Gangway! (collaborated with Brian Garfield) (1973); Help, I Am Being Held Prisoner (1974); Brothers Keepers (1975); Two Much (1975); Dancing Aztecs (1976); Castle in the Air (1980); Kahawa (1981); A Likely Story (1984); High Adventure (1985); Humans (1992); Smoke (1995); The Ax (1997); The Hook (2000); The Scared Stiff (2001); Put a Lid on It (2002); Money for Nothing (2003); Memory (2010); The Comedy is Finished (2012); Forever and a Death (2017); Call Me a Cab (2022); Too Many Crooks (1989); Curious Facts Preceding My Execution (1968); Enough (1977); Transylvania Station (collaborated with Abby Westlake and Gahan Wilson) (1987); Tomorrow's Crimes (1989); A Good Story and Other Stories (1999); Meteor Strike (2012); Double Feature (2020); The Getaway Car (2014); Terror's Echo: Novellas from Transgressions (2005); Transgressions (2006); Transgressions, Vol. 2 (2006); Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow... (1974); Tales to Send Chills Down Your Spine (1979); Alfred Hitchcock's A Choice of Evils (1983); Fifty Best Mysteries (1993); The Plot Thickens (1997); The Mysterious Press Anniversary Anthology: Celebrating 25 Years (2001); Brooklyn Noir 2: The Classics (2005); Price of Desire (2005).

Movies and television:

24th Street (2009); 87th Precinct (1962); A Slight Case of Murder (1999); Baby, I Got Your Money (2012); Come ti rapisco il pupo (1977); Cops and Robbers (1973); Fallen Angels (1995); Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling Mystery (1987 / 1991); Hot Stuff (1979); Jimmy the Kid (1982 / 1998); Journey to the Unknown (1968); Le cercle du cinéma (1998); Le commissaire mène l'enquête (1963); Les Chroniques du Mea (2023); Made in U.S.A (1966); Mike Hammer's Mickey Spillane (1998); Mise à sac (1967); Mordslust (1995); Muy personal (1988); Myster Mocky présente (2007); Nulle part ailleurs (1999); Numéros de Série (1995); Ordo (2004); Parker (2013); Payback (1999); Payback: Straight Up (2006); Paybacks Are a Bitch (2007); Play Dirty (2024); Point Blank (1967); Ripley Under Ground (2005); Slayground (1983); Stepfather 3 (1992); Stepfather II: Make Room for Daddy (1989); Supertrain (1979); The Ax (2005); The Bank Shot (1974); The Busy Body (1967); The Getaway Face (1963); The Gods Must Be Daring (1997); The Grifters (1990); The Hook (2004); The Hot Rock (1972); The Hunter: A Conversation with Author Donald E. Westlake (2007); The Media Show (1990); The Outfit (1973); The Split (1968); The Stepfather (1987 / 2009); The Twin (1984); Two Much (1995); What's the Worst That Could Happen? (2001); Why Me? (1990).