Born on this day – Isa Pola:

Isa Pola

Actress

December 19, 1909 – December 17, 1984

Credits:

A Country Without Peace (1946); Acciaio (1933); Amore e chiacchiere (Salviamo il panorama) (1958); Boccaccesca (1928); Cavalleria rusticana (1939); Creatures of the Night (1934); First day of spring (1955); Furia / Fury (1947); Giardini che vivono / Living gardens (1930); Gli uomini non sono ingrati / Men are not ungrateful (1937); Him, her and the others (1956); Il moschettiere fantasma (1952); Il ponte di vetro / The glass bridge (1940); In the name of the Kadar sisters (1957); It Was I (1937); La cantante dell'opera / The opera singer (1933); La canzone dell'amore / The song of love (1930); La figlia del forzato (1954); La telefonista (1932); La Wally (1932); L'anonima Roylott / The anonymous Roylott (1936); Le scarpe al sole / Shoes in the sun (1935); Love and chatter (Let's save the view) (1958); Lucrezia Borgia (1940); Lui e lei (1956); L'ultima avventura (1932); Margaret of Cortona (1950); Miryam (1929); Ninna nanna delle dodici mamme/ Lullaby of the twelve mothers (1930); Ombre sul Canal Grande / Shadows on the Grand Canal (1951); Ragazzo (1934); Seeing great (1959); So it is (if you like) (1959); Stella del cinema (1931); Strange Witness (1950); Terra madre (1931); The Children Are Watching Us (1943); The Empress's Rival (1951); The hotel of happiness (1936); The Queen of Sheba (1952); The Sword of Damocles (1958); The Widow (1939); Three Forbidden Stories (1952); Una signora dell'ovest / A lady from the west (1942); Valentina (Una ragazza che ha fretta) (1958); Za-bum Equestrian Circus / Segments: Telephone contact; From the window; Galop finale al circo (1944).

Born on this day – Ralph Richardson:

Ralph Richardson

Actor

December 19, 1902 – October 10, 1983

Credits:

Give My Regards to Broad Street (1984); Six Centuries of Verse (1984); Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984); Wagner (1983); Invitation to the Wedding (1983); Witness for the Prosecution (1982); Early Days (1981); Time Bandits (1981); Dragonslayer (1981); The Double Dealer (1980); A Deadly Game (1979); Watership Down (1978); No Man's Land (1978); Jesus of Nazareth (1977); The Man in the Iron Mask (1977); Comet Amongst the Stars (1975); Rollerball (1975); Frankenstein: The True Story (1973); O Lucky Man! (1973); A Doll's House (1973); ABC Afterschool Specials (1973); Lady Caroline Lamb (1972); Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1972); Tales from the Crypt (1972); Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? (1972); Eagle in a Cage (1972); Play for Today (1972); Great Performances (1971); She Stoops to Conquer (1971); Upon This Rock (1970); ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1970); David Copperfield (1970); The Looking Glass War (1970); The Battle of Britain (1969); The Bed Sitting Room (1969); Midas Run (1969); Oh! What a Lovely War (1969); NET Playhouse (1968); Blandings Castle (1967); Khartoum (1966); The Wrong Box (1966); Chimes at Midnight (1965); Doctor Zhivago (1965); Thursday Theatre (1965); The Great War (1964); Woman of Straw (1964); The Largest Theatre in the World: Heart to Heart (1962); Hedda Gabler (1962); The 300 Spartans (1962); Long Day's Journey Into Night (1962); Exodus (1960); Oscar Wilde (1960); Our Man in Havana (1959); Theatre Night (1958); A Novel Affair (1957); Smiley (1956); Richard III (1955); Richard III (1955); The Holly and the Ivy (1952); The Sound Barrier (1952); Murder on Monday (1952); Fireside Theatre (1951); Outcast of the Islands (1951); The Heiress (1949); The Fallen Idol (1948); Anna Karenina (1948); An Ideal Husband (1947); Everyman (1947); Secret Flight (1946); The Silver Fleet (1943); The Avengers (1942); The Lion Has Wings (1939); The Fugitive (1939); Smith (1939); The Four Feathers (1939); Q Planes (1939); Bees on the Boat-Deck (1939); The Citadel (1938); The Divorce of Lady X (1938); South Riding (1938); Othello (1937); Thunder in the City (1937); The Man Who Could Work Miracles (1936); Things to Come (1936); Alias Bulldog Drummond (1935); Thunder in the Air (1934); The King of Paris (1934); Java Head (1934); The Return of Bulldog Drummond (1934); Friday the Thirteenth (1933); The Ghoul (1933).

Kate Atkinson, on words:

In the end, it is my belief, words are the only things that can construct a world that makes sense.

- Kate Atkinson.

On this day in the Star Trek universe:

Star Trek: Enterprise (2002)

Star Trek: Enterprise

Season 2. Episode 12.

Episode entitled: The Catwalk.

Released December 18, 2002.

Directed by Michael/Mike Vejar.

Written by Michael/Mike Sussman, Phyllis Strong, André Bormanis.

Created by Rick Berman, Brannon Braga.

Based on Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry.

Opening theme song: Faith of the Heart, performed by Russell Watson.

Closing theme: Archer's Theme, by Dennis McCarthy.

Music by Jay Chattaway.

Cast: Scott Bakula, John Billingsley, Jolene Blalock, Dominic Keating, Anthony Montgomery, Linda Park, Connor Trinneer, Scott Burkholder, Zach Grenier, Danny Goldring, Aaron Lustig, Brian Cousins, Sean Smith, Elizabeth Magness, Alexandrea Ortiz, Craig Baxley Jr., Solomon Burke Jr., Mark Correy, Daphney Damaraux, Vince Deadrick Jr., Evan English, Nikki Flux, Hilde Garcia, Peter Godoy, Bryan Heiberg, Scott Sterling Hill, Aldric A. Horton, Baron Jay, Amina Julianna, John Jurgens, Kyla Kuhner, Aouri Makhlouf, Marnie Martin, Michael McAdam, Bobby Pappas, Aric Rogokos, Lidia Sabljic, Richard Sarstedt, Mark Watson.

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 Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1972):

The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean

directed by John Huston,

written by John Milius,

was released in the United States on December 18, 1972.
Music by Maurice Jarre.

Song: Marmalade, Molasses and Honey by Marilyn Bergman and Alan Bergman, sung by Andy Williams.

Cast:

Paul Newman, Victoria Principal, Anthony Perkins, Ned Beatty, Roddy McDowall, Jacqueline Bisset, Tab Hunter, John Huston, Ava Gardner, Dick Farnsworth, Stacy Keach, Michael Sarrazin, Anthony Zerbe, Mark Headley, Frank Soto, Jim Burk, Matt Clark, Bill McKinney, Steve Kanaly, Francesca Jarvis, Karen Carr, Lee Meza, Dolores Clark, Neil Summers, June Towner, Jack Colvin, Howard Morton, Billy Pearson, Stan Barrett, Dean Casper, Don Starr, Alfred G. Bosnos, John Hudkins, Ken Freehill, Duncan Inches, Rusty Lee, Roy Jenson, Gary Combs, Fred Brookfield, Bennie E. Dobbins, Leroy Johnson, Fred Krone, Terry Leonard, Dean Smith, Margo Epper, Jeannie Epper, Stephanie Epper, Barbara J. Longo, Bruno (as Watch Bear).

On this day in movie history - For a Few Dollars More (1965):

For a Few Dollars More

directed by Sergio Leone,

written by Luciano Vincenzoni, Sergio Leone and Sergio Donati,

based on a story by Sergio Leone and Fulvio Morsella,

was released in Italy on December 18, 1965.
Music by Ennio Morricone.

Cast:

Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, Gian Maria Volonté, Mario Brega, Mara Krupp, Luigi Pistilli, Aldo Sambrell, Klaus Kinski, Benito Stefanelli, Panos Papadopoulos, Robert Camardiel, Josef Egger, Antoñito Ruiz, Tomas Blanco, Lorenzo Robledo, Dante Maggio, Werner Abrolat, Frank Braña, José Canalejas, Rosemary Dexter, Fernando Di Leo, Jesús Guzmán, Peter Lee Lawrence, Sergio Leone, Antonio Molino Rojo, Ricardo Palacios, Carlo Simi.