On this day in movie history - Big Jake (1971):

Big Jake

directed by George Sherman,

written by Harry Julian Fink and R. M. Fink,

was released in the United States on May 26, 1971.
Narrated by George Fenneman.
Music by Elmer Bernstein.

Cast:

John Wayne, Richard Boone, Maureen O'Hara, Patrick Wayne, Christopher Mitchum, Bobby Vinton, Bruce Cabot, Glenn Corbett, Harry Carey Jr., John Doucette, Jim Davis, John Agar, Gregg Palmer, Jim Burk, Robert Warner, Dean Smith, Ethan Wayne, Virginia Capers, Bill Walker, Jerry Gatlin, Don Epperson, Everett Creach, Jeff Wingfield, Hank Worden, José Ángel Espinosa 'Ferrusquilla', George Fenneman, Bernard Fox, Pedro Galván, Tom Hennesy, 'Chico' Hernandez, Roy Jenson, John Kelly, John McLiam, Anna Pavlova, Chuck Roberson, Maria Rocio, Jorge Russek, Jerry Summers, Lisa Todd, Bambino Veira.

On this day in movie history - The Searchers (1956 movie & books):

The Searchers

directed by John Ford,

written by Frank S. Nugent,

based on the novel by Alan Le May,

was released in the United States on May 26, 1956.
Music by Max Steiner.

Cast:

John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond, Natalie Wood, John Qualen, Olive Carey, Henry Brandon, Ken Curtis, Harry Carey Jr., Antonio Moreno, Hank Worden, Beulah Archuletta, Walter Coy, Dorothy Jordan, Pippa Scott, Patrick Wayne, Lana Wood, Gertrude Astor, Pipe Line Begishe, Exactly Sonnie Betsuie, Danny Borzage, Ruth Clifford, Carmen D'Antonio, Tommy Doss, Pete Grey Eyes, Feather Hat Jr., Nacho Galindo, Chuck Hayward, Jack Tin Horn, Harry Black Horse, Away Luna, Robert Lyden, Cliff Lyons, Peter Mamakos, Mae Marsh, Frank McGrath, Bob Many Mules, Jack Pennick, Lloyd Perryman, Prince (dog), Chuck Roberson, Smile White Sheep, Many Mules Son, Percy Shooting Star, William Steele, Chief Thundercloud, Terry Wilson, Billy Yellow.

Recommended reading:

The Searchers

By Alan Le May.

Filmed as The Searchers (1956), directed by John Ford.

Published by Harper & Brothers.
First published 1954.
ISBN-10: 0843961724
ISBN-13: 978-0843961720

Description:

On the Texas frontier, a Comanche war party attacks the Edwards ranch and kills all the inhabitants, except for the two girls carried away with them. In the name of civilization, a group of pioneers take off in hot pursuit, into a savage world of unexpected dangers, false hopes, and darkest despair.

The Searchers

By Edward Buscombe.

Published by British Film Institute.
Published 2022.
ISBN-10: 1839024690
ISBN-13: 978-1839024696

Description:

“The Searchers is an insightful analysis … Replete with a wealth of information on the production of The Searchers, and graced with thought-provoking commentary, Buscombe's book is a stimulating introduction to a great American film.” – Journal of American Culture.

John Ford's masterpiece The Searchers (1956) was voted the seventh greatest film of all time in Sight & Sound's most recent poll of critics. Its influence on many of America's most distinguished contemporary filmmakers, among them Martin Scorsese, Paul Schrader, and John Milius, is enormous. John Wayne's portrait of the vengeful Confederate Ethan Edwards gives the film a truly epic dimension, as does his long and lonely journey into the dark heart of America. Edward Buscombe's insightful study provides a detailed commentary on all aspects of the film, drawing on material in the John Ford archive at Indiana University, including Ford's own memos and the original script, which differs in vital respects from the film he made, to offer new insights into the film's production history.

On this day in movie history - Raw Deal (1948):

Raw Deal

directed by Anthony Mann,

written by Leopold Atlas and John C. Higgins,

based on a story by Arnold B. Armstrong and Audrey Ashley,

was released in the United States on May 26, 1948.
Music by Paul Sawtell.

Cast:

Dennis O’Keefe, Claire Trevor, Marsha Hunt, John Ireland, Raymond Burr, Curt Conway, Chili Williams, Richard Fraser, Whit Bissell, Cliff Clark, Gregg Barton, Robert Bice, David Clarke, Victor Cutler, John Daheim, Alexis Davidoff, Abe Dinovitch, Lloyd Everett, Tom Fadden, Ilka Grüning, Frank Hyers, Richard Irving, Bill Kennedy, Paul Kruger, Mike Lally, Carey Loftin, James Magill, Joan Myles, Edna Ryan, Cap Somers, Dok Stanford, Ray Teal, Regis Toomey, Harry Tyler, Robert B. Williams, Beverly Wills.

Born on this day – Nicki Aycox:

Nicki Aycox

Actress

Musician

May 26, 1975 – November 16, 2022

Credits:

3rd Rock from the Sun (1997); Ally McBeal (1999); Animals (2009); Beyond the Blackboard (2011); BlackBoxTV (2012); Boy Meets World (1997); Christina (2010); Cold Case (2004–2010); Crime + Punishment in Suburbia (2000); Criminal Minds (2006); Cruel Justice (1999); CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2001); CSI: Miami (2008); Dark Angel (2001); Dark Blue (2009–2010); Dead Birds (2004); Dead on Campus (2014); Defying Gravity (1997); Double Tap (1997); Ed (2002–2004); Family Law (2002); Howard Stern (2003); Jeepers Creepers 2 (2003); Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003); John from Cincinnati (2007); Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead (2008); L.A. Heat (1997); Las Vegas (2004); Law & Order (2008); LAX (2004–2005); Lifted (2010); Lights, Camera, Creeper: Making 'Jeepers Creepers 2' (2003); Longmire (2013); Making 'Dead Birds' (2005); Mercenary (2008); Momentum (2003); Opposite Sex (2000); Over There (2005); Perfect Stranger (2007); Profile for Murder (2013); Providence (1999); Rave Macbeth (2001); She Gets What She Wants (2002); Showboat & Boonie (2005); Significant Others (1998); Supernatural (2006–2008); Supernatural Fandom (2016); The Dogwalker (1999); The Employer (2013); The Girl on the Train (2014); The Glades (2013); The Twilight Zone (2002); The X Files: I Want to Believe (2008); The X-Files (1999); Ticking Clock (2011); Tom Cool (2009); USA High (1997); Weird Science (1996).

Born on this day – Robyn Bernard:

Robyn Bernard

Actress

Musician

Singer

Pianist

May 26, 1959 – March 12, 2024

Credits:

Betty Blue (1986); Diva (1981); General Hospital (1984–1990); Hour Magazine (1986); Kings for a Day (1997); Maigret (1992); Roselyne and the Lions (1989); Simon & Simon (1983); The Facts of Life (1984); The New Hollywood Squares (1987); Tour of Duty (1988); Voices from the High School (2002); Whiz Kids (1983); Win, Lose or Draw (1988).