Recommended reading - The Canary Murder Case, by S.S. Van Dine (1927):

The Canary Murder Case

By S.S. Van Dine.

First published 1927.

Library of Congress Crime Classics.

Paperback.

Edited by Leslie S. Klinger.

Description:

Philo Vance #2.

At the height if his popularity, S.S. Vane Dine pens a locked-room mystery with a lethal dose of sex and sin where infamous actress, "The Canary," is murdered in her cage after a passionate night with her lover.

Margaret Odell, the famous Broadway beauty and ex-Follies girl known as "The Canary", is found murdered in her ransacked apartment, her jewelry stolen. It appears to be a robbery gone wrong, but the police can find no physical evidence to pinpoint a culprit. No one witnessed anyone entering or leaving, and the only unwatched entrance to the apartment building was bolted from the inside.

Who could have killed the Canary in her locked cage? Margaret was seeing a number of men, ranging from high society gentleman to ruthless gangsters, and more than one man visited her apartment on the night she died.

Ann Patchett, on reading:

It's always better to have too much to read than not enough.

- Ann Patchett.

On this day in music history - New Year's Eve Concert 2010, by Renée Fleming ... (2011):

New Year’s Eve Concert 2010

Album by Renée Fleming, Christopher Maltman, Christian Thielemann and Staatskapelle Dresden,

released February 15, 2011.

Recorded December 31, 2010.

Track list:

Introduction: Verehrteste Damen und Herren; Ballmusik; Auftrittslied: O Vaterland... Da geh ich zu Maxim; Finale 1: Damenwahl!... O kommet doch, o kommt, ihr Ballsirenen; Gold und Silber, Walzer, Op. 79; Die lustige Witwe (excerpts); Introduction, Tanz und Vilja-Lied: Ich bitte, hier jetzt zu verweilen... Es lebt' eine Vilja; Marsch-Septett: Wie die Weiber man behandelt?... Ja, das Studium der Weiber ist schwer; Spielszene und Tanzduett; Duett und Romanze: Mein Freund, Vernunft!... Wie eine Rosenknospe; Finale 2: Zu der Vermählung, schöne Frau... Es waren zwei Königskinder; Entr'acte und Zwischenspiel; Tanzszene; Chanson und Reminiszenz: Ja, wir sind es, die Grisetten; Duett: Lippen schweigen; Schlussgesang: Ja, das Studium der Weiber ist schwer; I feel pretty; Das Land des Lächelns; Dein ist mein ganzes Herz; An der Elbe, Walzer, Op. 477.

On this day in movie history - Crazy Joe (1974):

Crazy Joe

directed by Carlo Lizzani,

written by Lewis John Carlino,

based on articles written by journalist Nicholas Gage,

was released in the United States on February 15, 1974.
Inspired by the true case of Joseph “Crazy Joe” Gallo (1929–1972).
Music by Giancarlo Chiaramello.

Cast:

Peter Boyle, Paula Prentiss, Fred Williamson, Rip Torn, Charles Cioffi, Luther Adler, Carmine Caridi, Henry Winkler, Sam Coppola, Franco Lantieri, Louis Guss, Fausto Tozzi, Guido Leontini, Mario Erpichini, Michael V. Gazzo, Adam Wade, Hervé Villechaize, Gabriele Torrei, Tony Chiaramonte, Peter Savage, Cornelia Sharpe, Henry Ferrentino, Joe Anile, Nino Ruggeri, Eli Wallach, Frank Adonis, John C. Becher, Nella Dina, Jill Elikann, Timothy Holley, Tony Lip, Alexander Orfaly, F. William Parker, Jay Rasumny, Dan Resin, Harrison Ressler, Robert Riesel, David Rosario, Steve Vignari, Ralph Wilcox.

On this day in movie history - Slightly Scarlet (1956):

Slightly Scarlet

directed by Allan Dwan,

written by Robert Blees,

based on the novel Love’s Lovely Counterfeit by James M. Cain,

was released in the United States on February 15, 1956.
Music by Louis Forbes.

Cast:

John Payne, Rhonda Fleming, Arlene Dahl, Kent Taylor, Ted de Corsia, Lance Fuller, Buddy Baer, Fred Aldrich, Murray Alper, Hy Anzell, Joanne Arnold, Ellen Corby, Sam Flint, Frank Gerstle, Roy Gordon, Myron Healey, Frank Jenks, Barry Norton, William ‘Bill’ Phillips, George E. Stone, Hal Taggart, Arthur Tovey, George D. Wallace.

Born on this day – Paula Hill:

Paula Hill

Actress

February 15, 1926 – February 15, 2000

Credits:

Chump Change (2000); The Soldier of Fortune (1991); Mike Hammer (1958); M Squad (1958); Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theatre (1958); The Sad Sack (1957); The Joker Is Wild (1957); Dragnet (1956–1957); The Man Called X (1956–1957); Three Violent People (1956); Highway Patrol (1956); Hot Cars (1956); The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1955); The Loretta Young Show (1955); Playgirl (1954); Mesa of Lost Women (1953); The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953); Models Inc. (1952); Outlaw Women (1952); Aaron Slick from Punkin Crick (1952); Meet Danny Wilson (1952); The Greatest Show on Earth (1952); Highway 301 (1950); Love That Brute (1950); Hellfire (1949); Buffalo Bill Rides Again (1947).

Born on this day – Meg Wyllie:

Meg Wyllie

Actress

February 15, 1917 – January 1, 2002

In Star Trek (1966).

Credits:

1st & Ten (1987); 77 Sunset Strip (1960); A Man Called Shenandoah (1965); Alias Smith and Jones (1971); Angel (1960); Angie (1979); Babe (1975); Banyon (1972); Barnaby Jones (1974); Barney Miller (1976); Batman (1967); Beauty and the Beast (1962); Ben Casey (1961–1964); Benson (1979–1982); Better Late Than Never (1979); Bewitched (1969); Birth of a Timeless Legacy (2004); Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1964–1966); Bronk (1976); Brothers (1986); Bunco (1977); Cannon (1973); Channing (1964); Charlie's Angels (1977); Cimarron Strip (1967); Circle of Fear (1973); City of Angels (1976); Coach (1994); Cracking Up (1983); Days of Our Lives (1966–1980); Dear John (1990); Death Sentence (1974); Death Valley Days (1959–1962); Delta (1993); Designing Women (1989–1990); Dr. Kildare (1961–1962); Dragnet (1987); Eight Is Enough (1979); Elvis (1979); Emergency! (1972–1976); Family Matters (1993); Family Ties (1987); Fitzwilly (1967); Flight That Disappeared (1961); General Hospital (1982–1994); Goldie and the Boxer Go to Hollywood (1981); Good Heavens (1976); Guestward Ho! (1961); Gunsmoke (1973); Have Faith (1989); Have Gun - Will Travel (1958); Hennesey (1960); Highway to Heaven (1986); Hollywood Wives (1985); Hooperman (1988); How William Shatner Changed the World (2005); Ironside (1974); It Takes a Thief (1968); It's a Man's World (1962); Johnny Staccato (1976); Judd for the Defense (1968); Kojak (1975); Kraft Theatre / The Philco Television Playhouse (1955); Lassie (1966); Lipstick (1976); M Squad (1958); Mad About You (1994–1995); Major Dad (1992); Marnie (1964); Misfits of Science (1986); Mister Ed (1965); Mister Peepers (1952); Most Wanted (1976); Movin' On (1972); Mr. Belvedere (1987); My Three Sons (1963); Night Court (1985–1990); Nothing in Common (1986); Our Time (1974); Perry Mason (1962–1966); Peter Gunn (1959–1960); Playhouse 90 (1959); Police Story (1974); Police Woman (1974); Profiles in Courage (1964); Quincy, M.E. (1982); Rage! (1980); Reasonable Doubts (1991); Room 222 (1970); Run for Your Life (1966); Sea Hunt (1960); Search (1973); Second Thoughts (1983); Star Trek (1966); Steve Canyon (1959); Sutters Bay (1983); The Addams Family (1965); The Associates (1980); The Bob Newhart Show (1974); The Bold Ones: The Lawyers (1970); The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1970); The F.B.I. (1966–1971); The Facts of Life (1986); The Fanelli Boys (1991); The Fugitive (1965); The Girl with Something Extra (1973); The Golden Girls (1987–1991); The Last Starfighter (1984); The Law and Mr. Jones (1962); The Lawless Years (1961); The Loner (1966); The Love Boat (1977); The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964); The New Adam-12 (1990); The New Breed (1961); The Paper Chase (1984); The Rounders (1966); The Thorn Birds (1983); The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters (1963–1964); The Tribe (1974); The Turning Point of Jim Malloy (1975); The Twilight Zone (1960); The Untouchables (1959–1962); The Virginian (1963–1970); The Waltons (1973); Then Came Bronson (1969); This Is the Life (1966–1968); Tightrope (1960); To Boldly Go ... Season One (2004); Vanishing Point (1971); Wagon Train (1959–1965); Who's the Boss? (1987); Worth Winning (1989); Zane Grey Theatre (1959).