1938 Movies & Cinema Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1938 Movies & Cinema Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 28 Jan Disney's 'Snow White' revolutionizes animation: Disney's 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' premiered, becoming the first full-length animated feature film. Its success marked a significant milestone in animation history and established Disney as a leader in the industry. source: britannica.com
- 31 Jan Lynn Carlin's Birth: Lynn Carlin, an American actress known for her roles in independent and character-driven films, was born. She gained recognition for her performances in notable films of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
- 04 Feb Disney's 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' released: On February 4, 1938, Walt Disney's 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs', the first full-length cel-animated feature film, was released, marking a milestone in animation history. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 13 Feb Birth of Oliver Reed: Oliver Reed, a British actor known for his roles in films such as 'Oliver!' and 'The Three Musketeers,' was born on February 13, 1938. He became famous for his intense performances and larger-than-life personality. source: britannica.com
- 16 Feb Bringing Up Baby Premieres: The film 'Bringing Up Baby' premiered on February 16, 1938.
- 04 Mar Birth of Paula Prentiss, actress: Paula Prentiss, an American actress known for her roles in films such as 'Where the Boys Are' (1960) and 'The Stepford Wives' (1975), was born on March 4, 1938, in San Antonio, Texas. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 11 Apr Jackie Coogan sues parents over child actor earnings: In 1938, child actor Jackie Coogan discovered that his mother and stepfather had squandered nearly all of his earnings from his film career, estimated between $3,000,000 and $4,000,000. Coogan sued them, but after legal expenses, he received only $126,000 of the remaining $250,000. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 15 Apr Birth of Claudia Cardinale: Claudia Cardinale, an Italian actress, was born on April 15, 1938, in Tunis, Tunisia. She is renowned for her roles in films such as "8½" and "The Leopard." source: en.wikipedia.org
- 30 Apr Juraj Jakubisko Born: Juraj Jakubisko, a notable Slovak film director and screenwriter, is born. He would become an important figure in Central European cinema.
- 24 May Susan Strasberg Born: Susan Strasberg, a prominent American actress who had a notable career in theater and film, was born. She passed away in 1999.
- 08 Jun Founding of Toei Film Company: On June 8, 1938, the Toei Film Company was established in Japan. It became one of the country's leading film studios, producing a wide range of films, including samurai epics, dramas, and animations. Toei played a significant role in shaping Japanese cinema and culture.
- 23 Jun Marineland opens in Florida: On June 23, 1938, Marineland, originally known as Marine Studios, opened near St. Augustine, Florida. It was billed as the world's first oceanarium, designed for Hollywood filmmakers to capture underwater footage. The main attraction on opening day was a bottlenose dolphin, with other sea creatures like pilot whales and sea turtles added soon after. source: britannica.com
- 17 Jul Death of German film director Robert Wiene: Robert Wiene, renowned for his work in the German Expressionist cinema, passed away on July 17, 1938. He is best known for directing the influential film 'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari'. source: britannica.com
- 20 Jul US Department of Justice antitrust lawsuit against film industry: On July 20, 1938, the US Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against major film studios, aiming to dismantle monopolistic practices in the film industry. source: justice.gov
- 23 Jul Götz George birth: Götz George, a renowned German actor, was born on July 23, 1938. He became famous for his roles in film and television, particularly for his portrayal of the detective Schimanski in the 'Tatort' series. source: britannica.com
- 22 Aug Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers featured on Life Magazine cover: On August 22, 1938, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, renowned Hollywood dancing duo, were featured on the cover of Life magazine. The cover showcased them performing 'The Yam' from their film 'Carefree.' This appearance highlighted their popularity and the elegance they brought to the silver screen during that era. source: minterdial.com
- 05 Sep Soviet Film Premiere of Professor Mamlock: The Soviet drama film *Professor Mamlock* premiered in the USSR, likely addressing contemporary social or political themes of the era, reflecting the cultural and artistic landscape of the Soviet Union in the late 1930s.
- 23 Sep Westinghouse Time Capsule Buried at New York World's Fair: A time capsule was buried at the New York World's Fair, designed to be opened in the year 6939. The capsule contained symbolic artifacts representing 1930s American life, including a woman's hat, a man's pipe, and 1,100 feet of microfilm documenting contemporary culture and technology.
- 29 Oct Ralph Bakshi born: Ralph Bakshi, an influential American animator and director known for his work in adult animation, was born on October 29, 1938. His contributions to animation include films like 'Fritz the Cat' and 'The Lord of the Rings'. source: britannica.com
- 24 Dec Release of War Film 'The Dawn Patrol': On December 24, 1938, the war film 'The Dawn Patrol' was released. The film, set during World War I, portrays the experiences of British Royal Flying Corps pilots. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 28 Dec Death of silent film actress Florence Lawrence: Florence Lawrence, known as the 'Biograph Girl' and considered the first movie star, died on December 28, 1938. She ingested ant poison and cough syrup at her home in West Hollywood, leading to her death at 2:45 p.m. Lawrence left a suicide note addressed to her housemate, expressing her despair over her ill health. Her funeral was held on December 30, and she was buried in an unmarked grave in Hollywood Cemetery, which remained unmarked until 1991. source: en.wikipedia.org
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