1979 Movies & Cinema Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1979 Movies & Cinema Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 07 Jan Bipasha Basu's birth date confirmed: Bipasha Basu, an Indian actress and model known for her work in Hindi films, was born on January 7, 1979. She gained fame for her roles in various successful movies and has received several awards for her performances. Basu is also recognized for her contributions to the Indian fashion industry and her fitness advocacy. source: britannica.com
- 04 Feb Co-Ed Fever TV comedy debut and cancellation: Co-Ed Fever, an American sitcom, premiered on CBS on February 4, 1979, as a special preview following the film 'Rocky'. The show aimed to capitalize on the success of 'National Lampoon's Animal House' and was the third 'frat house' comedy series to debut in early 1979, alongside ABC's 'Delta House' and NBC's 'Brothers and Sisters'. However, due to low ratings and viewer complaints about its content, CBS canceled the show before it could air in its scheduled Monday-night time slot. Only the first episode, 'Pepperoni Passion', was broadcast in the United States, while all six episodes were aired in Canada. The Brewster House set was later repurposed for the first season of 'The Facts of Life'. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 09 Feb Release of 'The Warriors' film: 'The Warriors,' a cult classic directed by Walter Hill, was released on February 9, 1979. The film, based on Sol Yurick's 1965 novel, follows a New York City gang as they navigate hostile territories after being framed for a murder. It has since gained a significant following and is noted for its stylized action and unique portrayal of urban gang culture. source: britannica.com
- 11 Feb Elvis Presley biographical film "Elvis!" airs on ABC: On February 11, 1979, the biographical film "Elvis!" starring Kurt Russell as Elvis Presley premiered on ABC. The film, directed by John Carpenter, was the first Elvis biopic and garnered 43 million viewers in the U.S. It was also nominated for a Golden Globe and three Primetime Emmy Awards. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 09 Mar The Passage (1979) film release date: 'The Passage' is a 1979 British action-war film directed by J. Lee Thompson, starring Anthony Quinn, James Mason, and Malcolm McDowell. The film was released in the United States on March 9, 1979, and in the United Kingdom on May 11, 1979. It grossed approximately $1.1 million domestically. source: boxofficemojo.com
- 25 Mar Natasha Yi's birth in Boston, Massachusetts: Natasha Yi, an American actress, model, and on-air producer, was born on March 25, 1979, in Boston, Massachusetts. She has appeared in films such as 'Rush Hour 2' and 'Cradle 2 the Grave', and has been featured on the covers of magazines like FHM, Maxim, and Playboy. source: famousbirthdays.com
- 09 Apr 51st Academy Awards honors Hollywood talent: The 51st Academy Awards ceremony, held on April 9, 1979, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, honored films released in 1978. Hosted by Johnny Carson, the event recognized outstanding achievements in cinema, with 'The Deer Hunter' winning Best Picture and Best Director for Michael Cimino. Jon Voight and Jane Fonda received Best Actor and Best Actress awards for their roles in 'Coming Home'. source: oscars.org
- 10 Apr Nino Rota dies in Rome at age 67: Nino Rota, the renowned Italian composer celebrated for his film scores, including those for Federico Fellini's films and 'The Godfather' series, passed away in Rome on April 10, 1979, at the age of 67. source: britannica.com
- 18 Apr Real People TV show premieres on NBC: 'Real People' is an American reality television series that premiered on NBC on April 18, 1979. The show featured a panel of hosts introducing pre-filmed segments about individuals with unique occupations or hobbies, engaging in comedic banter with the studio audience. It aired from 1979 to 1984, becoming one of NBC's most popular series during its early seasons. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 02 May Quadrophenia film premieres in London: The British drama film 'Quadrophenia', directed by Franc Roddam and based on The Who's 1973 rock opera, premiered in London on May 2, 1979. The film, set in 1964, follows the life of a young mod named Jimmy Cooper, portrayed by Phil Daniels, and features a soundtrack by The Who. It was released to the public on August 16, 1979. source: brainyhistory.com
- 25 May Monica Keena's birth date confirmed: Monica Keena, an American actress known for her roles in films and television, was born on May 25, 1979. She gained fame for her performances in movies like 'Snow White: A Tale of Terror' and the TV series 'Dawson's Creek.' Her birth date is well-documented in various reputable sources. source: imdb.com
- 11 Jun Death of actor John Wayne: John Wayne, the iconic American actor known for his roles in Westerns and war films, passed away on June 11, 1979. He died at the age of 72 after a long battle with cancer. Wayne's legacy includes numerous classic films and a lasting impact on American cinema. source: britannica.com
- 20 Jun Murder of ABC News correspondent Bill Stewart in Nicaragua: On June 20, 1979, ABC News correspondent Bill Stewart was shot and killed by a Nicaraguan National Guard soldier while reporting on the civil war in Managua. The incident was filmed by his crew and broadcast worldwide, leading to international outrage and condemnation of the Somoza regime. source: washingtonpost.com
- 29 Jun Moonraker premieres in the United States: The eleventh James Bond film, 'Moonraker,' premiered in the United States on June 29, 1979. Directed by Lewis Gilbert and starring Roger Moore as James Bond, the film was released in 788 theaters, marking United Artists' widest opening at the time. It grossed $14,744,718 in its first week from 900 bookings. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 03 Aug Birth of actress Evangeline Lilly: Evangeline Lilly, a Canadian actress and author, was born on August 3, 1979. She gained fame for her role as Kate Austen in the television series 'Lost' and has appeared in several films, including the 'Ant-Man' series. Lilly is also known for her work as an author and her advocacy for various social issues. source: biography.com
- 14 Aug Release of Apocalypse Now: Apocalypse Now, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, was released on August 14, 1979. The film, inspired by Joseph Conrad's novella Heart of Darkness, explores the horrors of the Vietnam War through a surreal narrative. It received critical acclaim and has since become a landmark in American cinema, known for its ambitious production and profound themes. source: britannica.com
- 01 Sep Legal battle over Lone Ranger identity: In 1979, Jack Wrather, owner of the Lone Ranger character, obtained a court order prohibiting Clayton Moore from making public appearances as the Lone Ranger. Moore responded by replacing the mask with sunglasses and continued his appearances, leading to public support and a box office failure for Wrather's 1981 film. The legal proceedings ended in 1984 when Wrather dropped the lawsuit, allowing Moore to resume his role. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 08 Oct Birth of actress Kristanna Loken: Kristanna Loken, an American actress and model, was born on October 8, 1979. She is best known for her role as T-X in the film 'Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines' and has appeared in various television series and films throughout her career. Loken has also worked as a model and has been involved in various charitable activities. source: imdb.com
- 03 Nov Greensboro Massacre: On November 3, 1979, in Greensboro, North Carolina, members of the Ku Klux Klan and the American Nazi Party opened fire on participants of a "Death to the Klan" march organized by the Communist Workers Party. Five marchers were killed, and several others were injured. The incident, captured on film, became known as the Greensboro Massacre. In subsequent trials, the defendants were acquitted on self-defense grounds, leading to civil suits and a 1985 jury finding some police officers and Klan members liable for wrongful death. source: history.com
- 06 Dec Star Trek: The Motion Picture world premiere held in 1979: The world premiere of 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture' took place on December 6, 1979, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California. This film marked the first feature-length installment of the Star Trek franchise, which had originally begun as a television series in the 1960s. The premiere was a significant event for fans and the film industry, showcasing the return of the beloved characters to the big screen. source: britannica.com
- 22 Dec Death of Darryl F. Zanuck, Prominent Film Producer: Darryl F. Zanuck, a renowned American film producer and studio executive, passed away on December 22, 1979, in Palm Springs, California, at the age of 77. He was a co-founder of 20th Century Fox and produced over 200 films during his career, including three that won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Zanuck died of pneumonia and is interred at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. source: washingtonpost.com
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