at theaters: august 8, 1963

premiere

Opened in movie theaters 50 years ago today:

greatescape

THE GREAT ESCAPE (Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough; directed by John Sturges)

Review: “’The Great Escape” grinds out its tormenting story without a peek beneath the surface of any man, without a real sense of human involvement. It’s a strictly mechanical adventure with make-believe men.”  Bowsley Crowther, 1963

Trivia: Charles Bronson, who portrays the chief tunneler, brought his own expertise and experiences to the set: he had been a coal miner before turning to acting and gave director John Sturges advice on how to move the earth. As a result of his work in the coal mines, Bronson suffered from claustrophobia just as his character had. —imdb.com

Quote: “I haven’t seen Berlin yet, from the ground or from the air, and I plan on doing both before the war is over.”

> Where’s it playing?

starDate: esther williams

birthday

220px-Esther_Williams_-_portrait

ESTHER WILLIAMS, actress

Born: August 8, 1921, Inglewood, Calif.
Father, mother: sign painter, psychologist
By age 16: had won three U.S. national swimming championships
Discovered by: Louis B. Mayer
Feature film debut: ANDY HARDY’S DOUBLE LIFE (1942)
Recommended films: BATHING BEAUTY, A GUY NAMED JOE, NEPTUNE’S DAUGHTER, DANGEROUS WHEN WET, MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID…