| August 3 |
1926 -- Perhaps the last of the greats, Anthony Dominick Benedetto, is born today in Astoria, New York. As a singer, Tony Bennett's music has aged masterfully. As an individual, he has become an accomplished painter in his own right. And while his music has graced countless soundtracks, did you know that Tony also has a handful of acting appearances? This includes a five-part arc that opened the fifth season of '77 Sunset Strip. In 1956, he also hosted 'The Tony Bennett Show,' a late-summer replacement for 'The Perry Como Show. 1953 -- Frank Blair becomes news anchor of 'The Today Show.' 1963 -- The Beatles make their final appearance at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. 1963 -- Comedian Allan Sherman's "Hello Mudduh, Hello Fadduh! (A Letter from Camp)' is released on Warner Brothers Records. In just three weeks, it reaches #2 on the charts. went to number two on the pop charts three weeks later. Two years later, Milton Bradley releases the board game. 1966 -- Comedian Lenny Bruce dies of an overdose. He's just 40 years old. 1979 -- After making fun of the town for years, Burbank, California, gives Johnny Carson his 'reward:' he's placed on the cover of the their telephone book. 1983 -- Actress Carolyn Jones dies today of colon cancer. Best-known for her role as Morticia Addams in 'The Addams Family,' Carolyn was born in Amarillo, Texas. Asthmatic as a child, often too ill to even attend the movies, she read movie magazines and dreamed of making it to the big screen, a dream that came true in 1952. The following year she got her first break-through in 'The House of Wax.' (That same year, she married then-unknown future mega-producer Aaron Spelling.) Subsequent films of note were 'The Tender Trap,' 'The Seven-Year Itch' and 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers.' The following year, 1957, she filmed 'The Bachelor Party,' for which she received an Academy Award nomination. In 1964 she teamed with John Astin in 'The Addams Family,' a popular (and, for its time, sexually-charged) sitcom on ABC. Cancelled after just two seasons, she was faced with the problem of being typecast. Carolyn took a seven-year sabbatical during her second marriage, but returned after her divorce and revived her career. In 1981, she was diagnosed with cancer. Despite undergoing aggressive treaments, Carolyn continued to work almost until the end, originating the role of matriarch Myrna Clegg when soap opera 'Capitol' signed on NBC in 1982 and continued acting almost until her final days (Teri Hatcher portrayed her daughter.) Carolyn Sue Jones was 53 at the time of her death. 1989 -- ABC's 'Primetime Live' debuts with Sam Donaldson and Diane Sawyer. |
| When Tony Bennett appeared '77 Sunset Strip' in 1963, all five episodes were directed by William 'Cannon' Conrad (L). |
| For a fun website, visit boardgamegeek dot com. |
| Want to see the original commercial? Visit youtube dot com here |
| Aaron Spelling and Carolyn Jones were married from 1953 - 1964. They had no children. |