This Day in History – Aug 12th

Judy Garland’s The Wizard of Oz debuts with a World Premiere in

Oconomowoc, WI 

Back in 1939, Oconomowoc, WI welcomed the world premiere of the movie, The Wizard of Oz. This movie is based on author Frank Baum’s novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

This movie would make Judy Garland, Ray Bolger (Scarecrow), Jack Haley (Tin Man) and Bert Lahr (Cowardly Lion), Hollywood superstars. 

Special note:  according to BoxOfficeMojo.com, this movie had an impressive Production Budget of $2.777 million.  The movie grossed worldwide $17,678,43. Furthermore, this movie is ranked #6 on the American Film Institute’s 100 Greatest American Films.  Here are the links for this information.

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=wizardofoz.htm

http://www.filmsite.org/afi100filmsA.html

Golf's “Golden Bear” Wins 14^th Title

Back in 1973, Golfer, Jack Nicklaus sets a title record by winning the PGA championship for his 14^th major title.  Mr. Nicklaus surpassed fellow golfer, Bobby Jones’ record of 13 major championships. 

According to history.com, “Nicklaus shot a seven-under-par 277 at Canterbury Golf Club in Beachwood, Ohio, to win $45,000 and his third PGA National championship. The "Golden Bear" went on to win a total of 20 major tournaments, a record that still stands today.”

T-Rex bones discovered in South Dakota cliff 

Back in 1990 three huge Tyrannosaurus rex bones were discovered in Faith, South Dakota.  Fossil Hunter, Susan Hendrickson explained that the skeletal bones were, “jutting out of a cliff.”  These 65 million-year-old bones were the largest-ever skeletal remains discovered that were dubbed, Sue after the Fossil Hunter’s ffirst name.

Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond dies

Ian Fleming, the British author, journalist and the creator of James Bond, died on this day back in 1964. Mr. Fleming succumbed to a heart attack at the age of 56. According to The New York Times: “Bond himself, Fleming said, was ‘a compound of all the secret agents and commandos I met during the war,’ but his tastes-- in blondes, martinis ‘shaken, not stirred,’ expensively tailored suits, scrambled eggs, short-sleeved shirts and Rolex watches--were Fleming’s own. But not all the comparisons were ones the author liked to encourage. Bond, he said, had ‘more guts than I have’ as well as being ‘more handsome.’

Jeff Bridges’ "Tucker: The Man & His Dream" Premieres.

Actor, Jeff Bridges made his debut in autobiographical movie about the Chicago automaker Preston Tucker in the 1988 movie, "Tucker: The Man & His Dream."  Mr. Bridges portrayed this businessman who became a car designer for an affordable “Car of Tomorrow.”  Bridges character faced difficulties in getting his car design produced, making a profit and dealing with accusations of fraud from the Security and Exchange Commission. 

Jeff Bridges teamed up with his father, Lloyd Bridges in this movie.  The elder Bridges played U.S. Senator Homer Ferguson from Michigan.

All History facts provided from the link below:

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/james-bond-creator-ian-fleming-dies?catId=12