Posted April 2, 2020 by Jeffrey Totey This Day in Pop Culture

This Day in Pop Culture for April 2

1968: ‘2001 A Space Odyssey’ Premieres

While some people say Stanley Kubrick’s 2001 A Space Odyssey is a terribly boring film, others regard it as greatest and most influential films ever made. Nevertheless, the film premiered at the Uptown Theater in Washington, D.C. on this day in 1968. Starring Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood, the movie was inspired by Arthur C. Clarke’s short story, “The Sentinel.” It is a story that follows a trip to Jupiter with the computer HAL who has a mind of its own. Some critics thought that the film was darkly apocalyptic in its tone while others were able to the view the film with a sense of hope. Nominated for four Academy Awards (including Best Director, Best Story and Screenplay and Best Art Direction) it won for Best Special Visual Effects. In 2010, The Moving Arts Film Journal named the film the “greatest film of all time.”

1902: The First Permanent Movie Theater Opens

Though the date is up for debate, the common theory is that on this day in 1902 Tally’s Electric Theatre opened its doors for the first time in Los Angeles. Before then, movies where shown in miscellaneous empty locations. Initially, the theatre was open from 7:30-10:30 p.m. but matinee showings were added soon after. Ten years later, the theatre was the first to show a color film. Tickets prices were just ten cents.

1792: Keep the Change

The United States Mint was established on this day in 1792 when the Coinage Act was passed authorizing the $10 Eagle, $5 half-Eagle & 2.50 quarter-Eagle gold coins & silver dollar, ½ dollar, quarter, dime and half-dime.