Writer of Pop Culture

Cool and refreshing news about pop culture and entertainment.

This Day in Pop Culture for October 28

Frankenstein’s wife was born just a few days before Halloween, but you’ll be surprised to learn what other movies the actress has been in.

October 28, 2020

2–3 minutes

1902: Elsa Lanchester is Born

While you may not know the actress Elsa Lanchester by name, you definitely have seen her in one of her acting character rolls. Lanchester, who was born on this day in 1902, is best known for her portray as the “Monster’s mate” in the classic 1935 flick, The Bride of Frankenstein, which despite its association with Halloween, it was released in May. She also had bit rolls in many Disney movies including Disney’s Blackbeard’s Ghost, That Darn Cat! and she played Katie Nanna, Jane and Michael’s first nanny who quits at the beginning of Mary Poppins. (Image: Universal Pictures)

1941: Award-Winning Film was Inspired by Untrue Memories

In 1939, Richard Llewellyn published his book, How Green Was My Valley which he said was inspired by his many visits with his grandfather in Gilfach Goch in South Wales. The best seller became a movie that was released on this day in 1941.

Directed by John Ford, the movie centered on the Welsh family, the Morgans and their life in the South Wales coalfields during the late Victorian era. The story was told from the perspective of the young boy, Huw (Roddy McDowall).

In the beginning, everything is peaceful and happy, but as the story goes on, the darker and more depressing the story becomes.

The movie also starred Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O’Hara, Anna Lee and Donald Crisp. It was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won five Oscars for Best Picture, Director, Supporting Actor (Donald Crisp), Cinematography (Arthur Miller) and Best Black-and-White Art Direction/Interior Decoration.

After Llewellyn had died in November of 1983, it was revealed that the author’s stories were untrue. He had spent very little time in Wales.

1951: One of TV’s First Sci-Fi Series Crashes

Long before The Outer Limits (1963) and The Twilight Zone 1959) there was Out There. Perhaps a little before its time, this 30-minute anthology science fiction series began airing on this day. The science fiction series featured stories written by authors like Ray Bradbury, Robert A. Heinlein and Theodore Sturgeon. Guest stars included Eileen Heckart, Leslie Nielsen and Rod Steiger.

Only a dozen episodes of the show aired before being pulled from CBS’s schedule. The fact that it aired early in the evening on Sundays and that it did not have a sponsor were among the reasons that the show was cancelled.