The below photo depicts the overwhelmingly large amount of people that anxiously waited in long lines out-the-door and around-the-corner, just to buy a ticket to see the 1973 horror film, “The Exorcist.” Released in cinemas on December 26th, 1973, this image illustrates the astonishing popularity of the film labeled as “one of the greatest horror films of all time”, both at the time of its release and up until today. The movie proved itself a “major commercial success”, bringing in a whopping $441 million worldwide!
Believe it or not, this terrifying horror classic is actually based on a true story. Indeed, the novel that inspired the movie, written by author William Peter Blatty, is actually based on the real-life exorcism of a young boy, known by the pseudonym Roland Doe, in 1949. After hearing about the exorcism on national news, Blatty, a student at Georgetown University at the time, soon became intrigued with the story, and ended up writing a novel based upon these terrifying real-life events.
The Incredible Mr. Limpet: Man Turned Animated, Talking Fish, 1964
Featured in the below photo is a shot from the American live-action/animated adventure movie, “The Incredible Mr. Limpet” (1964). Based on the 1942 novel, “Mr. Limpet, this Warner Bros. film follows the story of a man by the name of Henry Limpet (played by leading actor Don Knotts), a “mild-mannered man” turned animated talking fish. Taking place in World War II, Limpet, who takes on the appearance of a tilefish, ultimately aids the U.S. Navy in locating and destroying Nazi submarines.
Best known for his five-time Emmy-winning role as the “over-anxious” Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife on the 1960s sitcom, The Andy Griffith Show—a show which earned him five Emmys—Knotts also acted as the leading man in a number of other comedic films. In 1979, TV Guide even ranked Knotts #27 on its “50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time” list! The onscreen dynamic between Andy Griffith and Knotts propelled the two actors to the very top of the list of the best comedy duos in the entire history of television. In 2006, Knotts died from lung cancer complications at the age of 82.
Veronica Hamel: Supporting Actress in the 1979 Film, “Beyond the Poseidon Adventure”
The below photo is of actress and fashion model, Veronica Hamel. First discovered by Eileen Ford, Hamel first entered the limelight through a career as a fashion model. Interestingly enough, in her first film role in the 1971 film, “Klute”, Hamel actually played the role of a model! Following this breakout role into the film industry, this model-turned-actress later landed a supporting role in the disaster movie sequel, “Beyond The Poseidon Adventure” (1979), and again in “When Time Ran Out” (1980).
Of Hamel’s many acting performances over the years, she is most remembered for the recurring role of Choice Davenport on the long-running television series, “Hill Street Blues”, for which she received five Emmy nominations. Hamel was actually considered for the role of Kelly Garrett on the hit show “Charlie’s Angels,” but ultimately turned down the role. Hamel went on to act in a number of TV movies and series, appearing in recurring roles on shows like “Philly”, and “Lost", in which she played Margo Shepherd, the mother of the show’s main character, Jack Shephard.
Siblings Share a Coke, 1956
As the old saying goes, “Sharing is caring!” The below photo, captured in 1956, perfectly (and adorably) highlights this concept, as one sister is captured sharing her Coke with her fellow sibling. Coca-Cola was first introduced to the public on May 8th, 1886, by a curious, Atlanta-based pharmacist by the name of Dr. John S. Pemberton.
While Pemberton is credited with creating this famously “distinctive tasting soft drink,” it was his bookkeeper, Frank M. Robinson, that is credited with not only naming Pemberton’s soda drink “Coca-Cola,” but is also known as the man who designed the “trademarked, distinct script” stilled used by Coca-Cola today.
Helen Mirren, The Triple Crown of the Acting World, Posing During Her Performance With the Royal Shakespeare Company in Troilus and Cressida (June, 1968)
Few actors and actresses are able to achieve what Shakespearean actress and A-list movie star, Helen Mirren has achieved: the “Triple Crown of Acting: Academy Award, Emmy Award, and Tony Award.” Born in 1945 as Ilynea Lydia Mironoff, Mirren first began her formal acting career after joining the Royal Shakespeare Company in the late 1960s. Though nominated twice before for an Emmy, it was Mirren’s 2007 performance as Queen Elizabeth II in the critically acclaimed film, “The Queen” that would finally earn the actress the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Additionally, Mirren would also go on to win an Oliver Award for Best Actress, for her performance in the drama, “The Audience” in 2013, a role in which she again acted as Queen Elizabeth II. In 2003, Mirren was formally recognized for her years of dedication and talent in the world of the Performing Arts after being appointed as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for Services to the Performing Arts.