This is an overview of 1929 in film, including significant events, a list of films released and notable births and deaths.
The Ziegfeld Follies were a series of elaborate theatrical revue productions on Broadway in New York City from 1907 to 1931, with renewals in 1934, 1936, 1943, and 1957. They became a radio program in 1932 and 1936 as The Ziegfeld Follies of the Air.
Troy is a 2004 epic historical war film directed by Wolfgang Petersen and written by David Benioff. Produced by units in Malta, Mexico and Britain's Shepperton Studios, the film features an ensemble cast led by Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Sean Bean, Diane Kruger, Brian Cox, Brendan Gleeson, Rose Byrne, Saffron Burrows and Orlando Bloom. It is loosely based on Homer's Iliad in its narration of the entire story of the decade-long Trojan War—condensed into little more than a couple of weeks, rather than just the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon in the ninth year. Achilles leads his Myrmidons along with the rest of the Greek army invading the historical city of Troy, defended by Hector's Trojan army. The end of the film is not taken from the Iliad, but rather from Quintus Smyrnaeus's Posthomerica, as the Iliad concludes with Hector's death and funeral.
Claire Merritt Hodgson Ruth was a native of Athens, Georgia, United States, who is most famous for having been the second wife of Babe Ruth.
Show Boat is a 1936 American romantic musical film directed by James Whale, based on the 1927 musical of the same name by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II, which in turn was adapted from the 1926 novel of the same name by Edna Ferber.
Deep in My Heart is a 1954 American MGM biographical musical film about the life of operetta composer Sigmund Romberg, who wrote the music for The Student Prince, The Desert Song, and The New Moon, among others. Leonard Spigelgass adapted the film from Elliott Arnold's 1949 biography of the same name. Roger Edens produced, Stanley Donen directed and Eugene Loring choreographed. José Ferrer played Romberg, with support from soprano Helen Traubel as a fictional character and Merle Oberon as actress, playwright, librettist, producer, and director Dorothy Donnelly.
Producers' Showcase is an American anthology television series that was telecast live during the 1950s in compatible color by NBC. With top talent, the 90-minute episodes, covering a wide variety of genres, aired under the title every fourth Monday at 8 pm ET for three seasons, beginning October 18, 1954. The final episode, the last of 37, was broadcast May 27, 1957.
Ruth Donnelly was an American film and stage actress.
The Hard Way is a 1943 Warner Bros. musical drama film starring Ida Lupino, Dennis Morgan, and Joan Leslie. Directed by Vincent Sherman, it is based on a story by Irwin Shaw which was reportedly based on Ginger Rogers' relationship with her first husband Jack Pepper and her mother Lela.
A Raisin in the Sun is a play by Lorraine Hansberry that debuted on Broadway in 1959. The title comes from the poem "Harlem" by Langston Hughes. The story tells of a black family's experiences in south Chicago, as they attempt to improve their financial circumstances with an insurance payout following the death of the father, and deals with matters of housing discrimination, racism, and assimilation. The New York Drama Critics' Circle named it the best play of 1959, and in recent years publications such as The Independent and Time Out have listed it among the best plays ever written.
The eighth series of the British television drama series Grange Hill began broadcasting on 18 February 1985, until 22 April 1985 on BBC One. The series follows the lives of the staff and pupils of the eponymous school, an inner-city London comprehensive school. It consists of nineteen episodes.
Within the Law is a 1939 American (Precursor) Film noir crime film directed by Gustav Machatý and written by Charles Lederer and Edith Fitzgerald. The film stars Ruth Hussey, Tom Neal, Paul Kelly, William Gargan, Paul Cavanagh, and Rita Johnson. The film was released on March 17, 1939, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
John Hugh Elliott was an American actor who appeared on Broadway and in over 300 films during his career. He worked sporadically during the silent film era, but with the advent of sound his career took off, where he worked constantly for 25 years, finding a particular niche in "B" westerns.
Time Out for Romance is a 1937 American romantic comedy film directed by Malcolm St. Clair, written by Lou Breslow and John Patrick, and starring Claire Trevor, Michael Whalen, Joan Davis, Chick Chandler, Douglas Fowley and Benny Bartlett. It was released on February 10, 1937, by 20th Century Fox.
Pardon Our Nerve is a 1939 American comedy film directed by H. Bruce Humberstone and written by Robert Ellis and Helen Logan. The film stars Lynn Bari, June Gale, Guinn "Big Boy" Williams, Michael Whalen, Edward Brophy and John Miljan. The film was released on February 24, 1939, by 20th Century Fox.
My Marriage is a 1936 American drama film directed by George Archainbaud and written by Frances Hyland. The film stars Claire Trevor, Kent Taylor, Pauline Frederick, Paul Kelly, Helen Wood and Thomas Beck. The film was released on January 31, 1936, by 20th Century Fox.
To Mary – with Love is a 1936 American drama film directed by John Cromwell, written by Richard Sherman and Howard Ellis Smith, and starring Warner Baxter, Myrna Loy, Ian Hunter, Claire Trevor, Jean Dixon and Pat Somerset. The film was released on August 1, 1936, by 20th Century Fox.
Career Woman is a 1936 American drama film directed by Lewis Seiler and written by Lamar Trotti. The film stars Claire Trevor, Michael Whalen, Isabel Jewell, Eric Linden, Virginia Field and Gene Lockhart. The film was released on December 18, 1936, by 20th Century Fox.
The Man I Marry is a 1936 American drama film directed by Ralph Murphy and written by Harry Clork and M. Coates Webster. The film stars Doris Nolan, Michael Whalen, Charles "Chic" Sale, Nigel Bruce, Richard "Skeets" Gallagher, Marjorie Gateson, Cliff Edwards and Gerald Oliver Smith. The film was released on November 1, 1936, by Universal Pictures.
