This Day in Humor with Mike Durrett


Born 1922: Dick Martin, stand-up comedian and actor, teamed many years with straight man Dan Rowan before striking gold as part of the television comedy phenomenon, "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" (1968-73). Afterwards, he cultivated a career directing sitcoms: "The Bob Newhart Show," "Archie Bunker's Place," "Family Ties," "Newhart," "Mama's Family," "Sledge Hammer!" and others.

Born 1930: Gene Hackman, Oscar-winning actor, known mostly for dramatic roles. Comedy happened along the way, notably in "Get Shorty" (1995), "The Birdcage" (1996), and "The Royal Tenenbaums" (2001). Obscured under heavy makeup, he appeared briefly in Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" (1974), a certifiably classic comedy sequence. His unbilled presence was a huge surprise during the film's original release to those who spotted him. Hackman is The Blindman (Harold), delighted to offer a quiet stranger (The Monster) soup and a cigar. "And (he) was going to make espresso."

1931: Charlie Chaplin's superlative "City Lights" premiered. Although sound had firmly revolutionized motion pictures a few years before, Chaplin refused to take the plunge. "City Lights" is essentially a silent movie. Nothing of consequence is spoken audibly. The only concessions to technology, he composed a musical score to be placed on the entire length of the film ("Smile") and added a few incidental sound effects.

Born 1951: Charles Dutton, a convicted felon who contracted the acting bug in prison. He's sitcomland's "Roc" (1991-94).

1954: Two cartoons debuted in American movie theatres: "I Gopher You," the adventures of Mac and Tosh, the ultra-polite rodent twins of Warner Bros., and "Posse Cat," a Tom and Jerry western.

Born 1958: Brett Butler, stand-up comic, who achieved stardom in a sitcom based on her routines, "Grace Under Fire" (1993-98).

1961: Animators Hanna-Barbera gave TV audiences the first look at their pic-a-nic basket-stealing hero. "The Yogi Bear Show" premiered on this day.

Copyright ©2003 Mike Durrett. All rights reserved.