While Porky’s Hare Hunt was the first Warner Bros. cartoon to feature a prototype of Bugs Bunny, A Wild Hare, directed by Tex Avery character designed by Bob Givensand released on July 27, 1940, is widely considered to be the first official Bugs Bunny cartoon. It is the first film where both Elmer Fudd and Bugs, both redesigned by Bob Givens, are shown in their fully developed forms as hunter and tormentor, respectively; the first in which Mel Blanc (below) uses what became Bugs’ standard voice; and the first in which Bugs uses his catchphrase, "What’s up, Doc?" A Wild Hare was a huge success in theaters and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Cartoon Short Subject.
Referred to as "The Man of a Thousand Voices",he is regarded as one of the most influential people in the voice acting industry, and as one of the greatest voice actors of all time.
NEW YORK (AP) — The Shubert Organization’s Cort Theatre on Broadway will be renamed after James Earl Jones, fulfilling a promise by the theater giant to honor a Black artist in such a way.
According to a statement by the Shuberts,The James Earl Jones Theatre renaming is "in recognition of Mr. Jones’ lifetime of immense contributions to Broadway and the entire artistic community,"
The Cort Theatre is 110 years old and was built by and named for John Cort, general manager of the Northwestern Theatrical Association, who died in 1929. There are 41 Broadway theaters, four are named for women and now two for Black artists.
Jones, who served in the United States Army during the Korean War before pursuing a career in acting, turned 91 in January.
GLENDALE, Calif. (AP) – Russi Taylor, an actress who gave voice to Minnie Mouse and others for more than three decades, has died.
Walt Disney Co. chairman Bob Iger announced Taylor’s death in a statement Saturday. He said Taylor died Friday at her home in Glendale, Calif. due to complications from diabetes.
Taylor was married to the man who voiced Mickey Mouse opposite her, Wayne Allwine, from 1991 until his death in 2009.
On this day in 1940, the 114-day Battle of Britain began during World War II.
The Telstar Communications satellite was launched on this day in 1962. It relayed TV and telephone signals between Europe and the U.S.
Millard Fillmore(January 7, 1800 – March 8, 1874)
Following Zachary Taylor’s death,Millard Fillmore (above) became the 13th President of the United States on this day in 1850. He was the last member of the Whig Party to hold the office of president.
Zachary Taylor(November 24, 1784 – July 9, 1850)
The identity and source of Taylor’s illness are the subject of historical speculation, although it is known that Taylor and several of his cabinet members had come down with similar intestinal ailments on July 4, 1850, while attending holiday celebrations during a fund-raising event.
Shamil Salmanovich Basayev (January 14, 1965 – July 10, 2006)
Basayev was a Chechen militant Islamist and a leader of the Chechen movement.
He was killed by an explosion on July 10, 2006. Controversy still surrounds who was responsible for his death.
Folk singer/songwriter Arlo Davy Guthrieis 71 years older today.
