Today in History: Thursday, December 19, 2024

Television
CBS debuted made-for television movie “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story” in 1971, which introduced us to the clan called Walton. Effective on Sept. 14, 1972, drama “The Waltons” began its nine season run on the Eye net.

The Homecoming: A Christmas Story (TV Movie 1971) - IMDb

NBC aired one-hour special, “Jack Paar is Alive and Well,” in 1987, which featured guests Debbie Reynolds, Jackie Mason and Pat Sajak…ABC sitcom “Boy Meets World” hit the 100-epiosde mark in 1997. It concluded on May 5, 2000 after seven seasons and spun-off “Girl Meets World” on Disney Channel.

Movies
The sci-fi drama “A Clockwork Orange”, Stanley Kibrick’s adaptation of the novel by Anthony Burgess, had its world premiere. Although widely acclaimed, the movie’s violent and sexually explicit scenes proved controversial, and it received an X rating when released in the United States.

James Cameron’s “Titanic”, starring Leonardo Di Caprio and Kate Winslet, opened in theaters in 1997. It was nominated for 14 Academy Awards, tying All “About Eve” for the most nominations. It won 11, including Best Picture and Director (tying “Ben-Hur” in 1959 for the most Oscars won by a single film).

News
The the U.S. House of Representatives impeached President Bill Clinton in 1998, charging him with perjury and obstruction of justice. Clinton was acquitted by the Senate the following month.

Books
English author Charles Dickens published “A Christmas Carol” in 1843, which became one of the outstanding Christmas stories of modern literature.

Celebrity Birthdays
“The Brady Bunch” star Mike Lookinland is 64; actress Jennifer Beals (“Flashdance”) is 61; magician Criss Angel is 57; “Who’s the Boss?” star Alyssa Milano is 52.

Did You Know?
Patricia Neal as Olivia Walton on “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story” did not reprise her role on “The Waltons” due to the grinds of shooting a weekly television series. The actress was still recovering from a stroke she had suffered in 1965. Olivia on “The Waltons,” of course, was played by Michael Learned, who won three Emmy Awards for the role.