OTD: Madonna Mania and a Dangerous Release Date
Saturday, September 2, 2017 at 11:20AM On this day (Sept 2nd) in showbiz-related history...
31 BC Cleopatra loses the Battle of Actium to Octavian's troops in the final war of the Roman Republic. Liz is very upset but it turns out Dick is still alive and he leaves his men to drown to catch up with her and work on his thigh tan! Not great, Bob.
Madonna mania, September 1st movie releases and more after the jump...
1973 JRR Tolkien dies at 81 of an ulcer. He didn't live to see the original animated adaptation of his work The Hobbit (1977) but do you think he ever dreamed of The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy? (or had nightmares about its prequel trilogy?)
1985 People Magazine gawked at the Madonna / Sean Penn wedding (which had taken place on Madonna's birthday in August) in their September 2nd issue. It sucked up LOTS of media oxygen in 1985. Just ask anyone who lived through that year. 1985 literally began with Madonna's "Like a Virgin" single at #1 for the entire month of January and the Like a Virgin album climbing to #1 in February.
[She must have done 100s of photoshoots that year.]
She only got bigger from there with Desperately Seeking Susan released in movie theaters in April, a radio only smash ("Into the Groove") and her second #1 in May ("Crazy for You") and then that infamous wedding to Sean in August that paparazzi were so intent on crashing that there were helicopters flying over the nuptials.
1994 A Simple Twist of Fate hits movie theaters
2011 Albert Nobbs and A Dangerous Method hit movie theaters
2016 The Light Between Oceans hits movies theaters
... woe unto movies that are released on September 2nd?
Happy Birthday to Them!
Oscar Nominees: Salma Hayek, Mel Stuart (director)
Creatives: Marge Champion (dancer/choreographer), Mark Ricker (production designer)
Actors: "Nini Legs in the Air" herself Caroline O'Connor (Moulin Rouge!) who is currently on Broadway in Anastasia, "Whoa" and Keanu Reeves. It's not a big day for celebrity birthdays but there's also Eugenio Derbez, Sudeep, Michael Dante, and Michael Lombardi
Reader Comments (15)
Happy Birthday, Chuck Spadina!
Thigh tan, LOL.
"Not great, Bob" has had quite the repfeiffal in popularity this week. I've seen it used on this site, The Cut, Vulture, etc. 10th anniversary of Mad Men fever?
Also, Keira Knightley didn't get the credit she deserved for A Dangerous Method, nor did she for Anna Karenina the next year. Fantastic, renegade actressing/star turns.
The today youngers don't know how big Madonna was in the 80s and 90s as queen of media. No competition. No other musician, actress, model, whatever... Only Madonna.
Agreed Yup,it's all Beyonce acting like she invented Motherhood,shape shifting Gaga with no hits etc etc.
I owned that magazine! Ah, memories!!!
Yup is so right! I think many don't understand the hugeness of madonna in the 80s and 90s. it is still unrivaled.
Before Madonna, there was Barbra Streisand. She was the no 1 box office female star and the no. 1 recording star with multiple accolades in the 70s. I'm sure Madonna fans will not understand how big Streisand was in that era. Unlike Madonna, she successfully ruled over both screen and music
@Pete you are so correct. Streisand was huge in the 1970's.
Streisand gets lots of credit for lots of accomplishments, however she is almost never given props for breaking so many barriers as a massive cross over talent, who would ultimately open so many doors for great future female performers. Her looks, style and full career control would open the doors for everyone from Cher, Madonna, Bette Midler etc.
Even Celine, Mariah and Whitney can thank Barbra.
And Barbra can thank poor Judy for alerting her to "don't let this happen to you".
Max, I can't think of ANYONE who was once a decade-long No. 1 box office movie star (with an Oscar to boot) and a recording artiste who commanded respect for her voice alone not to mention many other qualities like creative control, style, etc. I don't think Madonna or Cher can touch her at her prime, primarily the 70s and early 80s.
the barbra streisand comparison doesn't hold water. of course, babs is a hugely successful, talented artist. but madonna was a global phenomenon, ranking with the likes of the beatles and elvis presley in terms of sales (she's the most successful female recording artist in history). the numbers speak for themselves.
madonna worldwide record sales: ~300 million
barbra streisand worldwide record sales: ~145 million
also, madonna is the #1 selling female touring artist of all time—by far. barbra streisand doesn't even show up on such lists.
in addition, madonna has more billboard hot 100 top 10 songs than ANY artist.
lastly, i'm somewhat baffled by this idea that streisand 'opened the door' for madonna. they are COMPLETELY different styles of artists and really, their only similarities are that they are both women and both singers.
Streisand at her peak was a bigger star than Madonna- Broadway, records, television and the movies . Streisand had a better movie career.
@PHIL I will agree with you that on a global musical level Madonna was bigger than Barbra.
However, Madonna never had a successful movie career and Barbra was huge at the box-office. Streisand was a real movie star. Audiences flocked to her films and she has her share of classics that will and have stood the test of time,
Not sure why you are baffled about Barbra "opening the door". The answer is simple.
In the early sixties female entertainers were mostly white bread, cookie cutter, sweet faced girl singers who did what they were told by their managers and record company.
Along came Barbra who was basically from another planet and had a sound that was wildly thrilling and new in its raw emotion and unique force. Everything about Barbra was bold and different thus paving the way for all the unique gals that followed. Barbra broke and changed the rules.
Streisand's unique look, brash style, chutzpah, self confidence, bravado, ethnicity, strong creative drive and total career control that branched into new creative areas definitely changed the road map for future female artists. Especially the great Madonna!
PS Not to mention Barbra's rotating look, it was now OK to have ever changing hair, make up, clothes, style and persona that could cover the whole spectrum.
Streisand has opened the door for many, not just Madonna but others as well. But I just wanna add something - in the 70s, the name Streisand alone can open films and set box office on fire - Star is born, what's up doc, etc. And ask any female singer (Madonna INCLUDED) - they will always cite Aretha and Barbra as having the BEST voices in the industry. Yes, she may be like the Beatles, Elvis, MJ and Madonna in terms of mass hysteria and global adoration, but she's clearly a force of nature - stage, screen, music, etc - she has conquered all. Btw, she's also the female artiste to have the most No. 1 albums on Billboard.
I will always respect Streisand's accomplishments and talent. Even Madonna does that. Although I must say if we talk about being a star, at her peak, Madonna was the bigger star. Babs may have the EGOT but Madonna has the whole world in her hands.