#OTD in 1985, Chat (ITP/ IPC ) “The first mass market women’s weekly launched since the late 1950s”, exploiting real life stories. Using newsprint format, with colour – a successful concept in Germany. Subsequently needed to change format to suit supermarket shelves.

Born #OTD in 1930, John Arden, d 2012, alone an angry young man of British theatre (Sergeant Musgrave’s Dance, The Workhouse Donkey), but with partner Margaretta D’Arcy a strong force for re-imagining drama with a political slant, cf an exploratory play The King’s Pardon (1967)

From 1945, Baron Philippe Rothschild racing car enthusiast & vineyard owner commissioned a major artist to design the label for the year’s Chateau Mouton Rothschild vintage. Bacon, Koons, Dali, Braque. In 1973, the privilege given to Pablo Picasso (born #OTD in 1881, died 1973

Born #OTD in England in 1886, Leo G Carroll (d 1972). Found his way to Broadway and then Hollywood, where a busy career saw him in six Alfred Hitchcock films. His defining tv role as the spymaster Mr Waverley in the UNCLE organisation, with David McCallum and Robert Vaughan.

Launched #OTD in 1975, the first issue, Number 1, of Mickey Mouse (born 1928) in his own weekly comic. From IPC Fleetway, who held the Walt Disney UK licence for many years, cf Fantasia Poster Magazine 1979. #MickeyMouse #WaltDisney

#OTD in 1981, Titbits celebrated its 100th anniversary. Originally Tit-Bits “from all the most interesting Books, Periodicals and Newspapers in the world”. Asimov, Haggard and Wodehouse among the contributors. Passed away forty two years ago in 1984.

Il est un rock star. Born #OTD in 1936, William Perks, better known as Bill Wyman. Bass guitarist, songwriter, formerly with The Rolling Stones, now with his own band, back briefly on Hackney Diamonds. Autobiographer, collector of Stones memorabilia, etc. And he did this in 1974!

#witches - a handy guide. Including phallic worship.

#OTD 1976 - the second issue of IPC's Krazy #comic , with an equally inspired 'table mat' back cover!

#booksintomovies, Brokeback Mountain, a fine example of Annie Proulx’s honed prose, Ang Lee (born #OTD in 1954) won the Oscar for best director in 2005. Life of Pi was a 2012 movie directed by Ang Lee, winning 4 Oscars including best director, again. And if you like endpapers….

Born #OTD in 1932, Diana Fluck. Thoughtfully changed her name to Diana Dors, became a UK film star in the Jayne Mansfield, Marilyn Monroe style. Showed true acting chops in Yield to the Night (1956). Her memoir For Adults Only (1978), and A to Z of her recollections. Died 1984.

#booksintomovies 2024, based on the true story of Trudi Ederle (born #OTD 1905, died 2003) Young Woman and the Sea, by Glenn Stout, first woman to swim the English Channel – a game changer for women’s sports in the 1920s. Slightly uneven movie but feel good, with Daisy Ridley.

Punk's Not Dead 1980, written by Garry Bushell, designed by Alan Lewis @TheSimonKnott

1960s Penguins, design by Renato Fratini. eg Rebecca, first appeared 1938, this reprint (it’s never been out of print) 1966. #Booksintomovies, Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940 atmospheric film won Best Picture with Oscar noninee Joan Fontaine born #OTD 1917, d 2013.

Playboy magazine, June 1957. Simple cover, with an almost innocuous centrefold, from the bunny man. Notable for the first appearance of a short story by George Langelaan, The Fly, #booksintomovies 1986 by David Cronenberg remake starring Jeff Goldblum, born #OTD 1952.

No relation, btw

Born #OTD in 1925 (d 2012), Dorothy Langan, better known as Dory Previn, singer songwriter. Her childhood was disturbed and painful. Midnight Baby (Corgi 1977). Her marriage to Andre Previn was rocked and wrecked by Mia Farrow, recounted in her songs “Beware of young girls..”

#OTD 1964, George Cukor’s film My fair Lady began its run in New York’s Criterion Theatre. Audrey Hepburn’s and Jeremy Brett’s voices were dubbed. Julie Andrews could sing (and she mastered the role on stage) was not cast. Audrey on the cover of ABC Film review 1967.

”No I never advocated drugs. I defended drugs, different drugs, against unscientific charges” They Took Away My Credit Card – exclusive interview with psychologist & writer Timothy Leary (born #OTD 1920, d 1996) in last issue of undergound mag Oz 1973. Felix Dennis back right!