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The History of American Cinema: 1945

January - June

6/1 -

Pepe le Pew makes his debut, making amorous advances toward a male cat that he has mistaken for a skunk, in Warner Bros.’ Odor-Able Kitty. [ADD]

3/2 -

Walt Disney’s The Three Caballeros, starring Donald Duck, Pablo Penguin, José Carioca and the bird Aracua goes on general release after premiering in Mexico City on 21^st December 1944. [ADD]

15/2 -

Olivia De Havilland wins a Supreme Court case she bought against Warner Bros after they tried to extend her contract against her wishes for an additional six months because of her suspension for refusing inferior roles.   The upper limit that an actor can be contracted to a studio is subsequently set at seven years, including any periods of suspension. [ADD]

3/3 -

Albert Lewin’s adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s novel The Picture of Dorian Gray is released.   Hurd Hatfield stars as the anti-hero with a secret in the attic, with support from George Sanders, Donna Reed and Angela Lansbury. [ADD]

13/3 -

A 32-week strike by 15,000 machinists and technicians brings production to a standstill at Hollywood’s major studios.   It costs the strikers an estimated $15 - $16 million in lost wages, and the studios around $10 million in additional overheads. [ADD]

24/3 -

Friz Freleng’s new cartoon in the Merrie Melodies series for Warner Bros, Life With Feathers, marks the debut of Sylvester the cat. [ADD]

5/5 -

Yosemite Sam makes his debut in Warner Bros. Bugs Bunny short Hare Trigger. [ADD]

25/5 -

Judy Garland and Robert Walker star in Vincente Minelli’s The Clock for MGM.   It mark’s Garland’s debut as a non-singing dramatic actress. [ADD]

6/6 -

A court in Los Angeles orders Charlie Chaplin to pay $100 a week maintenance to 26-year-old actress Joan Barry for the daughter she claims he fathered.   The court ruling is made despite the fact that blood tests taken in February 1944 after Barry filed a paternity suit in June 1943 proved Chaplin could not be the father.   A motion for retrial is denied. [ADD]

15/6 -

Judy Garland and director Vincente Minnelli marry in Los Angeles. [ADD]

The History of Cinema: 1945