On this date in Hollywood history -- March: Jean Harlow's birthday, Cyd Charisse's birthday, "The Covered Wagon" premiered, Steve McQueen's birthday ...
Discover what happened on days throughout March in Hollywood history, from historic film premieres and industry milestones to anniversaries of birthdays/deaths of beloved Old Hollywood figures, and more.
(This story will be updated throughout the month)
March 3
The "Blonde Bombshell" Jean Harlow was born March 3, 1911, and was one of the legendary leading ladies of Old Hollywood. She rose to fame with 1930's "Hell's Angels" and would go on to star in two dozen movies before her untimely death just seven years later. Her biggest hits included "Platinum Blonde" (1931), "Red-Headed Woman" (1932), "Dinner at Eight" (1933), "Wife vs. Secretary" (1936) and "Libeled Lady" (1936).
"Red Dust," made in 1932, featured Harlow at her most sassy and with frequent co-star Clark Gable. Here they are in a famous bath shower scene from the movie:
March 8
Cyd Charisse, born March 8, 1922, was one of MGM’s dancing maestros and appeared in several all-time classic movie musicals such as "Singin' In the Rain" (1952) and "Brigadoon" (1954).
Here she is showing off her legendary dance moves in 1957’s “Silk Stockings,” one of her last dancing roles:
March 24
There’s nobody cooler than "The Great Escape's" Steve McQueen, born March 24, 1930, as “The Cooler King,” an American captain held prisoner during WWII who frequently annoys the Germans in charge with his escape attempts and rebellious remarks – and who frequently ends up in solitary confinement in “the cooler.”
McQueen, an avid motorcycle enthusiast in real life, did most of his own riding on the Triumph (painted to look like a German bike of the era) in the chase scene. A stuntman is credited with the movie’s giant leap scene, and McQueen always credited Bud Ekins with the stunt. But at least a few cast and crew members later said it could be any number of people in the movie as McQueen and other stuntmen were all filmed doing the giant leap, just to prove they could. The motorcycle is now on display at the Triumph factory museum in England.
