Articles written by John K. Davis
All 83 articles written by John K. Davis
Category: British Films
These motion pictures from the golden age of British film production are all on the BFI's list of Top 100 British Movies. more...
Category: American History (general)
Long the staple of many household first aid supplies, the mustard plaster has had an interesting history dating back two thousand or more years. more...
Sci-Fi Movies From the Later 1950s: The Body Snatchers, Forbidden Planet, Incredible Shrinking Man
Category: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Films (general)
The Golden Age of Science Fiction Films from 1950 to 1957 ended with a large number of quality films that were noted for having better writing, acting and effects. more...
Sci-Fi Movies from the Early 1950s: Destination Moon, The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Thing
Category: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Films (general)
Science fiction movies of the 1950s were strongly influenced by the paranoia of the Atomic and Cold War Eras or the feeling that we are not alone. more...
Category: Classic Films (general)
The AFI's 2007 updated list of top 100 American films has nearly two dozen great films that were not nominated for best picture Oscars. Here are a few. more...
Category: Classic Films (general)
The AFI top 100 lists a half dozen of Alfred Hitchcock and Charles Chaplin's great films that were not nominated for best picture Oscars. more...
Academy Awards Neglected Directors: Five Film Legends Who Never Won an Oscar for Directing
Category: Classic Films (general)
Several fine directors in Academy Award history never received directing Oscars for their works. Here are a few of them. Some did receive other honors. more...
Academy Awards Neglected Actresses: Four Women Performers Who Never Won an Oscar
Category: Classic Films (general)
Several fine actresses in Oscar history never received an acting Oscar. Some were given Academy Honorary Awards for their contributions to the motion picture industry. more...
The Academy Awards Neglected Actors: Five Male Performers Who Never Won an Oscar
Category: Classic Films (general)
Several fine actors in Oscar history never received an Oscar for acting, although many were eventually given Academy Honorary Awards for their overall contributions. more...
Women Baseball Players 1890-1940: The Players Became More Skilled and Professional
Category: Baseball History
Beginning in the 1890s, the skill level of women baseball players greatly improved, even to the point that some were able to hold their own against men. more...
The Oldest Major League Players: For Those Who Like Baseball History and Trivia
Category: Baseball History
During the long course of major league history there have been several players who were long in the tooth when they entered the big leagues. more...
The First Night Baseball Games: Early Major League Games Were Few and Far Between
Category: Baseball History
When it came to playing games under the lights, the majors were slow getting to the party. more...
Youngest & Oldest 300 Game Winners: Only Twenty-three Major League Pitchers Have Reached This Record
Category: Major League Baseball
In a time when pitching philosophy is different from the past, the 300 game winner is a dying breed. Randy Johnson with 288 wins may be the last. more...
Youngest & Oldest 20 Game Winners: Six Pitchers Who Became Part of Baseball History and Trivia
Category: Major League Baseball
Three of the six pitchers made baseball's Hall of Fame, proving that their careers were consistent. more...
Best Pictures from the Late 1990s: The Oscar's Five Best Pictures from 1995 to 1999
Category: Classic Films (general)
Although not all the best pictures from the later 1990s were as good as those from the first half of the decade, most were entertaining and are worth at least one viewing more...
Oscar Winners from the Early 1990s: The Academy Awards' Five Best Pictures from 1990 to 1994
Category: Classic Films (general)
These years are memorable in that all five best pictures from this period also appear on the American Film Institute's original list of 100 best American movies. more...
Best Pictures from the Early 1980s: Five Films Which Won Best Picture from 1980 to 1984
Category: Classic Films (general)
Some of these five Oscar winning movies were not necessarily audience choices for best picture, but the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences loved them. more...
Oscar Winners from the Early 1970s: Five Films Which Won Best Picture from 1970 to 1974
Category: Classic Films (general)
These Oscar winning best pictures from 1970 to 1974 included a war movie, a buddy-cops film, one featuring an elaborate scam, and the two best gangster movies ever made. more...
Oscar Winners from the Late 1960s: Five Films Which Won Best Picture from 1965 to 1969
Category: Classic Films (general)
These five best picture winners from the first half of the 1960s included two musicals, an historical epic, a racial drama, and the only X-Rated film to win an Oscar. more...
The Youngest and Oldest Pitchers: Nuxhall, Paige and Two More Hold the Major League Records
Category: Major League Baseball
A list of the major leagues's youngest and oldest pitchers contains one memorable name and three that are not well known today except by the game's most avid followers. more...
Starring Sherlock Holmes: Review of Book Detailing the Film and TV History of the Detective
Category: Film/TV Industry (general)
Over the years, several fine books on Sherlock Holmes movies have been published. Among the most recent best is David Stuart Davies' "Starring Sherlock Holmes." more...
Oscar Winner Luise Rainer: Back-to-Back Oscar Winning Best Actress Was a Hollywood Rebel
Category: Film Stars
After winning best actress awards for "The Great Ziegfeld" (1936) and "The Good Earth" (1937), Luise Rainer's acting career faded, much of it due to her strong beliefs. more...
Three Great Western Movies: These Westerns from the 1940s & 1950s Are Considered Classics Today
Category: Film Westerns
It was not just great casts, directing, or scenery that separates these films from others. It was also their underlying themes, all of which are still relevant today. more...
Ted Turner's Land Purchases: Largest U.S. Private Landowner Wants to Purchase 40,000 More Acres
Category: Business Success Stories
The American billionaire says his land buying days are most over and also denies some of the rumors and conspiracy theories that have evolved about his true intents. more...
Oscar Musicals from the 1930s: 16 Musicals Received Nominations for Best Picture - Two Won
Category: Classic Film Musicals
The Academy Awards chose two musicals in the 1930s as best picture. One has not aged well, but is still interesting. The other has survived mainly because of its acting. more...
Category: Vital Record Resources
Unknown to many doing genealogical research in Omaha, the Douglas County, Nebraska, Department of Health started recording births and deaths before the state did. more...
Great Sherlock Holmes Movies: The 1939 Version of the Hound of the Baskervilles Is a Classic
Category: Classic Films (general)
This movie starring Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson may not be the greatest Holmes film, but is a fine adaptation of the Doyle novel. more...
Category: Classic Films (general)
Movie buffs who love Oscar trivia and movies in general may already know all,or most, of these tidbits. For others, it may give new insight into Academy Award history. more...
Category: Classic Films (general)
The 1950s and 1960s saw several directing records set. It was also a period when several directing veterans affirmed their place in movie history and new trends began. more...
Academy Award Firsts - 1940s: Little Known Facts Which Became a Part of Oscar History and Trivia
Category: Classic Films (general)
The 1940s saw several firsts that became part of Academy Award history and trivia. From the first foreign film Oscar to the youngest director to receive a nomination. more...
Category: Classic Films (general)
The political and social turmoil that characterized the United States in the 1970s were often reflected in the Oscar ceremonies. more...
Category: Classic Films (general)
An African-American actress nominated for her role in a musical and a man who was nominated twice as best actor after he had died were among the unusual Oscar highlights. more...
Academy Award History and Trivia: Past Oscar Winners, Motion Picture History, and Trivia
Category: Classic Films (general)
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will shortly name the 2007 nominees for the Oscars. Now's time to test your knowledge of winners from the 1920s & 1930s. more...
Glenn Dorsey - Key to LSU Defense: LSU Tiger Is Winner of Outland, Lombardi & Nagurski Trophy Awards
Category: College Football
When the Tigers meet the Ohio State Buckeyes in college football's upcoming national championship, the game may be determined by the play of this defensive lineman. more...
Golden Globe History & Trivia: 65 Years Old, the Globe Is a Rival to the Academy Awards
Category: Pop Culture Events
The Golden Globe Awards along with the Oscars and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards have become the Big Three of the annual salute to the entertainment industry. more...
First Motion Picture Oscar Winners: The First Academy Awards Honored Best in American Filmaking
Category: Classic Films (general)
Only 14 statuettes were handed out, but the recipients - Louis Milestone, Janet Gaynor & Charles Chaplin, among them - are still well known to classic movie fans today. more...
Category: American History (general)
The soda fountain had its origins in ancient history when man first discovered the health benefits of carbonated water. Later men would use the product in different ways. more...
Omaha Genealogy Records: Deaths: Genealogical Data From Omaha's Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Category: Genealogical Research Methods
The Forest Lawn Memorial Park Association has now placed over 90,000 names on its online burial database. A great aid for locating Omaha obituraries, family information. more...
Frontier Christmas Celebrations: Great Plains Settlers Had to Make-Do When Celebrating Christmas
Category: American History (general)
Isolated and often with limited resources, homesteaders and small town residents enjoyed the spirit of the season in ways similar and yet different to today. more...
The Cuban Giants: African-American Baseball Players Were First Black Professional Team
Category: Baseball History
First named the Athletics of Babylon, these black baseball players held their own against all competition, including several teams from the then major leagues. more...
James Dahlman and Omaha Politics: Known as the Perpetual Mayor, He Related Well with the People
Category: American History (general)
Flamboyant and beloved, "Cowboy Jim" Dahlman reigned as mayor for 21 years during the most corrupt period in Omaha history. more...
Moses Fleetwood Walker: First African-American Baseball Player in the Major Leagues
Category: Baseball History
Although Jackie Robinson is honored as the first black major league player in the modern era, an Ohio athlete and civil rights advocate preceded him by 60 plus years. more...
More British Films from the 1940s: Five Classic Movies Recognized by the British Film Institute
Category: British Films
The decade was a golden era for British films. Altogether fifteen movies from that period made the BFI's Top 100 British Movies list. more...
Category: British Films
These 1940 films from the UK all are in the top ten of the 2000 BFI's list of the Top 100 British Movies. more...
More of the Best 1950s Science Fiction Movies: Invaders from Mars, War of the Worlds, Them!
Category: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Films (general)
The Golden Age of Science Fiction Films from 1950 to 1957 featured movies that are still enjoyable today. The fact that many were "B" level has not diminished them. more...
19th Century Baseball History: What a Game From the mid-1800s Would Look Like
Category: Baseball History
A person traveling back in time to the mid-1840s and early 1850s would see a baseball game that looks similar to today, but which was different in many ways. more...
Category: Classic Films (general)
The 2007 AFI's 100 top movies has nearly two dozen great films that were not nominated for best picture by the Academy Awards. Here are a few of these. more...
More Directors Never Winning Oscar: Five Men Who Never Received a Statuette for Their Directing
Category: Classic Films (general)
Throughout Oscar history, many good directors have never received an Academy Award for their directions. A few received other awards. more...
Actresses Who Never Won an Oscar: Four Women Not Receiving a Deserved Academy Award for Acting
Category: Classic Films (general)
In Oscar history, many fine actresses were never given an Oscar for best actress. A few were eventually given other awards for their contributions to the film industry. more...
Category: Classic Films (general)
Throughout Oscar history, many good actors never received an Award for a deserving performance, although a few were given Honorary Awards for their overall contributions. more...
Category: Baseball History
After an inactive period of nearly a decade, women's baseball was again played. This time on a level never before reached. more...
Early Women Baseball Players: The 1800s Saw Some Women Take to the Game
Category: Baseball History
It may seem hard to believe that women were playing baseball almost as early as men, but they were. It was a crude form of the game, but it would lead to better things. more...
The Youngest Major League Players: For Those Who Like Baseball History and Trivia
Category: Baseball History
During the long course of major league history there have been several players who were still wet behind the ears when they entered the big leagues. more...
Baseball Games Under the Lights: They Were Much Earlier Than You Might Think
Category: Baseball History
Fifty-five years before the first night baseball games were introduced to the major leagues in 1935, lighting was brought to baseball at lower levels. more...
No-Hit Major League Pitchers: The Youngest and Oldest Players to Pitch These Gems
Category: Major League Baseball
Baseball history is filled with records and trivia. The following pitchers contributed to these by having no-hitters either early or late in their careers. more...
The Shot That Changed Basketball: The Jump Shot Revolutionized the Game
Category: Basketball History
Ask "Who invented the automobile?" and you are liable to get a variety of answers. Ask "Who invented the jump shot?" and you will also get many responses. more...
Oscar Winners from the Early 2000s: The Academy Awards Five Best Pictures from 2000 to 2004
Category: Classic Films (general)
The films included a Roman spectacular, a bio-pic, the first musical to win since 1968, the conclusion of a Tolkien epic, and a boxing movie that was more than that. more...
Best Pictures from the Late 1980s: Five Films Which Won Best Picture from 1985 to 1989
Category: Classic Films (general)
Although these best films from the late 1980s did not leave as rich a legacy as other decades, the Academy did select some good, if not great, movies. more...
Oscar Winners from the Late 1970s: Five Films Which Won Best Picture from 1975 to 1979
Category: Classic Films (general)
These five best picture winners from the 1970s include a satire, a feel-good boxing story, a tale of social angst, a Vietnam study, and a look at divorce. more...
Types of European Mustard: Varieties of Mustards from the "Old World" Offer a Change of Pace
Category: Spices
These mustards can add flavor to many meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Some could even be used as a dip for chips and pretzels. more...
Category: Classic Film Dramas
These 1940 Oscar winning films are strong examples of powerful filmmaking. All were well received in their day and are all still highly regarded even now. more...
Cherry Mash Squares Recipe: Often Thought to Be a Holiday Treat, These Squares Are Good Anytime
Category: Pies/Cookies/Squares
For those who have a real sweet tooth and a strong taste for both chocolate and cherry, here is a recipe that should satisfy the strongest addict. more...
Sherlock Holmes on Screen: Review of Book Detailing the Film and TV History of the Detective
Category: Film/TV Industry (general)
British writer Alan Barnes third edition of his original 2002 book is one of two fine works that will satisfy Sherlockians and film buffs in general. more...
Hound of the Baskervilles (1988): It Nearly Equals the Basil Rathbone and Peter Cushing Hound Films
Category: British Films
Showcasing Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes, this Granada Television production has its critics, but is still the most faithful version of the original Conan Doyle story. more...
Oscar Winning Westerns: Only Three Westerns Have Won Oscars for Best Picture
Category: Film Westerns
In the long history of movies, there have been thousands of Western films. Out of this number, only a trio has been honored with an Academy Award as Best Picture. more...
Oscar Musicals from the 1960s: The Decade Set a Record for Most Musicals Chosen Best Picture
Category: Classic Film Musicals
In a time of social and political unrest, musicals drew millions to the movies. This popularity was reflected in a record setting four Oscar musical winners. more...
Jeremy Brett As Sherlock Holmes: His Portrayal of the Legendary Detective Was Among the Best
Category: British TV
It is a matter of debate as to who is the best actor to have played Sherlock Holmes. Candidates include this actor who was relatively unknown prior to taking the role. more...
Category: Film Stars
Thirty-two year old Marion Cotillard is the 2007 best actress Oscar winner for her role in the movie "La vie en rose." Is she about to become an international star? more...
Academy Awards Youngest and Oldest: Oscar Winners and Nominees from the 1970s & 1980s - Ages 8 to 80
Category: Classic Films (general)
No other twenty year period in Academy Award and Oscar history probably had such a wide range of ages among its nominees. Here they are from Tatum O'Neal to Groucho Marx. more...
Category: Classic Films (general)
In two decades, the last filled with political and social unrest, movies went from dramas and romances to epics and musicals. The Academy Awards reflected these changes. more...
Best Acting Oscars - 1950s/1960s: Trivia Which Became a Part of Academy Adward History
Category: Classic Films (general)
The 1950s and 1960s saw Oscars given to a mixture of old and new faces including the first African-American actor and to receive an Oscar. more...
Oscar History - The Early Years: Academy Award History & Trivia from the 1920s and 1930s
Category: Classic Films (general)
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was formed in part to honor those in the film industry. Over the years, its participants have contributed to Oscar trivia. more...
1960s Academy Award Winners: The Five Oscar Winning Best Pictures from 1961 to 1965
Category: Classic Films (general)
These five Oscar winning best pictures from the 1960s included two musicals, a desert war epic, a comedy drama, and a bawdy tale from 18th century England. more...
Academy Awards from The 1940s: Oscar Winning Best Pictures: 1940 to 1944
Category: Classic Films (general)
Many of these 1940s Oscar movies are strong examples of powerful film making and are highly regarded today. Even the weaker ones are still enjoyable and worth a look. more...
Glenn Dorsey Receives Outland: LSU Defensive Tackle Also Received Lombardi and Nagurski Trophies
Category: College Football
At the annual Omaha banquet last night, Dorsey offically received the Outland Trophy for being college football's outstanding lineman. more...
Nebraska Highway Controversy: Plan to Make Sand Hills Road a Scenic Byway Has Raised Some Concerns
Category: American Affairs (general)
Although many Nebraska residents support designating State Highway 2 as an All-American road, some Grant County residents are leery of possibly more federal regulations. more...
The First Academy Award Ceremony: When First Oscars Were Given, They Were Called the Awards of Merit
Category: Classic Films (general)
Despite competition from the Golden Globe Awards, the Emmys, & others, Oscar night remains the premier entertainment event of the year. It wasn't always that important. more...
Category: Vital Record Resources
Family historians looking for Cass County obituaries and other information may find this collection of constantly updated Nebraska cemetery records helpful. more...
Ted Turner, Land Buyer: Atlanta Billionaire Is the Largest Private Landowner in America
Category: Business Success Stories
The "Mouth of the South" has made large purchases of Western ranchland and critics are wondering what he has in mind: saving the environment or a greedy land grab? more...
Toronto's Great Stork Derby: Charles Millar's Will Included Pranks - One Led to a Baby Race
Category: Modern Canadian History
Charles Vance Millar, a successful Toronto lawyer and student of human nature, had a wry sense of humor. His 1926 will kept Canadians amused during the Great Depression. more...
Omaha Obituaries: Omaha Death Index Ranges from Complete Obits to Brief Death Notices
Category: Vital Record Resources
The Greater Omaha Genealogical Society (GOGS), working with the Omaha Public Library, has compiled an obituary index of over 100,000 names -- and it's still growing! more...
Omaha's Courthouse Riot of 1919: The Climax to a Summer of Racial Hatred
Category: American History (general)
Racial bigotry, yellow journalism, and machine politics were factors that led to the Douglas County Courthouse riot. more...
Tom Dennison, Omaha Political Boss: His Machine Controlled Politics and Vice for Nearly 40 Years
Category: American History (general)
Dennison was powerful, ruthless and as well known as his acquaintances, Al Capone and Tom Pendergast. more...
