Pocahontas (1995)

On September 10, 1608, John Smith was elected president of the Jamestown Virginia colony council. What better way to commemorate one of the earliest acts of political bureaucracy in the land that would become the United States of America than by watching a cartoon featuring a Disney-fied "princess" character? And, as an added bonus, John Smith is voiced by Mel Gibson, that fine man that all children should strive to emulate. But hey, there's singing so history schmistory. Rock on, Pocahontas.
Really though, I'm more interested in the early John Smith adventures where he was a pirate and fought Ottoman Turks, supposedly beheading three commanders in duals, and then getting knighted by a Transylvanian Prince before being captured and sold as a slave, ending up as the love interest of some Greek woman in Constantinople. Where's THAT movie, Disney?

Alternate More Obvious Pick - Colin Firth turns 53 today. Why not enjoy The King's Speech? Firth gets to act with Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter, both of whom play extremely normal characters, which is weird.

Movies for Non-Humans - Rin Tin Tin the First (there were three official Rin Tin Tins) was born today in 1918. He died in 1932, making him 14 in dog years and about 85 in human years. Since he's been dead for 81 years, does that mean he's been dead 330 dog years? Anyway, maybe you can track down Clash of the Wolves (1925). It's a silent film, so I guess you could call it a "Pre-Barky."

The Lion in Winter (1968)

September 3, 1189 - King Richard I is crowned at Westminster Abbey. You probably remember him better as Richard the Lionheart, you know, the guy that shows up at the end of every Robin Hood movie. But Richard was, historically, an important figure that features in one of the wackiest eras of Western History (and, for that matter, Middle Eastern History). Before his most famous exploits in "The Holy Land" against Saladin during the Third Crusade and before he was made King of England, Richard was one of the sons of Henry II and they all schemed and plotted with and against each other to take their father's throne. Richard ultimately won but still had to watch his back for his rotten little brother, John.
Anyway, "The Lion in Winter" is one of those classic films with classic actors and it is all about the previously mentioned scheming of Henry II's (Peter O'Toole) sons Richard (Anthony Hopkins), Geoffrey (John Castle), and John (Nigel Terry). Oh, and the very non-British Katharine Hepburn rounds out the cast as Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Alternate More Obvious Pick -  Charlie Sheen has somehow managed to not die and turns 48 today. "Major League" is Sheen as a miscreant, but still young and loveable.

Today marks the one year anniversary of the death of Michael Clarke Duncan. Go find Mr. Jingles and remember MCD (and Michael Jeter) by watching "The Green Mile"

Peter O'Toole's Bacon number is 2
Anthony Hopkins's Bacon number is 2
John Castle's Bacon number is 2
Nigel Terry's Bacon number is 2
Katharine Hepburn's Bacon number is 2
Charlie Sheen's Bacon number is 2
Michael Clarke Duncan's Bacon number is 2
Michael Jeter's Bacon number is 2

Police Academy (1984)

Another fun birthday pick! Happy Birthday to the legend G.W. Bailey! He turns 69 today! Even if you don't immediately recognize the name, you will recognize the face as Bailey has been on the large and small screen for almost 40 years now. Some of his notable early TV roles include "M.A.S.H." and "St. Elsewhere" and he is currently in his 8th year as the loveable curmudgeon Lt. Provenza originally from "The Closer" and now "Major Crimes."
And while Bailey is probably best known for his television roles, he will also be fondly remembered as the unfortunate villain of "Police Academy" (and several unfortunate sequels), Lt. Thaddeus Harris. I'm not sure which is worse... having to be a clown of a villain or being shown up by Steve Guttenberg.

Alternate More Obvious Pick - "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" cuz Paul Reubens turns 61 today

Alternate Completely Out There Pick - "Batman: The Movie." Why, you ask? Well, today is Lyndon Baines Johnson Day (in Texas) celebrating the 36th President's Birthday. Van Williams had an uncredited role as the "voice" of LBJ in the 1966 camp classic "Batman". More trivia fun, Van Williams went on to star as The Green Hornet and guest starred as the same on the subsequent "Batman" television show.


G.W. Bailey's Bacon Number is 2.
Steve Guttenberg's Bacon Number is 1.
Paul Reubens Bacon Number is 2.
Van Williams Bacon Number is 2.