April 24, 1913: With The Bangville Police, the Keystone Kops arrive on scene. Though they’ll last only a few years, they’ll become synonymous with Mack Sennett‘s studio.
April 27, 1930: From Erich Maria Remarque’s novel, Lewis Milestone films All Quiet on the Western Front, a harsh look at the futility of war.
April 30, 1938: An early rendition of what is to become the character of Bugs Bunny first appears in Warner Bros.’ Porky’s Hare Hunt.
April 29, 1944: The 221st and final Our Gang comedy short, Dancing Romeo, is released by MGM. Television will reignite interest in the years to come.
April 27, 1956: Stateside audiences get their first look at Japan’s biggest “star” with the U.S. release of Godzilla, (Squidoo Godzilla Lens) King of the Monsters.
April 25, 1971: George C. Scott wins the Best Actor Oscar for Patton, but in a statement declines the award, calling the system “a meat market.”
April 28, 1972: Ralph Bakshi‘s Fritz the Cat, based on Robert Crumb’s comic and the world’s first X-rated cartoon feature, debuts in New York.
April 29, 1980: Master of screen suspense Alfred Hitchcock dies at the age of 80, three months after being knighted by the British monarchy.