January 9, 1931: Diminutive actor Edward G. Robinson creates a chilling persona in ruthless gangster “Rico” Bandello in Warner Bros.’ Little Caesar.
January 4, 1954: The U.S. Supreme Court upholds the right of film distributors to confine first-run engagements to downtown theaters.
January 8, 1954: Sydney Greenstreet, memorable screen heavy (in every sense of the term) of The Maltese Falcon and other films of the ’40s, dies at age 75.
January 5, 1967: Charles Chaplin releases what will be his final directorial effort, The Countess from Hong Kong, starring Marlon Brando and Sophia Loren.