The Class of 1958
1958 was a great year - it was the year of my husband's birth :)
In celebration of his 50th year, this page looks back at the events and facts that made the year 1958 unique.
Take a look at the pop culture of the year - the music, movies, books, cars and more that were popular fifty years ago.
1958: US & World Events and Facts
Quick Facts
USA
President: Dwight D. Eisenhower
Vice President: Richard M. Nixon
Population: 174,881,904
Life expectancy: 69.6 years
WORLD
European Economic Community (Common Market) becomes effective (Jan. 1).
Egypt and Syria merge into United Arab Republic (Feb. 1).
Khrushchev becomes Premier of Soviet Union as Bulganin resigns (Mar. 27).
Gen. Charles de Gaulle becomes French premier (June 1), remaining in power until 1969.
Eisenhower orders US Marines into Lebanon at request of President Chamoun, who fears overthrow (July 15).
New French constitution adopted (Sept. 28), de Gaulle elected president of 5th Republic (Dec. 21).
US President 1958: Dwight D. Eisenhower
Chinese Zodiac: 1958 - Year of the Dog
1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
The dog is the human's friend who can understand the human's spirit and obey its master, whether he is wealthy or not. The Chinese regard the dog as an auspicious animal. If a dog happens to come to a house, usually the host will be very glad to adopt it, for it symbolizes the coming of fortune. Poodles, especially black poodles, bring more luck. The masters of dogs are not only humans, but the immortal in legends as well. The invincible God Erlang used a wolf-dog mix to help him capture monsters.One born in the Year of Dog possesses the best traits of human nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other people's confidence because they know how to keep secrets.
But Dog People are somewhat selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric. They care little for wealth, yet somehow always seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. They can find fault with many things and are noted for their sharp tongues. Dog people make good leaders.
They are compatible with those born in the Years of the Horse, Tiger, and Rabbit.
1958: Pan Am Begins Jet Passenger Travel
Pan Am ushered in jet passenger travel into the UK in September 1958, and was the first U.S. Airline to do so.
It should be noted however, that a De Havilland BOAC Comet lV landed in New York about 3 weeks before the first Pan Am 707 departed New York for Paris.
This film really captures the glamor of early jet travel from the "Golden Age".
Pan Am Boeing 707-121-"Promo Film"-1958
Top Television of 1958
1958 Television Collections
1. Gunsmoke (CBS)
2. Wagon Train (NBC)
3. Have Gun Will Travel (CBS)
4. The Rifleman (ABC)
5. The Danny Thomas Show (CBS)
6. Maverick (ABC)
7. Tales of Wells Fargo (NBC)
8. The Real McCoys (ABC)
9. I've Got a Secret (CBS)
10. The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (ABC)
1958: The Year of the TV Western?
Gunsmoke 1962 Opening
The Rifleman
Make Room For Daddy The Danny Thomas Show Plus Commericials
Maverick
The Real McCoys
I've Got a Secret - Bobby Fischer
WYATT EARP ORIGINAL TV SHOW
Ballad of Paladin Music Video
Wagon Train
Grammy Awards of 1958
Record of the Year: "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)" - Domenico Modugno
Song of the Year: "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)" - Domenico Modugno
Album of the Year: "The Music from Peter Gunn" - Henry Mancini
Male Vocalist: Perry Como - "Catch a Falling Star"
Female Vocalist: Ella Fitzgerald - "Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook"
The Rock Hits of 1958
Jerry Lee Lewis - Breathless - Live -
Elvis Jail House Rock
Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode
CLIFF RICHARD AND THE SHADOWS
Rock N' Roll Is Here To Stay
Summertime Blues
Ritchie Valens - Come On, Let's Go
Jerry Lee Lewis - Great balls of fire
Buddy Holly-Maybe Baby
The Oscar Winning Movies of 1958
Best Picture : Gigi
Best Director : Vincente Minnelli, Gigi
Best Actor : David Niven, Separate Tables
Best Supporting Actor : Burl Ives, The Big Country
Best Actress : Susan Hayward, I Want To Live!
Best Supporting Actress : Wendy Hiller, Separate Tables
Best Original Story and Screenplay : Nedrick Young and Harold Jacob Smith, The Defiant Ones
Best Screenplay Based on Material From Another Medium : Alan Jay Lerner, Gigi
Best Picture 1958: Gigi
Separate Tables
Best Actor & Supporting Actress Oscars: David Niven and Wendy Hiller
This is the theatrical trailer for the 1958 drama "Separate Tables" starring Burt Lancaster, Rita Hayworth, David Niven, Deborah Kerr and Wendy Hiller, with music by David Raksin and directed by Delbert Mann.
The film follows the interplay of a group of lonely characters who are staying at a slightly shabby seaside hotel in Bournemouth, England. The term "separate tables" refers to the practice of seating single guests at their own tables in the dining room, and serves as a metaphor for the characters' fear of intimacy.
Major Pollack (David Niven) is a retired officer who likes to wax eloquent about fanciful acts of heroism in WWII North Africa, and Sybil Railton-Bell (Deborah Kerr) is a repressed spinster boxed in by an oppressive mother (Gladys Cooper).
John Malcolm (Burt Lancaster), a cynical, hard-drinking, occasional writer, is surprised by the sudden arrival of his ex-wife Ann (Rita Hayworth). Though Ann's legendary beauty is dimmed by age, Ann and John both reach tentatively for some human contact.
Oscar Winners Niven & Hiller: Separate Tables
I Want To Live!
Best Actress Oscar: Susan Hayward
Susan Hayward in a trailer showing her astounding portrayal of a prostitute/petty criminal condemned to death row for murder.
Theatrical Trailer - I Want To Live
Best Actress 1958: Susan Hayward
The Big Country
Best Supporting Actor Oscar: Burl Ives
This is the theatrical trailer for William Wyler's 1958 sprawling Western "The Big Country" starring Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker, Charlton Heston, Burl Ives, Charles Bickford and Chuck Connors, with music by Jerome Moross.
Wyler's powerful Western covers a lot of territory with Gregory Peck a fish out of water as a sea captain who travels west to marry and settle, but finds himself in the middle of a bitter dispute over water rights and a jealous clash with the ranch foreman (Charlton Heston). He also discovers his fiancee isn't who he imagined and finds true romance with the local schoolmistress (Jean Simmons).
Folk singer Burl Ives surprised audiences with his performance which garnered him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar.
Best Supporting Actor 1958: Burl Ives
Mon Oncle
Best Foreign Film
Slapstick prevails when Jacques Tati's eccentric hero Monsieur Hulot is let loose in the ultramodern house of his brother-in-law, and in an antiseptic factory that manufactures plastic hose.
Tati directs and stars in the second entry of the Hulot series, a delightful satire of mechanized living.
Mon Oncle (Jacques Tati, 1958)- Mi Tío
Best Foreign Film 1958: Mon Oncle
The Most Popular Fiction Books of 1958
1."Doctor Zhivago"... Boris Pasternak.
2. "Anatomy of a Murder"... Robert Traver.
3."Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov.
4."Around the World with Auntie Marne"... Patrick Dennis.
5."From the Terrace"... John O'Hara.
6."Eloise at Christmastime"... Kay Thompson.
7."Ice Palace"... Edna Ferber.
8."The Winthrop Woman"... Anya Seton.
9."The Enemy Camp"... Jerome Weidman.
10. "Victorine"... Frances Parkinson Keyes.
Great Memorabilia from 1958
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
1958 in Sports
World Series
NY Yankees d. Milwaukee Braves (4-3)
NBA Championship
St. Louis Hawks d. Boston (4-2)
Stanley Cup
Montreal d. Boston (4-2)
Wimbledon
Women: Althea Gibson d. A. Mortimer (8-6 6-2)
Men: Ashley Cooper d. N. Fraser (3-6 6-3 6-4 13-11)
Kentucky Derby Champion
Tim Tam
NCAA Basketball Championship
Kentucky d. Seattle (84-72)
NCAA Football Champions
LSU (AP, UPI) (11-0-0) & Iowa (FW) (8-1-1)
World Cup
Brazil d. Sweden (5-2)
The Cars of 1958
GM CARS FOR 1958 Classic TV Commercial
Here's a breathless, big budget TV commercial for the 1958 range of shiny, huge, General Motors cars (sorry, Autos), as broadcast on NBC. Could a vocal chorus sing any louder, bigger, higher??
Comparison of 1958 Cars Part 2
Second part of comparison of Chrysler vs other 1958 cars
Pop Idols At 50
Born in 1958 - Join the Debate
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Pop Icons At 50 - Old And In the Way?
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Three of the most famous musicians of their generation turn 50-years-old this year (2008). Michael Jackson, Madonna and Prince all reach their half century during the year. So, is this a time to celebrate or commiserate? Are these aging pop icons no...
Remember 1958?
Please Leave Your Comments About 1958
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StephenC
Two years before I was born. Posted October 07, 2008 |
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ElizabethJeanAllen
I don't remember 1958 but I was aroun. Oh! That makes me fee old. Posted October 06, 2008 |
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KimGiancaterino
This is such a great idea... Terrific lens!!! Squid Angels Blessings to you. Posted October 01, 2008 |
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lakeerieartists
Wow! Posted September 29, 2008 |
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vbright105
Extensive research on 1958! I really enjoyed this! But, I wasn't born until 1960. Posted September 28, 2008 |
