It’s 28 November, and that means it’s time for another edition of Throwback Thursday! Today, we’re taking a look back at three prominent events that went down on this day in history:

1907 – A Touch of Cinema

In this digital age, it’s easy to take movie theatres for granted. However, the experience of watching a flick on the big screen, surrounded by an audience, is something unique that just can’t be replicated at home.

Belarus-born American scrap metal dealer, Louis B. Mayer, brought this experience to the town of Haverhill, Massachusetts, when he opened his first movie theatre there.

In its heyday, the Gem Theatre was a 600-seater venue where burlesque shows captivated audiences (and probably scandalised a fair share of the public). Now, a rundown building with an equally tarnished reputation, the theatre seemed doomed to languish in obscurity.

Mayer, who endured some ups and downs in his business, purchased and renovated the Gem Theatre, then reopened it as the Orpheum on 28 November 1907. To banish the ghosts of its old image, the first film that Mayer showed at the theatre was the 1912 religious drama, “From the Manger to the Cross”.

By 1916, Mayer owned all five of Haverhill’s theatres, and it wasn’t long before he ventured into film production and distribution. In 1924, he co-founded the famed Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, which he headed until 1951. It churned out tons of Hollywood flicks such as “The Wizard of Oz”, “Gone with the Wind”, “Singin’ in the Rain” and much, much more.

Although movie theatres have faced significant challenges in recent years, especially with the rise of streaming platforms, film fans can still appreciate the charm and nostalgia of the theatre experience that pioneers like Louis B. Mayer helped to create.

1922 – The Sky’s (Not) the Limit

Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF) is often credited with the invention of skywriting. During World War I, pilots discovered that by running paraffin oil through their aircraft’s exhaust systems, they could produce a white smoke that lingered in the air. This novel approach provided a unique means of communication with ground forces where traditional methods failed.

After the war, RAF Captain Cyril Turner recognised the potential of this technique for commercial purposes. In 1922, he arranged for skywriting advertising on Derby Day, cleverly spelling out “Daily Mail” in the sky as part of a promotional campaign in collaboration with a London newspaper.

This initial success inspired Turner to take his skywriting venture across the Atlantic to the United States of America.

On 28 November 1922, he captivated New Yorkers by writing “Hello USA” in the sky above Manhattan. The following day, he advertised the hotel he was staying at and their telephone number: “Call Vanderbilt 7200.”

This led to an astonishing influx of attention for the Vanderbilt Hotel. It received 47 000 phone calls in just two-and-a-half hours following the aerial promotion!

Turner’s innovation rapidly transformed into a lucrative business. He became the chief pilot of the Skywriting Corporation of America, the nation’s first and most successful skywriting enterprise. The company collaborated with major brands, including Ford, Chrysler, Lucky Strike and Sunoco, delivering memorable aerial messages such as “Drive Ford” and “Lucky Strike Means Fine Tobacco.”

1967 – Remembering Anna Nicole Smith

Today marks what would have been the 57th birthday of Anna Nicole Smith, a celebrity who led a life of glamour and tragedy in equal measure.

Born Vickie Lynn Hogan in Mexia, Texas on 28 November 1967, Smith grew up in a challenging environment after her father abandoned the family. She dropped out of high school and worked various jobs, including as a waitress. Her ambitions of fame led her to pursue a modeling career, culminating in her life-changing appearance in “Playboy” magazine in 1992.

This opportunity propelled Smith to fame, and she was named “Playmate of the Year” in 1993, opening multiple doors for acting roles and television projects, including “Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult” and “The Hudsucker Proxy”.

Despite her public persona, Smith faced significant personal challenges, including her marriage to 89-year-old Texan billionaire, J. Howard Marshall, in 1994 when she was just 26. This sparked controversy and intense media scrutiny surrounding her motivations and the legitimacy of their relationship.

After Marshall’s death in 1995, Smith engaged in a protracted legal battle over his estate, passionately claiming her right to a share despite not being included in his will.

Her personal life was marked by both joy and tragedy. She became a mother to Daniel in 1986 and Dannielynn in 2006, but she suffered unimaginable loss when Daniel, aged 20, died from a drug overdose just days after his sister’s birth.

Smith also struggled with the public’s fascination with her life, compounded by battles with addiction and legal disputes. This culminated in her untimely death from an accidental drug overdose in 2007 at the age of 39.

To this day, Anna Nicole Smith remains a complex cultural icon. Her legacy continues to resonate, inspiring documentaries and sparking discussions on the challenges faced by women in the public eye.

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