Timelines for year 1953
James Dean
Aping Marlon Brando, he also bought a Triumph motorcycle. Instead of Brando's 650cc 6T Thunderbird model, which he used in the film, The Wild One (1953), he bought the smaller 500cc TR5 Trophy model. This Triumph featured in a famous series of photographs by Phil Stern, the motorcycle itself being recovered, restored and currently displayed at the "James Dean Museum" in Fairmount, Indiana.
James Watson
Is the co-discoverer of the double helix structure of DNA in 1953, and shared the 1962 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for his research.
Ethel Waters
October 15, 1953 was designated "Ethel Waters Day" in New York City by Mayor Vincent R. Impellitteri. Waters was honored in a City Hall ceremony by the Mayor and the Negro Actors Guild for her "limitless and tireless efforts" in advancing the country's democratic ideals at home and abroad. Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake, founders of the Guild, were on hand for the occasion.
Donna Reed
In Italy, a great deal of her films were dubbed by Renata Marini and Dhia Cristiani (most notably From Here to Eternity (1953)). Occasionally she was also dubbed by Miranda Bonansea (in Green Dolphin Street (1947)), Rosetta Calavetta and Micaela Giustiniani. The great Lidia Simoneschi also lent her voice to Reed in Frank Capra's much celebrated It's a Wonderful Life (1946).
Although she her image was generally associated that of the the squeaky-clean, conservative 1950s housewife and mother, she won her Oscar for From Here to Eternity (1953) for playing a prostitute.
Carl Brashear
Salvage Diver, 1953-1960 Second Class Diver, 1960-1964 First Class Diver, 1964-1970 Saturation Diver, 1970-1979 Master Diver, 1970-79
Penny Edwards
Made headlines in 1953 when she retired at the height of her career to devote herself to religious work with the Seventh-day Adventist church. She later resumed her career in 1956.
Ray Heatherton
Ray Heatherton also hosted a "Merry Mailman Radio Show", which was heard Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings and Saturday & Sunday afternoons on The Mutual Radio Network and on WOR Radio in NYC from 1953 to 1955.
Arthur Penn
First worked in television studios as a floor manager. Began to write and direct plays for the theatre in 1953. Directed his first Broadway play in 1956 and his first motion picture in 1958. Made only ten films during the first 25 years of his career. His most productive period was 1965-70, when he averaged one movie per year.
Kathy Shower
Kathy Shower was the last Playmate to be born before the first Playboy issue was published in December 1953.
Jason Robards
First lead role was in the 1953 off-Broadway production of "American Gothic" directed by José Quintero.
Joan Weldon
Made a rare appearance in March of 2004 at a 3-D screening of The Stranger Wore a Gun (1953).
In the book "Cars Of The Fabulous '50's" in the 1953 Packard section, on page 169, there appears an ad for a contest to "Give Joan Weldon, young Hollywood starlet a new name." The winner was given a choice of a new 1953 Packard Caribbean convertible and a trip to Hollywood, or $7500 cash".
Ruth Ford
Her daughter, Shelly, was born to her and her first husband. On February 9, 1953, her second husband filed papers to adopt her. Shelley was adopted later that year, and her name changed from Shelley Van Eyck to Shelley Scott.
Tom Neal
Both he and battling girlfriend Barbara Payton appeared together in The Great Jesse James Raid (1953).
Barney Martin
Wrote for the "Name That Tune" (1953) game show and for "The Steve Allen Show" (1956) in the 1950s.
Karen Morley
She only made one film, an independent western called Born to the Saddle (1953) after testifying before the Senate Committee hearing alongside her second husband Lloyd Gough, who shared her 'leftist' views. Both then dropped completely out of sight. He eventually came back in the 60s, she didn't.