(Following for release Wednesday, December 19th)


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! TODAY IN ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY !

On December 19th, 1955, Carl Perkins recorded "Blue Suede Shoes" at Sun Records in Memphis.

In 1957, the musical "The Music Man," starring Robert Preston, opened on Broadway.

In 1975, the C.W. McCall single "Convoy" went gold in the U.S.

In 1980, Dolly Parton's first movie, "9 to 5," opened nationwide.

In 1985, country singer Johnny Paycheck was arrested for shooting a man during a fight in Hillsboro, Ohio. He was released from jail in 1991.

In 1991, Oliver Stone's controversial Film "JFK" premiered in Dallas, where President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963.

In 1995, one person was killed and several others injured on the set of the Disney movie "Gone Fishin'." A boat used in a stunt went out of control and landed on a group of people.

In 1997, the movie "Titanic" opened. It was the most expensive movie ever made.

In 2000, musician Pops Staples of The Staple Singers died at his home outside Chicago at the age of 84. He had been recovering from a concussion suffered four weeks earlier. That same day, guitarist Rob Buck of 10,000 Maniacs died of complications from liver failure. He was 42.

Today's birthdays: Singer-songwriter Charlie Ryan is 92. Country singer Little Jimmy Dickens is 87. Actress Cicely Tyson is 74.

Singer Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire is 66. Actor Tim Reid is 63. Singer Alvin Lee of Ten Years After is 63. Musician John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is 62. Actress Elaine Joyce is 62. Country singer Janie Fricke (FRIK'-ee) is 60. Actor Mike Lookinland ("The Brady Bunch") is 47. Actress Jennifer Beals is 44. Actor Scott Cohen ("Gilmore Girls") is 43. Actor Robert MacNaughton ("E.T.") is 41. Magician Criss Angel is 40. Actress Kristy Swanson is 38. Actress Alyssa Milano is 35. Actor Jake Gyllenhaal (JIL'-en-hal) ("Brokeback Mountain," "October Sky") is 27. Actress Marla Sokoloff ("The Practice") is 27. Rapper Lady Sovereign is 22.

(Previous for release Wednesday, December 19th) Copyright 2007, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 12-10-07 1034CST | save this article / add to your favorites list