On this day in history, Oct. 6, 1927, 'The Jazz Singer' released, first film with synchronized sound

Jules Bass, whose work as a producer and director of stop-motion and animated television specials such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town and The Year Without A Santa Claus has become an integral part of the holiday season for generations, died today in Rye, New York, of age-related illnesses. He was 87.

Days before a Targaryen civil war erupts between Rhaenyra and Alicent on the Season 1 finale of HBO’s House of the Dragon, you’ll find series creator George R.R. Martin staying mum on fire-breathing animals and talking up his latest rotoscope animated short, Night of the Cooters, in his Santa Fe, NM stomping ground.

EJ Panaligan editor As part of a new initiative, the United States Mint will honor Anna May Wong, star of movies such as “Shanghai Express,” by making her the first Asian American featured on U.S. currency, placing her likeness on quarters with production starting Oct. 18. The printed quarter shows an image of Wong resting on her hand, serving as a tribute to what most consider the first Chinese American movie star. She was born in 1905 in Chinatown, Los Angeles and died in 1961 of a heart attack in her Santa Monica home. Wong started her career in the entertainment business at 14 years old, talking her way into her first movie role. In the following years, she rose to stardom as among the first Asian American stars in Hollywood and appeared in more than 50 films. Though the quarter seeks to pay tribute to her career in the film industry, it also acknowledges the difficulties that came her way trying to land meaningful roles as an Asian American actress during a time where racial discrimination and commonplace practices of putting white actors in “yellowface” to portray Asian characters was prevalent. In addition, Wong’s characters were often killed in the films she acted in, which she once joked about, saying that she had already “died a thousand deaths.”

The Texas Rangers, an elite state law-enforcement agency that enjoys a legendary image in wider American culture, was formally proposed on this day in history, Oct. 17, 1835.  "The Rangers are part of the history and mythology of the Old West," writes the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum in Waco, which claims the Rangers are the oldest state law-enforcement agency in North America.

Brandy Norwood has reportedly suffered from a seizure and remains in hospital where she is being monitored.MORE: Tim McGraw reveals long-term effects of multiple surgeries after health battleTMZ reported the news, sharing that LAPD sources claimed there was a EMS call to her home on 11 October and her parents remain at her bedside. Her reps have not yet shared any official comment.

The Maine Department of Education is not doing enough to enforce a decades-old law requiring students to be taught about Native American history, leading most schools to fall short, according to a study. The study, released on Monday, which is Indigenous Peoples Day in Maine, concluded most school districts are failing to cover all required areas of Wabanaki studies. "Teaching Wabanaki Studies is not optional.

Pavement have performed their ‘Perfect Sound Forever’ cut ‘Angel Carver Blues/Mellow Jazz Docent’ live for the first time since 1996 – watch the performance below.Released in 1991, ‘Perfect Sound Forever’ marked the third EP from the indie outfit.

Michaela Zee editor President Joe Biden’s turbulent first year in office is the focus of HBO’s forthcoming documentary, “Year One: A Political Odyssey.” In the trailer, which Variety can exclusively reveal, the documentary chronicles Biden’s first year as president, from his inauguration in 2021 to the State of the Union speech in March. Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker John Maggio, “Year One” explores the dynamics of the President’s inner circle, featuring archival news footage and insider interviews with secretary of state Antony Blinken, national security advisor Jake Sullivan, secretary of defense Lloyd Austin, CIA director William Burns and White House chief of staff Ron Klain, among other members of Biden’s cabinet.

David Harbour suits up as Santa Claus in the brand new trailer for Violent Night.

Violent Night – check out the first trailer below.The actor, best known for roles in Stranger Things and Marvel’s Black Widow, takes on a weary, vengeful version of Saint Nick in the action-comedy directed by Tommy Wirkola (Dead Snow, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters).A synopsis reads: “When a team of mercenaries breaks into a wealthy family compound on Christmas Eve, taking everyone inside hostage, the team isn’t prepared for a surprise combatant: Santa Claus is on the grounds, and he’s about to show why this Nick is no saint.”Violent Night is written by Patrick Casey and Josh Miller (Sonic The Hedgehog), and also stars John Leguizamo (Carlito’s Way) as leader of the mercenaries, Ben, and Beverly D’Angelo (American History X) as the matriarch, Gertrude.The film is produced by 87North, the production company founded by director David Leitch and Kelly McCormick, which has previously worked on action films Nobody and Bullet Train starring Brad Pitt.The film is set to have its world premiere at New York Comic Con on October 7. It will be released in cinemas worldwide on December 2, 2022.Harbour is set to star in a film adaptation of the PlayStation racing game series Gran Turismo, helmed by director Neill Blomkamp (District 9, Elysium).

Alec Baldwin has reached a settlement with Halyna Hutchins family after she was killed on the set of Rust in a terrifying incident in 2021, writes The Mirror.

Katie Reul editor David Harbour is boosting his resume as a badass in the first trailer for “Violent Night,” a holiday thriller featuring the “Stranger Things” star as Santa Claus. Under the direction of Norwegian filmmaker Tommy Wirkola, Harbour plays a grizzlier, more rueful version of Kris Kringle, who is anything but jolly in the trailer. On Christmas Eve, (Not-So) Saint Nick encounters a family being held hostage by a team of mercenaries and is forced to take matters into his own hands. Harbour is joined by an ensemble that includes Cam Gigandet, Beverly D’Angelo and John Leguizamo. The script was penned by Pat Casey and Josh Miller, who previously wrote the first and second live-action “Sonic the Hedgehog” movies.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been unveiled in a newly released photo taken of the couple behind the scenes of their UK visit last month — just two days after King Charles's new portrait with Prince William was released. Harry, 38, and Meghan, 41, are seen in a candid moment holding hands as they were captured before they took the stage together at the One Young World Summit in Manchester on September 5.The striking photos was shot and shared on Instagram by the pair’s favoured photographer Missan Harriman, who previously photographed Meghan pregnant with daughter Lilibet and on her first birthday.The images project a powerful union between the couple.

Will Smith screened the film Emancipation with an audience for the first time at a private event on Saturday (October 1) in Washington D.C.

The first screening of upcoming Apple TV+ drama “Emancipation” took place Saturday in Washington, D.C., with director Antoine Fuqua and star Will Smith both in attendance.

LCD Soundsystem have released ‘New Body Rhumba’, the band’s first new song in five years.The song was created for the soundtrack of White Noise, an upcoming film directed by Noah Baumbach. The Netflix title — which stars Adam Diver and Greta Gerwig — is a film adaptation of the Don DeLillo novel of the same name, and will feature music composed by Danny Elfman.The seven-minute ‘New Body Rhumba’ sees LCD Soundsystem enlist a shouty backing choir alongside the vocals of frontman James Murphy.

Brendan Fraser will receive the American Riviera Award at the 38th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The 53-year-old actor, whose critically-acclaimed role in Darren Aronofsky‘s upcoming psychological drama "The Whale" is sparking best actor Oscar buzz, will be honored on Feb. 14, 2023, at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, California, the festival announced on Tuesday.

Marsai Martin, the sports fantasy film follows Callie A. Coleman (Martin), who discovers that she can magically control her father’s (Omari Hardwick) performance as a running back for the Atlanta Falcons. Along with Martin and Hardwick, the film stars Kelly Rowland, Rome Flynn, Elijah Richardson, Hanani Taylor, Abigail Killmeier, Tyla Harris and Isac Ivan. “Fantasy Football” is produced in partnership with The SpringHill Company and Genius Entertainment. Based on an original screenplay by Richard T. Jones, Jeremy Loethen and Tim Olgetree, the film is directed by Anton Cropper and written by Zoe Marshall, Dan Gurewitch and David Young. LeBron James, Spencer Beighley, Jamal Henderson, Marsai Martin, Joshua Martin and Timothy Bourne produce, while Maverick Carter and Jamila Jordan-Theus serve as executive producers.

Brendan Fraser will be honored at this year’s Santa Barbara International Film Festival for his decades’ worth of contributions to American cinema. Going into the 38th annual festival, he is the 2023 recipient of its American Riviera Award. Fraser will attend the event on Feb.

Gearing up for phase two of the Oscar season even before we have even scratched the surfaces of phase one, the Santa Barbara Film Festival said Tuesday that The Whale star Brendan Fraser will be the recipient of its American Riviera Award on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2023.