Entertainment Archives - History Chronicle Wed, 24 Apr 2024 09:44:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 3 Interesting Stories About Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart https://historychronicle.com/3-interesting-stories-about-wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/ Wed, 24 Apr 2024 08:26:00 +0000 https://historychronicle.com/?p=3627 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is widely regarded as one of the brightest and greatest composers of all time. Despite living a short life, he composed around 800 pieces, many of which are still being played today. There are plenty of interesting stories about Mozart’s work and life, so if you want to learn some of them, […]

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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is widely regarded as one of the brightest and greatest composers of all time. Despite living a short life, he composed around 800 pieces, many of which are still being played today. There are plenty of interesting stories about Mozart’s work and life, so if you want to learn some of them, continue reading.

Mozart Toured the Europe as 7-Year-Old

Mozart’s musical talent was obvious from a very young age, and he wrote his first composition as a four-year-old. At the age of seven, Mozart embarked on a tour around Europe alongside his older sister, Maria Anna, and his parents. The tour lasted for almost four years and saw the family perform at royal courts and notable music establishments.

Mozart Was Dismissed By His Employer in a Humiliating Way

In 1781, Mozart was serving as a court musician for Hieronymus von Colloredo, Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg. However, his time at the court was marked with frequent absences and inappropriate behavior. This led Colloredo to dismiss the famous composer in a quite humiliating way. According to Mozart himself, Colloredo insulted him while the Archbishop’s steward, Count Arco, threw him out of the palace by giving him “a kick up the backside.”

Mozart Married a Sister of a Woman He Proposed

In 1777, 21-year-old Mozart met opera singer Aloysia Weber and fell in love with her. Mozart ended up proposing to Weber, who told him she would consider it. The two met again several months later, at which point Weber pretended she didn’t know Mozart. In 1781, Mozart crossed paths with the Weber family again, with Aloysia’s sister Constanze catching his eye this time. Mozart and Constanze married a year later and remained together until the composer’s death in 1791.

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5 Facts About Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” https://historychronicle.com/__trashed-2-2/ Sat, 20 Apr 2024 08:05:00 +0000 https://historychronicle.com/?p=3553 Ridley Scott’s epic Gladiator is one of the most beloved historical movies ever made. The story about a betrayed Roman general who is enslaved and forced to fight as a gladiator became a hit among the audience and the critics and engrained itself in pop culture. While the plot of the movie is mostly fiction, […]

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Ridley Scott’s epic Gladiator is one of the most beloved historical movies ever made. The story about a betrayed Roman general who is enslaved and forced to fight as a gladiator became a hit among the audience and the critics and engrained itself in pop culture.

While the plot of the movie is mostly fiction, the movie features a number of characters based on real-life historical figures and is considered historically accurate in many ways, making it beloved by many history buffs. If you are one of them, you’ll find these facts about Ridley Scott’s Gladiator quite interesting.

Mel Gibson Turned Down the Lead Role

The lead role of Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius was first offered to Mel Gibson. However, Gibson felt he was too old for the part, prompting Scott to pivot to Russell Crowe, who ended up winning the Academy Award.

Actor Who Played Proximo Died During Filming

Oliver Reed, who portrayed Maximus’ owner Proximo, died before the filming ended. Initially, the idea was to reshoot the movie due to the character’s importance, but Scott ended up deciding to use a body double and make changes to Proximo’s story.

Replica of Colosseum Was Built for the Movie

In order to faithfully capture the feel of gladiator fights, producers built a one-third-scaled replica of the Colosseum. It took seven months to build at a cost of $1 million.

One Historically Accurate Scene Was Removed from the Movie

The original version of the Gladiator script featured a scene in which gladiators promoted products before fights. While this was accurate from a historical standpoint, the scene was removed because filmmakers feared the audience would think it was fake.

Only 32 Pages of the Script Were Approved Before Filming Started

Only 32 pages of the script were approved when filming started. British screenwriter William Nicholson was brought in to finish the job, and he succeeded, although Crowe often complained about his work and dialogue.

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Showstopping Facts About Michael Jackson https://historychronicle.com/__trashed-18/ Fri, 19 Apr 2024 08:05:00 +0000 https://historychronicle.com/?p=3520 Known worldwide as the King of Pop, Michael Jackson was one of the critical figures who shaped music during the 20th century. A celebrated yet controversial figure, here are some of the most intriguing facts about the life and career of Michael Jackson. Completing the Puzzle Before his own career began, Jackson’s four older brothers […]

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Known worldwide as the King of Pop, Michael Jackson was one of the critical figures who shaped music during the 20th century. A celebrated yet controversial figure, here are some of the most intriguing facts about the life and career of Michael Jackson.

Completing the Puzzle

Before his own career began, Jackson’s four older brothers decided to start a band, simply calling themselves the Jackson Brothers. At six years old, he was playing the congas and tambourine in their backup band. Once Jackson proved to his family how well he could sing, he joined the group, which then rebranded as The Jackson 5.

Tough Start

Upon deciding to pursue a solo career, things initially didn’t all go according to plan for Jackson. Aside from music, he also tried to launch a film career, being cast as the scarecrow in the film The Wiz. Sadly, the movie flopped, meaning that Jackson wouldn’t enjoy the breakthrough he had hoped for.

On The Ropes

While the world celebrated the release of Jackson’s “Thriller” music video, not everyone was charmed. A staunch Jehova’s Witness, Jackson would soon be threatened by the church, which claimed that the video promoted demonology. Desperate for the church not to cast him out, Jackson reached an agreement with them—he added a disclaimer to the video to say that it did not represent his beliefs. The rest, as they say, is history.

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Top 5 Most Expensive Items to Appear on “Pawn Stars” https://historychronicle.com/top-5-most-expensive-items-to-appear-on-pawn-stars-2/ Sun, 14 Apr 2024 12:31:00 +0000 https://historychronicle.com/?p=2455 Pawn Stars is a great piece of reality television. Viewers can enjoy the colorful personalities of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop owners and employees while also getting to see some cool antiques and learn more about them. With 20 seasons under its belt, it’s no wonder that Pawn Stars viewers saw a lot of […]

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Pawn Stars is a great piece of reality television. Viewers can enjoy the colorful personalities of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop owners and employees while also getting to see some cool antiques and learn more about them. With 20 seasons under its belt, it’s no wonder that Pawn Stars viewers saw a lot of fascinating items being featured on the show. But which ones were the most expensive?

Jimi Hendrix Guitar

Asking Price: $750K

A guitar played by rock legend Jimi Hendrix appeared on the show in Season 9. Experts estimated the guitar to be worth up to $1 million, with the seller asking for $750K. Rick was only willing to go up to $500K, and the deal didn’t go through.

Robosaurus

Asking Price: $ 1 million

In Season 3, the Pawn Stars crew was offered a chance to purchase mechanical dinosaurs. And while the “Robosaurus” was quite cool with its fire breathing and other features, Cory didn’t even make an offer after hearing an asking price of $1 million.

Original Beatles Contract

Asking Price: $1 million

Season 9 saw another important piece of music memorabilia making an appearance in Pawn Stars. The seller brought in the first contract that the members of The Beatles signed with their manager. Rick passed on the chance to buy it since the asking price of $1 million was well above the $500K estimate.

Car Tupac Was Shot In

Asking Price: $1.5 million

Tupac Shakur, considered one of the greatest rappers of all time, was fatally shot in 1996 as a result of a drive-by. BMW 750iL sedan, the car that Shakur was shot in, made it to the show in Season 15 and was estimated at $200K by one expert and up to $1 million by another. The car wasn’t purchased as the seller’s asking price was too much for owner Rick.

George Washington’s 3-Piece Suit

Asking Price: $3 million$2.5 million

The most expensive item to ever appear on the show is a suit owned and worn by the first president of the United States, George Washington. It was offered to Rick by an Americana collector, who wanted $3 million for it. Rick actually considered buying it, but his offer of $2 million wasn’t enough to get the deal done.

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Best TV Shows That Were Canceled After Just One Season https://historychronicle.com/best-tv-shows-that-were-canceled-after-just-one-season-2/ Sun, 14 Apr 2024 08:53:00 +0000 https://historychronicle.com/?p=2389 Shows getting canceled after one season or even just a few episodes are a common thing in the ruthless world of television. Most of the time, the axe is justifiable, but there have been instances in which pulling a show from the air was a big mistake. So let’s check out the best TV shows […]

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Shows getting canceled after one season or even just a few episodes are a common thing in the ruthless world of television. Most of the time, the axe is justifiable, but there have been instances in which pulling a show from the air was a big mistake. So let’s check out the best TV shows that were canceled after one season.

Constantine

NBC’s Constantine saw Matt Ryan starring as DC’s antihero John Constantine, exorcist and occult detective who is trying to save the world from supernatural beings. The series never managed to get off the ground, being handicapped by poor ratings caused by a bad time slot and lack of promotion. It was canceled after 13 episodes, but later gained recognition and praise among fans and critics.

Freaks and Geeks

Before Paul Feig and Judd Apatow established themselves as big-time comedy filmmakers, the duo worked together on the teen comedy drama Freaks and Geeks. The series was troubled with various issues from the get-go, including the conflict between the network and creators, causing it to be removed from the schedule despite the fact that not all episodes from season one were aired. The series received a cult following in the years that followed and launched the careers of popular Hollywood stars like James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Jason Segel.

Firefly

Firefly is one of the most frequently mentioned titles whenever there is a discussion about shows that were canceled too soon. The show was set in the distant future and followed a spaceship crew exploring a new star system. Poor ratings have caused FOX to cancel Firefly after 11 episodes. Following the cancelation, the series turned out to be a huge hit on DVD while also winning a Primetime Emmy Award. It has since gained a cult following, which prompted the launch of a media franchise consisting of comic books, video games, and animated projects.

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Was Walt Disney Actually Frozen After His Death? https://historychronicle.com/was-walt-disney-actually-frozen-after-his-death/ Sat, 13 Apr 2024 08:16:00 +0000 https://historychronicle.com/?p=3472 One of the most popular myths of the 20th century is that Walt Disney, pioneer of animation and founder of Walt Disney Studio, was frozen after his death. But is that actually true? Disney died in 1966 after battling with lung cancer. According to the story, his body was frozen and stored at a secret […]

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One of the most popular myths of the 20th century is that Walt Disney, pioneer of animation and founder of Walt Disney Studio, was frozen after his death. But is that actually true?

Disney died in 1966 after battling with lung cancer. According to the story, his body was frozen and stored at a secret location with the intention of bringing him back to life once the science progresses to a point where reanimation is possible. One report claimed he saw his frozen body in person while several former Disney employees would come out with accounts that confirmed the story in later years.

The myth was further supported by the fact that Disney was interested in scientific advancements and that his funeral was shrouded in secrecy. Later on, several versions of the myth would surface. One version claims that only Walt Disney’s head was frozen and stored under the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Disneyland.

As you might assume, there is no evidence that any version of the myth is true. Additionally, his daughter Diane wrote in a 1972 autobiography that her father probably never even heard about cryonics and confirmed he was cremated and his ashes interred at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

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5 Facts About Stephen Spielberg’s “Lincoln” https://historychronicle.com/5-facts-about-stephen-spielbergs-lincoln/ Fri, 12 Apr 2024 16:15:00 +0000 https://historychronicle.com/?p=3471 Stephen Spielberg’s 2012 blockbuster Lincoln is considered to be the best biopic ever made about Abraham Lincoln. It was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won two, including Best Actor for Daniel Day-Lewis for his portrayal of the 16th president of the United States. Continue reading to find out some interesting facts about the movie […]

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Stephen Spielberg’s 2012 blockbuster Lincoln is considered to be the best biopic ever made about Abraham Lincoln. It was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won two, including Best Actor for Daniel Day-Lewis for his portrayal of the 16th president of the United States. Continue reading to find out some interesting facts about the movie below.

It Was More Than a Decade in the Making

Spielberg wanted to make a movie about Lincoln for a long time. In order to make sure he gets everything right, the famous director spent 12 years conducting research.

Liam Neeson Supposed to Portray Abraham Lincoln

Daniel Day-Lewis initially rejected the opportunity to play Abraham Lincoln. Spielberg then approached Liam Neeson, and the Taken star accepted before later deciding he wasn’t the right actor for the role. Fortunately, Day-Lewis later changed his mind and accepted to star in the movie.

William N. Bilbo’s Look Was Created from Scratch

The character of lobbyist William N. Bilbo really existed, but not a single photo of him exists. Spielberg and scriptwriter Tony Kushner ended up creating his look from scratch using written accounts and descriptions.

One Actor Famous for His Portrayal of Abraham Lincoln Was in the Movie 

Before starring in Lincoln as Francis Preston Blair, actor Hal Holbrook was famous for playing none other than Abraham Lincoln. Holbrook won an Emmy for starring in the 1974 miniseries Lincoln while also playing the US President in the 1985 miniseries North and South.

Everyone on the “Lincoln” Set Took Their Job Seriously

You probably heard the story about how Day-Lewis got so immersed in the role that he stayed in character throughout the filming of the movie. However, other actors also made sure to always be in their characters’ clothes while on set and Spielberg addressed everyone by the names of their characters rather than their real names.

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Best TV Series About Ancient Rome You Should Watch Right Away https://historychronicle.com/best-tv-series-about-ancient-rome-you-should-watch-right-away/ Thu, 11 Apr 2024 12:09:00 +0000 https://historychronicle.com/?p=3465 We know that television series don’t represent the best account of historical events. But they are still an entertaining watch and prompt viewers to dive into historical topics from more credible sources. That is especially the case with these best television series about ancient Rome you should watch right away. Rome   HBO is known to […]

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We know that television series don’t represent the best account of historical events. But they are still an entertaining watch and prompt viewers to dive into historical topics from more credible sources. That is especially the case with these best television series about ancient Rome you should watch right away.

Rome  

HBO is known to do a great job with history-inspired TV shows, and critically acclaimed Rome is now different. The series is set in the first century BC and chronicles the transition of Ancient Rome into a Republic and Empire. It focuses on the story of two soldiers and shows key events from their perspective. It also features a number of characters based on real historical figures. The series had a run of two seasons and 22 episodes before being canceled due to high costs.

I, Claudius

Despite being produced in 1976 and having a run of just 12 episodes, I, Claudius is still considered a golden standard for historical dramas. The series chronicles the early history of the Roman Empire as told by Roman emperor Claudius. It is renowned for its writing and acting as well as its approach to storytelling.

Spartacus

Produced by Starz, Spartacus had a run of three seasons and received positive reviews from critics. It tells the story of the Thracian gladiator Spartacus, who in 73 BC organized a slave rebellion against the Roman Republic. A prequel miniseries titled Spartacus: Gods of the Arena was produced during the run of the original series while a sequel titled Spartacus: House of Ashur is currently in the works.

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Top 5 Best-Selling Music Albums of All Time https://historychronicle.com/top-5-best-selling-music-albums-of-all-time-2/ Sun, 07 Apr 2024 16:23:00 +0000 https://historychronicle.com/?p=2445 With Spotify and other streaming platforms, people no longer have to buy music albums. This is why you rarely see some new record sold in millions of units. But back in the day, this was the norm since you would actually have to buy an album from your music artist in order to listen to […]

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With Spotify and other streaming platforms, people no longer have to buy music albums. This is why you rarely see some new record sold in millions of units. But back in the day, this was the norm since you would actually have to buy an album from your music artist in order to listen to it in full. Let’s take a look back at the times when buying music albums was actually a thing and see which are the best-selling music albums of all time.

Eagles – Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)

Claimed Sales: 44 Million

This might be surprising, but the Eagles made it to the list with a compilation album. It was released in 1976 and consisted of the group’s best songs from their first four studio records.

Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon

Claimed Sales: 45 Million

Influential British rockers Pink Floyd released The Dark Side of the Moon, their eighth studio release, in 1973. The record brought them international fame and is now considered one of the best albums of all time by audiences and critics.

Whitney Houston – The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album

Claimed Sales: 45 Million

The album served as a soundtrack for the movie The Bodyguard, which was released in 1992 and starred Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. Houston sang all the songs on the Side A of the record, while Side B featured various other artists. The album was the first to sell one million copies within a single week at the time and ended up winning Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

AC/DC – Back in Black

Claimed Sales: 50 Million

Back in Black was the seventh studio album from Australian rockers AC/DC but the first to feature new lead singer Brian Johnson. It holds the distinction of being the best-selling album of all time that never managed to top the U.S. charts.

Michael Jackson – Thriller

Claimed Sales: 70 Million

Released in 1982, Thriller still remains the best-selling album of all time, and it appears it will stay that for long. The record spent 37 weeks at No. 1, had seven singles in the Top 10, and won Jackson eight Grammy Awards. It needed just over a year to sell 32 million units.

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Wooden Board From “Titanic” Sells at Auction for $718K https://historychronicle.com/wooden-board-from-titanic-sells-at-auction-for-718k/ Mon, 01 Apr 2024 08:07:00 +0000 https://historychronicle.com/?p=3373 A wooden board from James Cameron’s blockbuster Titanic that saved the life of Rose (Kate Winslet) has been recently sold at an auction organized by Heritage Auctions. It ended up fetching a price of $718,750. In the movie, Rose climbs on the wooden board to avoid icy waters after the sinking of Titanic. Her lover […]

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A wooden board from James Cameron’s blockbuster Titanic that saved the life of Rose (Kate Winslet) has been recently sold at an auction organized by Heritage Auctions. It ended up fetching a price of $718,750.

In the movie, Rose climbs on the wooden board to avoid icy waters after the sinking of Titanic. Her lover Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) clings to the board but doesn’t get up out of fear it couldn’t hold them both. Rose ends up being rescued, but Jack doesn’t make it.

The scene has been the subject of a hot debate ever since the movie got out, with fans arguing that the wooden board could have easily carried both Rose and Jack. Now, the new owner of the prop will have a chance to test it, albeit for a hefty price. 

“Original hero flotation prop made of balsa wood crafted with ornate floral accents and scrolling curves – design motifs prevalent in rococo architecture. Based on the most famous complete piece of debris salvaged from the 1912 tragedy, this intricately carved prop bears a striking resemblance to the Louis XV-style panel housed in the Maritime Museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia,” it states in the wooden board’s listing description.

The wooden board from the Titanic movie was part of a large Treasures From Planet Hollywood auction. It featured several other items from the same movie as well as props from movies like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Kingpin.

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ersion="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> Entertainment Archives - History Chronicle Wed, 24 Apr 2024 09:44:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 3 Interesting Stories About Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart https://historychronicle.com/3-interesting-stories-about-wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/ Wed, 24 Apr 2024 08:26:00 +0000 https://historychronicle.com/?p=3627 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is widely regarded as one of the brightest and greatest composers of all time. Despite living a short life, he composed around 800 pieces, many of which are still being played today. There are plenty of interesting stories about Mozart’s work and life, so if you want to learn some of them, […]

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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is widely regarded as one of the brightest and greatest composers of all time. Despite living a short life, he composed around 800 pieces, many of which are still being played today. There are plenty of interesting stories about Mozart’s work and life, so if you want to learn some of them, continue reading.

Mozart Toured the Europe as 7-Year-Old

Mozart’s musical talent was obvious from a very young age, and he wrote his first composition as a four-year-old. At the age of seven, Mozart embarked on a tour around Europe alongside his older sister, Maria Anna, and his parents. The tour lasted for almost four years and saw the family perform at royal courts and notable music establishments.

Mozart Was Dismissed By His Employer in a Humiliating Way

In 1781, Mozart was serving as a court musician for Hieronymus von Colloredo, Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg. However, his time at the court was marked with frequent absences and inappropriate behavior. This led Colloredo to dismiss the famous composer in a quite humiliating way. According to Mozart himself, Colloredo insulted him while the Archbishop’s steward, Count Arco, threw him out of the palace by giving him “a kick up the backside.”

Mozart Married a Sister of a Woman He Proposed

In 1777, 21-year-old Mozart met opera singer Aloysia Weber and fell in love with her. Mozart ended up proposing to Weber, who told him she would consider it. The two met again several months later, at which point Weber pretended she didn’t know Mozart. In 1781, Mozart crossed paths with the Weber family again, with Aloysia’s sister Constanze catching his eye this time. Mozart and Constanze married a year later and remained together until the composer’s death in 1791.

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5 Facts About Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” https://historychronicle.com/__trashed-2-2/ Sat, 20 Apr 2024 08:05:00 +0000 https://historychronicle.com/?p=3553 Ridley Scott’s epic Gladiator is one of the most beloved historical movies ever made. The story about a betrayed Roman general who is enslaved and forced to fight as a gladiator became a hit among the audience and the critics and engrained itself in pop culture. While the plot of the movie is mostly fiction, […]

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Ridley Scott’s epic Gladiator is one of the most beloved historical movies ever made. The story about a betrayed Roman general who is enslaved and forced to fight as a gladiator became a hit among the audience and the critics and engrained itself in pop culture.

While the plot of the movie is mostly fiction, the movie features a number of characters based on real-life historical figures and is considered historically accurate in many ways, making it beloved by many history buffs. If you are one of them, you’ll find these facts about Ridley Scott’s Gladiator quite interesting.

Mel Gibson Turned Down the Lead Role

The lead role of Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius was first offered to Mel Gibson. However, Gibson felt he was too old for the part, prompting Scott to pivot to Russell Crowe, who ended up winning the Academy Award.

Actor Who Played Proximo Died During Filming

Oliver Reed, who portrayed Maximus’ owner Proximo, died before the filming ended. Initially, the idea was to reshoot the movie due to the character’s importance, but Scott ended up deciding to use a body double and make changes to Proximo’s story.

Replica of Colosseum Was Built for the Movie

In order to faithfully capture the feel of gladiator fights, producers built a one-third-scaled replica of the Colosseum. It took seven months to build at a cost of $1 million.

One Historically Accurate Scene Was Removed from the Movie

The original version of the Gladiator script featured a scene in which gladiators promoted products before fights. While this was accurate from a historical standpoint, the scene was removed because filmmakers feared the audience would think it was fake.

Only 32 Pages of the Script Were Approved Before Filming Started

Only 32 pages of the script were approved when filming started. British screenwriter William Nicholson was brought in to finish the job, and he succeeded, although Crowe often complained about his work and dialogue.

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Showstopping Facts About Michael Jackson https://historychronicle.com/__trashed-18/ Fri, 19 Apr 2024 08:05:00 +0000 https://historychronicle.com/?p=3520 Known worldwide as the King of Pop, Michael Jackson was one of the critical figures who shaped music during the 20th century. A celebrated yet controversial figure, here are some of the most intriguing facts about the life and career of Michael Jackson. Completing the Puzzle Before his own career began, Jackson’s four older brothers […]

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Known worldwide as the King of Pop, Michael Jackson was one of the critical figures who shaped music during the 20th century. A celebrated yet controversial figure, here are some of the most intriguing facts about the life and career of Michael Jackson.

Completing the Puzzle

Before his own career began, Jackson’s four older brothers decided to start a band, simply calling themselves the Jackson Brothers. At six years old, he was playing the congas and tambourine in their backup band. Once Jackson proved to his family how well he could sing, he joined the group, which then rebranded as The Jackson 5.

Tough Start

Upon deciding to pursue a solo career, things initially didn’t all go according to plan for Jackson. Aside from music, he also tried to launch a film career, being cast as the scarecrow in the film The Wiz. Sadly, the movie flopped, meaning that Jackson wouldn’t enjoy the breakthrough he had hoped for.

On The Ropes

While the world celebrated the release of Jackson’s “Thriller” music video, not everyone was charmed. A staunch Jehova’s Witness, Jackson would soon be threatened by the church, which claimed that the video promoted demonology. Desperate for the church not to cast him out, Jackson reached an agreement with them—he added a disclaimer to the video to say that it did not represent his beliefs. The rest, as they say, is history.

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Top 5 Most Expensive Items to Appear on “Pawn Stars” https://historychronicle.com/top-5-most-expensive-items-to-appear-on-pawn-stars-2/ Sun, 14 Apr 2024 12:31:00 +0000 https://historychronicle.com/?p=2455 Pawn Stars is a great piece of reality television. Viewers can enjoy the colorful personalities of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop owners and employees while also getting to see some cool antiques and learn more about them. With 20 seasons under its belt, it’s no wonder that Pawn Stars viewers saw a lot of […]

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Pawn Stars is a great piece of reality television. Viewers can enjoy the colorful personalities of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop owners and employees while also getting to see some cool antiques and learn more about them. With 20 seasons under its belt, it’s no wonder that Pawn Stars viewers saw a lot of fascinating items being featured on the show. But which ones were the most expensive?

Jimi Hendrix Guitar

Asking Price: $750K

A guitar played by rock legend Jimi Hendrix appeared on the show in Season 9. Experts estimated the guitar to be worth up to $1 million, with the seller asking for $750K. Rick was only willing to go up to $500K, and the deal didn’t go through.

Robosaurus

Asking Price: $ 1 million

In Season 3, the Pawn Stars crew was offered a chance to purchase mechanical dinosaurs. And while the “Robosaurus” was quite cool with its fire breathing and other features, Cory didn’t even make an offer after hearing an asking price of $1 million.

Original Beatles Contract

Asking Price: $1 million

Season 9 saw another important piece of music memorabilia making an appearance in Pawn Stars. The seller brought in the first contract that the members of The Beatles signed with their manager. Rick passed on the chance to buy it since the asking price of $1 million was well above the $500K estimate.

Car Tupac Was Shot In

Asking Price: $1.5 million

Tupac Shakur, considered one of the greatest rappers of all time, was fatally shot in 1996 as a result of a drive-by. BMW 750iL sedan, the car that Shakur was shot in, made it to the show in Season 15 and was estimated at $200K by one expert and up to $1 million by another. The car wasn’t purchased as the seller’s asking price was too much for owner Rick.

George Washington’s 3-Piece Suit

Asking Price: $3 million$2.5 million

The most expensive item to ever appear on the show is a suit owned and worn by the first president of the United States, George Washington. It was offered to Rick by an Americana collector, who wanted $3 million for it. Rick actually considered buying it, but his offer of $2 million wasn’t enough to get the deal done.

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Best TV Shows That Were Canceled After Just One Season https://historychronicle.com/best-tv-shows-that-were-canceled-after-just-one-season-2/ Sun, 14 Apr 2024 08:53:00 +0000 https://historychronicle.com/?p=2389 Shows getting canceled after one season or even just a few episodes are a common thing in the ruthless world of television. Most of the time, the axe is justifiable, but there have been instances in which pulling a show from the air was a big mistake. So let’s check out the best TV shows […]

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Shows getting canceled after one season or even just a few episodes are a common thing in the ruthless world of television. Most of the time, the axe is justifiable, but there have been instances in which pulling a show from the air was a big mistake. So let’s check out the best TV shows that were canceled after one season.

Constantine

NBC’s Constantine saw Matt Ryan starring as DC’s antihero John Constantine, exorcist and occult detective who is trying to save the world from supernatural beings. The series never managed to get off the ground, being handicapped by poor ratings caused by a bad time slot and lack of promotion. It was canceled after 13 episodes, but later gained recognition and praise among fans and critics.

Freaks and Geeks

Before Paul Feig and Judd Apatow established themselves as big-time comedy filmmakers, the duo worked together on the teen comedy drama Freaks and Geeks. The series was troubled with various issues from the get-go, including the conflict between the network and creators, causing it to be removed from the schedule despite the fact that not all episodes from season one were aired. The series received a cult following in the years that followed and launched the careers of popular Hollywood stars like James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Jason Segel.

Firefly

Firefly is one of the most frequently mentioned titles whenever there is a discussion about shows that were canceled too soon. The show was set in the distant future and followed a spaceship crew exploring a new star system. Poor ratings have caused FOX to cancel Firefly after 11 episodes. Following the cancelation, the series turned out to be a huge hit on DVD while also winning a Primetime Emmy Award. It has since gained a cult following, which prompted the launch of a media franchise consisting of comic books, video games, and animated projects.

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Was Walt Disney Actually Frozen After His Death? https://historychronicle.com/was-walt-disney-actually-frozen-after-his-death/ Sat, 13 Apr 2024 08:16:00 +0000 https://historychronicle.com/?p=3472 One of the most popular myths of the 20th century is that Walt Disney, pioneer of animation and founder of Walt Disney Studio, was frozen after his death. But is that actually true? Disney died in 1966 after battling with lung cancer. According to the story, his body was frozen and stored at a secret […]

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One of the most popular myths of the 20th century is that Walt Disney, pioneer of animation and founder of Walt Disney Studio, was frozen after his death. But is that actually true?

Disney died in 1966 after battling with lung cancer. According to the story, his body was frozen and stored at a secret location with the intention of bringing him back to life once the science progresses to a point where reanimation is possible. One report claimed he saw his frozen body in person while several former Disney employees would come out with accounts that confirmed the story in later years.

The myth was further supported by the fact that Disney was interested in scientific advancements and that his funeral was shrouded in secrecy. Later on, several versions of the myth would surface. One version claims that only Walt Disney’s head was frozen and stored under the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Disneyland.

As you might assume, there is no evidence that any version of the myth is true. Additionally, his daughter Diane wrote in a 1972 autobiography that her father probably never even heard about cryonics and confirmed he was cremated and his ashes interred at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

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5 Facts About Stephen Spielberg’s “Lincoln” https://historychronicle.com/5-facts-about-stephen-spielbergs-lincoln/ Fri, 12 Apr 2024 16:15:00 +0000 https://historychronicle.com/?p=3471 Stephen Spielberg’s 2012 blockbuster Lincoln is considered to be the best biopic ever made about Abraham Lincoln. It was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won two, including Best Actor for Daniel Day-Lewis for his portrayal of the 16th president of the United States. Continue reading to find out some interesting facts about the movie […]

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Stephen Spielberg’s 2012 blockbuster Lincoln is considered to be the best biopic ever made about Abraham Lincoln. It was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won two, including Best Actor for Daniel Day-Lewis for his portrayal of the 16th president of the United States. Continue reading to find out some interesting facts about the movie below.

It Was More Than a Decade in the Making

Spielberg wanted to make a movie about Lincoln for a long time. In order to make sure he gets everything right, the famous director spent 12 years conducting research.

Liam Neeson Supposed to Portray Abraham Lincoln

Daniel Day-Lewis initially rejected the opportunity to play Abraham Lincoln. Spielberg then approached Liam Neeson, and the Taken star accepted before later deciding he wasn’t the right actor for the role. Fortunately, Day-Lewis later changed his mind and accepted to star in the movie.

William N. Bilbo’s Look Was Created from Scratch

The character of lobbyist William N. Bilbo really existed, but not a single photo of him exists. Spielberg and scriptwriter Tony Kushner ended up creating his look from scratch using written accounts and descriptions.

One Actor Famous for His Portrayal of Abraham Lincoln Was in the Movie 

Before starring in Lincoln as Francis Preston Blair, actor Hal Holbrook was famous for playing none other than Abraham Lincoln. Holbrook won an Emmy for starring in the 1974 miniseries Lincoln while also playing the US President in the 1985 miniseries North and South.

Everyone on the “Lincoln” Set Took Their Job Seriously

You probably heard the story about how Day-Lewis got so immersed in the role that he stayed in character throughout the filming of the movie. However, other actors also made sure to always be in their characters’ clothes while on set and Spielberg addressed everyone by the names of their characters rather than their real names.

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Best TV Series About Ancient Rome You Should Watch Right Away https://historychronicle.com/best-tv-series-about-ancient-rome-you-should-watch-right-away/ Thu, 11 Apr 2024 12:09:00 +0000 https://historychronicle.com/?p=3465 We know that television series don’t represent the best account of historical events. But they are still an entertaining watch and prompt viewers to dive into historical topics from more credible sources. That is especially the case with these best television series about ancient Rome you should watch right away. Rome   HBO is known to […]

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We know that television series don’t represent the best account of historical events. But they are still an entertaining watch and prompt viewers to dive into historical topics from more credible sources. That is especially the case with these best television series about ancient Rome you should watch right away.

Rome  

HBO is known to do a great job with history-inspired TV shows, and critically acclaimed Rome is now different. The series is set in the first century BC and chronicles the transition of Ancient Rome into a Republic and Empire. It focuses on the story of two soldiers and shows key events from their perspective. It also features a number of characters based on real historical figures. The series had a run of two seasons and 22 episodes before being canceled due to high costs.

I, Claudius

Despite being produced in 1976 and having a run of just 12 episodes, I, Claudius is still considered a golden standard for historical dramas. The series chronicles the early history of the Roman Empire as told by Roman emperor Claudius. It is renowned for its writing and acting as well as its approach to storytelling.

Spartacus

Produced by Starz, Spartacus had a run of three seasons and received positive reviews from critics. It tells the story of the Thracian gladiator Spartacus, who in 73 BC organized a slave rebellion against the Roman Republic. A prequel miniseries titled Spartacus: Gods of the Arena was produced during the run of the original series while a sequel titled Spartacus: House of Ashur is currently in the works.

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Top 5 Best-Selling Music Albums of All Time https://historychronicle.com/top-5-best-selling-music-albums-of-all-time-2/ Sun, 07 Apr 2024 16:23:00 +0000 https://historychronicle.com/?p=2445 With Spotify and other streaming platforms, people no longer have to buy music albums. This is why you rarely see some new record sold in millions of units. But back in the day, this was the norm since you would actually have to buy an album from your music artist in order to listen to […]

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With Spotify and other streaming platforms, people no longer have to buy music albums. This is why you rarely see some new record sold in millions of units. But back in the day, this was the norm since you would actually have to buy an album from your music artist in order to listen to it in full. Let’s take a look back at the times when buying music albums was actually a thing and see which are the best-selling music albums of all time.

Eagles – Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)

Claimed Sales: 44 Million

This might be surprising, but the Eagles made it to the list with a compilation album. It was released in 1976 and consisted of the group’s best songs from their first four studio records.

Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon

Claimed Sales: 45 Million

Influential British rockers Pink Floyd released The Dark Side of the Moon, their eighth studio release, in 1973. The record brought them international fame and is now considered one of the best albums of all time by audiences and critics.

Whitney Houston – The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album

Claimed Sales: 45 Million

The album served as a soundtrack for the movie The Bodyguard, which was released in 1992 and starred Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. Houston sang all the songs on the Side A of the record, while Side B featured various other artists. The album was the first to sell one million copies within a single week at the time and ended up winning Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

AC/DC – Back in Black

Claimed Sales: 50 Million

Back in Black was the seventh studio album from Australian rockers AC/DC but the first to feature new lead singer Brian Johnson. It holds the distinction of being the best-selling album of all time that never managed to top the U.S. charts.

Michael Jackson – Thriller

Claimed Sales: 70 Million

Released in 1982, Thriller still remains the best-selling album of all time, and it appears it will stay that for long. The record spent 37 weeks at No. 1, had seven singles in the Top 10, and won Jackson eight Grammy Awards. It needed just over a year to sell 32 million units.

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Wooden Board From “Titanic” Sells at Auction for $718K https://historychronicle.com/wooden-board-from-titanic-sells-at-auction-for-718k/ Mon, 01 Apr 2024 08:07:00 +0000 https://historychronicle.com/?p=3373 A wooden board from James Cameron’s blockbuster Titanic that saved the life of Rose (Kate Winslet) has been recently sold at an auction organized by Heritage Auctions. It ended up fetching a price of $718,750. In the movie, Rose climbs on the wooden board to avoid icy waters after the sinking of Titanic. Her lover […]

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A wooden board from James Cameron’s blockbuster Titanic that saved the life of Rose (Kate Winslet) has been recently sold at an auction organized by Heritage Auctions. It ended up fetching a price of $718,750.

In the movie, Rose climbs on the wooden board to avoid icy waters after the sinking of Titanic. Her lover Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) clings to the board but doesn’t get up out of fear it couldn’t hold them both. Rose ends up being rescued, but Jack doesn’t make it.

The scene has been the subject of a hot debate ever since the movie got out, with fans arguing that the wooden board could have easily carried both Rose and Jack. Now, the new owner of the prop will have a chance to test it, albeit for a hefty price. 

“Original hero flotation prop made of balsa wood crafted with ornate floral accents and scrolling curves – design motifs prevalent in rococo architecture. Based on the most famous complete piece of debris salvaged from the 1912 tragedy, this intricately carved prop bears a striking resemblance to the Louis XV-style panel housed in the Maritime Museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia,” it states in the wooden board’s listing description.

The wooden board from the Titanic movie was part of a large Treasures From Planet Hollywood auction. It featured several other items from the same movie as well as props from movies like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Kingpin.

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