The Exorcist opened in theaters on this day in 1973. Why does that matter to a USC blog? Because William Peter Blatty was the author of “The Exorcist.” wrote the screenplay for the film and won an Oscar. But as the picture above from 1958 shows, he worked as the chief of the USC News Bureau in the late 1950’s. Blatty was a man of … Continue reading Some Day After Christmas History

In my annual Christmas tradition, here is my all-time favorite USC picture.Hollywood screen legend Greta Garbo was sent to USC in 1926 to pose for some publicity photos with the track team. Garbo initially refused until MGM deducted $25 from her salary, which convinced her to head to campus and don a USC track singlet. She is with a USC track assistant coach in the above photo. … Continue reading Merry Christmas!

It’s Christmas Eve, which means USC is playing Notre Dame if you watch the movie “Die Hard.” Now for some Christmas-themed photos. In 1930, the May Company dept. store on 8th and Broadway made its elevators look like fireplaces so Santa Claus could enter the store’s main floor from the chimney. Here is the Santa Claus Lane parade (which became the Hollywood Christmas parade) in … Continue reading It’s Beginning To Look A Little Like Christmas

Today is National Dog Day, so time to appreciate George Tirebiter. Here is the original Tirebiter, in full glory and living color, from the 1947 football season. On Oct. 22, 1947, a 30-car parade was held to crown him USC’s official mascot. This is not the cute cuddly Tirebiter that followed and became the model for the statue near Exposition Blvd. This is surly George, who bit … Continue reading The Friday USC Column Supplement

On July 20, 1969, 53 years ago today, Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin touched down in the Sea of Tranquility, becoming the first humans ever to land on the Moon. A year later, Armstrong gave an oral thesis defense for his master’s in aeronautical engineering at USC. He passed. There is a statue of Armstrong at USC. Continue reading A Big USC-Flavored Anniversary

It’s the Fourth of July and that means time to run this wonderful color photo of the fireworks show at the Coliseum in 1964, that even lit up Mudd Hall and the USC campus. The Mudd Hall Bell Tower was used in the 1923 version of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” And here’s a photo from the 1957 Coliseum fireworks show. Continue reading Happy Fourth Of July!