May

MAY 4TH
1927- The Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences created.
1975- Moe Howard, last survivor of the original Three Stooges, died of cancer at 78.

MAY 6TH
1919- "Wizard of Oz" creator L.Frank Baum died of heart disease at 62. He had been buying Los Angeles real estate for an Oz-themed amusement park. It likely would have been the first theme park.

MAY 7TH
1913- Bob Clampett, classic Warner Bros. cartoon director and creator of Beany and Cecil, born.

MAY 13TH
1944- George Lucas born.

MAY 14TH
1942- Frank Churchill, the composer of Whistle While You Work and Some Day My Prince Will Come, shoots himself over a piano.

MAY 15TH
1856- L.Frank Baum, author of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz", born.

MAY 16TH
1929- The First Academy Awards Ceremony. It was originally a dinner ceremony, lasting about 45 minutes.

MAY 16TH
1990- Muppet creator Jim Henson suddenly died at 53 of a massive viral infection.

MAY 19TH
1927- Grauman's Chinese Theater opened. It featured ushers in Mandarin robes brought from China and silk wall hangings painted by future actor Key Luke.

MAY 22ND
1985- Wolfgang Reitherman, Disney director of films like The Jungle Book and The Aristocats, drove his car into a tree at Olive and Kenneth in Burbank and died.

MAY 29TH
1941- THE DISNEY STUDIO STRIKE - Picketers included Art Babbitt (Goofy), Bill Tytla (Dumbo), John Hubley (Mr. Magoo), Chuck Jones & Maurice Noble (Bugs Bunny), Bill Melendez (Charlie Brown), Bill Hurtz ( Rocky & Bullwinkle), Hank Ketchum (Dennis the Menace), Walt and Selby Kelly (Pogo). The crowd was catered by Toluca Lake restaurant cooks and was addressed by actor John Garfield and writer Dorothy Parker. Aircraft mechanics from Lockheed were on hand in case of rough stuff. The strike was finally ended by federal mediation and the Bank of America making Uncle Walt give in to the union's demands.