Gagak Item (Indonesian for Black Raven) is a 1939 film from the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) written by Saeroen and directed by Joshua and Othniel Wong for Tan's Film. Starring long-time screen couple Rd Mochtar and Roekiah (pictured), with another role held by Eddy T. Effendi, the black-and-white film followed a masked bandit known only as "Gagak Item". The film was shot in rural Bogor (then known by the Dutch name Buitenzorg). It featured the cast and crew from the 1937 hit Terang Boelan, who were hired by Tan's so that the company could better imitate the earlier film's success. Gagak Item was part of the recovery of a domestic film industry which had been severely affected by the Great Depression; in 1939 four domestic productions were released in the Indies. Recorded as a commercial success and receiving positive reviews for its kroncong music and the leading actress' "demure" performance, the film was last shown sometime after 1951, and is now thought to be likely lost.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gagak_Item

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1777:

American Revolutionary War: American forces under the command of George Washington repulsed a British attack at the Battle of the Assunpink Creek near Trenton, New Jersey. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Assunpink_Creek

1941:

Second World War: Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff, Wales, was severely damaged by German bombing during the Cardiff Blitz. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llandaff_Cathedral

1963:

Vietnam War: The Viet Cong won its first major victory in the Battle of Ap Bac. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ap_Bac

1967:

Former actor Ronald Reagan began his career in government when he was sworn in as the 33rd Governor of California. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Reagan

1976:

The Gale of January 1976 began, which resulted in coastal flooding around the southern North Sea coasts, leading to at least 82 deaths and US$1.3 billion in damage. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gale_of_January_1976

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

Silent Sam: (informal) A person who seldom or never speaks; a taciturn or unresponsive individual. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Silent_Sam

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

 There are no happy endings in history, only crisis points that pass.   --Isaac Asimov https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Isaac_Asimov