This Day in Movie History: February 6

As the 2014 Winter Olympics gets underway in Sochi – how appropriate that on This Day in Movie History – February 6 – 10 years ago, Miracle opened in theaters. The picture focused on the 1980 U.S. Hockey team’s victory over the heavily favored Soviet team at the Winter Olympics and cast Kurt Russell as head coach Herb Brooks. Miracle was a hit with audiences ($64 million domestic) and critics (80%) on Rotten Tomatoes.

As for birthdays, Rip Torn is 83 today. He made his debut in the 1956 film Baby Doll and would soon have a significant part in Pork Chop Hill with Gregory Peck. He played Judas in 1961’s King of Kings. Over recent history, Torn has been known mostly for comedic roles including as a cast member of HBO’s “The Larry Sanders Show”. More recent appearances include the first two Men in Black flicks and Dodgeball.

Dane Dehaan is 28 today. He first came onto the scene in the lead role in 2012’s unexpected hit Chronicle. He has since appeared in Lincoln, Lawless, and Kill Your Darlings. This summer Dehaan will take over the part of Harry Osborn in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, where he’ll likely morph into the Green Goblin at some juncture.

As for Six Degrees of Separation between Mr. Torn and Mr. Dehaan:

Rip Torn was in Men in Black with Tommy Lee Jones

Tommy Lee Jones was in Lincoln with Dane Dehaan

And that’s today – February 6 – in Movie History!