1962, Film: “The Road to Hong Kong”

The British film "The Road to Hong Kong" is released in March. It is the seventh and last film in "The Road to..." series. The comedy is directed by Norman Panama with Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Joan Collins in the main roles.

Dorothy Lamour, the female star of the previous films, had a cameo appearance. In her autobiography, Lamour wrote that Crosby thought her too old to be a leading lady (she was only 48 at the time), while Hope refused to do the film without her. Her extended cameo singing with Hope and Crosby was a compromise. Other cameos are played by David Niven, Peter Sellers, Frank Sinatra, and Dean Martin. To preserve the feel of the previous Road films, the movie was shot in black and white.

Joan Collins, Bing Crosby & Bob Hope

Dorothy Lamour & Bob Hope

Bing Crosby & Bob Hope

Synopsis
Harry Turner (Bing Crosby) and Chester Babcock (Bob Hope) are two artists touring the Far East. When Chester is knocked unconscious and loses his memory, Harry takes him to a Tibetan monastery. He is given a special herb that cures his amnesia and provides him with a photographic memory...

Bob Hope

Bing Crosby

Main Cast

• Bing Crosby as Harry Turner
• Bob Hope as Chester Babcock
• Joan Collins as Diane
• Robert Morley as Leader of the 3rd Echelon
• Peter Sellers as Indian physician
• Walter Gotell as Dr. Zorbb
• Sir Felix Aylmer as Grand Lama
• Alan Gifford as American official
• Michele Mok as Mr. Ahso
• Katya Douglas as 3rd Echelon receptionist
• Roger Delgado as Jhinnah
• Robert Ayres as American official
• Mei Ling as Ming Toy
• Jacqueline Jones as Blonde at airport
• Yvonne Shima as Poon Soon
• Dorothy Lamour as Herself
• Bob Simmons as Third Echelon astronaut
• Nosher Powell as Third Echelon astronaut

Opening Titles

1961, News: John F. Kennedy sworn in as US president

On 20 January 1961 the democrat John F. Kennedy is sworn in as the 35the president of the United States. The 43-year-old Roman Catholic Kennedy is the youngest president in American history, he takes over from the oldest president in American history, General Dwight Eisenhower. The president's Republican rival, Richard Nixon, who came a close second in the race for the White House, also attended the inauguration ceremony.

Millions watched the swearing-in of the new president on television. President Kennedy began his speech by addressing "my fellow citizens", first used by George Washington but later rejected by for the less formal "my fellow Americans".

John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy

Jacqueline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy

Inauguration John F. Kennedy (Dutch)


Inauguration John F. Kennedy (English)

1960, Cars: Peugeot 404

In May 1960 French carmaker introduces the all new 404. Like its predecessor the 404 is designed by Pininfarina. The styling is similar to other Pininfarina designs, the BMC A55 and the Fiat 1800. The 404 is offered initially as a Saloon with a 1.6 L petrol engine in five possible colors (Ivoire, Turquoise, Gris, Tango and Noir).

The 404 Cabriolet is introduced at the Paris Motor Show in October 1961. The Cabriolet bodyshells are made by the PininFarina in Turin, the chassis and mechanical elements are identical with the saloon.

Predecessor: Peugeot 403 (1955-1966)

Peugeot 404 Saloon (1960)

Peugeot 404 Cabriolet (1962)

In 1962 the 404 Break (Commerciale and Familiale) is introduced and a new 1,9 L diesel engine is available. The 404 Coupé is introduced with the same body as the Cabriolet but with a fixed roof in 1963. In 1968 production of the Coupé and Cabriolet are ceased and a new Pick Up (Camionnette and Fourgonnette) are introduced.

Peugeot 404 Coupé (1963)

Peugeot 404 Break (1962)

Peugeot 404 Pick Up (1968)

Successor Peugeot 504 (1969)

Although Peugeot introduced the 504 as a successor of the 404 in 1969, the 404 remained in production until 1975 (the pick up was sold until 1988). The 404 was also made under licence in various African countries until 1991. It was also built in Argentina, Canada and in Chile. The French production run of the 404 is 1,847,568. The total production worldwide is 2,885,374 units.

Advert Peugeot 404 (English, 1966)

Advert Peugeot 404 (Spanish)

Advert Peugeot 404 (Spanish)

Brochure Peugeot 404 Saloon (1962, The Netherlands)

Brochure Peugeot 404 Coupé (1963, The Netherlands)

Brochure Peugeot 404 Saloon (1963, The Netherlands)

Brochure Peugeot 404 Saloon (1964, The Netherlands)

Brochure Peugeot 404 Break (1969, The Netherlands)

Brochure Peugeot 404 Saloon (1973, The Netherlands)

Brochure Peugeot 404 Pick-Up (1983, France)