- Jan 22 VARA begins experimental TV broadcast in Diamantbeurs Amsterdam
Cimarron
Jan 26 "Cimarron" directed by Wesley Ruggles and starring Richard Dix and Irene Dunne premieres in New York. 1st western to win Best Outstanding Production/Picture (1931)
"City Lights"
Jan 30 "City Lights", American silent romantic comedy film directed by Charlie Chaplin, starring himself and Virginia Cherrill, premieres at Los Angeles Theater
Dracula
Feb 14 The original "Dracula" film starring Bela Lugosi as the titular vampire, is released
- Mar 14 1st theater built for rear movie projection (NYC)
- Mar 27 Charlie Chaplin receives France's distinguished Legion of Honor
A Connecticut Yankee
Apr 6 "A Connecticut Yankee" film based on novel by Mark Twain, directed by David Butler, starring Will Rogers is released
- Apr 6 1st broadcast of "Little Orphan Annie" on NBC-radio
The Public Enemy
Apr 23 US gangster film "The Public Enemy" starring James Cagney and Jean Harlow premieres
Girl Crazy
Jun 6 George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin's musical "Girl Crazy" starring Ginger Rogers and featuring debut of Ethel Merman, closes at the Alvin Theater, NYC, after 272 performances, and making stars of Rogers and Merman
Debut of Bing Crosby
Sep 2 American crooner Bing Crosby makes his solo radio debut on his "15 Minutes with Bing Crosby" program broadcast on the CBS network
Cavalcade
Oct 13 Noël Coward's play "Cavalcade" premieres in London
- Oct 30 W2XB TV channel 1 in NYC, NY (NBC) begins broadcasting
4th Academy Awards
Nov 10 4th Academy Awards: "Cimarron", Lionel Barrymore & Marie Dressler win
Frankenstein
Nov 21 Horror film "Frankenstein" is released, starring Boris Karloff as the monster, directed by James Whale and based on Mary Shelley's 1818 novel "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus"
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