On Area Movie Screens – October 1, 1962

Regular readers of this blog know that from time to time, I post Journal movie pages from fifty and sixty years ago. The ads provide a nice snapshot of cultural tastes, and reveal what society found entertaining at that time.

Since the fifty-year perspective (and 1970s films in general) can be somewhat depressing, leave us turn back the hands of time, and see what was on area screens sixty years ago.

Back on the Journal movie page of October 1, 1962, we see that the classic Hollywood star system was in decline, with less star-driven pictures. Popular actors and actresses were taking more control of their careers, with many producing their own films. Of course, this meant that they could get the credit (or blame) if the movie was a dud.

Alan Ladd's team produced the crime film 13 West Street, which was showing at the Tivoli, with The Hellions as the second feature. 

Sadly, Alan Ladd passed away in January 1964 at the age of fifty, with the cause of death (according to his Wiki page) of "an accidental combination of alcohol, a barbiturate, and two tranquilizers."

At Amherst Theatre was Hell is For Heroes, starring Steve McQueen in one of his early films. The Journal movie ad was pretty stark – all bland lettering – compared to the movie poster.

Also featured in the war flick was Bobby Darin, Fess Parker, and Bob Newhart.

Over at Avon Lake Theatre, John Wayne was starring in the action film Hatari, directed by Howard Hawks. Hawks helmed five of the Duke's pictures, including Red River, Rio Bravo and El Dorado. Also on the bill was The Music Man.

For those who were interested in horror films, the Ohio was showing The Phantom of the Opera (1962) and Face of Fire (1959).

What about the drive-ins?

Lorain Drive-in was catering to filmgoers (gentlemen?) who preferred blondes and brunettes, preferably from Europe. Gina Lollobrigida and Ernest Borgnine were starring in Go Naked in the World. (I hope the title wasn't referring to Mr. Borgnine's attire in the movie.) Brigitte Bardot was the star of the second feature, the truth. 

I wonder what kind of reception these two films received in Lorain, where only a few years earlier, Bowery Boys movies seemed to be perpetually airing on various screens downtown?

Tower Drive-in had a double feature of Splendor in the Grass and September Storm. September Storm looks pretty good, predating Jaws by many years. Plus it stars Joanne Dru, who was in Red River and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon with the Duke. Now those are some good credentials in my book!

Lastly, at the Palace – the only movie house that is still around in some form today – a jolly double feature of The Horror Chamber of Dr. Faustus and The Manster (half man, half monster) was lighting up the screen.

At least a Merrie Melodie Cartoon was included on the bill.