Looking at the Journal's movie page from June 1, 1963 makes me feel a little wistful.
Not just because you can't see a first run movie in Lorain, Avon Lake, or Vermilion these days (although that's bad enough). It's because Hollywood no longer has the kind of producers and directors who would envision a movie; get the financing or backing of a studio (or produce it on their own) so they could make it; assemble a group of talented actors and actresses, including stars and a supporting cast, to act in it; hire a cinematographer to photograph it; find a composer to write a memorable musical score for it; and ultimately create cinematic magic.
Nowadays, a movie doesn't get greenlighted unless it can predictably be a monster hit. Which is why we see mostly superhero movies (and their endless sequels) consisting almost entirely of CGI.
Anyway, sixty years ago this month, there was an incredible selection of movies playing in the area. The one that leaps out at me on the page is the area showing of the first James Bond film, Dr. No, at the Palace in Lorain. The film had only been released in the United States in early May 1963. I like the graphic design and use of color on the top poster.
For John Wayne fans, two of his latest – The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and Hatari were still making the rounds at the drive-ins as a double feature. Both Tower Drive-in and the Lorain Drive-in invited their patrons to saddle up with the Duke.
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is a great film (and Lee Marvin is terrific in it), but it isn't one of my favorite John Wayne films. That's because I'm not too crazy about the wimpy James Stewart character, who steals the Duke's girl and becomes a pompous windbag by the end of the film. Meanwhile, Wayne ends up in a pine box.
The Lorain Drive-in also had a Jerry Lewis double feature comprising The Sad Sack and The Delicate Delinquent, as well as a Bob Hope oldie from 1950, Fancy Pants. It's kind of odd seeing Old Ski Nose and Lucille Ball on the big screen in a movie that was already thirteen years old.
For horror movie fans (like Alan), at the Ohio Theater there was The Day of the Triffids, about man-eating plants from outer space. Although the Journal gave it a good review, it looks rather nauseating to me. And I keep thinking of cute, lovable tribbles instead of disgusting triffids.
There were plenty of other now well-known films being shown locally, including the original West Side Story at Avon Lake Theater. But it just doesn't seem right that there wasn't a feature-length Three Stooges epic in local distribution at that particular time.
