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.
The original 1961 West Side Story is such a classic that I'm glad Steven Spielbergs newer woke version from a year or two ago bombed at the box office.That is like trying paint over a Van Gogh masterpiece.And the movie starring Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck titled "Red Hot Wheels" is a 1962 rerelease of a movie titled "To Please A Lady" from 1950.I always liked Barbara Stanwyck, especially on The Big Valley.
You're right, Barbara Stanwyck is always classy; she made about a half dozen movies with one of my favorite Western stars (besides the Duke): Joel McCrea. Just watched them in "Trooper Hook" the other night.
I found the little item on the Nickel Plate's last runs between Buffalo and Chicago interesting.
Also, the long piece on boat motors. 2-cycle outboards are still running but in much-reduced use. Nowhere does the article mention the characteristic that was the eventual reason they fell out of favor... The incredible amount of partially-combusted oil they pump into the water via their exhaust. I worked a marina on a lake in Pennsyltucky and the water around it always had a sheen of oil floating on its surface. No matter how well-maintained those engines were, didn't matter.
Movies: Jerry Lewis. No, thank you. I don't care what anybody says. That guy ain't funny.
Bob Hope: No, thank you. I don't care what anybody says. That guy ain't funny.
Dr. No: Saw it in the thee-ater. Quarrel getting toasted gave me nightmares.
Triffids: Just watched it the other night. Is every monster movie from that era about communism?
John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart: I think the ending is the point of the movie, though I always thought Lee Marvin stole the show. He's one of the best bad guys ever. Makes John Wayne look like a florist!
The List of Adrian Messenger isn't bad. Spy movie meets murder mystery. If you can find it, that is. Certainly a crap-ton of A-Listers.
As it happens, I did see DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS, although for some reason, I remember seeing it at the Dreamland; perhaps a rerelease later on. I liked the movie, although it did creep me out. I also remember seeing DIAMOND HEAD, and wanting to visit Hawaii, which was hopefully Triffid- free. I haven't seen a movie theatrically since CAPTAIN MARVEL, and was roundly disappointed by the entire experience, and have no plans to darken the door of a theater again. Woke, cardboard "films", overpriced munchies, audiences bereft of social graces, and screen time wasted on ads and nebulous "celebrities" that I couldn't care less about.
I too saw "The Day of the Triffids" and found it creepy. In general, I liked such creature features back then and saw 'em all as they came out. Today I could not care less about the genre, of course I am 60 years older.
Those Jerry Lewis films - both of which I saw and disliked - also were not new. They dated from 1957.
Loved (and love) the Bond films. Not sure I saw "Dr. No" on first run, but did see "Goldfinger" when it came out.
"West Side Story" was a great film of a great musical.
Dan, I think you post these things just so you can write about John Wayne.
Saw Dr.NO at Lorain Drive In in summer of 63. Didn't think it would be the start of a series of great 007 films lasting to the present.At the time it was really outstanding and high quality.
I always considered Geronimo a miscast movie.It was playing at the Tower Drive-In along with The Miracle Worker.Here we have Geronimo being played by Chuck Connors of all people.Talk about a slap in the face to real Native Americans.Plus it just wasn't believable especially since you could still see Chuck playing Lucas McCain on his tv series The Rifleman.And Anne Bancroft won her Academy Award for her performance in The Miracle Worker.
The original 1961 West Side Story is such a classic that I'm glad Steven Spielbergs newer woke version from a year or two ago bombed at the box office.That is like trying paint over a Van Gogh masterpiece.And the movie starring Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck titled "Red Hot Wheels" is a 1962 rerelease of a movie titled "To Please A Lady" from 1950.I always liked Barbara Stanwyck, especially on The Big Valley.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Barbara Stanwyck is always classy; she made about a half dozen movies with one of my favorite Western stars (besides the Duke): Joel McCrea. Just watched them in "Trooper Hook" the other night.
ReplyDeleteI found the little item on the Nickel Plate's last runs between Buffalo and Chicago interesting.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the long piece on boat motors. 2-cycle outboards are still running but in much-reduced use. Nowhere does the article mention the characteristic that was the eventual reason they fell out of favor... The incredible amount of partially-combusted oil they pump into the water via their exhaust. I worked a marina on a lake in Pennsyltucky and the water around it always had a sheen of oil floating on its surface. No matter how well-maintained those engines were, didn't matter.
Movies:
Jerry Lewis. No, thank you. I don't care what anybody says. That guy ain't funny.
Bob Hope: No, thank you. I don't care what anybody says. That guy ain't funny.
Dr. No: Saw it in the thee-ater. Quarrel getting toasted gave me nightmares.
Triffids: Just watched it the other night. Is every monster movie from that era about communism?
John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart: I think the ending is the point of the movie, though I always thought Lee Marvin stole the show. He's one of the best bad guys ever. Makes John Wayne look like a florist!
The List of Adrian Messenger isn't bad. Spy movie meets murder mystery. If you can find it, that is. Certainly a crap-ton of A-Listers.
As it happens, I did see DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS, although for some reason, I remember seeing it at the Dreamland; perhaps a rerelease later on. I liked the movie, although it did creep me out. I also remember seeing DIAMOND HEAD, and wanting to visit Hawaii, which was hopefully Triffid- free.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen a movie theatrically since CAPTAIN MARVEL, and was roundly disappointed by the entire experience, and have no plans to darken the door of a theater again. Woke, cardboard "films", overpriced munchies, audiences bereft of social graces, and screen time wasted on ads and nebulous "celebrities" that I couldn't care less about.
I too saw "The Day of the Triffids" and found it creepy. In general, I liked such creature features back then and saw 'em all as they came out. Today I could not care less about the genre, of course I am 60 years older.
ReplyDeleteThose Jerry Lewis films - both of which I saw and disliked - also were not new. They dated from 1957.
Loved (and love) the Bond films. Not sure I saw "Dr. No" on first run, but did see "Goldfinger" when it came out.
"West Side Story" was a great film of a great musical.
Dan, I think you post these things just so you can write about John Wayne.
Saw Dr.NO at Lorain Drive In in summer of 63. Didn't think it would be the start of a series of great 007 films lasting to the present.At the time it was really outstanding and high quality.
ReplyDeleteI always considered Geronimo a miscast movie.It was playing at the Tower Drive-In along with The Miracle Worker.Here we have Geronimo being played by Chuck Connors of all people.Talk about a slap in the face to real Native Americans.Plus it just wasn't believable especially since you could still see Chuck playing Lucas McCain on his tv series The Rifleman.And Anne Bancroft won her Academy Award for her performance in The Miracle Worker.
ReplyDelete