12-23-2009
( Reply#: 4268 ) |
Jim Plummer |
I saw a couple of these shows later on at The Paramont. They were basically people in costumes running around the audience between the movie shows. What was the feature at the Parthenon?quote:
Originally posted by HassoBenSoba
Though hardly appropriate for Christmastime, I wanted to start off this thread with something truly bizarre. Check out the two ads below, the bigger one on the left from the Friday, Sept. 16th, 1955 Hammond Times movie listings, the one on the right from a week earlier (Sept 9, 1955 --at the Parthenon).
This is a bit before my first movie-going experiences; does anyone remember just WHAT WENT ON in the theater during these freaky live stage-shows? I assume they were performed as an "opening act" before the feature film.
Somebody please tell us what this was all about. Holy Cow!
Larry r
[IMG]http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af12/HassoBenSoba/HorrorShowAds0001.jpg[/IMG]
|
12-24-2009
( Reply#: 4290 ) |
duane |
Indiana Theater was in the Indiana Harbor Section of EC.
On the EC side, it was the Voge theater on the south side of Chicago Avenue between Indy Blvd and Magoun Ave. While I think I saw A Hard Days Night or Help there, the Voge seemed mostly like a 2nd run theater. We would always go to the Paramount or Parthenon in Hammond to see the really good movies. |
12-24-2009
( Reply#: 4294 ) |
Bill Bucko |
Thanks for bringing back the memory! The ad appealed to my sensibilities when I saw it; but as a first grader, I wasn't allowed to go.
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63 |
12-28-2009
( Reply#: 4362 ) |
Pro2am |
From what my brother Larry (HassoBenSoba) just told me, the Town Theater on Kennedy Ave. in Highland is now R.I.P. [:(]
Mike Rapchak Jr.
===============================
quote:
Originally posted by Bill Bucko
Thanks for bringing back the memory! The ad appealed to my sensibilities when I saw it; but as a first grader, I wasn't allowed to go.
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63
|
12-28-2009
( Reply#: 4364 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
Speaking of the Voge Theater in East Chicago, here's an ad from the Hammond Times from Friday, Jan. 31, 1958. Notice that they ran a double-bill for ONE DAY ONLY--- Sunday, Feb 2nd---which my dad, my brother Mike and I attended in order to catch "The Land Unknown"! Also on the bill was "Quincannon, Frontier Scout" starring popular singer and sometimes actor Tony Martin, who just turned 97 years old on Christmas Day! Hey---is life fascinating OR WHAT??
Our dad took us to the Voge occasionally in the good old days. I especially remember seeing "House on Haunted Hill" there on Sunday night, May 10th, 1959. I recall the date because it was the day of my Confirmation at OLPH....a beautiful, sunny spring day---and I couldn't WAIT for the ceremony to end, since going to see "Haunted Hill" was my big Confirmation "present". Boy, was that a mistake; the movie scared the crap out of us, and I don't think my newly-acquired religious conviction from that afternoon helped much that night---though I do think we ended up praying ourselves to sleep.
Larry r
[IMG]http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af12/HassoBenSoba/VogeTheater0001.jpg[/IMG] |
12-29-2009
( Reply#: 4367 ) |
Jim Plummer |
Two questions-what's the story on the town theater being closed and is the building the Voge theater was located in still there? I used to see monster movies there that didn't play the Ace. In the fifties, there was a pattern to how movies were played in the Region. Films would start out at the Paramont and Parthenon each with a co-feature. They would also play the drive-ins often together or with a different co-feature than downtown. The next friday they would show up at the Indiana, The Whiting, The Lans. One week later was time to play at the Ace and the Town. At least that how it seemed to me. The Calumet and the Voge were liable to show anything sometimes films that never played anywhere else in the region.quote:
Originally posted by Pro2am
From what my brother Larry (HassoBenSoba) just told me, the Town Theater on Kennedy Ave. in Highland is now R.I.P. [:(]
Mike Rapchak Jr.
===============================
quote:
Originally posted by Bill Bucko
Thanks for bringing back the memory! The ad appealed to my sensibilities when I saw it; but as a first grader, I wasn't allowed to go.
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63
|
12-29-2009
( Reply#: 4370 ) |
duane |
Alas, the Voge theater building is long gone.
It went the usual route of movie theaters...
Closed, then re-opened by someone with good intentions to show family movies.
Then Closed again.
Then re-opened as Porno.
Then closed again.
Then vacant for a decade or more.
Then it either burned or got torn down...I don't remember which.
Thanks for all the great memories of the Voge. I agree, it was a B movie theater that showed movies long after others, or showed movies others wouldn't think of. I liked it for that reason. |
12-29-2009
( Reply#: 4378 ) |
Pro2am |
Here is an interesting photo - assuming the link works.
An eastbound Chicago South Shore freight is approaching the Chicago Avenue/Indpls. Boulevard intersection in East Chicago. This was back when the CSS mainline was located in the middle of Chicago Avenue.
To the left you can see the Voge Theater's marquee.
This photo, by a fellow named William Janssen, was taken in August of 1953.
Mike Rapchak Jr.
[IMG]http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp266/pro2am/CSSSB1008atChicagoAveIndianapolisBl.jpg[/IMG]
================================
quote:
Originally posted by duane
Alas, the Voge theater building is long gone.
It went the usual route of movie theaters...
Closed, then re-opened by someone with good intentions to show family movies.
Then Closed again.
Then re-opened as Porno.
Then closed again.
Then vacant for a decade or more.
Then it either burned or got torn down...I don't remember which.
Thanks for all the great memories of the Voge. I agree, it was a B movie theater that showed movies long after others, or showed movies others wouldn't think of. I liked it for that reason.
|
12-29-2009
( Reply#: 4379 ) |
BobK |
It was weird seeing a train going down the middle of the street. The tracks were moved from city streets when the Toll Road was built.
Bob
[img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img] |
12-29-2009
( Reply#: 4380 ) |
duane |
[:D] |
12-29-2009
( Reply#: 4381 ) |
duane |
quote:
Originally posted by Pro2am
Here is an interesting photo - assuming the link works.
Mike Rapchak Jr.
[IMG]http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp266/pro2am/CSSSB1008atChicagoAveIndianapolisBl.jpg[/IMG]
================================
See that store on the Corner? That is Haney's Drug Store. I worked there through my high school years. I'd go in after school for a couple of hours and sweep up, re-file the prescription papers, run errands, etc. The Bus stop was right outside so people would always wait inside for the bus...and they left a mess - especially in winter. On Saturday's I'd mop the floors and wash the windows. Because most people smoked back then, the water from washing the windows ended up a filthy green.
And see that "support underwear" in the window...since this picture was taken in 1953, then that underwear (or its replacement) stayed in that window for almost 20 years. Haney's is now gone as well, although the building is still there. |
12-30-2009
( Reply#: 4384 ) |
Bill Bucko |
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Plummer
... I used to see monster movies there that didn't play the Ace. In the fifties, there was a pattern to how movies were played in the Region. Films would start out at the Paramont and Parthenon each with a co-feature. They would also play the drive-ins often together or with a different co-feature than downtown. The next friday they would show up at the Indiana, The Whiting, The Lans. One week later was time to play at the Ace and the Town. At least that how it seemed to me. The Calumet and the Voge were liable to show anything sometimes films that never played anywhere else in the region.
The Voge was off the beaten path for a Hessville kid like me. I went there only once, by bus, to see Disney's "The Great Locomotive Chase;" and the fact that I went at all is evidence that that movie wasn't showing anywhere closer to me.
I got a surprise: unexpectedly there flashed up on the screen "King of the Rocketmen ... Chapter 12" I still remember wondering: what rocketmen? and where are all the other chapters? It was my first and only encounter in a theater with a movie serial. Dr. Vulcan nearly did destroy New York before Jeff King flew to the rescue in his flying suit, and smashed the doctor's diabolical machine. (As an adult, I remain a huge fan of both Flash Gordon and the rocketman character.)
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63 |
12-30-2009
( Reply#: 4385 ) |
nitti |
quote:
Originally posted by Bill Bucko
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Plummer
... I used to see monster movies there that didn't play the Ace. In the fifties, there was a pattern to how movies were played in the Region. Films would start out at the Paramont and Parthenon each with a co-feature. They would also play the drive-ins often together or with a different co-feature than downtown. The next friday they would show up at the Indiana, The Whiting, The Lans. One week later was time to play at the Ace and the Town. At least that how it seemed to me. The Calumet and the Voge were liable to show anything sometimes films that never played anywhere else in the region.
The Voge was off the beaten path for a Hessville kid like me. I went there only once, by bus, to see Disney's "The Great Locomotive Chase;" and the fact that I went at all is evidence that that movie wasn't showing anywhere closer to me.
I got a surprise: unexpectedly there flashed up on the screen "King of the Rocketmen ... Chapter 12" I still remember wondering: what rocketmen? and where are all the other chapters? It was my first and only encounter in a theater with a movie serial. Dr. Vulcan nearly did destroy New York before Jeff King flew to the rescue in his flying suit, and smashed the doctor's diabolical machine. (As an adult, I remain a huge fan of both Flash Gordon and the rocketman character.)
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63
You just triggered a vague memory. The Ace showed Creature from the Black Lagoon serials - I remember seeing some, but no details. Hopefully HassoBenSoba sees this.(and any other ex-Acer who remembers)He remembers everything.I'm wondering when I saw them, when they stopped showing them and what others were shown.
Frank OLPH '65 |
12-30-2009
( Reply#: 4386 ) |
nitti |
quote:
Originally posted by duane
quote:
Originally posted by Pro2am
Here is an interesting photo - assuming the link works.
Mike Rapchak Jr.
[IMG]http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp266/pro2am/CSSSB1008atChicagoAveIndianapolisBl.jpg[/IMG]
================================
See that store on the Corner? That is Haney's Drug Store. I worked there through my high school years. I'd go in after school for a couple of hours and sweep up, re-file the prescription papers, run errands, etc. The Bus stop was right outside so people would always wait inside for the bus...and they left a mess - especially in winter. On Saturday's I'd mop the floors and wash the windows. Because most people smoked back then, the water from washing the windows ended up a filthy green.
And see that "support underwear" in the window...since this picture was taken in 1953, then that underwear (or its replacement) stayed in that window for almost 20 years. Haney's is now gone as well, although the building is still there.
Another memory - Kaplan's is across the street. Did anyone else have their feet X-rayed there during a fitting? |
12-30-2009
( Reply#: 4392 ) |
Jim Plummer |
I had my feet x-rayed at Kaplands and every other shoe store in the region. My mother did a lot of shopping in East Chicago before the Woodmar shopping center. By the way the flooding of New York is also to be seen in Dick Tracy vs. Crime Inc. chapter one. It's from a 1933 RKO feature called Deluge which Turner Classic has run. The only serial I ever saw at the Ace was Captain Video. They ran the first three chapters with Snow White on a Sunday-Wed. bill. Sometime in the late 60's I saw a chapter of Pirates Of The High Seas there.quote:
Originally posted by nitti
quote:
Originally posted by Bill Bucko
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Plummer
... I used to see monster movies there that didn't play the Ace. In the fifties, there was a pattern to how movies were played in the Region. Films would start out at the Paramont and Parthenon each with a co-feature. They would also play the drive-ins often together or with a different co-feature than downtown. The next friday they would show up at the Indiana, The Whiting, The Lans. One week later was time to play at the Ace and the Town. At least that how it seemed to me. The Calumet and the Voge were liable to show anything sometimes films that never played anywhere else in the region.
The Voge was off the beaten path for a Hessville kid like me. I went there only once, by bus, to see Disney's "The Great Locomotive Chase;" and the fact that I went at all is evidence that that movie wasn't showing anywhere closer to me.
I got a surprise: unexpectedly there flashed up on the screen "King of the Rocketmen ... Chapter 12" I still remember wondering: what rocketmen? and where are all the other chapters? It was my first and only encounter in a theater with a movie serial. Dr. Vulcan nearly did destroy New York before Jeff King flew to the rescue in his flying suit, and smashed the doctor's diabolical machine. (As an adult, I remain a huge fan of both Flash Gordon and the rocketman character.)
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63
You just triggered a vague memory. The Ace showed Creature from the Black Lagoon serials - I remember seeing some, but no details. Hopefully HassoBenSoba sees this.(and any other ex-Acer who remembers)He remembers everything.I'm wondering when I saw them, when they stopped showing them and what others were shown.
Frank OLPH '65
|
12-30-2009
( Reply#: 4404 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
Nitti--
Sounds REAL vague to me; Creature from the Black Lagoon was never in any serialized format that I know of--only the three feature films (the original "Creature" (1954)..which I saw at the Ace in the early 60's), "Revenge of.." ('55) and "Creature Walks Among Us ('56).
Somethin's "fishy" here; maybe you had your feet X-rayed one too many times.
LR |
12-31-2009
( Reply#: 4411 ) |
nitti |
quote:
Originally posted by HassoBenSoba
Nitti--
Sounds REAL vague to me; Creature from the Black Lagoon was never in any serialized format that I know of--only the three feature films (the original "Creature" (1954)..which I saw at the Ace in the early 60's), "Revenge of.." ('55) and "Creature Walks Among Us ('56).
Somethin's "fishy" here; maybe you had your feet X-rayed one too many times.
LR
Interesting.
The memory is very vivid.
I see a boat in a swampy setting.
A few people in Khaki - one obligatory female waiting to be attacked, and the Creature swimming under the water.
I don't remember seeing the entire movie at the theatre.
It was a short between pictures.
Perplexing................ |
12-31-2009
( Reply#: 4413 ) |
Jim Plummer |
Could you be remembering the Castle Short home movie on these three features? They only ran about nine minutes each. The three features were complete features and did not cliffhangers to get you back next week so they were not serials. They were a series like the Dracula films.quote:
Originally posted by nitti
quote:
Originally posted by HassoBenSoba
Nitti--
Sounds REAL vague to me; Creature from the Black Lagoon was never in any serialized format that I know of--only the three feature films (the original "Creature" (1954)..which I saw at the Ace in the early 60's), "Revenge of.." ('55) and "Creature Walks Among Us ('56).
Somethin's "fishy" here; maybe you had your feet X-rayed one too many times.
LR
Interesting.
The memory is very vivid.
I see a boat in a swampy setting.
A few people in Khaki - one obligatory female waiting to be attacked, and the Creature swimming under the water.
I don't remember seeing the entire movie at the theatre.
It was a short between pictures.
Perplexing................
|
12-31-2009
( Reply#: 4417 ) |
nitti |
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Plummer
Could you be remembering the Castle Short home movie on these three features? They only ran about nine minutes each. The three features were complete features and did not cliffhangers to get you back next week so they were not serials. They were a series like the Dracula films.quote:
Originally posted by nitti
quote:
Originally posted by HassoBenSoba
Nitti--
Sounds REAL vague to me; Creature from the Black Lagoon was never in any serialized format that I know of--only the three feature films (the original "Creature" (1954)..which I saw at the Ace in the early 60's), "Revenge of.." ('55) and "Creature Walks Among Us ('56).
Somethin's "fishy" here; maybe you had your feet X-rayed one too many times.
LR
Interesting.
The memory is very vivid.
I see a boat in a swampy setting.
A few people in Khaki - one obligatory female waiting to be attacked, and the Creature swimming under the water.
I don't remember seeing the entire movie at the theatre.
It was a short between pictures.
Perplexing................
If they were shown in theatres, that would solve my problem. |
01-01-2010
( Reply#: 4439 ) |
Jim Plummer |
These Castle shorts were non-theatrical but I used to see them at Cub Scout meetings in grade school. The 16mm prints came with sound and it was an easy way to entertain kids. I was always amazed at how they could condense a feature down to 9 mins. |
01-10-2010
( Reply#: 4613 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
Here's another in a series of great old movie ads from the Hammond Times that have special family significance for us. I wanted to post it now, since it appeared in print 51 years ago this weekend (!)
[IMG]http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af12/HassoBenSoba/WarOWorlds0001.jpg[/IMG]
It would have been Sunday, January 11, 1959 that my dad planned to take my brother Mike and me to see this double bill. I was in church that morning (at OLPH) with my dad, when---as it seemed everyone did so often back then---I felt that old queasy feeling in the stomach. My dad raced me up the stairs to the school washroom, where I lost my breakfast and Lord knows what else. So I spent the rest of the day in bed, with my mother saying "I think you're too sick to go to the movie tonight." But I miraculously recovered, and on that cold, dark January night, my dad took us to the Paramount. "When Worlds Collide" was first, and we almost died from boredom. "War of the Worlds" (originally released in 1953) was well worth the wait, though.
I clearly remember that during the big bombardment scene---when the military uses the A-Bomb on the alien ships---some dude down in the front row jumped up in front of the screen as if he had been blown out of his seat by the explosion. One of those late '50's juvees, I guess.
Mike and I especially liked the brief glimpse of the alien in the scene in the old farmhouse, since it looked a lot like the "Milky Way" alien from the great series of wax figures by the Miller company that we had just received for Christmas ('58). Here's a mini-pic of that figure.
[IMG]http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af12/HassoBenSoba/MilkyWay.jpg[/IMG]
A magical memory from a magical time.
Larry r |
01-10-2010
( Reply#: 4622 ) |
Jay |
quote:
Originally posted by Pro2am
Here is an interesting photo - assuming the link works.
An eastbound Chicago South Shore freight is approaching the Chicago Avenue/Indpls. Boulevard intersection in East Chicago. This was back when the CSS mainline was located in the middle of Chicago Avenue.
To the left you can see the Voge Theater's marquee.
This photo, by a fellow named William Janssen, was taken in August of 1953.
Mike Rapchak Jr.
[IMG]http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp266/pro2am/CSSSB1008atChicagoAveIndianapolisBl.jpg[/IMG]
================================
quote:
Originally posted by duane
Alas, the Voge theater building is long gone.
It went the usual route of movie theaters...
Closed, then re-opened by someone with good intentions to show family movies.
Then Closed again.
Then re-opened as Porno.
Then closed again.
Then vacant for a decade or more.
Then it either burned or got torn down...I don't remember which.
Thanks for all the great memories of the Voge. I agree, it was a B movie theater that showed movies long after others, or showed movies others wouldn't think of. I liked it for that reason.
Wow, that is a great nostalgic photograph. I am so disappointed that I have no vivid memories of the South Shore running through downtown East Chicago even though I was born and raised there. But seeing places like Haney's, Voge, Kaplan's, etc. does bring back some memories.
Although you are no longer with us, thank you Mike for posting this. And Rest In Peace. |
01-17-2010
( Reply#: 4722 ) |
Jim Plummer |
I saw that double feature on that Sunday! Where were you sitting? I was likely on the inside of the left center aisle about ten rows back. I got there in the middle of Worlds Collide. I guess I should dig out both dvds today and watch them!quote:
Originally posted by HassoBenSoba
Here's another in a series of great old movie ads from the Hammond Times that have special family significance for us. I wanted to post it now, since it appeared in print 51 years ago this weekend (!)
[IMG]http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af12/HassoBenSoba/WarOWorlds0001.jpg[/IMG]
It would have been Sunday, January 11, 1959 that my dad planned to take my brother Mike and me to see this double bill. I was in church that morning (at OLPH) with my dad, when---as it seemed everyone did so often back then---I felt that old queasy feeling in the stomach. My dad raced me up the stairs to the school washroom, where I lost my breakfast and Lord knows what else. So I spent the rest of the day in bed, with my mother saying "I think you're took sick to go to the movie tonight." But I miraculously recovered, and on that cold, dark January night, my dad took us to the Paramount. "When Worlds Collide" was first, and we almost died from boredom. "War of the Worlds" (originally released in 1953) was well worth the wait, though.
I clearly remember that during the big bombardment scene---when the military uses the A-Bomb on the alien ships---some dude down in the front row jumped up in front of the screen as if he had been blown out of his seat by the explosion. One of those late '50's juvees, I guess.
Mike and I especially liked the brief glimpse of the alien in the scene in the old farmhouse, since it looked a lot like the "Milky Way" alien from the great series of wax figures by the Miller company that we had just received for Christmas ('58). Here's a mini-pic of that figure.
[IMG]http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af12/HassoBenSoba/MilkyWay.jpg[/IMG]
A magical memory from a magical time.
Larry r
|
01-17-2010
( Reply#: 4728 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
Jim---
ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Holy Cow! That's what's so cool about this site---2 guys who were at the SAME SHOWING of the SAME FILM 51 years ago and still remember it!
It was a late showing....I'm sure it would have been the final screening of "War of the Worlds" that Sunday night. We were sitting (as I recall) center, about 10 rows back. Do you remember the dude jumping up in front of the screen during the big A-bomb explosion? I also recall--- there's a scene where the scientists are examining the lens-periscope thing with the 3-colored lenses or "eyes"; Gene Barry had chopped the thing off the ship's arm with an axe and brought it in. Anyway, the female star, Anne Robinson, looks into the thing and we see a big fish-bowl image of her face on the screen; I recall those same juveniles down in front cutting up and making silly comments during this scene. Typical Hammond rowdies. |
01-18-2010
( Reply#: 4736 ) |
Jim Plummer |
I'm guessing I would have been at an earlier show-late afternoon very early evening. I tended to go after lunch and get home around seven or so.
Do you remember anything about the manager of the Paramont? I seem to recall he was good looking with blond hair parted on the side. The opposite of the manager-owner of the Ace.
This is a very cool site and I value the memmories it has brought back.quote:
Originally posted by HassoBenSoba
Jim---
ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Holy Cow! That's what's so cool about this site---2 guys who were at the SAME SHOWING of the SAME FILM 51 years ago and still remember it!
It was a late showing....I'm sure it would have been the final screening of "War of the Worlds" that Sunday night. We were sitting (as I recall) center, about 10 rows back. Do you remember the dude jumping up in front of the screen during the big A-bomb explosion? I also recall--- there's a scene where the scientists are examining the lens-periscope thing with the 3-colored lenses or "eyes"; Gene Barry had chopped the thing off the ship's arm with an axe and brought it in. Anyway, the female star, Anne Robinson, looks into the thing and we see a big fish-bowl image of her face on the screen; I recall those same juveniles down in front cutting up and making silly comments during this scene. Typical Hammond rowdies.
|
02-25-2010
( Reply#: 5050 ) |
Jim Plummer |
Has anybody been to the Ace/Kennedy theater lately. Isn't one of the Whiting theaters still open? |
04-03-2010
( Reply#: 5237 ) |
Jim Plummer |
I just found a web-site that has lots of monster trailers from the 50's Trailersfromhell.com |
04-03-2010
( Reply#: 5238 ) |
BobK |
Although I've never been there, the Hoosier Theater is open in Whiting.
Bob
[img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img] |
04-05-2010
( Reply#: 5250 ) |
Jim Plummer |
I remember reading in the Times that the Hoosier had been totally restored. Glad to hear it's still open. I saw a couple of free Christmas shows there and I thought it was a nice theater. The double feature was a Wild Bill Elliott police drama and Jungle Gents with the Bowery Boys.quote:
Originally posted by BobK
Although I've never been there, the Hoosier Theater is open in Whiting.
Bob
[img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img]
|
06-01-2010
( Reply#: 5632 ) |
BobK |
The end for the Calumet.
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/article_0ead4678-0a95-5def-b626-a4368a4e9dab.html
Bob
[img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img] |
06-02-2010
( Reply#: 5640 ) |
cartoonguy |
I'm surprised the building stood as long as it did…but still sad none the less. |
06-04-2010
( Reply#: 5656 ) |
Jim Plummer |
We will always have our memmories and in them the building looks better than ever. |
06-04-2010
( Reply#: 5662 ) |
wvcogs |
If this link to ajschicubs85's Webshots album of photos of the abandon Calumet Theater has already been posted to the forum, I apologize. Enjoy.
Ken
[url]http://travel.webshots.com/album/570553428XGRCVr[/url] |
06-12-2010
( Reply#: 5703 ) |
Jim Plummer |
Hey HassoBenSoba, I just saw you in a Stooge short-Rumpus In The Harum which is a rehash of Malice In The Palace. I'd like to say you are handsome. But I can say you were a striking presence. You never told us you were in two stooge films!!!! |
06-14-2010
( Reply#: 5722 ) |
Jay |
As a kid, I would attend the Vogue theater on Chicago Avenue in East Chicago. Unfortunately, I can't remember even one movie that I saw there.
The last time I attended the 41 outdoor theater, in north Hammond, was back in 1963 to view "It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World".
Back in 1968, I did attend the Kennedy Theatre in Hammond once as a paying customer to see the movie "Ice Station Zebra".
And although I have visited the Kennedy Theatre numerous times in the last few years, it was strictly on business.
The current owners did a nice job of fixing it up.
p.s. If you think I misspelled "Theatre", that is exactly how the current owners spell it on their business card and advertisements. Check out their web site at http://joomla.kennedytheatre.com/ |
06-15-2010
( Reply#: 5725 ) |
Jim Plummer |
Jay, The Vogue used to always run Monster films that nobody else in the Region ran. |
06-15-2010
( Reply#: 5726 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Plummer
Hey HassoBenSoba, I just saw you in a Stooge short-Rumpus In The Harum which is a rehash of Malice In The Palace. I'd like to say you are handsome. But I can say you were a striking presence. You never told us you were in two stooge films!!!!
JIM--
Yeah, that's my namesake...turban, beard and all. [ MOE: "You mean you're only a doorman?!" SHEMP: "Well, there's the door, man!...."]
I hope every stooge fan has bought the new Volume 8 of the complete re-mastered DVD series of Stooge shorts; it's about time we had a big Joe Besser-fest! I remember seeing one of the Besser shorts---"Space Ship Sappy" (a real dog) on its initial theatrical run; it was in late July of 1958 at the Paramount. The main feature was "ATTILA!", an Italian-made film with Anthony Quinn. As I recall, my mother had taken us to see "Bridge on the River Kwai", which was in its month-long run down the street at the Parthenon---but for some reason, we couldn't get in. So we ended up spending the afternoon at the Paramount with Anthony Quinn, Sophia Loren, and Joe ('not so hhhard...!") Besser. This was my first Stooge experience, so when WGN began to show them in October of '58, my brother Mike and I were already prepped.
As for the Voge Theater, anyone interested should be sure and check the posts above; my post from 12/28 includes a Hammond Times/Voge ad from January, 1958. |
06-15-2010
( Reply#: 5730 ) |
Jay |
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Plummer
Jay, The Vogue used to always run Monster films that nobody else in the Region ran.
Thanks for that reminder. I was a big fan of monster movies back when I was a kid. I watched them every saturday evening on television (channel 7's Shock Theater and channel 5's late night movie) |
06-15-2010
( Reply#: 5731 ) |
Jay |
HassoBenSoba, you seem to be a bigger fan that I am concerning the Three Stooges. Have you been fortunate enough to ever meet them in person when they crossed the country promoting their full length movies?
|
06-15-2010
( Reply#: 5733 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
quote:
Originally posted by Jay
HassoBenSoba, you seem to be a bigger fan that I am concerning the Three Stooges. Have you been fortunate enough to ever meet them in person when they crossed the country promoting their full length movies?
Jay--- No, I never had an opportunity to meet any of the stooges in person. The closest I came was spending an afternoon with Larry Fine's brother Morris (Moe). In May of '76 I was driving home from the D.C. area where I had worked, and I passed through Philadelphia to visit a friend who was a big stooge fan; this guy happened to know Moe Fine, so the three of us got together for lunch. In September of '88 I had lunch (with the same friend who was now living in Hollywood) with Edward Bernds, who directed a couple of Curly's last films and a bunch of Shemp's best (from 1945-52).
I have photos of both of these meetings; maybe we should have a Stooges thread here on Sheptalk.
|
06-17-2010
( Reply#: 5744 ) |
Jay |
quote:
Originally posted by HassoBenSoba
quote:
Originally posted by Jay
HassoBenSoba, you seem to be a bigger fan that I am concerning the Three Stooges. Have you been fortunate enough to ever meet them in person when they crossed the country promoting their full length movies?
Jay--- No, I never had an opportunity to meet any of the stooges in person. The closest I came was spending an afternoon with Larry Fine's brother Morris (Moe). In May of '76 I was driving home from the D.C. area where I had worked, and I passed through Philadelphia to visit a friend who was a big stooge fan; this guy happened to know Moe Fine, so the three of us got together for lunch. In September of '88 I had lunch (with the same friend who was now living in Hollywood) with Edward Bernds, who directed a couple of Curly's last films and a bunch of Shemp's best (from 1945-52).
I have photos of both of these meetings; maybe we should have a Stooges thread here on Sheptalk.
I would have loved to have been present at those two dinners. I can only imagine some of the stories and experiences they provided.
I like your suggestion about a Three Stooges thread. However, I'm not sure if it will be interesting to other members here. How about a general entertainer's thread, or something similar, where more members can post about all entertainers, not just the Three Stooges?
Since you are more active than I am, and seem to be involved in entertainment, why not start one? Then you or I can move (or copy) other Three Stooges postings to that thread, and I will post photos of my 1961 meeting with the Three Stooges. |
06-17-2010
( Reply#: 5745 ) |
Jim Plummer |
I think the Stooges deserve a forum with their own name. Sooner of later it will grow to include other stars of our liking. |
06-18-2010
( Reply#: 5751 ) |
cartoonguy |
I worked at the Paramount Theatre in 1978, and Three Stooges shorts were very popular as part of the midnight shows, but it had to be ones featuring Curly, sometimes Shemps, depending on the crowd, but the Besser ones usually were greeted by loud boos from the audience. |
06-21-2010
( Reply#: 5753 ) |
Jay |
quote:
Originally posted by cartoonguy
I worked at the Paramount Theatre in 1978, and Three Stooges shorts were very popular as part of the midnight shows, but it had to be ones featuring Curly, sometimes Shemps, depending on the crowd, but the Besser ones usually were greeted by loud boos from the audience.
I agree with the audience up to a point. Although I never cared for Joe Besser and his successor, Curly Joe DeRita, I would never boo them. When I saw Moe, Larry and Curly Joe perform live on a stage, the audience was polite and applauded. |
06-21-2010
( Reply#: 5754 ) |
cartoonguy |
One has to consider that most of the audience members, who attended midnight shows, were in the same condition they'd be at a rock concert. |
06-26-2010
( Reply#: 5765 ) |
Jim Plummer |
Hey cartoon Guy, who was the manager when you worked there? |
06-26-2010
( Reply#: 5768 ) |
cartoonguy |
Hmmm…Boy Jim that's a tough one, we are going back over thirty years ago, while I can’t remember her name, Sharon, or maybe Cheryl (?), I do recall her boy friend, a Mr. Pitmen, who also worked as a manager, he was real jerk! At the time Paramount was owned by the Plitt Theatre chain, which also owned the River Theatres |
06-26-2010
( Reply#: 5769 ) |
cartoonguy |
Whoops...I meant the River Oaks Theatres. |
06-27-2010
( Reply#: 5771 ) |
Jim Plummer |
Don't feel bad about that; as a projectionist, I can't remember most of the managers I worked with. Almost half of them were jerks but the good ones were good people. |
06-27-2010
( Reply#: 5773 ) |
cartoonguy |
While I have great fondness and memories for both Paramount and Parthenon, I even had my pick between both theatres to work at, I chose the Paramount, for some reason that was my favorite, and boy do I really miss that place. |
06-28-2010
( Reply#: 5778 ) |
Jim Plummer |
I always liked the Paramont better. I think over all they had films more to my liking. When I had my paper routes, if you paid your bill in full prior to noon on Saturday you got a free pass to the Parthenon. As a result I always had a pile of free passes. |
07-08-2010
( Reply#: 5819 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
Here's another striking ad from the Hammond Times, when the print ads from the movies were often more exciting than the films themselves! This one is from the week of August 23-29th, 1957.
My brother Mike and I were the "Dinosaur kids" in Hammond during that time, and we were thrilled to see the release of "The Beast of Hollow Mountain" during that fabulous summer. It was an off-beat film about an Allosaurus that happened to be roaming around the Mexican plains, terrorizing the local cattle ranchers. It starred Guy Madison (of Disney TV's "Zorro" fame). It took FOREVER for the damn'
dinosaur to appear in the film, and when he did, the animation was really crude. But who cared back then?? In the end, Guy lured the creature to its death by swinging on a rope over a huge pit of quicksand; when the dino tried to catch him, it sank into the goop.
I also remember seeing Disney's "Bambi" sometime in my deep, dark childhood past. Until I found this ad in the Hammond Library's microfilms, I NEVER would have remembered that both of these films played on the SAME double-bill! A charming combination, don't you think?
[IMG]http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af12/HassoBenSoba/BeastBambi0001.jpg[/IMG] |
07-08-2010
( Reply#: 5820 ) |
Tom J |
Cool, Larry! Thanks for sharing.
I sure didn't know that Bambi went back as far as 1957!
Tom |
07-08-2010
( Reply#: 5822 ) |
Jim Plummer |
Guy Madison was Wild Bill Hickok. Zorro was Guy Williams. I still enjoyed the ad. Thanks. |
07-08-2010
( Reply#: 5823 ) |
Jim Plummer |
Bambi was issued first in the early 40's.
I miss double features at the movies. |
07-08-2010
( Reply#: 5827 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
Jim--
Thanks for the correction; I have always mixed up those two "Guys".
I should have known, since I recently watched a You-Tube video that showed Guy Williams' screen test for his role as the dad in TV's "Lost in Space".
Yes..Bambi was originally released in 1942. Disney would then rotate its popular animated features by releasing them every seven years to theaters (but only one of them per summer). A year earlier, in 1956, it was "Pinocchio" and in '58, "Snow White" was the big annual release--- so if you remember seeing these 3 films in da'Region during the late '50's, it would have been during those 3 summers.
|
07-08-2010
( Reply#: 5828 ) |
BobK |
It must have been 1949 when my parents took me at age 7 to see Bambi. I think it took all of my effort not to cry.
Bob
[img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img] |
07-09-2010
( Reply#: 5830 ) |
Jim Plummer |
Hbs,
I remember seeing Bambi at the Ace and being totally destroyed when mom got it. A week later my father wanted to take me hunting with him. I wouldn't go. Did the Y&W have the same co-feature with Bambi? I seem to remember that there was some variation in double bills way back. I saw Peter Pan at the Paramont in 1952 and the Co-feature was Alaskan Seas with Robert Ryan and Gene Barry. I remember that we arrived in the early part of Alaskan Seas and then stayed over to see the start of it after Peter Pan played. I guess we got held up by a train which made us late. |
07-10-2010
( Reply#: 5838 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
Jim--
It must have been later than '52; I'm always interested in trying to establish dates, time-lines, etc...so at the risk of being picky, I checked the release dates. P. Pan released in Feb, 1953, Alaska Seas in Jan '54.....so it must have been '54 when you saw the double-bill. I noticed that actor Ross Bagdasarian was listed in the cast of Alaska Seas; this was a few years before he changed his name to "David Seville" and started messing around with those silly Chipmunks.
Larry r |
07-10-2010
( Reply#: 5840 ) |
Jim Plummer |
Larry assuming your right and IMDB agrees with you, could the Paramont have gotten an early release of this Paramont film? I know that Pan was first run for Hammond because I had the map of Neverland on my wall that came from Palmalive soap and the comic book. We had just read the story in the Disney sunday comic strip that appeared in the Chicago American paper. If you remember features played in the Loop first before they played Hammond. I don't remember snow on the ground. I also have no idea what the RKO release pattern might have been for Disney films in '53. Maybe my memmory is incorrect. I wish I owned a copy of the Hammond Times on micro-film for 1953. |
07-10-2010
( Reply#: 5841 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
Jim--
Here we are, two guys who remember being at the same theater on the same day to see "War of the Worlds" in 1959...trying to pinpoint another specific date; it's crazy (but fun). My afternoons scrolling though the Hammond Times microfilms have been a real mixed bag; sometimes, my memories from 50 years ago are exactly as I remember...other times, I'm off by quite a bit. (The Peter Pan date comes from Leonard Maltin's book on Disney's films, and Alaskan Seas was from IMDB).
Here's a few examples of my memory playing tricks on me.
1.) I distinctly remember that "The Guns of Navarone" played at the Paramount in early (Feb-March?) 1961...but the microfilms show that it didn't play until late October. 2.) I distinctly remember seeing Irwin Allen's "Animal World" (w/the Harryhausen dinosuar opening sequence) on a double-bill with the 1935 Clark Gable "Mutiny on the Bounty"; NO WAY says the Times' microfilms--not even close. 3.)--and maybe you can help with this one..... I first saw "The Wizard of OZ" at the Paramount (in fact, we went back to see it a second time during the run). The film had its big re-release by MGM in 1956, which makes perfect sense in terms of the time-line. But I went through EVERY single week of the Times' microfilms for the years 1955-56 and 57 and couldn't find it anywhere, at ANY theater. Totally baffling.
If I ever get back to spend more time at the library, I'll try to locate P.Pan and Alaska Seas.
Larry |
07-11-2010
( Reply#: 5842 ) |
Jim Plummer |
Larry, I thought I saw Guns Of Navarone at the Parthenon since most Columbia films played there. I saw Wizard for the first time at the Ace. You want to remember that the studios re-released all their big films one last time before selling them to television and so as kids we got to play 'catch-up' on seeing old films in theaters. You also should remember that films were not released at the same time throughout the country. 'Them' played in Rock Island, Ill. about a month before it played in Chicago and then it came to Hammond. We were visiting relatives in Rock Island at the time and the gimick with 'Them' was they didn't tell you what the monsters were until you saw the picture. My mother wouldn't take us so we had to wait til it played the Ace. That was a long wait for a kid!! Some films opened in the west,some in the east and some in the midwest. That way the studios didn't need to make as many prints and they could adjust the publicity if it wasn't working. |
07-11-2010
( Reply#: 5843 ) |
Jim Plummer |
Larry, the trick would be to find out when the studios sold off their pre-48 films to tv and then back up a year or so. I saw Animal World at the Ace on a friday night but I don't recall the co-feature.
How about Snow White at the Ace on a sunday co-featured with the first three chapters of the Captain Video serial!! 1952? |
07-11-2010
( Reply#: 5844 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
Since this thread is supposed to be something of a picture Gallery (and since I don't want to bore anyone with with my movie-going esoterica with dates, etc)..... HERE'S TWO MORE fabulous ads from the Hammond Times upon which to feast your eyes; what a thrill it used to be to open the paper every Friday afternoon and see this stuff!
The first is from Feb 10, 1956, the second from sometime in '55.
[IMG]http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af12/HassoBenSoba/Tarantula0001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af12/HassoBenSoba/Movies550001.jpg[/IMG] |
07-12-2010
( Reply#: 5850 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
Jim--
Notice in the Time's movie ad above--- lower right corner, just under the ad for "Pirates of Tripoli" --- it's time for "Peter Pan" again
(in 1955).
Larry |
07-12-2010
( Reply#: 5851 ) |
Jim Plummer |
Larry that was the first thing I noticed as a matter of fact was Peter Pan. Any reason you never show the Ace in your ads. I think its interesting that the theaters didn't always run the same schedule. The drive-ins and downtown started fridays for one week, but the smaller theaters mid-week starts were not the same. Did you ever pay attention to which studio pictures played the Parthenon and which played the Paramont? How extensive is your ad collection? I have a feeling its pretty good sized.
Any idea on the Ace co-feature for Tarantula?
Jim |
07-12-2010
( Reply#: 5860 ) |
cartoonguy |
Boy, I would have definitely been at the Parthenon for “Tarantula” and the Lans for “Bad Day at Black Rock”, but not a big fan of Martin and Lewis. |
07-14-2010
( Reply#: 5867 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Plummer
Larry that was the first thing I noticed as a matter of fact was Peter Pan. Any reason you never show the Ace in your ads. I think its interesting that the theaters didn't always run the same schedule. The drive-ins and downtown started fridays for one week, but the smaller theaters mid-week starts were not the same. Did you ever pay attention to which studio pictures played the Parthenon and which played the Paramont? How extensive is your ad collection? I have a feeling its pretty good sized.
Any idea on the Ace co-feature for Tarantula?
Jim
Jim-
I really don't have a big collection of these ads--maybe 25 of them. I copied the ones that had special significance for me during the "golden" years of my childhood--when we lived in Woodmar and always went to downtown Hammond and never to the Ace. Occasionally I'd xerox an ad that just looked cool--like the 2 most recent ones that I posted--- but the xerox lens on the library's microfilm machine is limited in its size, and you can only capture the center portion of the movie page...which never seems to include the Ace ads.
From '59 on we started going to the Town in Highland; only in late '61 did we go to the Ace; we had the s____ scared out of us (I think it would have been Wed,November 2nd, '61) watching the Vincent Price "Pit and the Pendulum" and it's co-feature "The Young Doctors", a hospital soap-opera-type film with Frederic March and Dick Clark. I never thought I would have enjoyed such a "straight" film back then, but it really helped me to get over the shock of the coffin-opening scene in the "Pit". (Incidentally, another film that I could NOT locate anywhere in the old ads was the Disney 1961 "Babes in Toyland", which we saw at the Paramount; I checked through every week's movie ads from October thru January of '62 and could not find it).
IN early '62, we went to the Ace to see "The Comancheros" and "Mysterious Island"; then, on March 4, '62, our family moved to Hessville--- so from that point on, the ACE became our second home, especially on weekends. But I still don't have any of their ads.
Larry |
07-20-2010
( Reply#: 5889 ) |
Jim Plummer |
Larry, When I did it I was able to get about half the page and found I could overlap two print outs. The Ace ad was small and only listed the two feature playing, I think it was usually at the top of the page or bottom. Babes In Toyland played the Ace as a single not part of a double feature as was usual. It may have played for a full week instead of half a week. Don't feel bad, I could never find the Ace ad for Away All Boats (56). I wanted the name of the western co-feature with David Brian. I have since gotten a copy off the western channel. We had to leave early and so I never saw the middle of the feature due to arriving in the middle of Away. |
07-24-2010
( Reply#: 5905 ) |
Highway66 |
I just discovered this great forum! I now live in Alabama but I grew up in Highland and I lived in Hammond for a couple of years when I married.
I know this forum is mainly related to Shep and Hammond but I would love see a picture of the old Ridge Road Drive-In that was located at the corner of Ridge Road and Cline Ave. in Griffith. I have many fond memories of going there in the '60's but I can't seem to find anyone with a picture of the old drive-in. |
07-24-2010
( Reply#: 5909 ) |
Roger D |
Good morning Highway66, welcome aboard. Somewhere in these pages there should be pics of Ridge Road Drive-in. If not here maybe Plant Hammond on facebook.
Okay you "Shep talkers" bring on the pics!! |
07-24-2010
( Reply#: 5911 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by Highway66
I just discovered this great forum! I now live in Alabama but I grew up in Highland and I lived in Hammond for a couple of years when I married.
I know this forum is mainly related to Shep and Hammond but I would love see a picture of the old Ridge Road Drive-In that was located at the corner of Ridge Road and Cline Ave. in Griffith. I have many fond memories of going there in the '60's but I can't seem to find anyone with a picture of the old drive-in.
Welcome, Kerry!
Please don't feel that posts are limited strictly to Hammond subject matter.
Most of us who lived in Hammond would occasionally find ourselves in Highland, East Chicago, Whiting, or other places in "The Region." Many of us have memories from Chicago, and those are fair game for posting, too.
This forum is about memories of growing up in Hammond, and many of those memories are from our trips outside the city limits of Hammond. Feel free to post away about Highland.
Tom |
07-25-2010
( Reply#: 5913 ) |
Jim Plummer |
"66" As much as I loved that drive-in, I never took any photos of it except one July 4th I photographed the fireworks display. Let's hope someone has a photo of the place, Anybody know if the twin walk-in that replaced the drive-in is still there? |
08-05-2010
( Reply#: 5977 ) |
Jim Z |
I found this website for Y and W open air theaters in Merrilville that has some nice pix: http://www.lostindiana.net/Lost_Indiana/Lost_Indiana__Y_%26_W_Drive_In.html
Jim Zacny |
08-06-2010
( Reply#: 5979 ) |
Jim Plummer |
We used to drive over there when they had a better double bill then the '41' or the Ridge Road did. They tended to get the big pictures-Longest Day-Brothers Grimm etc. with a co-feature! Of course they were a single screen back then. |
08-07-2010
( Reply#: 5994 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Z
I found this website for Y and W open air theaters in Merrilville that has some nice pix: http://www.lostindiana.net/Lost_Indiana/Lost_Indiana__Y_%26_W_Drive_In.html
Jim Zacny
Thanks, Jim! Cool site!
By the way, did you guys hear about the two blondes that were found frozen to death in their car at a drive-in theater in Minnesota this past January? They had gone to see "Closed for Winter." [:D] |
08-30-2010
( Reply#: 6049 ) |
HassoBenSoba |
Here's another great movie ad that I had to post now, since it ran in the Hammond Times on Friday, August 30th, 1957---exactly 53 years ago today.
My brother Mike and I were both electrified when we would see the commercials for Ray Harryhausen's "20 Million Miles to Earth" on TV during that legendary summer, usually while watching the Mickey Mouse Club. The shots of the animated creature breaking through a brick wall really stand out in my memory; we couldn't tell if it was some sort of gorilla or what....but it was freaky and thrilling at the same time. We must have missed this ad when it ran in the Times, because we never went to see the film (we had seen "Beast of Hollow Mountain [see above ad] the week before; maybe our parents decided that enough of this stuff was enough).
LR
[IMG]http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af12/HassoBenSoba/20MillionMiles0001.jpg[/IMG] |
