Silver Screen Classics & Nostalgia

🛣️ Road Trip: 20th Century Theater

I have a deep appreciation for vintage movie theaters and murals. Growing up in the 1970s and 80s, my local cinema was The Loews Paradise in The Bronx, NYC. This enchanting venue created the ambiance of an outdoor villa courtyard beneath a starlit sky. I cherished the starry ceiling while enjoying some of my favorite films from that era. Now residing in Ohio, I often discover similar classic theaters that occasionally and not often enough screen timeless films. While trying to burn off some of the delightful ice cream from Aglamesis Bro's in Cincinnati, I stumbled upon a massive classic film mural just a block away. Is that Rosemary Clooney? Indeed it is! To my astonishment, the mural was situated above a theater marquee. The theater? The 20th Century Theater.

The 20th Century Theater stands as a charming historic landmark in Cincinnati, Ohio, designed by Fred W. Stritzel and inaugurated in 1941 as an opulent movie house. The inaugural film was Blood and Sand, featuring Rita Hayworth and Tyrone Power. Today, it serves as a versatile venue for a range of events, catering, and concerts. In 1993, it earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.


Photos Courtesy of www.the20thcenturytheater.com

As I approached, I admired the stunning Neoclassical Moderne architecture. Getting closer, I spotted a mural of Sophia Loren right next to the marquee.

Turning to the left, I found an even more exciting mural in the parking lot, featuring iconic figures like Humphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Sidney Poitier, James Dean, and John Wayne.

If you venture around back, there's another mural of Sylvester Stallone and Harrison Ford, plus a tribute to film critics Siskel and Ebert.

During my brief visit, I admired the theater's exterior and caught a glimpse of the lobby through a closed door, which displayed vintage movie posters.

I felt grateful to discover such a beautifully preserved treasure.

As I strolled away, I pondered the mural and why a local Cincinnati figure wasn't represented. But as the legendary Doris Day once sang, Que Sera, Que Sera! I might need more ice cream! 😄

Aglamesis Bro's

🌟Classic Off-Screen Quotes: Olivia de Havilland

"Well yes, there were problems for the studios. I had created one of them. I am the de Havilland of the legal de Havilland decision, which actually changed the course of the motion picture industry, certainly as regarding ownership of star contracts. You know, in the film industry at that time back in the studio system you just wanted to be honest with your work and do a piece of work that you could feel proud of so that you felt you deserved the money that you earned. And you wanted to be treated with respect. Some stars were fine with the fame and the money of course but some of us fought things. Like Bette Davis and Jimmy Cagney and of course me. I am the one who finally took it all on. Bette Davis Went to London in the mid-1930s and tried to sue Warners over this issue"-- Olivia de Havilland

🎥Review: Reform School Girl (1957)

Thrill Crazy! Speed crazy! Mad at the World Crazy! Changing a nice kid into a reform school girl!

Released as part of a double feature alongside Shake, Rattle and Rock, Reform School Girl (1957) follows the story of Donna Price (Gloria Castillo), recognized for her roles in The Night of the Hunter (1955) and Invasion of the Saucer Men (1957). Living with her aunt and uncle, Donna faces hostility from her aunt, who harbors a deep disdain for her, while her step-uncle leers at her inappropriately.


Gloria Castillo & Edward Byrnes

Just as she is about to head out on a double date with Vince (Edward Byrnes), who is making his first credited appearance, her step-uncle launches a violent attack. A struggle ensues, prompting the kids to escape in a car, only to discover it is stolen. As tensions rise, Vince forcefully ejects Josie Brigg (Luana Anders) and Castillo's date from the vehicle, turning his attention to Donna, who is desperate to avoid returning home. When she expresses concern about the other couple potentially alerting the police, Vince chillingly assures her that he would kill anyone who betrayed him. It soon becomes clear that he is volatile and dangerous. The situation escalates when the police attempt to pull Vince over for speeding, leading to a high-speed chase during which he tragically runs over and kills a man.

He abandons the scene, leaving Donna isolated in the vehicle. Terrified for her safety, she declines to name Vince as the driver. Labeled a juvenile delinquent, Donna is dispatched to Hastings School for Girls.

Donna is in a history class at school taught by David Lindsay (Ross Ford), who also happens to be the school's psychologist. Even though Donna hasn't spilled her secret to David, he has a hunch that she's a decent person who just got tangled up in some tough situations. He thinks with his support, she can turn things around and get her life back on track.

However, chaos soon ensues there as well. Vince is determined to ensure that Donna remains silent, fearing she might reveal the truth to the authorities. To manipulate the situation, he creates the illusion that she is a police informant, sparking conflicts among the girls, including Yvette Vickers, Anders, and Sally Kellerman in her debut film.

Distrustful of the outside world, especially men who seek her for their desires, Donna finds solace in a friendship with a kind-hearted boy, Jackie Dodd (Ralph Reed), from beyond the fence. Will she place her trust in him? Can she believe in a life beyond the confines? Will she endure the harassment from her peers? And will Vince face justice? Just watch!

I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. And who doesn't love the poster? Normally, these types of films are campy and cheesy (which I love anyway) but this one I really enjoyed. The script was well done, the pacing was good, and the characters were either likable or despicable. The action kept me engaged, and I appreciated the glimpses into the psychology of the girls. It's a raw and intense social drama that doesn't shy away from the darker side of human nature. Themes of betrayal, abuse, ego-centrism, blackmail, jealousy, and juvenile violence are explored. Despite most of the cast being young up-and-coming actresses, the acting was surprisingly strong. On my B-Movie-o meter, it scores a strong B+.

Edward Byrnes & Ralph Reed

Directed by Edward Bernds and produced by Samuel Z. Arkoff, this film, Reform School Girl, is a prime example of the provocative sexploitation films released by American International Pictures in the 1950s and 1960s. As part of AIP's focus on juvenile delinquency, the film showcases the dichotomy of young girls being portrayed as either "good" or "bad." These "bad" girls are depicted as rebellious criminals or gang members, setting the stage for a gripping melodrama that is a precursor to the women in prison genre.

Ever since its release in 1957, the movie poster showcasing blond-haired Vickers and dark-haired Castillo has turned into a cherished item among collectors.

🧟‍♂️Happy National Frankenstein Day! A Pictorial

Today we recognize author Mary Shelly, the novel Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus, and her characters, Dr. Frankenstein and the monster. Dating back to the 1800s, Frankenstein's monster is one of the best-known horror characters ever.

Over 60 movies or shorts have been made in the film industry on the topic of Frankenstein. The initial film adaptation, Frankenstein, was produced by Edison Studios in 1910.

The novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (1797-1851) is about a young scientist named Victor Frankenstein. When she first published Frankenstein in 1818, she did so anonymously and the first 500 copies were quickly bought up. Interestingly, many people thought her husband, Percy Shelley, wrote the book. It wasn't until 1823 that Mary Shelley didn't release a new edition under her name. In 1831, another edition came out with Shelley's explanation of how the story came to be. This is the version that most people today are familiar with.

Here are just a few of the many movie versions of Frankenstein!