On this day 77 years ago: THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN

On Wednesday, May 1st 1935, the Pittsburgh premiere of James Whale's sequel to FRANKENSTEIN was to take place at the Harris ALVIN theater. For some reason, the 35mm print didn't show up on time. The promotions people running the ALVIN decided to take this setback as an opportunity to place a supernatural aura around the event.

 

 It finally opened two days later, on May 3rd.

 

 THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN was a success in Pittsburgh, playing a 2 week run. The film then moved to the Ambridge Theater and then the Harris Family Theater, riding out the rest of the month.

And as a bonus...

Here's the original theatrical trailer (the end card says it's a Realart Re-release, but I'm nearly certain it's the original theatrical trailer with a replaced card at the end. (I could be mistaken...) 

February 22nd 1967: The Endless Summer

February 22nd 1967

In the harsh dead of a Pittsburgh winter, there was a ray of warm sunshine in 14 indoor and 5 drive-in area theaters. Bruce Brown's seminal surfing documentary THE ENDLESS SUMMER opened wide in Pittsburgh on February 22nd, 1967. It had previously opened on November 23rd, 1966 (Thanksgiving weekend) at the Manor and the Hollywood theaters in it's initial "first run". I can imagine there would have been nothing better in near freezing (or below freezing) temperatures than to take shelter in a warm theater and pretend to be surfing around the world for 90 minutes. I cannot, however, imagine what it would be like to be sitting in a car, watching it on an outdoor screen. Oh, what am I going on about? I'd have loved to have seen it that way, too! Above is the February 22nd, 1967 ad and below are the initial run ads.

November 23rd 1966

November 25th 1966

December 2nd 1966

December 9th 1966

If you've never seen this film, I urge you to see it as soon as you possibly can. Even sooner.

Other Shockedelic films that opened in Pittsburgh on this date include...

February 22nd 1977

February 22nd 1985

February 22nd 1967

January 28th 1970

Well, let's see what was going on, entertainment wise, in Pittsburgh the week of January 28th, 1970, shall we????

 

The big movie this week was THE REIVERS starring Steve McQueen.

Elia Kazan's THE ARRANGEMENT opened on that day at the Stanley.

The Forum / Encore played the Marlo Thomas / Alan Alda melodrama JENNY, a film that used Nilsson's "Waiting" as it's main theme.

This week saw the Shadyside playing special benefit performances of DOWNHILL RACER for the Guild For The Blind...

...while the Chatham played the Dustin Hoffman / Mia Farrow starrer, JOHN AND MARY.

101 DALMATIANS was making it's 7 year rounds in wide release.

At the drive in's, THE REIVERS dominated screens, trying to get that winter buck.

HELLO DOLLY played the Warner, while Squirrel Hill's engagement of PAINT YOUR WAGON was coming to a close.

EASY RIDER was in it's 4th month at the King's Court while the suburban theaters were saturated with THE REIVERS and 101 DALMATIANS. The Denis was one of six theaters playing Barbara Streisand's FUNNY GIRL.

The Gateway played the James Bond actioner ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE, the Fulton played GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS with Peter O'Toole and Pet Clark and the Fiesta played CACTUS FLOWER, which starred Walter Matthau and Goldie Hawn.

The Manor was playing the scandalous I, A WOMAN PART 2! (yes, I know I scanned the Warner and Squirrel Hill ads twice!)

The Guild was being daring and counter culture by playing PUTNEY SWOPE. Notice the censored ad, featuring the extra 'finger' that made the obscene gesture into a 'Peace Sign'..

The Dattola Theater in New Kensington was playing the super scandalous I AM CURIOUS (YELLOW).

In the adult 'Art' world, the Casino was playing FOUR ON THE FLOOR,

The Art Cinema played a double bill of THE ECSTASIES OF WOMEN and OFFICE LOVE IN,

and the Penthouse Adult Theatre Played HOT LIPS and an extra "all color girl show".

Finally, if you wanted to see a live show, Park Burlesk hosted "Miss 50 Inch" BUSTY RUSSELL for the entire week!

January 22nd, 1947!

What have we here? It's what was playing in Pittsburgh on Wednesday January 22nd, 1947!

Wallace Beery was playing at the Warner in "The Mighty McGurk", but if you waited a day, the Warner would play the horrific "The Beast With Five Fingers". I'm sure many women encountered that beast sitting next to them during that film's run.

The Stanley was playing "Notorious", while the Ritz was screening Irving Berlin's "Blue Skies" starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire.

At the Loew's Penn, the Hedy Lamarr starrer, "The Strange Woman" was holding court with some short subjects in tow.

You'd have to wait for Friday to see "Wake Up and Dream" at the Fulton. "My Darling Clementine" was still playing.

The Barry was the place to be to see two action hits! Roy Rogers' oater "Heldorado" was playing with co-feature "Don Ricardo Returns"!

The Nixon was playing "Born Yesterday", but that following Monday would see Tallulah Bankhead in "The Eagle Has Two Heads" for one week only!

The Harris was playing "The Razor's Edge", but in a couple of days "Magnificent Doll" would play starring Ginger Rodgers and David Niven!

Live shows were in full swing 65 years ago in the middle of a Pittsburgh winter. You could go dancing and hear the swingin'est sounds around!

Of course, Burlesque was always an option and the Casino was the place to see it!

January 1st 1968

So, how's about one for the later part of the 1960's? This is a collection of movie ads from the January 1st, 1968 Pittsburgh Post Gazette. This is a nice mix of family, adult and exploitation titles. I'd probably have spent a lot of dough going to the movies on that week. Here they are in no particular order...



















A nice incentive for getting you to see a movie on New Years Day was free parking in the city.


But if you didn't want to leave your car, the Drive Ins were in full swing that winter, too...



There were a couple of nice live events, too!