2012 Schedule of Events
Seminars, panels and presentations preserve and encourage our pop culture heritage. Most of these events are slide show presentations and we encourage you to sit in on a few of these and learn something new… about something old.
THIS WEB-PAGE IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. MORE PRESENTATIONS TO BE ANNOUNCED.
WEDNESDAY
8:00 p.m. SPECIAL DOCUMENTARY TO BE ANNOUNCED
THURSDAY
9:00 a.m. TO BE ANNOUNCED
10:30 a.m. MONDO VAUDEVILLE: THE WEIRDEST, LOONIEST AND STRANGEST ACTS EVER TO APPEAR ON STAGE, TV AND FILM
Rob Farr of Slapsticon will be hosting this event, featuring a wide variety of film clips proving vaudeville offered more than striptease and barbershop quartets!
More details to follow.
Gypsy Rose Lee biography
12 noon THE LIFE OF GYPSY ROSE LEE
“Men aren’t attracted to me by my mind. They’re attracted by what I don’t mind.”
— Gypsy Rose Lee
Whenever stripper Gypsy Rose Lee encountered public criticism, she spoke frankly in her own defense. “Thousands have seen me at my–ah–best; and thousands have made no objections.” Biographer of Gypsy Rose Lee, Noralee Frankel, discusses the fabulous Gypsy Rose’s Lee life and career by discussing photographs of her as a strip tease artist, Broadway and movie star, author, activist, and talk show host.
Trivia: The older sister of actress June Havoc, Gypsy Rose started dancing and stripping at burlesque houses at the age of 15 with the assistance of fellow dancer “Tessie The Tassel Twirler.” Although she was a “stripper,” she never actually got undressed. The walls of her Los Angeles home were adorned with pictures by Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Max Ernst, and Dorothea Tanning, all of which were reportedly gifts to her by the artists themselves.She retired from burlesque eight years later to appear in films but documented her rise to fame and adventurous relationship with her mother in the autobiographical book, Gypsy. She had many pets, including cats, turtles, guinea pigs, and Chinese crested dogs. At one of her weddings, Gypsy had a chimpanzee as a ring bearer.
1:30 p.m. BORIS KARLOFF: FROM BROADWAY TO TELEVISION
Boris Karloff
Horror icon Boris Karloff, familiar to the mainstream populace as Frankenstein’s monster in the 1931 Universal Studios horror movie, Frankenstein, has been explored in depth by many writers, historians and scholars for his work on the silver screen. Much of his acting career, however, was spent on the stage and on television. Gordon Shriver, author of Boris Karloff: The Man Remembered, gives an overview of Karloff’s Broadway and regional theater appearances such as Peter Pan and Arsenic and Old Lace, as well as his wide-ranging work in television from the medium’s infancy. Among the highlights of the presentation are rare photos and first-hand, exclusive anecdotes from people who worked with Boris Karloff. For more information about Gord Shriver’s book, visit www.CoverOut.com.
Trivia: Marvel artists confessed that Boris Karloff was the original inspiration for the first illustrations of the Incredible Hulk. Among his admirers to this day are Jack Nicholson, who worked with him in the Roger Corman classic, The Terror (1963). After watching Karloff mark his lines in the script, Nicholson adopted the procedure himself. When told by a mutual friend that Bobby Pickett, who recorded the hit song “Monster Mash,” was a big fan of his, Karloff replied, “Tell him I enjoy his record very much.” Pickett considered that the greatest compliment he ever received, and Karloff eventually sang the song himself on a television special.
4:30 p.m. THE GOTHAM RADIO PLAYERS
The Gotham Radio Players
This year we welcome the talented troupe known as “The Gotham Radio Players.” A few of the Gothams attended MANC last year and agreed the Nostalgia Convention is a superb venue for them to perform a “lost” old-time radio broadcast from the 1930s and 1940s. And when we say the word “lost,” we are referring to a radio broadcast from the Golden Age of Radio that does not exist in recorded form and thanks to archival diggings, the original broadcast script will be dramatized! For more information about The Gotham Radio Players, click here.
The Time Tunnel
5:30 p.m. INTERVIEWS WITH ROBERT COLBERT AND JAMES DARREN
Live on stage, the stars of Irwin Allen’s The Time Tunnel will answer questions from the audience. If you ever had a question that’s been bothering you and just have to know the answer, our special guests will provide the answers. They will discuss not only their roles on Irwin Allen’s The Time Tunnel, but talk about their other accomplishments. You don’t want to miss this!
8:00 p.m. A HISTORY OF IRWIN ALLEN’S THE TIME TUNNEL
The Time Tunnel
With James Darren and Robert Colbert as our weekend guests, and the authorized book on The Time Tunnel premiering at the convention, it seems like a no-brainer that the author dedicate his time to educate us about one of the most popular time traveling television series. This hour-long slide show presentation will reveal how The Time Tunnel came about, various trivia about the series’ most popular episodes, the true facts behind why the series never went beyond the first season, bloopers on the screen (you’ll see where the microphones appear on camera!) and other factoids giving both the die-hard fans and the casual television watchers something to learn and enjoy! As a highlight of the presentation, exclusive never-before-seen behind-the-scenes photographs will be shown on the big screen!
The Brothers Rico (1957)
9:30 p.m. THE BROTHERS RICO (1957)
Author Gene Blottner will introduce the film noir classic, The Brothers Rico (1957). Upon conclusion of the film, weekend guest James Darren will join us to discuss and answer questions about the film. For more information about the movie, click here. Eddie Rico (Richard Conte), a “respectable” businessman and husband, receives a call in the middle of the night from his former mafia boss. Eddie’s deluded sense of loyalty allows him to agree to one last favor, pulling him back into the violence and terror of the mob and putting everything he loves in danger–including his wife and brother (James Darren). For those who crave film noir, this 1957 production is not a psychologic drama but a film noir in a proto Scorsese environment.
The staff at Variety magazine gave the film a positive review and lauded the acting in the drama, writing, “Phil Karlson forges hard action into unfoldment of film. Performances are first-class right down the line, Conte a standout as a man finally disillusioned after thinking of the syndicate leader who orders his brother’s execution as a close family friend. Both femmes have comparatively little to do, Dianne Crosby as Conte’s wife and Kathryn Grant as the brother’s, but make their work count. Larry Gates as gang chief scores smoothly and James Darren as younger brother handles character satisfactorily.” In 1972, a made-for-TV movie remade this story under a different title, The Family Rico, no doubt to cash in on the recent popularity of The Godfather, which premiered in theaters six months prior.
FRIDAY
Wagon Train TV series
9:00 a.m. TELEVISION PRODUCTION AND DOCUMENTATION
Gloria Grahame
10:30 a.m. GLORIA GRAHAME AND FILM NOIR
Author Gene Blottner, currently working on a book titled Columbia Pictures Film Noir, 1940-1959, will provide a view of Gloria Grahame’s talent in the numerous movies she did, from victim to femme fatale. All of her noir films will be covered from Crossfire (RKO, 1947) to Odds Against Tomorrow (United Artists, 1959) as well as her noir Western, Roughshod (RKO, 1949). Other memorable roles included the scheming Irene Nieves in Sudden Fear (1952), the femme fatale Vicki Buckley in Human Desire (1953), and mob moll Debby Marsh in Fritz Lang’s The Big Heat (1953), in which, in a horrifying off-screen scene, she is scarred by hot coffee thrown in her face by Lee Marvin’s character.
Trivia: By many reports, Grahame did not get along with Humphrey Bogart during the filming of In a Lonely Place (1950), as Bogart had campaigned for the part of Laurel Gray to be given to his wife Lauren Bacall, which was instead given to Grahame. “I don’t think I ever understood Hollywood,” she once remarked. But Hollywood understood her. Appearing as the Elephant Girl in Cecil B. DeMille’s The Greatest Show on Earth (1952), she was paid the high salary of $50,000. Not bad for a brief role that cinema fans often forget she did.
12 noon VINTAGE ANIMATION SHOWING
The first of our two annual animation screenings, hosted by animation historian/expert Thad Komorowski. Details to be announced.
old-time radio re-creation
1:30 p.m. OLD-TIME RADIO TRY-OUTS
Want to participate on stage in an old-time radio re-creation? Simply show up and grab a copy of the script and get ready! Don Ramlow will try out everyone in the room for various roles and the people who can mimic the voices that fit the characters will get the chance to perform on stage! You could be playing the role of an American Indian, a mad scientist or a romantic lead! Rehearsals follow immediately after voice selection. If you didn’t get a chance to play a role last year, be prepared because Don always offers a variety of scripts so the roles are different this year than last! (See 3:00 below)
3:00 p.m. OLD-TIME RADIO RECREATION
Don Ramlow will direct an old-time radio show from the 1930s and 1940s. Attendees selected from the 1:30 try-outs will perform for an audience. Even if you didn’t want to try out for a role, come watch a thrilling 30-minute radio drama complete with radio microphones, scripts, sound effects and live music! In the past we’ve offered The Adventures of Sam Spade, The Green Hornet, The Lone Ranger, The Mysterious Traveler… who knows what Don will bring to the table this year?
Let's help the kids!
4:00 p.m. CHARITY AUCTION TO BENEFIT THE
ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
If you have something to donate, bring it to the convention! If you want to check out the items up for bid, we’ll have some treasures ready for you to go home with! We’ll post photos of some of the really special items later this year.
For more info, click here.
Jay North and Jeanne Russell
5:30 p.m. INTERVIEW WITH THE WEEKEND CELEBRITIES
Child actors Jay North, Jeanne Russell and Tammy Locke will discuss their roles on television programs such as The Donna Reed Show, Dennis the Menace and The Monroes. They’ll also talk about their movie roles and what it was like to work with Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, Lucille Ball and many others!
Drive In Movie
SUNSET DRIVE-IN MOVIE THEATER
A vintage cartoon,
A couple movie trailers,
and a classic drive-in movie!
The big screen will be set up outside the hotel
parking lot and make sure to bring your lawn chairs!
MOVIE TO BE ANNOUNCED!
SATURDAY
9:00 a.m. MAVERICK: THE TELEVISION SERIES
Maverick TV Series
In the days when dozens of staunch TV heroes were chasing lawbreakers in every corner of the Old West, Maverick blazed the way across television screens with humor… and strayed away from the traditional western mold. James Garner played the role of Bret Maverick, Jack Kelly as his brother Bart, professional poker players who were not really heroes in the usual sense. They would just as soon slip quietly out of town as face a gunman in an impending showdown. They were honest poker players, but loved to spot a card sharp and nothing was more amusing than a cheater being cheated through the Maverick brothers’ superb methods of conning the criminals. Roger Moore, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Richard Long, Diane Brewster and our weekend guest Robert Colbert played recurring characters. Much has been written about this television series but few have the facts correct (No doubt some authors simply consulted other books and carried the mistakes over into their writings.) With the first season of Maverick being released to DVD this year, and a new book about the television series being published in December, it seems only fitting to present a recap of the series via slide show presentation. Thanks to contributions from Warner Bros. Studios and two researchers/historians, the entire account of the popular 1957-1962 television series will be documented through a fascinating slide show and we can assure you even the most casual Maverick viewer will enjoy this Saturday morning presentation!
Sergeant Preston
10:00 a.m. HERE COME THE MOUNTIES!!
Renfrew of the Mounted, Sergeant Preston of the Yukon and King of the Royal Mounted… you’re familiar with them. But just how accurate are the portrayals? The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are one of the best known law enforcement agencies in the world. They have also been part of the popular culture of North America in novels, movies, comic books, radio, and television. Some of the time they have been portrayed accurately, but often not so. Historian and author Jack French will discuss the historical facts about this organization and contrast them with their appearances in the all media and entertainment venues.
Thomas Ince book
11:00 a.m. A MYSTERY SOLVED AND A HOLLYWOOD PIONEER REDISCOVERED
Thomas Ince is a name found in every history of silent movies, but sadly has become best remembered not for his life, but his death after a visit to the yacht of William Randolph Hearst. Film historian Brian Taves has now authored the first biography of Ince, based on newly-released papers, the fan and trade press, and the surviving films. His book was recently voted “Book of the Month” by Turner Classic Movies and we’re honored to have Brian at the convention this year, offering his take on the life and career of Thomas Ince. Ince’s real achievements as producer of 800 films are explored, and several excerpts will be shown.
12 noon ANNUAL VINTAGE CARTOON SHOWING
Details to be announced
Harry Langdon photo
1:30 p.m. LITTLE ELF: A CELEBRATION OF HARRY LANGDON
Authors Chuck Harter and Michael J. Hayde have a new book of the same title coming out. It will premiere at the Nostalgia Convention. They will present a look back at Langdon’s career including stage, radio and more! (More details to be announced.)
3:00 p.m. RESTORATION OF VINTAGE MOTION-PICTURES
More details to be announced.
dinner banquet
6:30 p.m. SATURDAY EVENING BUFFET DINNER BANQUET
A complete sell-out for the past two years, the dinner includes live stage performances, awards and live stage acts! We recommend you buy your tickets in advance because this year we might not guarantee tickets available at the door.
For more info, click here.
THIS WEB-PAGE IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. MORE PRESENTATIONS TO BE ANNOUNCED.
All presentations are subject to change.
