Recap – 2010 Convention
The 2010 Convention was a smash!
Largest crowd ever!
We broke attendance records!
HIGHLIGHTS
Attendees were treated to a rare screening of HOUSE OF WAX (1953) with Vincent Price in 3D format. Glasses were provided and you can only imagine how the paddle ball sequence rocked!
Hollywood legend Marsha Hunt attended a screening of THUNDER TRAIL (1937) with Francis M. Nevins, author and scholar, and she offered informative commentary about her scenes after the movie concluded.
On stage, Mark Goddard (LOST IN SPACE, JOHNNY RINGO) and Will Hutchins (SUGARFOOT) discussed what it was like to be cowboys on television during the 1950s and early 1960s, with moderator and author Joel Blumberg, host of Silver Screen Audio.
Radio host Neal Ellis and co-hosts Chris Holm, Leah Biel and Prof. Mike Biel gave people around the world an opportunity to attend the convention through internet radio. The entire weekend was broadcast live from the convention over “Radio Once More.” Some of the seminars and panels on stage were broadcast live for the benefit of those who lived too far away to attend. Listeners from Hawaii, Canada and Finland called in to ask questions!
Don Ramlow and his wife Mary Ramlow directed two superb old-time radio dramas on stage complete with microphones, scripts and sound effects. A “lost” episode of THE MYSTERIOUS TRAVELER and a “lost” 1934 LONE RANGER broadcast that revealed a different side of the Masked Man we never knew… involving romance, vengeance and cold-blooded murder.
Roy Thinnes (THE INVADERS) made his autographing debut for fans who remembered his performances on THE PSYCHIATRIST, THE NEW DARK SHADOWS, THE X FILES and of course, THE INVADERS. Mr. Thinnes has a sharp wit and great personality and fans were even treated to some of the art work he brought with him.
Dawn Wells (Mary Ann on GILLIGAN’S ISLAND) took time to answer questions for fans and sign autographs. She was a joy to talk to. And everyone loved the tee shirt she sold with the ballot box. (Had to be there to see it.)
Ed Nelson (PEYTON PLACE) discussed the television series and his film and television career with author Jim Rosin. The stage lit up as Mr. Nelson revealed what it was like to work with Roger Corman, be a cast member on PEYTON PLACE and the numerous television series he appeared in. Nelson told behind-the-scenes stories and the room filled with laughter and applause.
Leah Biel introduced “FOR THE RECORD,” an original and highly-praised documentary about record collectors and collecting. Also screened was Alex Flaster’s documentary on Moe Berg, the famed baseball player who served the U.S. Government during World War II in a capacity that surprised many baseball enthusiasts.
The Drive-In Movie outside the hotel parking lot consisted of THE BRAIN EATERS (1958), a classic science fiction film rarely seen on television and never before released on DVD.
Seminars included “The History of THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.,” rare Buster Keaton film shorts (hosted by Rob Farr of Slapsticon), “The History of Astounding Science Fiction Magazine,” the pulp art of H.J. Ward, the screen career of Harry Langdon (hosted by Anne Dawson), “The History of The Green Hornet on Radio and Television,” and many more!
The Three Stooges attended the convention and added mayhem to the already busy and exciting atmosphere. They also performed on stage during the Saturday evening dinner banquet. And yes, pies were thrown about the place and into faces!
The movie room screened such rarities as the 1956 Bob Hope Christmas Special with Mickey Mantle, the TruColor print of SPRINGTIME IN THE SIERRAS with Roy Rogers (not available in TruColor format anywhere at that time), the uncut preview print of PARDON US (1931) with Laurel and Hardy, unaired TV pilots with Dale Robertson and Roy Thinnes and much more!
Geri Reischl from THE BRADY BUNCH HOUR signed autographs for fans and answered their questions. Fran Striker Jr. discussed how his father created THE LONE RANGER and THE GREEN HORNET.
FEEDBACK FROM ATTENDEES:
I wanted to take an opportunity to thank you for all your hard work on the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention. It was a highlight of the year for me, a new attendee. I am hopeful that I can attend next year’s convention. I’m sure it will be as good as this past year. — Jack Cleveland
I’ve attended the past two years and believe this is a special event. The MD location makes it a big attractive market that gets the stars away from the CA, NY area also having the large environment. The actors have all been wonderful! I look forward to next year! — Wade Whitney
I just wanted to write and thank you for inviting me to speak on VOX POP at the convention. I always enjoy talking about our resources. I had a great time and enjoyed seeing old friends. You put on a great show. I know alot of work must go into putting it all together, so congratulations on the success. — Mike Henry
Just wanted to thank you. We really enjoyed the convention (as always). Looking forward to next year!! — Sam DiBlasi
Thanks to you and Michelle for another wonderful convention! You had a great line-up of events and guests that we really enjoyed seeing. The atmosphere was friendly and fun. You are a whirl of energy and were always there to answer our questions or handle any issues that came up. Great job! We’re looking forward to next year! — Teresa and Bill Naugle
EXCELLENT SHOW!! — Steve Wrzesien
Once again a wonderful 3 days. My wife and I had such a great time. — David Frost
Kudos for a great show, a friendly show, and one that seems to satisfy all tastes, young and old. I certainly saw quite a few kids. I’m proud to have played a role in its success, however meagre. Thanks for inviting me. Here’s to next year… and beyond! — author Michael Hayde
It pleases me to see an event that isn’t commercial. The last two events I went to had celebrities charging fifty bucks for an autograph and an additional thirty as an entrance fee. I saw a manager for one celebrity raise the price in front of attendees when he discovered he could have been charging even more and getting it. My experience with your event was a relief. No greedy managers and celebs who think they are worth fifty bucks signing their name on a photo. My new resolution is avoid those other events from now on. You can be certain I will be returning every year you hold your event. — Charles McIlhany
My wife Debbie and I attended your convention for the first time this year. We were there from beginning to end and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Combining these widely diverse but related topics into a singular blow-out gathering is a wonderful idea and the results far exceeded any common definition of “nostalgia.” Rather it was a first-class, non-stop celebration of creativity in popular culture(yes, even the pie-throwing!). We’ll definitely be back next year and encouraging our friends to join us. — Robert Ellis
