PARIS BLUES, etc.

Great ad for the Turnpike Drive-in showing a pair of triple-features for different weeks of November, 1961. PARIS BLUES (1961) was a drama based in the jazz world, featuring a Duke Ellington score; no DVD release. ROSEMARY was the Films Around the World release of the West German post-war critique Das Mädchen Rosemarie (1958); no DVD as of yet. THE TARNISHED ANGELS (1958) was a Douglas Sirk adaptation of a William Faulkner novel; no DVD. THE VIRGIN SPRING (Bergman's Jungfrukällan, 1960) was said to be the inspiration for THE LAST HOUSE IN THE LEFT. THE LAST PARADISE was the United Artists release of the Italian documentary L'Ultimo paradiso (1957), focused on the people of the South Pacific; it seems to have gotten an Italian VHS release, but that's it. VIRGIN ISLAND (1958) was a British comedy with John Cassavetes and Sidney Poitier; can't find evidence of an official release, but it's available as a grey market title.

THE WONDERFUL LAND OF OZ

Somehow Barry Mahon's 1969 musical atrocity THE WONDERFUL LAND OF OZ, distributed by Childhood Productions and in "Storybook Color," made it up to the Madison for a matinee showing in January of 1970.

THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT

The Streisand/Segal comedy THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT screened at the Hellman in January, 1971.

OUT OF IT, etc.

This nice pair of triple-features at the Tri-City screened in January of 1970. High school drama OUT OF IT (produced in 1967, release in 1969), from director Paul Williams (NUNZIO) featured Barry Gordon and Jon Voight; no official home release, but is available from bootleg sites. NUMBER ONE (1969) was a football drama with Charlton Heston and Bruce Dern; no video or DVD release on this one. IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (1967) was, of course, the Norman Jewison southern drama. DEFIANT DAUGHTERS was the Times Films release of the Swiss/West German adolescent drama Die Schatten werden länger (1961), from Hungarian director Ladislao Vajda; no known video release. THUNDER IN DIXIE (1964) was a low-budget racing actioner. Howco's THUNDER IN CAROLINA (1960) featured Rory Calhoun and Alan Hale Jr.; no official video release but available as a bootleg.

THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN / LADY IN CEMENT

The State screened this double-feature in March, 1970. The 1970 drama THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN was the last film for director George Stevens; no DVD release on this one. The Frank Sinatra/Tony Rome vehicle LADY IN CEMENT (1968) features a killer Hugo Montenegro score.

THE OLDEST PROFESSION / WILL PENNY

This July, 1968 double-feature played at both the Riverview and Mohawk Drive-ins. THE OLDEST PROFESSION was Goldtone's US version of the French/Italian/West German prostitution omnibus Le Plus vieux métier du monde (1967); no DVD release yet. WILL PENNY (1968) was a western directed by Tom Gries (HELTER SKELTER).

NORMA / THERESE AND ISABELLE

The Center Drive-in screened this adult double-feature back in June of 1971. NORMA (1970), directed by Peter Balakoff and generally known as NORMA ISN'T QUITE NORMAL, featured Mady Maguire as the nymphomaniacal title character, along with Buck Flower and Uschi Digard; it was released on VHS by Something Weird, but has since been deleted. THERESE AND ISABELLE (1968) was Radley Metzger's sapphic US/German production, with Essy Persson and Anna Gaël.

Two ads from March, 1970 for the band Non-Profit Scoiety, one at the Key Lounge/Hi-Lo Music Bar in Albany, and at Otto's in Latham.

THE NIGHT VISITOR

Back in May, 1971 Raleigh's Ambassador screened the Swedish/US production THE NIGHT VISITOR (1971), with Max von Sydow.

Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon

From March, 1970, a jazz show at the Albany Institute of History & Art, with Nick Brignola, Don York, Lester Bass, and Dick Gail.

THE NEXT MAN, etc.

Here's a killer Proctor's ad from January, 1977. First up is a Sean Connery double-feature: the political thriller THE NEXT MAN (1976) and John Huston's THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING (1975); then a special late show screening of Neil Young's rare and bizarre stoner fest JOURNEY THROUGH THE PAST (1974), which has only ever been available through bootleggers; the kiddie matinee rounds out the ad with Ishirô Honda's YOG MONSTER FROM SPACE, the US release of Gezora, Ganime, Kameba: Kessen! Nankai no daikaijû (1970), on DVD as SPACE AMOEBA.

NATURE'S PARADISE / COVER GIRL KILLER

Here's an adults-only UK double-feature at the Super 50 Drive-in, from October, 1960. NATURE'S PARADISE was Fanfare's retitled release of the nudie NUDIST PARADISE (1958); available on VHS from Something Weird. COVER GIRL KILLER (1959) was a thriller starring Harry H. Corbett, the younger character in the British TV series Steptoe and Son, on which Sanford and Son was based; doesn't seem to have gotten an official release, but is available from public domain dealers.

NANA / HANG UP

Another adult double-feature at the Center Drive-in, from July, 1971. Mac Ahlberg directed this 1970 French/Swedish version of Émile Zola's frequently-adapted novel NANA, released in the States by Distinction; doesn't seem to have ever gotten a home release. THE HANG UP (1970) was a John Hayes vice cop drama with Sebastian Gregory and Peter Balakoff; available on VHS and DVD-R from Something Weird.

MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN

The Circle Twin Cinemas in Latham, NY (previously known as the Branche, and now a pool store) screened Paramount's family film MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN (1969) back in March, 1970.

THE MUMMY'S SHROUD, etc.

In March, 1968 the Center Drive-in featured "4 horror hits," but only advertised three of them. THE MUMMY'S SHROUD was a Hammer production from 1967. CHAMBER OF HORRORS (1966) was a pilot for a detective show released to theaters; no DVD release as of yet. THE REPTILE (1966) was also from Hammer.

Entertainment Happenings at Rudy's

Anyone remember Rudy's in Latham, NY? Here's an ad from January, 1971 hyping upcoming shows for Mother, Flag & Country, Friendship Train, Confusion, Thomas Chockley & His Group, Turnpike, and Von Ryan's Express.

MOONSHINE LOVE / THE WILDEST

For a week in May, 1971 the Center Drive-in screened this double-feature. MOONSHINE LOVE was a reissue title for the obscure SOD SISTERS (1969), with Glen Stensil; on VHS and DVD-R from Something Weird. THE WILDEST (1969) is a sexploiter from Sack Amusements that has yet to turn up.

MOONLIGHTING WIVES, etc.

Here's a triple-feature at the Turnpike Drive-in, from March, 1968. MOONLIGHTING WIVES (1966) was Joe Sarno's story of a suburban prostitution ring. A NEW KIND OF LOVE (1963) was a romantic comedy with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. RUNAWAY GIRL (1962/1966) was a crime drama with Lili St. Cyr and Jock Mahoney; on VHS and DVD-R from Something Weird.

THE MOLLY MAGUIRES

March, 1970 screening at the Cinema Delaware for the 19th century Pennsylvania miner drama THE MOLLY MAGUIRES (1970), directed by Martin Ritt.

THE MINI-SKIRT MOB, etc.

Here's an enjoyable pair of double-features from May, 1968 at the Tri-City Twin. THE MINI-SKIRT MOB (1968) was a tepid AIP biker flick with Jeremy Slate and Diane McBain. RIOT ON SUNSET STRIP (1967, dig the spelling in the ad) was a well-liked AIP hippie exploitation piece featuring Aldo Ray and Mimsy Farmer; don't think it ever even had an official VHS release, but it's widely available as a bootleg. VALLEY OF THE DOLLS (1967) was the infamous melodrama with Patty Duke and Sharon Tate. OUR MAN FLINT (1966) was the first of the pair of James Coburn spy spoofs.

THE MIDNIGHT GRADUATE / THE EXECUTIONER

Today it's a double-feature at the immortal Center Drive-in, from March, 1971. THE MIDNIGHT GRADUATE (1970) was a Grads release featuring Uschi Digard; it's considered lost, though a trailer can be found on Twisted Sex Vol. 9. I'm guessing THE EXECUTIONER was the 1970 British espionage film with George Peppard and Joan Collins; it had a VHS release, but no DVD yet.

MELISSA: THE TOTAL FEMALE, etc.

Two ad mats from a naughty July, 1971 screening at the Center Drive-in. MELISSA: THE TOTAL FEMALE (1970) was a Canyon release; on VHS and DVD-R from Something Weird. THAR SHE BLOWS (1969) was an EVI release with Stuart Lancaster and John Alderman. THE EROTIC CIRCUS (1969) was directed by Ronald Sullivan/Henri Pachard; doesn't look like it ever got a home release. WHAT'S UP FRONT (1964) was a bra salesman comedy from the Arch Hall/Fairway family; there was a Rhino VHS release, but no DVD yet.

MARYJANE / THE MILLION EYES OF SU-MURU

AIP double-feature at the State, from February, 1968: MARYJANE (1968) was the grass exposé starring Fabian; THE MILLION EYES OF SU-MURU (1967) was a British action/spy flick starring Frankie Avalon. Don't think either film ever even got VHS releases, but they're available from bottleggers.

MARK OF THE DEVIL / SCREAM AND SCREAM AGAIN

Coxsackie, NY's Hi-Way Drive-in screened this Euro horror double-feature back in May, 1972. MARK OF THE DEVIL was Hallmark's infamous release of the West German Hexen bis aufs Blut gequält (1970), with Herbert Lom, Udo Kier, and Reggie Nalder; SCREAM AND SCREAM AGAIN (1970) was the British flick with Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, and Peter Cushing.

MARCY

The very first theater-going experience I remember took place at the Oxford in Troy, NY's Lansingburgh district; I think it was a Pippi Longstocking movie. I just remember a rear aerial shot of a kid or kids running through a field. There's a bank there now. Anyway, the Oxford here screens Joe Sarno's MARCY (1969), with Linda Boyce and Alex Mann, in January, 1971. The film is currently lost, but the trailer can be found on Something Weird's FLESH AND LACE/PASSION IN HOT HOLLOWS DVD.

A MAJORITY OF ONE

Two February, 1962 screenings, at the Plaza and the Hellman, for the 1961 Broadway adaptation A MAJORITY OF ONE (1961); no DVD yet.

MAGDALENA, etc.

The Turnpike Drive-in screened the foreign triple-feature back in July, 1960. I'm assuming, perhaps incorrectly, this MAGDALENA is the 1955 Mexican production directed by Joaquín Pardavé. CRAZY FOR LOVE was Ellis Films' release of the French Le Trou normand (1952), with Brigitte Bardot. The British TREAD SOFTLY STRANGER (1958) starred Diana Dors. No DVD release known for any of them.

FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD

July, 1968 screening of John Schlesinger's FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD (1967) at the Scotia Art Theatre.

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AND HIS WIFE / STARLET

Entertainment Ventures double-feature at the Center Drive-in, from June, 1971. LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AND HIS WIFE (1970), with Uschi Digard, has been MIA on video; STARLET (1969), with Shari Mann and John Alderman, told the story of an actress' rise to the top; on VHS and DVD-R from Something Weird.

LOVERS AND OTHER STRANGERS

Here's a January, 1971 screening of LOVERS AND OTHER STRANGERS (1970), with Bea Arthur and Bonnie Bedelia, at the Scotia Art Theatre.

Louise Brown

Schenectady's Paris Lounge featured singer Louise Brown back in February, 1962. Anyone know who she was?

LITTLE FAUSS AND BIG HALSY

January, 1971 screening at the Cinema Delware of Sidney J. Furie's elusive LITTLE FAUSS AND BIG HALSY (1970), available only from bootleg dealers.

THE LIQUIDATOR / THE SECRET 7

A Euro spy double-feature at Proctor's in Schenectady, from January, 1967. THE LIQUIDATOR (1965) was a British flick directed by Jack Cardiff; THE SECRET 7 was MGM's US release of the Spanish/Italian Gli Invincibili sette (1964), with Tony Russel and Helga Liné; no DVD release, and doesn't seem to be available even from bootleg dealers.

L'AVVENTURA

The Scotia Art Theatre (still going as Scotia Cinema) screened Michelangelo Antonioni's L'AVVENTURA (1960) back in February, 1962.

LADY KUNG FU, etc.

The New Forest Drive-in screened this diverse triple-feature in January, 1974. LADY KUNG FU was National General's dubbed release of He qi dao (1972), with Angela Mao and Sammo Hung. UNHOLY ROLLERS (1972) was the AIP roller derby flick with Claudia Jennings and Roberta Collins; no DVD release yet. BLINDMAN (1971) was the US/Italian western with Ringo Starr; was released on DVD in Germany, but no domestic release as of yet.

 

KONA COAST

The Colony, back in April of 1968, screened the Hawaiian action flick KONA COAST (1968). No home video release that I know of. 

KING: A FILMED RECORD... MONTGOMERY TO MEMPHIS

The Madison in Albany (still hanging in there) screened the Martin Luther King doc KING: A FILMED RECORD... MONTGOMERY TO MEMPHIS (1970) in March, 1970. Co-directed by Sidney Lumet and Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Pacific Arts released it on VHS, but it doesn't look like a DVD has happened yet.

ALL THE LOVIN' KINFOLK, etc.

Raleigh's great Center Drive-in screened this all-nighter back in January, 1971. ALL THE LOVIN' KINFOLK (1970) was a John Hayes nudie with Uschi Digard; it appears to have had a VHS release, but no DVD yet. THE MERCENARY was the US title for Sergio Corbucci's western Il Mercenario (1968), with Franco Nero and Jack Palance; on DVD as A PROFESSIONAL GUN. THE RAMRODDER (1969) was a Dave Friedman-produced nudie western with Kathy Williams and Marsha Jordan (and infamously, Manson family member Bobby Beausoleil). Friedman also backed THAR SHE BLOWS (1969), with Shari Mann.

KAMA SUTRA

The Cinema 7 in Latham, NY (now an office building) screened KAMA SUTRA back in January, 1971; it was the US version of the German Kamasutra--Vollendung der Liebe (1969); no DVD release.

THE JUNGLE BOOK / THE WAR WAGON

Fun for the whole family at this double-feature at the Carman from June, 1968. THE JUNGLE BOOK (1967) featured the voices of Clint Howard and Sterling Holloway; THE WAR WAGON (1967) was a manly western directed by Burt Kennedy.

JOURNEY TO THE SEVENTH PLANET / FLIGHT OF THE LOST BALLOON

Double-feature at the Plaza from February, 1962. JOURNEY TO THE SEVENTH PLANET (1962) is the weird Sid Pink sci-fi flick. FLIGHT OF THE LOST BALLOON (1961) is an obscure Jules Verne adaptation directed by Nathan Juran; no DVD release.

JOHN AND MARY

A bit of a forgotten drama, JOHN AND MARY was directed by Peter Yates (BULLITT) in 1969. Here's a screening at the Hellman from January, 1970.

JENNY / HELL IN THE PACIFIC

This March, 1970 double-feature played both East Greenbush's Auto Vision Drive-in and Ballston Lake's Super 50. JENNY (1970) starred Marlo Thomas and Alan Alda; no known home video release. HELL IN THE PACIFIC (1968) was the John Boorman war setpiece with Lee Marvin and Toshirô Mifune.

Isaac Hayes, etc.

Here's an ad for a gig at the Dorton Arean in Raleigh, NC from March, 1971: Isaac Hayes, Luther Ingram, and The Bar-Kays. Check out those ticket prices.

INTERPLAY / THE CORPORATE QUEEN

January, 1971 double-feature at the Cinema Art in Troy. INTERPLAY (1970) was directed by Albert T. Viola, a year before he made PREACHERMAN. THE CORPORATE QUEEN (1969) was an Amero Brothers film with Janet Banzet. Neither film seems to have surfaced for home video. I like how WEST SIDE STORY was the matinee screening.

THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY / DARBY O'GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE

Here's a Disney double-feature at the Uptown in Rensselaer, from January, 1970. THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY (1963) was about three pets trying to find their way home; no DVD. DARBY O'GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE (1959) was the Irish fantasy with Sean Connery.