March 09 2011 at 22:00:54 Name: Ron W Topic: More 50s movie stuff Comments: Mr Linder, if I remember right the Ritz had
clouds that moved around the ceiling and stars that flickered. If I didn't
like the movie that well I spent more time looking at the ceiling. My dad
worked at Skelly Oil across the street from the Ritz and Coney Island was
right next door. It was big fun for me to go downtown back in the day. Plus
window shopping was top notch too.
March 09 2011 at 19:07:02 Name: Scott Linder Topic: Movie stuff
Comments: Thanks to all for for kind comments, and for your interest
in movie stuff.
Yes, I loved the Tulsa Downtown theatres too. Most every Friday night when
I was a kid, me and my folks had a nice dinner at Bishop's Restaurant while
visiting with all of our Bishop's friends and regular employees. Then, we
would visit the windows at Vandevers or other stores on Main Street as we
walked to our favorite theatre "up-town"... I did love those Friday nights...
OK, that's another story.
With regards to theatre curtains, and such. As mentioned, all curtains and
masking in theatres were operated from the booth, and were simple
motor-controlled curtains that have been used for many years. Curtain cues
varied, due to the set-up and curtain timing in each theatre. The operator
new this, and made the appropriate timing cues, as needed. Some did this
"on the fly" and others punched a curtain cue-mark in the upper-left of the
frame near the end of the feature...see? It was possible during later days
to automate some cues, and the operator did this by placing a foil strip
on the print which cued by a photo cell located in the projector sound head.
In addition to curtain cues, the booth also included a control for the black
horizontal screen masking that adjusted the screen from flat (1:85) to
Cinemascope (2:40), if required. The operator did this as he hit the screen
with the wide-sceen print after screening a a flat cartoon/short subject/or
preview reel. I always liked doing this cue from flat to scope... the screen
seeming to "grow" as the studio logo appeared on the screen.
Of course, all operators changed lenses and aperture plates when going to
scope, and back again when the new show started,as well as re-setting the
screen masking.
Being a Motion Picture Operator used to be such fun, especially when we did
what we could to make every feature look great for the patrons.
March 08 2011 at 23:38:19 Name: Ron W Topic: Mr. Linder's movie theater stories Comments: Mr. Linder, just love to hear your experience
at the old movie theaters in the 50s. I was just a young teen and every Friday
night would go downtown to see such great movies like 'A Summer Place'. 'Giant',
'East of Eden' and so on. The Ritz was my favorite but loved all the downtown
movie houses. Keep the stories coming.
March 08 2011 at 07:54:22 Name: Mitch Gray Topic: Fall into the Gap Email: North Of You Comments: When I was in the radio biz, we loaded our carts
with tape for 30 and 60 second spots. They also had an aluminum strip to
identify then beginning of the tape (just like 8 tracks). Later machines
merely encoded a tone at the onset.
I think the food joint below the stairs at Southroads was either Chick-fil-A
or Orange Julius next to The Gap and Rebel Jeans. Rose at Looboyle would
repair your Zebco snarls whilst thou shopped.
March 07 2011 at 15:29:13 Name: Jim Cripps Topic: Movies and Southroads Email: jimcripps () yahoo.com Comments: Thanks too you also, Scott! Great stuff!
The record store on the upper-level of Southroads was Hastings, and hard
to believe as it was very small in comparison to the store in present day
Norman. I haunted that place as soon as I had a car, and waited patiently
for anything U2 after their concert album "Under a Blood Red Sky" came out
(live from Red Rocks). Notables I bought there, "Rio" vinyl by Duran Duran,
and a brick that was once called Walkman! It was also the store that a girl
asked who I was, and told me she had my class ring--strange circumstance
that was.
I also remember the lower-level fairly well, always anticipating going down
there and perusing Looboyle's, but never as a child being led through Soundtrack,
which I think had a nice window view from the stairs. The awesome arcade
was under the stairs, but I didn't go there much because of my age, and I
think it, or another arcade owner, moved to the end of the West hall, and
a Townshend Tops kind of place filled up its old spot. Great eye candy for
a kid.
There was a food place down there, next to the stairs on the west side of
them... anyone remember the name?
March 07 2011 at 09:59:40 Name: Lazzaro Topic: Extravaganzas
Comments: Follow-up question, if I may:
I'm fascinated to learn that the curtain (and if I understand you correctly)
the house and curtain presets were controlled by cues included in the film
itself. I would have never guessed that level of sophistication and technology
to be present at that time. My experience in old proscenium halls, some of
which had a cinema history, always included hemp and a flyman operating the
curtain, generally from stage right. I had no clue.
Given that there were different screen sizes and the mechanics of the curtain
had to have varied from venue to venue, how was that timing customized (assuming
it was) for the different theatres? Was that a responsibility of the Operator
to splice in? And how about those Spectaculars such as Spartacus and the
like which included intermissions? Were those also coded into the film?
Am enjoying the education.
March 07 2011 at 07:40:23 Name: David Bagsby Topic: Southroads Mall Comments: speaking of Southroads Mall, does anyone recall
the name of the music and record stores there? The record store was right
next to Spencer's Gifts (I bought the quad version of Dark Side of the Moon
on import there as well as a lot of music scores for Jean Luc Ponty and ELP).
There was also an organ place across from there that I believe sold either
Lowery or Gulbransen organs as well as a music store on the lower level where
I got my first acoustic guitar (Takemine factory second) and a Fender Vibro
Champ amp (which I still have)...they were also a Norlin dealer (mainly amps
but they bought out Moog synthesizers then went under).
March 06 2011 at 16:49:37 Name: Scott Linder Topic: Lazzaro's remarks Comments: Thank you for your kind thoughts and interest
in the movie stuff in Tulsey Town.
You obviously enjoyed several of the theatres who are now gone. I think that
I may have worked the Majestic a couple of times, but the Ritz and the Orpheum
were sad victims of "progress" when I began as an Operator. All of the downtown
theatres were staffed by Local 513 Operators who had been there for decades.
I learned everything I know about lenses from Carney Burton, who worked the
Ritz for 30 years.
I never worked the Rialto,but it was the premier theatre for the TODD-AO
screening of "Oklahoma" in 1955. By the way, the TODD-AO Norelco projectors
used for that run are the machines that were moved to the Brook after the
Rialto closed. Those old girls screened a lot of good films before they were
trashed by various Brookside idiots.
Several folks have mentioned that I should attempt to compile my various
memories and thoughts from my days as an Operator in Tulsa. I'll give it
some thought, although I'm not sure that many really give a damn these days.
OK, I'll give you another little story that I remembered the other day.
I think that my interest in projectors began at Lowell Elementary School
in Tulsa. Every Thursday was "film day" in Science Class, which was tought
by a teacher named Clyde Jones. One Wednesday in about 1954, he was having
trouble with the classroom projector, and he allowed me to look over his
shoulder as tried to fix the problem. It seemed clearly obvious to me, and
I soon got things going. I then became the science class "projectionist"
and looked forward to every Thursday.
My serious interest probably began whan my Dad took me to a matinee of "Man
of a Thousand Faces" with James Cagney at the Delman in the spring of 1957.
I liked the film, but spent a lot of time looking at balcony and "the guy
in the booth". As we left toward the lobby, my sweet Dad asked the manager
if we could "visit the projectionist". The manager called the booth, and
we were given permission.
I remember climbing the stairs to the balcony, and the opening the large
metal "fire door" into the booth. Operator Jerry Murphy greeted us, amidst
the sound of machines and the aroma of burning arc-lamps. Jerry should me
everything about the booth, and even allowed me to "stomp the button" to
do a changeover. I was in heaven, I think. He gave me a short clip of a past
movie preview when left the booth... I kept it for years.
Jerry Murphy was a long-time member of Local 513 and installed all of the
motion picture theatres in Tulsa for decades. He was a sweet man who cared
enough about his craft to take a few moments in the booth at the Delman to
entertain a little kid named Scotty.
Just to keep things tidy, the projector in the science class at Lowell Elementary
was a RCA 400 series with a 750 watt Mazda lamp. Of course, the Delman had
Brenkert BX60 machines with RCA 9030 sound heads, and Strong Mighty-Nighty
lamps.
In answer to your question, all drapes and lighting in the theatre were operated
from the booth by the Operator. Most were timed using Clint-Faire marks on
the print, but later versions in platter booths used a foil strip that cued
automated curtains and lighting.
OK... I've just said WAY too much here. My apologies to many TTVM readers.
Actually, Scott, this is THE place for Tulsa movie theater memories. I
consider it a prime topic for this site. So, no apologies needed, just keep
it coming.
March 06 2011 at 14:34:00 Name: Alan Fare Topic: Arcade Email: filmgeek67 at hotmail dot
com Comments: Something has been bugging me for several years
now, and this may be the place to find an answer.
When I was a young teen I spent most of my time (and money) at Southroads
Mall. It was just across the field from my house, back in the early 80s,
and was my home-away-from-home growing up. I can recall the old Renbergs,
Vandevers, Woolco (long before Walmart), and other stores, but one name escapes
me to this day.
Way down at the end of the hall in the lower level, by Soundtrack (I believe
it was SEVCO...webmaster), was an arcade. I can't
for the life of me remember its name! I can even remember my favorite game
at the time was Omega Race, the only sit-down video game I'd ever seen at
the time.
Can someone please tell me the name of that arcade and end my quest?
From near the bottom of GB 243, Bill Jaynes
thought the answer to your question may be "Nautilus".
March 06 2011 at 10:59:17 Name: Lazzaro Topic: What Mitch said. Comments: Sometime when you are bored and twiddling your
fingers Scott, I wonder if you might consider compiling a list of the Tulsa
area theatres you worked at as an Operator (or as an apprentice) and to the
extent possible, the films you projected in each. As Mitch and Mike theorized,
I also expect that I sat in seats with you up there behind the little window.
Until age 7 or 8 most of my movie watching was at the Admiral Twin with a
little Airview and Apache sprinkled in for spice. After that the usual suspects
were the Circle, the Brook, the Delman, the Boman Twin, the Will Rogers and
the occasional trip downtown while those theatres were still open - the Majestic,
the Rialto, the Orpheum.
The Circle equaled Bond, James Bond. I watched Thunderball eight times there
during the run (often by remaining in my seat when the movie let out and
not making a peep until the film started up again, rinse and repeat). It
was the opening credits with the back-lit swimmer girls in silhouette...
The Delman was my favorite. Think I saw 20,000 Leagues Beneath the Sea there
and many many others. I didn't see Mary Poppins (just recently watched it
for the first time) probably due to the trauma inflicted by 26 months of
Julie Andrews at the Brook.
The Boman Twin introduced me to Miss Olivia Hussey, er, I mean Romeo and
Juliet. In addition to True Grit I think I also saw Fantastic Voyage there
and of course many others that I can no longer recall.
Wouldn't it be great if a list of films shown at the various venues during
the lifetime of each theatre were available? Talk about a trip down memory
lane.
Bonus question: Did the operators in the booth have any control over the
curtain switch and if not (as I suspect) how did you communicate with whoever
did?
March 05 2011 at 17:06:14 Name: Scott Linder Topic: Mitch Gray's note Comments: Mitch, thank you for your nice note and kind
comments with regard to those of us who have now been eliminated from motion
picture theatres.
I have received several comments here on TTVM from those who have experienced
poor sound and pictures at various area venues. That makes me sad, but you
must realize that most theatres are either automated, or operated by a "manager"
or concession-stand employees with little or no technical knowledge.
As a side note, I find it interesting that producers, directors, and other
folks who produce the motion pictures you see REQUIRE union Motion Picture
Operators in all of their studio and post-production screening rooms here
in Hollywood. However, they spent more than a decade and millions of dollars
to eliminate Operators from their theatres. Hmmm...
Meanwhile,patrons experience bad product and distributors make no money on
films, and are forced to try to earn a living on the concession stand.
I'm so sorry that many patrons now have less-than-good experinces in local
theatres. These days, it's all about new technology and saving money. All
of us old-timers who cared for the patrons are long-gone, I think.
I have lots of stories from "the booth' in Tulsa. OK, I'll give you one more.
After more than a year as an apprentice for Local 513 with no pay at area
drive-ins such as the Capri, Apache, Bellaire, etc. I got a call from the
Business Agent one Saturday saying that an Operator was sick, and could I
cover his shift? Of course, I said "yes" and he told me to report to The
Delman!
This was my first hard-top shift, and it was very scary. When I got to that
theatre, the film was "Mary Poppins" and there was a line around the corner
for tickets!
Long-story-short, everything was fine and the BA called me the next day and
gave me two full shifts, one of which was the East side of the Admiral Twin.
So, I remember the Admiral Twin. My first year as a "real" Union Motion Picture
Operator. I made anough money that year to pay-off my parent's mortgage.
God Bless Local 513, and God Bless The Admiral Twin... I'll never forget
it.
OK...NOW I'll shut-up.
March 05 2011 at 08:40:12 Name: Mitch Gray Topic: Misc Email: North of You Comments: I thought Thaipho was a workout program.
I feel that Mr Linder was fortunate to have participated in the movie industry
in his heyday. The way he rattles off the projector and audio equipment
nomenclature tells me he truly enjoyed his profession and reminds me of the
start of a Tom Clancy novel.
I recall seeing "Midway" at the Boman in "Sensurround".
Lots of low frequency rumbling mostly. I wonder if Scott had a hand in that?
Don' you dare stop posting here at TTM Mr Linder.
I relish your comments.
March 04 2011 at 15:55:52 Name: Lazzaro Topic: thaipho
Comments: You should see my posts before I
discretely discreetly ask Mike to clean them up.
Scott had posted an apology for a couple of typos that I fixed up for
him.
March 04 2011 at 15:02:00 Name: Scott Linder Topic: The Admiral Twin, et al Comments: Lazzaro, thanks for your kind words although
I'm sure that the new Admiral will have all the new digital equipment that
will provide nice pictures and sound. Old "Motion Picture Operators" like
me have faded in to the past, now.
Perhaps I'll get a chance to see the new place.. I'd like that, and I will
send them a note that they are not allowed to screen "The Sound of Music"
without your expressed permission. I'm a bit weary of it too, after running
it at the Brook for 26 months. Although, I do miss those lovely Todd-AO/Norelco
projectors.
On another note, with the new "True Grit" on the scene these days, I clearly
recall running the original version on the East screen of the Boman Twin
for quite a while. It looked nice on the Boman screen, and I recall that
the large audiences would often applaud when the credits hit.
The Boman had Simplex machines, Norelco platters, and Christie xenon lamps
on both screens. It was my first time running platters.
By the way, Kim Darby(the original
"Grit" actress) lives near to me here in Toluca Lake. I see her from
time to time.
OK, I'll stop boring everyone. My best to the new Admiral Twin.
Let drop a tantalizing brush with fame, then exit stage right, leaving
them wanting more. Sly dog.
Just added to the bottom of the Admiral Twin page
the story of the fire, plus Scott's excellent technical detail about the
screen surface composition.
March 03 2011 at 18:25:41 Name: Lazzaro Topic: Phoenix Comments:
I'm delighted to hear the AT looks like it is coming back too. I've been
critical of the way the owners have managed the pr and tsunami of popular
support since the fire but then again, I'm glad I wasn't in the middle of
all that frenzy and can't say how I would have reacted. Those are shoes I'm
glad I didn't walk in.
I am surprised local big guns didn't step forward to make this happen sooner
(assuming they haven't in the background). There are some deep pockets in
Tulsa who have entertainment connections. Maybe they are as pinched as everyone
else, who knows?
At any rate it is exciting to think new screens will be illuminated there.
You should make a trip out and show them how it is done right, Scott. Just
don't run 'The Sound of Music' or I may try to burn the new place down
myself.
March 03 2011 at 17:08:12 Name: Scott Linder Topic: The Admiral Twin Comments: How nice to hear that The Admiral Twin will
open again in the near future. It is truly a gem, and one of few drive-in
theatres that remain anywhere in America. I send all my best wishes to the
new owners and to all those who have donated.
As mentioned, I spent many hours in the booth on the East side, and screened
many fine and not-so-fine films. In every case, it was always fun to do my
best to put a nice picture on that old screen with many coats of paint, and
wishing that I could still hear the voices of the children playing in the
"kiddyland" park just below it.
Of course, other voices along with bouncing cars from the back ramps were
always a part of the "weekend crowd". It was all fun, and a memorable part
of the Tulsa landscape when I worked there in the 60s.
By the way, the East screen had a pair of Motiograph AA projectors with
water-cooled Ashcraft Super Corelight lamps. Sweet... I can still hear the
sound of them as I think of the Admiral.
All my best to the new Admiral Twin....
March 03 2011 at 07:46:20 Name: Webmaster Topic: The Admiral Twin Drive-In Comments:
The Admiral Twin will return this year!
Story at KTUL.
March 02 2011 at 21:19:42 Name: David Bagsby Topic: Space Center (sort of)
Comments: Well, not actually about the mythic Tulsa missile program
building but I saw that Virgin Galactic is steps closer to public space travel...
thought some of you here might be interested.
As I asked on David's "Tulsa Project" TTM page,
"has anyone else had to explain to first wondering, then chopfallen visitors
that the Space Center is a storage facility, rather than the site of a
Tulsa-based missile program?"
If Virgin Galactic offers a 100 Mile High Club certification,
they may do very well indeed.
March 02 2011 at 17:25:23 Name: Scott Linder Topic: TTVM stuff
Comments: OK, allow me to compress several TVM entries in to just
a few words:
"Tulsa" was a very interesting and lackluster film, Ms. Russell had stunning
breasts, the re-make of "True Grit" is a joke, and the Academy Awards Show
was visually stunning but vacant of any real talent.
March 02 2011 at 13:28:43 Name: Lazzaro Topic: Tulsa Comments: Sorry to hog the comments...
Curiosity got the best of me and I just watched it. It's a better film, for
the period, than it is being given credit here. Formulaic, mostly predictable,
but not bad. There's a beginning, a middle and an end. What more do you ask
of 1949? I even liked the song.
My 'yonder's Tulsa!!' memory and the buttes is attached to some other movie
- can't imagine what that may be, but know I've seen it. It wasn't this one.
I'm envious of Mike Miller seeing the difficult Miss Hayward pitching a fit
at the Hotel Tulsa. I think I might woulda flipped an oil lease for that
too.
Final line of the film spoken by Chill Wills:
"Yes Sir, Tulsa's still the oil capitol of the world. And mighty proud of
it"
My, my, my...
March 02 2011 at 11:16:34 Name: Lazzaro Topic: Tulsa Comments: Well holy cow. I was disappointed to find that
Netflix doesn't currently stock 'Tulsa' and on a lark went to YouTube. The
entire film seems to be posted here:
When I find a spare hour and a half I intend watch and to hear that song
all the way to its 'lamentable conclusion' and see if my memory of the buttes
is correct. What a remarkable world we have at our fingertips these days.
Dang.
March 01 2011 at 11:48:23 Name:
Jim Ruddle Topic: Tulsa
Comments: The movie "Tulsa" was hardly an earthshaker, although
as I recall we were let out of school at Central when the big premier cast
rolled into town.
The worst thing associated with this flick was the song:
"Tulsa. Swingin' down to Tulsa.
Giddyup horse, there's the county line..."
And so on to its lamentable conclusion.
The oil field fire--the special effects mentioned above--was used by Herb
Lightman, later, in an industrial film called "Rudy Crude."
March 01 2011 at 01:27:18 Name: Gary Chew Topic: Song Lyrics Email: Northeast of Eden Comments: Hey, I thought the name of the song was, "She'll
Comin'' Round Those Mountains," but I may be wrong about that. It's been
a long time since I've had the chance to sing.
February 28 2011 at 21:43:23 Name:
Mike Miller Topic: The Anatomy Awards
Comments: My good old friend Gary Chew has somehow managed to
link True Grit with Jane Russell's physique!
Makes me want to sing:
She'll be coming round the mountain
When she comes
(Toot, toot!)
One has to believe Howard Hughes trimmed his nails back when he was close
to Jane.
Now, back to my DVR.
February 28 2011 at 21:13:01 Name:
Gary Chew Topic: Film Star Passes Email: Northeast of Eden Comments: Speaking of old hot film babes like Ms. Hayward.
I noted with sadness that Jane Russell bit the dust today at 89. From a cold.
Otherwise in good health. My dad had this story I loved to hear him tell
other guys in the pool hall. He had gone to see "The Outlaw" 3 times because
he just knew that sometime in one of those scenes when Ms. Russell was riding
a horse that her blouse would slip all the way down. Which reminds me of
those bogus mountains Mike Miller truly refers too in his untrue grit
piece
February 28 2011 at 20:47:47 Name:
Mike Miller Topic: Tulsa Comments: I couldn't have been very old, perhaps 12,
but I remember being in the old Hotel Tulsa lobby and seeing Susan Hayward
coming out of an elevator in a knock out evening gown; she was in a real
huff. (Her red hair must have been her natural color.) Anyway, I think she
was heading for a nearby hotel bar called "The Afterglow." Obviously she
must have been there for a premier.
I seem to remember maybe one shot of the actual Tulsa skyline in the film.
There were some other scenes shot around Ada, and Turner Falls near Sulphur.
You'd think film producers would try to be a bit more authentic.
February 28 2011 at 20:20:23 Name: Lazzaro Topic: Untrue Grit Comments: Have you ever seen 'Tulsa'?
"'Tulsa' (1949) Set at the start of the Oklahoma oil boom, this epic features
a commanding performance by Susan Hayward as Cherokee Lansing, a woman out
to avenge her father's murder by a rival oil company. Cherokee's intensely
focused plan for revenge, however, transforms into blind greed for the wealth
that comes with the black gold flowing from her set-up wells. Tulsa was nominated
for a Best Special Effects Oscar in 1950."
It's been quite some time since I've seen it but as I recall the climax was
a race toward Tulsa aboard an oil laden wagon. One of the principle actors
(Chill Wills?) exclaims as they are approaching their destination: "Yonder's
Tulsa!!' They are racing past buttes and Arizona type scenery as they roar
into town.
I haven't seen the new version of 'True Grit' but I hope Joel and Ethan know
better too. I expect they do.
February 28 2011 at 19:25:53 Name:
Mike Miller Topic: Untrue Grit? Comments: I got to thinking about why I didn't like the
original which takes place in Oklahoma (Indian Territory.) (I did like Kim
Darby.) However, as I recall there are some scenes with snow capped mountains
in the background. I don't recall ever seeing Reservoir Hill snow capped
in summer. There are just no mountains in and around Oklahoma high enough
to gather snow. Just wondered if the new film corrected that error?
Surely Joel and Ethan know better.
February 28 2011 at 16:28:26 Name: Si Hawk Topic: Furniture Page Email:
sihawk@hawkshometown.com Comments: As I was admiring the TTM
Furniture page I had some recollections that might be of interest.
A photograph appears of the Pigskin Manhattan
furniture store on Admiral. Pigskin Furniture was founded by Sam Hawk
(older brother to Bill Hawk who founded Hawk
Dairies). After a number of years he was offered a deal by a fellow who
had worked for Sam Hawk as a manager of his Pigskin Furniture store and who
had subsequently started his own furniture business. Hawk accepted and Pigskin
Manhattan came into being. Years later when pigskin was no longer fashionable,
the company's name was reduced to simply Manhattan Furniture.
Another furniture store that did quite a bit of business for years was B.J.
Furniture near Admiral and Sheridan. While reporting sports (stock car races
and Driller baseball games) for KELi I sold furniture
at B.J.'s. B.J. Furniture was one of KELi's biggest clients and G.M. Joe
Henderson handled that account personally.
February 28 2011 at 07:09:42 Name: Lazzaro Topic: Play/Screenplay Comments: Here's a detailed recollection by Seidler himself
describing how 'The King's Speech' came to be:
February 28 2011 at 01:04:12 Name:
Gary Chew Topic: The Oscar Bash Email: Northeast of Eden Comments: Can someone tell me why Sir David Seidler won the
Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for "The King's Speech" when I've heard
on 2 different occasions that there is a play titled "The King's Speech,
which was seen by the film director's mother, who then, in turn, informed
her son that this play would make a great movie. Seems to me that Seidler
should've won for having written an adaptation, not an original. Just sayin'.
And asking if anyone might know about this, specifically.
February 27 2011 at 14:05:05 Name: Rick M Topic: Joo-stan Comments: Now that's funny Mike. Really.
Wow, I just noticed it's been almost 10 years since his passing. I miss that
old Cajun half-bleed. I Gar-on-tee.
February 25 2011 at 11:50:33 Name: Webmaster Topic: Dumb thing I do at home Comments:
When watching Channel 2 news, and the anchor identifies himself, "Hi, I'm
Justin Wilfon," I always say "How you all are!" in the manner of Cajun TV
chef Justin
Wilson, to my wife's neverending delight.
February 25 2011 at 09:05:23 Name: Lazzaro Topic: Gilcrease Mystery House: Ax, Murder,
Attic, Rocking Chair and Fish Pond Comments: ¿
I'm interested in discovering whether anyone here knows the story behind
a somewhat legendary 'haunted' house of the 60s. It was/is located a stone's
throw from Gilcrease Museum on N. 27th W. Ave. I 'visited' it in 1965 or
so and have had a nagging curiosity about the place all these years since.
Story was that an old lady had killed her husband with an ax then had gone
insane (as if she weren't already) sitting in a rocking chair in the attic,
waiting for him to return. Rocking with the ax on her lap...
What does a sixth-grader do with that information?
Our assault on the place (there were 3 or 4 of us) began down on Gilcrease
Drive (or Museum Road or whatever it is called now) where we ditched and
hid our Stingrays. Up the hill through the brush and scrub oak until we entered
clearing of the back yard. There was (and still is judging by a zoomed view
on Google Earth) a sizable fishpond that, due to years of neglect, was full
of the blackest, thickest, liquid substance I've ever seen. We all steered
well clear of it half expecting something to erupt from the water and drag
us in.
The entry to the house was made at a basement door in the back which was
down a short flight of stairs. The door was constructed of small glass panes
and one was already missing. Being the skinny thing I was then I was elected
to squeeze through and go upstairs to open a door on the first floor. Well,
I did it and entered a very spooky, dark basement - alone. It was absolutely
packed with shadowy, difficult to identify things that made my hair stand
up. I made it upstairs in one piece and entered the house proper from a doorway
in the kitchen, if I remember right, and opened the back kitchen door for
my fellow ghostbusters.
The place was incredible. Fully furnished as if someone had just left, but
had clearly been vacant for years. Crystal in the cabinets, silver in the
drawers, old cans and vintage cereal boxes on the shelves. Tables, chairs,
everything. It was the same with the rest of the house. The only real sign
that something wasn't right was that the carpets were rolled up in the main
rooms on the first floor.
On the south side of the house was a large attached greenhouse/conservatory
full of huge plants that were, of course, all long dead and creepy. Think
Morticia Addams. To the north was an attached garage that had an old car
in it, as I recall. It was room after room of a long deserted house with
closets full of clothes, beds still dressed with linens, drawers full of
belongings, even a dress maker's form in the sewing room. Wild.
On the stairs to the second floor was one of those chair lifts on the wall.
And then there was the attic which was reached via a pull-down ladder. Sure
enough, there was a rocking chair up there facing the stairs. Yow.
By poking around I determined that the family name apparently was Trimble
- which only ratcheted up the creep factor. For quite some time after that
I was reluctant to allow my hands or feet to dangle over the edge of the
mattress at night...clearly picturing old Trimble hands reaching up from
under the bed. Used to wish I could erase that name from my memory.
Sometime in the mid to late 70s I drove to the place and walked up to the
front door thinking I might ask the current owners about the house. In the
sandstone block framing the door was carved an evil little pinched gargoyle
face. It had red eyes. I left.
In retrospect I imagine the old woman died, became infirm, or senile and
possibly didn't have heirs to deal with the belongings. Not sure why it stood
vacant like that for so long. Still it was a very strange place to explore.
I discovered just recently that my elder brother had also been through the
home - probably a few years before I did. It's amazing to think how many
kids must have passed through that house to scare themselves yet I don't
recall seeing any evidence of vandalism. No spray paint, no busted up furniture
or mayhem. I doubt the old place would fare as well in today's world.
Statute of limitations being long expired, I can now admit to my first breaking
and entering of a private residence (well, entering anyway) and hope to learn
the rest of the story from someone here.
February 24 2011 at 11:29:10 Name: Webmaster Topic: Gary Chew live on San Francisco
radio
Comments:
Gary Chew appeared live on KGO radio in San Francisco last Sunday. He and
host Peter B. Collins discussed the
best films of the year, anticipating the Oscar broadcast this weekend.
To hear the podcast, click
KGO
Radio MP3 Archives for Sunday. You can either play the show, or right-click
on the link there to save the mp3 file. Chew comes on at 9 minutes in. Act
quickly, it will disappear by Monday.
February 23 2011 at 09:56:34 Name: Webmaster Topic: Low visibility Comments:
February 20 2011 at 23:43:20 Name: John K. Young Topic: Buddy Holly is Alive and Well... Email:
johnk662561atyahoodotcom Comments: I had the pleasure of reading this e-book over the
weekend and wanted to take a minute and thank you for putting the link up
for it. Loved the book and have "pimped out" the link to several of my sci-fi
and Buddy fan friends!
Thanks again!
JohnnyK
Hey, glad to hear that you and Chew enjoyed the book!
I've gone a little nutty with reading ebooks lately. All you need are several
free applications for the PC.
With Adobe Digital Editions and Overdrive Media Console, you can borrow ebooks
and audiobooks from the Tulsa library (free software available there). You
can also download free ebooks from a number of sources. The Kindle for PC
and Nook for PC free software allows you to read Amazon and Barnes &
Noble ebooks, respectively.
Here is my recent e-reading list:
The Quants: How a New Breed of Math Whizzes Conquered Wall Street and
Nearly Destroyed It by Scott Patterson Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman by Jon Krakauer Split Image by Robert B. Parker The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich A Fortunate Life by Robert Vaughn Buddy Holly Is Alive and Well on Ganymede by Bradley Denton The Grand Design by Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow
After all that, I bought a refurbished Nook E-Ink reader for $80 at
1saleaday.com, on which I just finished The Quants. Nice device, as
I'm sure the Kindle is as well. I can even check email and this GroupBlog
on it. I must say, though, that the laptop PC is a good way to read as well.
They both have their virtues.
For those who might question the authenticity of the ebook experience, this
product might up their comfort level: Smell
of Books aerosol.
February 20 2011 at 16:47:45 Name: Scott Linder Topic: Burgers Comments: Just thought I'd mention how wonderful it is
to dine at the Coyote Bluff Cafe in Amarillo, Texas. Of course, I still love
the joints in Tulsa, but if you happen to be in the Texas panhandle don't
miss this place. I've been eating there for years, and the burgers and other
food is truly extraordinary.
I don't often mention food south of Tulsa, but this is an exception..
February 19 2011 at 16:19:30 Name: Webmaster Topic: J.J.'s Gourmet Burger Cafe
Comments:
I visited J.J. and his cafe on 6/16/2007. In 1973, it was the Rubicon head
shop, also a J..J. enterprise. Details on the
Tulsa Counterculture of the 70s page.
February 18 2011 at 17:19:49 Name:
Gary Chew Topic: Buddy Does Ganymede Email: Just Northeast of Eden Comments: On the page jump from 10 to 11 of
"Buddy Holly is Alive and Well on Ganymede"
there is a great line written by Brad Denton: "Poor Buddy...Ganymede was
an immense ice ball strewn with occasional patches of meteoric rock, and
its surface was constantly bombarded by vicious streams of protons and other
cosmic crap whipped up by Jupiter's hyperactive magnetic field. It was no
place for a picker from Lubbock."
Love it!!! Read it, if you haven't. Del in Cal
February 18 2011 at 14:51:19 Name: Webmaster Topic: Previous GroupBlog link Comments:
Jim Ruddle
Mike Miller
Gary Chew
Archived