Musings on the city's past and history

To the Editor:

I used to write about past history in Brazil. I'm doing it again in this letter.

February 1948, the Cooper Theater opened with the color movie "Red Stallion." I believe the Beverly was showing Disney's "Song of the South," a movie called "Margie" was at the Fox. Not sure but I think "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankstein" was at the Lark.

April 1951. The Lark was showing "Groom Wore Spurs" for Friday and Saturday. The Cooper was showing "Rough Riders of Durango" with Rocky Lane and "Rogue River" with Rory Calhoun plus cartoon and serial. The Beverly was showing "Western Renegade" with Johnny Mack Brown and "Military Academy" plus cartoon and serial.

Scheduled for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday was Doris Day's "Lullaby of Broadway" in color at the Lark, Bob Hope's "Lemon Drop Kid" at the Cooper, and "Colt 45" in color with Randolph Scott at the Beverly.

Lark and Cooper night prices were 40 cents and 12 cents, matinees were 30 cents and 12 cents. The Beverly nights were 30 cents and 12 cents, matinees 25 cents and 12 cents. The Beverly also offered half-buck nights every Monday for the whole family.

Lark and Cooper had bank nights every Wednesday, for a drawing worth a certain amount of money.

The Fox had closed indefinitely.

Nineteen-fifty two, The Beverly was showing "Blondie Takes A Vacation" and Lum and Abner's "Dreaming Out Loud. It closed for good after this.

It was also the same year my late brother Marvin opened his restaurant, called Dude's Diner, formerly Brinson's Café, on East National. Unfortunately, it didn't last long.

Nineteen-fifty three, The Cooper showed its first 3-D movie, "Charge at Feather River."

December 1953, the Lark installed a giant widescreen. However, it closed down two months later.

January 1954, the Cooper installed a giant widescreen.

July 1954, the Cooper showed "Lucky Me," its first cinemascope movie.

Nineteen-fifty six, the Lark reopened with "I am a Camera" with Julie Harris.

It had been closed for two years. It closed again 12 weeks later, ending with "Gentleman Marry Brunettes" and "Trouble with Harry" with Shirley Maclaine.

This time, it closed for good, leaving only the Cooper.

The Lark later became the location for Penney's Store.

Jan. 1, 1957, the Cooper was showing Elvis Presley's first movie, "Love Me Tender, A Western."

Dec. 21, 1958, John Weddle and Alice Gorman were married at First E.U.B. Church on North Forest by Rev. H. Orval Moore.

Best man was Ted Weddle and best woman was Ted's wife, Betty.

Nineteen-fifty nine, Shuee's Restaurant, next to Todd's Supermarket on West National, went out of business for good.

It was later known as Gibson's Trading Post.

Todd's Supermarket later became Chaney's Market, owned by the late Don Chaney, now known as Aerial Arts Fireworks.

Conclusion, this is all for now, but in January 2008, I will write some more about the past, as well as some politics concerning our governor and some present and future business.

Until next time, happy holidays and take care and be fair.

J.J. Weddle,

Brazil