Category: podcast

Growing up in West Oak Lane, Philadelphia

Joel Spivak was “All Philadelphia”- an architect, preservationist, and civic activist.  Joel passed away, April 2025. I was honored to know him. We are re-posting the 2021 video about Joel’s formative years. He was “born to be wild”.

Let’s tune in the adventures of Joel Spivak, who lived in Philly’s West Oak Lane neighborhood from the mid 1940’s until 1960. Joel was quite an urban explorer. He remains so to this day. In fact, long ago Spivak adopted Cole Porter’s “Don’t Fence Me In” as his anthem. Joel’s an architect, artist and author and he’s also contributing mightily to the revival of South Street. Spivak’s working on a history of that vaunted thoroughfare. Joel is a published authority on trains and trolleys and is the founder of Philly’s National Hot Dog Month.

Two From the Nostalgia Cabinet: Tragic End for Crooner Russ Columbo, Famous Lasts

Moviehouse Productions presents a blockbuster twin bill, “Two from the Nostalgia Cabinet”. Part One is a tribute to Russ Columbo: Camden, New Jersey’s charismatic crooner of the 1920’s and early ‘30’s. Columbo ‘s life and career were tragically snuffed out at a young age. Part Two ,“Famous Lasts”, features notable final moments from Philadelphia and the national scene. Guest appearances are featured from President Lyndon Johnson, Thomas Edison, George Gershwin, Rosa Parks, the Beatles, Doc Severinsen, Johnny Carson, Astronaut Eugene Cernan, Elvis Presley, and Paul Robeson. Included is a remembrance of the last Phillies game at Connie Mack Stadium.

“Phorgotten ” Philly Water Towers

In the midst of a searing heatwave, MOVIEHOUSE PRODUCTIONS provides relief by sharing tales of Philadelphia’s “phorgotten” water towers. Not only were these towers key for commerce, but they were familiar neighborhood landmarks as well. They pumped the fluid of life to our homes and industries. Special tribute is paid to the great Chestnut Hill water tower.

Phorgotten Towers

 

Ode to the “Jolly Mon”: A Lost Philly Mini-Golf Course

Miniature golf was the first huge  recreational fad of the Great Depression.  The “Jolly Mon”,  which opened in 1934 as the “South Seas”,  was part of the “wave” which allowed the struggling masses to live out their country club fantasies. Jolly Mon was a prominent Roosevelt Boulevard landmark. Its appeal continued for decades.

 

monkey cage

Philly’s Janet Gaynor: The First Star of “A Star is Born”.

Janet Gaynor was born in Philly’s Germantown neighborhood in 1906. She was the first star in a succession of “A Star is Born” films. Ms. Gaynor was first to win the “Best Actress” Academy Award in 1928. She became a painter of beautiful “still lifes” in her later years.