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Moviehouse Productions proudly presents its new entry in its series honoring histories of Philadelphia’s old neighborhoods. We’ve chosen “Lower Olney” to profile, a section of the city’s Northwest. Our special guest is John Rossi, author and Emeritus Professor of LaSalle University. The discussion is based on Mr. Rossi’s 2009 book, “Tales of Lower Olney”. John lived in Lower Olney from 1936-1982. He spins tales about a different way of life generations ago…of street games, working, family life, going to the movies, a dive “diners”, early TV and more.

This is John Rossi’s second Moviehouse video. Tune in our post about 1960’s Phillies star Johnny Callison, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOeun_nmJPM

Beck’s was a landmark Philadelphia restaurant, one mile south of Sears on the Boulevard, at Rising Sun Avenue. Known for seafood with its distinctive illuminated lobster signage, Beck’s heydays were in the 1940’s through the 1970’s. Beck’s was demolished in the 1980’s, leaving behind great memories of good times, celebrations, seafood, chopped steak, creamed spinach and mashed potatoes.

“Lenny’s Hot Dogs” is a famed Philly ‘eatin” institution. Beginning in 1935, the smells of hot dogs cooked in sauerkraut, plunked on a roll and slathered with “pepperhash” and mustard wafted invitingly through many local neighborhoods, and as far away as Margate, NJ. We’ll never forget those great birthday parties at Lenny’s Castor Avenue in NE Philly!

Today, only one ” Lenny’s Hot Dogs” survives in Feasterville, Bucks County, PA. Moviehouse Productions is proud to present an interview with Bryan Kravitz, a member of the third and last generation to be involved in Lenny’s empire. The “drive” Bryan picked from his dad “Lenny” inspired him to strike out on his own and build a new and unique career.

‘It’s sad that George Reeves didn’t live to see his young fans grow up and know the effects of his “SUPERMAN” on their lives.” “Adventures Continue” website editor Jim Nolt offers his perspectives on Reeves continuing impact on his fans, more than 70 years after Reeves signature achievement left the airwaves.

“The Search for Superman: George Reeves’ Story”, a live multi-media show produced by MOVIEHOUSE PRODUCTIONS, is now being scheduled for area groups. The program explores Reeves film and TV career and the people and events that shaped his life.

Moviehouse Productions shares several perspectives on “Mother’s Day”. Included are a look across cultures, a classic Mother’s Day poem and the bittersweet story of Mothers Day founder Philadelphian Anna Jarvis. The tribute concludes with personal memories of mom, from Philly’s Oxford Circle neighborhood in the 1950’s.

Read the Northeast Times Article

Moviehouse Productions is proud to present its latest installment in its Philadelphia Neighborhood series, “Fred’s Frankford Stories”. Frankford is a historic lower Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood.

Our “star” is Fred Prescott, lifelong Frankford resident and board member of the Historical Society of Frankford (HSF). Special thanks to Susan Couvreur, HSF board member, for her invaluable assistance.

Fred tells stories of growing up and living in Frankford of an another  time, early 1940’s through the 1960’s.

Topics covered in “Fred’s Frankford Stories” include:

Frankford Geography

The People of Frankford

Fred’s World- “Whitehall Commons”

“The Five Mile Train”

Frankford Schools and Houses of Worship

Movie Theatres and Shopping

“The Salesmen of the Frankford Streets”

Restaurants

Transportation

The Unusual Characters of Frankford and “The Elephant”

Boy Scouting

The 1943 Crash of the Congressional Limited

The Birth of “Rock and Roll” in Frankford

Moviehouse Productions latest story chronicles the intersecting lives of Philadelphia physician Dr. William Williams Keen and President Grover Cleveland.

Dr. Keen was the father of American surgery. He saved countless lives during the Civil War and future conflicts by championing the need for modern, sanitary conditions for medical care. Keen performed America’s first successful brain surgery.

Grover Cleveland overcame scandal to become the only U.S. President to serve two non- consecutive terms.

In a secret operation on New York’s East River in 1893, Dr. Keen saved Grover Cleveland’s life by removing a malignant jaw tumor. Mr. Cleveland died many years later of unrelated causes.

Commentary on the Biden – Trump Debate from the Daily Planet. Dissatisfaction with the candidates spurs editor Perry White to request help from Superman.

Cast: John Hamilton…as Perry White

George Reeves…as Clark Kent

Noel Neill…as Lois Lane

Jack Larson…as Jimmy Olson

Joe Biden…as himself

Donald Trump…as himself

Philadelphia Motion Picture Hall of Fame

From the glorious Tyson Theater in Northeast Philadelphia, MOVIEHOUSE PRODUCTIONS is proud to present its honorees for the Philadelphia Motion Picture Hall of Fame. All our stars were born in the City of Brotherly Love, except for Siegmund Lubin. Though born in Europe, Mr. Lubin produced his body of work in the Philadelphia area.

Our Honorees:

Lionel Barrymore, the House of Barrymore

Mary Carr, star of early silents and talkies

Mae Clarke, Jimmy Cagney’s “Grapefruit Girl”

Broderick Crawford, Academy Award Winner and 1950’s television star

Laird Cregar, Philadelphia’s largest gift to Hollywood

WC Fields, Film Comedian

Larry Fine, Philadelphia “Stooge”

Janet Gaynor, the very first star of “A Star is Born”

Grace Kelly, “East Falls” Gift to Hollywood

Siegmund Lubin, Silent Film Pioneer

Jeanette MacDonald, Film Songstress

Hugh Marlowe, science fiction film king

David Raksin, film composer

Penny Singleton, filmdom’s “Blondie” and performer advocate                                                                             

Life Achievement Award:

The Philadelphia Motion Picture Hall of Fame presents its Life Achievement Award to David Supowitz. A prolific theater architect and son of South Philadelphia, Mr. Supowitz designed our striking Art Deco venue, the Tyson theater.

Not credited in our video, but very deserving of recognition:

Philadelphia’s Central High School Alumni Association, photo of David Raksin

Hollywood Diva, Biography of Jeanette MacDonald, Edward Baron Turk

Moviehouse Productions is proud to present “Philly’s Golden Age of Television and Beyond”. The video is a heartfelt tribute to Philadelphia’s standout role in the birth of commercial television, 1930’s-1950’s.

Drawing on the stories of Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Famers interviewed many years ago, we are ever grateful to John Lyons, Harold Pannepacker, Jack Steck and Alan Tripp.

Our video opens with stories of TVs early experiments at Philco Corporation. We follow with vignettes about many stars who graced our Admirals, Philcos, Muntzs, Silvertones and GEs.

“Golden Age” watchers will remember warmly “Wee Willie Webber”, Alan Scott, Phil Sheridan, “Uncle Pete” Boyle”, Lee Dexter, Willie the Worm, Gene London, American Bandstand, and Sally Starr.

Our “Lest We Forget” segment includes salutes to several more local small screen personalities. “Golden Age” also tunes in a New York City feed with memories of our 1950’s network favorites.

Viewers were limited to just a few channels long ago in comparison to the hundreds of choices today. But, what we watched long ago was often more thrilling as we delighted in things “totally new”. What fun to view with our family and friends.

Sit back, watch and smile!