Podcasts

Tales of Lower Olney, Philadelphia

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

Remember Beck’s on the Boulevard?

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: Bryan Kravitz’s Story

“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.

The Search for SUPERMAN: George Reeves’ Story

‘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.

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.

Fred’s Frankford Stories

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

W.W. Keen: The Philadelphia Physician Who Saved President Cleveland’s Life

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.

Captured at the Daily Planet: Biden- Trump Debate: Who the World Really Needs to Enter the Race.

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