WEDNESDAY
8 - 10 pm, SPECIAL SCREENING OF THE BAD SEED (1956)
For all you early birds who show up Wednesday afternoon or evening, we're offering a special
screening of THE BAD SEED starring weekend guest Patty McCormack. Christine Penmark
seems to have it all: a lovely home, a loving husband and the most "perfect" daughter in the
world. But since childhood, Christine has suffered from the most terrible recurring nightmare. And
her "perfect" daughter's accomplishments include lying, theft and possibly much, much worse.
Only Christine knows the truth about her daughter and only Christine's father knows the truth
about her nightmare.
THURSDAY
9 - 10 am, THE HISTORY OF SERGEANT PRESTON OF THE YUKON
Terry Salomonson, an authority on WXYZ radio will present an hour-long presentation about the
history and trivia of one of radio and TV's great heroes of the Yukon. Sergeant Preston and his
wonder dog King.
10:00 - 11:00 am, RADIO WAS THERE
Historian Neal Ellis presents a collection of several dramatic news events as they were covered
by radio. You’ll hear Hurricane Carol devastate WBZ radio in Boston, the final flight on the
Hindenberg, the flood broadcast of WHAS Louisville (1937), the B-25 the crashed into the Empire
State Building in New York and more.
11:00 am - noon, ADVENTURES IN PARADISE
Author Jim Rosin, whose new book on the television show will be available at the convention,
will give us a look back at the long-running program starring Gardner McKay and the issues
between the studio and James Michener, who battled them over the story treatments for TV.
noon - 2 pm, THE BIG CARTOON ORGY
Thad Komorowski will introduce a little background for a grab bag of classic (and not so-classic)
shorts from the Golden Age of Animation. No two showings are the same, so attend both for the
full effect. WARNING: You may die laughing.
2 - 3 pm, NO SCHOOL TODAY : BIG JOHN AND SPARKY
No School Today was a children's program the early fifties that competed against Howdy Doody,
Kukla Fran and Ollie, and Beany & Cecil. All the voices were done by one person, Jon (Big Jon)
Arthur and the Saturday morning program. Hosted by Fred Berney who will feature an exclusive
interview he had with the creator of the program.
4 - 5 pm, AUTHOR PANEL
Want to learn what it takes to do research and dig up the past? The complications and benefits
from writing a book about old movies, TV shows, etc.? If it wasn't for the authors and researchers,
we wouldn't have the magazines and books we have today and the fascinating tid-bits and trivia
we learn from watching the old classics.
5 - 6 pm, INTERVIEW WITH JAMES BEST AND LEE MERIWETHER
Joel Blumberg of Silver Screen Audio will host an interview with our weekend guest, James Best.
James Best will talk about Dukes of Hazzard and working on such TV shows as
The Twilight Zone, Gunsmoke, Have Gun-Will Travel and movies including Forbidden Planet
and The Killer Shrews. Lee Meriwether, Miss America 1955, will talk about her screen career
including her appearance as Catwoman in Batman, Time Tunnel, Barnaby Jones and Mission:
Impossible among other credits to her name that need no introduction.
6 - 8 pm, DINNER BREAK [no events]
8 - 9 pm, ALFRED HITCHCOCK: HIS LIFE AND MOVIES
Thought you knew all about Alfred Hitchcock? This presentation will feature a behind-the-scenes
look at his movies, his TV show, debunk the myths and steer any Hitchcock fan in the right
direction when it comes to viewing his movies and why his name has such a lasting appeal.
(If rain is predicted for Friday evening, the drive-in theater and this presentation
will switch days.)
9:30 - whenever, GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT
Special screening of Gentleman's Agreement from 1947. Celeste Holm won an Academy Award
for her performance so we felt it only right to screen this classic Elia Kazan entry. Co-stars
Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire, June Havoc, Jane Wyatt and John Garfield. Featured before the
movie is a special documentary revealing the backstory of this motion-picture and rare footage of
Celeste Holm receiving her Oscar and delivering her acceptance speech at the Academy Awards,
courtesy of a 1948 newsreel.
FRIDAY
9 - 10 am, A LOOK AT THE FOLK ERA
From "If I Had a Hammer" to "Imagine," from Newport to Woodstock. Michael J. Hayde presents
an overview of the music that gave birth to the turbulent 1960's, and the singer-songwriters,
couples, trios and ensembles that tried to change the world one song at a time. Mike also
provided a rare episode of Hootenanny for the movie room this year and it's one of those few
episodes not released on DVD.
10 - 11:30 am, THE GREAT CARTOON ORGY
Thad Komorowski will introduce a little background for a grab bag of classic (and not so-classic)
shorts from the Golden Age of Animation. No two showings are the same, so attend both for the
full effect. WARNING: You may cry laughing.
noon - 1:00 pm, INTERVIEW WITH DIANA SOWLE, ROSEMARY RICE
AND BOB HASTINGS
Resident expert Derek Tague will interview three celebrities who are appearing at the convention
due to popular request by yearly attendees. Sowle will have stories about the Willy Wonka movie,
Bob Hastings will talk about playing Lt. Carpenter on McHale's Navy, supplying the voice of The
Raven on The Munsters, and numerous other accomplishments. Rosemary Rice played Katrin on
I Remember Mama (the TV series) and she will discuss the early days of television broadcasting
when shows were "live."
1:00 - 2:00 pm, THE HISTORY OF DOO WOP
A talented group of singers are going to explain the history of doo wop music, and then
demonstrate with a stage performance of A cappella harmony!
2:00 - 3:00 pm, TRYOUTS FOR THE RADIO DRAMA (see below)
Come try out for a role! A number of people did so last year and they had a blast!
3:00 - 3:30 pm, OLD-TIME RADIO DRAMA RE-CREATION
A live re-creation of a classic old-time radio program will be broadcast. And like previous years,
we will offer a re-creation of an episode that does not exist in recorded form so everyone will
have a chance to hear something new, but an original drama dated from the thirtes and forties!
Name of program to be announced.
4 - 5 pm, CHARITY AUCTION FOR ST. JUDE'S CHILDREN HOSPITAL
Multiple items will be available for bidding. Items range from original filmscripts to books, DVDs,
and autographed photos and memorabilia donated by Hollywood stars. 100% of the money raised
will be donated to St. Jude's Research Hospital. If you want to donate an item, please contact us
or if you are attending the event, bring it to the event and ask at the front desk. Don't miss out on
getting rare items for a bargain and helping out a good cause at the same time!
5 - 6 pm, INTERVIEW WITH JOHNNY WHITAKER & CELESTE HOLM
Joel Blumberg of Silver Screen Audio will host an interview with two of our weekend guests on
stage. Academy Award winner Celeste Holm will discuss her film, stage, screen and radio career
along with Johnny Whitaker. Both actors appeared in the movie Tom Sawyer together.
6 - 8 pm, DINNER BREAK [no events]
SUNSET, DRIVE-IN MOVIE THEATER
That's right! Outside in the parking lot, just like last year a HUGE screen
will be set up. Make sure to bring a lawnchair and settle back for a good
old fashioned 1950s drive-in classic (with vintage trailers and intermission
previews to start the countdown). Speakers will play out the sound, but if
you want to go in your car and tune to the right FM station, you can enjoy
a drive-in experience! (Rain date is Thursday evening so locals, be sure
to check the weather report!!) Snacks and food (hot dogs and popcorn)
will be provided outside! Vintage hot rod cars on display a couple hours
before the movie starts! Yes, the fifties have returned!
FIRST MOVIE: It Conquered the World (1956) Peter Graves,
Lee Van Cleef and Beverly Garland
SECOND MOVIE: Batman (1966) with weekend guest Meriwether as Catwoman!
Total running time for Drive-In (including vintage intermission break & cartoon) 2 hrs, 31 min.
SATURDAY
10 - 11 am, STRATEMEYER'S SLEUTHS
For over three decades, one literary factory with an army of ghost writers churned out the popular
teen sleuth series books: Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, The Dana Girls, etc." Hosted by author
and historian Jack French.
11 am - noon, CSI: 1954
How has crime scene investigation changed over the past few decades? Crime Scene Supervisor
John L. French shows us how it used it be, how it is now, and if things have changed for the
better or the worse.
noon - 1 pm, THE LIFE AND FILMS OF ROBERT TAYLOR
Linda Alexander authored a book titled "Reluctant Witness: Robert Taylor, Hollywood, &
Communism," and it chronicles Taylor's life from early years through his rise as a star, his family
years, & his death. She will be a guest at this year's event offering a tribute to the movie star with
fascinating behind-the-scenes stories. She'll also be signing copies of her latest book!
All events are subject to change!
All events are conducted on a volunteer basis. If you want to conduct a panel or presentation, drop us a line and we'll schedule it in for you.
All panels and presentations filmed during the convention are copyrighted by M.A.N.C. All rights reserved. Copies of the presentations may be available on DVD, through authorized representatives of M.A.N.C.
Don't forget the drive-in movie
theater on Friday evening!
Thursday evening is the rain date!
Double Feature This Year!
It Conquered The World (1956)
and
Batman (1966)
