Another Something Special When It Was New

Suicide Fleet Floats Toledo's Boat

A few days ago, I coasted over Suicide Fleet in dismiss terms typical for one seeing cloudy remnant on TCM, my idea of an antique grounded since 1931 when viewership thought as little of the RKO programmer. It took images rescued from Toledo's Rivoli Theatre to realize (again) how even ordinary product could become an event with proper handling. A Naval Guard Of Honor at the Rivoli's entrance? Can be done. Is that a hundred there in uniform? Sure looks to be. Such bally was typical of the Rivoli. In fact, it was typical to venues all over the country. That's what made this a Golden Age we'll not tire of. The childish mob scene (below) I'll assume was a weekly thing. Whenever school was out, they'd be in. Must have been a giveaway happening on this occasion, because lots are holding up booty of some sort. Appears to be model airplanes, stuffed animals, what all? Check the boy in front with flight jacket and goggles on his head --- another junior Lindy kitted out after idol's example. And whoa --- look at the coming attraction indicated at right --- Frankenstein! They'll be back for that sure as sun shines, or sure as I would given youth spent in the 30's (Query: Would you endure a countrywide and ongoing Depression for access to great movies and theatres they had then?). Vaudeville was the gravy --- Emil Boreo, a performer of "speed and explosive manner" who oft-played a comic Frenchman and would later be seen in Hitchcock's The Lady Vanishes.

Is That a Streetcar Track In The Foreground?