The Gem Theater: 2016

Introduction

Downtown Wichita Falls, Texas, in the mid 1940’s was a bustling metropolis for a boy of 7 just away from the farm and ranch community where he was born. My father, a cook and cowboy by trade, had just started as one of the first cooks for the Casa Manana restaurant in 1947. He moved us to an apartment on Ohio Street, right across from the Gem Theater, between 7^th and 8^th Streets. It’s here that we would stay for the next three years. The Gem Theater became a magic palace for a young mind. But it had to share that distinction with the rest of the magic that was Wichita Falls. I attended San Jacinto and Carrigan elementary schools, as well as Reagan Junior High, and belonged to the Boys Club on 6th Street. Please join, and share your stories and pictures through a Guest Blog, of early Wichita Falls - or your home town. Contact me at fadingshadows40@gmail.com or leave a comment. We could use old pictures of movie houses, drive-in theaters, and other nostalgic pictures related to our youths.

Friday, December 16, 2016

Uncle Scrooge

Uncle Scrooge. I loved those Uncle Scrooge comic books, especially the fantastic covers.

Saturday, December 3, 2016

The Del Mar Theater

The Del Mar Theater in San Leandro, California. Sadly the theater was torn down in the ‘70s, but what a magnificent theater. Sent to me by James Griffith, taken before they brought it down. We should always remember to protect our past and history by capturing these magnificent structures before they are gone forever, Thanks, James.

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Comic Book Rack

Boy looking through a comic book rack. I remember doing this at Kress’s in Wichita Falls when I was 7 thru 10 years old. I loved comic books back then.

Monday, November 7, 2016

Cafe Pictures

Café Pictures: Here are two old shots of cafes. I’m pretty sure that I posted these before, but it doesn’t hurt to run them again. I love old pictures that are set in time, especially shots that show magazine and comic book racks.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Captain Marvel

Captain Marvel: Here is another great Captain Marvel comic book edition of The World's Mightiest Marvel. Although I discovered Superman and Batman first, when Captain Marvel came along I was hooked. My favorite series was The Marvel Family, however, which featured all the Marvel family in one comic book. It was fun being a kid back then.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Browsing For A Movie Part

Browsing For A Movie Part? Here’s Marilyn Monroe looking through some books on a rack. Maybe looking for a movie part?

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Double Feature Weekend

Double Feature Weekend: Lash LaRue in Border Feud and Ghost Town Renegades. Everything buy the cartoon, chapter play, and newsreel (LOL). One of my childhood heroes was Lash LaRue. I got to meet him and Al “Fuzzy” St. John at the Wichita Falls (Texas) Auditorium around 1950, when I was ten years old. I got a pat on the head by Lash at the end of their act. It was a wonderful time being a kid.

The Gem Theater