The Gem Theater: August 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.

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

FATE Magazine

FATE Magazine, June 1957. Not long after Russia launched Sputnik, we were seeing a rash of other things in the sky. I think Sputnik made us look up more, for these “UFOs” had been in our skies long before the Russians got involved. I had left Wichita Falls in 1956, but one of the magazines I enjoyed reading was, of course, FATE Magazine.

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Shazam - The Marvel Family

SHAZAM – The Marvel Family. As most of this Blog’s viewers know by now, The Marvel Family was one of my favorite comic book series back in the day. Although I preferred color panels, this black & white illustration is also very nice. Just thought I would share.

Sunday, August 7, 2016

NEWSSTAND

NEWSSTAND: Here is another vintage newsstand. Unfortunately, I’m not sure where the picture was taken. Or the time period for that matter, but probably in the 1940. Old magazines, candy, and assorted items could be bought in these old stores.

The Gem Theater