BY CAROL HICKS
HOOPESTON — Hoopeston Area High School media students have rescheduled the Lorraine documentary interviews to 1 p.m. Friday at the Lorraine Theatre, 324 E. Main St.
People with stories to tell or former employees who would like to be part of the Lorraine Theatre historical documentary should plan to attend.
"We have heard from a number of people across the country that shared memories with us," said Dan Reed, media class instructor.
According to one narrative, Reed said, a 97-year-old woman, Mrs. Pittman, worked at the Lorraine, met her husband there and was at the theater when it was remodeled. She remembers watching as the mural behind the concession was being painted.
E-mailed memories from as far away as California and Florida, telephone discussions and many personal interviews already have been accomplished, but the class would like the documentary to include memories from area residents given at the Lorraine — especially those concerning the 1958 Lorraine Theatre Hollywood premier for the movie "Slim Carter," with Jock Mahoney and Julie Adams.
It was a gala affair, Reed said, with residents dressed up as their favorite actors, receiving the red carpet treatment with the press and fans crowding the area to catch a glimpse of the celebrities of the night.
"Everything was carried out in true Holywood syle," said the May 1958 Chronicle-Herald, "with the crowds in a gala mood, and entering in the festive spirit, the "stars" arriving in limousines donated by Hoopeston dealers, and business men."
In fact the Keystone Cops, played by Marvin Custer and Cliff Marshall, directed traffic.
The public is invited to attend the Friday documentary interviews and taping.
