20 Years Ago

“The Sound of Music” was at PPAC.

Kevin Costner starred in “13 Days,” the first good movie of 2001. Chow Yun-Fat starred in the popular Chinese karate romance “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”

“Africa: The Serengeti” was at IMAX.

“O Brother, Where Art Thou?” by the Coen Brothers was one of the most controversial films of the year. It starred George Clooney and had Trinity’s Daniel Von Bargen playing the sheriff.

“Wait Until Dark” was at City Nights Dinner Theatre in Pawtucket. Pat Kohler reviewed it for me while I was at Rhode Island College watching Tony Award-winning actress Julie Harris as the “Belle of Amherst.”

40 Years Ago

The Allman Brothers kicked off the New Year at the sold-out Providence Civic Center.

“A Chorus Line” was at PPAC.

Disney’s “The Aristocats” was at Midland Mall Cinema. Kids got in for $1.50.

The Thyrsus Club at Cranston East presented “The Miracle Worker” starring Janet Butler as Helen Keller.

Showcase Cinemas was facing strong opposition to its proposed eight-screen multiplex on the Warwick-East Greenwich line. Today they have doubled their screens and added another Showcase three miles up the road.

Governor Francis Inn had a luncheon special of soup, salad, fries and a sandwich for $1.95. They still serve the best soups in town.