Producer and Co-Director of the film Deceptive Practice Alan Edelstein visited Northampton on February 9th for the screening of his documentary at the Academy of Music. Alan grew up in Northampton, and after the show he talked to us about how growing up in a town with a vibrant film community influenced his youth.
Alan Edelstein on Northampton Film
Hi, Dave…interesting that my experience dovetails with Alan Edelstein’s. I recently wrote it up.
Conditioned Air
Northampton: City in Western Mass
Enjoys any number of valid claims
To fame—many of them a bit rash
Yet, its denizens quickly take pains
To boast of Mayor Calvin Coolidge
Who did rise in Boston to Governor
Of the Commonwealth soon a bridge
To President—though a bit of a bore.
A citywide contest back in the day
Would choose a cinema’s moniker
Thousands of entries entered a fray
For fame tied to a hot thermometer
Its garish banner: “Conditioned Air”
A marketing novelty in the 1940’s
When fare wasn’t bodies bare, but
Flicks A & B: Cartoons & Shorties
Its marquee to today reads CALVIN
Letter perfect for the touring troupes
Rock & Rolling where lovers did sin
High in the “gods” as ushering boots
Shone a bright light upon his stairs
Where long-armed swains tried it on
Moving parts—smooth like Astaire’s
Youth not wasted—lived then gone.
This nervous observer wondered at
High School’s Nun-measured whirls
By bobbysoxers in their secretive tat
Sweet, unattainable lobby candy girls.
I, usher, as was, now avoids heights
Streaming on Netflix—cool movies
To fill many lifetimes of long nights
Lacking laughs—editing memories?
(July 18, 2017).