|
|
|
April 13, 1999
By Anne Zohner Maxwell
A boy of 15 that day, Sanchez said he can still feel the crush of the crowd as thousands gathered in front of the Dodge Theatre to catch a glimpse of movie stars going to the world premiere of the movie, "Dodge City." "(People were packed in front of the theatre) like sardines," he said, recalling how himself and a friend were right in the middle of the huge crowd. "People had started gathering three hours before the movie began. Everybody wanted to try and see the movie stars going in." As far as Sanchez is concerned, the premiere is biggest thing that has ever happened in his hometown. Hollywood heroes such as Errol Flynn, Jane Wyman, Humphrey Bogart and Ann Sheridan were among the 30 some stars who came to Dodge City by train. Sanchez was able to meet some of those stars on the train as he took lunch to his father, who worked for Santa Fe railroad. "My dad was a coach cleaner and my job was to take lunch to him," Sanchez said. "I was looking on the train for him and met all of them (the stars)." The stars were friendly and volunteered to sign Sanchez's hat. About 22 movie stars in all signed the hat, including Bogart, Flynn and Sheridan. Years later, Sanchez donated the hat to be auctioned off to benefit Saint Mary of the Plains. The hat now belongs to Mike Burkhart, owner of the Dodge Theater, where it is now on display. While Sanchez was able to meet many of the stars that day, being in front of the theatre to witness some Hollywood legends is Sanchez's favorite memory. "Just watching them all go in (was my favorite part)," he said, noting it was exciting to watch history in the making. "Time goes so fast. It just doesn't seem like 60 years ago." Sanchez did not watch the premiere itself, but later saw the movie and has seen it a couple of times since. "I'll probably go to see it again when they show it (for the anniversary)," he said. |
|
Movie House History - Classic
Theaters Of Kansas © 2007
|
Louie
Sanchez clearly remembers the day Hollywood came to Dodge
City.