MIDNITE HOUR - 01 March 2023

The Great Race (1965) was a triple Acadamy Award winner (Effects, Sound, Cinematography-Color). back when the Acadamy Awards meant something... A footnote: Henry Mancini was nominated for the musical score. Surprisingly, some relatively new movies began arriving in Thailand during this period.

April 1966

Lord Jim (1965), based on the classic novel by Joseph Conrad, was a double-BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) nominee, but didn't bag an Oscar on the other side of the pond... However In London, this film was THE Royal Film Performance for 1965, with Queen Elizabeth II attending.

April 1966

During this period, the Thai Film industry was expanding rapidly, often featuring actors from abroad. Burengnong The Conqueror was a popular Thai film of the day.

April 1966

That Man In Istanbul (1965) won recoginiton and awards in it's home country of Spain. An obvious 007 spoof, it had its serious and humorous moments. Starring the up-and-coming lead male star of the day, Horst Buckholz.

April 1966

Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines (1965), a solid British comedy, took home a number of awards, including an Oscar for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay.

April 1966

The Monkey Goes West (1966) was not a comic kung-fu pic, but rather a film made of a 16th Century Chinese novel. In this case, 'going West' was a Buddhist monk and a coterie of magicians travelling to India from China, for the purpose of obtaining Buddhist sutras. Did anyone catch Run Run Shaw's play on words - 'monkey' re 'monk'? Out of Hong Kong, of course...

April 1966

The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders (1965), based on Daniel Defoe's 18th Century Moll Flanders, was meant to be a take-off of Tom Jones (the film), but, while popular, never rose to great acceptance. Often cited for her outstanding performance was Angela Lansbury. Even with the popular Kim Novak as 'Moll" it was given but a single BAFTA nod...

April 1966

Horror of Dracula (1958) was one of the earlier (of several) Dracula films. This 1958 version starred Christopher Lee as Count Dracula, often cited as 'the most terrifying' of the blood-suckers.

April 1966

Traces of Bangkok's Early Years

This month Midnite Hour highlights Bangkok's June 1966 Night Entertainment Scene. A number of 'A List' stars making their way East, many of whom we had no itea had ever come to The Kingdom during their active years..

No jazz afficionado will NOT recognize Billy Eckstine - but what will surprise many is that he toured Bangkok in 1965. For those too young to remember, he was a jazz singer and bandleader during the bebop / swing era. Eckstine was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously. His recording of "I Apologize" won the 1999 Grammy Hall of Fame Award. He was an inspiration to singers like Johnny Hartman, Lou Rawls, and a host of others. June1966

      According to Nitelife columnist Bernard Trink, a long (financial) negotiation preceded Pat Boone's performances in Thailand in 1966.   (And noting the additional sponsors reflected on the advertisement, it looks like they, jointly, came up with the required cash.)   We note among the locations for purchasing tickets was the Naturist A Go-Go...   (Yes, you read that correctly, and yes, it was June 1966....)
June 1966

      Although we see some advertising for the Peninsula Hotel, it never became one of the major Night Entertainment spots in Bangkok.   The Krung Thong Night Club will remain but a remote bit of Bangkok Nightlife trivia...

June 1966

      The De Castro Sisters were a popular American singing group, originally from Cuba.   They began as a Latin-flavored trio, eventually coming to the U.S.A - protegees of Carmen Miranda.   They quickly became 'Americanized', adding comedy to their routines.   They had a number of popular hit records in the mid 1950s and '60's...            June 1966

      Many remember, or believe they remember, that it was hard to find something to eat on the Patpong's in the early days - recalling it was Mizu's or nothing.   But this was quite far from accurate.   In addition to Dukes on PP2 (mentioned last month) there was the Keynote, Bobby's Hotdogs, the Venue on the corner of Silom and PP1 (which changed hands a couple of times), and this month we note Burger House.   (Not to mention that some of the other Nitespots would send out for food if asked.)

June 1966

      Wilma Reading got her singing start in 1959 after singing for friends at a Brisbane, Australia jazz club.   Her unique vocal talents were immediately recognized, and (to make a long story as short as we can), it wasn't long before she performed on The Tonight Show (Johnny Carson's), had a residency at NYC's Copa' and was touring with Duke Ellington.   Later, in 1974 she played in the West End production of Show Boat, taking over from Cleo Laine.   She has performed with the national orchestras of Belgium, the Netherlands, Iceland and Germany and toured with the Moscow Symphony Orchestra.   She appeared at The London Palladium and performed for BBC TV.   (This is the shortlist..)   The Rama Hotel was on Silom Rd. at Mahasaek Rd.
June 1966

      Italian born Toni Dalli moved to Yorkshire, England at the age of sixteen to work in the coal mines.   There he sang locally to much acclaim, and on finally obtaining citizenship, his career began to skyrocket.   He quickly moved to London, and from there to the USA (Ed Sullivan Show), and Hollywood's Moulin Rouge.   He recorded with EMI, Decca and Capitol Records.   Additionally, he had his own TV show in Los Angeles.   At the time of his death in 1959 he was to star in the film, 'The Mario Lanza Story', which subsequently was never released.

June 1966

      After Max's Bar became well known for the (then risque) nude art on the walls, he began including it in his ads.   While it wasn't necessary (a 'regulars' bar - everyone already knew), it is of interest that it was appearing in the local publications...            June 1966

      The term, 'Turkish Bath' was another name for today's 'steam & cream' massage parlors.   The Venice Turkish Bath was in the 'Rajprasong Shopping Center', which was where Central World, Big C, etc., are now located.
June 1966