1954 Kansas City, Kansas
Gloria Ingram
1943
Kansas City
Interviewed on 1/27/19
By Miles Waits
The first movie I remember seeing was a Roy Rogers Western, but I don’t recall what its name was. I was either 10 or 11 when I saw it; I must’ve been that age because my mother and I didn’t move out to California until I was 13 in 1956. I watched the movie with some cousins and friends, and we walked about a mile to see it at the local movie theater The Princess. We would eventually make a habit of seeing matinees on Saturday afternoons.
The theater didn’t have any ushers because it was on 5th Street, which was in the black part of the city during segregation. I didn’t think that being restricted to going to the black theater hindered my movie-going experience because that’s just the way things were back then. My family and the local black community were not politically active nor as aware as we are today. I didn’t feel wronged because my friends and family were within walking distance of my house. I also had everything I needed and wanted around me like Church, movies, stores and barbershops. The only time we saw white people would be at stores and at the public library on Minnesota Street, where I went to get books for my mom and me.
I ate popcorn while I watched the movie, which back then only cost a nickel. I also loved to eat old-fashioned candies at the movies like Babe Ruth, Butterfingers, and my favorite: Red Hots; Red Hots were my favorite because they came as nice little hearts in a cute little box. Usually my friends and I would fill up on candies and other little snacks at the drug store after Church.
Just like the protagonists of other Westerns at the time, Roy Rogers was the typical good guy who was after outlaws and trying to bring about justice. He rode on his Palomino horse, Trigger. Since he was the hero of the movie I had the strongest attachment to him. I remember how amazing the action was and how exciting and nervous I felt when anticipating what would happen next. Although I now know most of the movie was shot in studio, at the time I wasn’t aware of how movies were made and it just seemed so real and exciting to me. Because the movie was in black-and-white, trying to flesh out scenes in color was an added treat for me. I was relieved to see Roy Rogers’ character eventually come out on top over the bad guys and come to the rescue of those who needed help.
Another movie I remember fondly is The Lone Ranger. I specifically remember the Lone Ranger with his mask and his Native American sidekick, Tonto. I was awestruck when the Lone Ranger had his horse Silver rear up on his hind legs as he yelled “High yowe Silver, away,” while whirling his lariat over his head. Others and I shouted “Wow, did you see that?” and clapped loudly. Watching the heroic duo gallop across the plains gave me the feeling that I was riding with them. I also enjoyed seeing cartoons like Mickey Mouse and Tom and Jerry, and the characters did and said silly and funny things that brought laughter from me and the audience. The next movie I’m really looking forward to seeing is If Beale Street Could Talk.
