Film

"Pitch a Boogie Woogie"

As the image suggests, this was great fun. More importantly, it is a significant bit of culture and history.

"We were fascinated by the big old carbon arc 35mm projectors. They connected to massive power supplies. They smelled of machine oil. Spent carbon rods littered the floor and tins of fresh rods sat open and partially used beside the machines. It was exciting when we found actual movie film stashed under the stage.
Right away, we noticed the label. It read "Pitch a Boogie Woogie". We soon learned that the film's producer was the owner and builder of the theater, one John Warner, no relation to the Warner Brothers of Hollywood. Dick Exum, at times our one man science and technology department and always a fearless experimenter soon took on the challenge of putting the projectors into operation. Within a day or two, we ran the film, without audio. The movie was apparently a floor show with music and dance. Beginning with two guys sitting at a piano, they soon appear in evening wear, drinking cocktails, enjoying the show.
Knowing the film was fragile and flammable, we came to a logical conclusion. Placing the reels back in their containers, we put them safely away. People in the neighborhood were aware of the movie. We learned quite a bit about the history of the theater, its owner, as well as about the cast and musical talent in the film over the next two or three years. Our goal was to have the film preserved on 16mm format and eventually be able to screen it at the theater. This dream was later realized in grand fashion, although it has never run at the Roxy.
We did acquire a 16mm projector and ran a number of films, including "Cool Hand Luke", a Marx Brothers double feature, and "Everything You Know is Wrong" with the Firesign Theater."

"Pitch A Boogie Woogie" - Documentary including Complete Film 


Thanks to Alex Albright for his vision and persistent dedication to his meticulous research. He took on the project and brought it to great heights. The film is now in the Library of Congress and was made into a PBS documentary. The connections uncovered by Alex Albright reach worldwide in terms of the people involved and the careers they had. It all happened in a wooden theater on Albemarle Avenue. 

ECU Digital Collections 

The Count and Harriet

Laura Windley 

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Alex organized a Cast Reunion and Screening of the movie on campus at ECU in Greenville. A mind blowing finale and crowning achievement, this was a much deserved reward for the Cast Members and the community. They were surprised and overwhelmed at the recognition and respect.