The program will feature a black and white movie made in Towanda in January 1934 entitled, "Towanda's Queen". The movie features several local residents including the Bradford County Sheriff, Howard L. Bailey; Jean MacLaren; Lang Dayton; Towanda's Justice of Peace, Harry N. White; Mrs. Anne M. Parsons; Mrs. Ernest Sluyter; Richard Wilt; Joanna Gaylord; William Glenn; Hulett M. Turner, Publisher of the Daily Review; Staley Clarke, Daily Review City Editor; and Ashton Merrill, Daily Review Assistant City Editor.
Some of the scenes in the movie feature the Towanda American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps marching on Main Street in front of the courthouse; the Towanda Musical Society; the interior of the Keystone Theatre; the composing room and printing press of The Daily Review; and exterior shots of a couple houses on York Avenue.
The movie was described as a "modern two-reel comedy with talking, singing and musical sequences." It was also announced that this was the "first all-talking movie made in Bradford County." Any movies made prior to this were silent films.
It was reported that "the story centers around a country boy who decides to leave the farm and become an interior decorator. He meets the girl of his dreams, has some difficulties courting her, but at last gets both a job and the girl. The show has a most unusual ending that everyone will enjoy."
The film includes short interviews between Director Don O. Newland and local residents who had shown up to watch the spectacle of a "talkie" being filmed.
A history of the movie and how it was made will be discussed by BCHS Curator, Matthew Carl, prior to it being shown. This year is the 75th anniversary of the making of this film.
This program is part of the 2009 "Friday Night at the Museum" programming series that is held the third Friday of each month from May until October. Each event is held in the Great Room at the Bradford County Historical Society, located at 109 Pine Street, Towanda, PA. Free refreshments are provided at each program.
The Bradford County Historical Society is a recipient agency of the Bradford County United Way. For more information about the society visit the newly redesigned and updated website at www.bradfordhistory.com.
