Ray Bentley started the legendary midnight movies in 1974. In those days, if you wanted to see an art film or an edgy indie or even something outrageous, the cinema was just about the only place (this was pre-VHS). Ray was also a co-owner of the famed Cha Chas during the height of the disco scene. Our fascinating discussion includes:
– How he started by showing movies to the neighborhood kids.
– Going from usher to manager to head of advertising for Neighborhood Theatres
– His DJ brother and the idea for midnight movies
– Reactions to some of the most outrageous movies
– The lifespan of the discos: Cha Cha Palace & Club Cha Cha
– His run-in with Dirtwoman
LINKS
Pinky
1883
Ozark (my review)
The Dirtwoman Documentary
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:58 — 19.9MB)