Cartoons at the Paramount

Hey, things have been hopping lately at the Paramount Theater in Ashland.

They've started up the area's newest theatre group - they had auditions this week for a touring show of Tom Sawyer - and now they're getting ready to host a Cartoon Film Festival, as we see in this story by Kristy Moore:

"What's up Doc?" "Th-th-th-that's all folks!" "I Tawt I Taw a Putty Tat." These are few of the things you'll hear and see on the big screen during the Cartoon Film Festival, Sunday, July 26, at the Paramount Arts Center.

The festival starts at 3 p.m.

Cartoons ranging from 50 to 90-years-old include Casper the Friendly Ghost, Betty Boop, Superman and many more. The festival will last four-and-half hours with two intermissions. Guests are welcome to stay for the full event, or come and go as they please.

Ashland native Paul Clere is a volunteer on the new Paramount Film Committee and has researched and selected many of the cartoons for the event.

"Some of the cartoons have been selected because of their historic nature, others are included because they stand the test of time and are as entertaining today as when they were created," he said. "The cartoons range from black and white animation, to early "talkie" cartoons, to the spectacular Superman features from the early 1940s.

"The Superman features cost over $100,000 each to produce in early 1940s, which was unheard of at the time considering they are each approximately 10 minutes in length. It amazes me to think that every frame of each of the cartoons was drawn by hand unlike most of today's computer generated animation."

Clere worked on the Nashville Independent Film Festival board for many years, which he said has helped expose him to many genres of film and animation. This experience ultimately spiked his interest in film; however, he attributes the beginning of his love of film to his childhood experience at the Paramount.

"Like so many others in the Tri-State, some of my favorite memories as a child are of watching movies at the Paramount," Clere said. "Cartoons and serials were usually shown prior to the feature presentation. They added to the overall movie-going experience and I miss that when attending movies in today's cinemas."

The Cartoon Film Festival is the kickoff to Paramount's new Second Sunday Film series beginning Sunday, Sept. 12, with Singing in the Rain. Admission is $3 for everyone ages 3 and over for the Cartoon Film Festival.

For more information about the upcoming film series call 606-324-3175. To sign up for the Paramount's film series newsletter, go online at www.paramountartscenter.com.