87% of Criswell's Predictions Have Come True!

The Amazing Criswell (1907-1982) was a psychic who was famous for his bizarre and inaccurate predictions...even though the back of his book claims that 87% have come true! Criswell also became famous for appearing in a few films by Ed Wood including the classic PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE (1959), and the unwatchable  ORGY OF THE DEAD (1965). Criswell as also immortalized on screen by actor Jeffrey Jones in the brilliant Tim Burton biopic, ED WOOD (1994).
So, he may have predicted that Reagan would be governor of California and that JFK wouldn't finish his first four years in office–but he also claimed that Denver would be destroyed by aliens, Fidel Castro would be assassinated and there would be HOMOSEXUAL CITIES!!! Yee-haa! (He also prophecized that the world would end on his 92nd birthday - August 18, 1999 - but, sadly, he died when he was only 75).

That's right, HOMOSEXUAL CITIES near Des Moines and Columbus! "Perversion will parade shamelessly" - did that ever happen? Oh yeah, they cities "will be complete with stores, churches, bars and restaurants which will ...(have)...organized orgies"! Wow, Criswell - maybe bars - but ORGIES in stores, churches, and restaurants?! It sounds like a uber-gay version of Walt Disney's original plans for EPCOT. Oh, Criswell if only you were 99% accurate...

PS- The Onion A.V. Club ran a great piece on Criswell back in 1999. Check it out.

Love at the Five & Dime...

I really miss the concept of a five-and-dime store. While I love the 99 Cents Store and Target, they are just not the same. Woolworth's, McCrory's, SS Kresge, Lamstons...all gone. Here's a wonderful old postcard depicting Stapleton Town Square in my hometown circa 1940s/50s. I can only imagine what this area looks like today.
Nanci Griffith's Love at the Five & Dime, covered here by the great Kathy Mattea is a melancholy reminder of those simplier times.
And Robert Altman's brilliant film adaptation of COME BACK TO THE FIVE & DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN boasts some wonderful performances by Sandy Dennis, Karen Black and Cher.

Shopping at Korvette's

Being back home in Staten Island, NY has already made me nostalgic for the place where most of my toys and records came from - a wonderful retail outlet known as

E.J. Korvettes.

Founded in 1948, Korvettes sadly went bankrupt in 1980. 

The chain was one of the first discount department stores. 

It was founded on the premise that people actually preferred to save money on their purchases!

Korvette's low-price model was similar to that of "five and dime" retailers such as Woolworth's, McCrory's, and S.S. Kresge (K-mart) but carried a broader range of products, from jewelry to appliances, underselling the major department stores.

E.J. Korvette at its peak, it had 58 stores, including my local store on Richmond Avenue - before there was a Staten Island Mall.

There was a even company-owned Hills Supermarket attached. After the store closed, it became a DMV. I have no idea what is there now. I guess I'll find out this week.

87% of Criswell's Predictions Have Come True!

The Amazing Criswell (1907-1982) was a psychic who was famous for his bizarre and inaccurate predictions...even though the back of his book claims that 87% have come true! Criswell also became famous for appearing in a few films by Ed Wood including the classic PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE (1959), and the unwatchable  ORGY OF THE DEAD (1965). Criswell as also immortalized on screen by actor Jeffrey Jones in the brilliant Tim Burton biopic, ED WOOD (1994).
So, he may have predicted that Reagan would be governor of California and that JFK wouldn't finish his first four years in office–but he also claimed that Denver would be destroyed by aliens, Fidel Castro would be assassinated and there would be HOMOSEXUAL CITIES!!! Yee-haa! (He also prophecized that the world would end on his 92nd birthday - August 18,1999 - but, sadly, he died when he was pnly 75).

That's right, HOMOSEXUAL CITIES near Des Moines and Columbus! "Perversion will parade shamelessly" - did that ever happen? Oh yeah, they cities "will be complete with stores, churches, bars and restaurants which will ...(have)...organized orgies"! Wow, Criswell - maybe bars - but ORGIES in stores, churches, and restaurants?! It sounds like a uber-gay version of Walt Disney's original plans for EPCOT. Oh, Criswell if only you were 99% accurate...

PS- The Onion A.V. Club ran a great piece on Criswell back in 1999. Check it out.