[charliels531]

Originally Posted by littlebuck

I'd like to add something to this thread.
A theatre owner/Ridgemont Theatre in Seattle had a lot to do with the showing of European films in the States. I think he almost got thrown in jail for showing a Bardot film/ One day he sued the City of Seattle with his Lawyer Bill Dwyer I think

"Teacher, Mensa, author, and friend, Jim was initially a teacher of language arts (high school) and psychology (Bakersfield Junior College), but his life encompassed many diverse occupations. In 1953 he joined a small group striving to bring foreign language films to America. This was a time that followers of Senator Joseph McCarthy and the John Birch Society alleged that all such were part of the "Communist Conspiracy".

"Selvidge founded the first Pacific N.W foreign film venues, and soon launched thirty-years in the motion picture industry. His Ridgemont Theatre in Seattle was a mecca for all the arts. After a decade fighting film censorship, he and attorney/friend William L. Dwyer, challenged the constitutionality of the four statutes that created the Seattle Board of Theater Supervisors. The case was a precedent. In 1966, when the Washington State Supreme Court unanimously upheld their victory, Selvidge was subsequently credited with the downfall of film censorship in America. Jim's belief in the court system and the foundations of democracy continued throughout his life. With a deep love of America, he argued for the importance of a Constitutional Convention as the best solution to restore our top spot in the world of nations."

Peace
LittleBuck

_______________________________________

Ohhh
James Selvidge
spoke of Seattle as a real producer and venue for coin operated film peep show p machines..
Because the Navy was in town/Seattle. it was the best method to keep the sailors off the local daughters by using the venues of porn for the gratification of the sailors.

As happens to places in the U.S., the Ridgemont was demolished in 2000 and now only the old marquee remains as the nameplate for a condo/apartment building. In addition to the James Selvidge era, the theater had quite a history and still has an existence in theater websites. Among the many films it brought to Seattle were the Bridgette Bardot series and the "I Am Curious Yellow/Blue" duet.