MID-SOUTH MEMORIES

25 years ago — 1997

The likelihood that Titanic, the costliest film ever made, will delay its opening, previously set for the July 4 weekend, is sending ripples across Hollywood and turning the summer season into turmoil. Hollywood is on a binge of producing big-budget movies: at least 15 films whose costs, with marketing, reach more than $100 million each will be released over 10 weeks this summer. So the anticipated decision to postpone the opening of Titanic, largely because of complicated computergenerated effects, has set off, essentially, a chain reaction across Hollywood. Whenever the $180 million Titanic eventually opens — it could be later in July or at Thanksgiving — the move will alter the release dates of other mega-budget movies and leave studio executives scrambling in what has emerged as the most expensive summer ever.

50 years ago — 1972

A visit to Merrie Olde England is in store for youngsters attending the 48th annual May Festival sponsored by the Memphis Chi Omega Alumnae. Decorations, costumes and pageant are all planned to carry out that theme at the giant-sized party for children. Proceeds from the festival always are given to the various projects for children. This year the majority of the money will go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for an ultrasonic scope being bought by the Retina Blastoma Fund. This machine has made it possible for St. Jude to save the sight of many children who otherwise would have gone blind.

75 years ago — 1947

Branding it "the most repellent movie I have seen this year," Lloyd T. Binford, chairman of the Memphis Censor Board, yesterday barred the David O. Selznick production, "Duel in the Sun," from showing on Memphis screens. The $6,000,000 super Western in Technicolor was to have started an advance-price engagement at the Loew's State Theater here Thursday, May 1. "The picture is vulgar, sexy and with not a decent thing in it," Mr. Binford told the Associated Press.

100 years ago — 1922

Ex-gov. Malcolm R. Patterson, who Christmas week announced that he expected to become a candidate for the Democratic nomination for United States senator from Tennessee in the August primary, yesterday announced his withdrawal from the fight. The reason, he says, is wholly personal.

125 years ago — 1897

GREENVILLE, Miss. – Another bad break in the main Mississippi River levee at Shipland is reported this morning.

DAVE DARNELL/THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL April 22, 1978 - It was billed as the Kool Country Shindig, but it should have been called the Ronnie Milsap Shindig because from the beginning to the end it was his show at the Mid-south Coliseum. Before a crowd of about 6,000, Milsap, a former Memphian, showed why he is considered one of the hottest names in country music, and why he was named country music entertainer of the year in 1977.