Chief Askew's Diary: May 23, 1930

Racy Barbara Stanwyck movie comes to Newnan; PTA panel recommends clambakes

Chief Askew was still focused on the weather today, writing about a “fine rain last night” and a sprinkle in the afternoon and evening.

The ad for the Alamo Theatre in the May 23 Newnan Herald touted a Barbara Stanwyck movie with a racy plot. Unusual for The Alamo, the film had just been released, and had recently played at The Fox in Atlanta to rave reviews. Most of the films it showed had been released in 1929.

A panel of the national PTA, alarmed about the influence of such movies, was recommending parents reinstitute more wholesome activities for their children, like quilting bees and corn huskings. Indeed, such an activity was planned in Newnan that weekend.

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The promotional still from Ladies of Leisure showing Barbara Stanwyck and Ralph Graves is being offered by a dealer on eBay.