That's entertainment: Looking back at July in years past

20 years ago

IMAX came to Providence Place Mall. The first film was “Everest,” one of the most exciting IMAX productions we have ever seen. The second one was about Michael Jordan.

“West Side Story” was at Theatre-by-the-Sea.

“The Perfect Storm,” starring George Clooney, was the hot summer movie, followed by “X-MEN,” taken from the Stan Lee comic book series. “Scary Movie,” a takeoff on scary movies, was a bomb.

The Farrelly brothers gave us the funny, vulgar “Me, Myself & Irene,” starring Jim Carrey as a Rhode Island State Trooper, which opened with scenes of Newport’s Ocean Drive. Dozens of Rhode Islanders had minor roles, including Rudy Cheeks and Woonsocket restaurant owner John Chan.

City Nights Theatre in Pawtucket had the silly comedy “Norman, Is That You?” starring Betty Nolan and Michael Farrelly of Cranston.

We miss the take-out meals from Morgan’s Fancy, and the clam bakes at Francis Farms.

Fred Sullivan Jr. directed “Much Ado About Nothing” at Gamm. Tony Estrella was Benedict and Jeanine Kane played Beatrice.

40 years ago

Admission at Mystic Seaport went up to $7. I did a series of day trip travel articles for families, bringing along my two kids.

Margot Skinner and David Von Bargen starred in “An Almost Perfect Person” at Trinity Summer Rep.

Newport Summer Theatre had Cloris Leachman in “Butterflies Are Free,” followed by Ginger Rogers and Sid Caesar in “Anything Goes.”

“Airplane,” one of the best spoof movies of all time, spent the summer at Garden City Cinema.

“The Blue Lagoon,” starring Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins, was a teen hit.

Blood, Sweat and Tears did a one-night stand at Warwick Musical Theatre.

Brown Summer Theatre did “The Importance of Being Earnest.”