May 15, 2024

Today’s Forecast

79º | 16% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 5:59 a.m. | Sunset 8:31 p.m.

🎞️ Reeling in the years

A little girl rides a cartoon elephant down a procession in a black-and-white film. Two ostriches carry a sign that reads "Welcome Alice."

“Alice’s Wonderland” was made in KC, but not set there — although this is what Main looks like sometimes. | Screenshot via Wikimedia Commons

Kansas City has always had close ties to old Hollywood thanks to Film Row and a particularly famous mouse. Nowadays, it’s still a top city for movie makers — but today we’re focusing on three films from Kansas City’s silver screen history.

“Alice’s Wonderland”

You can watch the entirety of this 1923 silent film — one of Walt’s first at Laugh-O-Gram Studios, the studio he founded in KC before making it big in Hollywood — on Disney’s website.

It never made theatrical release, but it did make history for blending live action with animation, a technique that Walt would use for all of the Alice Comedies after this one.

“Kansas City”

Seven-time Academy Award-nominated director Robert Altman returned to his hometown of KCMO to film this mob-era crime flick.

While the plot + characters were nothing to write home about, the 1996 film received acclaim for its soundtrack boasting live musicians playing period accurate Kansas City jazz. You can hear it in the trailer (which is a throwback in and of itself).

“Midnight Movie Massacre”

This 80s meta take on pulpy sci-fi flicks is certainly not winning any Academy Awards, but it’s got more going for it than just a B movie rating.

For one, it’s a certified 0% on Rotten Tomatoes, which you have to admit is kind of impressive. And two, it features the original location of Screenland Armour — Editor Dayten’s favorite place to catch cult classic movies. (Even “Midnight Movie Massacre,” in years past.)

Know of any other KC movie deep cuts? Drop us a line — and don’t forget to pass the popcorn.

Events

Wednesday, May 15

Just Between Friends | Wednesday, May 15 | Overland Park Convention Center, 6000 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS | $0-$25 | Save on clothes, shoes, books, toys, and baby gear at this one-stop children’s consignment sale.

Thursday, May 16

Art House Live! | Thursday, May 16 | 5 p.m. | Kansas City PBS, 125 E. 31st St., KCMO | Free | Kick off “Art House” season five with filmmaker John McGrath and Academy-Award Winning director and screenwriter, Kevin Willmott for conversation, cocktails, and take-home goodies.
Pickleball Learn to Play Happy Hour | Thursday, May 16 | 6-7:30 p.m. | 54th Street Restaurant & Drafthouse, 7200 NW 86th Ter., KCMO | $15 | Join for a lesson on the game’s rules, common moves, and strategies for beginners.

Friday, May 17

Brookside Toy & Science B-Day | Friday, May 17-Sunday, May 19 | Times vary | Brookside Toy & Science, 330 W. 63rd St., KCMO | Free | This three-day 60th birthday jubilee features giveaways, face painting, a balloon artist, and play + creation stations.
¡Viva Mexico! ¡Viva America! | Friday, May 17 | 8 p.m. | Midwest Trust Center, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS | $25 | Celebrate Mexican American music and dance, from mariachi to modern folk dance.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

History

As of this morning, the century-old Conestoga wagon at Westport Road and Southwest Trafficway will be taken down and replaced with a replica. The old wagon continued to deteriorate despite preservation efforts — owners hope to get a fresh start caring for this new fixture. (Kansas City Star)

Seasonal

We all know summer doesn’t start until the pools open — and for our JoCo residents, we now know when exactly that will be. Between Saturday, May 25 and Memorial Day, May 27, paid and public pools will open for the season. Check prices + hours. (Johnson County Post)

Arts

Gear up for Zhou B Art Center’s Grand Opening in the former Crispus Attucks school on Saturday, June 1. Your ticket gets you free drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and a chance to mingle with artists, all while supporting the the brand new $27 million center. Get tickets.

Closing

One last ride. Harley-Davidson dealership turned sports shop Gail’s will close on Saturday, June 29 (or while supplies last) as its owner plans to retire. Before that, though, it’s planning one more blowout: the Gailapalooza annual bike festival is on for Friday, June 7-Saturday, June 8. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Announced

We said Big Slick would announce new guests daily. This week so far: actor and comedian Kumail Nanjiani, Big Slick alum Will Forte, Ariel Winter from “Modern Family,” and Kansas musician Logan Mize, among others. (Kansas City Star)

Biz

Kohl’s will sell Babies R Us-branded baby products at “minishops” in its Olathe and Lee’s Summit locations later this year. The brand, which closed nationwide in 2018, will continue to operate similarly to Kohl’s existing partnership with Sephora. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Home

Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*

Wellness

Cornbread Hemp’s CBD Sleep Gummies are available in two strengths and made with high-quality USDA organic CBD extract. Get 30% off with code CBDSLEEP30.*

Arts

Telling the Whole Story

The Kansas City Museum, with the garden in its full bloom.

When it comes to museums, exhibits are just the first step. | Photo via Kansas City Museum | Gayle Babcock - Architectural Im

The city we love didn’t just spring up overnight: it comes from the hard work of communities, cultures, and individuals over the centuries. That’s the story the Kansas City Museum wants to tell.

“The Whole Story” is a programming series exploring “Kansas City’s history through the lens of all the dynamic people groups that helped shape our city.” Supported with funding from Missouri Humanities, the lectures will bring in experts to help contextualize the exhibits on display.

Speaking of film, two upcoming film screenings will bring this history to life:

My Mother’s Club | Thursday, May 30 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Free, RSVP | This documentary on African American social clubs in the 1930s through the 50s will be followed by a Q+A with the filmmakers.
Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom | Sunday, June 16 | 2-4 p.m. | Free, RSVP | Follow the pioneers of the first Juneteenth celebration + learn how their journey intersected with their faith, followed by a discussion with Greater Kansas City Black History Study Group president Larry Lester.

The Buy

Graduation gifts. Celebrate the end of the school year with graduation gifts for the recent grad in your life.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Dayten

From the editor

Fun fact for our animation history buffs (a robust niche of our reader base, I’m sure): in the cult classic miniseries “Over the Garden Wall” — specifically episode eight, “Babes in the Wood” — the dream sequence pulls shots directly from “Alice’s Wonderland.” See? There’s a little bit of KC everywhere.

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