Libsyn Directory

07 | City Cemetery | Dr. Lucifur and Sir Cecil Creape | Halloween | October 2018 Issue

Release Date: 10/01/2018

13 | Larry Brinton | Cash-for-Clemency Scandal, ‘Marie’ Movie | JFK Visit, Janet March Murder | August 2019 Issue

Nashville Retrospect

Veteran reporter Larry Brinton recalls growing up in Nashville, how he became a reporter, and more of this big news stories, including the Janet March murder, President Kennedy’s Nashville visit, and the cash-for-clemency scandal, which led to his portrayal of himself in the 1985 movie “Marie.” This special podcast, on the occasion of Brinton’s recent death, is a continuation of the interview from Episode 01. The contents of the August 2019 Nashville Retrospect are reviewed.

12 | Early TV, Hermitage Hotel, WWII Marriage | ‘Near You’ and Music City USA | March 2019 Issue

Nashville Retrospect

At 94 years old, Mary B. Williams remembers being a teenager in East Nashville during World War II, dancing at the Hermitage Hotel, and her TV career at the birth of the medium. Historian Don Cusic tells the story of Nashville’s first big hit record, “Near You” in 1947, and the beginnings of Music City USA. And the contents of the March 2019 Nashville Retrospect newspaper are reviewed.

11 | Slavery, Runaways, Fancy Girls | Alex Haley’s ‘Roots’ | African-American Genealogy | February 2019 Issue

Nashville Retrospect

Bill Carey relates how pervasive the institution of slavery was in Tennessee, as evidenced by ads in newspapers, including runaways and fancy girls. Taneya Koonce discusses the novel “Roots” and African-American genealogy. Also hear “Roots” author Alex Haley speak at the state capitol. And the contents of the February 2019 Nashville Retrospect newspaper are reviewed.

10 | War of 1812, Andrew Jackson, Creek War | Richard Fulton’s Country Music Record | Sulphur Water | January 2019 Issue

Nashville Retrospect

Dr. Tom Kanon discusses the War of 1812, including: Tennessee’s rise to national prominence, becoming known as “The Volunteer State”; Native-Americans’ loss of millions of acres of territory in the Creek War; Gen. Andrew Jackson becoming president after a lopsided victory in the Battle of New Orleans; and how a comet and earthquakes helped launch the war. Also hear U.S. Congressman Richard Fulton’s country music record. And the contents of the January 2019 issue are reviewed.

09 | Christmas Eve River Rescue | Bygone Old Christmas | December 2018 Issue

Nashville Retrospect

A woman jumped off the Shelby Street Bridge on Christmas Eve, 1956, with a baby in her arms. Interviews with Harold Hogue, Anne Knox, and Judy Hunt Charest about the tragic yet heroic event and its aftermath decades later. Also, Tennessee folk singers Dee and Delta Hicks discuss the lost tradition of Old Christmas. And the contents of the December 2018 issue are reviewed.

08 | World War I Relics | Gold Star Records | Military Branch Museum | November 2018 Issue

Nashville Retrospect

Dr. Lisa Budreau discusses World War I relics in the Tennessee State Museum, including a German cannon and Sergeant York’s medals. Allison Griffey relates stories from the Gold Star Records, as well as stories about women factory workers, the influenza epidemic, and the Mexican village at the Old Hickory gun powder plant. Dan Pomeroy tells the history of the Military Branch Museum. And the contents of the November 2018 issue of The Nashville Retrospect are reviewed.

07 | City Cemetery | Dr. Lucifur and Sir Cecil Creape | Halloween | October 2018 Issue

Nashville Retrospect

Fletch Coke tells the history of Nashville City Cemetery (established in 1822) and the stories of the people buried there. Jeff Thompson and Larry Underwood discuss Nashville legendary TV horror hosts Dr. Lucifur and Sir Cecil Creape. And the spooky contents of the October 2018 Nashville Retrospect newspaper are reviewed.

06 | Glenn School Integration | 1957 Desegregation Hearings | Brown v. Board of Education | September 2018 Issue

Nashville Retrospect

In 1957, the desegregation of Nashville public schools involved protests by white supremacists, political stalling, and a school bombing. Hear interviews with people who were there, including Lajuanda Street Harley, Sorena Street, Debi Oeser Cox, Joe Casey and Larry Brinton. Dr. Bobby Lovett explains Brown v. Board of Education. Also hear excerpts of desegregation hearings, and a review of the contents of the September 2018 Nashville Retrospect newspaper.

05 | Settlement of Nashville, Indian Wars | Elvis at the State Capitol | August 2018 Issue

Nashville Retrospect

Paul Clements relates stories about the first settlers to arrive in the Nashville area in the late 1700s, including why they came and why Native Americans attacked them. Hear Elvis Presley speak to the Tennessee legislature in 1961. And the contents of the August 2018 Nashville Retrospect newspaper are reviewed. (This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence.)

04 | Dutchman’s Curve Train Wreck | Elmer Hinton’s Humor Album | July 2018 Issue

Nashville Retrospect

Betsy Thorpe tells the stories from the 1918 Dutchman’s Curve train wreck in West Nashville, the deadliest in U.S. history. Also hear excerpts from humor columnist Elmer Hinton’s 1968 album “Down to Earth.” And the contents of the July 2018 Nashville Retrospect newspaper are reviewed.

More Episodes

Ghost stories, TV horror hosts, and cemeteries are visited in this Halloween-themed episode. Host Allen Forkum (editor of The Nashville Retrospect newspaper) interviews historian Fletch Coke about the history of Nashville City Cemetery and about the stories of people interred there, including Confederate generals, a mysterious woman buried under a boulder, a U.S. president, the man who named Old Glory, and notable Nashville historical figures. The cemetery is the city's oldest public grave yard, established in 1822. (Segment begins at 04:50)

The Captain William Driver monument is pictured in 1959. Driver is known for originating the name “Old Glory” for the American flag. (Image: Nashville Public Library, Nashville Room)

This Nashville Banner photo shows the neglected state of City Cemetery in 1937. It accompanied an article headlined “Patriots Rest in Weeds” (see the July 2015 Nashville Retrospect). (Image: Nashville Public Library, Nashville Room, photo by John E. Hood)

In 1959, Mayor Ben West headed a major restoration of Nashville City Cemetery. (Image: Nashville Public Library, Nashville Room, photo by Bill Goodman)

The Steele boulder monument is pictured in 1984. (Image: Nashville Public Library, Nashville Room)

The 1908 survey map of Nashville City Cemetery has been crucial for locating graves at the site. Burial records up to 1846 were lost during the Civil War. (Image: Nashville City Cemetery Association, Metro Archives)

Also hear audio clips of Nashville’s legendary TV horror hosts, Dr. Lucifur and Sir Cecil Creape. Experts Jeff Thompson and Larry Underwood (Dr. Gangrene) relate the history of these local TV personalities who, from the ‘50s to the ‘80s, hosted late-night showings of monster movies. (Segment begins at 40:10)

Dr. Lucifur (Ken Bramming) as he appeared in the intro to his TV program “Shock Theater” of the 1950s and ’60s. Notice the “mystic circle” effect. (Image: Jeff Thompson)

Ken Bramming on the “Shock Theater” set called the Purple Grotto, which featured a door stained with bloody handprints. (Image: Jeff Thompson)

Original caption from the Nov. 1, 1976, Nashville Banner: “Resident Opryland spook Sir Cecil Creape greets 4-year-old twins Keith and Kevin Tidwell.” (Image: Nashville Public Library, Nashville Room, photo by Bob Ray)

This cut-out mask of Sir Cecil Creape’s face was used to promote the Channel 4 show “Creature Feature” in the early '70s. The show was hosted by the ghoulish Sir Cecil, played Russ McCown. (Image: Stanley Hime)

Dr. Gangrene (Larry Underwood) is an award-winning Nashville horror host who has been performing for almost 20 years, carrying on the tradition of Dr. Lucifur and Sir Cecil Creape. (Image: Larry Underwood)

Larry Underwood (right) and his brother, Jimmy, are pictured in Ben Cooper brand Halloween costumes in 1972. (Image: Larry Underwood)

And finally, Allen Forkum reviews some of the “creepier” stories in the October 2018 issue of The Nashville Retrospect newspaper, including: the auction of Jacob Schnell’s “haunted house” in 1974; the 1926 Nashville Banner editorial about Halloween vandalism; a 1976 Banner story about Morris Levine and his popular Halloween parties; and an 1868 article about the strange fate of a young woman buried with a valuable diamond ring. (Segment begins at 01:50)

SHOW NOTES

A list of articles relating to this episode contained in archive issues of The Nashville Retrospect (archive issues can be ordered by clicking here or on the issue links below):

• "Beautify Historic Cemetery,” Nashville Banner, Oct. 8, 1959 (The Nashville Retrospect, October 2013)

• "Polk’s First Grave In City Cemetery,” Nashville Banner, Nov. 2, 1925 (The Nashville Retrospect, November 2012)

• “The Forgotten Brave,” Republican Banner, Dec. 11, 1867 (The Nashville Banner, December 2017)

• “Army Officer Here To Explore ‘Bob’s Hole’ For Bodies,” Nashville Tennessean and Nashville American, Dec. 4, 1911 (The Nashville Retrospect, December 2017)

• “Patriots Rest In Weeds,” Nashville Banner Magazine, July 18, 1937 (The Nashville Retrospect, July 2015)

• “Editor Shot By Rival Editor,” by Allen Forkum, The Nashville Retrospect, August 2009

• “The Monsters & Dr. Lucifur” by Tom Henderson III, The Nashville Retrospect, October 2011

• “Sir Cecil Creape: A Few Memories of Russ McCown” by Stanley E. Hime, The Nashville Retrospect, October 2013

• “Creapey Greeting” photo of Sir Cecil Creape, Nashville Banner, Nov. 1, 1976 (The Nashville Retrospect, October 2015)

• “Local TV ghoul haunts Opry House ‘catacombs’,” Nashville Banner, Oct. 30, 1985 (The Nashville Retrospect, October 2015)

TOPICS