The biggest day of the week for the hundreds of elementary aged kids who lived in Stonewall during the summer of 1950 was Saturday afternoons. It was Matinee time at the Main Theatre, and it only cost a dime and it was “cool” inside. In my years of observation, we sold only one 35 cent adult ticket to this gala, and it was to Mr. Case — the President of Case State Bank. He liked to sit halfway down on the right aisle, and he always arrived after the movie started. Every Saturday. It was dark inside so he also requested to be ushered to his reserved seat and he was. Mr. Case said he loved being there with the kids and his bag of popcorn. They were the only movies Mr. Case ever watched at the Main.

The Stonewall kids came to the movies for Hop Along Cassidy or Roy Rogers and Trigger or perhaps old Tom Mix and his wonder horse Tony. But for a while their favorite had been The Durango Kid along with his horse Bullet. He also had a horse called Raider. The Durango Kid was played by Charles Starrett, an excellent and professional New York stage actor turned cowboy because “that was where the money was.”

But by 1949 the handwriting seemed to be on the wall and I’m not speaking biblically here. Television had landed and though it had yet to make an impression in Stonewall the folks in Hollywood were just shy of being in a panic. So, they devised a nationwide media blitz and named it “Movies are better than ever!” During the year 1950 the big film studios in Hollywood promoted the visitation of a phalanx of bestknown movie stars of the day to every town in America and Stonewall was on the list.

My dad was somewhat elated but didn’t know exactly what his role was to be in this looming big day in Stonewall and he received no directions from his Hollywood buddies. But finally, he got a letter letting him know that the big star selected for the Ada/Stonewall/ Coalgate visit would be The Durango Kid. Dad soon had a visit from Coalgate’s Eddie Holt, owner of the big Wigwam Theatre. He too was nervous about it and didn’t know what was expected so the two of them worked out their reception for this movie star, Charles Starrett. Eddie thought Starrett would ride Bullett, his horse into town but no, that was not in the plan.

The “Kid” and two other movie stars would visit the Big Mac (McSwain) over in Ada first then their caravan would drive down HW-3 to Stonewall then on to Coalgate to finish their busy day. Stonewall’s big plan was to find out the instant they would drive in and then Tommy Crow, Stonewall Town Marshall, and some of his staff would close the highway and escort the stars to the intersection right in front of the old hardware building and the Main Theatre, right under the traffic light. There, my dad would take over and he and the Durango Kid would speak a bit after Dad’s introduction. Also, he would press the flesh and sign autographs. What could go wrong?

The event received more publicity than one could imagine. Ads in the Ada News and the Ada Weekly News and handbills brought the crowds. And boy, was it hot. Burnetts Drug Store was packed with people wanting cold fountain drinks and a shade. Craddock’s, Coopers and Austin King’s grocery stores sold out of cold pop. But that was before the message arrived. The Main’s telephone rang, and its message was simple. The star’s stay in Ada was running over time and they would have to skip Stonewall.

Dad didn’t know exactly what to do but he found Tommy Crow and almost tearfully told him the big event was cancelled. Tommy replied, “They still have to come through Stonewall and they ain’t gettin’ past me till they do their thing.” And they didn’t. Tommy intercepted the reluctant entertainers, escorted them to their proper places and the event went on. Charles Starett was great! He soon found out the extent of our disappointment and was unhappy with the behavior of the other two non-participating stars (whose names I forget) and did a great job of winning the Stonewall crowd’s heart. The heat was blistering, and I went after a big RC Cola for Charles as he signed autographs. He obviously enjoyed himself visiting with my fellow townsmen and drinking my RC. Sadly, Durango didn’t bring Bullett much less ride him down Main Street. Also, just let me say, Tommy Crow was pleased with himself too. He had saved the day.

Finally, the motorcade drove off toward Tupelo and the big happy crowd broke up and went home. My dad, in his sweat-soaked long sleeved white shirt and tie was happy. Me? I Thought I’d never see another poor day. I stood on the highway under the traffic light and watched the little caravan go over the Buck Creek bridge and disappear into Coal County. It probably was the most eventful day I had ever had in my 15 years of life.

I was over at Stonewall recently and nearly all the businesses on Stonewall’s Main Street and the big crowds are gone. Even the busy little Main Theatre and its bright lights have vanished. And yes, the traffic light, with no highway traffic left to direct, have disappeared too. And Charles Starrett is just a distant memory for us. But I still have my fond Stonewall memories of a certain hot day in July 1950.

Have a good week and be sure and go to church on Sunday.

Wayne Bullard, DPh

cwaynebullard@gmail.com