Sunday, June 2nd, 1974

Mom went with me to see SNOWBALL EXPRESS and THE WORLD'S GREATEST ATHLETE again. The first was I think one of the best live action Disney films I've ever seen! That's what I said when I saw it before and that's what I say now. I was very surprised to see that Marvin Hamlisch did the music for ATHLETE.

"Something...almost beyond comprehension is happening to a little girl on this street, in this house, and they have sent for this man...The Exorcist." That's what the preview said and despite a few doubts as to whether I'll be allowed in or not, I've just about got it all in the bag. Dad said he'd be willing to take me if it's at the Madison and it said Coming Soon in the preview. I'll be seeing you soon, Linda.

NOTES: The Linda Blair obsession continues.


As far as SNOWBALL EXPRESS, I always say a movie with good snow scenes is a good movie. That movie is ALL snow scenes. In retrospect, of course, it certainly was not on a par with other Disney live-action films like MARY POPPINS but it really is a fun and entertaining film. I've seen it a number of times over the years.

Dean Jones, then Disney's go-to guy, stars in SNOWBALL EXPRESS with Michael McGreevey and Kathleen Cody. Mister McGreevey and I talk occasionally these days on Facebook and I recently exchanged a few emails with Ms. Cody (also a DARK SHADOWS veteran). Dean Jones actually called me on the phone back in the nineties but it was at work on my day off so I didn't get to speak with him. 

Saturday, June 1st, 1974

A new month. School's out. I didn't go over the river today although tomorrow I might to see a movie. I saw a Peter Sellers flick and THE SAINT on TV. Also an animated STAR TREK episode.

Narrowly avoided IT this morning.

NOTES: The animated STAR TREK premiered a year earlier with well-written scripts and most of the original series cast doing voices. The problems with it were the half hour format, extremely limited animation, the fact that the actors all recorded their performances separately --leaving no room for real interaction--and waaaay too much annoying music!!

Friday,May 31st, 1974

The last day of school. For most of the best (and worst) years of my life, I went to that school. I guess I will miss it. But I'm glad I'm done. I got to leave as soon as I finished my exam so I met Terry and we went over to get the new books today. I got some new mags, old comics, a fanzine and. later, at the SS, a series of record albums featuring Donna Fargo in 5 minute radio shows on them. Those are neat!

For the second time in my life, I also bought a copy of THE LOS ANGELES TIMES with news of a bunch of new films.

NOTES: It was hard to be sad as I left the school as, in some ways, I blamed all my problems on it. Grades 1-6 had been great, every year better than the last. I was smart, popular enough, had friends and liked the teachers and the administrators. Sure there were issues from time to time but overall, I loved elementary school. Then they rehabbed the building and added on the huge section to the right in the photo which housed a cafeteria (we had never had one before), a library, study halls and a couple extra classrooms. Kids from schools all over town were bussed in and, from 7th grade on, it was  like living in an alternate universe from the one I was used to. I was still one of the smartest kids but I had few friends and no real new close ones,  I was ridiculed by bullies for my brains, my lack of athletic abilities and my early graying hair. I became really unhappy and school, a place I once defined myself by, became a real source of pain and depression. By ninth grade things had finally started to get a little better and now here I was looking at a whole new school the following year. 


I wanted to miss my old school and there have been times over the years that I have but for the most part, I was glad, after nine years, to finally be out.

Thursday, May 30th, 1974

Oh, the IPS exam seemed easy! I hope it was! I know I missed some though. I left a few blank and wasn't sure of a couple in Health.

I brought all my books home and studied some. I've got just 24 hours and one more exam to go.

I got out a bit early today.

I sold Tim those two movie passes so he could see PAPILLON. He gave me a dollar and I had only asked for 50 cents! I'll probably see BADLANDS this Sunday at The Place.

I drew a picture of Linda Blair as Regan in the movie. I think it's pretty good.

NOTES: I thought this was the picture I drew that day but this one is dated a year later, 1975. I think the one I drew that day was just a close-up of the possessed face. Yuck!

Wednesday, May 29th, 1974

Record time! I finished at work in less than 30 minutes tonight.

It stormed all afternoon.

I finished my Algebra exam with only one problem undone. I finished my Art exam except for a sketch which I get to do Friday. Tomorrow more exams. The hard ones! I have every class only one more time in the ninth grade. I can hardly believe that.

I worked on my IPS notebook tonight, finished reading my new horror book and then just listened to records and watched TV.

Almost two weeks since IT happened and it's all because of my love for Linda Blair. She's so beautiful. I love infatuation like this!

NOTES: And you thought girls were the only ones who thought about celebrity crushes like this. Hah! 

Tuesday, May 28th, 1974

We were supposed to go to the ball game tonight but since my tickets were free and I didn't want to see it, I just went so Mom could get in and then I left. I went up to Fountain News and picked up a TV GUIDE and a movie star directory and went home. As soon as I got there, I turned around and went back to get a bigger book with Linda in it. Then I watched the Emmy Awards.

I finally mailed those letters.

We had part of our Algebra exam today. Also, I got a 70 on my Blue Book test which I'm told is pretty good.

NOTES: Okay, even now that ball game thing seems odd to me. I can't imagine my mother wanting to go so bad that we'd do that. And where was my Dad? He was the Reds fan. Maybe he went and bought a ticket and I had to go to get her in free on the Straight A tickets. Don't know.

Monday, May 27th, 1974

Officially Memorial Day. We went out to Kings Island. For once I had a real good time. We saw a high wire walker, skydivers, hot air balloons, etc. I imagined being there with Linda B. I played lots of games in the Arcade, rode a couple rides (including the new Lion Country Safari where we waited in line an hour for the fifteen minute ride). I took 40 pictures! I hope they all turn out.

At Shillto's, I bought a book on horror films.

We got back about 8:30 and went over to clean for about a half hour, then came home and just sat around watching TV.

Oops! My ink pen's dyi...

NOTES: I couldn't ride rides at amusement parks due to my motion sickness issue so I really didn't have much to do normally at such places and, as I grew into a teen, often didn't go along with my parents. 


The person I described as "a high wire walker" was the great Karl Wallenda who that day set a skywalk record by crossing the park, reversing and crossing back the other way. It took him much of the day but he did it! Seen here is a pic I took when he was right over our heads. Four years later he would be less lucky and fall to his death in high winds. His son (grandson?) re-cereated the record-setting feat of 1974 at Kings Island a few years back.


Shillitos was the big department store in Cincinnati. Eventually it became Shillito-Rikes, then Lazarus, then Macy's. What it was doing open on a holiday--and late enough that I could buy a book there on the way home--I have no idea!