20 years ago

Disney did a great animation film on dinosaurs, while Jackie Chan did a surprisingly funny karate movie titled “Shanghai Moon,” and Woody Allen struck out with an awful “Small Time Crooks.”

Samuel L. Jackson did not make an imposing “Shaft” in a remake of the hero.

Movie of the month was “Chicken Run,” a hilarious British claymation comedy. And it was G rated!

Big Apple Circus returned to Charlestown, starring Bello the clown.

“Guys and Dolls” was at Theatre-by-the-Sea.

Marilyn Dubois and Casey Seymour Kim of Cranston starred in “In The Wild,” part of the eighth annual Woman’s Playwriting Festival.

40 years ago

Stephen King’s “The Shining” was made into one scary movie, starring Jack Nicholson.

John Travolta had a hit with “Urban Cowboy.” Clint Eastwood made a name for himself with “Bronco Billy.”

“Fame” was a big hit, later turned into a TV show and then a Broadway musical. John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd starred in “The Blues Brothers.”

Daughter Robin and the Cranston East A Cappella Choir sang backup for Barry Manilow at the Civic Center. They had to wait in the basement until the final number, not even seeing the show. Manilow never stopped to say “hello” or thank them. Needless to say, we were never Manilow fans after that.

Kris Kristofferson and Neil Sadaka kicked off the summer at Warwick Musical Theatre, followed by Barbara Mandrell

“Oklahoma” was at TBTS.