Drug movies brought in audiences, 50 years ago

In early 1968, the Rivoli Theater was showing a low-budget movie called “Maryjane,” about the evils of marijuana.  “Maryjane” starred singer Fabian as a teacher framed for drug possession.  The film was written by Dick Gautier, known as Hymie the robot on “Get Smart,” and “Hollywood Squares” host Peter Marshall.  Across town, La Crosse’s Hollywood Theater was showing “Valley of the Dolls,” which dealt with drug use in show business.
 
North Korea captured the U.S. Navy research ship Pueblo that January, claiming that the ship had illegally entered Korean waters.  The Pueblo’s crew was held captive for 11 months, until just before Christmas.  The ship itself is still held by North Korea, and is now a tourist attraction.  
 
Bandleader Skitch Henderson made a stop in La Crosse in 1968, to promote that year’s Wisconsin State Fair.  Henderson was the former conductor of the Tonight Show band, and he had been hired to be the emcee for grandstand shows at the fair that summer.
 
And a newspaper ad said “WOW” is how you feel after a steak dinner at Club 14…in 1968, 50 years ago, Yesterday in La Crosse.