Romans had a preference for X-rated films, based on numbers released by Rome movie theater managers. In the prior four months, Rome theaters showed only five X-rated films, but those films drew an average of 1957 viewers, compared to only 1540 viewers on average for M-rated films (this rating was later replaced by PG-13), 1327 viewers on average for G rated films, and 1003 viewers on average for R rated films. X-rated films outperformed every other category even though those films showed for the fewest number of days. Theatre managers, who asked not to be identified by name, told the Rome News-Tribune that they made a point of showing nothing but G rated movies during the 1969 holiday season n response to public requests, and they lost money doing so. "We're in business to make money," one manager said. "Just like any other business, we're governed by the law of supply and demand. What the public wants to see, the movie industry is going to make. Apparently the public wants to see X-rated movies." Theater managers pointed out that the ratings were merely suggestions and had no legal meaning, and they said it wasn't up to them to enforce a morality code by refusing to show the movies that people wanted to see.
School superintendent Milton S. MacDonald revealed that Rome was close to meeting all federal requirements for school desegregation as far as students were concerned, although the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare had indicated that West Rome High School needed five more minority faculty members to be in compliance; West End Elementary needed one more minority faculty member; and Elm Street needed two more minority faculty members. MacDonald said that teacher transfers could resolve those discrepancies by the beginning of the 1970-1971 school year.
The flu was hitting Rome hard this week in 1970, which Thornwood closing for the week due to the virus. Coosa High School reported an incredible 31% absentee rate due to the flu, while West Rome reported almost 18% absenteeism due to the flu.
Members of the 1960 graduating class of West Rome High School met this week in 1970 to discuss plans for their ten-year high school reunion.
West Rome's Tommy Roberson, was selected as a member of the Georgia All-Star Band this week in 1970. Many Chieftains will remember that Roberson went on to become slide trombonist for Johnny "Guitar" Watson's band, where he was often credited as Tommy "Slide" Roberson.
Did you know that, prior to 1970, Mt. Berry, Cave Spring, Coosa, Shannon, and Silver Creek did not have home mail delivery? The rules prior to 1970 said that residents who lived less than half a mile from the post office that did not offer city delivery had to pick up their mail at the local post office. That requirement changed in 1970, requiring each post office to offer home delivery if a majority of residents serviced by that post office requested it--and those residents did, by overwhelming majorities. So for the first time in history, those residents began receiving mail at home this week in 1970.
Home Federal joined in the push for higher interest rates by offering 6% on two-year saving certificates this week in 1969. But no one was topping First National Bank's 7.5% interest rate for 30-month saving certificates. And oh, how wonderful it would be to see those interest rates today!...
Piggly Wiggly had cube steak for $1.19 a pound, medium eggs for 59¢ a dozen, and tomatoes for 29¢ a pound. Kroger had pork roast for 49¢ a pound, Chase & Sanborn coffee for 55¢ a pound, and apples for 17¢ a pound. A&P had ground beef for 55¢ a pound, strawberries for 33¢ a pint, and avocados for 39¢ each. (And in 1970, I didn't even know what an avocado was, other than a popular color for kitchen appliances and decor.) Big Apple had fresh whole fryers for 29¢ a pound, Van Camp's chili with beans for 33¢ a can, and iceberg lettuce for 19¢ a head. Couch's had pork chops for 59¢ a pound, White House applesauce for 18¢ a jar, and sweet potatoes for 12¢ a pound.
The cinematic week began with 101 Dalmatians at the DeSoto Theatre, Flare Up (starring Raquel Welch) at the First Avenue, The Reivers (starring Steve McQueen) at the Village Theatre, and A Time to Sing (starring Hank Williams Jr.) at the West Rome Drive-In. The weekend switchout brought Tick, Tick, Tick starring Jim Brown to the DeSoto, Sweden: Heaven, & Hell (an X-rated Italian sensationalist documentary about Sweden's growing sex scene--the film is totally forgettable except for the fact that it marked the first appearance of the song "Mah Na Mah Na" by Piero Umiliani, which went on to become famous thanks to the Muppets!) to the First Avenue, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (starring Natalie Wood) to the Village, and Walt Disney's Peter Pan to the West Rome Drive-In.
Sly & the Family Stone slid into first place this week in 1970 with "Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin/Everybody Is a Star." Other top ten hits included "Hey There Lonely Girl" by Eddie Holman (#2); "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel (#3); "I Want You Back" by the Jackson 5 (#4); "Who'll Stop the Rain" by Creedence Clearwater Revival (#5); "No Time" by the Guess Who (#6); "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" by BJ Thomas (#7); "Psychedelic Shack" by the Temptations (#8); "Venus" by the Shocking Blue (#9); and "Rainy Night in Georgia" by Brook Benton (#10).
Black Sabbath released this self-titled debut album this week in 1970, and is is subsequently credited as the first major heavy metal album in rock history. Badfinger also released their first album, Magic Christian Music (although they had previously recorded an album under the name The Iveys), which featured the hit song "Come and Get It" written by Paul McCartney.
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