SEMINARS

There is more to enjoy at the Nostalgia Con than meeting Hollywood celebrities and shopping with vendors. The event room offers slide show seminars hosted by historians, authors, professors, magazine editors, and museum curators. You do not have to attend all of these events but we do recommend you take a moment and look over the schedule and plan to visit the seminar room sometime during your visit. Some of these events are so popular that the room fills pretty quickly!

THURSDAY

10:30 am TWENTY YEARS OF MANC: A SLIDE SHOW PRESENTATION

Relive two decades of memories with a lively slide show presentation set to cool music, featuring more than 3,000 photos from past years of the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention. This visual journey offers a fun flashback of favorite moments, unforgettable guests, and behind-the-scenes highlights that capture the spirit of MANC through the years.

12:00 noon INTERVIEW WITH HERB BOOMHOWER

Steven Turek had the pleasure of interviewing Herb Boomhower, who was was in numerous musicals including Mame, Zanadu, Hello, Dolly! and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Steven interviewed Herb on his DieCast Movie Podcast and the interview was such a success that it was essential Herb be interviewed on stage.

4:00 pm THE GOTHAM RADIO PLAYERS

The Gotham Radio Players specialize in performing re-enactments of “lost” radio scripts from the Golden Age of Radio, programs for which no recording exists and which have probably not been heard since their original broadcast more than 60 years ago. This year the group will perform an episode of LIGHTS OUT from March 8, 1939, titled "One Day it Rained Blood," which does not exist in recorded form. A rare treat for those who love the series or love horror radio dramas!

5:00 pm INTERVIEW WITH JULIET MILLS, HAYLEY MILLS AND MAXWELL CAULFIELD

To be announced.

7:00 pm MOVIE SCREENING OF DAZED AND CONFUSED

A special screening of Dazed and Confused takes audiences back to the carefree vibes of the 1970s, capturing the timeless spirit of youth, friendship, and rock ’n’ roll. With its cult-classic status and unforgettable characters, the film continues to resonate with fans and first-timers alike, making this screening a nostalgic celebration of coming-of-age on the big screen.

9:00 pm MOVIE SCREENING OF WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND (1961)

After a confusing exchange with a strange man (played by Alan Bates) they find hiding in their family barn, Kathy Bostock (weekend guest Hayley Mills) and her young siblings jump to the conclusion that the man -- in reality an escaped killer -- is none other than Jesus Christ. Excitement erupts as word spreads among the children in their small farming community in northwest England. Adult skepticism abounds, until their father (Bernard Lee) catches wind of the tale and begins to investigate.

FRIDAY

9:00 TWENTY YEARS OF MANC: A SLIDE SHOW PRESENTATION

10:30 pm WHAT'S MY LINE?

Herb Boomhower hosts a panel just like the classic television program of the 1950s. There will be a Mystery Celebrity where the panelists would have to wear masks and answer questions and guess who the mystery celebrity is. Put on your thinking caps and come join in the fun.

12 noon OLD-TIME RADIO TRY-OUTS

Try your hand at playing a role on stage with script, sound effects and microphones. Open to anyone who attends the tryouts at 12 noon. Win the role and you get to perform on stage!

3:00 pm OLD-TIME RADIO RE-ENACTMENT

Don Ramlow will direct a radio drama complete with microphones, radio scripts and sound effects! This year's presentation to be announced.

4:00 pm CHARITY AUCTION FOR THE ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL

Have a few things about the house that you want to get rid of? Bring it to the convention on Friday and put them on the auction tables. All items will be accepted and every dollar raised during the sale of the auction items will help benefit children with treatable cancer. Bring your checkbook because you can make payment out to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, should you bid on items. (Please consult a CPA regarding tax deductions.) This year we are asking people NOT to donate audio cassettes or VHS videos, since no one is bidding on them during the auction. Thank you!

5:30 pm INTERVIEW WITH BRUCE McGILL AND PETER RIEGERT

Tom Doty interviews two actors who have done so much on the big screen and television that their credits are too long to list. From The Mask, Miami Vice, MacGyver, The Sopranos and more!

8:00 pm LOOKING BACK AT 20 YEARS

The Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention celebrates two decades of cherished memories with a fond look back at its remarkable journey. Martin Grams, events chairman who was responsible for creating the event 20 years ago, will join a handful of people on stage who also have stories to share, having been involved with the event for most of that time. From behind-the-scenes stories of unforgettable celebrity guests to the countless events that brought fans together, this retrospective highlights the magic, camaraderie, and history that made the convention such a beloved tradition.

9:00 pm SPECIAL SCREENING OF TIGER BAY (1959)

Rough-and-tumble street urchin Gillie (weekend guest Hayley Mills) witnesses the brutal killing of a young woman at the hands of visiting Polish sailor Korchinsky (played by Horst Buchholz). Instead of reporting the crime to the authorities, Gillie merely pockets a prize for herself -- Korchinsky's shiny black revolver -- and flees the scene. When Welsh Detective Graham (John Mills, Hayley's father) discovers that Gillie has the murder weapon, the fiery young girl weaves a web of lies to throw him off course.

SATURDAY

9:00 am TV AND THE JFK PRESIDENCY

When John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States, he said the torch had been passed to a new generation. Indeed. JFK’s optimism reflected in his pledge to land a man on the Moon by the end of the 1960s. His resolve diffused the Cuban Missile Crisis. His charisma set a new standard for political candidates and provided for televised press conferences that were entertaining as well as informative. Prime time television during this time mirrored the Kennedy energy. In an example of JFK’s mantra “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” East Side/West Side showed the challenges that social workers face in the inner city. Route 66 gave us compelling stories set in a paradigm of wanderlust and exploration. The Dick Van Dyke Show featured the characters Rob and Laura Petrie, who resembled the Kennedys. Cultural historian David Krell will take you on a walk through the Kennedy presidency and television’s outstanding shows during the era. There will be a TV trivia contest with prizes.

10:00 am SIDE BY SIDE: DEAN MARTIN AND JERRY LEWIS

Writer-Historian Michael J. Hayde discusses the unprecedented popularity of Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis, the most financially successful comedy team in show business history. Using excerpts from their radio and TV work (including from shows notcommercially available), Hayde – author of SIDE BY SIDE: DEAN MARTIN & JERRY LEWIS ON TV AND RADIO – will talk about their widespread appeal, dispel a few myths, and answer your questions.

11:00 am Five Parts Dollar, One Part Bailey: The Enduring Popularity of the Johnny Dollar Serials

The year 2025 is the 70th anniversary of the Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar serials. The format was used for 55 weeks, with the newest actor in the role, Bob Bailey. Many years passed, and the serial, and Bailey, fell into relative classic radio obscurity. Earliest collectors found only a handful of Armed Forces Radio Service recordings of the serialized version, often marred by sub-par sound. In the 1970s and 1980s, however, collectors in California had the opportunity to transfer the original network discs and archived tapes of most all of the broadcasts. A groundswell of appreciation occurred... and more and more collectors became aware of this long-form work of Bob Bailey and producer-director Jack Johnstone. Some of Hollywood's greatest radio voices added their skills to the productions. Over the years, especially through satellite radio channels, Johnny Dollar developed a new audience and loyal fanbase, becoming one of the channel's most requested features.

This low-rated mid-1950s series has achieved a favored status among classic radio fans that it did not reach in the time of the original broadcasts. What made these 55 weeks so special? How did the concept come about? How were they written and produced? Why has this particular format endured?

Author John Abbott will answer these questions and many more, as he offers insights and backstories about this beloved series. Dr. Joe Webb will add background about how the series has been preserved and the latest news about the efforts.

1 pm METRO WASHINGTON OLD-TIME RADIO CLUB

You do not have to be a member of the old-time radio club to attend their monthly meeting. You do not have to be a member of the old-time radio club to attend their monthly meeting. The group gathers together for a number of festivities. This year the group pays tribute to Doctor Christian with a drama re-enacting a "lost" episode, "Now That Spring is There," written by Earl Hamner Jr. (creator of THE WALTONS). And, of course, you can sign up to become a member of the club after the meeting and get their bi-monthly newsletter. (Or you can visit the club website and sign up in advance at www.mwotrc.com)

7:00 pm SATURDAY NIGHT MEET AND GREET

Instead of a Saturday night dinner banquet, we are having a Meet and Greet. Some of the celebrities will be attending -- food, drink, music, and lots of social interaction. (No photos with celebrities or autographs allowed.) Tickets are expected to sell out for this event. This is a great way to close out the weekend. This event requires a separate fee and is not included with general admission. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance, sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. (Which is why we recommend you purchase your tickets in advance.)