I love movies and for movie lovers around my age who grew up in Atlanta, George Ellis is a familiar name. He was the proprietor of the Film Forum, a theater that showed films not seen in the main theaters. Then, there were no movie downloads and no Netflix. That made his theater an incredible place. His previous role was hosting the movies on “The Big Movie Shocker” on WAGA-TV on Friday nights. For that he used the name Bestoink Dooley.
Bestoink Dooley was a local celebrity. Everyone who loved horror and science fiction movies watched him on Friday nights. I remember watching its debut and the first movie they played was the Japanese movie, Mothra. Bestoink’s role was being the host and introducing the movie with his sense of humor.
Later, when he opened the Film Forum, there were many regular patrons there who appreciated seeing the films and also remembered George from TV. He was a film lover and it was clear that he loved running that theater. Much of the time he was selling the tickets in the lobby and greeting people. When he wasn’t there, his son Michael was in that role.
The Film Forum showed old and new. The new European films were there. My introduction to Ingmar Bergman was The Passion of Anna, a new release when I saw it there. On the other hand, he showed Marx Brothers movies and Charlie Chaplin. Also, he played the old serials like Captain Marvel.
Another feature of the theater was running a midnight showing that featured “cult” movies. That was the way to see a movie like El Topo, a very bizarre film that’s a kind of psychedelic version of a spaghetti western.
I read that he appeared in a local Theatre Under the Stars production of Oliver. The part of Fagin was played by Vincent Price and George Ellis had a small role as Mr. Bumble. Apparently, there was a lot of applause when Ellis walked on stage and his fans recognized him.
Sadly, George died several years ago, but many people remember him. He’s mentioned on a number of websites and blogs. That’s how I discovered that his son, Michael, is the founder and director of a wildlife animal rescue orgainization called Aware.
The Film Forum showed old and new. The new European films were there. My introduction to Ingmar Bergman was The Passion of Anna, a new release when I saw it there. On the other hand, he showed Marx Brothers movies and Charlie Chaplin. Also, he played the old serials like Captain Marvel.
Another feature of the theater was running a midnight showing that featured “cult” movies. That was the way to see a movie like El Topo, a very bizarre film that’s a kind of psychedelic version of a spaghetti western.
I read that he appeared in a local Theatre Under the Stars production of Oliver. The part of Fagin was played by Vincent Price and George Ellis had a small role as Mr. Bumble. Apparently, there was a lot of applause when Ellis walked on stage and his fans recognized him.
Sadly, George died several years ago, but many people remember him. He’s mentioned on a number of websites and blogs. That’s how I discovered that his son, Michael, is the founder and director of a wildlife animal rescue orgainization called Aware.
