Movies Come to Frog Hollow

It was the early part of this century, Frog Hollow Community in the Ozarks was populated mainly by descendants of Anglo Saxon settlers who preferred a simpler way of living than the more industrialized and thickly populated areas provided.

It was also the advent of the Motion Picture industry. But I will tell you more about that later. First I want to introduce you to some of the inhabitants of Frog Hollow.

There was me, Tully O’Malley – I was in love with Annie O’Brien. Just puppy love. We were what are now called teenagers. I was near seventeen and Annie was fifteen. We had known each other since diaper days. I was awfully shy and backward. Any wooing and courting had to be started by Annie.

We were constantly spied upon and taunted by my kid sister Effie. She knew every hideaway of ours where Annie and I did our courting. Of course our love making was no secret to anyone in Frog Hollow. Every move we made, Effie was on our trail.

Grandpa O’Malley, settled the homestead on which we lived. It was the only tract of bottom land in the community that would raise good corn. And, of course, grandpa always liquified a considerable quantity-of the corn. He always kept the little brown jug well filled.

Papa and mama were model characters; so little need be said about them. But Uncle Si and Grandpa were two of a kind. Any pranks being played and they were the leaders.

Uncle Si couldn’t restrain himself as a practical joker. Grandpa had to have his swig, Sometimes too much of a one. So here and now leads to a very exciting incident.

It was a clear fall day in October. The frost was on the “punkin”• The corn fodder was in the shock. I was supposed to be recitin’ the three R’s at the schoolhouse on the corner. So what! I already knew more than the old maid school teacher. So I played hooky and went a fishin! Annie missed me that day. So we decided to make up for it that night.

Grandpa slung his little brown jug on the saddle on old Jake and rode to town that afternoon to get a few groceries. Old Jake was smooth mouthed and very much older than me. But at times if the need arose, he could be very lively.

Uncle Si was always indulging in novelties. He had been gone a fortnight on one of his jaunts to St. Louis. We did not know when he would return.

I did the evening chores and ate supper. Then I hitched Tess and Bess to the surrey, I had intended to pick up the Ryan boys and go to town for an evening’s pranking. But in passing Annie’s place, she called to me. I stopped. Annie stepped up beside me on the surrey seat. So we decided to go to one of our trysting nooks near the pike. Effie, as usual spied on us and knew our hideout.

I mentioned before that the early part of this century was also the advent of motion pictures. But the hillbilly inhabitants knew little or nothing about them. I had never heard of such a contraption as a movie projector.

I should also remind you that in the hills we are very superstitious. One of our favorite pastimes was to sit around the fireside and tell ghost stores. And we did believe in spooks.

Uncle Si returned that day soon after Annie and I had started on our courting excursion. Of course, he inquired as to the whereabouts of Grandpa and me. Sneaky Effie gave him all the information he needed.

Uncle Si had brought with him one of the infernal projectors. Ideas popped into his head right now that he could not resist. He rigged up the infernal machine across the pike from our tryst. A thicket nearby formed a good screen. No moon, the night was dark as pitch.

Grandpa was just passing on his way home from town. Of course, he had been swigging rather heavily from the little brown jug, On one side of the saddle he had a jar of molasses and a sack of oats. On the other side some grits and meal.

Of all pictures, Uncle Si had chosen one that flashed on the screen a shrouded figure on a white horse galloping over the hills.

Old Jake made one big leap past us and broke the record getting home. Mama said Grandpa was white as a sheet in the face and covered all over with oats, grits and molasses. Grandpa swore off corn liquor for a whole month.

Annie screamed and grabbed me around the neck. That broke the ice for us. I was no longer shy and backward. No young lady had ever been hugged and kissed so earnestly and sincerely. But both of us made a mad scramble for the surrey to get away from there, We had the jitters for weeks after. But from then on the man (me) was dominant.

Grandpa, Annie and I were all three convinced we had seen the devil himself. And Effie? The little scamp of course was right with Uncle Si in the escapade. Neither one told us till weeks later what had actually happened.

And of course this was our very first movie, even though we did not stay for the finale.