THE OUTLAWS IS COMING (1965) Adam West and the Three Stooges at Redford, MI

When I saw on their website that the Redford Theatre in Redford, MI was showing THE OUTLAWS IS COMING on Friday, June 13 I immediately marked it on my calendar. Who could pass up the rare opportunity to see Adam West on the Big Screen?

I vaguely remember the movie from when I was a kid but never saw it all the way through.

A couple days before the show I checked out their site again and they added that one of the actors who was in the film was making a personal appearance for the evening shows; Johnny Ginger, a local 1960s Detroit TV kiddie show legend.

He played the role of Billy The Kid and was asked by Moe Howard to be in the film because he was the first to rerun Stooges shorts on TV, resulting in the rebirth of their popularity. Other kiddie show hosts who also ran 3 Stooges movies were also in the film playing outlaws.

That is where the title of the film came from. THE OUTLAWS IS COMING :)
Johnny was in the theatre from when the doors opened until they shut the lights off. He was very lively and sharp whited and said he was 75 years old! Didn't look a day over 50, to me.

Adam West had a prominent role in this, the last Three Stooges feature film. I never saw it all the way through until that night. Never liked that film when I was a kid but enjoyed the goofiness decades later.

I could be wrong but I don't recall Moe poking anyone in the eyes that night!!

During intermission Johnny Ginger came on stage and told jokes, sang and reminiced about the Stooges, Adam West, his career and the filming of the movie.

Johnny remembered Moe advising Adam against taking the role of Batman, which he had just won the audition for, explaining it would ruin his career from being typecast as a superhero, using George Reeves at an example. Well, we all know what happened soon after! :)

After the film was over he returned on stage, did a lengthy answer and question session with the audience and told more jokes.

Johnny was signing autographs the moment the theatre doors opened to until late at night in the lobby. He spoke to everyone, including me, treated everyone there very good, and signed my ticket stub and an 8x10.

He only charged $2 and $3 for the 8x10s and was a class act.

The guy in front of me in line asked about Soupy Sales, a fellow Detroit kid show host and friend. Johnny said he was not in good health and could no longer speak. It was sad to hear that but Johnny soon did an impression of Joe Besser, who he said he hated.

Soupy Sales and Johnny Ginger

Despite a brat kid in the balcony who was yelling throughout the film and the Q&A, I had a great time. Even Johnny Ginger commented to one of the staff members about the kid as he was walking past me after his performance. The Redford staff never does anything about these things so I rarely go there anymore.

That night I got to see Adam West in CinemaScope, the Three Stooges and unexpectedly meet and watch an old school entertainer do his stuff. It was a great night and for only $6 per ticket. Okay, the round trip was 225 miles. So what! I had a wonderful time.

8x10 and stubb signed by Johnny Ginger a/k/a Billy The Kid