I was reading about Double Indemnity today when I learned that the world premiere was at Keith’s Theatre in Baltimore (which has been demolished) on July 3, 1944. James M. Cain, author of the novel it was based on, was born in Annapolis, MD and had worked at the Baltimore Sun newspaper. Bill Haley and the Comets played at Keith’s on its last day in 1955.
Battle Cry (1955) also had its world premiere in Baltimore. It was at the since-demolished Stanley Theatre. Leon Uris, author of the novel, was born in Baltimore.
Modern directors from Baltimore John Waters and Barry Levinson have had world premieres of their films here. I saw Polyester (1981) at the Charles Theatre on the world premiere day. John Waters and Divine were there.
Sad! 