For Release: June 18 , 2007
T he next edition of Kentucky Life features a small press in Cynthiana, a reunion of the 1956 state champ basketball players and cheerleaders from Carr Creek , and a look back at the life of Tod Browning, producer and director of the original Dracula . The program , host ed by Dave Shuffett and his canine pal Charlie , airs S aturday, July 7 at 8/7 p.m. CT and Sunday, July 8 at 4:30/3:30 p.m. CT on KET1 and Sunday, July 8 at 7/6 p.m. CT on KET2.
First, the program introduces viewers to Purple House Press in Cynthiana and its owner, Jill Morgan , a specialist in finding sought after but hard-to-find used children's books . She started the p ress in 2000 after seeing the price for her favorite book, the out-of-print Mr. Pine's Purple House , climb to $300 a copy . The venture started when she decided to republish the book , and its mission continues with Purple House having rescued more than 30 titles and sold over 150,000 hardcover books.
Next, Kentucky Life head s to Knott County to the Carr Creek High School gym to meet members of the 1956 state championship boy's basketball team and cheerleading squad as they share their memories and shoot a few hoops. Carr Creek's win that year went down in Kentucky basketball history and continues to inspire other small mountain community school teams.
Finally , Dave recall s the influence of Louisville native Tod Browning, who produced and directed many influential silent films, including the original Dracula starring Bela Lugosi and Freaks . Charles Albert Browning was born into a well known and well-to-do Louisville family, though as a teen he changed his name to Tod and ran off to join the circus. These eccentric beginnings laid the groundwork for his life in films as an actor, writer and director.
Kentucky Life is a KET production, produced by Joy Flynn. Segment producers for this program are Brandon Wickey and Tom Thurman . Some Kentucky Life programs are now available for on-demand videostream viewing at www.ket.org/kentuckylife. More about KET programs and educational services, and how to support KET, can be found at www.ket.org.