Old Guy Video in Athens, Georgia is currently producing a documentary on the Free Merchant Shows. They plan to immortalize the history of the free shows by the recounting of stories and memories from that time. As far can be determined, the free show concept was unique to this area. It started in Haddam and expanded to include most of Kansas and some towns in bordering state.

Old Guy Video began filming the Free Merchant Shows documentary in Haddam on June 24, 2005. A town hall meeting was held to begin the filming and production process. Residents attended the town meeting and shared their memories of one of the most colorful and interesting eras in Haddam's history.

Note: James Benyshek is Ed Wranosky's grandson.

Projection Carts Reconstructed to Replicate Carts Used During Free Shows Days Recap of Documentary June 24, 2005.
James Benyshek's Haddam interviews: Dora Brown, Evelyn June Ward, Christine Gingles, Clyde Bobbitt, Bollie Hyland, Leon Odette, Babe Zenger and various others.
Kansas City interview: Floyd Cundiff
Wichita interviews: Cletes Wranosky and Ellen Meckenstock Plus various other Wranosky family members.
Note: If you were interview and your name not listed please contact this webmaster.

Email: Anita Childerston

Listed below are some of the guys that worked for ECCO Pictures. Some from Haddam, some from other towns. Any viewer of this page is encouraged to email James Benyshek if you know the whereabouts of any of these men or their families:

Vernon Wranosky	Francis/Bud Jorgenson	John Lallak	Frank Goux	Boliver Hyland
Gayl Byrd	Merrell Speers	Floyd Cundiff	Jack Welborn	Bob Welborn
Dale Pancake	Dean Sorrell	Bill Meckenstock	Dewey Lindsey	Loyd Gingles
Bud Randall	Nelson Hamblin	Gene Frye	Vaughn Parrack	Emanuel Moore
Ernest Drips	Roger Sprinkle

Anita Childerston, Webmaster 2005