Continuation of the series--see Intro, parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8a:It Is A Movie Theater
As we return from the break, I continue to reflect on the movie side of my experience of working as a projectionist at the Warner Huntington Park Theater, circa 1976 - 77. For some, I can still see those cue marks in my head from the movies during that span. And they've left a dent in my memory. So, before they disappear from my mind and this world, here are some of them:The rest of the chapter has been updated and relocated to my current blog, found here.
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You know that when you can recall an event in your life the way you can this one, in detail and in context, after so much time has passed, you had to have been REALLY REALLY stressed. Hoe long did it take you to "edit" that damaged section?
ReplyDeleteIt was about two hours (of total near panic) of splicing, Naomi. Finally coming to the realization that those really, really damaged strips couldn't be salvaged helped, too, since I didn't have to try and find them a spot on that reel. Thanks, Naomi, for your comment.
ReplyDeleteMichael, you amaze me. I don't know that I could remember that many movies that were playing when I worked at the movie theater. I do distinctly remember THE GODFATHER III, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, and A FEW GOOD MEN. Others I remember as conversations come up about them...and I'm like, "oh, yeah, that was out when I worked at the theater!"
ReplyDeleteWell, Jen, that place left quite an impression. My wife would also have to say two words: "Nostalgia gene." Thank you, Jen, for your kind words and comment.
ReplyDeleteYou're a better man than I, Gunga Din. I saw 'Jaws' three times. Good movie, but if I had had to watch it for six weeks, my sanity would have cracked. And I'm ashamed of it, but I will confess that to this day I have not sat down and watched 'Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia.' And I think I own a copy of it, too.
ReplyDeleteYou need to post that story about saving your co-worker's job over at PCN's contest about heroes. That definitely qualifies.
I so can't wait until I get to meet your wife. I just know I will LOVE her! ;)
ReplyDeleteYou could hear an audible groan among the projectionists on each Wednesday (the old traditional day new movies debuted) when only the second movie changed during that period. If we had gone on to a 7th week of Jaws, I think we'd have quit en masse.
ReplyDeleteCheck out J.D.'s review of BMTHOAG. It's a good one and it'll cover what makes that film so special (or infamous). Thanks, Corey, for your kind words and comment.
Well, Jen, there's the 2010 Festival of Books :-).
ReplyDeleteThis post was about as suspenseful as Jaws! That was an incredible feat you pulled off, saving your co-worker's job AND the theater owner from paying exorbitant fees.
ReplyDeleteAs a teen, I worked in a movie theater at the concession stand. My first day was the Friday Empire Strikes Back opened. Insanity!
It didn't help that this particular theater was so cheap, it didn't provide us with cash registers. We had to do all calculations in our heads. (Part of the job interview was getting drilled in math to see how fast we could do it. Being a nerdy Asian helped.) Of course, I kept getting the guy with the huge order for his entire family who paid with big bills.
I remember how swamped the concessionistas were at our theater for those popular movies (like Jaws & The Exorcist). I didn't envy how hard they had to work during an intermission (and god help them with the owner if register didn't jibe). And for covering the food stand at an event movie like TESB, without cash registers, you deserved combat pay for that! So, you and Jen worked at a movie theater? You guys should tell us your stories (I bet they're somethin'). Thanks, Elyse, for sharing your experience.
ReplyDeleteOh, why didn't I think to ask for combat pay? I was only getting $2.80/hr. Can you believe that?
ReplyDeleteWe thought we could relax once each showing began but no, we had to clean. We'd be calf-deep in popcorn and the counters and floor would be covered with spilled sodas. You'd think a Coke machine exploded in there. And we had to pop more popcorn, replenish cups, straws, ice, etc. I got really muscular carrying those bags of ice.
Nice to see you flagging up The White Buffalo there.
ReplyDeleteIt's also had a very nice anamorphic release on DVD in Region 4 (Australia) - http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/806821
Thanks for the info and link, Livius. It's a head-scratcher as to why this dark and mythical western hasn't been released to disc here in the states. Always good to see you stop by, my friend
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