Completion of this series--see Intro, parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8a, 8b:
Journey's End
Being a senior projectionist (at age 22 for the first half of 1977, no less) at the independent Warner Huntington Park (a place I had come to regularly since I was a kid), was a one-of-a-kind experience. I went from someone who knew next to nothing about the trade to someone who could at the very least get a movie projected (by hook or by crook). As well, I learned how to teach the basics of the booth to anyone hired off the street (which happened too many times over). Coming to the end of my employment there, I began to experience similar feelings toward the job as my brother once did (the former sr. projectionist before me). It was eerie to see myself walk the same path at the theater, and end up with same result: that of giving notice.The rest of the chapter has been updated and relocated to my current blog, found here.
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Hello my friend,
ReplyDeleteI remember watching The White Buffalo (it wasn't at the Warner though). I never worked in a theater but my sons and daughters did during their high school years. Knowing how much I love movies, they always reserved a screening coupon for movie night with the Mrs.
I meant to tell you I don't remember the John Cusack movie The Ice Harvest. I'm sure I've seen it but I'll have to stop by the video store and pick up a copy to refresh my memory.
U
You have succeeded in making me nostalgic for a place I've never been. I'll miss this series of memoirs regarding the old theater, too. But how cool to have had such great seats for the Christmas parade. And apparently a pretty wonderful parade at that.
ReplyDeleteIs it me, or does it always seem strange and disorienting to move on from a job one has held for a while?
Thanks for those links. I read on past the parade link and found out something else I didn't know. I had never heard of Las Posadas. I hope that tradition catches on here soon. We have a sizable immigrant population so it is possible.
Welcome U. I'm very glad you could stop by. I'm glad to hear there is someone else who has seen TWB. Currently, there is no U.S. studio DVD release for it (though, it's likely been on cable), even though the movie soundtrack is retailed.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to hear that your children worked at such a place, and that you and your family love and appreciate movies. Our family movie nights are something I look forward to. Let me know when you take The Ice Harvest in again. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks for your visit and your comments, U. Take care and I hope your New Year's goes well.
Thanks for your kind words, Corey. That one time roof viewing of the parade was pretty special. The sad irony was in place for it, as well. That was the last time I took that event in. Perhaps, that's another reason my stint there has left quite an impression on me over the years. Things changed, significantly, after that tour of duty.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is very disorienting when one changes a job, and routine, that's been done for a period of time such as this one. Up to that time, it was the longest stretch at one place I had ever experienced. But, I've long since blew that record out of the water.
IIRC, I once was in a Las Posadas re-enactment. No, I wasn't the donkey ;-). Talk about an old memory.
BTW, there's an image Outro for the series coming Wed ;-).
Tales from the......
ReplyDeleteare my favorites of your post. Takes me back to the beautiful art deco theaters of my youth in Charleston, Wv. The Kearse, the Capitol, the Virginia and the State. Little did I know how special they were. It was also where my Dad saw the ten cent movies of the depression. So thanks, really enjoyed your posts,
Happy New Year!
Thank you, Herb & Laura, for your very kind thoughts toward this series. When I started this series, I thought I'd do a few brief posts after I stumbled on to the Cinema Treasures site and found my old theater. I didn't expect it would take me back to places I hadn't recalled in decades.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure those memories of the old theaters of your youth, along with those recollections of family, are quite special. And something to cherish. I hope 2010 will be the best for both of you. Take care.