Tales from the (Movie) Theater: Outro

The complete blog series can be found here, or individually using these links: Intro, parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8a, 8b, & 9.

Theater, Then

The photo of the theater's exterior used for this series was done by William Gabel, circa 1971. The theater's architect was B. Marcus Priteca, who designed many of the movie palaces on the West Coast, including those in Washington (Seattle, Tacoma, Yakima, Spokane, Centralia, and Olympia), Alaska (Anchorage & Fairbanks), British Columbia (Vancover), California (Oakland, San Francisco, Fresno, San Diego, Beverly Hills, Huntington Park, and Los Angeles). Others of his were built in Canada, Utah, Minnesota, Montana and Tennessee. The theater's style is Art Deco. Built in 1929-30, the original layout could seat 1468. Pacific Theaters was the last chain to operate this theater. It was twinned early in the 1980's--meaning, the balcony was separated via renovation to install an additional (second) screen in the upper portion of the building.

The rest of the chapter has been updated and relocated to my current blog, found here.

Tales from the (Movie) Theater: Part 9

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.

Next up: Outro

Tales from the (Movie) Theater: Part 8b

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.

Next Up: Journey's End (Part 9)

Tales from the (Movie) Theater: Part 8a

Continuation of the series--see Intro, parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7:

It Is A Movie Theater

I guess when you come down to it, this involvement of working as a projectionist from 1976 - 1977 at the Warner Huntington Park Theater was a unique one. It simultaneously fed me concession stand food & drink (for years afterward, I couldn't stand to drink Pepsi), pocket money, and experiences that couldn't have come from anywhere else. Add to that, I screened a supply and range of movies, in a relatively short period of time, that I couldn't have dreamt to have seen, or let alone afford during that span.

The rest of the chapter has been updated and relocated to my current blog, found here.

Next up: more of It Is A Movie Theater (Part 8b)

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Tales from the (Movie) Theater: Part 7

Continuation of the series--see Intro, parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6:

Surprise!

After being promoted by attrition to lead projectionist at the Huntington Park Warner Theater, following an all too short stint of a few months showing movies, I attempted to settle into a semblance of routine. This was helped by the arrival of the summer of '76 and the completion of my college spring semester (which gave me more time to work). And more work hours meant more money in my pocket, which simply fed my preoccupation of dating young women at the time (my wife would have referred to this as an HBL thing). The sad economic fact young males learn early is that good looking girls rarely had dirt poor boyfriends.

The rest of the chapter has been updated and relocated to my current blog, found here.

Next up: It is A Movie Theater (Part 8a)

Tales from the (Movie) Theater: Part 6

Continuation of the series--see Intro, parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5:

Transitions

After only a few months of working without too much incident (mostly the closing shifts) at the Huntington Park Warner, big changes came to the theater, and my way. Even though I started off as the newly minted projectionist, the low wages contributed to the one prominent trend of my tenure there: turnover. It didn't take long for the middle guy to leave. So in a short time, I was no longer the lowest man on the totem pole. Unbelievably, I became the second most senior tech there (right behind my younger brother, the lead projectionist).

The rest of the chapter has been updated and relocated to my current blog, found here.

Next Up: Surprise! (Part 7)

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Tales from the (Movie) Theater: Part 5

Continuation of the series--see Intro, parts 1, 2, 3, 4:

When The Moment Comes...

In my last post in this series, I mentioned my recent interview with my younger brother (who was the senior projectionist at the time I began working at the Huntington Park Warner Theater). Now that we are both in our 50's, and married with children, it was interesting to note his experiences working there and how clear and vivid his reflections were toward that short stint in his (work) life. As well, it was striking to realize the parallels in our two (short) projectionist careers. Previously, I thought he worked there a good while, especially before I arrived. In fact, it only seemed long. But, he only started working there the year before I did (1975).

The rest of the chapter has been updated and relocated to my current blog, found here.

Next up: Transitions (Part 6)

Tales from the (Movie) Theater: Part 4

Continuation of the series--see Intro, part 1, part 2, part 3:

Amateur Night

As I return to this series, months later now (where did the time fly?), I need to explore that most unique detail of my tenure there. That of Amateur Night. For me to recollect and get it straight these many years later, I had to call upon and interview my only brother (the very one I've been mentioning throughout the series). His answers to some of my questions I've incorporated into this post below - and into the remaining segments in the series, whenever possible.

The rest of the chapter has been updated and relocated to my current blog, found here.

Next up: When The Moment Comes... (Part 5)

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Tales from the (Movie) Theater: Part 3

Continuation of the series--see Intro, part 1, part 2:

Projecting

Learning about all of the duties that came with the job of movie theater projectionist was a revelation. And it was administered to me by my younger brother, the Sr. Projectionist for the Huntington Park Warner at the time. I spent a week coming to work during his shifts and acquiring the basic skills at projecting a movie onto a screen (and not killing me, him or anybody in the building at that time). And though it involved no liquids or air (but plenty of electricity), it was pressure-based. This was especially true for older theaters with owners highly resistant to modernizing because it "cost godd*mn too much money."

The rest of the chapter has been updated and relocated to my current blog, found here.

Next up: Amateur Night (Part 4)

Tales from the (Movie) Theater: Part 2

Continuation of the series--see Intro, part 1:

The Owner

Getting past my brother's interview process and meeting the owner made for quite a contrast. At least with my brother, he was a known commodity -- familia -- for better or for worst. On the other hand the proprietor, Armand, he was an eye-opener. When introduced to him by my brother, one immediately felt like you were being sized up and grouped into one of two categories: those like him, and everybody else. Those who were like him were the self-made businessmen who started out with literally nothing and work/scraped whatever they achieved through their energy and ambition.

The rest of the chapter has been updated and relocated to my current blog, found here.

Next up: Projecting (Part 3)

Tales from the (Movie) Theater: Part 1

Continuation of the series that began here.

Brotherhood

By the mid-70's, I needed a steady job to support my endeavor of higher education (and perhaps affording to have money in my pocket for dating purposes, too). Ah...youth. A college education was something my mother pushed for, and I (the surviving oldest) got that obligación. I was at L.A. City College at the time--junior college--see what mediocre high school grades get you. Now, my younger brother (by 1 year and 8 months) on the other hand sought work foremost (and had done so since he finished high school).

The rest of the chapter has been updated and relocated to my current blog, found here.

Next up: The Owner (Part 2)

Tales from the (Movie) Theater: Intro

As some of you know, I have a thing for movies --"criminy, you watch enough of them!", says my wife. I reason it was because I was influenced by the act of taking them in at a young age. One of my earliest memories was going to the drive-in with my mom and dad when I was a toddler. Later, my mother's sisters and brother would take me during my childhood (I guess any kid sitting, no matter if it was in a dark theater with strangers all about, was a good thing). Even later, during that more innocent era, we (friends and I, junior high-aged) would strike out on our own to movie halls situated 2-3 miles away to take in a flick. Usually, by walking or by bus. Do you think I'd let my 9- and 13-year old do that now? Hell, no!!!

The rest of the chapter has been updated and relocated to my current blog, found here.

Next up: Brotherhood (Part 1)