I’ve always loved the movies. My mom used to take my brother and me to see all the current features when we were young. That was our special time.
Sometimes, we would go three times a week and once in awhile would leave one movie, only to get in line to see another one.
It was exciting. The smell of popcorn. The Jordan Almonds. Sharing an experience with others. And when the lights went down, it was like something magical was about to happen.
The movies were an escape into another world, and they still are today.
I was lucky enough to have been a youngster when the drive-ins and the Madison was still in operation. The movie theaters of today will never compare to the elegance of those long gone.
The Madison was so majestic with its high ceilings and intricate woodwork and paintings. I got to see “Star Wars” and “Superman” there, and yes, even “Raggedy Ann and Andy.”
In my teen years, I got a job at the Varsity Theater on Main Street.
Looking back now, as we often do, I have many regrets. Being 18, I didn’t appreciate fully the fact that I was working in such a historic theater, and now it is gone.
I wish I would have taken some photographs when I was there of the lighted marquee, the ticket booth, the concessions, the movie house, or me in my mandatory maroon vest and bow tie.
At least I have my memories.
I sold the tickets. This was before cash registers when math was done on a scratch pad or in your head. We did have a little cheat sheet that listed price total for a certain number of people. Tickets then were $3.50 for adults. I got really good and counting money back.
This came in handy the night that we were so busy when “Nightmare on Elm Street: Dream Warriors” was playing. I had to get a long line of people into the theater in a small amount of time. The line went out the door and along the sidewalk parallel to Main Street. People and money was pouring in, and I was pushing the buttons to get the tickets to pop through the counter as quickly as I could. So much money came in at once that I didn’t even have time to put it in the till. I had to throw it in a wastebasket at my feet!
Another found memory took place one stormy night when the power went out and there was a tornado warning. The rain poured so hard that it came over the street curb, crept over the sidewalk and under the door where the ticket booth was located.
Our manager told the theater patrons that we had to take shelter in the basement. If anyone had ever seen the basement of the Varsity Theatre, they would probably rather take their chances in the storm.
The theater looked like Freddy Kruger’s boiler room. It was located behind the movie screen and you had to unlock a door and go down a long flight of steps to get there. We sat down there in the dark with flashlights, writing refunds that stormy night.
The ice machine was also located in the basement and co-workers liked to play pranks on whoever had the unlucky job of carrying a bucket through the theater to retrieve ice. It happened to me once. Once downstairs, someone at top would turn off the light and lock the door while you were in the spooky basement.
Being an old theater, the Varsity had character, but it also had mice. I caught one once in a soda cup and took it home for a pet. Later, it escaped from its cage by chewing a hole in the lid. My family and I saw that mouse running around the house for months afterward.
Between shows, we had to do other odd jobs, such as cleaning. After I typed up my ticket sale reports, I polished the brass on the doors. We had to keep them shiny.
Later, I went to work at the Fox Theater on Brandywine Drive. The Fox was not charming like the Varsity, but I had fun times there as well.
The best story is when Kenny Rogers came in to see the movie “Suspect” with Cher and Dennis Quaid starring.
Rogers, dress in sweat pants and jacket and donning a gold chain, had a body guard with him. He paid me with a $100 bill which threw me off a bit.
Even though I knew who he was, I didn’t let on. I wanted to act professional. I had to laugh when our usher, Greg, said, “Right this way Mr. Rogers.”
After the movie, our ushers went and got Rogers’ popcorn container and soda cup. We stapled them to the theater’s office wall and put a sign below them that said, “Kenny Rogers wall of fame.”
Even though I am sure Frank Larkin (see story on Page 1) was around during the time I was working at these theaters, I don’t recall meeting him. But, I am glad our paths crossed now because — despite our age difference — we were able to connect and share the fond memories of our past.
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I’ve always loved the movies. My mom used to take my brother and me to see all the current features when we were young. That was our special time.
Sometimes, we would go three times a week and once in awhile would leave one movie, only to get in line to see another one.
It was exciting. The smell of popcorn. The Jordan Almonds. Sharing an experience with others. And when the lights went down, it was like something magical was about to happen.
The movies were an escape into another world, and they still are today.
I was lucky enough to have been a youngster when the drive-ins and the Madison was still in operation. The movie theaters of today will never compare to the elegance of those long gone.
The Madison was so majestic with its high ceilings and intricate woodwork and paintings. I got to see “Star Wars” and “Superman” there, and yes, even “Raggedy Ann and Andy.”
In my teen years, I got a job at the Varsity Theater on Main Street.
Looking back now, as we often do, I have many regrets. Being 18, I didn’t appreciate fully the fact that I was working in such a historic theater, and now it is gone.
I wish I would have taken some photographs when I was there of the lighted marquee, the ticket booth, the concessions, the movie house, or me in my mandatory maroon vest and bow tie.
At least I have my memories.
I sold the tickets. This was before cash registers when math was done on a scratch pad or in your head. We did have a little cheat sheet that listed price total for a certain number of people. Tickets then were $3.50 for adults. I got really good and counting money back.
This came in handy the night that we were so busy when “Nightmare on Elm Street: Dream Warriors” was playing. I had to get a long line of people into the theater in a small amount of time. The line went out the door and along the sidewalk parallel to Main Street. People and money was pouring in, and I was pushing the buttons to get the tickets to pop through the counter as quickly as I could. So much money came in at once that I didn’t even have time to put it in the till. I had to throw it in a wastebasket at my feet!
Another found memory took place one stormy night when the power went out and there was a tornado warning. The rain poured so hard that it came over the street curb, crept over the sidewalk and under the door where the ticket booth was located.
Our manager told the theater patrons that we had to take shelter in the basement. If anyone had ever seen the basement of the Varsity Theatre, they would probably rather take their chances in the storm.
The theater looked like Freddy Kruger’s boiler room. It was located behind the movie screen and you had to unlock a door and go down a long flight of steps to get there. We sat down there in the dark with flashlights, writing refunds that stormy night.
The ice machine was also located in the basement and co-workers liked to play pranks on whoever had the unlucky job of carrying a bucket through the theater to retrieve ice. It happened to me once. Once downstairs, someone at top would turn off the light and lock the door while you were in the spooky basement.
Being an old theater, the Varsity had character, but it also had mice. I caught one once in a soda cup and took it home for a pet. Later, it escaped from its cage by chewing a hole in the lid. My family and I saw that mouse running around the house for months afterward.
Between shows, we had to do other odd jobs, such as cleaning. After I typed up my ticket sale reports, I polished the brass on the doors. We had to keep them shiny.
Later, I went to work at the Fox Theater on Brandywine Drive. The Fox was not charming like the Varsity, but I had fun times there as well.
The best story is when Kenny Rogers came in to see the movie “Suspect” with Cher and Dennis Quaid starring.
Rogers, dress in sweat pants and jacket and donning a gold chain, had a body guard with him. He paid me with a $100 bill which threw me off a bit.
Even though I knew who he was, I didn’t let on. I wanted to act professional. I had to laugh when our usher, Greg, said, “Right this way Mr. Rogers.”
After the movie, our ushers went and got Rogers’ popcorn container and soda cup. We stapled them to the theater’s office wall and put a sign below them that said, “Kenny Rogers wall of fame.”
Even though I am sure Frank Larkin (see story on Page 1) was around during the time I was working at these theaters, I don’t recall meeting him. But, I am glad our paths crossed now because — despite our age difference — we were able to connect and share the fond memories of our past.
