I worked as an usher there from January to July 1969 during my senior year in high school. It was a great job for students, because you could study during the show. We made $1.00/hour at that time, as ushers weren’t covered under minimum wage laws. Can’t remember if the “candy girls” were covered. There was usually some serious dating going on between the ushers and candy girls.
The Chatham was unquestionably the classiest movie theater in Pittsburgh. They actually rented tuxedos for the ushers to wear.
George Pappas, the manager, was indeed an imposing figure. Always impeccably groomed with a commanding voice. I also well remember George Gatto (head usher) and Adail Bouvy (head cashier).
During the Bullitt chase scene, we used to go down to watch the people in the front rows laugh hysterically. When the cars were jumping down the hills you could really feel your stomach move as though you were there.
Sometimes we’d go to a restaurant around the corner near Duquesne U called Frank and Wally’s. A big plate of french fries with gravy was 35 cents. Other times, we’d go across the street to Angie’s Arena Lounge for a Coke.
I worked as an usher there from January to July 1969 during my senior year in high school. It was a great job for students, because you could study during the show. We made $1.00/hour at that time, as ushers weren’t covered under minimum wage laws. Can’t remember if the “candy girls” were covered. There was usually some serious dating going on between the ushers and candy girls.
The Chatham was unquestionably the classiest movie theater in Pittsburgh. They actually rented tuxedos for the ushers to wear.
George Pappas, the manager, was indeed an imposing figure. Always impeccably groomed with a commanding voice. I also well remember George Gatto (head usher) and Adail Bouvy (head cashier).
During the Bullitt chase scene, we used to go down to watch the people in the front rows laugh hysterically. When the cars were jumping down the hills you could really feel your stomach move as though you were there.
Sometimes we’d go to a restaurant around the corner near Duquesne U called Frank and Wally’s. A big plate of french fries with gravy was 35 cents. Other times, we’d go across the street to Angie’s Arena Lounge for a Coke.
What a great memories I have of that time!