Just returned from Oahu and saw what’s left of this grand old theater. Hadn’t been there since the early 50s when I lived in Waikiki for a year or so. I remember a mile-long path through gorgeous gardens leading from the ticket booth to a mile-high theater with a two-mile high balcony. At least that’s the way it seemed at the time. I recall trying to convince the ticket person once that I was 12 years old, thereby eligible for a cheaper ticket—probably something like 25 cents. The ticket person wasn’t convinced and asked when I was born. I wasn’t prepared for such a trick question and blurted out something like “1950.” I knew it was the wrong answer and figured I’d have to go to jail or something but instead I was allowed to enter after paying full price—probably 50 cents or so. I’m not sure, but I think the movie I saw that day was that first 3D movie, the jungle one, with the spears coming right out of the screen at your special 3D glasses.
Just returned from Oahu and saw what’s left of this grand old theater. Hadn’t been there since the early 50s when I lived in Waikiki for a year or so. I remember a mile-long path through gorgeous gardens leading from the ticket booth to a mile-high theater with a two-mile high balcony. At least that’s the way it seemed at the time. I recall trying to convince the ticket person once that I was 12 years old, thereby eligible for a cheaper ticket—probably something like 25 cents. The ticket person wasn’t convinced and asked when I was born. I wasn’t prepared for such a trick question and blurted out something like “1950.” I knew it was the wrong answer and figured I’d have to go to jail or something but instead I was allowed to enter after paying full price—probably 50 cents or so. I’m not sure, but I think the movie I saw that day was that first 3D movie, the jungle one, with the spears coming right out of the screen at your special 3D glasses.