Raye Theater

Seth on November 19, 2004 at 1:02 pm

I guess we can change the status now. Funny that it doesn’t seem to have any neon. I can’t see any evidence of old installations in my pictures. Too bad the article doesn’t give more history.

tommy1234567890000 on March 23, 2005 at 9:19 pm

My uncle Ray Jennings owned this theater. I came woth my parents many times down from Waco to visit my uncle Ray and my aunt Maggie Jenings.

What a thrill for a young movie-loving boy to be able to be waved by the ticket booth, get popcorn and soda without having to pay, and see the movie!

But even better than this was being able to go behind the screen, through a hidden door, and into my uncle Ray’s office.

His passion and avocation was going to Africa on hunting safari, and his office was filled with things from them – elephant and rhino heads, crossed tusks, big-game rifles, native spears and headdresses, a elephant’s-foot stool…

I know now what neither he or I knew then – that these were due to become endangered species – but that does nothing to allay the pure wonder of a place as far from my suburban upbringings as you could ever imagine.

I often wonder what happened to my uncle Ray’s trophies and artifacts after he was gone…

Thanks for letting me post my memories of this small-town movie theater here.

Tommy Stewart

zerrm on December 19, 2005 at 8:04 am

I grew up in Hondo and remember the Raye Theater. My dad was the projectionist for several years. I agree with Tommy Stewart that it was a real treat to walk past the ticket booth for a free movie. Since my dad ran the projector we got to sit up in the balcony area. This was roped off for some reason. Perhaps because of low attendance or maybe for safety reasons.
I think there was some neon out front but I would have to ask dad. As I think about it, I am almost sure I can hear the hum of it. Here is a little know story. From the projection room you could get out onto the roof that covered the front of the theater. The “awning” you might call it. This area had a high wall around it. During the movie, this is where I would go to relieve myself instead of going downstairs to the bathroom. It was from this area that I remember the humming sound of the lights.
My dad collected all the paper flyers that advertised the coming attractions. It has been more than 25 years since dad worked there but I’ll bet he still has those things. Thanks for stirring up some fond memories.
zm