I was a projectionist there a long time ago. Think this was, oh, maybe late 80s or early 90s. The lady that I worked with went on to be a manager. How would I describe her? Simple. She was the most beautiful brunette I have ever seen in MY LIFE! Yes, I would LOVE to see her again, a really great lady. <><> Hugs and Kisses Princess. :)
No matter where a projectionist worked, they could always pick up extra money by working the Midnight shift at a Pussycat theater. This booth was itty-bitty, but it was clean and ran great! I remember, well, I think I remember, the booth was painted a dark green. Heck, for all I know, maybe it was black. Wow, the first Pussycat.
I remember running “Rocky Horror” and “The Song Remains The Same.” Good Gosh, the six-track was awesome! Everytime I had projected a midnight show here, I would go home and eat a cherry pie. Umm, wonder why?
Zubi, You are right! I was thinking of the Twin out in the parking lot. Whoops! Honestly, I have worked at so many theaters that it is hard to remember them all. I have a newpaper clipping with me holding a “UNFAIR” sign and standing outside with other brothers in a photo when we were striking. hahaha. Then, I got my job back as a technician, not a projectionist. Well, for a while anyway. tee-hee. Man, I need to dig that out that article and reminisce.
This was a great place to work in the mid 1980s. I was the last union theater technician to work in Southern California.
Hey, that did not bother me because I was about to become a radar air traffic controller at ZLA, the air route traffic control center in Palmdale, CA. Finally, UA fired me, but two weeks later, I was at the FAA academy in OKC, OK.
What was cool about this place is that it had Norelcos to run 70mm in a four-plex. Yes, 70mm and six-track Dolby stereo. Man, that had to hurt AMC, also in the mall. Why? AMC only had 35mm and mono sound. Ouch!!!
My first theater where I was the chief was at the Town Cinema in Kankakee, IL. However, my first introduction to learn the theater business was here at the FOX. I had worked there as a union projectionist apprentice in 73 and 74.
Bill Jackson was the regular operator at the FOX and business agent for the union. In those days, it was owned by Mann.
I remember there was a spotlight in the booth with the name “Grauman’s Chinese Theater” written on it. The spotlight was there as a loan. When I saw that spotlight, I knew I had to go to Hollywood. I did go to Hollywood and worked at the Chinese, off and on, for 20 years. Yeap, it all started at the FOX!
I have worked a thousand theaters between Hollywood, CA and Long Island, NY; all the studios in Hollywood; and most movie stars homes. Honestly, I wish I was still a projectionist at the FOX in Springfield, IL. My Hometown…
This was a fun place in the late 70s. Hummm, think they had Cinemeccanica film towers. Also, pretty sure the business agent was there full time. I was a relief projectionist back then.
Edward Havens, sorry, but I was fired in 91 by Loews. Garth Drabinsky was in trouble, and the projectionist were reduced from 14 to five shifts per week. Bob Seeling had senority and got to stay. It could have been that Loews was just managing for Cineplex. Who knows??? Who cares???
Sumner Redstone! It all started right here when this place was a drive-in. Sumner Redstone is one of the most powerful media moguls of the late 20th century. In his capacity as owner and chief executive officer of Viacom, Inc., Redstone lords over Hollywood’s Paramount Pictures television and motion picture factory; a handful of cable TV networks including MTV, The Movie Channel, Showtime, Nickelodeon, VH1; and several radio and TV stations. It was tough being the technician here, so many types of old projection equipment. However, it is history, so it was worth it.
Worked here and the UA Long Beach Marketplace 6. This place could be tough. During the day, they had a swap meet. When I can in, so many speaker poles would be knocked down. Know matter what, you had to be there a couple hours early to fix any shorts in the sound. The business agent had this theater for years, until the swap meet came in. Finally, in 85, I got sent to the OKC Academy to become an FAA radar air traffic controller. That lasted a year until I had a stroke. Guess what, back to the damn drive-in again. The story never ends. sheesh
:) Wow. Wonder if old employees every check this out?
I was a projectionist there a long time ago. Think this was, oh, maybe late 80s or early 90s. The lady that I worked with went on to be a manager. How would I describe her? Simple. She was the most beautiful brunette I have ever seen in MY LIFE! Yes, I would LOVE to see her again, a really great lady. <><> Hugs and Kisses Princess. :)
Also, she was one of the best people I have ever worked for. Sarah Gerard, Ma, was a lovely lady…
hehehe. I was not allowed to call her Sarah or Ms. Gerard. Nope, I could only call her, “Ma.”
ken mc and BillH are expects in this biz. Wanna go see the place for fun soon?
No matter where a projectionist worked, they could always pick up extra money by working the Midnight shift at a Pussycat theater. This booth was itty-bitty, but it was clean and ran great! I remember, well, I think I remember, the booth was painted a dark green. Heck, for all I know, maybe it was black. Wow, the first Pussycat.
Norman, Perry and Nancy!!! Wonder when they are going to read this stuff??? teehee
I just read that Marsha Naify married a women named, Ana Pinheiro.
I remember running “Rocky Horror” and “The Song Remains The Same.” Good Gosh, the six-track was awesome! Everytime I had projected a midnight show here, I would go home and eat a cherry pie. Umm, wonder why?
Zubi, You are right! I was thinking of the Twin out in the parking lot. Whoops! Honestly, I have worked at so many theaters that it is hard to remember them all. I have a newpaper clipping with me holding a “UNFAIR” sign and standing outside with other brothers in a photo when we were striking. hahaha. Then, I got my job back as a technician, not a projectionist. Well, for a while anyway. tee-hee. Man, I need to dig that out that article and reminisce.
Thanks for the clear-up Zubi!
Um, wonder what the Naify’s are doing today???
When I was there, Josephine, an Asian lady, was the DM and Naify was back up to San Francisco.
This was a great place to work in the mid 1980s. I was the last union theater technician to work in Southern California.
Hey, that did not bother me because I was about to become a radar air traffic controller at ZLA, the air route traffic control center in Palmdale, CA. Finally, UA fired me, but two weeks later, I was at the FAA academy in OKC, OK.
What was cool about this place is that it had Norelcos to run 70mm in a four-plex. Yes, 70mm and six-track Dolby stereo. Man, that had to hurt AMC, also in the mall. Why? AMC only had 35mm and mono sound. Ouch!!!
My first theater where I was the chief was at the Town Cinema in Kankakee, IL. However, my first introduction to learn the theater business was here at the FOX. I had worked there as a union projectionist apprentice in 73 and 74.
Bill Jackson was the regular operator at the FOX and business agent for the union. In those days, it was owned by Mann.
I remember there was a spotlight in the booth with the name “Grauman’s Chinese Theater” written on it. The spotlight was there as a loan. When I saw that spotlight, I knew I had to go to Hollywood. I did go to Hollywood and worked at the Chinese, off and on, for 20 years. Yeap, it all started at the FOX!
I have worked a thousand theaters between Hollywood, CA and Long Island, NY; all the studios in Hollywood; and most movie stars homes. Honestly, I wish I was still a projectionist at the FOX in Springfield, IL. My Hometown…
This was a fun place in the late 70s. Hummm, think they had Cinemeccanica film towers. Also, pretty sure the business agent was there full time. I was a relief projectionist back then.
Edward Havens, sorry, but I was fired in 91 by Loews. Garth Drabinsky was in trouble, and the projectionist were reduced from 14 to five shifts per week. Bob Seeling had senority and got to stay. It could have been that Loews was just managing for Cineplex. Who knows??? Who cares???
Wow Ken, my baby still looks nice to me. Thanks for the photos Ken!
Sumner Redstone! It all started right here when this place was a drive-in. Sumner Redstone is one of the most powerful media moguls of the late 20th century. In his capacity as owner and chief executive officer of Viacom, Inc., Redstone lords over Hollywood’s Paramount Pictures television and motion picture factory; a handful of cable TV networks including MTV, The Movie Channel, Showtime, Nickelodeon, VH1; and several radio and TV stations. It was tough being the technician here, so many types of old projection equipment. However, it is history, so it was worth it.
Been There – Done That
Been There – Done That
Been There – Done That
Been There – Done That
I was a projectionist here also, and I can still hear the manager telling me his million-dollar business will stay here forever.
Been There – Done That
I went to Santiago High School in Garden Grove and lived off Trask way before being a projectionist. How horribly sad this is.
Use to do a lot of Festival Shows here. Nice Area.
Worked here and the UA Long Beach Marketplace 6. This place could be tough. During the day, they had a swap meet. When I can in, so many speaker poles would be knocked down. Know matter what, you had to be there a couple hours early to fix any shorts in the sound. The business agent had this theater for years, until the swap meet came in. Finally, in 85, I got sent to the OKC Academy to become an FAA radar air traffic controller. That lasted a year until I had a stroke. Guess what, back to the damn drive-in again. The story never ends. sheesh