I was asst. manager @ 1-6 for a short time in the late 90’s. This place was a run into the ground. At that time it was that managers responsibility to not only manage the theater but also run the projectors as there were no more union projectionists. I have good memories of working for Cineplex Odeon in River Oaks, but taking the management position @ Orland Sq. was a big mistake. The job wasn’t fun anymore and I moved on.
There was never a dull moment on a shift @ 1-6. There were numerous occasions where I the usher caught folks having sex in the building. Once in theater #1 (back row) and once in the MENS BATHROOM!!! Crazy, I know.
I was this 16y/o who looked 12. I attempted to play the role of authoritative usher. Didn’t always go over too well. I remember when “Strip Tease” came out. I wasn’t “allowed” to see the movie but I had to stand outside the theater and check IDs.
I also remember this theater having a MAJOR mouse problem. I’d stand in the back of the theater and watch the mice go back and forth across the aisles with the dim lighting on the floor as the movie played. It was pretty sick.
I worked at this theater from 1996-1999 In that short time I have many unique memories. This was my first job, and I can’t think of a better job for a H.S. student to have. Easy work, free movies, free popcorn! I think I started @ $4.15 or $4.25/hr as an usher. I remember climbing that ladder every Thurs. to change the Marquee outside. Rain or shine,…I mostly remember it being COLD. Shortly after I started working there as an usher I was asked to cover the concession stand as they were short staffed for someones lunch break. To make a long story short,… this resulted in a Fire. A pretty big one actually. Big enough to shut the theater down for a week. Thats what happens when you put an usher behind the stand. I also remember the sprinklers and alarms not working when the fire took place behind the stand. A cop and I evacuated all 6 theaters. The look on my manager “Steve’s” face when he returned from lunch and noticed the Fire dept. outside was priceless. They wrote it off as a “popper malfunction.” Hmmmmmm
I have fun memories of working @ RO 1-6. In the mid 90’s this was my first job. I grew up in Cal City / Lansing. I’ve since then made a career in the military and come home from time to time. My family doesn’t live in that area anymore but I sometimes get off the highway just to drive past RO to see what has changed. It’s sad to see the area deteriorate, and the theaters close. Sure they were old and run down,… but they had a lot of character and each one was unique as mentioned above. Seeing movies on the big screen @ 9&10 was the best. You just don’t get that experience anymore.
I’ve enjoyed reading the comments above although some of the history is before my time, its very interesting to read and learn. I worked for Cineplex Odeon for 4 years. Met and worked with some good people. I remember getting a crash course on how to run the projectors when the union projectionists were on strike or locked out in the late 90’s. And eventually I took a management postion out in Orland Park which was less fun. By that time it was Loews Cineplex.
I was asst. manager @ 1-6 for a short time in the late 90’s. This place was a run into the ground. At that time it was that managers responsibility to not only manage the theater but also run the projectors as there were no more union projectionists. I have good memories of working for Cineplex Odeon in River Oaks, but taking the management position @ Orland Sq. was a big mistake. The job wasn’t fun anymore and I moved on.
There was never a dull moment on a shift @ 1-6. There were numerous occasions where I the usher caught folks having sex in the building. Once in theater #1 (back row) and once in the MENS BATHROOM!!! Crazy, I know.
I was this 16y/o who looked 12. I attempted to play the role of authoritative usher. Didn’t always go over too well. I remember when “Strip Tease” came out. I wasn’t “allowed” to see the movie but I had to stand outside the theater and check IDs.
I also remember this theater having a MAJOR mouse problem. I’d stand in the back of the theater and watch the mice go back and forth across the aisles with the dim lighting on the floor as the movie played. It was pretty sick.
I worked at this theater from 1996-1999 In that short time I have many unique memories. This was my first job, and I can’t think of a better job for a H.S. student to have. Easy work, free movies, free popcorn! I think I started @ $4.15 or $4.25/hr as an usher. I remember climbing that ladder every Thurs. to change the Marquee outside. Rain or shine,…I mostly remember it being COLD. Shortly after I started working there as an usher I was asked to cover the concession stand as they were short staffed for someones lunch break. To make a long story short,… this resulted in a Fire. A pretty big one actually. Big enough to shut the theater down for a week. Thats what happens when you put an usher behind the stand. I also remember the sprinklers and alarms not working when the fire took place behind the stand. A cop and I evacuated all 6 theaters. The look on my manager “Steve’s” face when he returned from lunch and noticed the Fire dept. outside was priceless. They wrote it off as a “popper malfunction.” Hmmmmmm
I have fun memories of working @ RO 1-6. In the mid 90’s this was my first job. I grew up in Cal City / Lansing. I’ve since then made a career in the military and come home from time to time. My family doesn’t live in that area anymore but I sometimes get off the highway just to drive past RO to see what has changed. It’s sad to see the area deteriorate, and the theaters close. Sure they were old and run down,… but they had a lot of character and each one was unique as mentioned above. Seeing movies on the big screen @ 9&10 was the best. You just don’t get that experience anymore.
I’ve enjoyed reading the comments above although some of the history is before my time, its very interesting to read and learn. I worked for Cineplex Odeon for 4 years. Met and worked with some good people. I remember getting a crash course on how to run the projectors when the union projectionists were on strike or locked out in the late 90’s. And eventually I took a management postion out in Orland Park which was less fun. By that time it was Loews Cineplex.
Good Times.