I hope this is helpful. I worked for the Cody/Bashara families from 1966-1969. At that time, they owned the Paramount in Barre, The Capitol in Montpelier, The Moonlight/Twin City Drive Ins in the Barre-Montpelier Road (RT302) and various car dealerships. I was a relief projectionist while in high school for all their theaters (mostly the Paramount) but sometimes at the drive-in(s). Both at that time were next to each other, the indoor theater was converted into a large body shop for Cody Chevrolet next door. We had a common projection room and only ONE projectionist ran both shows. With film reels lasting only 17 minutes the timing for changeovers was a real challenge! Sometimes I had to decide which theater would experience “film runout”, usually the theater that my high school buddies WERE NOT in so I wouldn’t hear about it later on. It was also the days of carbon arc lamps and automation certainly hadn’t been invented yet!
Wow! That takes me back Nat. I think it was a three track mag print, nothing recorded on the surround. If you recall, “The Sting” opened at the same time in Cinema 2 and nobody could get to it for a few days. I remember Dave Traister (spelling?)calling me to come down to help direct people traffic coming in to see “The Exorcist” and I think he was on crutches. The shows started later and later because we had so many people trying to get in. Just amazing. I think I remember you. If you get a chance, write me at
Greetings Rich! It’s Dave….I was the projectionist at the Bayside when you and I (and your brother) were there in the summer of 1970. I can’t remember Al’s last name either but I’ll never forget the ‘Cuda he drove. I think Lori Weinstein and Laura Greenglass were our theater cheerleaders back then, and I think the Simplex projectors and the 1927 Western Electric sound system were not exactly state of the art…including the tuba behind the screen that was the sound system speaker. “Easy Rider” was our first film of the season. Remember the rainy day matinee when you had us show “Night of the Living Dead??? I think we scarred half of the child population of Nantasket for life!! Ah yes..the "interesting” chicken wings at Sar Ho’s, Paragon park and days on the beach. It was truly a great time being there, lots of great memories!
Ahh the good old days. I was in charge of the booth and operators at the “57” when the Exorcist" opened, which was on Christmas Day (of all things). We had to do the press screening for reviews on Christmas Morning (I had to screen it for them as my other operators refused to come in) and for the first few weeks the place was insane with people passing out and “heaving” during the show. It looked like every movie patron in the world wanted to attend, the crowds were massive which caused the shows to start late. Oh and “The Sting” (playing at the same time in cinema 2) did poorly as the folks that wanted to see it could never get close enough to the theater to purchase a ticket.
The crew did a terrific job keeping the place running and we all pitched in to help each other. Those were good days!
I hope this is helpful. I worked for the Cody/Bashara families from 1966-1969. At that time, they owned the Paramount in Barre, The Capitol in Montpelier, The Moonlight/Twin City Drive Ins in the Barre-Montpelier Road (RT302) and various car dealerships. I was a relief projectionist while in high school for all their theaters (mostly the Paramount) but sometimes at the drive-in(s). Both at that time were next to each other, the indoor theater was converted into a large body shop for Cody Chevrolet next door. We had a common projection room and only ONE projectionist ran both shows. With film reels lasting only 17 minutes the timing for changeovers was a real challenge! Sometimes I had to decide which theater would experience “film runout”, usually the theater that my high school buddies WERE NOT in so I wouldn’t hear about it later on. It was also the days of carbon arc lamps and automation certainly hadn’t been invented yet!
Wow! That takes me back Nat. I think it was a three track mag print, nothing recorded on the surround. If you recall, “The Sting” opened at the same time in Cinema 2 and nobody could get to it for a few days. I remember Dave Traister (spelling?)calling me to come down to help direct people traffic coming in to see “The Exorcist” and I think he was on crutches. The shows started later and later because we had so many people trying to get in. Just amazing. I think I remember you. If you get a chance, write me at
Greetings Rich! It’s Dave….I was the projectionist at the Bayside when you and I (and your brother) were there in the summer of 1970. I can’t remember Al’s last name either but I’ll never forget the ‘Cuda he drove. I think Lori Weinstein and Laura Greenglass were our theater cheerleaders back then, and I think the Simplex projectors and the 1927 Western Electric sound system were not exactly state of the art…including the tuba behind the screen that was the sound system speaker. “Easy Rider” was our first film of the season. Remember the rainy day matinee when you had us show “Night of the Living Dead??? I think we scarred half of the child population of Nantasket for life!! Ah yes..the "interesting” chicken wings at Sar Ho’s, Paragon park and days on the beach. It was truly a great time being there, lots of great memories!
DaveEmery
Ahh the good old days. I was in charge of the booth and operators at the “57” when the Exorcist" opened, which was on Christmas Day (of all things). We had to do the press screening for reviews on Christmas Morning (I had to screen it for them as my other operators refused to come in) and for the first few weeks the place was insane with people passing out and “heaving” during the show. It looked like every movie patron in the world wanted to attend, the crowds were massive which caused the shows to start late. Oh and “The Sting” (playing at the same time in cinema 2) did poorly as the folks that wanted to see it could never get close enough to the theater to purchase a ticket.
The crew did a terrific job keeping the place running and we all pitched in to help each other. Those were good days!
Note to Phil, we about wore a hole through the James Taylor “Fire & Rain” album. We had a Sony r/r tape deck in the original theater.
I think I ran “Last Picture Show” about a million times (was an operator back then). I can still recite most of the lines in the script….