Comments from exstaff

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exstaff
exstaff commented about Orson Welles Cinema on Dec 25, 2005 at 8:33 pm

This is a great site..brings back memories…I was on the usher staff in 72/73, did program notes and had a wonderful time. Since leaving, I lived in nyc, portland, ore. and now in seattle — nowhere have I been to as complete a theatre complex (school, restaurant, theatre) as the OWC. Here are some thoughts:
Regarding “Outrageous,” Craig Russell was a gifted impersonator and performed live in P-town when the film was in first initial release. I was on the staff when we made the decision to unionize. I remember that Ralph and Molly went bonkers. I’m ashamed to say, after listening to their rants, I voted agains the union (I had my reasons). Luckily, the others voted for it. I occasionally did the program notes — it was fun to look up old reviews at the BPL and put the thing together. The concession stand was great — had baklava and some fresh baked apple oat squares.
Ok — Nicholas Ray appeared for an “appreciation.” He wore an eyepatch, was with a real young woman and seemed drugged — totally out of it. There was another special screening — Harold Russell (Best Years of Our Lives) was there — nice to talk to. The staff went crazy over Pong. Larry J. was a great guy and the best programmer!! I remember Paul B????, actor from the Jeffersons, used to come and David Helpern would be there all the time eating licorice and hanging out in the lobby. In retrospect, things really seemed to be happening at that theatre then. It was a happy time!!!