Comments from geni523270

Showing 1 comment

geni523270
geni523270 commented about Wilbor Theatre on Jul 22, 2012 at 6:09 pm

I, too, worked at the Wilbor Theatre in Eastport, Maine, while I went to Shead Memorial (class of ‘66)and Madge Nutt was still the owner/manager. For two or three summers, which were the only times it was opened since it had no heat, I worked in the concession stand for a percentage of the take and the ability to see the movie once I closed the stand for the afternoon or evening, which sometimes was relatively early if there weren’t many patrons, especially during the week and during cold snaps in the weather. My family was also allowed to attend the movie occasionally for free as long as I worked there. Madge was a real sweetheart to me and I liked working for her even though I made very little income. It was a great place to keep in contact with friends in the summer. I wonder how much Madge actually made by running the movies for us by that time since she still only charged .35 for the matinee and .65 for the night show and from her “profits” she paid to stock the concession and pay the projectionist. I sometimes think she only did it to provide the younger generation with something to do and because she liked young people in general. She sold the tickets to the movie and maintained order if anyone got rowdy even though she was getting on in years by this time.

By the time I worked there, the red velvet seats were worn and some were damaged, and, as I said there was no heating for cold days, but I really miss seeing the old theatre when I come home, despite the beautification to the former site. It was a part of my history and my home. I have my own memories and the memories that were passed on to me by my parents — like the time my father sneaked out behind the theatre to smoke and a whale surfaced and blew on him.

My first memory of going to the movies was at the Wilbor at night with my parents and sister and of the fog rolling in, and believe it or not I still remember that the movie was “Gypsy Colt.” Does that date me, or what? This was shortly prior to my father leaving for Korea.