OK, the infamous poster is back. Now let’s start the task of seeing how many of these people can be identified (though certainly that would be none of us if matching against today’s photographs!). I am sure on some and will guess on others, welcoming corrections if necessary. The big photo at the 4 o'clock position is Billy Contin (left) and me (Randy Warren) during our regime as manager and assistant manager respectively. I am guessing the bottom right corner is the fellow who designed each month’s program (“Sam”). Bottom, just left of center, is Tom, who was assistant manager just before me. Don’t remember his last name but he rode a Triumph motorcycle with 10-inch extended front end. I trashed it for him. I think that is his girlfriend just below. Directly below The Mini Cinema logo, with hands behind his back, is Jeff (Hauser?), who was manager just before Billy. The toilet bowl was part of our in-house lore, of the time that a customer came running through the front door and right into the men’s room, with a narc in hot pursuit (remember the NORML benefits?). Supposedly the customer was able to flush something down the toilet just before he could be visited. Upper left of the toilet is Donna, box office cashier. Upper left from Donna is I-can’t-believe-I-forgot-her-name, whose boyfriend was the late great staff member Spider. Far left, the big guy in light colors looks like Dave Figger, who installed audio systems in cars back then. Just below Divine is Josh, who was also asistant manager at one time before leaving for Colorado. And I can’t be sure with this angle but very top and just left of center, with the big grin, looks like Gary, the projectionist who replaced Tom (not shown). And of crouse, the Egg Lady.
Dr. B – If you really needed the 3-D glasses, I just have to wonder whether were you really smoking enough.
Your list of flicks tells me that you were a mini fan during my era there (yes, brief as it lived there were distinct eras). I too long for my missing Mini Cinema poster. Just not an eBay item I guess.
Bob Downey visited the Mini during his tour to raise money to finish his film in progress. I remember the names Shithead & Granola. Those were the lead characters' names and perhaps the working title as well. Don’t remember much about it other than their cocaine binge. He wanted to talk about his new work but of course we all wanted to talk about Bingo Gas Station Motel Cheeseburger With A Side Of Aircraft Noise And You’ll Be Gary Indiana.
Gosh, as one of the former management team, I can’t imagine we were letting in 5th graders with all the pot and drink. But then again, the writer doesn’t claim that it was his first time in 5th grade.
When $1.65 an hour was ok to live on, the theatres were a great way to enjoy working.
Hey, here is a fun anecdocte about the mini. For years the projectionists' union stuck us with a pretty poor projectionist. He was the guy who insisted on playing George Benson’s “This Masquerade” between every show. And I recall him not being very attentive to running the films.
We had this new projectionist straight out of military academy, Gary, whom we on the staff had thoroughly corrupted. We really wanted to bring him on as the full time projectionist.
Eventually the mini brought a union action against the old projectionist, claiming he was continually incompetent. At the hearing his defense was…and can’t you just predict it…he could not stop screwing up because of all the 2nd hand pot smoke wafting upwards from the auditorium!
I worked at the Mini in mid-70’s, rising through the ranks to asst. manager. An amazing parade of characters, on screen and in the audience. Spent one year as housemates with Billy Contin & Arlene Hewitt. We had so much fun, so much of the time. Of course, every 90 minutes we were interrupted by people entering or leaving theatre. I was the one who went on to open Cine Capri, and that is where the rolling papers (and Power Hitters) were sold at the snack stand. At the Mini Cinema, the repertory began with art films, such as Sorrow And The Pity and Felini films, but the counterculture films came to dominate and the art films stopped drawing. On behalf of everyone who worked at the Mini, we especially thank our blissed-out customers who were too stoned to realize the stash and other things that dropped out of their pockets during the shows. After closing time, we used to find the most amazing things on that auditorium floor, and they propelled many a late night staff party! The Mini Cinema was a really good time in life.
OK, the infamous poster is back. Now let’s start the task of seeing how many of these people can be identified (though certainly that would be none of us if matching against today’s photographs!). I am sure on some and will guess on others, welcoming corrections if necessary. The big photo at the 4 o'clock position is Billy Contin (left) and me (Randy Warren) during our regime as manager and assistant manager respectively. I am guessing the bottom right corner is the fellow who designed each month’s program (“Sam”). Bottom, just left of center, is Tom, who was assistant manager just before me. Don’t remember his last name but he rode a Triumph motorcycle with 10-inch extended front end. I trashed it for him. I think that is his girlfriend just below. Directly below The Mini Cinema logo, with hands behind his back, is Jeff (Hauser?), who was manager just before Billy. The toilet bowl was part of our in-house lore, of the time that a customer came running through the front door and right into the men’s room, with a narc in hot pursuit (remember the NORML benefits?). Supposedly the customer was able to flush something down the toilet just before he could be visited. Upper left of the toilet is Donna, box office cashier. Upper left from Donna is I-can’t-believe-I-forgot-her-name, whose boyfriend was the late great staff member Spider. Far left, the big guy in light colors looks like Dave Figger, who installed audio systems in cars back then. Just below Divine is Josh, who was also asistant manager at one time before leaving for Colorado. And I can’t be sure with this angle but very top and just left of center, with the big grin, looks like Gary, the projectionist who replaced Tom (not shown). And of crouse, the Egg Lady.
…and those Cine Capri t-shirts were a spectacular copyright or trademark violation too! Glad to see you alive & well, JVC. -Randy
Dr. B – If you really needed the 3-D glasses, I just have to wonder whether were you really smoking enough.
Your list of flicks tells me that you were a mini fan during my era there (yes, brief as it lived there were distinct eras). I too long for my missing Mini Cinema poster. Just not an eBay item I guess.
Bob Downey visited the Mini during his tour to raise money to finish his film in progress. I remember the names Shithead & Granola. Those were the lead characters' names and perhaps the working title as well. Don’t remember much about it other than their cocaine binge. He wanted to talk about his new work but of course we all wanted to talk about Bingo Gas Station Motel Cheeseburger With A Side Of Aircraft Noise And You’ll Be Gary Indiana.
The Borman 6 Girl got to have soul!
Yes, plenty of showings of Harold & Maude as well as Where’s Papa? (later retitiled “Going Ape” all because of the one scene in the ape costume).
“I kinda remember seeing them there, but can’t be sure.” Wow, in just a few words you summed up what it felt like to spend a night at the Mini-Cinema!
Gosh, as one of the former management team, I can’t imagine we were letting in 5th graders with all the pot and drink. But then again, the writer doesn’t claim that it was his first time in 5th grade.
When $1.65 an hour was ok to live on, the theatres were a great way to enjoy working.
Hey, here is a fun anecdocte about the mini. For years the projectionists' union stuck us with a pretty poor projectionist. He was the guy who insisted on playing George Benson’s “This Masquerade” between every show. And I recall him not being very attentive to running the films.
We had this new projectionist straight out of military academy, Gary, whom we on the staff had thoroughly corrupted. We really wanted to bring him on as the full time projectionist.
Eventually the mini brought a union action against the old projectionist, claiming he was continually incompetent. At the hearing his defense was…and can’t you just predict it…he could not stop screwing up because of all the 2nd hand pot smoke wafting upwards from the auditorium!
I worked at the Mini in mid-70’s, rising through the ranks to asst. manager. An amazing parade of characters, on screen and in the audience. Spent one year as housemates with Billy Contin & Arlene Hewitt. We had so much fun, so much of the time. Of course, every 90 minutes we were interrupted by people entering or leaving theatre. I was the one who went on to open Cine Capri, and that is where the rolling papers (and Power Hitters) were sold at the snack stand. At the Mini Cinema, the repertory began with art films, such as Sorrow And The Pity and Felini films, but the counterculture films came to dominate and the art films stopped drawing. On behalf of everyone who worked at the Mini, we especially thank our blissed-out customers who were too stoned to realize the stash and other things that dropped out of their pockets during the shows. After closing time, we used to find the most amazing things on that auditorium floor, and they propelled many a late night staff party! The Mini Cinema was a really good time in life.