As an usher at the old single screen Avalon in late 1964-early 1965 I was stunned to find a former place of employment “an historic restoration project” when I visited DC briefly in Sept. 2003. I peered in the front and was surprised to see the concession stand at the side of the lobby rather than through the doors to the seating area. In 1964 the manager was about 85 years old (his name I have forgotten) but had been there a long time. His office was along the left side of the seating area about half way up. The assistant manager was a part-timer (like me) who was a member of the Navy Band as a day job. I saw “A Shot in the Dark” 42 times while working and used to know the dialogue by heart.
At that time the ushers had been exempted by Congress from Federal minimum wage and I was paid $.85/hr.
Also the marquee letters at that time, as I recall, were placed on the projecting marquee from a ladder with a pole, and not over the front doors. Must have been lots of changes when the 1970s remake was done.
Dave Martin
As an usher at the old single screen Avalon in late 1964-early 1965 I was stunned to find a former place of employment “an historic restoration project” when I visited DC briefly in Sept. 2003. I peered in the front and was surprised to see the concession stand at the side of the lobby rather than through the doors to the seating area. In 1964 the manager was about 85 years old (his name I have forgotten) but had been there a long time. His office was along the left side of the seating area about half way up. The assistant manager was a part-timer (like me) who was a member of the Navy Band as a day job. I saw “A Shot in the Dark” 42 times while working and used to know the dialogue by heart.
At that time the ushers had been exempted by Congress from Federal minimum wage and I was paid $.85/hr.
Also the marquee letters at that time, as I recall, were placed on the projecting marquee from a ladder with a pole, and not over the front doors. Must have been lots of changes when the 1970s remake was done.
Dave Martin