Comments from Terrytaylor

Terrytaylor commented about Norwalk Theatre on Apr 21, 2013 at 7:04 pm

I practically lived in the Norwalk theatre from around 1958 through the early 60's. I admit some memories may be foggy, but I fondly recall the William Castle stuff ("House on Haunted Hill" being my favorite), The "Abott and Costello Meets______" series, The Sinbad movies, and "Journey to the Center of the Earth," etc., along with those wonderful all afternoon cartoon marathons. Kids could be fairly rowdy back then during the showings....roughnecking and chasing each other around the theatre and throwing popcorn (and even popcorn boxes) at the screen. The manager would invariably stop whatever was showing, walk out and stand in the front of the auditorium where he would proceed to reprimand us by saying that if we kept up our rude behavior he would shut down the theatre and send us all home. We would be sufficiently shamed for a few minutes after he left and then the rowdier kids would start up again. That wonderful film loving manager never did make good on his promise to close things down. I recall (as someone posted earlier) that he got a kick out of creating a scary ambience whenever a horror film was playing by decorating the lobby with spider webs, coffins, and other assorted props. I do wish I could recall his name. He was a good man and, it goes without saying, a very patient one. 
                I may be wrong about this, but I believe I saw Psycho at this same theatre (no ratings or age restrictions back then) and of course I was absolutely terrified and deeply disturbed. It's a big leap from watching Abbot and Costello being chased by the wolfman to a naked Janet Leigh being stabbed in the shower! 
                All in all, that theatre gave me some of the best memories of my life and it is a joy to hear your recollections as well as to share my own with you. Keep it up because I never tire of it. : )