Joy Theater
609 Douglas Street,
Pawnee,
IL
62558
609 Douglas Street,
Pawnee,
IL
62558
2 people
favorited this theater
Showing 15 comments
Building is now a bar, which seems to include the upstairs.
When I was a young boy growing up in the 50’s there was a “rite of passage” into manhood that involved the Frisina Joy Theater on the square in Pawnee, IL. If you could jump and touch the top of the marquee which was in front of the theater you could enter the realm of manhood or so we liked to think or perhaps we just had fun trying. Yes, i accomplished my feat and now wish that entering into adulthood had really been that easy. I still do wonder why I, like all the others had to pay 14 cents for my ticket, and the Beam Kids admission was much cheaper??? I believe it had to do w/ a land deal.
Jim Jones, Sept 19, 2010
As a “farm boy” it was a big treat to go into the big city and see a movie on such a large screen. I know I saw dozens of movies but the only one I can remember is “It’s Mine to Give”. It only stands out because it was the sadist movie I have ever seen, even to this day. Thanks for bringing up that emotion. (Just kidding). That was a good time of my life.
This is just another “Thanks for the memories” from me. I believe the cost upon my last attendance was a whopping 20 cents and it was a western starring Tom Mix. I can still recall the “look” on Mr. Turvey’s face when we were bad. Kinda made us want to crawl under the seats. I hope this isn’t too inflamitory but we were an “all white” town then. We will inaugurate our first negro president in just a few days My how things have changed. Chuck Brawner
Appreciate the photo!
Here is a view of the theater from Google maps:
http://tinyurl.com/9uk9a2
Marilee-That certainly brings back lots of forgotten memories. Like my brother, I too worked at the theater. My favorite job was making the popcorn! And to this day I still LOVE popcorn. Maybe that’s why I like it so much. I used to take my earnings next door to Millburg’s Drug Store and purchase plastic model airplane kits. Oh to relive those carefree days! Thanks so much for the memories! Have a great day! You certainly brightened mine!
Ida,
No, I am sorry that is not the same Mary Turvey. I wish I culd help but my mother is not the lady in your search. HOpe you find her.
Marilee Turvey Wright
I found this page searchin for Mary Turvey, originally from South Africa, who was a fellow student of my father’s at the Academy of Architecture in London in the 1930-s. Could it be the very same Mary Turvey that was a manager of the Joy Theatre, and who was/is perhaps related to Marilee T. who wrote the comment? If so, I would very much like to get in contact with her (if she is still living), or with someone who knew her. I have some information and some photos of her. I am Norwegian and live in Norway.
This theater was where I saw my first movie as a young girl and also where I had my first stolen kiss, so it holds very dear memories for me. I was and still am a movie addict, because this was my first exposure to a huge world outside of my small hometown. I collected signed pictures of the famous movie stars of the time by writing to their studios and had many scrapbooks filled with them and pictures I cut out of my Photoplay magazines. Oh, how I regret not keeping them now! Because the owners of the theater (The Turvey’s) were good friends of my parents and knew of my collections, they would give me some of the advertising posters of the current movies they used in the glass cases in front of the theater.Another huge regret I have for not keeping! My dates (before being 16 and allowed to go in a car with boys) usually ended up with a cherry coke or Green River at Millburg’s Drugstore. Guess they were too cheap for a hamburger!Those days and the “poodle skirts” were pretty fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Frisina Joy Theatre in Pawnee, Illinois holds many childhood memories for me. Although it’s been years(more than I care to remember), this is where I saw may first indoor talking movie. Little did I know then that this theatre would become part of my family history. I distinctly remember Mr. Turvey(my future father-in-law) standing on the stage during the month of November, holding a Thanksgiving turkey that he had acquired from the Smith turkey farm, forcing a fake smile and praying that the drawing for the turkey would soon be over. Though cutomers did not realize it, Mr. Turvey hated particularly turkeys, and these Thanksgiving birds tend to be rather large. I also recall that the back row west side was where I began attending movies with my first girl friend. In those days going to a movie followed by a hamburger at Darrell’s Grill was THE way to show your date a fun time. I can also remember the numerous times that Ted S.,an usher, came down the aisle with flashlight in hand, shined it on me and told me to be quiet. Frisina Joy Theatre,thanks for the memories.
Lynn Wright
It’s nice to have these bits of history and be reminded of some of the things that were important to my grandparents. It is sometime hard to imagine my Nana and PauPau as young adults running a this theatre. However, whenever Nana (Mary Turvey) speaks of the Joy Theatre she had a pride that is so evident and in her later years as some memories are hard to find, the memories of the distant past seem to be so fresh and so very special.
I failed to mention this before, but the price of Admission when I worked there was Adults $.25 and Children $.14. Mom Would give my brother and I a quarter to go to the movie. Pretty cheap entertainment! John Millik
I can remember by grandparents, Gus and Lottie Leinen taking my sister and I to the movies on Saturday afternoons. I believe this was my first movie experience and we loved the chance to go. Grandpa never wanted to be late for the movie so we would arriv e 30 min. early. Perhaps I remember those anxious min. waiting in the car more than the movie. Becky Leinen Pleshe
Glad you took the time to put this in Marilee. As a young boy I worked for your Mom and Dad. I sold Popcorn and took tickets. It was my first job and it was when I got my Social Security #.