Don’t forget your very own so called Union Brothers, I worked allot of union jobs and many times had to go in extra early and really go over the booth with a fine tooth comb.. The older ones would take out a fuse and put a piece of cardboard behind it so you would have no power and they would come in and save the day.This tactic never worked with me, I was always taught by my Uncle to check everything. He was a retired union man.. The joy of calling them at home to tell them not to come in because you found the carboard was great, the thud of the phone hanging up. So it was not just theatre owners it was everyone even our own.
People don’t care anymore, only about themselves and whats good for them and at what moment. I remember working the Uptown in DC. we used to close the balcony when we were slow, to try and help the cleaners. People would just move the ropes and help themselves to a seat up there. One guy was sitting up there one day with a camera recording the movie, and got mad when asked to leave. What can you do?
The Trans Lux had a pair of cinemacannica V8’s at first with Strong Futura II lamps. When they twined they took 2 V8’s from a theatre in Lebanon Pa. put platters in Leb. and 4 V8’s in Harrisburg. Trans- Lux is now a Boscov’s department store.. The Eric East Park Center opened with Norelco AA II’s 35/70 Never ever had a JJ in the place.Get your facts straight.
What an operation, was the most disorganized, organization I ever saw. This company single handedly destroyed the Pittsburgh, Pa. downtown movie theatre business. They let the theatre’s go to hell, and would use some lame excuse to close them. I was a projectionist at all these theatre’s. My main job was the Warner on 5th Ave. They said that the ceiling was falling down, the truth is an usher was up there exploring and missed stepped and knocked a piece of plaster on some lady;s head. They closed the Chatham, the Fulton, Fiesta, Warner and Bank all i a short time… They were like a disease, seek and destroy…
Hey Pal, we should write each other. I have been a projectionist for 53 years, with our combined knowlege who knows where this could go. I have alot of people tell me I should write a book. I started in the booth in 1956, my dad & uncle ran theatres.
What is unusual about that? That is what is called real projection. I remember when we went xenon, after one lamp was installed we wanted to see the difference. We left the xenon lit, then fired up the old Strong Futura II, the carbon knocked the xenon light right off the screen. Carbons was by far a much better light source but they became so high in cost xenon was the only way to go.
I dont know why anyone would even install this junk. Stick to good old projection and someone who knows how to run it. The trouble is that film companies are telling people that they will no longer be making film, and they have to switch to this crap. THEATRES OWNERS YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GO DIGITAL. there will always be plenty of film.
sorry pal I did not look at this till today. My first cinerama was wonderful world of the brothers grimm at the Warner in Pittsburgh, Pa. what memories I have been a projectionist for 52 years, and have been through it all. Thanks for the memories
I was the projectionist there for a long time, Cinnamette ran the place. The Volk family were the managers at the time I started there. they got fired, a guy Mark then took over for one year 1983, then they hired a woman named Linda in 84, my last year. Linda was my downfall. She wanted me to teach her boyfriend to run movies, I said I had to get approval from the union, and he had to go before them to get approved. So one night she asked me if I wanted a beer, I said yes, but only after the movie was over. after the movie was over and I locked the booth I got my beer. We sat by her car had a beer and left for the night. The next day the business agent called me and said I got fired for drinking on the job, the bitch really set me up good. I only hope she finally got hers.
Norelco
Boy what an idiot you are, What planet are you from? pensions and medial ha ha ha. The only pensions and meds. we ever got was the ones we paid for ourselves. Theatre owners are by far the cheapest owners out there, I know my own dad was one.Companies today want to hog all the profits for themselves and to hell with the employees. So really there are no bennifits anymore. So go watch your interupted movie asshole, and know if a union projectionist was in the booth you would most likely watch a perfect movie.
Norelco
No I can`t remember his last name. I left Pittsburgh, in 84. I was the projectionist at the Warner for years. I remember a Mr. Jones had owned the Bethel Cinemas, I worked there for releif work. Mount oliver was a rat trap, I wrote a post once about how when you went to eork, you had a broom at the bottom of tthe steos, and would beat rats and bats the hole way up to the booth. Then repeat the process coming down. Sad to hear Mr. Baker died, a very nice man. What an idiot to change a nice theatre into a four plex.
Norelco
Just keep on showing them, who knows maybe they will catch on again. Would be wonderfull.
This was my second favorite theatre of all that I ever worked, I really loved this place.
20 years my God,seems like only yesterday.
Go get em guys and save this beauty from anytthing other than a Theatre.
Take the money you’re paying a band and paint the screen.New reflectors in lamphouses due wonders also, as well as clean lenses.
Damn shame there goes one more.
Don’t forget your very own so called Union Brothers, I worked allot of union jobs and many times had to go in extra early and really go over the booth with a fine tooth comb.. The older ones would take out a fuse and put a piece of cardboard behind it so you would have no power and they would come in and save the day.This tactic never worked with me, I was always taught by my Uncle to check everything. He was a retired union man.. The joy of calling them at home to tell them not to come in because you found the carboard was great, the thud of the phone hanging up. So it was not just theatre owners it was everyone even our own.
Great job guys, and thank you so much for all your hard work. We all apreciate you.
Well put,only one problem. How many Downtown Theatre’s are left? I agree with you though, and that would be great.
People don’t care anymore, only about themselves and whats good for them and at what moment. I remember working the Uptown in DC. we used to close the balcony when we were slow, to try and help the cleaners. People would just move the ropes and help themselves to a seat up there. One guy was sitting up there one day with a camera recording the movie, and got mad when asked to leave. What can you do?
Thank God, They’re back.
The Trans Lux had a pair of cinemacannica V8’s at first with Strong Futura II lamps. When they twined they took 2 V8’s from a theatre in Lebanon Pa. put platters in Leb. and 4 V8’s in Harrisburg. Trans- Lux is now a Boscov’s department store.. The Eric East Park Center opened with Norelco AA II’s 35/70 Never ever had a JJ in the place.Get your facts straight.
What an operation, was the most disorganized, organization I ever saw. This company single handedly destroyed the Pittsburgh, Pa. downtown movie theatre business. They let the theatre’s go to hell, and would use some lame excuse to close them. I was a projectionist at all these theatre’s. My main job was the Warner on 5th Ave. They said that the ceiling was falling down, the truth is an usher was up there exploring and missed stepped and knocked a piece of plaster on some lady;s head. They closed the Chatham, the Fulton, Fiesta, Warner and Bank all i a short time… They were like a disease, seek and destroy…
Hey Pal, we should write each other. I have been a projectionist for 53 years, with our combined knowlege who knows where this could go. I have alot of people tell me I should write a book. I started in the booth in 1956, my dad & uncle ran theatres.
Wow what a great place. Im hope I get to see it sometime. Great pics as usual Lost Memory.
What is unusual about that? That is what is called real projection. I remember when we went xenon, after one lamp was installed we wanted to see the difference. We left the xenon lit, then fired up the old Strong Futura II, the carbon knocked the xenon light right off the screen. Carbons was by far a much better light source but they became so high in cost xenon was the only way to go.
I dont know why anyone would even install this junk. Stick to good old projection and someone who knows how to run it. The trouble is that film companies are telling people that they will no longer be making film, and they have to switch to this crap. THEATRES OWNERS YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GO DIGITAL. there will always be plenty of film.
sorry pal I did not look at this till today. My first cinerama was wonderful world of the brothers grimm at the Warner in Pittsburgh, Pa. what memories I have been a projectionist for 52 years, and have been through it all. Thanks for the memories
What about Pittsburgh,Pa or Washington D.C.?
I was the projectionist there for a long time, Cinnamette ran the place. The Volk family were the managers at the time I started there. they got fired, a guy Mark then took over for one year 1983, then they hired a woman named Linda in 84, my last year. Linda was my downfall. She wanted me to teach her boyfriend to run movies, I said I had to get approval from the union, and he had to go before them to get approved. So one night she asked me if I wanted a beer, I said yes, but only after the movie was over. after the movie was over and I locked the booth I got my beer. We sat by her car had a beer and left for the night. The next day the business agent called me and said I got fired for drinking on the job, the bitch really set me up good. I only hope she finally got hers.
Norelco
Amen to that patsy, it was an honor to read his post.
Norelco
Many a great and rewarding post was written by jim, a most knowligable person. I for one will miss him allot. Rest In Peace Pal.
Norelco
Boy what an idiot you are, What planet are you from? pensions and medial ha ha ha. The only pensions and meds. we ever got was the ones we paid for ourselves. Theatre owners are by far the cheapest owners out there, I know my own dad was one.Companies today want to hog all the profits for themselves and to hell with the employees. So really there are no bennifits anymore. So go watch your interupted movie asshole, and know if a union projectionist was in the booth you would most likely watch a perfect movie.
Norelco
Ron, I beleive his last name was Wazinski, or Waleski, I thought hard on this and I know for sure it ended in SKI.
Norelco
No I can`t remember his last name. I left Pittsburgh, in 84. I was the projectionist at the Warner for years. I remember a Mr. Jones had owned the Bethel Cinemas, I worked there for releif work. Mount oliver was a rat trap, I wrote a post once about how when you went to eork, you had a broom at the bottom of tthe steos, and would beat rats and bats the hole way up to the booth. Then repeat the process coming down. Sad to hear Mr. Baker died, a very nice man. What an idiot to change a nice theatre into a four plex.
Norelco