This was our go-to Friday night spot in the 1960’s when I was in high school. Oh…if those speaker poles could talk! I worked there as the projectionist in 1965 - 1966. All night marathons, $1.00 a carload, Union Pacific train tracks just off property. It was owned by Commonwealth when I worked there.
I was the projectionist at the Varsity during the mid-late 70’s. The theater was known for showing some “artsy” films of the era. I remember running the X-rated, full-length movie of Fritz the Cat. I left Manhattan in 1978 and I believe we were showing Saturday Night Fever at the time. The Exorcist played at the Varsity and caused a bit of a stir in Manhattan. During the late 60’s and up until I left Manhattan, I was a projectionist at various times at all the Manhattan Theaters (Wareham, Campus, Sky-Vue, Varsity, and Westloop twin.
The original Westloop Theatre was a 2-screen house. It opened in the early 70’s. I recall one of the opening films being “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” with Jeff East. Not sure about the other opening film. I was a projectionist there for a few years before leaving Manhattan in 1978. As far as I know, it was still 2 screens then. Not sure when it was converted to 6 screens. I worked at most all of the Mannhattan Commonwealth Theatres on an off over several years.
Here’s an update: Varney’s Book Store (which bought the old Campus Theatre building) has gone out of business. It is my understanding that the new owners (Rally) are converting the building to a business that specializes in K-State apparel and associated university items. The marquis is still there and continues to be the last remembrance of the Campus Theatre.
OK…. Now I’m going back a long time (at least 35 years).
2 minutes left. The upper reel bell chimes, start carbon-arc lamp-house on idle machine, focus flame (two-knobs), watch upper-right screen, 1st cue mark, start projector head motor (Brenkert), open shutter, second cue mark, step on changeover pedal and switch sound, check framing, focus, shut-down opposite lamp-house, turn off projector head motor, rewind take-up reel, and thread next reel. Repeat in 18 minutes.
The manually operated motorized curtains and dimmer controlled screen lights added expectation and excitement for the audience.
I made $5.00 and hour and it was a very rewarding job. Much like flying a business jet. HA!
Thanks so much John for passing along this information. Olin Remert was the projectionist at the Wareham Theater in Manhattan (shows at 1,3 5,7 & 9). I went to high school with his daughter Linda. I remember sitting in the balcony in the first row of seats below the projection room. Often, I was the only one in the balcony. I was probably 10 years old at the time. I would always watch the projectionist (Olin) at work through the large glass booth window. At one point, he invited me into the projection booth and I was absolutely “in awe” at how these machines could throw that beam of light onto a screen so far away. I watched him do a changeover and he explained the cue marks in the upper-right of the screen. I fell in love with theaters and the projection room.
Ron Fecteau was the one who taught me the “art” of being a projectionist at the Sky-Vue Drive-In when I was probably 17-18 years old. Ron worked at all the Manhattan theaters (as I did) and found his way into the local school system as a custodian.
I am familiar with the names you mention but have no idea where those folks are.
As we all get older, we remember people in our past who made an impression on us. Your father is certainly on my list. A finer, friendlier, more compassionate man would be hard to find. Commonwealth was lucky to have him as a manager. I feel fortunate to have known him as the caring person he was.
My name is Dave Henderson. I lived in Manhattan from 1947-1978, then moved to Cleveland, OH. I wish I could remember the names of the others at the Campus Theater. Daryl Langvardt was a doorman. Vicki Bingham sold tickets. The custodian’s name was Herb (always chomping on a cigar). There were several doormen (ushers) and concession staff of course. Come to think of it, I believe that staff dinner we had at your Mom and Dad’s house was actually a birthday celebration for Herb (he had no family). I remember the openings of Woodstock, Airport, Joe, and all the Saturday night “art” films that began around 11:00 pm (the college students lined up around the corner for these occasional late night movies). I believe the last time I saw your Dad was after the opening of the West Loop Twin in West Loop Shopping Center (theater now closed). Ron Fecteau and I were the projectionists (Ron eventually left and I took over full time). Your Dad showed up unexpectedly before we opened for the day and I gave him a tour of the theater. For some reason, I think your Dad was no longer associated with the Manhattan Theaters then – not sure. Your Dad (along with the original Airport movie) encouraged me to follow my lifelong dream of becoming a commercial pilot. I recently retired after 44 years of commercial flying. My theater days and especially the Campus continue to provide special memories.
John Cochran III: I believe I worked for your father at the Campus Theatre in Manhattan, KS around 1970 – 1972. I was the projectionist. Just stumbled onto your posts. I am sorry to hear of John’s passing. Always a very cheerful, friendly person. He treated me to a KSU basketball game one night. I was about 24-25 years old at the time. I also remember he hosted a staff appreciation dinner at his home near Aggieville. I have vague memories of you as a boy when your dad would bring you to work with him. Over the years I worked at all the Commonwealth theatres in Manhattan including the Wareham, Varsity, Campus and Sky-Vue Drive-In. Great days for sure!
I found a couple photos of the Wareham Theater I had taken years ago. Uploaded both of them (one twice somehow, sorry). One of the concession stand and the other of the screen area (now removed). They both look much smaller than I remember from working there in the 1970’s.
This was our go-to Friday night spot in the 1960’s when I was in high school. Oh…if those speaker poles could talk! I worked there as the projectionist in 1965 - 1966. All night marathons, $1.00 a carload, Union Pacific train tracks just off property. It was owned by Commonwealth when I worked there.
I was the projectionist at the Varsity during the mid-late 70’s. The theater was known for showing some “artsy” films of the era. I remember running the X-rated, full-length movie of Fritz the Cat. I left Manhattan in 1978 and I believe we were showing Saturday Night Fever at the time. The Exorcist played at the Varsity and caused a bit of a stir in Manhattan. During the late 60’s and up until I left Manhattan, I was a projectionist at various times at all the Manhattan Theaters (Wareham, Campus, Sky-Vue, Varsity, and Westloop twin.
The original Westloop Theatre was a 2-screen house. It opened in the early 70’s. I recall one of the opening films being “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” with Jeff East. Not sure about the other opening film. I was a projectionist there for a few years before leaving Manhattan in 1978. As far as I know, it was still 2 screens then. Not sure when it was converted to 6 screens. I worked at most all of the Mannhattan Commonwealth Theatres on an off over several years.
Here’s an update: Varney’s Book Store (which bought the old Campus Theatre building) has gone out of business. It is my understanding that the new owners (Rally) are converting the building to a business that specializes in K-State apparel and associated university items. The marquis is still there and continues to be the last remembrance of the Campus Theatre.
OK…. Now I’m going back a long time (at least 35 years).
2 minutes left. The upper reel bell chimes, start carbon-arc lamp-house on idle machine, focus flame (two-knobs), watch upper-right screen, 1st cue mark, start projector head motor (Brenkert), open shutter, second cue mark, step on changeover pedal and switch sound, check framing, focus, shut-down opposite lamp-house, turn off projector head motor, rewind take-up reel, and thread next reel. Repeat in 18 minutes.
The manually operated motorized curtains and dimmer controlled screen lights added expectation and excitement for the audience.
I made $5.00 and hour and it was a very rewarding job. Much like flying a business jet. HA!
Thanks so much John for passing along this information. Olin Remert was the projectionist at the Wareham Theater in Manhattan (shows at 1,3 5,7 & 9). I went to high school with his daughter Linda. I remember sitting in the balcony in the first row of seats below the projection room. Often, I was the only one in the balcony. I was probably 10 years old at the time. I would always watch the projectionist (Olin) at work through the large glass booth window. At one point, he invited me into the projection booth and I was absolutely “in awe” at how these machines could throw that beam of light onto a screen so far away. I watched him do a changeover and he explained the cue marks in the upper-right of the screen. I fell in love with theaters and the projection room.
Ron Fecteau was the one who taught me the “art” of being a projectionist at the Sky-Vue Drive-In when I was probably 17-18 years old. Ron worked at all the Manhattan theaters (as I did) and found his way into the local school system as a custodian.
I am familiar with the names you mention but have no idea where those folks are.
Not sure what that “remove” is for after the date. It wasn’t me!
John,
As we all get older, we remember people in our past who made an impression on us. Your father is certainly on my list. A finer, friendlier, more compassionate man would be hard to find. Commonwealth was lucky to have him as a manager. I feel fortunate to have known him as the caring person he was.
Enjoyed chatting with you.
My name is Dave Henderson. I lived in Manhattan from 1947-1978, then moved to Cleveland, OH. I wish I could remember the names of the others at the Campus Theater. Daryl Langvardt was a doorman. Vicki Bingham sold tickets. The custodian’s name was Herb (always chomping on a cigar). There were several doormen (ushers) and concession staff of course. Come to think of it, I believe that staff dinner we had at your Mom and Dad’s house was actually a birthday celebration for Herb (he had no family). I remember the openings of Woodstock, Airport, Joe, and all the Saturday night “art” films that began around 11:00 pm (the college students lined up around the corner for these occasional late night movies). I believe the last time I saw your Dad was after the opening of the West Loop Twin in West Loop Shopping Center (theater now closed). Ron Fecteau and I were the projectionists (Ron eventually left and I took over full time). Your Dad showed up unexpectedly before we opened for the day and I gave him a tour of the theater. For some reason, I think your Dad was no longer associated with the Manhattan Theaters then – not sure. Your Dad (along with the original Airport movie) encouraged me to follow my lifelong dream of becoming a commercial pilot. I recently retired after 44 years of commercial flying. My theater days and especially the Campus continue to provide special memories.
John Cochran III: I believe I worked for your father at the Campus Theatre in Manhattan, KS around 1970 – 1972. I was the projectionist. Just stumbled onto your posts. I am sorry to hear of John’s passing. Always a very cheerful, friendly person. He treated me to a KSU basketball game one night. I was about 24-25 years old at the time. I also remember he hosted a staff appreciation dinner at his home near Aggieville. I have vague memories of you as a boy when your dad would bring you to work with him. Over the years I worked at all the Commonwealth theatres in Manhattan including the Wareham, Varsity, Campus and Sky-Vue Drive-In. Great days for sure!
I found a couple photos of the Wareham Theater I had taken years ago. Uploaded both of them (one twice somehow, sorry). One of the concession stand and the other of the screen area (now removed). They both look much smaller than I remember from working there in the 1970’s.
In the 50’s and 60’s, the theater was known as the Co-Ed. I often attended the Co-Ed Theater as a young boy and teenager.