I went to The Darb all the time as a kid. Think Tom Wyse is correct, as I know him and remember he was the Manager there at some point. I’m guessing it closed in about 1965 or so. I graduated in 1967 and a friend of mine came to Manteno and took a picture of it so it had to still BE there in 67 but of course, was closed. Yes Manteno State Hosp. had a movie screen in Hinton Hall. Since my parents both worked there, we could go out on Friday nights and sit in the balcony for the movie. The patients sat downstairs. Agree that life was good in small down America in those days. I remember walking home by myself one night – guessing about 12 years old after watching the scary movie at the Darb, The Tree or something. A tree that came alive and killed people. I was to death walking all the way home – about 6 blocks. Organizing my 50th class reunion and bringing up the Darb. That’s what has brought it to mind. One more funny story about the Darb, I wore a bra for the first time to the Darb – so was around 1962. I was so proud – just knew everyone in the theater knew I had my bra on. Crazy but have never forgotten that! ha!
I went to The Darb all the time as a kid. Think Tom Wyse is correct, as I know him and remember he was the Manager there at some point. I’m guessing it closed in about 1965 or so. I graduated in 1967 and a friend of mine came to Manteno and took a picture of it so it had to still BE there in 67 but of course, was closed. Yes Manteno State Hosp. had a movie screen in Hinton Hall. Since my parents both worked there, we could go out on Friday nights and sit in the balcony for the movie. The patients sat downstairs. Agree that life was good in small down America in those days. I remember walking home by myself one night – guessing about 12 years old after watching the scary movie at the Darb, The Tree or something. A tree that came alive and killed people. I was to death walking all the way home – about 6 blocks. Organizing my 50th class reunion and bringing up the Darb. That’s what has brought it to mind. One more funny story about the Darb, I wore a bra for the first time to the Darb – so was around 1962. I was so proud – just knew everyone in the theater knew I had my bra on. Crazy but have never forgotten that! ha!