I worked at the Parkway in the early 1960’s while in High School, and have many fond memories. I explored every inch of that building, including the air-conditioning system and the water-cooled condenser on the roof. The architecture was certainly first-class, and I have just realized that it was very similar to my favorite restaurant in the world: Nepenthe, in Big Sur, high on a cliff. Nepenthe was built at about the same time, designed by Rowan Maiden, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. Nepenthe was built of Redwood and glass, and is still there.
Oh, and Mary…She was a down to earth and fun-loving person, who made working there a pure pleasure and joyous event. She had a wonderful sense of humour. I remember every fourth of July, she would set off firecrackers in the planter in front of the theater, unnerving Elaine the cashier so much that Elaine’s red wig would fly off her head and there would be all this cash flying up in the air in the ticket booth where Elaine worked. She was an observer of personalities, and would tell you everything about everybody. Some of which I hesitate to repeat here. I am so sorry to hear that she is gone. In my mind she is still there in her black and white uniform taking care of everything. The theater was her life. I remember her telling me that she would have a shot of Seagram’s every morning in her morning coffee. I believe her full name was Mary Mileto (or possibly Miozzi). She had an adopted family member, a boy she was bringing up all alone.
I remember Val Suprenaut, the manager, well, and Benny and Harry the projectionists. Everybody there made working there a warm and joyous atmosphere.
I was there to set up the in-person appearance on a Saturday afternoon of Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon for the premier of Beach Blanket Bingo (I think that was the movie). I worked many movies, including Mary Poppins, Marnie, Seven Days in May, and many others. I remember Mrs. Fliashnick sitting by the ticket stand on the settee observing all…A very elegant woman with very good taste. I am not sure where the name came from, but maybe Mr. Fliashnick was the name of her new husband after Mr. Steinberg died. I remember Bard another usher.
I left for the University of Denver in September of 1965, but would often return to visit, especially at Christmas time, where there was an especially warm atmosphere there, and I even filled in working there, if needed.
I am currently living in Nipomo, California on 20 acres but I remember it all in great detail, as if it were yesterday.
Richard Dubriske
P.O. Box 1685
Nipomo, California 93444
I worked at the Parkway in the early 1960’s while in High School, and have many fond memories. I explored every inch of that building, including the air-conditioning system and the water-cooled condenser on the roof. The architecture was certainly first-class, and I have just realized that it was very similar to my favorite restaurant in the world: Nepenthe, in Big Sur, high on a cliff. Nepenthe was built at about the same time, designed by Rowan Maiden, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. Nepenthe was built of Redwood and glass, and is still there.
Oh, and Mary…She was a down to earth and fun-loving person, who made working there a pure pleasure and joyous event. She had a wonderful sense of humour. I remember every fourth of July, she would set off firecrackers in the planter in front of the theater, unnerving Elaine the cashier so much that Elaine’s red wig would fly off her head and there would be all this cash flying up in the air in the ticket booth where Elaine worked. She was an observer of personalities, and would tell you everything about everybody. Some of which I hesitate to repeat here. I am so sorry to hear that she is gone. In my mind she is still there in her black and white uniform taking care of everything. The theater was her life. I remember her telling me that she would have a shot of Seagram’s every morning in her morning coffee. I believe her full name was Mary Mileto (or possibly Miozzi). She had an adopted family member, a boy she was bringing up all alone.
I remember Val Suprenaut, the manager, well, and Benny and Harry the projectionists. Everybody there made working there a warm and joyous atmosphere.
I was there to set up the in-person appearance on a Saturday afternoon of Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon for the premier of Beach Blanket Bingo (I think that was the movie). I worked many movies, including Mary Poppins, Marnie, Seven Days in May, and many others. I remember Mrs. Fliashnick sitting by the ticket stand on the settee observing all…A very elegant woman with very good taste. I am not sure where the name came from, but maybe Mr. Fliashnick was the name of her new husband after Mr. Steinberg died. I remember Bard another usher.
I left for the University of Denver in September of 1965, but would often return to visit, especially at Christmas time, where there was an especially warm atmosphere there, and I even filled in working there, if needed.
I am currently living in Nipomo, California on 20 acres but I remember it all in great detail, as if it were yesterday.
Richard Dubriske P.O. Box 1685 Nipomo, California 93444