I was an usher at the Grand from 1971 to 1973, for the princely sum of $1.10/hr. Our projectionist at the time used to run the spotlights for Abbott & Costello when they appeared in East Coast theatres. He told some great stories. I loved exploring the old place, except for the mice that often scurried about. The area under the stage was apparently used as dressing rooms for the vaudeville performers, as makeup tables and chairs remained. There was a basement which you entered through the men’s room. That’s where we’d re-cover the seats that had been slashed by neighborhood vandals. Occasionally on hot summer nights, we’d sit atop the marque on lawn chairs to catch the breeze off the Canton waterfront. Years later, I took my son to see his first movie there. He’s 25 now. Yesterday, I stopped by to see what was left. I’ve been depressed ever since. I retrieved a couple of bricks which will be placed in my garden this spring. If anyone has photos of the theatre over the years, please email me.
Wished I’d known about the demolition gathering. I worked at the Grand from 1971 to 1973 and have a wealth of memories. I stopped at the site yesterday to retrieve a few bricks and have been depressed ever since. What a waste. It could and should have been saved. Ironically, Frank Durkee Jr. died a few days ago, about the same time demolition began. I’d like very much to be involved in the Spirit of the Grand project.
I was an usher at the Grand from 1971 to 1973, for the princely sum of $1.10/hr. Our projectionist at the time used to run the spotlights for Abbott & Costello when they appeared in East Coast theatres. He told some great stories. I loved exploring the old place, except for the mice that often scurried about. The area under the stage was apparently used as dressing rooms for the vaudeville performers, as makeup tables and chairs remained. There was a basement which you entered through the men’s room. That’s where we’d re-cover the seats that had been slashed by neighborhood vandals. Occasionally on hot summer nights, we’d sit atop the marque on lawn chairs to catch the breeze off the Canton waterfront. Years later, I took my son to see his first movie there. He’s 25 now. Yesterday, I stopped by to see what was left. I’ve been depressed ever since. I retrieved a couple of bricks which will be placed in my garden this spring. If anyone has photos of the theatre over the years, please email me.
Wished I’d known about the demolition gathering. I worked at the Grand from 1971 to 1973 and have a wealth of memories. I stopped at the site yesterday to retrieve a few bricks and have been depressed ever since. What a waste. It could and should have been saved. Ironically, Frank Durkee Jr. died a few days ago, about the same time demolition began. I’d like very much to be involved in the Spirit of the Grand project.