I can remember going to the Stanley just about every Saturday afternoon in the late forties and early and mid fifties. I say just about because every once and awhile, the Mayfair Theatre which was two block further up South Orange Avenue, played something better. But that was very seldom and the Stanley was the kids theatre of choice as well the “the place to see and be seen.” Saturday afternoon (1:00 P.M. to be exact) was when I could go to the Stanley, see two full length features, usually either scary or a western, a bunch of cartoons and a serial. Not bad for twenty five cents. Right next door to the Stanley was a 5 & 10 Cent Store and that was the place we all stopped for the movie candy. Three packs of candy for a dine. Selection of the candy was always fun…two candies were for eating, the third for throwing. You see, as soon as the lights went down and the movie began, the Stanley became a war zone with candy flying in every direction. My choice of ammo, Black Crows or Dots. After about ten minutes, calm would set in and we’d settle in to watch Tom Mix or Frankenstein. After the movies, around 5:00 P.M. I grab the “Green Flyer Bus (another Nickel) down South Orange Avenue so I could be home for supper at 5:30 PM. If Saturday was for the kids, then Wednesday Night was "Ladies Night.” I can remember my mother and my oldest sister (then 18) going to the Stanley every week to see a movie but even more important, to pick up the free dish or plate of the week. After about 18 months, you could collect a full service for eight. Everyone on my block had the same dishes. The Stanley played an important role in my growing up years. It was a fun place in what seems to have been, much easier days.
I can remember going to the Stanley just about every Saturday afternoon in the late forties and early and mid fifties. I say just about because every once and awhile, the Mayfair Theatre which was two block further up South Orange Avenue, played something better. But that was very seldom and the Stanley was the kids theatre of choice as well the “the place to see and be seen.” Saturday afternoon (1:00 P.M. to be exact) was when I could go to the Stanley, see two full length features, usually either scary or a western, a bunch of cartoons and a serial. Not bad for twenty five cents. Right next door to the Stanley was a 5 & 10 Cent Store and that was the place we all stopped for the movie candy. Three packs of candy for a dine. Selection of the candy was always fun…two candies were for eating, the third for throwing. You see, as soon as the lights went down and the movie began, the Stanley became a war zone with candy flying in every direction. My choice of ammo, Black Crows or Dots. After about ten minutes, calm would set in and we’d settle in to watch Tom Mix or Frankenstein. After the movies, around 5:00 P.M. I grab the “Green Flyer Bus (another Nickel) down South Orange Avenue so I could be home for supper at 5:30 PM. If Saturday was for the kids, then Wednesday Night was "Ladies Night.” I can remember my mother and my oldest sister (then 18) going to the Stanley every week to see a movie but even more important, to pick up the free dish or plate of the week. After about 18 months, you could collect a full service for eight. Everyone on my block had the same dishes. The Stanley played an important role in my growing up years. It was a fun place in what seems to have been, much easier days.