Monday, July 13, 2009

Red Vintage Theatre Doors

I remember growing up in small town USA where the Saturday evening entertainment was to go to the movies. Of course that was every other week because the current movie usually ran for two weeks at a time. You purchased your ticket outside the theatre before ever being allowed behind the doors.
The smell of fresh popcorn wafted through the open window. I never cared for popcorn much till I was older. I know, I know, but I didn't. No, once inside I stood in line for a Coke and a roll of Reed Cinnamon candy. I savored the smell and taste of that round Lifesaver like candy with its hot cinnamon taste from the beginning to the end of the movie. It was a pleasant sensation to my senses. To this day when I go to the movies I longingly look for that red familiar package that won't be there.
I found this mural juxtaposed by the theatre doors a little ironic. To me the mural depicts the drive in restaurants of the 'fabulous fifties' where you might go after the movie. The car hops would be busily skating around the parking lot delivering sizzling hot cheeseburgers, mouth-watering milkshakes, and golden french fries. Sadly our little town didn't have one of those. We had a Dairy Queen where the hot fudge sundaes and coke floats hit the spot on warm summer evenings. We also had the Queen Bee. More than likely that's where I would end up. It was walking distance from the movies. A little place that was always packed, the hamburgers and fries hot and fresh every time, and the jukebox loud and playing everything from country to rock and roll.
It's hard to say what movie poster last graced the glass marquee outside this theatre. Whatever the movie was I sure hope it had a good cartoon at the beginning!


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33 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great story. I remember growing up and in our theater you could leave your finger print in the walls. It was just awesome and I always wondered if it was just an old building or if they did that on purpose. I never found out that answer. Great pictures for RT. It does make you wonder what the last movie poster was up. Excellent my friend :)

moosh said...

Thanks for the memories, I visited an old fashion burger joint yesterday. Had a real malt and onion rings. A funny thing happened on the way home. The story is on my blog. HRT

Leora said...

Very nostalgic. Your description of the cinnamon candy makes it sound really tasty, like something to be savored and enjoyed.

EG CameraGirl said...

Those good-ole-days!I wonder what today's kids will remember fondly. ;-)

Felisol said...

Nice journey to a not so far away youth.
It's a good thing we do remember the good times that well.
Hope the old, somewhat faded house may remain standing to keep those golden memories alive.
From Felisol

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Carletta: Neat post, times you and I certainly remember well.

SouthLakesMom said...

You and Felisol both have captured the flavor of touring via other people's blogs this week! Very well done. Don't these old theaters make you want to turn them into something 'useful' so they can stick around?

Anonymous said...

Very nice place - I wish somebody puts the wooden pallet down - somebody can get hurt. Very American - wish they renovate the building!

Ralph said...

The suburban sprawl means large 14 screen multiplexes now. The special feeling moviegoers had in those days was a really special treat. I have always liked popcorn, still at the rare trips we make to the movies. A small town gathering place, and the balcony was then (but not now). What a beautiful view of yesterday!

Dianne said...

the mural may be more fitting a diner but it is fabulous
the entire building is!!

George said...

Thanks for the memories. In my small hometown the movies were for Saturday afternoon. But you had to have a ticket to get in the door. We didn't get a Dairy Queen until I was in junior high.

claudie said...

When we lived in Vancouver, we used to go to Port Townsend in Washington State. They have the best little Theatre. Very old fashion, and oh so refreshing. I miss it.
Loved your RT post.
Love Claudie
xo

MaR said...

Lovely post and great pictures for RT.Love the mural (despite its irony at that place!)
Happy RT!

Unknown said...

although we live from opposite sides of the world, our childhood Saturday nights were not very different.:P

i love popcorn---just the smell of popcorn makes me drool (lol). and these photos certainly made me nostalgic.

Marites said...

got me imagining the olden days. i love popcorns while wtching movies too and am quite impressed to see that the theatre door and facade are still existing until now. My RT entry is up too.

Jim said...

Carletta, this is a nice post about a nice memory you have. Thank you for sharing.
We had a similar one. However we were farmers with a lot to eat but not much disposable income. I went to one movie by myself when I was at home. It was an old western but I don't remember it's name.
My second movie was Buttons and Bows with Bob Hope and our whole family (four) went.
Happy RT. I've been busy lately so will appologize for not checking in here more often.
..

Mary Bergfeld said...

Thank you for sharing your photos and memories with us.

Miranda said...

Very nice shots, it does look look like its more of a diner.

MaR said...

Thanks for your encouragement, Carletta! I am leaving on vacation tomorrow for 2 1/2 weeks and away from the blogosphere, I shall give the ruby chairs some thought...!!

Patti said...

Oh my I love this little hometown theater, Carletta!


We had a few neighborhood theaters in neighboring towns. At one of them I saw "A Hard Day's Night" with my best friend, her sister and our mothers. The good old days, for sure. Thanks for bringing back good memories.

Annie Jeffries said...

This reflection is such a cool blast from the past. Sort of bittersweet and nostalgic as well. I like the beeboppers on the wall. Over all, just seems to fit.

Curious though, is this place where you live now? Seems like it would be a good selection for resurrecting and renewal.

Janie B said...

Great post! I remember the Strand Theater in my home town. Cost 25 cents for a Saturday afternoon movie. Those were the days!

srp said...

Believe it or not.. my first movie ever was the original Star Wars. No I am not that young but just didn't go. Wonderful reds. My flying rubies are here.

amanda said...

This is so cool Carletta, I had a small town theater as well but it was turned into a abquet hall what a shame. This is a terrific post!

Askew To You said...

I love movies and cinnamon. My favorite cinnamon candies would be those little red hots or Big Red gum. I like "hot" stuff. :D

Anonymous said...

I used to sell popcorn at the drive in theater where I used to live when I was a kid. I made more money being paid not to come back by again. LOL

Raven said...

Ah, the days of cartoons before the movie and not a half hour of trailers and ads... I always wanted gum drops (Can't imagine why now. Yuck.) or those little chocolate covered mints... or necco wafers... or all of the above...

Happily Retired Gal said...

Ah ... wonderful Ruby Tuesday post ... brings back memories of my childhood! Thanks for dropping by mine at Happily Retired Gal. I'm playing catch-up today ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

Jeri ~ said...

I love photos that bring back great memories and yours has done just that. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

I think both the murals on the side look really good.

maryt/theteach said...

Carletta, this is a little sad too - the old usued movie theater... Perfecr shot though! :)

Anonymous said...

I miss my Junior Mints. The murals remind me of the drugstore where my dad used to take me for a burger, fries and chocolate malt. Wonderful pictures!

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