Still more lazy thoughts from this one…

Posts from the ‘film’ category

All things relating to film and the cinema

Tales from the (Movie) Theater: Amateur Night (Part 4)

Before I arrived, the owner realized the demographics of the area were changing during the 70s, and that more and more of his clientele were Latino patrons. He was also competing for their dollars with the two other movie theaters along the Pacific boulevard shopping strip: the California and the Park (the other, the Lyric Theatre, went after, ahem, a different market).

Tales from the (Movie) Theater: Projecting (Part 3)

I was taught on what is known as a Two Reel System — the older carbon arc variety. No splicing of film together to make it one large, easy to project unit. Nope…didn’t happen. The Warner’s projection booth had three, count them three, Simplex carbon arc projectors. Museum pieces, really. Only two were used at any time. The third kept as cold backup for when one of others totally arrested on you, which could happen given the age of these antiques.

Tales from the (Movie) Theater: The Owner (Part 2)

So, what were the lessons gleamed while employed there? Scrimping was a way of life for independents. The economics of the movie theater in the mid-70s hadn’t changed much since the 30s and 40s either. Studios made their money from the box office — and theater owners made theirs from the concession stand.

Tales from the (Movie) Theater: Brotherhood (Part 1)

By the mid-70s, I needed a steady job to support my endeavor of higher education. Perhaps affording to have money in my pocket for dating purposes, too. Youth and hormones can be mercenary. A college education was something my mother pushed for, and I (the oldest surviving) got that obligación. Now, my younger brother (by a year and eight months) on the other hand sought work foremost.

Reprise: 30 Years Ain’t That Long in Life, or Comedy

Take a look around you. Unsettled or distressing times spawn a push back in people. It’s a natural reaction, especially in this country. Comedy thrives in periods of uncertainty. Hell, we even have a cable channel now dedicated to this style of entertainment. I wonder if that indicates we’re in an ongoing epoch of apprehension? Oh well. I’ve read a number of examinations over the years on what and why comedy does (or doesn’t) work. Two aspects draw me. Jokes, and their telling, can date quickly. What tickles today may fall flat tomorrow. Second, insightful jests can be enough to cut the comedian and/or the audience right down to the core.

Reprise – Tales from the (Movie) Theater: Intro

It was at this particular theater that my love of the movies was permanently set in stone. Not only was it the closest of the art deco movie palaces in the vicinity, and the location for many of the dates in my youth, but I would later return to this same theater as an employee. I would do a stint as a projectionist during my concluding days of college.