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As the title states, working there was a lot of fun. When the theater use to have ushers I was just old enough to work there. Some of the benefits we use to receive where a few free passes that we could give to our friends and girlfriends. We could also have all the free popcorn we wanted as long as we use the same bag over and over again.

Did you know that there was(are) dressing rooms out behind the big screen? I can remember on some Sat. mornings that they would have vauldaville (sp) acts, such as magic acts, comedy acts, juggling, etc.  There are also seats that lead up to the box seats on both sides of the theater, if they are still there.

We use to stand behind the screen and watch the people. They could not see us, but we could see them. I enjoyed spending time in the projection room. Boy, was it hot there. The cameras used carbon rods needed for enough lite to show the movies. They had to be exhausted through chimney pipes to the outside.

I remember during the picture "the Ten Commandments"  we were told not to seat anyone during the crusafixtion scene. We had to close the curtains and not let anyone be seated. Gosh, how times have changed.......

6 comments on this topic:

Dave715 says:

February 2nd, 2008 at 8:46 am

Good story Pappy. I remember going to plays and musicals there in the 70s and 80s. Was always a treat to get a front row seat in the balcony.

I got the chance to work there as a projectionist in the 90s. What a fun job. But its 2 theaters now, so it was twice the responsibility. The balcony is still kinda there, but it only overlooks the new ceiling above the two downstairs. The old projectors were still up there last I knew. With the last remaining reels being A Clockwork Orange.

There was still the backstage area, and a room down under with all the old posters and billboards stored in it. Some of the props and costumes remained as well.

pappy says:

February 2nd, 2008 at 11:23 am

After all these years. If only the walls could talk. You know the advertisments that use to be in the picture frames, in the lobby, advertising coming pictures? Some of those are worth a small fortune now. Have seen them on EBay and Antiques Roadshow for big bucks. I also use to set the Marquee on the outside in all kinds of weather. Sometimes that wasn't so pleasant. I didn't know that it is 2 theaters now. No balcony? Geez, use to get some serious "necking" up there.

Dave715 says:

February 3rd, 2008 at 11:39 am

Oh yea, there were some real old ones still back there. No idea if the previous owner took them or left them there.

I did the marquee a few times. They needed more letters now and then. lol Used spray painted cardboard a few times to make up for it.

I was bummed about the balcony as well. If they did the work, they could add a 3rd theater up there. We used to have some private showings late at night after the place was closed. Just a group of friends, drinking, eating, and watching a new movie. It was fun.

pappy says:

February 4th, 2008 at 11:37 am

Dave...really interesting stuff. You probably don't remember Smalleys. Use to be across from Post Office. For 14 cents, we could spend a whole Saturday in there, as the shows ran one after another. Back to Colonia, one time we had a real scary 3D picture showing and a few seats were wired with a small jolt of elec. People were screaming their heads off and we were rolling with laughter. As an usher, my job was to seat people, keeps kids from putting feet on seats and keeping people quiet during the show. Can you imagine trying to do that now?

Dave715 says:

February 5th, 2008 at 4:39 pm

Smalleys was a bit before my time here. I moved here in 73 when I was 6. I do remember hearing of the "Joltings" from the owners son. lol Sounded like my kind of prank.

I had to show a few unruly teens out the door in my time there. Now would be even worse. I have not been back since a few weeks after the newest owners bought it.

Got called to fix one of the projectors late on a saturday night. Needless to say I had had a few drinks in me, and it was cold and icy. My wife and I were walking in and she slipped on the ice in front. A bunch of kids hanging out there started laughing and saying not so nice things. I may or may not have gotten very loud and rude back and made them run away in fear. lol

The new owner asked the lady I had worked with who that was with the mouth. She grinned, and said "thats our projector fixer". Never got called again. Heh.

DianneRaphael says:

February 11th, 2008 at 9:13 pm

Hi from Dianne and Morris Raphael who got engaged in the Colonial Theater in 1961 when the King and I was playing. It was a Saturday evening in June. We were married on 1/20/62 and just celebrated 46 years. I remember how I sat in the theater with my left hand catching the light of the film projector off my ring. Everytime we come to the theater we are minded of that wonderful evening. I wonder how many other people got engaged in the movie theater here in Norwich, NY. We now live in NY only in the summer and in Fl during the winter. Please respond. Dianne and Mo Raphael