I was never an usher (work? me? you got to be kiddin’) … but I fondly remember going to films in the Fifties: B movie, News of the Day, Looney Tunes, feature film. Pail of popcorn, natch.
So much of my youth was spent in movie theaters that no longer exist. The biggest theater from that time in my life is still there. It’s an AMC now. The other theater that remains always was, and miraculously still is, independently owned. It is sad to think of all the movies I saw on so many Saturday afternoons in the 1970s and 1980s in spaces that are gone.
I realize, as I look at the calendar and through old emails, that I started writing the Prisoners essay shortly after my father’s death and had to tweak it, as it was getting ready to go live, to take into account my mother’s death.
Sounds like an extremely emotional time for you. I'm glad you came through in one piece, as far as I can judge from this considerable distance.
There are periods of my life that I now look back on and wonder that I came through unscathed. This often leads to immediate introspection to check for previously unregistered damage. So it goes.
I miss the movie houses of yesteryear. I can also remember my dad telling me he went to the movies with his older brother every Saturday - sometimes a double feature! - for a nickel.
I was never an usher (work? me? you got to be kiddin’) … but I fondly remember going to films in the Fifties: B movie, News of the Day, Looney Tunes, feature film. Pail of popcorn, natch.
So much of my youth was spent in movie theaters that no longer exist. The biggest theater from that time in my life is still there. It’s an AMC now. The other theater that remains always was, and miraculously still is, independently owned. It is sad to think of all the movies I saw on so many Saturday afternoons in the 1970s and 1980s in spaces that are gone.
A very moving essay, thanks.
Happy the building is still standing, at the very least.
Thank you, Steve!
I realize, as I look at the calendar and through old emails, that I started writing the Prisoners essay shortly after my father’s death and had to tweak it, as it was getting ready to go live, to take into account my mother’s death.
Good gosh.
Sounds like an extremely emotional time for you. I'm glad you came through in one piece, as far as I can judge from this considerable distance.
There are periods of my life that I now look back on and wonder that I came through unscathed. This often leads to immediate introspection to check for previously unregistered damage. So it goes.
Now tidy that desk of yours!
❤️
I miss the movie houses of yesteryear. I can also remember my dad telling me he went to the movies with his older brother every Saturday - sometimes a double feature! - for a nickel.