Vendor Writing: Memories that play like a movie in my mind

Memories That Play Like A Movie In My Mind

BY NORMA B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

​Recently, select AMC theaters announced they would show the movie Grease for a limited time to honor Olivia Newton-John after her death on Aug. 8, 2022.

Hearing that, I was immediately reminded of my “first job,” at the local Gallatin Theater on South Water Avenue (now the American Legion Post 17). I was 10.

The “offer” came about in a most unusual way. Mr. Thomas (the man who ran the theater with his wife) caught me trying to sneak in the emergency exit for the Saturday matinée. Instead of kicking me out, he said I could earn my ticket complete with popcorn, soda, and candy if I helped clean up after the movie was over. That sounded pretty good to me. I never thought about the fact that he could’ve called the police, my main concern was that he didn’t call my mom!

That was the beginning of an arrangement that lasted as long as the theater itself did. From that moment on if I wasn’t at home or at school, I was at the movie theater.

It was a pretty good deal for all concerned. My mom who was always working and never had to worry about where I was, and she could even come and check on me on her breaks. At that time, she worked at the convenience store two doors down, and at the restaurant across the street.

Of course there were rules: I had to keep my grades up. With so many people checking my homework that was not a problem, besides, I actually liked school and was a pretty good student

I had to be home by 10 p.m. on school nights. I could stay later on weekends, but someone had to come and get me or bring me home even though we lived right around the corner, literally.

And finally, ABSOLUTELY NO RATED R movies. (To this day, I still don’t watch them, although I have been tricked a couple of times.) When those played I helped out in the lobby taking tickets, using the carpet sweeper, helping stock the concession stand, cleaning the bathrooms, etc. There was ALWAYS something to do. It may not sound like much fun, but I had a serious crush on the guy that worked behind the counter (the Thomas’s grandson, Sean) so I didn’t mind one bit!

In return, I got my very own T-shirt and name tag just like the regular employees wore. The only thing is they couldn’t pay me in cash because I was so young. Instead I got ALL the free passes, popcorn, soda, and candy I could possibly want. That’s also where I discovered my love of chocolate covered raisins and junior mints — true staples at any movie theater concession stand. Back then I could eat ALL I wanted and not gain an ounce, ah, those were the days!) I even got to draw the winning tickets for prizes for those who attended the Saturday matinées, and I got to see LOTS of movies in the process.

Here are just a few examples:

• Superman and the sequel

• Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

• Any Which Way But Loose (This was my first exposure to Clint Eastwood, but the orangutan Clyde stole the show.)

• Star Trek: The Movie (Yep, I’m a Trekkie. Just ask any of my Vulcan customers. My usual line to them is, “Live long and prosper.” I just can’t do the hand gesture that usually accompanies that saying.)

• Coal Miner's Daughter (I’ve ALWAYS been a sucker for a true story.)

• Airplane! And the sequel (That was one of my mom's favorites. She always did have a good sense of humor.) Can you imagine June Cleaver jive talkin’? If not, check this one out, because it happens in this movie ever so briefly.)

• On Golden Pond

• Raiders of the Lost Ark

• Annie

• ET (I took ALL the kids I babysat to see this one. It was a BIG hit with them!)

But the one I saw the most by far without a doubt was Grease.

This also made me VERY popular at school! (Truly the first and only time that happened to me!)

On the rare occasion that my mom and her roommate Cindy had a night off, you could find us at the theater watching a movie together, and it was all on me! How many kids can say that? I have to admit it felt pretty good.

Even after I got paying babysitting jobs, I would still go in, help clean up, and see a movie every chance I got.

And even though my mom was a nomad and we moved around a lot, whenever I was in town, I knew I would ALWAYS be welcomed there with open arms.

Sadly, the theater eventually closed and the Thomas family went back home to California where they were from, and this part of my life came to an end, but the memories still play over and over so vividly in my mind just like all those movies I enjoyed with my family and friends so long ago.