Movies have been apart of my life for a long time now and it has woven its way into me. I first found my love of movies when I was younger. I remember seeing Superman at the Tucker Theater in Liberal, Kansas. I’m sure I’d had seen many others, but that one in particular stands out.

As I grew older it came time to find an after school job. No way was I working at a fast food place, nothing against it ..just not my bag. Anyway my freshman year in high school I filled out my very first application it was at the Southgate Theater located in Liberal, Kansas. After repeated visits & phone calls daily the manager hired me, just to shut me up. I was very excited and ready to try my hand at the movies. I started as a doorman, ticket taker. After proving myself in the ticket tearing and kicking out kids position, my boss asked if I was interested in learning how to run the projector, I said YES YES when do I start?

Well that’s all it took…I began my venture as “the projectionist”

I took the job to another level I organized everything and kept a detailed vision in my head on where things were located in the booth, this was because if something were to happen I would know exactly where the item I needed would be just incase projection problems occurred. And that meant keeping the place organized and clean at all times. I took pride in my job and what the job meant. The projectionist is the last leg in the industry. The basic design or idea of a movie begins when its devolved and moved into production. Filming, editing to finally cut then basically shipped to me the projectionist. That always made me feel good, knowing they depended on me to finish the final scene you might say.

Over the years I’ve worked in many theaters and have watched thousands of movies. My passion for film and the movies doesn’t stop there. I found myself researching the history of theaters and the movies. I became aware of many classic theaters around the country and wanted to experience an “old school” movie theater experience. There is something magical when you visit one of the old palaces. It really has a different feel then what you find today with mega plexes. The art of the movies used to be simple and it worked and really still does, but we the people are pushed into change everyday of our life’s, but that doesn’t mean we cant stop this change.

Changes with the way we see movies now from then. Well I remember my family going to the movies and the first thing I always noticed and remember most of is that people come to talk. I mean before the show began out in the lobby, people just mingling having fun and letting lose. And of course once you walked into an old classic theater you relaxed. The structure and design draws you away from the everyday world. You’ve crossed the line into the Twilight Zone.

Today you find the urgency to find the best seat and are overwhelmed by waiting in lines for minutes. Hey it happen in the old days too, but meanwhile video screens & video games roaring in the background are today’s standard. Back then it was an event…now it’s an event with no atmosphere. No whisking you away as you walk in the front doors. No WOW!

Well the WOW is still there you can find classic theaters all over the states that are keeping this alive. Help support the memories, history and fun. I hope you enjoy the site!