Opening night at Fox Theatre

Editor's Note: Velma Chase (formerly Curtis, Swan and Hogue), 93, is a resident of the Remington Home for Gracious Living retirement facility. She has submitted this article to The Sentinel as a member of the Remington Ramblers writing group.

I was barely 16 years old when I worked at the new Fox Theatre as an usherette. It was a hurried-up job as they wanted to open before Christmas and introduce the "talkies" with Al Jolson singing in "The Jazz Singer."

There were new Fox Theatres in Fresno, Visalia, Hanford and other places. Ours had a wonderful ceiling with stars and lights and a few bats flying around. There was the head usherette in a white uniform (custom-tailored) under a spotlight who directed people to go to which aisle they needed. There were two girls in their custom-tailored uniforms on each aisle, flightlights in hand, to escort you to your seat. The usherette leaned over and excused herself and told the people how many seats to go and sit.

Everyone came to the movies early to see and be seen. The women wore their fur coats, hats and gloves, and waited in the foyer for the movie to start before going in.

An organist came from Fresno to play the mighty Wurlitzer at intermission. Later, Charlie Bryan, a local fellow, played the organ there and at Johnson's Cafe, a local bar and grill.

Our projectionist was Art Le Cavalier from the old T and D Theater on Seventh Street. We called it the "Old Tough and Dirty." For our efforts we were paid $1 per night and we could see every performance for free. We learned to walk backwards up the aisle so we didn't miss anything. We also had to police the kids who would open the exit doors so their pals could come in for nothing. Mr. Peletier was our boss, a handsome man who caught the eye of Sara Hicks, a ticket seller, and married her.

The ticket-seller sat in a lit-up cage in the front of the theater and was chosen for her looks as well as her knowledge. We had a lot of pretty ones. Leila Watkins was one. She had long blonde hair done up in a bun. There was a lot of entertainment that we enjoyed but the talking movies were so enchanting. The musical movies were so good with Nelson Eddy and Jeannette MacDonald.

I can't remember how many people worked there, but we were the very first ones. I am now 93 years old and never thought this would be my claim to fame. Looking back I am amazed at the changes. Now we are coping with computers - a whole new world.

Mr. Humason rescued the theater and it is a great asset to Courthouse Square. I will never forget the happy memories I have of those days. I think I am the only one left of those in the picture.

(Jan. 28, 2007)