"Funner" With Frank

After writing in my previous blog post about the film, VOLCANO, it occurred to me that my readers might be interested in a story about my viewing of that film

In the summer of 1997, I took a week’s vacation traveling around the state of Texas visiting old, small town movie theaters that were still in operation as first-run venues. I was gathering first-hand information for an article on Texas movie theaters that I had pitched to TEXAS HIGHWAYS magazine. I received the green light from my editor, whose first name only I can recall as Jack. I do know that not long after my article was published, he took his own life. A tragic end. He was a great editor and I really enjoyed working with him.

My journey into Texas movie theater history began in Abilene at the beautiful Paramount Theater in downtown Abilene. This was a first-rate movie palace, restored to its original glory and hosting a summer film series of classic movies, much like Austin’s own Paramount Theater, for which I was then supplying the film notes for that summer series.

From Abilene I drove to Eastland to see The Majestic Theater. I don’t recall the manager’s name, but he was an extremely gracious and patient man, answering all of my questions and letting me crawl all around the building even out onto the top of the marquee. There was an old hotel next door to the theater which had been converted into a bed and breakfast. I had a room booked there for the night. The business didn’t serve dinner, so I was left on my own for a meal before the screening of VOLCANO at the Majestic.

As I recall, my choices were pretty limited. This was, after all, a small Texas town on a Monday night. I eventually found a Dairy Queen (or the equivalent thereof) and enjoyed a satisfying meal. Then it was back to the Majestic (it wasn’t too far a walk) for the film. My admission ticket was waived as were the popcorn and Dr. Pepper I enjoyed. The movie was so-so, but I wasn’t there to critique the film. i was there to soak up every bit of atmosphere and experience that I could only get in that space on that night with that audience. It was sheer magic.

Before I departed the next morning, the manager presented me with a playbill that I have framed and hanging on one of the man cave’s walls. It shows the lineup for a week worth of films at the MAJESTIC. The week is June and the year is most likely 1973. These films include Walt Disney’s animated feature ROBIN HOOD, PAPER MOON, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, AMERICAN GRAFFITTI and (my favorite), the kids’ show FROM HELL TO TEXAS.

I left Eastland and journeyed on to the next movie theater on my list. I traveled to Graham to see the recently restored National, then to Wills Point to see another Majestic at a theater that had been in the same family for three generations. Then it was on to Clifton, to see another restored theater, the Clif-Tex. I ended up in Hamilton. Again, I don’t recall the name of the theater or the full name (his first name was Lambert as I recall) of the mayor and owner of the theater who played host, buying me dinner and showing me around the town and his theater.

Sorry to be so vague about names and locations. It was a long time ago. My article was eventually published in 1988 and I’m sure there’s more info in that piece. Just too lazy to look it up right now.

It was a once in a lifetime trip. I saw a lot of cool old theaters and met some very nice people who were more than happy to open their doors and share their stories.