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Memories of State Theatre Usherettes...

"I worked at this State Theatre in 1947. I was so proud of my uniform. I loved being an usherette and later got to work in the candy counter. Running up and down stairs from the loges to the balcony and flashing a light and telling the balcony crowd to keep their feet down. The experience working here is one I will never forget or Mr. Pickell, the boss!!"

Karol Hunt Tudor, usherette … proud of her uniform…(pictured right)

"Can it be almost fifty years ago that I stood with my flashlight in hand, at either of the two entrances into the Red Bluff State Theatre? Uniformed in my freshly pressed, high-waisted shiny-gray pants and sparkling- white cotton blouse, I was ready to flick on the flashlight and lead the way to the appropriate seating, after a glimpse of the torn ticket stub. As I recall the cost of general admission was fifty cents and lodges ninety cents.

When one would enter the theater for the first time you were amazed at the lovely interior. With its ornate gilded paintings gracing the walls, the plush red carpet and curtains, the graceful curving wall of the upper seating area with its wrought-iron railing, all stirred a sense of pride in me as I felt that I was certainly part of the experience.

How many Saturday matinees were my senses assaulted by the hundreds of gun shots fired by Hoppy, Gene or Roy when the villains needed a lesson in honor. Or Flash Gordon's rocket launch, on its clearly visible string, as he attacked to prevent the evil ones from invading our planet. Added to all of this excitement was the need to walk down to the "kids section" (as close to the screen as possible) to bring order among the ten and twelve year old boys who hooted and howled at each entrance of the bad guys. A quick flash of the flashlight perfectly aimed would bring them into temporary submission. And if their feet were draped over the back of another seat...then the flash was made with a very authoritative downward swish. Generally, compliance was the norm. After all, who would dare challenge an usher!!

And then there were the teens, which would congregate at the opposite end of the theater at the top of the stairs against the wall of the projection room that made my job just a little bit more difficult. Many of them were couples that would become a little too amorous for their surroundings. Or the boys who could be very obnoxious with their conduct requiring a brisk march up the stairs and the release of the well-aimed beam of light to bring them under control. Oh, the power of the flashlight!

There were the times that my heart would flutter at the sound of the voice of my boy friend and his buddies as they entered on my side of the theater. On the verge of losing consciousness, I would stand a little taller and smooth out my uniform and await their arrival. They would appear in their "uniforms", leather bomber jackets with the collars turned up, levis and white bucks. Dispensing of the usual "ticket check" I would lead the procession to the choicest of lodge seats and step aside directing them with the beam of my light hoping that he would be the last to enter thus being on the isle for me to pass by on my many trips up and down the stairs. My evening had been made!

There were other responsibilities assigned to the ushers, too. We were instructed, very sternly, by Mr. Pickell, the manager, that we would always keep the stairs and entranceways free from any unsightly trash. Gum wrappers, cigarette packages (yes, smoking was allowed in the theatre) were to be properly disposed of as soon as they were spotted.

The intermission would send us scrambling to the foyer to help out at the candy counter where we would quickly become transformed into smiling waitresses assisting in the selection of treats for the hungry crowd. Candy bars came in the 5 and 10 cent varieties. The frenzy caused time to fly for there was no break until the end of the intermission and the crowd would once again disappear down the darkened entrance ways to their seats. Only then could we catch our breath and quickly return to our posts for the next feature. Yes, features! Not only were there two full movies but also a comedy, previews of coming attractions and a newsreel that made for a full evening of entertainment.

It was at this time, through the sponsorship of the annual Red Bluff Bull Sale, that much excitement was generated as the State Theatre's stage was graced with some of the biggest Hollywood names performing, live. Stars like Donald 0' Connor, Nat King Cole, Patti Page, The Ink Spots, Tennessee Ford, and the Mill's Brothers put Red Bluff on the entertainment map! My autograph book still attests to the presence of these show biz personalities.

Growing up in Red Bluff, the State Theatre was the center of many of my fondest memories of my childhood. It was a magic place to all of the kids. It was common for a group of us neighborhood kids to walk on a Saturday afternoon from across town to spend two or three hours enveloped in the story unfolding on the screen. All of this for the price of a twenty-five cent admission. And then came the moment of being "blinded" by the hot afternoon sun as we burst through the doors at the conclusion of the last feature made us realize that we were, "back home".

We would often stop by Frank's Creamery for a rocky road shake with its scoop of chopped walnuts and a scoop of small marsh mallows blended into a deliciously smooth and cooling treat. This artistic concoction was often prepared by the man, himself. Silver haired, with a very serious demeanor, with a smudged white apron wrapped around his ample middle, Frank would craft the shake in the large silver metal containers that would be filled to the brim when they were removed from the mixer. The contents would easily fill a full stemmed fountain glass and a half before the last drop was drained out from the bottom. Never, in all of my years, have I savored the likes of one of Frank's rocky road milkshakes.

With all of the many memories of this magical place and time, with each visit to the old hometown, I still find myself looking forward to driving down Oak Street to simply pass by the old building. I just stare at the marquee, that for a time said, "Thanks for the memories", the ticket booth and entrance doorways. What can I say? It was just pure .... magic!"

"I was born and raised in Red Bluff attending Lincoln Street School, Bidwell and graduated from Red Bluff High with the class of 1954. I was also Miss Tehama County, 1953-54."

Marlene Adron Coates

"The Usherette"