Wes Stillwagon, Former Chief Projectionist, The Olden Theatre

Wes Stillwagon, Former Chief Projectionist, The Olden Theatre

Wes Said

Thanks Mike,

I try to keep up with Central Jersey history as I said, the
area feels like home. I was chief projectionist at the Olden
Theater from about 1970 to 1974 or so. I do not remember meeting
Mr. Lucarello. When I worked at the Olden the area that was the
bowling alley was a large slot-car track.The bowling alleys
were removed. The history of the theatre complex says that the
area where the bowling alley/slot car track was located was
once a bordello called the Dew Drop Inn. There was, at one time,
a passageway from the basement of the building to an entrance
under the stage of the Olden (then the Gayety), I think it was
for a quick escape during a raid. When I worked at the Olden on
Saturdays or Sundays, there was always a few hour delay between
the Kids Matine and the evening feature so I would get a
flashlight and explore the areas behind the screen like the
back stage, and under the stage. There were several dressing rooms
at the back of the stage and I think a chorus dressing room below
along with a musicians room, carpentry, and seamstress shops.
The musician's room included a door that exited to the small
orchestra pit. The Theater once had an organ and had organ lofts
on both sides of the proscenium. The organ was sold to the Eastman
Theatre in Rochester, New York. The theatre was well operated
under the management of Jack Kosharek (Ph.D). Everything was kept
immaculately clean and I think the customers appreciated this.
When I started at the Olden I apprenticed under an elderly fellow
who was projectionist at the Morrisville, Drive-in and was in the
projectionist union for fifty-five years. He kept the projectors
also in immaculate condition and running like fine watches.
He insisted on keeping the booth clean as well to prevent dust
and other particles from entering the film area of the projector
as this would cause the scratches and lines in the film (rain).
He steadfastly demanded the use of a stage curtain for the
presentations, It would open at the beginning and close at the
end of the film but also would close with a film break. He believed
the audience should not see a bare screen or sheet.
The Olden was one of the first theatres to sport a genuine
Cinemascope screen that was properly installed. Too many theatres
have wide screens that are not properly installed for a good film
presentation. As such it is impossible to properly focus the film.
It is either out of focus in the center or the edges of the picture.
The theatre was fully equipped for Stereo although it wasn't used
by the time I got there. It showed three dimension films. It really
was a nice place to work (part time) and the other people who
worked there were always very nice. Of course when the Olden
owners started showing X-rated movies, it was the beginning
of the end of the venerable vaudeville house. It is sad to drive
by the area and see the empty lot where the lobby and auditorium
were situated. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to relive
some pleasant memories,
Mike.

Wes

Thank You Wes, This is magnificent:)