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From September of 1954 to September of 1955, I worked as an usher at the Wildey and also changed the marquee each time the movies changed - sometimes three times a week. I also remember that some movies, such as "From Here to Eternity," ran for as long as 14 days with full houses almost every night. I was paid 45 cents an hour (up from the usual 40 cents) because I was "head usher". I was also paid something like $2.65 a week to change the marquee, regardless of how many times a week it was changed. Frank Carter was assistant manager and Henry Foehrkalb was the manager
Kenneth Reiter
Ankeny, Iowa
Memories from the 1950’s and 1960’s
I was checking on the web about things in my past and landed on your site about the Wildey Theater in Edwardsville. I was greatly impressed and pleased with your videos, especially the one with Ed Foehrkalb taken in the projection booth in 1984. I lived in Edwardsville from circa 1955 until 1965 while attending college and working for McDonnell Aircraft in St. Louis. I also worked as a projectionist at the Wildey on Ed's days off. I am attaching a picture of Ed and myself taken in the booth at the Wildey in 1958. Ed and his family and his brother Andrew were dear friends. I often think fondly of them and the friendship we had.
R. Bruce McRae
Redmond, Washington
 
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