Comments from David Wodeyla

Showing 1 - 25 of 330 comments

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about State Theater on Dec 6, 2018 at 10:17 pm

Great pictures, I hope the theatre is saved by the town.

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about Hollis Theatre on Jul 27, 2016 at 4:10 am

Hope everyone enjoys my photoshop of the Hollis, as it might have looked in modern times, had it not been closed as a theatre in 1955.

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about FEW YEARS AFTER OPENING on Jul 27, 2016 at 4:08 am

That’s my 1966 Mustang, parked there around 1977, my first stint at the theatre. You’ll notice there were 3 screens at the time. The theatre on the far left of the lobby was split sometime after that.

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about DAVID WODEYLA MANAGER TO RIGHT STANDING on Jul 27, 2016 at 4:06 am

My Chief of staff, Bud, sitting on the left side. Wish I could remember the others, but the picture was taken 40 years ago! Time flies, those years I Managed Braintree, first from Nov 1975 until September 1977 and again from 1983 until 1986, were some of the “most fun” years of my 32 year career with General Cinema.

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about AMC Chestnut Hill 5 on Dec 20, 2014 at 7:31 pm

The theatre division building was moved across the street to 1280 Boylston St. The Flutie Pass address was the new location for the Framingham GCC when Shoppers World closed. The new location bordered Natick, which was Doug Flutie’s hometown. Doug was honored and made a speech at the grand reopening. There were a couple of Film buyer offices in the back of that new Framingham theatre, which is now an AMC. Stan may be wrong about an error in showtimes, as they may have had a second print used the 2nd auditorium for an additional show, at a better time. (the other feature only being shown one time, that is.) That was a frequent occurrence at Chestnut Hill, thus the way we got such great grosses with the small seating capacity.

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about Gorman Theatre on Jul 25, 2014 at 2:08 pm

Ron, I think that’s because Concord St (main thoroughfare downtown) was to the right about a block, and to the left down Kendall St. there are only some houses. Funny how it only took me 2 years to notice the comment. Time flies.

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about AMC Chestnut Hill 5 on Jan 18, 2013 at 11:51 pm

From a quick drive-by, I’d guess June…?

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about Framingham Cinema Shoppers' World on Dec 25, 2012 at 11:55 pm

You have a good memory! I had photos of the addition of Cinema III and IV being constructed in 1974, but don’t remember exactly when the split of I occurred. I remember the Sensurround being constructed (large plywood panels in the corners of the large auditorium.)

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about Framingham Cinema Shoppers' World on Jul 18, 2012 at 9:00 pm

The split of Cinema I didn’t happen until about 1974, so it probably wasn’t the first split house either. However, I’d suggest that the addition of Cinema II in 1963, could be called a new design with a changed configuration to the lobby as well as a completely new auditorium to the north side of the original building.

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about State Palace Theatre on Mar 26, 2012 at 1:14 am

Theatre District, with Loews State and the Joy on the left in this photo, and the Saenger on the right.

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about ISO: Attendees of Chestnut Hill Cinema/Natick Drive-In on Jul 7, 2011 at 4:26 am

What was the last name?

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about General Cinema Front Entrance on Jul 7, 2011 at 4:19 am

Actually, I took this photo after GCC went bankrupt and the building was being used by Garber Travel. It’s now a Container Store.

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about Southgate Cinema 5 on Jun 11, 2011 at 4:45 am

Love the name reminiscences from the past, Lenny Mays, Vic Gattuso, Larry Bello, Bob Klass, Ed Dineen, this is vintage GCC History. Whenever there was a Regional Meeting, those guys were there!

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about Gorman Theatre on Jun 3, 2011 at 8:28 pm

A Sanborn map from 1922 lists 850 seats with 2 balconys. The building was modernized in 1948.

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about Natick Drive-In on May 30, 2011 at 6:09 am

I took the picture of the screen in 1979, just after the Drive In closed,and was about to be torn down. The other photo I took and uploaded, was the view of the front. Taken the same day, you can see my 1966 Ford Mustang convertible parked in front.

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about Cinema Treasures relaunches with new design, photo galleries, and more! on May 30, 2011 at 5:37 am

This is a huge upgrade, and I’m sure everyone is excited about uploading their photos, as I am. I would like to be able to go back and edit my comments, if necessary, and also, be able to know when anyone responds to a comment I may make. But if that’s not possible, it’s OK.

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts on Mar 20, 2011 at 3:57 pm

There was a great tour of the theatre conducted yesterday, here’s a link to a video of the Wurlitzer organ.
View link

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about Framingham Cinema Shoppers' World on Feb 15, 2011 at 5:51 pm

Who knew about asbestos dangers back in the fifties? The Kent micronite filter had it! My description of the panels was based on what we could see when damage occurred, either a delivery truck backing into an area, or kids vandalism while leaving down the balcony exit ways.

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about Cinema Treasures Reaches 30,000 Theaters on Dec 17, 2010 at 12:14 am

This is a huge accomplishment, and great thanks go to all the folks out there who continue to find great photos and information to keep us all interested in a great business.

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about Framingham Cinema Shoppers' World on Jun 25, 2010 at 6:41 pm

The sign actually says Thick Frappes. Those are like milk shakes. The sign is clearer in Boxoffice Magazine of Oct 4, 1952, link above. You have to go back to page 121.

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about Framingham Cinema Shoppers' World on Jun 25, 2010 at 5:27 pm

If you check back in that issue, there’s also a nice article about the Cinema sign on the building, as well as a picture of the sign for Richard’s Drive In Restaurant, which was in Cambridge somewhere. Richard’s was Richard Smith’s restaurant venture. To Dave-Bronx, I don’t know about the use of Cambridge Seven, but the time frame sounds right. I wonder if Paul Delrossi has an answer?

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about AMC Chestnut Hill 5 on Jun 25, 2010 at 5:20 pm

Hey, it’s been a long time since anyone posted anything here! I think I should turn the replies notification back on.
Yes, the photos look like they came from an Annual Report.

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about Reminder: Lecture at the National Heritage Museum (3/28) on Mar 29, 2010 at 3:47 am

It was a very informative presentation. I liked the mention about how theaters began hiring High School kids, in order to save money. I began working as an usher myself, in 1966, for $1 per hour. In Massachusetts, theaters were allowed to pay “sub-minimum wage” at the time. The real minimum wage was $1.25.

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about Framingham Cinema Shoppers' World on Feb 6, 2010 at 4:53 am

Dean, your Father was a General Cinema legend. Not only did he invent the “Lotta Lemon”, he was also the originator of the “Straw Vote” which predicted every Presidential election from 1972 until the Company declared bankruptcy. It was a great run while it lasted.
(I remember you coming to the movies with your Dad back in the ‘70s.)

David Wodeyla
David Wodeyla commented about Sundance Group Announces Cinema Intention on Oct 13, 2009 at 1:15 am

I guess the Sundance idea fell through again. What happened this time?