Comments from mikedanchak

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mikedanchak
mikedanchak commented about Angela Theatre on Jun 12, 2013 at 8:09 pm

I worked at the Angela when I was 14 yrs old as ticket taker & later projectionist. When it came available at a tax sale I just had to have it. A lot of people thought I was out of my mind including my family. They didn’t realize how much experience I accumulated over the years working for big chains like Sameric Theatres, Budco & Redstone Theatres as manager projectionist & technician. I’ve developed all the skills electrical, plumbing,carpentry & technical that I needed to put this fine theatre back together and in Aug. of 1998 it reopened as the Angela Triplex Theatre.

mikedanchak
mikedanchak commented about Laura Theater on Jun 12, 2013 at 7:48 pm

The Laura Theatre was built before the Angela Theatre in Coaldale by Peter Magazzu Sr. I was told they used the same plans to build the Angela in Coaldale. I ran a matinee there in 1962. “Journey to the Center of the Earth” Pete Magazzu brought me there in his old Pontiac. Same RCA projection equip. as the Angela…

mikedanchak
mikedanchak commented about Marquis Theatre on May 23, 2013 at 8:02 pm

I opened the Eric Twin Theatre in June of 1975 for Sameric Theatres. One of our 1st movies was “Jaws”. I left in 1979 because I was promoted to sound & projection tech. for the Eric chain. I came back in 1983 when the theatre became a 6 plex, & left in 1986 when United Artists Theatres took over. I have a lot of wonderful memories of that theatre and pictures. I’ll download them soon.

mikedanchak
mikedanchak commented about Laurel Drive-In on May 21, 2013 at 5:52 pm

The Laurel dr-in is located on route 309 as approaching Hazleton from the south. It’s now owned & operated by Frank Sacco who lives in front of the dr-in. I know Frank very well and he’s not sure if the dr-in will survive the digital upgrade.

mikedanchak
mikedanchak commented about Natalie Drive-In on May 21, 2013 at 5:42 pm

The Magazzu family of Hazleton ran this dr-in for a while as an x rated fare. The Magazzu’s also ran the valley Dr-in in Ginther, just north of Hometown and south of Hazletown Pa. on route 309. The Valley Dr-in was owned by Joe Petrole & has always been a family dr-in. The lot is still there with some remnants of the dr-in.

mikedanchak
mikedanchak commented about Country View Drive-In on May 21, 2013 at 5:28 pm

The Country View Dr.-in was in Barnsville Pa. about 2 mi. west of Lakewood Park. The area where the park was located was called Lakewood, but not really a town. There were tall pine trees that lined the entrance road and they are still there.

mikedanchak
mikedanchak commented about Country View Drive-In on May 14, 2013 at 7:32 pm

It used to be Rt. 45 but it was changed to Rt. 54. It’s about 2 miles east of I 81 outside of Mahanoy City & right down the road from where Lakewood park used to be. It’s eerie because there are still speaker poles and ramp marker poles between the trees that have grown. Someone built a home to the rear of the property. I have some pictures but I need to learn how to put them on this site…

mikedanchak
mikedanchak commented about Starlite Drive-In on May 8, 2013 at 8:04 pm

I ran the Starlite dr-in 1974-75 & remodeled the snack bar. It was owned by National Amusements or Redstone Theatres. I also managed the Bethlehem Dr-in for a while in the 1970’s for the same company. I remember a time when Walter Fatzinger the projectionist couldn’t get a picture on the screen because someone stuffed a popcorn tub in the proj. porthole…

mikedanchak
mikedanchak commented about Mahoning Drive-In on May 8, 2013 at 7:47 pm

I operate this dr-in from 1999 to now, and it has only one screen 106 ft. wide. Unless a miracle happens that we can afford a digital proj. system, we will probably close for 2014. I & a lot of other people love this dr-in & would hate to see it go…

mikedanchak
mikedanchak commented about Super 130 Drive-In on May 8, 2013 at 7:40 pm

I ran this dr-in for a time in the 70’s when Budco had it. My dist. mgr. was Ed Woolman. I remember a time when we had cars lined up from rt. 130 to the box office, & a guy handed the cashier a nickel, he thought he was in line for the Bristol bridge…

mikedanchak
mikedanchak commented about Country View Drive-In on May 8, 2013 at 7:33 pm

I was the last person to operate the Country View Dr-in. I ran it for one season in 1966. I was 18 yrs. old and I convinced the owner Walter Finch Jr. I was over 21 & he gave me a lease. My first movie was Elvis in Blue Hawaii. The cinemascope picture passed out the flat screen on the sides. The dr-in never again reopened.