I read your article about the Wildey Theater with great interest. Although I was not old enough to remember some of the stories, we all have our particular memories. A couple things I remember about the Wildey was the ornateness of the theater. As kids, we did not appreciate it, but it had some beautiful architecture. Also, a lady named Mrs. Duffy was the manager and she kept us in line. We would go to Saturday afternoon matinees and during intermission they would give away bags of popcorn. We always kept our ticket stubs on the chance that we would win! They would show about four movies on Saturday, usually the Three Stooges or the Little Rascals. Those were our favorites. I also remembered about going to show during Prom. We would go to the dance first, usually the SIUE's Meridian Ballroom, then go to the Wildey, and then to the Roundtable Restaurant for a early morning breakfast buffet. I had kind of forgotten about going there for Prom until I read it. We did feel pretty special with our pretty dresses, walking the red carpet like the stars do! Thanks for the memories and I look forward to reading the book

Nancy (Smith) Genteman - (Class of 1971) 

Ahhh, the Wildey!  What a wonderful place!  I have many memories so, here goes! 

Saw all the "good stuff", of course:  Lassie, Come Home, Where the Red Fern Grows, (that "remembrance" makes me tear up right now!); Black Beauty . . .

DRACULA:  Wow. Seeing the guy hanging by a rope tied to his ankles ~ in his blue silk PJ's ~ above that coffin ~ throat cut and blood just a drippin' . . . . Watched the entire film but to this day (I'm now age 45) . . . When I sleep at night I keep my wrists under the covers and my neck is never exposed (like covers are gonna help me in the event of a vamp attack . . .). 

Don't know what year it was but I will never, ever forget the time my folks had a dinner date (or whatever).  It was summer and, in retrospect I think it was probably a Saturday night . . . anyway, they were going out so, they dropped my brother Dan, and me off at the Wildey to see "the movie".  They'd pick us up two hours later. 

Parents sped away and there we were, dropped off at the movies. Got our tics from the (long gone booth) and were told we had to leave: Movie was rated “R” and no one under 18 allowed . . . movie was "Gailey, Gailey". What an eye-opener... I envision another hanging of sorts; black hood and . . . well, it was a "sex" flick back in those days ~ certainly not one that my little brother and I should have been allowed to see.  The Wildey staff let us stay, of course cuz, well, we were stranded . . . 

Next nice memory is a date movie:  6th grade . . . Poseidon Adventure. My guy wore a maroon windbreaker & oh, my, gosh!  He even put his arm around me!  My friend "experienced the same experience." I love that movie; try to catch it when it's "on" (what a stellar cast!).  I remember where the 4 of us sat . . .

Referring to where I was seating-wise:  My all-time favorite movie at The Wildey is Jesus Christ Superstar.  I know exactly who I went with and know exactly where we all sat for the show.  Wow. 

I can still see in my mind's eye the lobby; the carpet, candy counter; ice machine and the dark cubby-hole office on the right just beyond the ice machine where that mean, hateful old lady sat in dim light (her last name began with a "D") and a cigarette hangin' out of her mouth . . . 

The big, huge mirror and fake plants/greenery that greeted patrons as they decided to go right or left for seating or . . . upstairs (to the right or to the left) for balcony . . . 

Better stop now: Have additional memories/stories so, if you have an interest, please advise.  Thank you.

Sarah Mateyka (Karen's daughter, FYI)

Although I attended several movies at the Wildey Theater as a teen and young adult, there are two visits that strike a particular memory for me. The first was in 1968 when a high school friend, Vanessa, and I went to see the "Odd Couple" with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. That particular evening we were in charge of her preschool age sister, Veronica. We bought popcorn and soda in hopes of keeping Veronica entertained during the movie and then took seats in the balcony. Veronica did pretty well sitting through the movie, but at one point she tried to get her older sister's attention. Vanessa told Veronica to please be quiet. Suddenly, Veronica exclaimed (in more than a stage whisper) "But, Nessie, I've got to pee!!" We two teens were mortified, because in our minds, the entire theater audience had their eyes upon us.

The other memory was from 1970. I was seventeen and was asked to go "to the show" on a blind date. The young man, Ken, was home on leave from the Army. He had attended the high school that I was attending, Roxana High. We were "fixed up" for the date by a mutual friend. We went to the Wildey to see "Patton." I don't remember much about Ken, but I did enjoy the music from Patton. One of my all time movie scene favorites is the opening scene when General George Patton (played by George C. Scott) gives his speech to the troops. His colorful language and posturing to prepare the troops for war made a lasting impression on me. I now own my own DVD copy of "Patton." 

Submitted by Gena (Zeller) Boger, Roxana, IL

My name is Doug Havens.  I was employed at the Wildey while in high school from November 1977 - May 1979.  My friend, David Dunn, helped me get the job.  My first day was on Thanksgiving Day. 

I worked for Mrs. Verna Duffy.  She was a no-nonsense boss, but she had her soft moments.  I can remember standing at her office door while she spoke to me.  Her office was very small, and she smoked.  I always found it best to stand in her opened doorway. 

As an usher, my main job was to take tickets at the door.  We wore black pants, white shirts, a tie, and a red jacket.  In the summer we steamed in that place.  During the winter months, we tried to get people in the door in a hurry so we could get the heat through the lobby. 

I remember my clothes always smelled like popcorn.  Mrs. Duffy would have our jackets cleaned, but I don't think the smell ever came out of them.  To this day, I think of the Wildey when I smell popcorn. 

A few of the chores I can remember doing is taking the big 35mm reels to the projection booth.  They came in big heavy cases.  They were quite heavy for even a young fairly strong guy.  Changing the bulbs, signs, and posters in the front was always a fairly easy job.  However, once in a while we had to fight the elements--snow, rain, cold, etc.  It could get a little windy on the ladder during the winter months. 

Mother's Catering Service used to deliver our ice.  I can recall having to carry many bags of ice back stage and storing them in the two coolers. When the employees at the counter were out of ice, the ushers would be directed to bring more to the front.  We would also bring candy and soft drink syrup up from the back. 

Beneath the old stage was a room where all the old movie posters were kept. There were quite a few old ones back there at the time.  Once in a while, Mrs. Duffy would allow us to keep one if we asked. 

The whole back stage area was dusty.  There was not much back there. However, I do remember a couple of old pianos sitting back there.  I am sure they had not been played in years.  As I remember, the ivory was coming off of the keys. 

One of the best parts of being an employee was being able to see the movies for free.  The balcony was always closed unless we had big crowds.  I would always take my girlfriend to the balcony to see the latest movie.  It was always very quiet, and allowed for privacy. 

I would say that most of us who worked at the Wildey felt very fortunate to have a job there as teenagers.  The work was easy, and the pay was about average for those of us under 18 years of age.  I made about $1.80 an hour. I would get paid about $60-$80 every two weeks, but I always felt like I had money. 

I can remember when "Preach" would come to see us.  Mrs. Duffy would always wonder when "Marvin" was going to come and see her.  I think she would pay him to get her a paper, or a cup of coffee.  He always brightened up our day when he dropped in.  Of course, he would tell us younger guys to watch ourselves, and then he would show us his badge. 

I remember attending Star Wars with my dad right after my brother was born in 1977 - most likely to give my mom some time to rest. We sat in the balcony and it was packed. I enjoyed the time with my dad, since I had been used to being the center of attention for 6½ years! 

Many birthday parties and other events included a trip to the Wildey to see movies, such as "Popeye" with Robin Williams when I was around 10 or 11 years old.

I also remember "working" at the Wildey in the mid-80s during its short time showing classic movies on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.  My friend and I volunteered to work the concession stand in the lobby in exchange for tickets to another show.  I remember "It Happened One Night" and "Romeo and Juliet" and think about how this experience made my interest in classic movies and drama grow.

I remember attending concerts of local bands at the Wildey when I was in High School. Some bands included The Boys Next Door, later known as Alazone, from Edwardsville and the Undecided from Alton. Some of the seats at the front of the theater had been removed so we had room to dance at the foot of the stage.

Finally, I remember the Edwardsville Class of 1989 After-Prom party was held upstairs at the Wildey. We had a DJ and lots of giveaways to bring us back to town from our evening on the Admiral boat in St. Louis.

What a great place!  We lose too many landmarks so I hope this one is able to remain for a long time. I hope that I can take my young son to see a movie or event there someday!

Thanks for the opportunity to reminisce. 

Stephanie Knecht-Renken

Before starting at the Wildey at age 17, I worked at the Sharon Theater in Bunker Hill for about two years. The owner of the Sharon Theater offered me the job at the Wildey. At that time, the projectionist at the Wildey was going to a different theater and they needed a replacement. It paid $5.25 an hour. I worked every night from 6:30 to 11. 

The movie Sting Ray was filmed in Edwardsville. For that, I ran the projector every day to show the directors how the movie was going. These were called dailies. I ran the dailies for the director and a whole group with him. They would develop it and bring it to the Wildey. I would show it and give it back to the director and they’d edit it. I saw Sting Ray more times than I want to admit. 

Whenever black circles appeared on the screen, it meant that it was time for a new reel. When that happened, the crowd would boo because all they would see was a big light. Then I would have to take time to change the reel. It did happen more than I like. 

One time I totaled the car on my way to work. I still got there about 10 minutes late. On Friday nights, I was normally there a half hour prior to the start. The crowd applauded when the movie finally started. 

I remember one time there was some kind of Arabian sword fighting movie one Saturday for the afternoon matinee. Each reel leader was numbered and the order had been switched. So the reels were out of order and there was no continuity. But the kids never noticed. They had no clue. They were grade school age kids and it was a sword-fighting action movie and the plot didn’t mean a thing to them. 

Jon Payne, Edwardsville

Growing up in Edwardsville the Wildey was just a part of life. We went almost every Sunday afternoon for thirty-five cents. My church would rent out the hall upstairs for Mother-Daughter banquets every May.  In about 1973, I got a job at the Wildey and that is where most of my memories are from.  I worked as a candy counter girl most of my time for ninety-five cents an hour. I got promoted to the ticket booth later and made $1.10 an hour. We had a lot of fun.  Yes, we worked almost every Friday and Saturday night, but we were almost always out by 9:30 or 10:00. That still gave us time to have some fun before curfew.

Mrs. Duffy was one of a kind.  She could scare the pants off of you. She could also be very nice, but she didn't like to show that side of herself.  She always had her hair in a French roll with a gray weekly tint on it.  Fridays she look great.  By Thursday her hair was almost white because she had rubbed all the tint off.  She was a perfectionist.  We didn't have a cash register or calculator, we added all the prices in our head.  At the end of the night we counted every popcorn cup, every soda cup, and every candy box.  She would then tell us how much money should be in our cash drawer and it had better match up.  During the week between movies (because we always showed the movie twice a night) if our work was done she didn't mind if we pulled out the homework.  More than once when she saw me struggling with homework, she would ask what was the problem.  I would always tell her and she always could figure it out in about thirty seconds.  She didn't mind helping you but she liked to make you feel stupid for not getting it.  That was just her personality.  She never wanted to be your friend, she was the boss and always demanded respect.  The most fun was working with your friends and the stunts we would pull.  We had to pay for anything if we wanted it.  At our wages we couldn't really afford movie prices.  More  than once if we needed a drink, we would get a soda cup, get our drink, rinse the cup out in the drinking fountain and put it back.  If we needed a snack we would open a candy box and have a couple of pieces.  I always felt bad about that one because the prices were pretty high and you got less than you were suppose to.  Now the candy boxes are wrapped or are glued shut so I think if you buy candy now at the movies, you get all you are suppose to.  I worked with Sharon Vieth, Sandy Dickerson, Steve Arnold, Mike Weber, Mark Gerhert, Tom Fralinger, of course Carol (forgot her last name).  I sure there are a few others. 

A really fun night for us would be when the gypsy's would come to town for a funeral. They would all come in and buy popcorn and candy.  They would be all over it seemed like hundreds of them.  I worked at the Wildey until after high school.  I got a "real" job in the fall and then had to quit.  I still love all the memories.  I wanted so bad to go to the celebration this summer but I was out of town that weekend.  Let's not forget the time they made her have and "X" rated movie.  Mrs. Duffy was totally beside herself.  She was always very strict with the works and the rating on the movies. If you were not 17 you could not enter the theater at any time if the movie was rated "R." She just didn't know how she was going to handle the "X" rating with all of the young workers.  I remember working the candy counter and it was interesting at my age to see who came in to see the movie.  I don't think they ever showed another "X." it just didn't go over big in Edwardsville. 

It was a great job other than the pay for a high school kid. It seems I could go on and on. I miss seeing the ticket booth outside. It was one cozy box. No heat, no air, but I think everyone loved it for what it was. 

Paula Dutton Leone - 1973-1975