 | Faye Graves, a native Wichitan, attended school at Friends and Wichita State, concluding at Midwestern Theological Seminary. He has been active in media for many years with Channel 12, KIRL, KFDI, KOOO AM & FM (Omaha), KFRM & KICT 95, as an owner, manager, producer, director and announcer. He has served as President of the Haysville Board of Education. He has also served on several national boards of the Southern Baptist Convention. Faye currently serves as Executive Pastor and Director of Administration and Education at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 S. Topeka, Wichita. You may contact Faye by e-mail fmgraves@amenibc.org, or by phone at (316) 262-1452. |
Nostalgia
2008-02-01 09:49:00
Remember...
Question: We love your column. Tell us what you remember about Februarys in Wichita?
Answer: As a child, all I can remember is playing in the snow. As I got older, I remember the movies, plays and concerts. Of course those thoughts cause me to think about the grand old theatres of the 40’s. This of course was before television came to our town. They used to say, “Movies…the only show in town.” That of course wasn’t totally correct because many of the great country stars, pop stars and plays were also playing in town, along with a myriad of other attractions.
But I remember the theatres that entertained Wichitans by the thousands, every day. Downtown…in the heart of the city…two of the great ones…the Miller and the Orpheum…both Queens of the big film era, were located a block apart on 100 and 200 North Broadway. I actually had the privilege of taking tickets at the Orpheum (which of course is still there). When I achieved the ability to tear a ticket with one hand and give the customer back the stub…. I knew I was a professional. Another of my major assignments was to deliver a big tub of popcorn to the projectionist up in the third balcony at 8 PM sharp.
The Miller was demolished and replaced with a bank-parking garage.
Other theatres in the downtown area: the Wichita on East Douglas; across the street was the Palace; and further east was the Novelty (in the early days), later re-named the Corral. Across the street was the State. Further east was the Uptown, which is now the Crown Uptown where Ted and Karen Morris have created a wonderful dinner theatre. Then on further east the Crest. South on Topeka was the Crawford; west on William the Sandra; and across the bridge we came to west Wichita, which was home of the Civic. Way west was the Rainbow. In north Wichita you could find the Nomar, the Dunbar and the Tower. South was the Southern, the Sunset and the Planeview.
The two main chains were owned by Fox and Sullivan. When the features would change there would be a huge crowd to see the new films.
Theatres have certainly changed over the years, and more so lately. Bill Warren has and is making Wichita theatres state of the art, and among the finest and biggest in the world.
Movies have always been a tremendous form of escape, entertainment and relaxation. They were in the past and still are in 2008. Stay warm.
