I lived between this Theater and the West Texas Utilities and Played with the Johnson Brothers. I still talk with Bobby at A&M and send him email. I was at the movie when this fire in the picture broke out; It wasn't too serious and The GRAND was back in business in a few days. Lucky it wasn't now as the modern day fire departments often cause more damage than the Fire (ha-ha-??) All those messages about "the theater" would have been great on the "Message Board" at: Dock I agree Dock that all the messages on the theater would have been great on the message board. If I had not been on your contact list I would never had seen the mysterious picture of the burning building. Maybe sending another message to your contacts list asking them to post on the message board would solicit more responses and it would open up the mystery to a greater audience of McCameyites to enjoy. Michael. When I lived in McCamey the theater was across the street from the McCamey news.1940 Floyd, remember there was another movie house in McCamey. I believe it was across from the OLD post office one block north of main street. We moved there in 1944 and it was already closed then. I can't think of any other building there that had a curved roof; this one has a curved roof. rex henderson That looks like a building on fire and it does not look like what I remember of the old picture show. It faced west and it was on a corner-there was a side walk on the souith side of it. The entrance was set back in because you walked in to the ticket booth and then inside was the refreshment bar and an upstairs to the balcony. G. H. Lawless snuck his collie dog into the balcony so he could watch a movie--back before TV. Tommie Rusk has posted an article about Grand Theater on the "Message Board," and I posted a reduced version of Floyd Chambers' photo at: http://members3.boardhost.com/mccameyhs/ Dock Isn't it funny how your mind holds certain details. The building in the picture didn't look formiliar to me but I remember that tall wire fence or parts of it. My mom says it looks like the side and back of the Grand Theater. The Hayes' of the Hayes Bakery lived in a brick or rock house behind the theater eventually (maybe then) My mom and I were in the movie when the Hayes' house exploded probably in the late 40s early 50s. Mother said that when she moved to McCamey that the other picture show (maybe the Ritz) she thinks, had been in the building where the old post office and pool hall were, facing the Fisher Drug. Yes. I remember that theater well and it was called the Grand, we moved out to the farms across the Pecos river in 1948 next to Marshall Nevils- (My Dad was T.L. George) and Dad ran the Cotton Gin and Co-0P. We use to go in on Sat. and watch the three stooges and the Buck Rogers serial before the movie started. P.S. If someone wanted to really know,Tommy Lindsey would.know,as he worked there,also the same man built the 1st. Drive-in movie Mr. Spikerman was his name I think.I think Mrs.Copeland also worked there ! I can stand to be corrected on all this My dad had a warehouse next to the old theatre on the railroad tracks, across where the "new" postoffice is. The street was dirt at that time. The old movie posters were still up and the movie advertised was Bataan. You might ask Bobby Johnson about the theatre since his parents operated it. Any idea when the picture was taken? I also remember the Grand Theatre faced West and had a street on the South side. You need to email Bob Johnson and ask him all the details because his Dad was the manager or owner of it in the late 40s when I lived there. Some buddies and I pretended that I was being kidnapped at the Halloween movie one year. It was very funny to us then. Nowadays we would all probably end up in jail!!!!! Wanda Duncan Sewell ‘50 Floyd, remember there was another movie house in McCamey. I believe it was across from the OLD post office one block north of main street. We moved there in 1944 and it was already closed then. I can't think of any other building there that had a curved roof; this one has a curved roof. rex Thank you Rex. I recall the theater you mention. Yes, It was near the old
http://members3.boardhost.com/mccameyhs/
I have know idea what McCamey even look like.
It sure is good to hear all the things going on there.
Thanks Dock
Forrest Parks
Lot of memories about that place-my brother, Dwight, was a pre schooler and he was sitting near the front and I was further back. It was sad movie about some animal- I think it was dog and he died. I went to check on Dwight and tears were dripping. Also, I had some wonderful dates there.
Let me know if I am right. Yvonne Gober Cook
Sharon Reaves Willis
I was in the Grand theater when a fire started. It was in the late 40' or early 50's The film they used in those days was very flammable. We were watching a movie when the screen got very bright and we saw the film burn on the screen. The door slammed on the projection booth and the projectionist ran out. Then fire and smoke poured out of the windows in the booth. I ran towards the exit but every one else was headed out the entrance so I went with them. I ran across the street to what was then the Coats Motor Company and Fred Bronson, a family friend called the fire department. This picture is of the south side of the building. I think the Manager and his wife lived on the lower floor, just in front of the firemen. I have had nightmares about this for 50 some odd years and this picture is great. The fireman standing on the far left in the picture could be my father. He was a volunteer fireman. The Grand was back in business in a few days so the fire I was in was not the end of the Grand. Seems like there was another fire much later. Bobby McKinney Class of 58.
Gary George
Class of 1963
Jerry Rape ‘51
post office and immediately north, across the street, was a lumber yard.
This theater was named "The Ritz." I'm not sure it closed as early as
1944, because I recall going to this theater and seeing a movie that was
totally great, called "Panokio (sp)." or, was it "Over The Rainbow." I was just
a kid but I do recall the movie being in technicolor with a great story about a
wooden puppet that came to life and learned the values of living a good life.
Every time the puppet lied, his nose grew. Remember?
Most people that I have heard from agree this burning building is not The
Grand Theater; yet they have no definite idea about its final demise. Tommie Posey thinks it may have been The Bender hotel and further says "My brother-in-law Marc Moore would know."
Maybe we'll hear from Marc Moore. However, I'm pretty sure it wasn't the Bender Hotel, as it was a sound structure built of solid brick.
See you later and when are you coming over for golf? Someday we need to
put out some invites for MHS people to meet with you in Austin, or meet here
in Georgetown for golf, lunch, photo op, and yakking!
Floyd
1063
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