1961 New York, New York
Name of interviewee: Harry Vee
Born in 1954
New York, NY
Interviewed on January 30, 2024
By Caitlin Brown
What is the first movie you remember seeing?
Ah, the first movie… that would be West Side Story. I remember it vividly, like it was just yesterday. The excitement in the air, the anticipation buzzing through the crowd… it was something else.
What town and year was this?
Lower East Side, 1961.
How old were you at the time?
I was about 7 years old. And I always had such interest in movies, even at that age. Everyone would talk about it in school, and I remember begging my parents to take me to the movies every chance I got.
What do you remember about the movie?
Oh, where do I even begin? The concessions were top-notch, that’s for sure. But as for the movie itself, it was like nothing I’d ever seen before. The music, the dancing, it was all so vibrant. And the story… it just hit close to home. Where I grew up in the Lower East Side, street fights were a common sight. So, West Side Story struck a chord. It wasn’t just entertainment, it was a reflection of our reality. So I remember being so engaged even though I was so young.
What did you think of the characters, actors, and story?
Even though I was only 7, I think I was able to pay good attention to the actors or the storyline. Looking back, I can see why it resonated with so many of us from the Lower East Side. The characters felt real, you know? Like people you might bump into on the street. And the actors… well, they brought those characters to life in a way that still sticks with me to this day. And the music and dancing was on another level. I remember being blown away by that.
Do you remember how much a ticket cost?
We weren’t too rich so everything seemed expensive to us back then, but I think it was around $1.75. Of course, that was a lot of money for us back then. But hey, it was worth every penny and it was a treat.
Who was with you?
It was me, Nancy, who was babysitting me, and Pauline her younger sister. We were quite the trio. We were all neighbors and me and Pauline were in the same class together at school. We felt like the coolest kids the next day in school after seeing West Side Story because it was such a privilege for us to go to the theater.
How did you get to the theater?
Oh, it was just a short walk down the block. The theater was practically in our backyard. We were lucky that in Manhattan, there were movie theaters everywhere. I don’t think that’s the case today, though.
What was the theater like?
It wasn’t anything fancy, just your typical neighborhood theater. But on that day, it was packed to the brim with folks wanting to see West Side Story. I remember thinking to myself, “Why are there so many people here?” But once the movie started, it all made sense.
How was the movie advertised?
Mostly through newspapers. And often there would be big billboards outside movie theaters. I wasn’t much of a reader back then, because I was only 7. But I remember people talking about it in school and it was hard to escape the hype. It’s nothing like today though, with ads on TV and big movie premiers that are broadcasted everywhere.
What made want you go see your first movie?
Well, the girl who was babysitting me at the time really wanted to see it, and I’ve been nagging my parents for a while on how I wanted to go see the movie. Plus, West Side Story had just hit the screens, and everyone her age was talking about it. It was the talk of the town.
Back then, were movies a special treat to go see? Did people dress more formally than they do today?
Oh, absolutely. Back in those days, we only had basic black and white TV, so going to the movies was a big deal. You have to understand, there was no cable, no streaming services. If you wanted entertainment, you had two options: the radio or the movies. And let me tell you, the movies were something special. The colors, the excitement, it was like stepping into another world. And the attire you wore to the movies depended on what theater you were going to. In the Lower East Side, some folks dressed up a bit, but it wasn’t as formal as Broadway, that’s for sure. Most people just wore their everyday clothes, nothing too fancy. But hey, it was all part of the experience.
Was there a concession? Did you have a favorite candy?
Oh, every theater had a concession stand. And let me tell you, it was a kid’s paradise. Popcorn, soda, candy. But my go-to snack was M&Ms, and those were candies I wasn’t allowed to have at home so it felt like a special treat for me.
Do you remember the name of the theater? Were there ushers?
Can’t quite recall the name, but it was on Grand St. And yes, there were ushers in those days, decked out in their red uniforms. They kept things running smoothly, like the unsung heroes of the theater. Always there to lend a hand. They were like the guardians of our moviegoing experience. I think it was a more luxurious position back then compared to today.
After seeing this movie, did you want to go back?
Oh, absolutely. Going to the movies was always a treat. In Manhattan, Radio City Music Hall started showing movies too, so I wanted to go there after seeing West Side Story. I think if I didn’t have such a good experience that first time, I wouldn’t have been as eager to return to the theaters again. But because I could relate to the movie so well, and the fact that it took place in Manhattan, it was really special for me.
Notes:
This is my uncle that I interviewed.