1949 Derby, Connecticut
Marlene Presutto Naratil
Born in 1937
Derby, Connecticut
Interviewed on September 10, 2019
by Greg Naratil
Lucky for me, the golden age of movies included the 1930s and 40s. My parents were part of the generation that loved the Hollywood stars of that era as well as the movies in which they were featured. Because my parents were married during the Great Depression and never had much money, a night out at the local movie theater was their prime enjoyment. Back then, the price of an adult movie ticket was about $.30, so a night at the movies was relatively cheap entertainment. In addition, my parents listened to the radio religiously and had favorite programs such as The Lone Ranger, The Jack Benny Show, Fibber McGee and Molly, and, of course, the news of the world, which was often volatile at that time.
My parents welcomed me into the world in September of 1937 as the second child in a family that would eventually grow to three children. Because my parents could not afford babysitters, they would each usually go separately to the movies with a friend while the other parent stayed home. To promote movie attendance, movie theaters sponsored giveaway nights for women, offering them a piece of china or a kitchen utensil for attending. My mother was an avid collector of these gifts, so she had added incentive to go to a movie once a week.
My mother would occasionally share her love of the big screen with me by taking me to see cartoons, but my first memorable feature film was The Wizard of Oz. I think I was about 11 years old when we saw the rerelease of this musical fantasy film at the Saturday Matinee at our local movie theater in Derby, Connecticut. Since my mother did not drive, she and I took a bus to the movie theater while my dad babysat my younger sister. The movie theater was called the Commodore Hull Theater, named after a local naval hero of late 18th and early 19th centuries. Isaac Hull was born in Derby, Connecticut, and commanded several U.S. Navy warships, including the USS Constitution. He was the victor of a famous War of 1812 battle, in which he destroyed the British frigate Guerriere.
As a young child, I was awed by the massive size of the movie screen and the acoustics which accompanied the visuals. Although I was a little confused by The Wizard of Oz storyline, I quickly became enraptured by the scenery, the acting and singing, and the special effects. I was astounded when Dorothy’s world changed from sepia tones to bright colors, and I quietly longed for a pair of ruby slippers like hers. My fellow moviegoers were similarly spellbound because you could literally hear a pin drop while the movie was rolling. The story was an exciting one, especially for young viewers like me, and the characters were mostly attractive, although sometimes oddly so, and believable to a child my age. I especially sympathized with Dorothy, whose lovable dog, Toto, brought to mind my own similarly sized dog back home. Her kindness made her seem like someone I would like to have as a friend, and, as the movie progressed, I found myself cheering for her to somehow get safely back to her home in Kansas. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” sang by Judy Garland (as Dorothy), became my new favorite song.
A little bit of money went a long way at the movie theater back then. The price of a child’s ticket was only $.20, and I could purchase a candy bar, popcorn, or other treats for as little as $.10 at the theater’s concession stand. There was always a long line of children and adults at the concession stand on Saturday afternoons, but that just added to my excitement and gave me ample time to contemplate the snack choices, even though I usually opted for my standby favorite – Milk Duds. I adored the atmosphere of the theater with its plush red velvet seats, large movie screen, and ushers who not only led you to a seat, but also reprimanded viewers for disruptive behavior. I tried to sit quietly because I did not want the usher to shine his flashlight in my direction to shush me. As far as I was concerned, the usher had a very important job, and his spic and span uniform and flashlight denoted his authority.
The Commodore Hull Theater was relatively small but very well maintained and decorated. The projection booth, which seemed a bit magical to me, was located high atop the back wall, and along the left side wall was a mural depicting medieval times. This was impressive enough by my standards, but occasionally I would be really wowed when my parents would treat my siblings and me to a movie at one of the theaters in New Haven, a short trip from my home in Derby. One of my favorite places in New Haven was the Loew’s Poli Theater on Church Street, which had larger, plusher seats and fancier decorations than my local theater. Even more impressive than the elaborate murals on its walls, were the crystal chandeliers, which created an opulent atmosphere that was just right for the more modern sound system that outdid the one in Derby. After movies in New Haven, my father would treat my family to ice cream cones at Clark’s Dairy, not far from downtown. A movie followed by ice cream was the ultimate treat! These early days at the movies are some of my most cherished childhood memories.
