Above is the Omwick Theater building on Second Street SE in Valley City, as the front of the structure appeared about 10 years ago when I took these photos with a low resolution digital camera. Click on the pictures for a slightly larger image (use your browser's "back-arrow" button to return to the blog). You can still see the theatre's name engraved vertically in art-deco letters embedded in the concrete above this entrance. The bottom photo provides a closer look at the ticket booth with it's marble facade, where many of stood in line to purchase admission to our first CinemaScope feature or to see the latest Elvis movie on the Omwick's big and slightly curved screen.
Presently, the Open Door Center is located in the old Omwick building. I vividly recall the first time I asked a girl to go to the movies with me, we went to the Omwick. And, years later, after I met the young lady who would become my bride of 46 years, the Omwick was the venue for our first date. Lots of memories behind those walls. I imagine it's the same for you. Please share YOUR OMWICK MEMORIES by clicking on "comments" below. Thanks! - Larry Gauper, VH61, Blogmeister
6 comments:
I remember going to the Omwick when I was about 10 and seeeing a horror movie that so scared me I was afraid to walk home. I got up and went to the lobby and realized that it was a matinee and was broad daylight outside. It might have been the 'Creature from the Black Lagoon' in 54.
Bonnie Miller said: Bob Miller and I went to the
Omwick and I assumed he was paying and he assumed we were each going to pay. He bought his ticket and I didn't have any money. BIG
misunderstanding.
I moved to VC just before my freshman year. I remember walking into the theater and being astonished at how nice it was. The town of 400 people I moved from had no theater. I also could not believe that VC had two theaters. I think the Omwick had air conditioning so during some of the hot summer nights, we could cool off for at least a few hours by going to a movie. Of course after the movie off to the Dario or the AW. Great times.
Barb Sunde worked at the Omwick even when she was in college. She met her future husband, Dick Bernard, while working there. I also remember when an R rated show was considered when Angie Dickinson was shown in a slip. Times have changed. I remember that upstairs they had a room for people with young children to go and watch in case the children would cry.
I remember going to the Omwick on holidays (I think the parents shipped all of us kids to the afternoon movies so they could take naps). I loved the musicals that were popular during the 50's. All the pretty costumes and the dancing. Guess those would be called "chick flicks" these days.
You can see the OMWICK at the end of this movie of the 164th off to camp Claiborn, LA in 1954 on youtube and other vintage 8mm movies of Valley City.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxmGQ6x8q6I
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