It only cost twenty-five cents to see two full-length movies, a cartoon, newsreel, and upcoming attractions. Saturday meant a gathering of tweens and teens at the local movie theater. It was a safe haven from adults. No one over 17 would dare enter our domain. We would line up for tickets because the show would often sell out.

The first stop was the refreshment counter to load up on pure junk food. Chips and popcorn were a dime each, and our favorite candy – called Jujubes – was only five cents. Jujubes were a very small, gummy-type candy. These little gems were perfect missiles to be thrown at the back of someone’s head.

We chose our seats carefully. It had to have a strategic location near some pretty girls. When the film was a little late starting, we whistled at the projectionist. The lights would dim, and we made even more noise. The curtain would open, and our afternoon began.

It wasn’t long before a flattened popcorn box was launched like a Frisbee. Sometimes we couldn’t hear the movie at all. It didn’t matter, we were having a party. This was a chance for someone to open the back exit door and let several kids in. they would duck down lo and crawl on the floor to a seat. The usher, dressed in a red vest and bow tie and carrying a large flashlight, would sometimes round up the perpetrators and escort them out the front door. Some of the boys and girls would walk up and down the aisle searching out that empty seat next to that dreamy someone.

Midway through the first film, it was time to launch the Jujubes. When the tiny candy hit its mark, you had to be really cool and act like it wasn’t you who had thrown it. When the movie was a teen flick with music, kids would get up and dance in the theater aisles. I once sat through “Viva Las Vegas” all day. This was an Elvis Presley movie that starred Ann Margaret. Ann was the boys’ teen heartthrob, along with Tuesday Weld and Sandra Dee.

The trouble was you had to sit through what was called a “B” movie. These films were low-budget, and many were in black and white. Horror flicks always drew the teenagers. “The Creature from the Black Lagoon” scared me. It was the first 3D movie I’d ever experienced. They are now in the process of doing a remake of this 50s classic.

“The House of Wax” was another 3D film that had the audience screaming. The wildest idea came from William Castle. The movie was called Mr. Sardonicus. When you entered the theater, you were given a glow-in-the-dark thumb. Near the end of the movie, Mr. Castle would come on screen and ask you to vote on the fate of Mr. Sardonicus. The movie-goers would actually hold these thumb cards up as if he could really count them. The ending was determined by your vote. The ending was always the same, no matter which way you held the thumb. I know, because I went several times and voted to save the poor chap. After the movie, we went for fries and shakes. If we were lucky, we walked that certain someone home.