Remember Cliffside

Landmarks

The Old Romina (Continued)

Photo courtesy of Phillip White

Here is the Romina in 1937. It was a “first run” theater, always booking the latest movies. The signs hanging from the marquee are advertising “Top of the Town,” a Universal Pictures musical starring George Murphy and Doris Nolan. It was booked for Monday and Tuesday, June 14 and 15. The popcorn machine was outside the theater at the entrance. At the left of the theater entrance, with its own awning, is an establishment you may remember, Jigs' Soda Shop. In the '40s Phillip White's mother worked at Jigs'. (It later became Bo's Snack Shop.) Young Phillip would often be in the vicinity and would earn spare change by helping the projectionist carry the heavy film cans, left on the sidewalk by the early morning Trailways bus, upstairs to the projection booth. It was at the Romina that Phillip came to love westerns and the Saturday serials. Read more of his reminiscences here. As many of you know, Phillip grew up to become a school teacher, and has been principal of Cliffside School since 1969.

And here's the exterior of the building today. Over 65 years later, the old marquee is gone and cars and shoppers are far fewer in downtown Forest City. This was taken around 11:00am on a weekday.

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