He has always been interested in taking moving pictures and during World War II worked with Mr. Thomas Elliot at the Garden Theater. He received his state license and was a qualified Motion Picture Operator. He recalled that movies were at their peak at this time. Features changed three times a week and he remembered long lines of people waiting for the ticket booth to open. On Saturday nights the theater was completely sold out and the price of admission was fifty cents. Free dishes were given to all ladies attending the Monday night show and many people in town are still using these dishes. He also worked with Mr. Swade when he operated the first Drive-In Theater at Renningers in Schuylkill Haven. There were no speakers used in individual cars but speakers were placed high on poles throughout the Drive-In and car windows had to remain open to hear the sound of the movie.
Mr. Gilfert had always been a movie bug and recalled that he "wore out his first born" by taking so many pictures of him. He is also known for another hobby which is his train display at Christmas time. The garden display beneath their Christmas tree was almost as large as the room and many people from town stop in each year to see it.
He showed me some movie films that he had taken July 4, 1938 at the West End Field. A celebration was held all day by the Frackville Community Fireworks Association. A crowd of 1,000 persons watched Frackville score 38 points in the track meets and gain possession of the silver loving cup. Frackville emerged victorious with six records being broken in the seven events that were staged. Frackville scores were:
Mile, Mike Kovalchyck, 4:49.7; 880 yard run, Stan Zelesky, 2:04.5; two-mile run, Eisenhart, 10-19; Medley relay, Frackville, 4:01.
"There was no ham-stringing the athletes as they smashed record after record, to the joy of the spectators." Medals were awarded to 1, 2nd, and 3rd. place finishers in each event by Mrs. Dollie Hartman.
The afternoon was fun for the youngsters with various contests for children of all ages and a baseball game was held in the late afternoon. An amateur contest was held in the early evening conducted by the American Legion with Joe Kerlavage as master of ceremonies. Fourteen acts performed with singing, imitations, acrobatics and tap dancing. Betty Auman was considered the "Shirley Temple of Frackville" as she tapped her way at many contests. Russ Hower was a great whistler who also performed and the Singing miner from Shenandoah, outfitted in his miner's regalia sang several selections.
The fireworks display at the West End was attended by 5000 people. This association put on "one of the most elaborate displays of pyrotechnics ever staged in this vicinity. Fireworks curved skyward in graceful arches or literally split the sky asunder, with their detonating blasts." For more than two hours the huge crowds of Independence Day celebrators watched the spectacular display which was purchased from the Marasso Fireworks Company of Shenandoah. Many of these were ground fireworks which are not seen too often today.
This day is remembered as being a very hot day and the film shown by Mr. Gilfert shows men wearing their straw hats and their ladies holding umbrellas to protect them from the sun while the children enjoyed the swings and sliding boards.
The next film was the dedication of the newly constructed Frackville Memorial Park on November 23, 1944. Citizens of Frackville, West Mahanoy and Butler Townships serving with the armed forces at home or abroad were honored by an Honor Roll which was located at the entrance of the park. A street parade comprised of the American Legion, school children, Boy and Girl Scouts, bands, Fire Departments, Borough Officials and Park Association executives began at 2:30. Pvt. William Burtnick, 1st Lt. Walter Murphy, Sgt. Earl Rubright, and Sgt. Herbert Harris, gathered at the foot of the towering flag pole and raised the flag during the playing of the national anthem by the Frackville High School Band. A volley was fired by the members of the Legion Guard. The flag was a gift of LTJG. Thomas Beddow of town. Cadet Nurse Margaret Keifer read the names of those of the community who were killed in action, missing in action, and prisoners of war. At the conclusion of the reading of the names, taps were sounded in relay from three places within the park proper.
The unveiling of the Honor Roll containing the names of the 1654 service men and women was performed by Seaman 2-c Robert and Seaman 2-c William Mertz, twin sons of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Mertz.
The names were printed in black on a white board. On top of the board was a large eagle with wings outspread over an American shield. In the center of the board is another shield in which are placed the names of those killed in action and it also contains a gold star for each name. Invocation was given by Rev. C. Paul Felton, pastor of the First Methodist Church and Benediction was given by Rev. S. J. Garstka of St. Ann's Church. Atty. Roy P. Hicks acted as master of ceremonies. Beautiful baskets of flowers were placed at the base of the Honor Roll by citizens and organizations of the community.
Some of the people I recognized on the film were Joel Felsburg, Jack Snyder, Harry Swartz, Frank Deitrich, Buzz Murphy, Jimmy Amour, Alby Wizansky, Charles Everett, Mr. Bowe, John Beddow, Scotty Bradbury, Charles Miller, Mrs. Leddicoat, Jean Connelly, Mary Connelly, Mia Frew and then I saw myself marching with the Red Cross Bandage Makers of St. Ann's Church under the direction of Mrs. Mary Neds!!
The next film shown by Mr. Gilfert was the May Day Program of the West Mahanoy Township Schools. This was scheduled for May 24, but because of inclement weather was cancelled until Friday, May 26. One thousand people attended these festivities.
Miss Ruth Withers was the May Queen and the school children performed before her. The first and second grade girls performed the Dutch dance in appropriate costume and wooden shoes; third and fourth grade girls performed a patriotic drill; sixth grade boys and girls danced the Virginia Reel in colonial costume; the third and fourth grade boys performed the cane drill; the first and second grade children were the funny folks; the third grade boys and girls danced the minuet; Miss Dorothy Dower was Mother Goose with first and second grade children as the nursery rhyme children; seventh and eighth grade boys were the cowboys; the sixth grade girls performed the Russian polka; fifth and sixth grade boys were the comical coons; seventh and eighth grade. girls, performed the tambourine drill; a cornet solo by Charlie Brown entitled "Fancy Free"; fifth grade performed the Irish lilt; seventh and eighth grade boys performed the flag drill; the May Pole dance was performed by the fourth and fifth grades; and the pledge to the flag was led by the seventh and eighth grade boys. This program was arranged by the township teachers; Mary K. McCarthy, Jennie Dixon, Mary Malarkey, Anna Hanley, Anna Cox, Peg McDonald, Mary Gallagher, Mary Cavanaugh and Eleanor Sneddon.