Before the multiplex took over the world there was an abundance of picture halls. Most of these cinemas were what were called flea pits. It didn’t matter that they were called flea pits, they were still filled to capacity. Affordable and with a wide variety of fare on offer, the films did a roaring trade with the populace. These were the days of the ice-cream lady with her tray of ice-cold goodies. The usher with a torch. The likeable greeter at the foyer. (Walmart retired greeters from their stores recently, a business update you might have missed) Cinemas employed a vast variety of people- from cleaners to admin staff.
My mother told me recently that my uncle James worked as a projectionist in one of the picture halls. And then she told me of the time uncle James turned up for work, let’s just say, worse for wear. James put the reels on wrong and the film played upside down. The audience were vocal in their consternation. James retrieved the situation and got things back to normal. He didn’t get fired. He continued working for a good few more years.
Boadicea's Chariot 