HISTORIC WILDEY THEATRE VIDEOS
Wildey Theatre Benefit Concert
On September 16, 2010, over 200 Edwardsville High School orchestra, choir and theatre students volunteered their talents for a benefit concert to help raise money for a new curtain for the renovated Wildey Theatre. The students played music and sang songs from movies that were shown at the Wildey during its 100-year history.
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Restoration of the Wildey Theatre
In this June 11, 2010 segment, KMOV’s “Great Day St. Louis” came to Edwardsville during the Route 66 Festival and broadcast this report on the Wildey’s renovation.
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Wildey Theatre - Hidden Treasures
On this January 9, 2009, Bank of Edwardsville Hidden Treasure segment on KMOV’s “Great Day St. Louis,” reporter Tim Tialdo interviews Rich Walker inside the Wildey Theatre.
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LIVING HISTORY PROJECT
On January 18th, 2008, John Auble from Fox 2 News interviewed Rich Walker, Edwardsville Alderman, about the Wildey Theatre “Living History Project.” Residents were encouraged to share their memories. Movie popcorn, Jujubes, malted milk balls and lemon drops were served.
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Edwardsville Retired Alderman Rich Walker is working with local historians to document the “living history” of the Wildey. They are collecting stories from people about their personal experiences at the Wildey. Please e-mail your personal story and experience about the Wildey for inclusion in the Living History Project. First date? $1 movies? Prom? Where you there when the tornado hit? Tell us your story and help keep the history of the Wildey alive for the future.
Contact Retired Alderman Rich Walker at
wildeyfriends@gmail.com
with your stories or questions about the Living History Project.
John Auble Presents a Wildey Theatre Update
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Marquee Lights Lit for the First Time in Twenty Years!
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Closing Night Television Broadcast
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Ed Foehrkalb - Wildey Projectionist for 40 Years
Ed Foehrkalb served as the Wildey’s projectionist for more than 40 years. He began working at the theater as a boy, sweeping floors and doing other odd jobs. Mr. Foehrkalb is the only person who was in the audience on opening day in 1909 and at the theatre closing 75 years later. On March 8, 1984, employees of the Wildey Theatre presented Mr. Foehrkalb with the last aluminum reel used at the theatre.
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1984 Marquee Lights
In 1937, the Wildey reopened after a major renovation. The old iron canopy was removed and was replaced with a lighted marquee with yellow, orange and red stripes. Many of the Wildey’s marquee lights were burnt out when this video was taped, but the marquee still shone bright.
