Videos

Wildey Theatre

Living History Project








	©2005-2017 Wildey Theatre


	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




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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.


	Restoration of the Wildey Theatre


		In 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.

	*Great Day St. Louis Video Link*




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	Edwardsville Alderman Enjoys Reliving Wildey Times




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	On February 4, 2008, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch published an article entitled, "Edwardsville Alderman Enjoys Reliving Wildey Times." In this video, by Elie Gardner, Rich Walker gives a tour and brief history of what he calls the "shining star" of Edwardsville.

John Auble Presents a Wildey Theatre Update

January 11, 2007 Broadcast


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	On January 11th, 2007, John Auble from Fox 2 News broadcasted an update on the Wildey Theatre. Included in the broadcast was an interview with Joan Evers, daughter of Ed Foehrkalb (former Wildey Theatre projectionist for over 40 years).


	Marquee Lights Lit for the First Time in Twenty Years!


	On March 29, 2005, a special lighting ceremony was held to light up the Wildey Theatre's newly restored marquee. Three separate switches were flipped representing the past, present and the future of the Wildey. Joan Evers flipped the first switch, Marvin "Preach" Webb flipped the second switch, and a group of children from the community flipped the third switch.

Marquee Lighting Ceremony


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	Closing Night Television Broadcast


	On March 8, 1984, Kathy Leonard for Channel 5 Night Beat announced the closing of the Wildey Theatre in a taped news broadcast. Here are some excerpts from that broadcast on closing night.

1984 Theatre Closing


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	Kathy Leonard's introduction of the Wildey Theatre. More than 400 people were in attendance on closing night to see a showing of the Wildey's final movie The Big Chill.

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.

Ed Foehrkalb


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1984 Marquee Lights


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	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.