Film critic Barry Paris

Reading comments re: Rotten Tomatoes/MetaCritic . . . got me to thinking about the first (& only, AFAIK) film critic I ever took a ticket from, Barry Paris. I see Mr. Paris has no recollection of me, as his about page never mentions he was the film critic for The Wichita Eagle

Paris was editor-publisher of the Prairie Journal of Wichita, Kansas (1972-1974); feature editor of The Miami Herald (1979-1980); and critic/reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from 1978 to the present. Since 1981, his film, music and arts commentaries have been aired on classical radio station WQED-FM.

About Barry Paris

I believe I was tipped off to Mr. Paris being a film critic in 1969, at The Miller Theatre (isn't that a little high for you Mensa joke in the remembrance video of his wife, would have applied to me. I was the lucky doorman/usher who drew the short straw to change the light bulbs in the chandelier of the 3-story lobby. A tall wooden A-frame ladder set up by the union stage hand, with a straight section of over 1 story and a suction cup on a long pole). Russ E., asst. mgr., would have come back from the ticket box to clue me in, before I took Paris' ticket. I would like to think the movie was Midnight Cowboy, but we also showed The Love Bug that summer (yes, I drove the Love Bug ).

In this video, Paris mentions the assortment of people who were welcome in their home. I would have never thought of Barry Paris marrying a woman; but then I was from unawaresville. Paris dressed flamboyantly, and had wild, curly hair. He was always dressed to the nines, a flowing cape comes to mind. He often was escorted by a couple of women; their presentation was more glamorous than the usual theater-goer (this was still the era of sport coat & tie/dress & shoes. This attire would soon change drastically, in time for Woodstock at the Boulevard Theater, 1970. I believe the last theater where I would've taken Paris' ticket was The Mall Cinema, 1971.

I read that Paris watched his wife, Myrna, an opera singer, perform in several Wichita State University musicals. That she was born Myrna Fletcher, in Wichita, KS.

I do not recall reading any of Barry Paris' reviews; although I'm sure I did, as I was a voracious reader of The Wichita Eagle. I know that the mgmt & staff of any theater he showed up to were alerted to his presence; and to be gracious hosts.

to be gracious hosts. Think about that. Is that the sort of movie-going experience you're having at the movies these days? As doorman at The Miller, 2,000 seats, no entrance before showtime (long lines for every weekend night showing); I greeted every patron with different variations of welcome, enjoy the show. Sure, I repeated those greetings, but never within earshot of the previous recipients.

Perhaps you have an idea as to why I/we don't go to the movies very often. Now, IF you'd issue me a very bright flashlight, I might suggest some patrons put away their smart phones, remain silent, scoot over to open a pair of seats, or follow me to the exit.

Enjoy the show! Joe B.