Carol Burnett, the beloved actress and comedian, reflects fondly on her early days working as an usherette at a Warner Brothers theatre, a job she undertook at just 18 while studying at UCLA. Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE, Burnett shared her journey from theatre worker to television legend, illustrating how this initial experience in the film industry was both formative and unforgettable.
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During a summer hiatus while attending university, Burnett took a position at the movie theatre located on Hollywood Boulevard, a short stroll from her childhood home. “I was an usherette… at the Warner Brothers theatre on Hollywood and Wilcox,” she reminisced, explaining how the proximity to her roots made the role particularly special.
The theatre provided Burnett with a unique insight into the moviegoing culture of that era. While witnessing audiences immerse themselves in cinematic experiences, she was particularly captivated by films screened during her shifts, such as Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller, *Strangers on a Train*. It was here that she first recognised the depth of her passion for film, drawing inspiration from Hitchcock’s storytelling techniques and Robert Walker’s compelling performance.
However, working in the theatre also exposed her to the chaotic nature of continuous screenings, where patrons would often enter midway through a film. Burnett described the bizarre scenario: “People would come in, buy a ticket and come in in the middle of a movie… it was insane! It never made any sense.” This experience would set the stage for an encounter that ultimately changed her fate in the theatre.
One particular evening remains etched in her memory, as a couple attempted to be seated during the final moments of *Strangers on a Train*. Burnett, refusing to let them miss the film’s narrative arc, urged them to reconsider their seating choice. “I said, ‘Are you crazy? Please, no!… It’ll ruin it for you if you see the ending before you see the whole beginning,’” she stated, her passion for preserving the audience experience evident even at such a young age.
However, her determined advocacy for cinema integrity led to a confrontation with management that would unexpectedly culminate in her dismissal. “The manager came up… and [the woman] said, ‘She won’t let us sit down,’” Burnett recalled. The manager’s reaction was swift and severe: “He drew his index finger across his neck… ripped off my epaulets and fired me on the spot.”
Despite the abrupt end to her time at the theatre, Burnett now finds humour in the situation, particularly after her illustrious career culminated in a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1975. “The lovely ending to this story is that years later… it’s right in front of that theatre,” she noted, reflecting on how life has a way of coming full circle.
As fate would have it, Burnett’s connection to the theatre did not end with her dismissal. Following an earthquake that damaged the building, her husband, Brian Miller, seized the opportunity to salvage a piece of history. “He said, ‘What are you going to do with some of these doors and stuff?’” she recalled. The couple now possesses the very door from the aisle where she was dismissed, a tangible reminder of her early days in the film industry.
Looking ahead, Burnett is set to participate in the TCM Classic Film Festival, running from April 30 to May 3, where she plans to introduce *Strangers on a Train*. In her signature style, she intends to share the backstory of her brush with dismissal before the film begins. “I’m going to tell this story before they show the movie, of course,” she disclosed, eager to recount her experiences to a new audience.
Though Burnett never had a chance to speak directly with Hitchcock about her incident, his awareness of the event reached her through her press agent. To commemorate their indirect connection, she proudly displays an original poster of *Strangers on a Train*, personally signed by the director himself: “To Carol – Alfred Hitchcock.” The poster features a charming cartoon sketch of Hitchcock, an endearing addition to her collection that reflects both her personal history and her admiration for the film industry.
In her reflective moments, Burnett’s story serves as a poignant reminder of how our paths can unexpectedly intertwine, leading to fulfilling career narratives and cherished memories. From usherette to television icon, her journey is a testament to the unpredictable yet rewarding nature of following one’s passion.