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My local one - it was a bit of a fleapit when I was a kid but it is now community run and is looking very spiffy - there's even talk of getting the wurlitzer back up and running. As it's all volunteer run, not-for-profit they make it available for community groups or special events (screenings of small films with a local connection, dementia and autism friendly screenings, radio shows, etc)
This sounds like an amazing theater. I would love to have something like this.
Here it is - they've restored a lot of the 1930s-era features with modern lighting and LED signs:
That is so beautiful, even better than I pictured, and really nice to know it's community run instead of some large corporation
This is what it was like when I went as a kid - itchy seats and sticky carpet (good times though):
Now that awning is replaced by a sweeping chrome, LED one and everything has been repainted and reupholstered with fancy new lighting inside and out that compliment the 1930s decor.
It's amazing what you can do with everyone giving their time for free running the place and fundraising. It also keeps the ticket prices down, which is often the only way a family can see films, especially if they can't drive. You also don't resent buying snacks from the as the money all gets ploughed back in, not syphoned off my a corporate overlord.
Yay! Mutual aid! It's such a beautiful thing. I love community projects like this.
Looking at that first picture, there was a very similar theater in the town where I grew up. It was just as ratty as you described, but I too have really good memories of going there with my friends. Unfortunately in my case, they tore it down, which always seemed like a shame. It was obviously glorious at one time, but in dire disrepair.
Unfortunately in my case, they tore it down, which always seemed like a shame. It was obviously glorious at one time, but in dire disrepair.
Ours was rundown but, relatively, watertight. It needed a lot spending on it but it's worth it as you just couldn't build something like that right in the middle of a town these days.
Driving around my state (South Dakota), I still see some of these old theaters open in tiny towns, and it always amazes me they're still in operation. Most of them look like they're of questionably structural integrity.