Brent Avery
Supporting Actor
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2002
- Messages
- 747
Specifically - in my case - I was thinking back to the '60's to early '70's when, as a youngster I would go with my friends or family to some of the local theaters in Winnipeg. Two in particular, the Odeon and the Met were constructed in the early part of the last century and their interiors were quite grand compared to the concrete blocks of today. I know the Met had a wonderful long vertical sign with hundreds of bulbs that created a sense of movement as they went on and off. I used to love the atmosphere that was present in those old theaters with their large balconies and chandilers and people were quite well behaved overall. It really was a big event to go and watch a feature film. The Battle Of Britain ( where they had two display cases in the main lobby displaying models of various period aircraft ) 2001, The Sound Of Music, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Towering Inferno, Earthquake, The Hellfighters and That Darn Cat! are some that I remember watching. Problem is, I've forgotten so much over the years!
It's kind of sad and regrettable that so many multiplexes have taken over in most larger cities and alot of the old theaters have either been converted to other uses or demolished. Hopefully some of you are still experiencing them but things aren't what they used to be as most of us who love the older films know too well. Guess I just loved the laid back atmosphere I remember so well - it was actually relaxing!
Funny thing though that some of the best moments were either taking the bus or riding my bike to the other side of town to watch reruns of feature films - alot of John Wayne Westerns etc.- at a simple theater that charged 50 cents for three movies at the weekly Saturday Matinees. Nothing like 150+ kids having a great time on a lazy summer afternoon. You got so used to the darkened interior that when you stepped outside into the late afternoon sun - wow! Boy, what a great adventure it was - growing up sure takes some of the fun out of it. I feel sorry for kids today in that they never had the opportunity to watch a REALLY GOOD SHOW on the big screen. Well, thankfully we now have our own private Home Theaters and can joyfully anticipate the next release of a Classic film on dvd. So,if you have some stories you would like to put to words from the dim past please let us in on them. Some of you older members must have some fond memories you would like to share.
It's kind of sad and regrettable that so many multiplexes have taken over in most larger cities and alot of the old theaters have either been converted to other uses or demolished. Hopefully some of you are still experiencing them but things aren't what they used to be as most of us who love the older films know too well. Guess I just loved the laid back atmosphere I remember so well - it was actually relaxing!
Funny thing though that some of the best moments were either taking the bus or riding my bike to the other side of town to watch reruns of feature films - alot of John Wayne Westerns etc.- at a simple theater that charged 50 cents for three movies at the weekly Saturday Matinees. Nothing like 150+ kids having a great time on a lazy summer afternoon. You got so used to the darkened interior that when you stepped outside into the late afternoon sun - wow! Boy, what a great adventure it was - growing up sure takes some of the fun out of it. I feel sorry for kids today in that they never had the opportunity to watch a REALLY GOOD SHOW on the big screen. Well, thankfully we now have our own private Home Theaters and can joyfully anticipate the next release of a Classic film on dvd. So,if you have some stories you would like to put to words from the dim past please let us in on them. Some of you older members must have some fond memories you would like to share.