Today we drove 35 miles south to see a movie in the fabulously restored Stanford Theatre. Built in the 1920's and opened to the public on June 9, 1925, the Stanford Theatre currently shows classic Hollywood films from 1920 through 1965. The theatre was purchased and restored in 1987 by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and is operated by the non-profit Stanford Theatre Foundation.
Along with being a beautiful example of neo-classical Greek/Assyrian architecture, the theatre features original posters, lobby cards and other ephemera from Hollywood's golden age on display. Going to see a movie here is like taking a step back in time. Even the popcorn had real butter.
I love watching movies and having the ability to watch movies on home video has made them accessible to larger and larger audiences, but I will continue to celebrate the act of going to see a film in a movie theatre. Seeing movies the way they are meant to be seen. On a large screen, in a dark theatre, filled with strangers, all sharing the same experience. Seeing a classic film with an audience is great because everyone there is a film buffs of some kind. They came their on purpose. They fans and they are there to enjoy a classic Hollywood moment. Recently when we went to see Singin' In the Rain at the Castro Theatre the audience actually clapped after the musical numbers as if it was a live show.
Every single large city should have a classic revival house and people should make an effort support the theatres and give themselves a treat by seeing a favorite movie, bigger than life, up there on the silver screen.
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