by canofhumdingers » Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:03 pm
So I recently moved from Saint Paul, MN 1200 miles south to the Houston, TX area for a new job. One of the things I was most sad to leave behind was the unbelievably amazing Heights Theatre. It's a single screen movie house from 1926 that had been restored to its past glory with awesome architecture, wonderful chandeliers, and even a Wurlitzer organ that was played before many shows. And the best thing about it was the owners were huge classic movie fans who book & show an astounding number of classic films. And they pride themselves on almost EVERY classic film being a 35mm print! So as a growing film nut it was with great pain that I left such an institution behind.
But I've at least been able to take solace in the fact that there is a chain here in Texas called the Alamo Drafthouse. They show a lot of old movies including a lot of fun 70's & 80's movies. Sadly the nearest one to me has gone all digital with only one 35mm projector left for occasional special cases. I personally still enjoy seeing things like gateweave and scratched increase near the reel changes. I don't want it to be excessive, but a little bit makes the film feel alive with a warmth that digital just can't reproduce.
Anyway, all that being said, I went to my first show there recently. It was a digital presentation of Errol Flynn's The Adventures of Robin Hood and it was FREE ADMISSION! While personally would've preferred actual film, it was a very nice digital presentation that really did look great. And seeing Errol Flynn swashbuckle on the big screen was just fantastic.
I'm even more excited for what's up next weekend... A double feature showcasing a 35mm print (yay!) of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & its sequel Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze including all you can eat peperoni pizza!
Sadly the Alamo Theater is no Heights when it comes to architecture, but at least they show good stuff. They also do "Quote-alongs" with movies like The Princess Bride and Office Space and sing alongs with popular musicals. They're even showing Battle Royale in march...