Comments on: Does A Theater Closing Alone In Downtown Make Any Sound?

By: Cornelius Birdsong

Cornelius Birdsong — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 06:27:48 +0000

Pity. I really liked this theater a lot. In the grand tradition of unheimlich and empty downtown public spaces (the Westin, anybody?), it was wierd and dark and often empty and below ground.
What I’m really curious about is what will happen to this space now. Will it lie fallow, its darkened theaters cavernous and full of bats? Will it become the most depressing retail mall ever? Or will it simply be filled with cement, like some bizarre Rachael Whiteread piece?

By: WALT!

WALT! — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:51:09 +0000

What about the dank Moe? The dank?
Considering the 80′s are so hip nowadays, this theater should be ultra-trendy. A perfect relic from that era when the multi-plex was born.

Sadly, this summer was only time I ever went there. (To see 500 Days. It felt like watching the film while in the film with downtown being a supporting character.) My wife and I metroed down there, went bar hopping to Coles, 107, The Redwood… And WALKED to the theater and the took the 81 Bus back to Highland Park. A perfect date night. Sad to
hear Its closing after such a great time.

By: Will Campbell

Will Campbell — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:32:38 +0000

Michael, to each his own, but the opening of Spiderman? As in 2002? I’m pretty sure most of downtown in that prehistoric year was dirtier, smellier and less padded.

Certainly your reasons for boycotting Laemmle’s are valid. But I think it’s too easy to accept its demise because of that. If Laemmle wanted they could’ve invested in cleaning the place up and keeping their name downtown. But they didn’t.

And for what it’s worth, I can attest to my visits being urine odor-free, the floor clean enough, and the seats… well, there were usually enough empty ones that if you landed in one that was uncomfortable or had a broken cup holder, you could switch until you found a satisfactory place to settle in.

By: fino35

fino35 — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:26:31 +0000

I totally forgot that place! Found it by accident one day and enjoyed my experience there. I’ve been meaning to go back, guess I don’t have much time.

By: bromike666

bromike666 — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:25:37 +0000

Sorry Will, I’m not with you on this one.

Our last visit was the opening of Spiderman. The lack of padding on the seats, the dirty floor and the smell of urine finally took their toll and we decided to never go back.

Sometimes you gotta just put the beast out of it’s misery.

By: Roberta

Roberta — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:05:55 +0000

I have only been there twice since it’s a drive for me, but did enjoy that it was cheap and low key. Yes it does seem people there have “good movie theater etiquette.” I may try to catch a movie before the theater closes down.