Just saw It's A Wonderful Life On The Big Screen

[Universal Steve]

Just came back from seeing It's A Wonderful Life  in Portland at the State theatre. While I was waiting for the movie to start I was looking around. The theatre is old and run down. They have some concerts there and movies . Some of the arctitecture was quite impressive. When they added the lighting for the concerts it covered some of the marvelous wooden framing across the top of the stage. A shame. It was very detailed with a large crest in the middle. What used to be box seats were boarded up with a painting but the railings were there. I sat in the balcony. It was great to see a classic on the big screen just like it originally was. The crowd even clapped when it ended. I can only hope they might start showing some classic Universal monster movies. It was a good time and I actually felt for awhile I was back in time. Wish I could have got some pictures but they did not allow any cameras or video. I did find this one picture that shows the theatre after the restorations but it is sadly still run down.

[Count_Zirock]

Sounds like a great night, Steve. When I lived in NJ, the Loew's Theatre in Jersey City was restored and does all sorts of cool programming. A friend sent me an email saying this summer they showed 1966's "Batman" movie (he didn't go, it conflicted with his work schedule). Where I live in NC now, they just turned the last remaining bijou-style theater in the downtown area into--a steakhouse.

[Pauspy]

Restored theaters are great. we are lucky to have three surviving vaudeville houses/ movie theaters in town, though it's always a struggle finding the funding to keep them running. Nothing matches the look and feel of an old theater! Seeing a movie classic in one must have been fantastic!