The Dream Theatre

[jamesq]

One of my "lottery fantasies" is to own a theatre.

It would be a big damn art deco tribute to Hollywood's golden age. When theaters were shrines/palaces. I'd modernize things though. Stadium seating, counters in front of the seats for putting your food down on. Box seats for people who want to sit away from the hoi polloi.

The lobby would have a single counter for serving food, rather then one for the Yugen Fruz, one for the Burger King, etc. The food would consist of typical theater fair, and other, more upscale things. A menu like Wild Wood's pub would be ideal.

The ushers would be empowered to kick your sorry ass out if you:

1) won't control your child
2) talk on a cell phone
3) are generally an asshat.

Matinees would be open to all ages. Moms with infants would be able to see a movie, but would have to take a (sound proofed) box seat. Evening shows would allow alcohol, but there'd be no children under 12 permitted.

No ads before the picture (previews are part of the movie experience though, so they'd stay).

There would be an eclectic blend of shows - art films, foreign films, documentaries, classics from the golden age and big budget hollywood epics would all be represented.

This place seems close, but I'd want to actually see it before saying it's a perfect match to my vision.

Comments

[bungle-lord.livejournal.com]

Don't forget that in the old days they had short features before the main feature. That is where the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies first started. I am thinking that we can skip the newsreels, though.

[petranef.livejournal.com]

I agree with all except for one thing. My theatre would have only one seat.

Other people make too much noise, especially when they are eating!

[jamesq]

That's what the box seats are for!

[jamesq]

Have newsreels from 75 years previous. Or have film students invent their own!

[petranef.livejournal.com]

I guess I am just a bourgeoisie at heart. :)

[ersatz-marduk.livejournal.com]

Or Howard Hughes. ;)

[petranef.livejournal.com]

Yeah! Except for, you know, that germ thing. Or being rich. ;)

Plasmas

[nosarious.livejournal.com]

To have the boxes like the old ones, include a plasma screen TV playing the movie in sync, so you can still have the sweet spot. (most boxes are along the sides)

I had a whole entry devoted to checking out the Palace nightclub during the afternoon sometime just to see what an old style theatre was like, but the internet ate it (The Palace is the closest thing I can think of in Calgary)

[thebrucie.livejournal.com]

Ushers? What are those?