10.05.2010

My New Favorite Theater

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Cole's dad was in town on Friday night and we took him to the historic Castro Theater, a place we'd been wanting to see a movie since we moved here!  It did not disappoint.  While waiting in front of the theater for the doors to open, we had time to admire all of the fabulous original tilework on the walls and ceiling.  Entering the theater itself (which was built in 1922) was awesome--there's an old school concession stand right as you walk in, and the auditorium is much larger than you'd expect, with decorative touches everywhere.  We were there to see my absolute favorite Hitchcock movie of all time, Rear Window, which made the experience even more perfect in my eyes. 

At this theater, instead of being forced to sit through the moronic ads that modern theaters play before the movie starts, moviegoers are treated to the musical stylings of a very talented organist.  The Wurlitzer organ rises up out of the stage in a way that was probably quite dramatic when it debuted.  The organist played some of the songs from Rear Window, which was very cool.  And then the lights dimmed, the red velvet curtains drew back, and the movie started.  No shameless promotion, no nothing.  It was lovely.

It was AWESOME to see this movie on the big screen and with a large audience.  They were showing it as part of a Grace Kelly film festival, and I wish we could have seen more.  It seems like the Castro shows a good mix of old and new films, so I plan to go back next time I need an old movie fix.

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