Summer movie season is nearly upon us. My inner geek is already squealing with anticipation over what is to come in the next few months to our local cinema.
It used to be, for the big blockbuster-type movies, I would want to see them at the big chain multiplex with the biggest screen and the best sound system. But, that’s changed.
About 3 years ago my family and I moved to a rural area just outside Delaware, Ohio (about 20 minutes north of the northern edge of Columbus). Delaware is a small town, and an old town. There’s a little movie theater in town called The Strand. The Strand just celebrated it’s 95th birthday, having first opened on April 10, 1916. And, even cooler, it has been in continuous operation for those 95 years.
It has only 3 screens. A main auditorium and a smaller side theater downstairs, and a balcony theater upstairs. While the side theater screen is fairly small, the main and balcony screens are of decent size. They’ve recently upgraded their sound system, so the sound is actually pretty darn good.
But, with only 3 screens The Strand often has to juggle what they’re showing. Sometimes they won’t be able to show a film the day it opens simply because there is no screen on which to show it. That presents a challenge to them, but they handle it well.
Since moving here The Strand has become our theater of choice. There was even a time recently we were headed off to see a movie (I don’t recall which at the moment) that we didn’t think The Strand was going to be getting at all. That’s pretty much the only time we’ll go to the big multiplex. While my wife and daughter were getting ready, I was on the computer checking Facebook and just saw a post from The Strand with their schedule for the next week. They were getting the movie we were just about to go see. We changed our plans on the spot. Didn’t go to Rave and waited until the following week and caught the flick at The Strand.
So, what is it that keeps us coming back? Well, the theater itself is just cool. It’s still got that old theater vibe, and a lot of the original decor is still there. There’s still a pipe organ in the main auditorium. So, that’s cool. Delaware is a fairly small town, so there’s no fighting crowds. Also, (and this is a big plus these days) it’s considerably cheaper than Rave or AMC. Considerably. General admission is $6.00. However, Tuesday and Wednesday admission is $4.00 all day. Rave and AMC are both around $9! The Strand’s popcorn is amazing.
But, what keeps us coming back is the people. The staff at The Strand is the best. The first time we went there my wife and I caught a later show, so when we came out the place was mostly shut down. There was one employee left, and she was manning the lobby as patrons exited. Well, since my wife and I like to watch the credits to the end usually, we were the last people out. As we were leaving we were asked how we liked the movie. Well, that got us chatting and we ended up getting a little tour of the theater and some of the history. It was awesome, personal attention that you’d never get at one of the big chains. My wife and I decided then and there that The Strand was our theater. And it’s only gotten better. We usually hang around and chat for awhile after seeing a movie with whomever is working (and not too busy at the moment!)
There are plans afoot for a $5 million dollar renovation that will add more screens, a new blade marquee, a back entrance and more. I’d be concerned that the charm of this nearly century old theater would be lost, but I know the owner and board are very mindful of the theater’s history and that history will be preserved as much as possible.
My family and I will be spending a lot of time at The Strand this summer enjoying movies such as Thor, Pirates of the Caribbean, Green Lantern and Captain America…not to mention Kung Fu Panda 2 for my daughter. And we’ll be loving every second of it.
Awesome blog, Jeff. I’m jealous…it’s really cool to have something that historic still be a part of your daily life. Thanks for sharing!
I agree…the Strand is an awesome place to see any movie! Hope they don’t do too many ‘upgrades’!
Great blog, Jeff. I think it’s great that you support places like this — they are dying out all too quickly in so many other places. We have a little theater here — not nearly so historic — called the Midtown, which has carved out a niche for itself by showing indie-type stuff that doesn’t always make it to the multiplex. It’s where we saw the dubbed “Howl’s Moving Castle” and “The Queen.” Two of the Midtown’s three screens are still 16mm, if you can believe that. But it’s the closest thing I have for my kids to experience a real by-God movie theater, not a mall madhouse.
Historic movie theaters like the Strand create wonderful local color. My family is lucky enough to still have an outdoor drive-inn theater that we attend all summer.
We have one of these in the town where I grew up: East Aurora, NY. I still go there once in awhile when I’m visiting. I like the decor and atmosphere, but the lack of stadium seating is a problem, especially when somebody big/tall sits in front of you.
I live on the south end of Columbus & we have something a little similar with The Drexel, but this seems pretty interesting. May have to make a jaunt up to check it out!
Here’s their (very low-tech) website: http://thestrandtheatre.net/
Wow, that IS low tech! Thanks!
nice post. for my area has a theatre similar to the strand called the state that is soon to finaly be back in business after the owners decided to restore it to its former glory. and like the strand the owners are keeping the states history alive.
I would get the heck out of Orange County and its crowded multiplexes with $10 admissions and trade it all for a place like The Strand. Long history, small town venue, casual atmosphere, and friendly folks. That’s how cinema deserves to be experienced.
I’ve never been to an old theater such as the Strand…hmmmm
I’m lucky to live 30 minutes from the Stanford Theater in Palo Alto. Single-screen, with full balcony seating. Subsidized by David (Hewlett) Packard’s foundation, meaning a double feature is $7, popcorn and sodas are $2. Showing classic movies (pre-1964): Hitchcock, Kurosawa, Bogart, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, ’50s 3D movies, silent films with Wurlitzer organ accompaniment and more. They’re screening early Elizabeth Taylor films this month. It’s a treasure.
http://www.stanfordtheatre.com/stf/
Ah, Jason, I miss that old Stanford Theater. When I was in college it was a tradition amongst my circle of friends to go see “It’s a Wonderful Life” there each Christmas. Great place.
Of course, my all-time favorite theater is Century 22 (or whatever it’s being called now), but I hear the Century theaters may be torn down soon.
Great blog and great read. That would be really nice to have. I’ve almost abandoned going to the theater to see a movie unless it’s something I really want to see like the blockbuster comic book movies this summer and it’s all because of the atmosphere and price.
Side story….the last movie I went to see was Green Hornet. I spent the entire movie with two 12 years groping each other nearby and a family of whales that just had to squeeze in right next to us with an entire gas stations food aisle and all the noise that comes with it. Not to mention that baby that was crying at 10 o’clock show! I’m supposed to pay 20 dollars for that? I have a nice tv and a nice chair that’ll cost me 5 if I wait a few months.
Great story – I’ve been a reader of this site for a while and I was shocked to see the Strand! I live in Delaware and love the Strand – great people great atmosphere!
Nice! Small world!