Just a couple of thoughts about the demise of the Nortown. I too was raised in the neighborhood directly across from the Nortown, (Oakley) and lived there from 1974-1991 until I moved to NYC, although my parents lived in the neighborhood until last year. I think a few of the posters here tend to look at the demise of the theatre as maybe a little bit a destruction of a bygone era, possibly their youth.
But you have to face the facts the neighborhood changed, the times changed, the medium of how we experience films have changed. Direct TV, Video, Video on-demand, etc. has effected how we watch film. The Nortown was probably losing money for the owner the last 5 or so years it was opened, even with the split in a multiplex. The demographics of the neighborhood was also changing and as neighborhood ages less people go to the movies (I think my parents last film at the Nortown was “Comes a Horseman”). The neighborhood could not simply support a facility that large. Also, you have remember when it was built there was a limited amount of avenues to spend your free time, (what is Television?) and about 80% of the population would go to the movies.
With that said it is a real shame that year after year, one by one these great structures are being demo’d to make room for more cookie cutting condos. But before I go here are my favorite memories of the Nortown.
Midnight Movies â€" I don’t remember how many times I saw “A Song Remains the Same”.
Star Wars opens in the spring 1977, for any pre-teen a high water mark growing up. However, by late summer, I was praying that they would change the Movie!!!, remember only one screen.
“The Greek Tycoon” not much of a film but I saw my first movie Boobie!
Seeing Blazing Saddles with Jonathan Blintstein, didn’t “get” half the jokes but that campfire scene, whoa!
Finally, remembering all the times and faces of my friends who went to Stone and St. Henry’s, Mather and Senn, etc.
Batwoman, what is your Brother’s Name? if you would like you can respond to my email address to remain private, I think I might have an idea.
Class of 79 and 83 respectively
Just a couple of thoughts about the demise of the Nortown. I too was raised in the neighborhood directly across from the Nortown, (Oakley) and lived there from 1974-1991 until I moved to NYC, although my parents lived in the neighborhood until last year. I think a few of the posters here tend to look at the demise of the theatre as maybe a little bit a destruction of a bygone era, possibly their youth.
But you have to face the facts the neighborhood changed, the times changed, the medium of how we experience films have changed. Direct TV, Video, Video on-demand, etc. has effected how we watch film. The Nortown was probably losing money for the owner the last 5 or so years it was opened, even with the split in a multiplex. The demographics of the neighborhood was also changing and as neighborhood ages less people go to the movies (I think my parents last film at the Nortown was “Comes a Horseman”). The neighborhood could not simply support a facility that large. Also, you have remember when it was built there was a limited amount of avenues to spend your free time, (what is Television?) and about 80% of the population would go to the movies.
With that said it is a real shame that year after year, one by one these great structures are being demo’d to make room for more cookie cutting condos. But before I go here are my favorite memories of the Nortown.
Midnight Movies â€" I don’t remember how many times I saw “A Song Remains the Same”.
Star Wars opens in the spring 1977, for any pre-teen a high water mark growing up. However, by late summer, I was praying that they would change the Movie!!!, remember only one screen.
“The Greek Tycoon” not much of a film but I saw my first movie Boobie!
Seeing Blazing Saddles with Jonathan Blintstein, didn’t “get” half the jokes but that campfire scene, whoa!
Finally, remembering all the times and faces of my friends who went to Stone and St. Henry’s, Mather and Senn, etc.