After my car had a massive electrical failure up in the north woods, I was towed to Rhinelander and had to wait a week for parts to arrive at the dealer. Each night, I went to the State and watched the most amazing movie: Blade Runner. I was alone and scared and running out of money – but that theater and that movie kept me sane.
Before home videos, there was a new old-movie double-feature at The Varsity every two or three nights. I recall one night watching The Black Stallion, when a woman’s screams panicked the entire theater. People were checking out in the alley, the bathrooms, everywhere – but we couldn’t find her.
It turns out she was downstairs under the stage. Her long hair got caught in a huge ventilation fan, which was winding her in. Suddenly, a guy popped up from under the stage and yelled, “Someone give me a knife!” It was pandemonium, as people ran for the doors – and the rest of us waited to see if she was okay, secretly hoping to see the rest of the movie.
Favorite moments at the Redford (early 80’s) include a winter power failure (when a local transformer exploded). First, we all sat around and sang songs as one of the organists pulled out an old upright piano. After an hour or so, they realized we couldn’t finish the movie (Paint Your Wagon), so they opened the side door of the theater and drove in a Volkswagen Beetle! The driver pointed his headlights out into the auditorium so everyone could safely exit. We sang all the way home.
After my car had a massive electrical failure up in the north woods, I was towed to Rhinelander and had to wait a week for parts to arrive at the dealer. Each night, I went to the State and watched the most amazing movie: Blade Runner. I was alone and scared and running out of money – but that theater and that movie kept me sane.
Before home videos, there was a new old-movie double-feature at The Varsity every two or three nights. I recall one night watching The Black Stallion, when a woman’s screams panicked the entire theater. People were checking out in the alley, the bathrooms, everywhere – but we couldn’t find her.
It turns out she was downstairs under the stage. Her long hair got caught in a huge ventilation fan, which was winding her in. Suddenly, a guy popped up from under the stage and yelled, “Someone give me a knife!” It was pandemonium, as people ran for the doors – and the rest of us waited to see if she was okay, secretly hoping to see the rest of the movie.
Took the train down to the Howard to see the first run of Apocalypse Now! What a memorable place to see that film. (The horror…)
Only the Redford would be able to have a master organist playing along with the opening credits of Ben Hur! I can still hear the organ chimes.
Favorite moments at the Redford (early 80’s) include a winter power failure (when a local transformer exploded). First, we all sat around and sang songs as one of the organists pulled out an old upright piano. After an hour or so, they realized we couldn’t finish the movie (Paint Your Wagon), so they opened the side door of the theater and drove in a Volkswagen Beetle! The driver pointed his headlights out into the auditorium so everyone could safely exit. We sang all the way home.