During a recent visit to the SLO area, 3 generations of my family enjoyed “The Simpsons” movie at a Wednesday matinee. It was a delightful experience. The ambience, interior design, projection, sound, and seat comfort were of a high quality rarely found in these days of chopped-up multiplexes. I almost felt transported back to the ‘50s. The Fremont is an example of how to keep intact a large movie house. Long may it last.
The moviegoing experience at the Rialto has progressively worsened over the years. Aside from the peeling paint, the seats are decrepit and the sound system woefully inadequate. I resolved not to return after a visit about a year ago. The only way to win back patrons is to significantly refurbish the place. … For a model of a well-managed, large older movie house, consider The Fremont in San Luis Obispo. 3 generations of my family enjoyed “The Simpsons” movie there last month. I haven’t been so delighted since I was a kid in the ‘50s.
My first date was at The Palms in the late ‘50s. I was in 8th grade, she was in 7th. The Saturday matinee was “St. Francis of Assisi,” shown 2nd or 3rd run. We sat in the back. I had my arm around her throughout the film; when St. Francis experienced the stigmata, my date cringed closer to me and then I kissed her. Years later, I took my high school sweetheart to The Palms, and even though she laughed at the comedy we saw, she told me never to take her to The Palms again. Snooty young lady that she was, she only liked the 1st-run houses in Westwood & Hollywood. We broke up soon after. In the early '70s my wife & I saw The Godfather at The Palms. The place was packed; we enjoyed it. … The Palms had a strong community feel to it. The owners were convivial gentlemen who greeted the patrons coming and going; they innovated recorded phone messaging. It’s a shame to lose that in this age of home video.
During a recent visit to the SLO area, 3 generations of my family enjoyed “The Simpsons” movie at a Wednesday matinee. It was a delightful experience. The ambience, interior design, projection, sound, and seat comfort were of a high quality rarely found in these days of chopped-up multiplexes. I almost felt transported back to the ‘50s. The Fremont is an example of how to keep intact a large movie house. Long may it last.
The moviegoing experience at the Rialto has progressively worsened over the years. Aside from the peeling paint, the seats are decrepit and the sound system woefully inadequate. I resolved not to return after a visit about a year ago. The only way to win back patrons is to significantly refurbish the place. … For a model of a well-managed, large older movie house, consider The Fremont in San Luis Obispo. 3 generations of my family enjoyed “The Simpsons” movie there last month. I haven’t been so delighted since I was a kid in the ‘50s.
My first date was at The Palms in the late ‘50s. I was in 8th grade, she was in 7th. The Saturday matinee was “St. Francis of Assisi,” shown 2nd or 3rd run. We sat in the back. I had my arm around her throughout the film; when St. Francis experienced the stigmata, my date cringed closer to me and then I kissed her. Years later, I took my high school sweetheart to The Palms, and even though she laughed at the comedy we saw, she told me never to take her to The Palms again. Snooty young lady that she was, she only liked the 1st-run houses in Westwood & Hollywood. We broke up soon after. In the early '70s my wife & I saw The Godfather at The Palms. The place was packed; we enjoyed it. … The Palms had a strong community feel to it. The owners were convivial gentlemen who greeted the patrons coming and going; they innovated recorded phone messaging. It’s a shame to lose that in this age of home video.