Village Theatre, 1964
This photo from the Pitzer College archives shows a group of Pitzer students lined up to see a double feature of musicals. Note the "Cooled by Refrigeration" sign. The theater, at Bonita and Harvard avenues, was popular in the 1950s and '60s is now Harvard Square Cafe and adjoining shops. Photo by Arthur Dubinsky; contributed by Stephanie Estrada.
Here's a link to the Cinema Treasures page about the Village Theatre.
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A journalist for more than two decades, David Allen has been writing a column for the Daily Bulletin since 1997 and blogging since 2007.He lives in Claremont.
E-mail David here or read columns here.
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Hi David:
Saw many a great picture at the Village in the 50's and 60's -- Rear Window, Johnny Guitar, Forbidden Planet, Dr. No, Dragnet (the movie). Great place to spend an evening.
Fred Henderson
Everett, WA
"Cooled by Refrigeration" ... I still see that on Route 66 (Foothill Blvd.) in Fontana on old motels advertising "Color TV", Wow!
[Neat. I always enjoy "Color TV" signs at motels, each letter in "Color" using a different shade. So modern! -- DA]
It was a wonderful theater; it had a balcony, which the new theaters, with stadium seating, don't have--I was so sorry, when it closed. We saw great movies there: "Sound of Music" and "Midnight Cowboy" were a couple. The place was packed for "Midnight Cowboy"--people were sitting in the aisle.
I remember seeing these at the Village Theater -- most at Saturday matinees . . . for 25 cents:
Pony Soldier (Tyrone Power)-first "date;" 4th grade
The Wild Ones (Marlon Brando)-"Hey Johnny, what are you rebelling against?" "Whadda you got?"
The Long, Long Trailer (Lucy and Desi)-2 consecutive viewings
Houdini (Tony Curtis)
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Kirk Douglas)
Gidget (Sandra Dee)
The Mouse That Roared (Peter Sellers)
I'm Alright Jack
The Running, Jumping, Standing Still Movie (Sellers again)
Take the Money and Run (Woddy Allen)- a Claremont senior behind me loudly booed the scene in which the crucified Jesus is carried through the streets and parallel parked.
[I'd forgotten that scene. Heh. That movie and "Houdini" are the only ones on your list I've seen. -- DA, shamefully]
Hey, did you ever hear the story about the time the theater owner refused to show "West Side Story" because of the movie's "anti-American" sentiment in one of the song and dance routines? (though eventually the movie was shown in the theater)? Hahahaha! "Those were the days, my friend, we thought they'd never end ... "
In Re: West Side Story, I cut out a quote from a local paper that states, "I have no respect for gangs today. They just drive by and shoot people. At least in the old days, like West Side Story, the gangs used to dance with each other first." (Robert G. Lee)