The Warner, Torrington, CT
The Warner, and as the name implies, built by Warner Brothers and opened in August of 1931, ninety years ago, almost to the day. Built in the beautiful art deco style of the period it stands elegantly today as a landmark of the bygone days of yesteryear. Although I've not been inside as yet, but from the photos I've seen it still has that magnificent charm and classic style of what some of us remember what movie theaters were like from our past. Somewhat ornate and decadent, and very unlike today's utilitarian plain walls and ceilings boxes with rows of chairs that forces your gaze on thirty feet of screen.
From what little research I've done so far, the Warner has had it's share of ups and downs over the years. And only by virtue of some local concerned citizens was it saved from complete demolition, and now has been faithfully restored in all it's splendor.
Remember, 1931 was depression years, and I can only wonder how many people back then would scrape some money together, and see a show, and try to get out of the abysmal state of mind that many were in, albeit for only a few hours. And through the actors and actresses, they would live vicariously for those brief moments of maybe better times.
With musical, musical comedies, dancing, viewing good times, frivolous, happy times while in their real world, life was less than good, and nor was the prognosis for their futures. But a show for them was a step out of reality, a bit of a catharsis, if you could afford the few coins it took to experience it.
What is the future for movies and movie theaters today? The advent of television was supposed to have killed them, but it really didn't seem to. Will the fools in Hollywood who have vociferously expressed their political beliefs be the final nail, or will it be Netflix, or good old covid? I suppose only time will tell.
The Warner, Torrington, CT
The Warner, and as the name implies, built by Warner Brothers and opened in August of 1931, ninety years ago, almost to the day. Built in the beautiful art deco style of the period it stands elegantly today as a landmark of the bygone days of yesteryear. Although I've not been inside as yet, but from the photos I've seen it still has that magnificent charm and classic style of what some of us remember what movie theaters were like from our past. Somewhat ornate and decadent, and very unlike today's utilitarian plain walls and ceilings boxes with rows of chairs that forces your gaze on thirty feet of screen.
From what little research I've done so far, the Warner has had it's share of ups and downs over the years. And only by virtue of some local concerned citizens was it saved from complete demolition, and now has been faithfully restored in all it's splendor.
Remember, 1931 was depression years, and I can only wonder how many people back then would scrape some money together, and see a show, and try to get out of the abysmal state of mind that many were in, albeit for only a few hours. And through the actors and actresses, they would live vicariously for those brief moments of maybe better times.
With musical, musical comedies, dancing, viewing good times, frivolous, happy times while in their real world, life was less than good, and nor was the prognosis for their futures. But a show for them was a step out of reality, a bit of a catharsis, if you could afford the few coins it took to experience it.
What is the future for movies and movie theaters today? The advent of television was supposed to have killed them, but it really didn't seem to. Will the fools in Hollywood who have vociferously expressed their political beliefs be the final nail, or will it be Netflix, or good old covid? I suppose only time will tell.