Midnight movie is no more
The problem the Byrd is experiencing is a matter of patronage, said Tony Pelling, president of the Byrd Theatre Foundation. Patrons who once came to the features are no longer present. Those former patrons have either left town or lost interest in the midnight movie, he said.
“Our patronage kept us going. Without the patronage, we can’t keep showing the Saturday-night feature,” Pelling said.
The article says the Midnight Movie has been going on for five years, but I definitely remember going to them in high school (which was more than five years ago for sure). Here is why I stopped going to the Midnight Movie:
- I am old, and if I’m up past midnight I better be drinking some beers
- The people who come to the Midnight Movie are/were annoying. I loved the atmosphere of people saying the lines along with the movie! But listen, people two things: don’t just have a coversation during the movie. Rude! Also, GET THE LINES RIGHT. Don’t yell out “I’M A PEOPLE PERSON!” when the line is clearly “I HAVE PEOPLE SKILLS.” That is just embarrassing for you.
Anyway, the Midnight Movie is something that could be, in my opinion, successful if properly marketed/done.
Sad, although I have to admit I probably haven’t been in 3-4 years, I used to go almost weekly in high school.
I hope the Byrd will have an occasional silent film like Nosferatu or The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and have it scored by a live band like they did a few times back then. That’s what started it all, and thats what they need to go back to.
I’d also like to see more obscure midnight movies al a grindhouse, although I guess that wouldn’t get an audience either.
I never really understood the whole drinks without lids theory. Or maybe thats changed – it has been a few years. How about that web site??
Not sure I get the patronage thing. At $5 a head, they packed the house. How is that not a money maker for the theatre?
They must not be packing the house anymore, I guess.
sniff…where else could one go to see Brazil on the big screen?
Hahah probably no where. I don’t even know if you can see it on the small screen anymore. Terry Giliam!
I have a fond memory of sitting in the balcony watching The Princess Bride, with everyone shouting out every single line and sneaking in beer, and I was thinking “This must have been what going to the movies as a kid in the 50s was like, only substitute beer with Coca-Colas and The Princess Bride with Tarzan or something.”
But you’re right, that was like 7 years ago at least.
You know, I’m ashamed to say it, but I have never been to a Matinee at the Byrd. I have never seen Bob and the Mighty Wurlitzer. But I did go to midnight movies religiously. I just recently left Richmond for the Military, but every time I came home on leave I went to the midnight movie, and with two weeks left til I get home again, it’s a shame to hear this news.