A tale of two theaters

Our story centers around two movie houses. Both have seen their ups and downs. One is back up, and the other, alas, may be down for good.

First up, is Albany's Madison Theatre, which opened in 1929. At that time, and well into the 1980's it had one massive screen. During the six years I lived in Albany, it was my favorite spot to see a picture, because of its size. I have never been a fan of the multiplexes, and during that era (late '80's) the mall theaters were at their worst. Small screens, poor customer service and uncomfortable seats. The Madison was easily the better choice, plus you could buy candy at the nearby CVS and sneak it in.

Movies are meant to be seen as large as possible. I have fond memories of seeing bigger than life flicks such as “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” at the Madison. I own both on DVD, but every time I pop them in, even with a 42 inch screen, all I can think of is what they looked like at the Madison. Characters like Jessica Rabbit deserve to be seen to their, uhm, fullest.

Then, due to economics, the theater slowly had to make changes, none of which really made things better. The biggest change was dividing the place to make more screens. Several smaller screens may bring in more money, but it doesn't make the viewing experience better. But, if that's what it takes to keep a neighborhood movie house open, I am all for it.

Yet, despite all of that, the Madison was closed for some time. Until last Friday, that is, when it reopened to great fanfare.

It will not be what it once was, though. They will not show first-run movies. Or even second run. Actually, it's even better. Classic films will be shown on the big screen. Paul Newman flicks will highlight the first week, including “The Sting”, which is the #2 Best Movie Of All Time (well, according to me, anyways. “The Godfather” is #1, natch.)

Nice, eh? I can't wait to head over there, and pay my $5(!) to see some of these. I miss going there. I haven't seen “The Sting” on a big screen since it was released in 1973.

Now, on to movie house #2, Ballston Spa's Capitol Theatre.

I did not move to New York until 1975, so I missed out on ever experiencing what the Capitol had to offer, as it closed in 1970 (it opened in 1922.)

As many know, it was located above what is now O'Brien's Pharmacy on Front Street. The theater doors remain, and have been guarded by a locked chain forever.

Since I wasn't there, for more historical perspective on The Capitol, I turned to one of my favorites, former longtime Ballston Journal publisher CH Grose, (who, BTW, is long-since retired, and living in Iowa.)

Here's CH's narrative on The Capitol:

The theater closed, like many others, because people started staying home to watch television. They had a fixed format. Sunday and Monday showed the best movie of the week. Tuesday and Wednesday there was often a double feature showing "B" movies.

Thursday and Friday they showed the second best picture of the week. Saturdays had a double feature, one of which was a western. In between the two films was a serial movie which went on for several weeks, often a western also. As you can imagine the Saturday matinee crowd was most often made up of young men.

Just inside the doors on the right was the ticket booth, then you had a long climb up the steps to the viewing area. During the depression years they had all kinds of promotions like free dishes. It wasn't air conditioned. On hot days they opened a door that opened to a fire escape to let in some cooler air.

Oh, and one final note from CH: “The theater was certainly not handicapped accessible.”

And, this probably is one of the biggest obstacle to the Capitol being re-opened for the foreseeable future. It is not equipped to meet modern standards for such venues.

A year or so ago, an ambitious group of locals started a group called the Capitol Theatre Project. They are a non-profit, “created with the intent to renovate and reopen” the theater.

Project President & CEO Charon Hogan told me this week her group has seen what's inside. “Structurally, it's sound, and the seats are there,” she said. “However, the screen is gone.”

So, perhaps, is their dream.

Last week on their Facebook page, they posted the sad news that their goal of reestablishing the Capitol in its original location is probably not going to be achieved. The owner of the building does want it to happen, and so it won't. Not there anyways.

This is not to say people won't go to downtowns to see a movie. Much to my surprise, Schenectady's Bow Tie Movieland has proven to be a success over the past few years. And Bow Tie just recently opened up a similar shop in Saratoga Springs.

Yeah, I know, these are cities. But, village one-screen theaters can still work, too, even in this area. The venerable Scotia Cinema has been around forever, showing second run films. If you can wait a few weeks after a movie's premier, this is the place for you (with a balcony!) Think it doesn't work? Just try getting close to the place on a weekend night.

So, would a re-opened Capitol Theatre be a hit in Ballston Spa? The Capitol Theatre Project folks are not giving up. Hogan told me this week they are looking elsewhere in the village.

“I hope we can at least get it going in another nearby location,” she said. “It would be such a great thing for the community.”

'Til next time, keep on smiling.