LOCKPORT —
In recent months, it’s often been a movie night at the Palace Theatre.
Earlier this month, “Alice in Wonderland” completed a three-weekend run at the Palace. Late last year, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” opened with a midnight showing. Within the last four months, “The Princess and the Frog,” “The Blind Side,” “Avatar,” “Sherlock Holmes,” “The Tooth Fairy” and “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” have also completed runs at the theater.
The Palace Theatre has always been a movie house. The theater’s first event upon opening in 1925 — as denoted by a plaque in the lobby — was a showing of Cecil B. DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments.”
“It started off as a movie house,” says Chris Parada, the theater’s artistic director. “In the 1920s there were three movie theaters in Lockport, including the Palace. Lucille Ball had a couple movie premieres here.”
Things are much different in the era of multiplexes, but the Palace has continued to bring movies to the city of Lockport. And lately, things have really been ramping up.
“I’ve been here seven years and we’ve never gotten a first-run movie,” Parada says. “Now we just got ‘New Moon’ and ‘Alice.’ ”
Most of the movies shown at the Palace have already been released in bigger theaters by the time they reach Lockport. But when the Palace had the opportunity to get “New Moon” and “Alice,” Parada jumped on it.
“The movie schedule is dictated by live events,” Parada says. “It’s sporadic. And we don’t get to just pick ... we have to request movies.”
It doesn’t help that with new releases, a theater must give between 70 and 90 percent of its ticket costs to studios, Parada says. It’s a challenge when all Palace movie tickets are $5.
“That’s why Regal is really in the popcorn business,” he says.
Not so at the Palace, where all concessions remain reasonably priced. But the lagging economy may have Hollywood studios looking for other options, and that means smaller theaters. Parada puts it simply: “The movie companies want money.”
Most movies have been profitable for the Palace, but barely. While the more recent films have done fairly well — “Alice” and “New Moon” drew hundreds of patrons — there are still movies that show to a nearly empty theater.
“There’s a huge misconception that the theater has a lot of money,” Parada says. “Out of everybody who says, ‘I want to support,’ and they don’t show up ...”
Parada’s getting a bit worked up, and he knows it. With a laugh, he says, “I’m not bitter.”
His frustration comes from wanting the theater to succeed. The theater used to run classic movie nights, but it came to an end because nobody showed up. A shame, Parada says, because the Palace is a great place to watch a movie.
The reasons are obvious. The tickets are cheap, as are the concessions. Find another movie theater that sells any food or drinks for $1. While the film quality is “identical to other theaters,” the movie screen is bigger. Add the enormous amount of legroom, air-conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter, and the aesthetics of watching a film in a classic theater, and a movie night at the Palace Theatre seems like a no-brainer.
The Palace will continue to book movies when the schedule permits. April is fairly booked, so movies will likely return in May, Parada says. He knows the theater will be showing “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” — the rights have been secured — but he doesn’t yet know when.
Which leads to another point — don’t be afraid to call the theater, whether it’s to make suggestions of films you want to see, or to ask what movies will be coming soon. But Parada says once you come to see a movie at the theater, you’ll be back.
“I don’t see how you can go wrong,” he says.
Lifestyle
Related Photos
-
Palace Theatre artistic director Chris Parada in the lobby of the theater with a vintage projector.
Movie magic at the Palace
- Lifestyle
-
-
Cutting the travel time
For the most part, there is a lot of planning that goes into traveling. Some like to handle the details on their own, making arrangements on the phone or using travel websites to book hotels, planes, vehicles and so on.
But lately, working with a travel agent is becoming more popular.
-
March motivation
Making the commitment to stay fit during these cold Western New York months can sometimes be easier said than done. The resolution to eat healthier, or to ditch the nicotine fades as we settle back into our evermore hectic schedules. But with spring looming just over the horizon, maybe you’re in need of a technologic solution to get back on track, or hopefully take your fitness goals to the next level.
-
Justin Bieber makes dream come true for child with brain tumor
In August, Avalanna Routh "married" teen singing sensation Justin Bieber. This week, she finally got to meet her husband.
-
Viral video: Toddler rescued from inside arcade game
A 2-year-old girl’s curiosity got her stuck inside an arcade game, where she had to be rescued by firefighters.
-
Video: Jennifer Hudson sings tribute to Whitney Houston at Grammys
The Grammys on Sunday night were filled with tributes to the late Whitney Houston, who died Saturday in a Beverly Hills hotel at the age of 48.
-
10 most romantic hotels in the U.S.
Valentine’s Day will be here soon, and a romantic getaway may be just what the heart needs. TripAdvisor has released its list of the 10 most romantic hotels in the country, based on travelers’ reviews about the beautiful scenery, friendly staffs and romantic amenities like hot tubs and fireplaces.
-
VIDEO: Punxsutawney Phil makes his prediction
More than 18,000 people descended on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney for the annual Groundhog Day celebration.
-
Gadgets Galore
The 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas has come and gone, but the gadgets introduced there likely will be part of our future for years to come. Record numbers were set with attendance, vendors, and square footage of exhibit space. Innovations were unveiled, and in some cases, expectations dashed.
-
Viral video: Bungee cord snaps, woman survives 360-foot fall
A 22-year-old woman from Australia survived with relatively minor injuries after her bungee cord snapped and she plunged into a crocodile-infested river in Zimbabwe.
-
Viral video: Marriage proposal rejected at basketball game
Having your marriage proposal rejected is heartbreaking. Having your marriage proposal rejected on camera in front of thousands of people at a sporting event? Well, that’s a viral video on YouTube.
- More Lifestyle Headlines
-
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
