2008 Woodie Awards
Rebel Theater Snubs Corporation
Ann Pedersen
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: Culture
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But there is a catch, said Minor Theater General Manager, J.C. Bell.
"The corporation [Coming Attractions] said that no old movies can be shown… only new movies."
Bell also said that if the attendance is good to the first few movies, The Minor midnight showings may be coming back for good.
"If people show they might start them back up [regularly]," said Bell.
Bell attributes the possible return of the midnight showings to a petition requesting the return several months ago.
Ashley Klump, Humboldt local and College of the Redwoods Graduate, was one of the petition signers.
"Midnight movies were things we did every week. It was a good place to hangout," said Klump. "There were lots of memorable movies. People got really into them."
Klump laments the fact that the midnight movies won't be returning in the same format as before. "You don't get to see those movies [cult classics] on the big screen anymore. But I'd rather they have new ones than none at all."
Bell hopes to have the next midnight movie sometime in October and is looking into the possibility of it being Saw IIII.
The reason the midnight movies were cancelled in the first place was due to The Minor Theater changing ownership.
Since the 1970s The Minor has belonged to a Humboldt State graduate, Dave Phillips. Phillips still owns the building; Coming Attractions now handles the everyday management of the theater.
"I oversee the theater operations," said Bell, "I make sure people are happy."
Bell has been working for Coming Attractions for two years, but has been the general manager of The Minor Theater for four months. During his time as general manager Bell has witnessed a number of unique things that set The Minor apart from a typical Coming Attractions theater.
One of the two main differences is the price of tickets. In no other Coming Attractions theaters do students get in at a discounted rate. At The Minor a student gets in for the price of a child, 6 dollars afternoon or night.
Another difference is that The Minor does not show corporate advertisements. "A lot of people complained [about the commercials]," Bell said. "I think it was mainly calls and emails that swayed the company [into not having the commercials]." Now, if you see a movie at The Minor, you won't have to worry about being sold a sports car or a name brand shampoo.
Bell said he thinks that Coming Attractions makes allowances for The Minor Theater because it is a staple in the Arcata community.
The Minor Theater opens at 3 p.m. on weekdays and 12 p.m. on weekends.
"I'm glad they don't have those stupid commercials [at The Minor]," said 18-year-old Arlen Pedersen. "If I go to the movies I don't want to see Adrien Brody sucking on a soda… unless he's in the movie I'm seeing."
Ann Pedersen can be contacted at acp31@humboldt.edu
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