Lights, Camera...Opening?

The story could be a film script — and it looks more and more like one with a happy ending.

The Prologue

The much loved Revue Cinema lies dark and forlorn; potential buyers jockey, conclude deals with escape clauses and then back off; a disheartened community and the hardworking Revue Film Society are perplexed by the machinations of the marketplace.

The Central Action

A white knight in the form of a modest, industrious local resident, originally from Liverpool, makes his entrance. At 79, he has vivid memories of the WW2 blitz and the solace movie houses offered war-weary Britons. He wants the Roncesvalles community to have the Revue back. He decides on the path: buy the building and have the Revue Film Society run it.

He comes to a verbal agreement with the owners of the building. He concludes a lease in principle with the Revue Film Society.

Meanwhile, Film Society members have been working since last summer toward their dream of reopening the Revue. They're framing a vision, honing budgets and planning what will light up the screen when the projectors get rolling.

The (Future) Climax

What's left to do? Our potential buyer and the owners must hammer out the details of their deal and ink it. Then, he and the Revue Film Society will finalize the lease.

Next: the grand reopening, and the return of loyal patrons.

Subplot: The Fallen Marquee

Yes, a visit to the theatre will feel a little different now: no more waiting for friends under the iconic marquee with its historic deco lettering. It collapsed dramatically in February, a victim of age, snow and a weakened supporting chain.

Fortunately, no one was hurt, and with luck and hard work, we'll have a new, better marquee in the future. Meanwhile, its loss won't hamper operations inside, and that's what counts.

Epilogue

Keep watching this website. When the climax materializes according to script, we will need your help to achieve a truly happy ending. We'll keep you posted.

© 2007 Revue Film Society