Normal Town Theater Celebrates 75 Years
By: Sophie Nielsen-Kolding WMBD/WYZZ TV
Updated: November 18, 2012
NORMAL- Saturday theater goers in Normal celebrated one of their community gems; the Normal Town Theater that has now been showing movies for three quarters of a century.
"It opened November 17th, 1937. It showed Double or Nothing, which was a Bing Crosby Martha Ray movie," said theater manager, Dawn Riordan.
November 17th 2012 marked the theaters 75th birthday. Riordan said the theater has always been a reflection of times past and present.
"I know that in the 70s it showed a lot of disco movies, which were all quite the rage," she said.
The theater still looks like it did in 1937, but on purpose. It went through major renovations after the interior went downhill years ago. And the prices also reflect a time long gone.
"And they're here to see a movie maybe the parents saw when they were kids and they want to take their kids to see it and they order all this candy and all this pop and all this soda and they say ok that'll be eight dollars and nobody can believe it," said Volunteer Susan Heiser.
A ticket is $6 and popcorn is just $1. But that's not the only unique thing about it. The theater shows foreign films, independent films and Christmas classics. Heiser said those are just a few reasons why she loves volunteering there.
"Well it's just a beautiful place, you know I sometimes say to people it's an antique theater we show antique films and so let's take really good care of it, respect it, enjoy it and just be really glad we're got this in town," Heiser said.
She said perhaps the most unique thing about the theater, and the reason for this celebration is its staying power.
"You know not everything lasts that long and in terms of pop culture, we'll see what's around in 75 years," Heiser said.
The manager said she hopes the theater is still around in another 75 years.
Find show details here.
"It opened November 17th, 1937. It showed Double or Nothing, which was a Bing Crosby Martha Ray movie," said theater manager, Dawn Riordan.
November 17th 2012 marked the theaters 75th birthday. Riordan said the theater has always been a reflection of times past and present.
"I know that in the 70s it showed a lot of disco movies, which were all quite the rage," she said.
The theater still looks like it did in 1937, but on purpose. It went through major renovations after the interior went downhill years ago. And the prices also reflect a time long gone.
"And they're here to see a movie maybe the parents saw when they were kids and they want to take their kids to see it and they order all this candy and all this pop and all this soda and they say ok that'll be eight dollars and nobody can believe it," said Volunteer Susan Heiser.
A ticket is $6 and popcorn is just $1. But that's not the only unique thing about it. The theater shows foreign films, independent films and Christmas classics. Heiser said those are just a few reasons why she loves volunteering there.
"Well it's just a beautiful place, you know I sometimes say to people it's an antique theater we show antique films and so let's take really good care of it, respect it, enjoy it and just be really glad we're got this in town," Heiser said.
She said perhaps the most unique thing about the theater, and the reason for this celebration is its staying power.
"You know not everything lasts that long and in terms of pop culture, we'll see what's around in 75 years," Heiser said.
The manager said she hopes the theater is still around in another 75 years.
Find show details here.
