Free Movies and More for the Summer
Cupcakes, Cartoons and Movies in the Theatre
The Park Theatre moves into Jaffrey’s Civic Center on July 16th for a free showing of “Singin in the Rain” after the Center’s annual “Night of 1,000 Cupcakes”. The movie is free and starts on or about 8:15 pm in the Civic Center Auditorium. The public is invited to attend and the doors open as soon as the cupcake event is completed.
“ Gene Kelly in American film's most famous solo dance – Singin’ in the Rain!”
“We guarantee that this event will be the only time no one complains about the rain,” suggested Mike King, Cinema Curator and Theatre trustee. Often acclaimed as the best musical ever made, “Singin’ in the Rain” contains the most popular dance solo ever filmed, one of the movies’ funniest routines and an Academy Award Nominated “Best Supporting Actress” by Jean Hagen, as the silent film star with a voice that would shatter glass and make strong men weep. The script by Betty Comden and Adolph Green satirizes the advent of sound in motion pictures, focusing on the team of Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont who fear for their future because of Lina’s difficulties with the new medium. One of the many highlights in the film is the Broadway Ballet featuring Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse.
And for those movie buffs who caught the first two chapters of “Daredevils of the Red Circle”, Chapter 3 of this “cliffhanger” will be shown after the feature as well. No Saturday Matinee of the 1930’s or 40’s was complete without a short (17-28 minutes) serial chapter. “Daredevils of the Red Circle” (1939) is one of the top-rated serials of its time. All of the 12 chapters of this cliffhanger will be shown over the course of the Theatre’s summer and fall series of free movies.
The Park Theatre is a historically significant 19th century wooden frame structure in the center of the historic district of downtown Jaffrey. It has a ¾ Broadway stage, excellent acoustics, original Art Deco design and decorations, and four large murals depicting the four seasons of Mount Monadnock from the towns around the mountain. The theatre itself is a contributing member to the historic designation of downtown Jaffrey. Originally a house across the street from the Town Common, the building was purchased in 1915 by Romolo Vanni, an Italian immigrant who moved from Peterborough to Jaffrey. In 1922, at the age of 28, Mr. Vanni cut his house in half and raised it up one story so he could build a produce and dry goods store, along with a walk way into a movie theatre on the street level. The walk way entrance allowed patrons to pass under his house to the adjoining barn when he converted into a movie theatre. The Park Theatre was born.
Although the theater itself has been closed for thirty-three years, trustees are committed to continuing the Theater’s seasons of movies and of plays and concerts in partnership with other performing artistic organizations. This is possible because of the support of the community in donating their time and resources to see the Theatre reopen. Trustees are giving a special thank you to residents of Jaffrey and visitors to the town with an opportunity to experience a piece of history on Saturday, July 25th during Jaffrey’s Riverfest Celebration. For the first time in thirty-three years movies will be shown in the majestic Theatre. Audiences can sit back and soak up the nostalgia and watch three great movies the way they were meant to be seen! This special occasion has been made possible by the assistance of the Jaffrey Fire Department. The noon matinee on July 25th will feature Hopalong Cassidy in “Hopalong Rides Again”. The two o’clock matinee is three chapters of “Daredevils of the Red Circle”. The 7 pm evening show stars John Wayne in “Red River”. The public is invited to attend. Seating is limited for these special performances. Popcorn, candy and drinks are available. Doors open one half hour before show time.
“Hopalong Cassidy and his companions hit the trail again.”
The Park Theatre free summer movies continue at the Jaffrey Woman’s Club and run weekly at 7 pm through August 14th. The Woman’s Club auditorium offers comfortable seats and air conditioning. Popcorn, candy and drinks are available. Doors open at 6:30 and the general public is invited.
One of the best-loved baseball movies “Field of Dreams” will be shown on Saturday, August 1 after the day-long annual Jaffrey-Rindge Rotary Baseball Game. This movie and others that follow are shown at 7 pm the Jaffrey Woman’s Club, 33 Main Street in Jaffrey. Popcorn, candy and drinks are available. The public is invited and doors open at 6:30. The third annual round-up of “Bugs Bunny Cartoons” is Thursday, August 6 at 7 pm at the Jaffrey Woman’s Club. These cartoons feature the music and artistry of MacDowell Colony Medalist Chuck Jones and the evening is hosted by Steven Thurber, Cartoon Maven. Popcorn, candy and drinks are also available at all showings.
The Park Theatre’s Summer Movie Nights concludes with a special showing of the John Travolta hit movie “Grease” on Friday, August 14th. The classic film was specially selected to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Jaffrey Fireworks Festival, co-sponsored by Atlas PyroTechnics, Jaffrey Chamber of Commerce and the Jaffrey AirPark. The movie starts at 7 pm the Jaffrey Woman’s Club, 33 Main Street in Jaffrey. Popcorn, candy and drinks are available. The public is invited and doors open at 6:30. As board president Hollister has said, “We are going to do now what the theatre will do once it has re-opened – and that is, to present the arts and provide entertainment and, most importantly, work with the organizations and performing artists throughout the whole region to bring enjoyable, cultural experiences to all of our communities.”
The Park Theatre fall series of films, “Saturdays at the Cinema” are also shown at the Jaffrey Woman’s Club. The series starts September 12 with a “Salute to Child Actors”, followed on October 3 with Errol Flynn in “Captain Blood” and ending with Humphrey Bogart in “Casablanca” at the Theatre’s “Annual Tribute to Veterans” on November 7th. The following Saturday, November 14th, is the occasion of the communities' packing of boxes for soldiers, now in its ninth year, at the American Legion from nine o'clock until noon on Webster Street in Jaffrey.
The Park Theatre’s 2009 Season is the result of the collaboration of the Theater with the Jaffrey Women’s Club, The Jaffrey Civic Center and numerous performing artists throughout the region. These artists and arts organizations intend to mount their productions in the re-opened Park Theater. Upcoming Partner productions include the Small Pond Production of “The Dinner Party” on July 9 – 11; Monadnock Music’s Beethoven Trail begins in Sullivan at 7:30 pm and Unequaled Music is performed at the Jaffrey Center Meetinghouse on July 12 at 4 pm followed by an auction at the Inn at Jaffrey Center.
