Many of you know my affection for small and local businesses, as particularly demonstrated through my membership with, and service to, Local First Milwaukee. A few weeks ago, there was a hub-bub over the foreclosing of the Times and Rosebud Cinemas. These two small theatres, both located in Wauwatosa are quite unique in the marketplace, being single-screen moviehouses. They ARE special in that regard, and I hope that Anchorbank finds a way to preserve the moviehouses’ ability to operate in the community. They DO bring a value to their neighborhoods, far beyond the mere financials.
This news story made me think about the other classic Milwaukee cinemas I’ve spent time in, the one I wish I could have spent time in, and another unique venue for classic films.
1. The Paradise Cinema, in West Allis, on Greenfield Ave. This cinema has been closed for many years now, but I can remember going here to see “Gone With the Wind,” “Singing In The Rain,” “A Night At The Opera,” and “Lawrence of Arabia” (in 70mm!) among many others! It was a beautiful theatre and had a “cosmic jellybean” up above the screen – a large back-lit cut-out above the screen that brought a low-level illumination to the room before the movie started. This was a GREAT movie experience – – a gigantic screen, beautiful interior, and truly classic films shown.
2. The Times Cinema, in Wauwatosa on Vliet St. became my “main” theatre after the Paradise closed. My ex-wife and I, while dating, would go see films there 2-3x a month, almost always having a bagel-dog and soda with the film! I can remember attending a few Friday Night Freakshows at midnight, seeing Spike and Mike’s Sick and Twisted Animation Festival, volunteering there during the Milwaukee Film Festival, and eagerly reading over the 8 1/2 x 11 handout with the schedule of upcoming films on it. Though it isn’t the “prettiest” of movie-houses, it has been the longest in my life. I can recall how disappointed I was when the schedule changed from classic films to modern movies.
3. The Avalon, on Kinnickinnic Ave in Bay View, is another incredible movie house that I only got to visit a few times before it closed. Like you would expect of a “real” movie-house, it had a extravagant lobby, beautiful wall decorations, and a large balcony that, unfortunately, got rarely used. I can remember going there to see a Halloween showing of the original “Night of the Living Dead”. Fortunately the building that house the Avalon isn’t completely shuttered, now being home to Big Foot Bike and Skate, and the Brass Rooster.
4. The Rosebud Cinema, on North Ave. in Wauwatosa, was a newer player to my movie-experience. It had never shown classic films, but was the first theatre I’d gone too where I could get a pizza and beer, and sit on an overstuffed couch, while watching the movie!
5. The Grand on Wisconsin Ave., in downtown Milwaukee. In my 20 years here, I can’t recall this theatre ever being operational. It seems a damn shame and I sure wish there was a way to open it up. I bet it’s beautiful inside. There is some small good news for the Grand in that the ticket window may soon find use, at least.
It seems that Milwaukee DOES have a few unique theatres yet – The Fox Bay Cinema, the Oriental, the Downer. Too, the Charles Allis Museum is featuring regularly-scheduled 16mm films – the current series for “Movie Time” is “1930s Movie Musicals”!
Any of these places will only last though, if people support them. I’m begging you, kind readers, when you’ve got a movie to see, consider supporting a smaller establishment. People recognize and remember a neighborhood not for the megastores or multiplexes it has, but for the character and quality experience brought to it buy smaller service providers. Please, support your small theatres before they all get shuttered.
For more information about Local First Milwaukee and the “buy local” movement, click HERE.
