Wednesday was the last day of business for my all time favorite movie theatre, Harkins Camelview in Scottsdale. This was the area's "art house" theatre showing independent, small and foreign films. I did a post about Harkins Theatres back in 2008 telling the history of the locally owned chain. You can see it here. What I didn't know at that time was that this theatre got its start as an "art house" because the big movie companies owned most of the theaters in the country and they wouldn't release their films to Harkins so he started showing films produced independently and foreign films. People loved the choice and his business prospered. Can you see that mid-century modern look of the place in the photo above? Those parasol-like structures were pretty and functional providing shade for people waiting outside.
I stood in line in front of this box office many times buying tickets for some exciting and interesting movie. I'll miss it.
This message of thanks on the marquee says this place has been here for 42 years. It's sad to think it will soon be gone making way for something else. (I haven't heard what yet but, the property belongs to the mall so I'm sure it will be something commercial.) Harkins is moving this theater to a new spot inside the mall and it will open next week. It will be much bigger but, they say it will still show independent films mixed in with the bigger films. It will be interesting to see how that mix will change the dynamic of the crowds buying tickets.
I'll have to get some photos of the new place to show you after it opens.
14 comments:
Oh no! I have so many wonderful memories in this theatre! "The artist" was the last movie we went to see as a family before moving.
This brings back memories of my time as kid going to the Saturday Matinees. Thank you.
Love the architecture! It strikes me as being not unlike an old-timey gas station that's been repurposed. Sad that it can no longer function as a theater but good that it will continue to shot independent films in the mall.
Oh don't you just hate when that happens Sharon. I would be devastated if the Paradiso or the Luna closed, they and the movies they show are so much better than mainstream. Well at least you won't be missing out entirely if Harkins will still be around. It will be interesting to see what the new venue is like.
What an entranceway! So sad...
Unusual and eye-catching entrance! Sorry it is going this way, it is happened here too...
Love the building. And I'm happy to hear that the owner is moving and not closing up. We need lots of small independent theatres.
Quite apart from how lovely the building is in itself, I like that they showed independent and foreign films...
Sad to see, even if they're still carrying on in a new way.
So sorry to see this Sharon. I like the building. For some reason, it is making me think about that old tv show "The Jetsons" and I don't know why!
I hate to show how old I am but I remember when the Cine Capri on Camelback closed.
I'm glad they will still be showing films but it will be sad to see this entrance disappear!
What a terrible loss; I would be bereft if I lived there and couldn't see some of these fine movies!
That is so sad for me. I have so many memories of this theatre.
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