This evening a new movie experience opens to the public in Roanoke Rapids.
Thursday evening a group of supporters and friends of the Roanoke Cinema got a peak of what's in store as the theater debuted the new X-Men film, X-Men: Days of Future Past.
The movie was shown on the theater's new digital projection system with a 4,000 watt 5.1 Dolby surround sound system, beamed on one of two new screens.
The investment by Roanoke Cinema owners Blaine and Janelle Given was a way to save the theater from closing, Mr. Given said before the film's debut.
(Tickets for tonight's movies at the Roanoke Cinema may be purchased through its website or at the door)
The concession stand is readied for the premier.
A public donation drive fell short of its goal to raise $65,000 of the close to $125,000 needed to convert the theater's old 35mm system to digital, which has become the industry standard.
Instead the owners decided to use financing to make transition complete. “We didn't have a choice,” Mr. Given said. “We knew we had to make it happen or go out of business. We didn't do this to go out of business.”
Tracy Story, a local businessman who was one of the early supporters of the effort to save the theater, said he was impressed with the makeover. “It's amazing what they've done to keep a landmark.”
Closing theater would have continued to take money out of the area, Story said. “Now we're putting dollars back in the community.”
Given talks to the audience before the debut.
Before the debut of the movie, which the theater got special permission to run before its official release date, Mr. Given told the audience, “We are so excited you are here. It's been a very long and hard last few weeks for us. Janelle and I are so blessed that are you are.”
Preston McElheney, also a local businessman and supporter of the cinema, told the audience he worried that the doors were going to close, but through the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Given that didn't happen. “When you look at this you think about innovators. As you think about innovators in the community, they create jobs. They are good for the community.”
McElheney pledged $1,000 to the owners and challenged those attending to do the same. The changes, he said, will be something enjoyable for children and families for years to come.
Now playing.
Mr. Given said in addition to the new screens, sound system, and digital projection system, the improvements included taking up “the nasty blue wallpaper,” only to find out it was hiding blue bricks.
Second phase improvements include new seating, which comes with an $80,000 price tag, and possibly splitting the main theater 1 to have a third one.
