The last theatre standing: Cinema celebrates 100 years
- 1/21
Cinema owner Ann Nelson sits in the ticket booth prior to the evening show, while a customer waits for a friend. (Reuters)
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Cinema owner Brian Nelson waits for a movie to download into a digital projector (R) while leaning on one of the old projectors. The old 35mm projectors are no longer used following the installation of the digital equipment earlier this year. (Reuters)
REUTERS - 3/21
People in costume arrive to watch a late night screening of the "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" on Halloween. Fans of the cult film often dress up to attend specially-held screenings of the adult musical and sing along with the well known songs. (Reuters)
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People use flashlights and wear newspapers on their heads while watching a late night screening of the movie "The Rocky Horror Picture Show". (Reuters)
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An old Hollywood Studio directory from 1918. The theatre had gathered a large collection of such books over the years but were all sold by the theatre owner in the 1990s. Many of the books including this one have been returned since then by local residents who bought the books year ago. (Reuters)
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Cinema owner Ann Nelson holds up an original slide from the movie Casablanca, first released in 1942. Ticket sales to the cinema have steadily declined over the last decade but websites such as Netflix and Lovefilm hold an extensive library of films. (Reuters)
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This picture is dated 1928 shortly after the theatre moved to this building. The cinema shared its space with a chocolate shop (L) and a stock broker (R). (Reuters)
REUTERS - 8/21
One hundred years later and the cinema has seen a number of changes in the town. (Reuters)
REUTERS - 9/21
Local member of the Provincial Legislature Nick Simons is reflected in grand piano while rehearsing on his cello with pianist Helena Sandler for a Sunday afternoon concert. As well as film showings the theatre used to entertain customers with vaudeville shows and even local boxing matches. (Reuters)
REUTERS - 10/21
Nick Simons rehearses on his cello for a concert later that afternoon. The venue has been running continuously since it opened and hosts a variety of entertainment including concerts and vaudeville to the town's 13,000 people. (Reuters)
REUTERS - 11/21
A row of original seats from 1928 sit on permanent display. The current seats were made in the 1940s and were taken from a theatre in Vancouver that was being renovated several years ago. (Reuters)
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Pianist Jim Dickson entertains the audience prior to an evening show. He plays his instrument before or during intermissions in movies or live entertainment. (Reuters)
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The audience waits for an evening screening of the 1952 movie "Singing in the Rain". Even though the one-screen theatre generally shows the recent releases they do sometimes show old classics. (Reuters)
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Master of ceremonies Kevin Cook warms up the audience with jokes during a vaudeville show. The Patricia was the first cinema built in Powell River and although others opened up there, none have survived. (Reuters)
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Master of ceremonies Kevin Cook (R) tries to pull trombone player Susan Dickson offstage with a hook during a vaudeville show. The theatre is no stranger to stars - in its heyday Dolores Costello - nicknamed "The Goddess of the Silent Screen" for her performances in the genre - and her husband film and stage actor John Barrymore (grandfather of Charlie's Angels star Drew Barrymore). (Reuters)
REUTERS - 16/21
Local residents wear brilliantly coloured costumes during a vaudeville show. (Reuters)
REUTERS - 17/21
Scarlet Mary Rose puts on a burlesque performance during a vaudeville show. Many local residents put on the performances to help celebrate the theatre's 100th anniversary. (Reuters)
REUTERS - 18/21
Local residents perform and watch a vaudeville show in celebration of the theatre's 100th anniversaruy. (Reuters)
REUTERS - 19/21
A handout picture shows The Patricia Theatre just after it opened in late 1928 in Powell River, British Columbia, the most western province of Canada. (Reuters)
REUTERS - 20/21
Carole Ann Leishman sings during a vaudeville show. The murals on the wall were brought back to their original condition after restoration in 2004. The original murals were painted over in the 1950s. (Reuters)
REUTERS - 21/21
The Patricia Theatre is seen at dusk by the Powell River. (Reuters)
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Updated
The Patricia Theatre in the small city of Powell River, British Columbia, is celebrating its 100th year. It was founded in 1913, its one screen showed the best silent films of the time. As the years passed and the world of cinema changed Canadian customers watched everything from musicals to sci fi films. They are now even taking in 3-D movies. There used to be more cinemas in the 13,000-strong city but each one closed - leaving just the Patricia Theatre to entertain with the newest releases, concerts, vaudeville shows and special screenings of cult and classic films.