re: independent films

["Kenton Bird" <KBird@vines.ColoState.EDU>]

Hi, folks,
I've been lurking on the list the past few weeks after my late-October visit 
to Moscow reminded me of how much I missed the place.

John Francis' posting about independent films at the SUB reminded me of my 
viewing before Halloween of the classic silent film "Nosferatu" at the Rialto 
theatre in Loveland (12 miles south of Fort Collins).  It was my first visit 
to the Rialto, which is owned by the city and was beautifully restored several 
years ago to its original art-deco splendor.  It's used for several film 
series, as well as live entertainment (Emmylou Harris played there last 
summer).

Has anyone explored the possibility of the city and/or a non-profit film 
society taking over the Micro, for films and/or performance space?  During my 
time in Moscow, I often thought about making a contribution to keep the Micro 
afloat or paying annual dues to receive the schedule.  Did Bob Suto pursue any 
alternatives to a commercial business?

And has anyone heard any more about Carmike building a 12-screen complex in 
Pullman and closing the Kenworthy and Nuart?   That would be a great loss to 
downtown Moscow, not to mention a great contributor to traffic congestion on 
the M-P highway.   Perhaps someone should approach the Kenworthy family (which 
owns the buildings) about the possibility of donating one of the theatres to 
the city or a non-profit group if Carmike follows through on this idea.

Fort Collins' last downtown cinema closed several years ago, before I moved 
here.  There are two four-screen  movie houses and one 10-screen multi-plex, 
two to five miles from my home.   I realize now how lucky Moscow and Pullman 
are to have downtown theatres within walking and/or biking distance of nearly 
everyone in town.  I hope you can preserve and nurture that asset.

--Kenton


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Kenton Bird
Department of Journalism & Technical Communication
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1785
Phone: (970) 491-5986          Fax: (970) 491-2908
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