Free summer movies coming to theatre

Imperial will be showing five weeks’ worth of free movies this summer.
Hosted by The Imperial Theatre and sponsored by local businesses and an organization, the movies will be on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m., starting July 10 and continuing each week through Aug. 7.
“Eric Dittler, one of our (theater) projectionists, came up with the idea,” City Clerk/Administrator Jo Leyland said.
“Kids get bored in the summer,” Dittler said. “I just thought ‘let’s give them something to do.’”
Dittler thought how well the free Lions Club-sponsored movies went over during the holiday season and thought he could coordinate some kids’ films for the summer.
When he pitched the idea to Leyland, she was for it.
Dittler randomly asked different business owners he ran into if they’d be interested in sponsoring a film.
“I got five sponsors real quick,” he said. “They didn’t even bat an eye.”
Each movie will be sponsored by a local business.
The city got a lower rate through their movie booking agent by purchasing older films all made by Universal Studios.
“We got a low, flat rate, but we had to choose all the films in advance,” Leyland said.
The City of Imperial Facebook page got some assistance in choosing the last two movies. The first three were chosen by city office staff.
“Shrek” will be the first film, showing on July 10, followed by “Sing,” “Despicable Me,” “House With a Clock in its Walls” and “The Lorax.”
Businesses/organizations sponsoring the films include Frenchmen Valley Coop, Adams Drug, Harchelroad Motors, Super Foods and the Imperial Jaycees.
New speakers
In addition to the new projector it received a few months ago, The Imperial Theatre is now running on new sound equipment.
Jason Tuller, Community Development Director, said the “Godzilla” movie, shown in early June, was the first film to have the new system.
“(The sound is) noticeably louder and more clear,” Tuller said. “It rattles the projection booth, even during the kids’ movies.”
The new system is an all-digital, Dolby 7.1 surround sound system.

 

The Imperial Republican

308-882-4453 (Phone)

622 Broadway St

PO Box 727

Imperial, NE 69033