Volunteers such as Jon Van Aartsen gave the Palace Theatre, Luverne, a minor facelift Saturday. He assisted in general painting, cleaning and also reupholstering seat cushions.
By Sara Strong
Like a blacklisted starlet returning to the screen, the Palace Theatre is trying to make a comeback.
Nightly movies aren't in the immediate future, but the Blue Mound Area Theater board hopes the Palace can recapture some of its former glory - or at least earn a higher position on the area's social calendar.
LaDonna Van Aartsen, vice president of BMAT, said, "We're trying to bring in movies when we can - maybe once a month."
Mixing old classics and not-quite-new releases may be a part of the Palace formula for success. Older films and unique productions could draw a different crowd and are a particular interest to BMAT president Ben Vander Kooi.
Of the movies that come to the Palace, Vander Kooi looks forward to bringing the best of recent releases, even though they might not be fresh off the reel. For example, an October possibility could be the recent surprise hit, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."
The board has a couple options for movie companies that sell to smaller markets, like the Palace. The movies generally would be second or third runs but would bring current popular movies to Luverne.
Vander Kooi, said, "We hope people look to the Palace as a place for events, plays, performances or talent shows."
A structural analysis and marketing study could start soon, with one grant coming in at $2,500, the city of Luverne promising $15,000 and another possible grant on its way. The types of movies that draw audiences and the building itself will be looked at through the study.
So far this year, a few scheduled events will fill the theater. The October firefighter fund-raiser will go on as planned Oct. 15, 16 and 17. The animated feature "Cats Can't Dance" will play seven times - at 7 and 9 p.m. Oct. 15 and 16 and at 4:30, 7 and 9 p.m. Oct. 17. (Firefighters will give away tickets the first week in October and ask for a donation.)
Also coming to the Palace are two Green Earth Players productions, a possible Halloween night movie, a possible Christmas-theme movie after the Winterfest parade and a performance by Emily Lodine.
The theater is available for use for $150 per night.
No matter what ends up playing at the Palace, board members are working to make its return to Main Street prominence as popular as a blockbuster sequel.
BMAT purchased the Palace for $60,000 early this year after the facility was unsuccessful under a year of private ownership.
Historic gem
The Palace Theatre was built in 1915 by Herman Jochims for stage plays by traveling troupes and the new entertainment form - "moving pictures."
Focal points in the theater proper are the originally painted wall panels, stage curtains, a pipe organ and the artistic wall and ceiling dŽcor. A ballroom originally occupied the second floor.
Now, the second floor is a museum open to visitors by appointment. It holds numerous mementos of the vaudeville days, the days of silent movies, and early sound movies are on display.