La Pergola in Vidiciatico / Italy

 

The Cinema La Pergola writes on its website: 

"The Cinema Teatro La Pergola in Vidiciatico, in the municipality of Lizzano in Belvedere (in the province of Bologna), was founded in 1948 in the climate of the great reconstruction of the first post-war period, in a vacant area near a ballroom. The two structures should form a single recreational hub for citizens. The first manager, Zanasi, also owns the Cinema Puccini in Lizzano in Belvedere and often the same film is shown in the two cinemas on the same day, with very quick car journeys from one country to another to transmit the film. The cinema has an instant hit with audiences, especially in the summer season when it operates from early afternoon to midnight.

For many years, La Pergola was an important point of reference for the municipality and also for other nearby municipalities, where the other cinemas were gradually closing. The cinema La Pergola inherited a treasure from the Cinema Puccini: a projector for films from the 1950s, which is (occasionally) maintained and used and still works today.

In the 2000s, the property was acquired by the country's hoteliers' association, which guarantees its operation during the summer season and Christmas holidays. However, the crisis of the cinema also affects La Pergola and for some years the cinema has been practically closed, surviving at times thanks to the passion of a young operator in the country, Federico Roda, who keeps it alive.

In 2018 Don Giacomo Stagni, the parish priest of Vidiciatico, offers to manage it and with the help of some friends and volunteer villagers he reopens the hall and also manages to buy a new projector for digital films.

In the years from 2018 to 2021 the Cinema Teatro La Pergola in Vidiciatico was opened for the summer months and in 2021 it will also reopen for the Christmas period, offering visitors and citizens quality film festivals, organized in collaboration with the Fondazione Cineteca di Bologna and ACEC Emilia Romagna and thanks to the contributions of Corno all scale will be realized."

The story of Cinema Teatro La Pergola is a fine example of how a cinema can survive in a small town - with the support of many different people, fueled by enthusiasm and optimism. A story worth filming.

The postcard was sent in 1955. 

Empire Cinema in Sandwich / United Kingdom

 

The Empire Cinema in Sandwich / County of Kent writes on its website: "On 26th June, 1937 the Empire Cinema in Sandwich opened its doors for the first time. The films chosen for the original opening performance were Trust the Navy starring Lupino Lane and Craig's Wife starring Rosalind Russell as well as a coloured rhapsody plus the Gaumont British News. The cinema was described as a modern, up to date and luxurious building situated in a prominent position near to the Guildhall in the centre of the town. The auditorium was of spacious design seating 600 people in total in the circle and stalls areas.

Now the cinema, which re-opened in 1993, is operational in the former circle section of the building and has still retained the art deco architecture and can accommodate 130 people. The auditorium has been completely re-seated with more comfortable and luxurious seats and the original decorative neon lighting has been restored to the frontage of the theatre.

The latest digital projection equipment has been installed with Dolby digital sound. This will now enable the cinema to obtain and screen the latest film releases in this new improved format. In addition, it is planned to present cultural live shows of opera, ballet and theatre content on a regular basis in 2014. The arrival of digital cinema will provide our audience with a wide choice of entertainment with the added enjoyment of enhanced viewing.

The Lounge section is situated in the original stalls area and has been refurbished with comfortable chairs and tables and a maple dance floor installed in front of the cinema stage. A fully licensed bar is now available in the Lounge. A popular attraction in this area has been the monthly classic cinema presentations."

I got this postcard from Laura. The view of the cinema was painted by John C. Burrows. 

Thank you very much, Laura!

A Break

My blog has been paused for a while.

I started a new project: a blog / catalog raisonné of the graphic artist Eva Johanna Rubin (1925-2001).

Her pictures have accompanied me throughout my life.

As this is a completed work, the end is in sight and there will be something about cinema postcards again.