As you know, I live in East Palo Alto. While there IS the daily excitement of the ice cream truck rambling along over potholes and loose concrete replete with young children scrambling and sometimes CHASING the truck and it's happy melody, I wouldn't call it the most culturally advanced enclave of the bay area.
Last night, however, my appreciation for EPA completely changed. A deeper relationship was forged and it's safe to say that I love it more than ever for it's proximity to Palo Alto, home of THE STANFORD THEATER. Many a day have I peered shyly into the main foyer of the theater, glanced at the marquee and even picked up a schedule. But I never managed to actually go in. I knew it must be great, and I have no excuse. On Friday and Saturday nights the light bulbs flicker and yell "wonderful movie-going experience" at passersby. People wait in line and the foyer glows red like a warm, inviting womb that also happens to have original movie posters from Casablanca on it's walls.
I love movies, and though I may not be as academic as some about them, I love sitting in a theater and sharing in the collective movie-going experience. Watching movies with strangers can give you a new perspective or even understanding of a film.
At the Stanford Theater, it costs $6 for a double feature. The films are always from the "golden era of Hollywood". This month has featured films by Alfred Hitchcock. Last night I saw Dial 'M' for Murder and Saboteur. Both featured the pillowy featured and beautiful Robert Cummings. During intermission, an amazing organist pops up from the orchestra pit and plays for about 10 minutes. It's absolutely delightful.
During intermission last night I had an otherworldy experience in the restroom. As I was waiting in line, a lovely older lady with a crazy black feathered hat that reminded me of Olympia Dukakis in Steel Magnolias got into the line behind me. Except with popcorn! I stifled laughter and my curiosity was piqued. How does one use the public restroom with a bucket of popcorn? I never found out the answer to that question because a stall opened and when I emerged one minute later she was in her own stall--with her popcorn.
Which brings me to my last amazing discovery about the Stanford Theater--the concession stand. Normal sized popcorn from $1-$2.50 and soda from $1-$2. The large popcorn is about the size of a small AMC popcorn, the large soda is 20 ounces and the candy is Lindt and Ghirardelli. Yum!
After my amazing experience I did some research and discovered that there was another marvelous old theater in Palo Alto called the Varsity, but it got turned into a Borders, which made me really sad. Our American landscape is filled with Borders and AMCs and the extra large drinks and tripe that they pawn and very few Varsity and Stanford Theaters. Like most consumers, it doesn't usually bother me too much, but after last night I have a renewed faith in the concept of communities and community businesses. During intermission I saw one of my USGS co-workers enjoying the organ and relaxing after work and it was the first time since living in EPA that I've seen someone I know "around town" and felt the camaraderie that comes with actually living somewhere as opposed to being there on a temporary basis with moving in the foreseeable future.
Lest you think my transformation into middle-aged-middle-class-liberal-J-Jill_shopper complete, I would like to say that I do find beauty in the AMC experience, particularly Sandra Bullock movies and the Dance-Dance Revolution machine (more on that later!).
