Tarantino Gives Back, Saves Dying Cinema
The New Beverly Cinema is my kind of place. In 1978, Sherman Torgan took a porno joint and turned it into a haven for classic film. On the fateful night of May 5th, A Streetcar Named Desire and Last Tango In Paris played back-to-back and this great theater was born. Since then, the idea has remained unchanged. Just $7 will buy you a double feature of two classic films, all projected in beautiful 35mm.
After over two decades of continued operation, financial troubles hit hard during the mid-2000s. On the verge of shutting down, director Quentin Tarantino wanted to help the theater.
A long-time patron of the theater, Tarantino asked how much money the family needed in order to keep the dream alive. He then started donating $5,000 a month, as his "contribution to cinema." With his help, the theater was able to keep going.
In July 2007, the dream almost fell apart again. After Mr. Torgan's tragic death, his family struggled to keep the theater afloat. The cinema's buyer wanted to turn the place into a Supercuts, but fortunately the family found a clause in their lease that gave them the right to reject a buyout offer. After struggling to control the theater, Tarantino bought the property outright.
So the New Beverly Cinema goes on. Tarantino now serves as a "guardian angel," occasionally helping out, but he mostly leaves the programming to the Torgan family.
In addition to the classic double-bill, the theater also shows regular midnight showings and frequently has special guests.
This weekend, the theater is showing a selection of films programmed by Oscar-nominated director Jason Reitman, including Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
I don't live anywhere near Los Angeles, but hopefully I'll be able to make it to this legendary theater someday.
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