Neighborhood-Kids All Local. All for Kids. All the Time.

Blast into the Past at a Rocket Sci-Fi Matinee

by Theresa Carpine2/19/2009 1:42:50 PM

Although I’m pretty excited for The Pickford Film Center, also known as the Pickford Dreamspace, to open up later this year (fingers crossed…), I still love the intimate setting of their current theatre on Cornwall Avenue in the heart of downtown Bellingham. The seats aren’t the most comfortable, there isn’t much leg room, and the 88 seats sell out pretty quickly. Surprisingly, these are all reasons I love going to the Pickford. I don’t go to the Pickford just to see a movie; I go for the whole experience!

Kids (and adults) will have a blast seeing old 3-D movies at The Pickford Cinema.

The Pickford is the place to go for “indie” films, like foreign films and documentaries, and short film festivals. They’re also an active member of the downtown business community, joining with other businesses to bring specialty films to the Pickford, like their bi-monthly feature sponsored by The Leopold with showings of black and white films from the 1930s and 40s. The Leopold Classic probably won’t appeal to the kids, but I know they’ll love the monthly Rocket Sci-Fi Matinee series, sponsored by downtown staple, Rocket Donuts.

The owner of Rocket Donuts, Jim Swift, has been involved in campaigns to help raise money for The Pickford Film Center for several years. At the start of last summer, Jim suggested to Pickford Cinema Program Director Michael Falter that the theatre bring the classic sci-fi movies from the 1950s and 1960s back to the big screen at the Pickford.

“When I was a kid in the fifties, you could go to the movies for a whole afternoon to see two sci-fi movies, 10 cartoons, and a serial cliffhanger for only a quarter,” Jim explained. The impact that these afternoon matinees had on Jim is evident in the retro, sci-fi décor of Rocket Donuts (find out more from Neighborhood-Kids.com contributor Joanna Nesbit: Start Your Morning at Rocket Donuts).

Rocket Sci-Fi Matinees began in early summer of 2008, costing only 50 cents (cost is now $1). A few months ago, Jim learned of a Seattle theatre that had started showing old 3-D movies. “And I thought, ‘That would be fun,’” Jim said.

In January, “Creature from the Black Lagoon” marked the first 3-D showing in the series and “the turnout was incredible,” according to Jim. Both matinee shows sold out quickly, so a third viewing might be added to the lineup for February’s 3-D feature on February 21, “It Came from Outer Space,” which is Jim’s all-time favorite sci-fi classic.

“The matinees are fun for all age groups. It’s a wonderful experience for kids that gives them the chance to learn about a part of history they don’t know about, and they can enjoy it with their parents,” Jim said.

Rocket Sci-Fi Matinee will continue as long as the films continue to draw audiences. “It’ll be three or four years before we run out of movies to show,” Jim said. You can also look forward to seeing these classic sci-fi movies at the new Pickford Film Center someday.

For movie times and information, visit The Pickford Cinema or call (360) 738-0735.

A Note About the Author: Theresa Carpine

A Bellingham Online Journalist, Theresa Carpine graduated from WWU with a BA in English Literature. She enjoys yoga, listening to music, riding her bike in downtown Bellingham, and babysitting really cute kids.