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May 5, 1996
The Second Run Theater
One of the joys of American city life is going to the second run theater.
Most large cities (250,000 population or more) have at least one such theater.
At these theaters you can get big screen entertainment at video rental prices.
How I wish we had these in Japan!
When movies are first released (on their first run) admission is usually $7 to $10, depending on the city and theater. Renting a video normally costs $2 or $3. Second run theaters show movies that are past their first run and are awaiting their video release. Typically these theaters charge $1.50 or $2.00, a small price to pay for the pleasure of seeing a movie on the big screen.
Unfortunately, by the time a movie makes it to such a theater there are few surprises for most viewers since the story is not as fresh as it once was. Also, the film is physically quite fragile by that time. At the theater I went to the picture would often jiggle and jump because of the old projector they used. I didn't mind. It was part of the experience.
Adding to the charm of that place was that the owner kept a cat in the theater. I suppose his job was to take care of rats, but he also entertained the audience. During quiet parts of the movie I would often here someone whispering "Here kitty kitty, tch tch tch."