When I looked up the movie time for Love and Mercy sitting in the living room of the Happy Cottage in Cape Cod Saturday morning, I became a bit concerned when it was not listed in the familiar cineplex down the road where my dear wife Karen and I had watched films my weekly movie reviews our past two trips.
No problem.
Right below was the listing for the Cape Cinema.
It was a bit hard to find for the 1:45 Saturday matinée, a right turn off the main road, two twists and a drive up a gravel path that opened into a huge lot that I do believe as a drive-in during a past life.
That’s the theater?
I’ll admit to some initial confusion as to which of the buildings around the horseshoe lot was the theater. With her usual cool, Karen suggested we follow the folks that appeared to be Beach Boys fans.
Right place at the right time.
Yes, indeed, we had found the Cape Cinema. Cool theater.
After forking over $18 for the tickets, $1 less than a Regal Cinemas matinée in Syracuse would cost, and buying a small popcorn and a bottle of water for a reasonable $5.25, we walked through the door to a wild and artful world.
The curved walls to ceiling were painted mystically. The chairs, draped in white cloth, were more suited to a 1970s living room than a movie theater. I dug the aura.
Thank you, Cape Cinema, for hosting Brian Wilson’s story.
When the credits rolled two hours later, I thought: That’s entertainment.
My review is my previous post.
Have you ever been to a theater with chairs instead of seats, and if so, where? Have you ever been to a theater with a mural wall or ceiling, and if so, where? How much do you pay for a theater popcorn and water?
Mark Bialczak 
That’s so expensive! Matinee movies here are $7. But I usually go to Mugs & Movies where the theater is a restaurant and bar, and it’s $3 there, though the movies just left the real theaters about a week before. And there are tables and 1970s chairs on wheels there instead of row seats.
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It’s worth the wait for the discount you get at Mugs&Movies. That’s what I think, Rachel. 🙂
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Excellent look at your extremely unique theatre mate, from the outside I did expect something unusual inside, and I wasn’t disappointed, could imagine sitting back and enjoying an old Clarke Gable.
Thanks for sharing.
Regards.
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Thanks, Ian. It’s perfect for a classic, you are correct. 🙂
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I have to say MBM, I am digging the digs myself. I would happily go to a movie there. And the only place I go to that has chairs for movies is my friend’s house where we do the movie marathons….which by the way, when we restart in the fall the argument is Star Wars or not Star Wars????
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I would say yes to Star Wars because … wait for it … I have never seen it. And I must!
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WHAT! I am shocked. 🙂 One quarter of our movie foursome is refusing. But I am pretty sure we can subdue him. I mean, convince him. He will complain a lot. But I have a feeling when the weather turns to movie night weekend weather again that will be our next series.
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Tell him it’s something else and then it will be too late, MBC. 😉
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Advice is now stored for future need. 😉
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No, Mark, I have never been to a theatre like that – it sounds and looks amazing! Glad you found a theatre that was playing the movie you needed to review. ❤
Diana xo
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Talk about being lucky, Diana. I bet Calgary has some pretty cool theaters, though! ❤
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My favourite theaters are the smaller restored older ones Mark.
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We talked about this, Diana. It’s all coming back to me. We’ve been friends a long time. ❤
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Yes we have and I am richer for knowing you Mark. One day, I’ll meet you and Karen in person, and what the heck we’ll include Judy, if she’s around and Jim. Wouldn’t that be fun?
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That will be a big and happy day, Diana. ❤
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Isn’t that distracting while you’re trying to watch a movie, though?
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I didn’t notice it during the movie because the house lights were off, Kerbey.
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Mercy! That is some kind of cinema! Beautiful is an understatement!
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I know, Nancy. To walk into that was like finding Oz! 🙂
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WOW that cinema is sooo cool. That ceiling would make a welcome distraction if the film proved to be a dud. In Liverpool, along side the monstrous overpriced multiplexes, we have an arts cinema, that does have a small studio theatre with low-seated sofas which was ok for “Pride and Prejudice” but not for “The Battle of Algiers”. we also have two small independent family run cinema to the north and south of the city and, to my deep embarrassment, I have to confess I have been to neither, Best rectify that soon.
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That’s cool, Roy. I haven’t been a regular at the Arts Cinema outside of Syracuse, either, sad to say. I posted about it when I saw ‘Birdman’ there. It looks like and feels like watching a movie in an airplane. Anyway, back to Cape Cinema, a real wow, and your Liverpool situation with the sofas sounds interesting to me as well.
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the sofas were very uncomfortable and I was glad to have a normal cinema seat the next time I went
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By the end of the ‘Love & Mercy,’ I was squirming a bit on the 1970s living room chairs, also Roy. The modern theaters have very comfortable seats.
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That’s a cool theater! My husband and I usually go to afternoon movies–usually about $7, but the “twilight shows” are $5. We sometimes get Carmike points and get a free popcorn or coffee. We’ve seen trailers for the movie, so now I’ll have to look at your previous post. 🙂
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You have good prices in your neck of the woods, Merril.
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We tend not to go to the blockbuster movies–and usually not at night. 🙂
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Smart planning, my friend.
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Now that is an experience! I love all the 1920s movie theaters around LA…. unfortunately too many of them are disappearing. I only go to the movies once or twice a year (!) but I do buy popcorn… at my local theater I think it’s up to $6.50 for a small size…. that’s on top of the $13 senior ticket (non peak hours). I’m saving my pennies for a big screen TV at home! And more nutritious snacks…
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You need to get that flat screen at home, Ros. Then every show feels like a movie! You are paying LA prices, for sure. I bet there are a a lot great art houses out there. I hope some are saved.
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Oh wow, what a beautiful theater. Don’t think I’ve been to anything like it. You know, we have the Grauman’s Chinese Theater which is quite impressive but in a different way. Have you been there? I almost never order popcorn in a movie theater. After paying for 4 for a movie, it’s quite enough!!
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I’d love to check out Grauman’s in LA, Marissa. I’ve heard so much about it.
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Oh yeah, always a huge crowd out in front. I’ve been inside just a couple of times myself.
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That’s a groovy theatre! Wow! I’d go just for the experience!
We only paid $13 for last week’s matinee, but we racked up $19.50 for popcorn, 2 sodas, and a box of Rasinets. I may well start smuggling, because ridiculous, lol!
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The scales of pay it one way or the other, Joey. Deep pockets has another definition, I see!
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Sounds a fantastic place to watch movies. 😀 😀
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Yes, lucky Cape Codders, Tess.
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S.i.g.h. Lucky them.
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Wow, what a cool place. Nice to see something different. I usually only go to early matinees so it only costs about $6 for a ticket. Of course, then I buy popcorn…
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That’s a great price for the matinee, Carrie. It’s $9.50 in Syracuse. I usually wait until my points rewards card shoots out the free small popcorn certificate to indulge. Sad, I know. But on vacation in a wild art house like this, time to indulge! 🙂
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Most definitely. 🙂
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wow, i love this beautiful and unique theater. made the experience even better i’m sure )
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The theater did add to the experience, Beth. Old school!
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Such a beautiful theater! We pay $12 for tickets and I complain about that. Snackies usually cost almost as much as the tickets.
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That’s expensive, SD. Ouch.
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Very cool, Mark. Wow. I would LOVE to experience what that movie house offers. It warms my Heart that there are businesses who truly still do care. Happy Monday, cuz! Love, cuz from the west ❤
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It seems like the perfect fit for the Cape, Amy Rose. And to see it full on a pleasant Saturday afternoon was very comforting.
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Oh wow! It looks like a dream!
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It was as if we walked into the 1970s, LR. Which was really the perfect place to see this movie about the genius who struggled with life as he made the world take notice of his music with the Beach Boys in the 60s, 70s and 80s.
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I want to go there!
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Nothing like this in India for your romantic Desi sing-alongs like the one I reviewed two years ago, I take it, LR?
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No!!!!:'(
Also giant hugs everytime DL says “Desi”!
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I’m getting it right, right? 😮
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Yes!
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Phew. Relief. It was two years ago and I didn’t click back to make sure. 🙂
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Au$10 for small popcorn and soda / water. The small looks like a large at the cinemas. Au$10 approx $7.64.
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Your Australian prices are similar to what we pay in the large chain theater, perhaps even a little less with the conversion, Vonita. And you’re right. I never have to order anything other than a small popcorn at the movie theater. That’s enough for two, really.
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That theater is amazing – obviously pressed into duty as a movie house from another life. Very cool. I love small local businesses that are privately owned – that have a person who says ; “This is mine and I care.” That’s a gem you found there Mark.
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Agreed, Paul. This place spoke of pride of ownership. It also felt like the sort of house where folks would rally to volunteer to help make it a focal point of the community. As always, you have a good eye.
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