The newly-renovated Clark Theatres got rave reviews in its red-carpet rollout Tuesday night.
“It feels like you’re in a big city,” said Sue Franklin Taylor. “It was very much needed and appreciated.”
Mrs. Taylor visited the open house with her husband, Ward. The couple dated at the theater after meeting in college. The O’Neal family, who owned the theater building on the square for decades, donated it to the city in early 2016. In turn, the city completely remodeled it, and has a long-term lease in effect with Clarke Theatres. On hand for the ribbon cutting and open house were city and Chamber officials, along with Clark Theatres owner Mack Clark, and theater personnel. The building was completely gutted, and the facility now has three theaters with recliners and stadium seating, a brand-new snack bar, and new restroom facilities. It also has state-of-the-art equipment. With the changes, the facility is a far cry from the theater where brothers Alan and Eddie Williamson often spent their Saturday afternoons.
“Mr. Cassidy would walk up and down the aisles and make you put your feet down,” Alan recalled.
Eddie said, “He would come over the speaker, and you’d hear static, and he’d say, ‘Boys and girls, I’ve been begging and pleading with you to quieten down.’ ”
Alan said his favorite movie from “back in the day” was Jaws. Eddie said he loved all of the cowboy movies, but his favorite movie was Smokey and the Bandit. Alan saw American Graffiti there on his first date. Read More>