Mason City's Arlee to offer cooling station and old movies for Fall Festival

 

[September 12, 2022] 

To help show solidarity with Mason City's Fall Festival, the Arlee Theater has offered its auditorium as a cooling center on Saturday, September 17. From 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., the theater will be open and air conditioned, with guests welcome to come and go as they wish.

In addition, a series of old films, some silent and some "talkies," will be playing during this period. The playlist will feature films and shorts from 1888 - 1943, and include classics featuring Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, as well as some of the oldest surviving motion pictures (some only a few seconds long), imaginative scenes from Georges Melies, and even cartoon heroes such as Superman!

"We often get requests to show old classics, and this felt like the perfect opportunity to both showcase this important part of cinema history, as well as provide a service to the community," said manager Marcia Maxson. "While I'm hoping for nothing but beautiful weather for the festival, I know sometimes it can get a bit warm out there and it might be nice for people to be able to step inside and cool off for a few moments before going back out to enjoy all the festivities the town has going on!"

The full film lineup will be available on the theater's website, www.arleetheater.com,  as well as posted in the front window at the theater.

About the Arlee: The Arlee is restored a single screen art deco theater originally opened in 1936, located at 139 S. Main Street in Mason City, IL. It is entirely volunteer-run, playing (usually) first and second-run movies on the weekends, and a live concert on the second Thursday of every month. While it is traditionally closed for the month of September, it will be open for this special event, and resume its usual schedule in October. Please visit www.arleetheater.com  for more information.

[Arlee Theater]