Double feature at Village Cinema this weekend

Village Cinema may not be licensed to screen copyrighted films yet, but owner Larry Hernandez isn’t letting that stop him from bringing movies to the Coulee Dam theater. 

This weekend he’ll screen two films that are in the public domain, meaning, the copyright has expired and therefore no licenses are required to show public screenings. 

Saturday night, those looking to celebrate spooky season can come watch Night of the Living Dead, George A. Romero’s classic 1968 horror film often credited with popularizing the modern image of flesh-eating zombies. 

Tickets cost $10 and a popcorn and soda combo costs $5, with proceeds going to support the cinema and in particular the new HVAC system.

“Zombie attire is encouraged,” Hernandez said, adding that there will be prizes for the best costume. Though, dressing in layers is also advised, since the heat in the theater isn’t working yet.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. with the movie starting at 6.

Then on Sunday at 1 p.m., Hernandez will screen the 1939 animated adventure film Gulliver’s Travels as a matinee show. Admission for children 12 and under is free, but kids must be accompanied by an adult. Matinee tickets for the rest of us are $5, and the $5 popcorn-soda combo will be on the menu for this show, as well. 

Many other films in the public domain are low budget horror and sci fi films with titles like Teenager from Outer Space, or The Brain That Wouldn’t Die. Others include His Girl Friday, a 1940 rom-com starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, the 1937 version of A Star is Born, and Reefer Madness, a so-called “exploitation film” from 1936 extolling the dangers of marijuana.

Hernandez said he has no plans to screen other movies at this time.

“This will be the only weekend we will probably get to do this until I get the new HVAC installed,” he said. “I just wanted to give the community a chance to come inside and have a seat.”