*Alternate post title: In Appreciation of The Midtown Cinema*

Rumors about the future of the Midtown Cinema on Reily Street in Harrisburg were abundant last year. We heard talk of the cute little independent triplex being demolished to make more parking for HACC Midtown. We heard chatter about it being moved into the new building going up at 3rd and Reily…but without concessions. We heard that GreenWorks bullied the old owner out of the place.

But in true Harrisburg-fashion, those rumors were all mostly unfounded. And I write this post today after having what cannot be described any other way than a pleasant, affordable experience at one of Harrisburg’s most under-used crown jewels on Wednesday night.

Yes, there is new management at the Midtown Cinema. Since GreenWorks purchased the building last year, they’ve made some cosmetic upgrades- new paint, plans for a sidewalk-seating area, enhanced coffee services.

But with the changes, things stay the same.

It still costs less than twenty bucks for two tickets and some refreshments. Parking is a breeze. The calendar is pretty vibrant- with independent new releases peppered with screenings of classics like the one we saw.

You see, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho was one of my favorite movies when I was in High School. Something about the clever character depictions and instant-karma message of the film always gripped me. So when I saw that the Midtown Cinema was screening this film on one of their screens for a week, I decided that it was time to pay a visit to the charming film house nestled snugly in the heart of Midtown.

Make no mistake- theaters do not get any more “no frills” than the Midtown Cinema. In comparison to the megaplex, dozen-screen theaters, the seats at the Midtown do not recline. There are no cup-holders. Popcorn is served in little bags- but are affordably priced. Instead of gigantic ads for the next Ben Stiller summer blockbuster, there are local artists works hanging on the walls. And instead of shoot-em-up video games, there is a quaint seating area with magazines and books strewn about.

I’ve heard that the Midtown Cinema is one of a very few independent triplex theaters in the country which still remain. Sure, there are many single-screen and two-screen theaters scattered throughout hip cities, but the fact that this is a triplex makes it even more unique.

Having lived in Midtown/Uptown for about five years now, I forget, sometimes, how many underused gems we have in this city. Italian Lake. The Broad Street Market. The Harrisburg Greenbelt. And, of course, the Midtown Cinema on Reily Street.

Unfortunately, things such as those listed above are often only missed when they’re gone for good…and unless we embrace and nurture these places as a community, they’ll windup in the graveyard of “stuff we usedta have”.

On the web: http://midtowncinema.com